JP4937664B2 - Method for manufacturing endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a process for producing endoscopic KagamiSo location for observing the subject.

  In recent years, in various fields such as the medical field and the industrial field, an endoscope apparatus including an endoscope insertion part that can be inserted into a subject is used so that a stenosis part or the like that cannot be directly observed by an observer can be observed. Has been. The endoscope insertion portion has a slender flexible tube and a bendable bending portion so that the endoscope insertion portion can be freely inserted into the subject and can be observed in a desired direction. Such a bending portion includes, for example, a bending tube that allows a plurality of annular bending pieces to be connected to each other in a rotatable manner, a bending tube that can be freely bent, and the bending tube. A bending wire that can bend the bending tube actively by pulling the distal end side thereof (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In addition, when the bending tube has a structure in which bending pieces are connected as described above, it is impossible to achieve internal watertightness. For this reason, a substantially tubular rubber member is disposed on the outer periphery of the bending tube as described above. By tightening the end of the rubber member, the rubber member and the bending tube are closely fixed, and the water tightness inside the bending tube is reduced. The sex is secured. FIG. 16 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the end portion of the rubber member fixed with the thread winding in the curved portion of Patent Document 1. That is, the water tightness of the bending tube 100 and the rubber member 101 is ensured by tightening the fastening thread 102 and reducing the diameter of the rubber member 101 at the end of the rubber member 101 disposed on the outer periphery of the bending tube 100. ing. In particular, in the industrial field, a flexible, substantially tubular shape that is braided with a thin wire of metal or the like for the purpose of protecting an endoscope insertion portion from a load applied from a subject and reducing insertion resistance. The blade 103 covers a flexible tube or a curved portion (see FIG. 16 and Patent Document 1). Such a blade 103 is disposed so as to extend from the end of the rubber member 101 so as to cover the fastening thread 102 for fixing the rubber member 101, and is fastened and fixed to the bending tube 100 by the fixing thread 104 or the like. Has been.
JP 2004-248835 A

  However, in the endoscope insertion part as in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 16, the fastening thread 102 is wound around the end of the rubber member 101, so that the wound fastening thread 102 is wound. The outer diameter will increase by the amount. When the fastening thread 102 is wound around the rubber member 101, the rubber member 101 is elastically reduced in diameter. However, in recent years, the rubber member 101 is also thin as the diameter of the endoscope insertion portion is desired to be reduced. As a result, the amount of diameter reduction due to winding of the fastening yarn 102 is reduced. For this reason, there is a problem that the outer diameter becomes large at the portion where the rubber member is fastened and fixed to the bending tube 100 with the fastening thread 102 or the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and is an endoscope apparatus and an endoscope provided with an endoscope insertion portion capable of achieving water tightness of a bending tube without increasing the outer diameter. A method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus is provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a substantially tubular curved tube provided at least partially in an endoscope insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject, and a substantially tubular curved tube. An elastic tubular member disposed on the outer periphery and elastically deformable in accordance with the curvature of the bending tube; a substantially tubular blade disposed on the outer periphery of the elastic tubular member, braided with a thin wire, and having flexibility A temporary assembling step of disposing the elastic tubular member on an outer periphery of the bending tube, and further disposing the blade on an outer periphery of the elastic tubular member; A first bonding step of impregnating a first adhesive in a gap between the thin wires of the blade at a position corresponding to an end of the tubular member, and the first bonding either before or after the first bonding step. From the outer peripheral side of the blade over the entire circumference by tightening means at the position where the agent is impregnated The tightening step of reducing the diameter of a part of the blade and elastically reducing the diameter of the end portion of the elastic tubular member located on the inner peripheral side by curing, and the first adhesive is cured And a tightening means removing step for removing the tightening means.

  In addition, an endoscope apparatus manufactured by the method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus of the present invention has a substantially tubular curve that is provided in a bendable manner in at least a part of an endoscope insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject. A substantially tubular tubular member disposed on the outer periphery of the curved tube and elastically deformable in accordance with the curvature of the curved tube; a substantially tubular tube disposed on the outer periphery of the elastic tubular member; And a flexible blade, and a part of the blade is impregnated in a gap between the thin wires so that the end of the elastic tubular member can be tightened and elastically reduced in diameter. A reduced diameter portion that is bonded and hardened in a state of being reduced in diameter by one adhesive layer is formed.

According to the endoscope KagamiSo location produced by the production method and the present invention of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the bending tube in temporary assembly step, on which is disposed an elastic tubular member and the blade, in step tightening By tightening by the tightening means, a part of the blade is reduced in diameter, and the end of the elastic tubular member located on the inner peripheral side is also elastically reduced in diameter. For this reason, a braid | blade, an elastic tubular member, and a bending tube will be in the state closely_contact | adhered and fixed by the fastening means. Further, before or after the tightening step, as a first bonding step, the first adhesive is impregnated in the gap between the thin wires of the blade at a position corresponding to the end of the elastic tubular member. Then, the impregnated first adhesive is adhesively cured in the gap between the thin wires of the blade that has been reduced in diameter by the tightening means to form the first adhesive layer. Next, as a tightening means removing step, the tightening means is removed. At this time, since the blade is bonded and hardened by the first adhesive layer at a position corresponding to the end portion of the elastic tubular member, the reduced diameter portion that is kept in the reduced diameter state even if the fastening means is removed. Will be formed. For this reason, even after removing the tightening means, the end of the elastic tubular member and the bending tube are kept in close contact and fixed by the reduced diameter portion of the blade, that is, ensuring water tightness. Can do. At this time, since the first adhesive layer is only impregnated in the gaps between the thin wires of the blade, the overall outer diameter is not increased.

  Further, in the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus described above, it is preferable that the tightening step is to reduce the diameter of the blade by winding a temporary tightening thread around the blade as the tightening means.

  According to the method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the diameter of the blade can be reduced easily and reliably by using the temporary fastening thread as the fastening means in the fastening process. Even if the first bonding step is performed as a subsequent step of the tightening step, the first adhesive is permeated into the temporary fastening yarn itself or into the gap between the temporary fastening yarns. It can be impregnated in the gaps of fine wires.

  Further, in the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus described above, in the tightening step, the diameter of the blade may be reduced by externally fitting an annular member to the blade as the tightening means.

  According to the method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the diameter of the blade can be reduced easily and reliably by using the annular member as the fastening means in the fastening process. Moreover, even if the blade is tightened in a state where the first adhesive is impregnated in the gap between the thin wires as a pre-process of the first bonding step, the outer periphery of the blade is tightened surface-wise by the annular member. The first adhesive can be tightened with a minimum leakage. Even when the tightening step is a step subsequent to the first bonding step, the first adhesive can be impregnated in the gaps between the thin wires of the blade by providing an injection hole or the like in a part of the annular member.

  Further, in the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus described above, the tightening step includes, as the tightening means, a pair of external fitting members in which a tightening portion having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic tubular member is formed. It is good also as what reduces the diameter of this braid | blade by combining and using the said clamping part of a pair of this external fitting member, and pinching | interposing the said braid | blade.

  According to the method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the diameter of the blade can be reduced easily and reliably by using the pair of external fitting members as the fastening means in the fastening process. In addition, by using a pair of external fitting members in combination, it can be easily removed in the tightening means removing step, and can be reused to reduce the cost. Further, even when the blade is tightened in the state where the first adhesive is impregnated in the gap between the thin wires as a pre-process of the first bonding step, the outer periphery of the blade is surfaced by the tightening portion of the external fitting member. Tightening can be done with the minimum leakage of the first adhesive. Even when the tightening step is a step subsequent to the first bonding step, the first adhesive can be impregnated in the gaps between the thin wires of the blade by providing an injection hole or the like in a part of the outer fitting member. .

In addition, the manufacturing of the endoscope apparatus may further include a second bonding step of covering the outer periphery of the cured first adhesive with the second adhesive after the tightening means removing step. It is preferred.
Further, in the endoscope apparatus manufactured by manufacturing the endoscope apparatus described above, the first adhesive layer is formed on an outer periphery of the first adhesive layer impregnated in the gap between the thin wires of the blade. It is more preferable that a second adhesive layer to be covered is formed.

According to the endoscope KagamiSo location produced by the production method and the present invention of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, as the second bonding step, after the fastening means removing step, the first adhesive is cured By forming the second adhesive layer by covering the second adhesive with the formed first adhesive layer and curing it, it is possible to finish the surface more smoothly and improve the insertion resistance. Can do. Further, if an adhesive having excellent wear resistance is selected as the second adhesive, durability can be improved.

Further, in the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus described above, in the second bonding step, it is more preferable to use a material having a higher viscosity than the first adhesive as the second adhesive. ing.
Furthermore, in the endoscope apparatus manufactured by manufacturing the endoscope apparatus described above, the second adhesive layer is formed by curing an adhesive having a higher viscosity than the first adhesive layer. Is more preferable.

According to the endoscope KagamiSo location produced by the production method and the present invention of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the second adhesive forming a second adhesive layer to form a first adhesive layer By setting the viscosity higher than that of the first adhesive, the surface of the second adhesive layer can be finished more smoothly in the second bonding step. On the other hand, in the first bonding step, by making the viscosity of the first adhesive low, it can be impregnated reliably by the gaps between the fine wires of the blade, and the workability is improved. Curing can be ensured.

In the endoscope apparatus manufactured by manufacturing the endoscope apparatus described above, the blade extends from the end of the elastic tubular member and extends from the elastic tubular member. It is more preferable that a fixing means for fixing the blade to the outer periphery of the bending tube is provided at the position where it is placed.

  In the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus, the temporary assembly step includes disposing the blade so as to extend from an end of the elastic tubular member, and fixing the extended blade to the curved tube by a fixing means. It is more preferable to provide a blade fixing step for fixing the outer periphery of the blade.

According to the endoscope KagamiSo location produced by the production method and the present invention of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the blade is different from the reduced diameter portion to tightly fixed to the elastic tubular member and the bending tube position, fixed By being directly fixed to the bending tube by the means, the bending tube, the elastic tubular member, and the blade can be more reliably integrated.

Further, in the manufacture of the endoscope apparatus described above, it is more preferable that the first bonding step impregnates the gap between the thin wires of the blade with the first adhesive even at the position fixed by the fixing means. Has been.
Furthermore, in the endoscope apparatus manufactured by manufacturing the endoscope apparatus described above, the first adhesive layer is formed by impregnating the gap between the thin wires of the blade even at a position fixed by the fixing means. It is said that it is more preferable.

According to the endoscope KagamiSo location produced by the production method and the present invention of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, in a first bonding step, to the end portion of the blade which is fixed by fixing means first By forming the first adhesive layer by impregnating the adhesive, the blade and the curved tube can be more reliably integrated.

According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, since the reduced diameter portion is formed on the blade, the elastic tubular member is securely adhered to the bending tube without increasing the outer diameter, and the water tightness of the bending tube is achieved. Can be improved.
In addition, according to the method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus of the present invention, an elastic tubular member can be provided without increasing the outer diameter by including the first bonding step, the tightening step, and the tightening means removing step. It is possible to improve the water tightness of the bending tube by securely adhering to the bending tube.

  Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an endoscope apparatus 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a subject, and a main body storage box (endoscope main body portion) 3 that stores the endoscope insertion portion 2.

  The main body storage box 3 includes a main body portion 7 and a lid portion 6, and the lid portion 6 and the main body portion 7 are attached so as to be openable and closable. A rotatable cylindrical take-up drum 12 is provided inside the main body 7. One end surface of the winding drum 12 is exposed to the outside from the side surface of the main body storage box 3, and a handle 13 is provided on the one end surface. The winding drum 12 is formed in a hollow shape, and a power supply unit 4 for supplying power and a camera control unit 5 for processing image signals are housed in the space. The top surface 7 a of the main body 7 is provided with a monitor 8 for displaying an image and a remote controller 11 for operating the endoscope insertion unit 2. Reference numeral 16 indicates a transport caster.

  The endoscope insertion portion 2 described above is formed in a long shape, and the proximal end of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is attached to the take-up drum 12 via the opening 18. Thereby, the endoscope insertion part 2 extends outward from the main body storage box 3 by being pulled out through the opening 18, and conversely, the hand is applied to the handle 13 and the winding drum By rotating 12, it is wound around the winding drum 12 and stored in the main body storage box 3.

  The endoscope insertion portion 2 includes, in order from the distal end side, a hard distal rigid portion 20 and a bendable bending portion 21 that is connected to the proximal end side of the distal rigid portion 20 and directs the distal rigid portion 20 in a desired direction. And an elongated flexible tube 22 connected to the proximal end side of the bending portion 21. Further, on the outer periphery of the bending portion 21 and the flexible tube 22, a substantially tubular blade 23 having a flexible structure with braided thin wires is disposed to cover the entire outer periphery. The fine wires forming the blade 23 are formed of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or tungsten, or a material obtained by blending non-metallic fibers such as polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, or carbon with the above-described metal. In addition, various adapters can be detachably attached to the distal end of the distal end hard portion 20, and in the present embodiment, for example, an optical adapter 31 is attached. Below, the detail of each component of the endoscope insertion part 2 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end hard portion 20 includes a substantially cylindrical outer cylinder portion 24 connected to the bending portion 21, and a distal end body 25 provided at the distal end of the outer cylinder portion 24. A convex portion 25 a is formed on the outer periphery of the proximal end of the distal end body 25. The convex portion 25 a engages with a step portion 24 a formed inside the outer cylindrical portion 24, and in this state, the outer cylindrical portion 24. And the distal end body 25 are screwed together by the screw portion 26, so that the distal end body 25 is fixed to the outer cylinder portion 24. Further, in this state, the distal end 24 b of the outer cylinder portion 24 protrudes from the distal end body 25, whereby an annular recess 20 a is formed by the distal end body 25 and the outer cylinder portion 24.

  A solid-state imaging device 27, an optical filter 28, an insertion-side objective lens group 29, and the like are sequentially arranged from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the distal end main body 25 inside the distal end hard portion 20, and the insertion side The distal end portion 29a of the objective lens group 29 is exposed from a small-diameter cylindrical portion 25b that protrudes from the central portion toward the distal end side in the distal end main body 25. The solid-state imaging device 27 is a CCD (charge coupled device), for example, for obtaining an observation image of the subject, and is shown in FIG. 1 via an imaging cable 30 passing through the internal space of the endoscope insertion section 2. It is connected to the inside of the main body unit 7 and is supplied with power from the power source unit 4 and can transmit a captured image signal to the camera control unit 5.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, an optical adapter 31 for direct viewing for obtaining an observation image is detachably attached to the distal end side of the distal end hard portion 20. The optical adapter 31 is formed with a positioning recess 31a on the proximal end side so that the small-diameter cylindrical portion 25b can be inserted. And while inserting the small diameter cylindrical part 25b of the front-end | tip hard part 20 in the positioning recessed part 31a of the optical adapter 31, and screwing the connection ring 31c to the external thread 24c formed in the outer periphery of the outer cylinder part 24, an optical adapter is obtained. 31 and the hard end portion 20 are integrated. An O-ring 31b is provided on the outer periphery of the base end portion of the optical adapter 31, and the O-ring 31b is crushed by the distal end portion 24b of the outer cylinder portion 24 at the time of connection, so that the optical adapter 31 and the distal end hard Watertightness with the part 20 is achieved.

  Inside the optical adapter 31, an adapter-side objective lens group 32 is provided so as to be exposed at the distal end side of the optical adapter 31 and to be coaxial with the insertion-side objective lens group 29 of the distal end hard portion 20. Thus, the subject can be observed by the solid-state imaging device 27 via the optical adapter 31. Further, a cover glass 33 is provided on the distal end side of the optical adapter 31. The cover glass 33 is connected to an adapter side light guide 34 disposed inside the optical adapter 31. Further, the adapter side light guide 34 can be connected to the insertion portion side light guide 35 disposed inside the distal end hard portion 20 in a state where the optical adapter 31 and the distal end hard portion 20 are connected. The insertion portion side light guide 35 is connected to a light source portion (not shown) built in the main body portion 7. That is, the illumination optical system 36 is configured by the cover glass 33, the adapter-side light guide 34, the insertion portion-side light guide 35, and the light source portion (not shown). Making it possible.

  Next, the details of the bending portion 21 connected to the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending portion 21 includes a bending tube 41 formed by connecting a plurality of bending pieces 40, and an elastic tubular body that is substantially tubular and is disposed so as to cover the outer periphery of the bending tube 41. Member 42. The bending piece 40 constituting the bending tube 41 is provided on the most distal end side, and is connected to the distal end hard portion 20, a substantially tubular distal bending piece 43, a plurality of substantially annular intermediate bending pieces 44, and the most proximal side And a substantially tubular base end bending piece 45 connected to the flexible tube 22. These bending pieces 40 are in contact with each other by a contact portion 46, through holes 40a are formed in four places, up, down, left, and right, and four operation wires 49 are inserted. The contact portions 46 are set to alternate in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, so that the bending tube 41 as a whole can be bent freely in the vertical and horizontal directions. The distal ends of the operation wires 49 are fixed to the distal bending pieces 43, respectively. On the other hand, the proximal end side of the operation wire 49 is welded and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the flexible tube side base 48 and is inserted into the four coil sheaths 50 inserted into the flexible tube 22, respectively. 7 is connected to a driving unit (not shown) provided in the unit 7. Then, the bending tube 41 can be bent in a direction corresponding to the operation wire 49 by operating the remote controller 11 of the main body unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 and pulling each of the four operation wires 49 by the drive unit. It is.

  The tip bending piece 43 is connected to the tip hard portion 20 by a tip hard portion side base 47. More specifically, the distal end hard portion side base 47 is substantially tubular, and a male screw 47a is formed on the outer periphery on the distal end side. Further, in the outer cylindrical portion 24 of the distal end hard portion 20, a female screw 24c corresponding to the male screw 47a is formed on the inner periphery on the proximal end side, and by screwing together, the distal end hard portion side base 47 and The distal end hard portion 20 is connected. Here, a flange 47b is formed at the base end of the male screw 47a at the outer peripheral portion of the distal end hard portion side base 47, and the flange 47b is connected to the outer cylinder in a state where the male screw 47a and the female screw 24c are screwed together. By contacting and adhering to the base end 24d of the portion 24, the watertightness of the connecting portion is ensured. Further, the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion side base 47 is formed with a bent tube connecting portion 47c having an outer diameter smaller than that of the distal end side. The bending end 41 of the bending tube 41 is externally fitted to the bending tube connecting portion 47c, and watertightness is ensured by adhesive bonding. As a result, the distal end hard portion 20, the distal end hard portion side base 47, The bending tube 41 is integrated.

  Similarly, the proximal bending piece 45 of the bending tube 41 is connected to the flexible tube 22 by a flexible tube side cap 48. More specifically, the flexible tube side cap 48 is substantially tubular, and a bent tube connecting portion 48a having an outer diameter smaller than that of the proximal end side is formed on the distal end side. is doing. Further, the base end side of the flexible tube side base 48 is externally fitted and adhesively bonded to the distal end portion 22a of the flexible tube 22 subjected to the distal end treatment, thereby ensuring water tightness, and thereby the curved tube 41 and The flexible tube side cap 47 and the flexible tube 22 are integrated. The flexible tube 22 itself is provided with an inner layer resin tube 22b formed of an elastomer resin or the like, thereby ensuring water tightness.

  The elastic tubular member 42 covering the outer periphery of the bending tube 41 is, for example, a rubber tube, and ensures water tightness so that moisture and the like do not enter the bending tube 41 that is a connecting structure of the bending pieces 40. When the bending tube 41 is bent, it can be elastically bent following the bending tube 41. The blade 23 is disposed so as to extend from the distal end portion 42 a of the elastic tubular member 42 to the distal end side. Further, the elastic tubular member 42 is disposed so as to extend from the base end portion 42b to the base end side and cover the outer periphery of the flexible tube 22, and the bending portion 21 and the flexible tube 22 are subjected to a load applied from the subject. It protects and the insertion resistance is reduced. Further, the blade 23 is flexible and can be bent following the bending portion 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the bending tube 41 is bent more smoothly by setting the inner diameter of the blade 23 so that a slight gap 23 a is formed between the elastic tubular member 42 and the blade 23. It becomes possible.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the blade 23, the portion corresponding to the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42 is reduced in diameter so that the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42 is reduced in diameter. The distal end side fixing portion is formed with a portion 23b (reduced diameter portion) and further reduced in diameter so as to correspond to the outer diameter of the bending tube 41 and fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the bending tube 41. 23c is formed. A fixing thread 51 as a fixing means is wound around the outer periphery of the distal end side fixing portion 23c. In the tip-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the tip-side fixing portion 23c, a first adhesive layer 52 that is impregnated with a first adhesive and hardened is formed in a gap between fine wires forming the blade 23. The first adhesive layer 52 is in a state of being impregnated at least in the gap between the thin wires of the blade 23. In the present embodiment, the first adhesive layer 52 is also formed in a thin layer on the outer peripheral side of the blade 23, and a part of the first adhesive layer 52 is fixed. The yarn 51 is also impregnated. Further, in the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the distal-end-side fixing portion 23c, a second adhesive layer 53 in which the second adhesive is cured is formed on the outer periphery of the first adhesive layer 52 and the fixing thread 51. Yes. The surface of the second adhesive layer 53 is smooth and is formed so as to be substantially on the same surface as the outer peripheral surface 24e of the outer cylinder part 24 or on the inner peripheral side.

  The blade 23 is securely attached to the bending tube 41 by tightening with the fixing thread 51 at the distal end side fixing portion 23c and being bonded to the bending tube 41 by being impregnated with the first adhesive layer 52. It is in a fixed state. In addition, the elastic tubular member 42 is tightened by the tip side reduced diameter portion 23b of the blade 23 and elastically reduced in diameter, and is thereby tightly fixed to the bending tube 41 to ensure water tightness. At this time, the tip-side reduced diameter portion 23b is reduced in diameter and kept in a state in which the elastic tubular member 42 is tightened by the first adhesive layer 52 being impregnated into the gap between the thin wires of the blade 23 and cured. I'm leaning.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the base end of the blade 23 corresponding to the base end portion 42 b of the elastic tubular member 42 is also reduced in diameter so as to reduce the diameter of the base end portion 42 b of the elastic tubular member 42. A proximal-side fixed portion that is formed with a side-reduced diameter portion 23e and is further reduced in diameter so as to correspond to the outer diameter of the bending tube 41 and fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the bending tube 41. 23f is formed. The blade 23 is fixed to the bending tube 41 at the proximal end fixing portion 23f by tightening with the fixing thread 51 and being impregnated with the first adhesive layer 52 and adhesively bonding to the bending tube 41. Yes. In addition, the elastic tubular member 42 is elastically reduced in diameter by being tightened by the proximal-side reduced diameter portion 23e of the blade 23 at the proximal end portion 42b, thereby being tightly fixed to the curved tube 41 and ensuring water tightness. is doing. At this time, the proximal-side reduced diameter portion 23e is maintained in a state where the elastic tubular member 42 is tightened by reducing the diameter by impregnating the first adhesive layer 52 into the gap between the thin wires and hardening the adhesive. Yes. The blade 23 is also fixed to a base end cap (not shown) together with the flexible tube 22 on the base end side of the flexible tube 22 and connected to the main body 7. In the present embodiment, the blade 23 is configured to cover the bending portion 21 and the flexible tube 22 as a unit, but the blade that covers the bending portion 21 and the flexible tube 22 may be a separate body. Or it is good also as a structure which covers only the curved part 21. FIG.

  Next, details of the manufacturing method of the bending portion 21 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 in the endoscope apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 4, the bending tube 41, the elastic tubular member 42, the blade 23, and the operation wire 49 are assembled as a temporary assembly process. That is, the operation wire 49 is inserted into the through hole 40 a of the bending piece 40 and the tip thereof is fixed to the distal bending piece 43. Then, the assembled bent tube 41 is inserted through the elastic tubular member 42. Further, the elastic tubular member 42 is inserted into the blade 23 so that the blade 23 extends from each of the distal end portion 42 a and the proximal end portion 42 b of the elastic tubular member 42. In the present embodiment, the distal bending piece 43 of the bending tube 41 is further fitted on the distal end hard portion side base 47 on the distal end side, and the outer cylindrical portion 24 of the distal end hard portion 20 is screwed onto the distal end hard portion side base 47. Let On the proximal end side, the flexible tube 22 is connected to the flexible tube 22 by the flexible tube side base 48.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the blade 23 is fixed to the bending tube 41 as a blade fixing step. In addition, since the process shown after this process is similarly performed in the front end side and proximal end side of the bending tube 41, while describing a distal end side, description and illustration are abbreviate | omitted about the proximal end side. As shown in FIG. 5, at a position extended from the distal end portion 42 a of the elastic tubular member 42 of the blade 23, a fixing thread 51 as a fixing means is wound around the outer periphery of the blade 23 and tightened over the entire periphery. As a result, the blade 23 is reduced in diameter to form the distal end side fixing portion 23 c and is fixed by being externally fitted to the outer periphery of the bending tube 41. As the fixing thread 51, various materials can be selected as long as they have a tensile strength necessary for fixing. By using a material that can be impregnated with an adhesive, the first bonding described later is performed. In the process, it is preferable that the fixing thread 51 can be impregnated with the first adhesive to make it stronger.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, as a tightening step, the blade 23 is tightened to reduce the diameter of the elastic tubular member 42. That is, the temporary fastening thread 55 that is a fastening means is wound around the outer periphery of the blade 23 at a position corresponding to the distal end portion 42 a of the elastic tubular member 42. As a result, the blade 23 is tightened over the entire circumference to reduce the diameter, and the tip-side reduced diameter portion 23b is formed. Further, by forming the distal end side reduced diameter portion 23b, the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42 located on the inner peripheral side thereof is also elastically reduced in diameter, whereby the elastic tubular member 42 is connected to the bending tube 41. It will be in the state where it adhered and fixed to the outer periphery. In addition, by performing the above-described blade fixing step as a pre-step for performing this step, it is possible to prevent the positional deviation of the blade 23 and the like and perform this step easily and reliably. The temporary fastening thread 55 may be selected from various materials as long as it has a tensile strength necessary for fastening, but may be made of a material that can be impregnated with an adhesive, such as a nylon thread. It is good also as what does not impregnate an adhesive agent. Further, when winding the temporary fastening thread 55, an appropriate interval may be provided between adjacent threads as long as the blade 23 can be tightened. By doing in this way, it becomes easier to impregnate the braid | blade 23 with a 1st adhesive agent in a post process.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, a first adhesive layer 52 is formed as a first adhesion step. That is, the first adhesive is applied from the outer periphery of the distal end side fixing portion 23c and the distal end side reduced diameter portion 23b. The applied first adhesive penetrates from between the fixing yarn 51 and the temporary fastening yarn 55 and is impregnated into the gaps between the thin wires of the blade 23. Then, the first adhesive layer 52 is formed by curing the applied first adhesive. Thereby, in the front end side reduced diameter portion 23b and the front end side fixing portion 23c, the blade 23 is in an adhesively hardened state. As described above, if a material that can be impregnated with an adhesive is selected as the fixing thread 51 and the temporary fastening thread 55, the fixing thread 51 and the temporary fastening thread 55 penetrate into the blade. 23, the fixing thread 51 can be reliably impregnated, and the tensile strength can be improved, so that the blade 23 can be fixed more reliably. As the first adhesive, various adhesives such as an epoxy-based adhesive are selected, but a lower viscosity is preferable. By selecting an adhesive having a low viscosity, it is possible to reliably impregnate the gap between the thin wires of the blade 23, to improve workability, and to ensure adhesive hardening. Further, it is preferable to select a quick-drying adhesive in that the post-process can be started quickly and workability is improved. Further, in the present embodiment, in each of the distal end side fixing portion 23c and the distal end side reduced diameter portion 23b, the gap between the thin wires of the blade 23 is filled, and a thin layer of the first adhesive is also formed on the outer peripheral side of the blade 23. Apply to form. Thereby, in the front end side fixing | fixed part 23c, integration with the thread | yarn 51 for fixing and the braid | blade 23 can be aimed at, and it can be made stronger.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the temporary fastening thread 55 as the fastening means is removed as the fastening means removing step. At this time, when a material not impregnated with an adhesive is selected as the temporary fastening thread 55, there is an advantage that the temporary fastening thread 55 can be easily peeled off from the first adhesive layer 52 and removed. Since the blade 23 is in a state of being bonded and hardened by the first adhesive layer 52, even if the temporary fastening thread 55 is removed, the tip-side reduced diameter portion 23b that is maintained in a reduced diameter state is formed. It becomes. For this reason, even after the temporary fastening thread 55 is removed, the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42 and the bending tube 41 are kept in close contact and fixed by the distal-end-side reduced diameter portion 23b. At this time, the first adhesive layer 52 is impregnated in the gaps between the thin wires of the blade 23 and is only formed in a thin layer on the outer peripheral side. Since the outer diameter is reduced, the entire outer diameter is not increased.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a second adhesive layer 53 is formed as a second adhesion step. That is, the second adhesive is applied to the outer periphery of the first adhesive layer 52 formed on the distal end side fixing portion 23 c and the distal end side reduced diameter portion 23 b in a range that does not become larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder portion 24. Thereby, in the front end side reduced diameter part 23b, the surface of the 1st contact bonding layer 52 of the state which removed the temporary fastening thread | yarn 55 can be covered. Further, the outer periphery of the fixing thread 51 can be covered with the distal end side fixing portion 23c. For this reason, the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the distal-side fixing portion 23c can be made stronger, the surface can be finished smoothly, and the insertion resistance can be reduced. Here, it is preferable to select a material having higher viscosity than the first adhesive as the second adhesive. By doing in this way, it becomes possible to finish the surface more smoothly and insertion resistance can be reduced more. Further, if an adhesive having excellent wear resistance after curing as compared with the first adhesive is selected as the second adhesive, durability can be improved.

  As described above, after forming the first adhesive layer 52 in a state of being reduced in diameter by the temporary fastening thread 55, the temporary fastening thread 55 is removed, so that it is substantially equal to or smaller than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder portion 24. A distal end side reduced diameter portion 23b and a proximal end reduced diameter portion 23e having outer diameters can be formed. For this reason, the distal end reduced diameter portion 23b and the proximal end reduced diameter portion 23e allow the elastic tubular member 42 to be closely fixed to the bending tube 41 without increasing the outer diameter, thereby ensuring water tightness, and the bending tube. It is possible to prevent moisture and the like from entering the inside of 41. In addition, since it is not necessary to increase the outer diameter, it is possible to secure an arrangement space for the imaging cable 30, the insertion-side light guide 35, the operation wire 49, and the like inserted through the inner periphery.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by using the temporary fastening thread 55 as the fastening means used in the fastening process, the fastening can be easily and reliably performed at low cost. In addition, the fastening means removing step has an advantage that it can be easily removed. Further, as the second bonding step, the second adhesive layer 53 is formed on the outer peripheral side of the first adhesive layer 52, so that the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b, the distal-side fixed portion 23c, and the proximal-side reduced diameter portion. 23e and the base end side fixing portion 23f can be made stronger and the insertion resistance can be reduced. Further, the distal end fixing portion 23c and the proximal end fixing portion are fixed by the fixing thread 51 at a position closer to the distal end than the distal end reduced diameter portion 23b and at a position closer to the proximal end than the proximal end reduced diameter portion 23e. Since the blade 23 is directly fixed to the bending tube 41 as 23f, the bending tube 41, the elastic tubular member 42, and the blade 23 can be more reliably integrated.

  The fixing means for the distal end side fixing portion 23c and the proximal end side fixing portion 23f is not limited to the fixing thread 51. For example, an annular member that can be plastically deformed may be selected and caulked to fix the blade 23 to the curved tube 41, and at least the outer diameter of the outer tube portion 24 in the fixed state may be used. Any method can be used as long as it is not larger than the outer diameter and can be reliably fixed. In the above description, the blade 23 is impregnated with the first adhesive as the first bonding step after the blade 23 is tightened to reduce the diameter in the tightening step. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the first adhesive is first impregnated into a predetermined position of the blade 23 as the first bonding step and the tightening step is performed before it is cured, the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the proximal end are similarly formed. The side reduced diameter portion 23e can be formed. In the present embodiment, the second adhesive layer 53 is provided outside the first adhesive layer 52, but at least the first adhesive layer 52 is formed, so that the distal-side reduced diameter portion is formed. The elastic tubular member 42 and the bending tube 41 can be tightly fixed by securing the water tightness by bonding and curing the reduced diameter portion 23b and the proximal side reduced diameter portion 23e. In this case, if the surface of the first adhesive layer 52 is polished after the tightening means removing step, the insertion resistance can be reduced with a smooth finish on the surface, which is more preferable.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 10 shows the tightening step and the first bonding step in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, a substantially annular member 60 that can be plastically deformed is used as a fastening means in the fastening step. The annular member 60 has one or more injection holes 60a communicating from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface. That is, as a tightening step, the blade 23 is reduced in diameter and is positioned on the inner peripheral side by externally fitting the annular member 60 to the blade 23 at a position corresponding to the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42. The elastic tubular member 42 to be elastically reduced in diameter can be tightly fixed to the bending tube 41. Next, as a first bonding step, the first adhesive is injected from the injection hole 60 a of the annular member 60, whereby the injected first adhesive is positioned on the inner peripheral side of the annular member 60. Thus, the first adhesive layer 52 is formed. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, as the tightening means removing step, the annular member 60 is removed by cutting or the like. Also in this case, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to reliably achieve water tightness without increasing the outer diameter. Further, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the blade 23 can be easily and surely reduced by tightening with the annular member 60, and the outer periphery of the blade 23 can be tightened in a plane. Adhesive leakage can be minimized. If the outer diameter of the first adhesive layer 52 is larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 24 at a position corresponding to the injection hole 60a of the annular member 60, a polishing process may be performed. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, even if the order of the tightening step and the first bonding step is changed, the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the proximal-side reduced diameter portion 23e can be formed in the same manner.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 12 to 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of the fastening means used in the fastening process of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a pair of external fitting members 70 having a fastening portion 70a are used as fastening means. The tightening portion 70 a of the outer fitting member 70 is a groove having a substantially semicircular cross section, and has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic tubular member 42. In addition, a recess 70b is formed in the circumferential direction inside the tightening portion 70a, and an injection hole 70c communicating from the outside to the recess 70b is formed.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, as a tightening process, the blade 23 is sandwiched by combining the tightening portions 70 a of the pair of external fitting members 70 at positions corresponding to the tip portions 42 a of the elastic tubular member 42. In this state, a fixed state is maintained by a jig (not shown). By doing so, the diameter of the blade 23 can be easily and surely reduced, and the elastic tubular member 42 located on the inner peripheral side can be elastically reduced in diameter so as to be closely fixed to the bending tube 41. Next, as the first bonding step, the first adhesive is injected from the injection hole 70c of the outer fitting member 70 so that the injected first adhesive extends from the recess 70b to the entire circumference of the blade 23. Thus, the first adhesive layer 52 can be formed by easily and reliably impregnating the fine wire gap. And as shown in FIG. 14, the external fitting member 70 is removed as a fastening means removal process. In the case of this embodiment, the pair of external fitting members 70 are used in combination as the tightening means, so that they can be easily removed and reused in the tightening means removing step. The cost can also be reduced. As in the second embodiment, when the outer diameter of the first adhesive layer 52 is larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 24 at a position corresponding to the injection hole 70c of the outer fitting member 70, a polishing process is performed. Can be implemented. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, even if the order of the tightening step and the first bonding step is changed, the distal-side reduced diameter portion 23b and the proximal-side reduced diameter portion 23e can be formed in the same manner.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment does not provide a fixing portion that directly fixes the bending tube 41 and the blade 80 covering the bending tube 41 in the endoscope insertion portion. It is configured. That is, as shown in FIG. 15, the distal end side diameter-reduced portion 80b is obtained by matching the end portion 43a of the distal bending piece 43 of the bending tube 41, the distal end portion 42a of the elastic tubular member 42, and the distal end portion 80a of the blade 80. Is formed. The distal-side reduced diameter portion 80b is bonded and cured in a state where the diameter is reduced by the first adhesive layer 52 impregnated in the gap between the thin wires, and the elastic tubular member 42 located on the inner periphery thereof is elastically reduced in diameter. The curved tube 41 is closely fixed.

  Even in such a case, it is possible to manufacture by performing the first bonding process and the tightening process, just like the first to third embodiments, without performing the blade fixing process. . Further, as in the present embodiment, even if the distal end side fixed portion 80b is not provided and only the distal end side reduced diameter portion 80b is configured, the blade 80 can tighten and tighten the elastic tubular member 42 by the distal end side reduced diameter portion 80b. While the elastic tubular member 42 is integrated with the curved tube 41 by the adhesive force of the first adhesive layer 52, the blade 80 is attached to the curved tube 41 via the elastic tubular member 42. Can be fixed. Further, even if the second adhesive layer is not provided as described above, it is sufficient that the first adhesive layer 52 alone can secure a strength sufficient to maintain the reduced diameter distal end portion 80b. Further, after the tightening and removing step, the insertion resistance can be reduced by polishing the surface of the first adhesive layer 52. In this case, there is an advantage that the portion that becomes hard can be shortened by the amount that the distal end side fixing portion is not provided, and the insertion performance as a whole can be improved. Further, by eliminating the blade fixing process and the second bonding process, the process can be shortened and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope insertion part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the bending tube front-end | tip part was expanded in the endoscope insertion part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a temporary assembly process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a braid | blade fixing process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a clamping process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 1st adhesion process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the clamping means removal process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a 2nd adhesion process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a clamping process and a 1st adhesion process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the clamping means removal process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the external fitting member used at a clamping process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of a clamping process and a 1st adhesion process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the clamping means removal process in the manufacturing process of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the bending tube front-end | tip part was expanded in the endoscope insertion part of the endoscope apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the bending tube front-end | tip part was expanded in the endoscope insertion part of the conventional endoscope apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Endoscope insertion part 3 Main body storage box (endoscope main-body part)
23, 80 Blade 23b, 80b Tip side reduced diameter part (reduced diameter part)
23e Base end side reduced diameter part (reduced diameter part)
23c Tip side fixing part (fixing part)
23f Base end side fixing part (fixing part)
41 bending tube 42 elastic tubular member 51 fixing thread (fixing means)
52 First Adhesive Layer 53 Second Adhesive Layer 55 Temporary Fastening Yarn (Tightening Means)
60 annular member (clamping means)
70 External fitting member (tightening means)

Claims (8)

A substantially tubular bending tube that is provided so as to be able to be bent at least at a part of an endoscope insertion portion that can be inserted into the subject, and is substantially tubular and disposed on the outer periphery of the bending tube. A method of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus comprising: an elastic tubular member that can be elastically deformed in response to a flexible blade that is substantially tubular and disposed on the outer periphery of the elastic tubular member and braided with a thin wire. And
A temporary assembly step of disposing the elastic tubular member on an outer periphery of the bending tube, and further disposing the blade on an outer periphery of the elastic tubular member;
A first bonding step of impregnating the first adhesive with a gap between the thin wires of the blade at a position corresponding to the end of the elastic tubular member;
Either before or after the first bonding step, the blade is reduced in diameter by tightening the blade from the outer periphery over the entire circumference at a position where the first adhesive is impregnated. A tightening step of elastically reducing the diameter of the end of the elastic tubular member located on the inner peripheral side;
A method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus, comprising: a tightening means removing step of removing the tightening means after the first adhesive is cured. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The method of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus, wherein the tightening step includes reducing a diameter of the blade by winding a temporary tightening thread around the blade as the tightening unit. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The method of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus characterized in that in the tightening step, a diameter of the blade is reduced by externally fitting an annular member to the blade as the tightening means. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The tightening step uses, as the tightening means, a pair of external fitting members in which a tightening portion having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the elastic tubular member is formed, and the tightening of the pair of external fitting members is performed. A method of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus, wherein a diameter of the blade is reduced by sandwiching the blade by combining attachment portions. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A method of manufacturing an endoscope apparatus comprising a second bonding step of covering the outer periphery of the cured first adhesive with a second adhesive after the tightening means removing step. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 5 ,
In the second bonding step, an endoscope apparatus manufacturing method is characterized in that an adhesive having a higher viscosity than the first adhesive is used as the second adhesive. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 1 to claim 6 ,
The temporary assembly step extends the blade from the end of the elastic tubular member and arranges the blade,
A method for manufacturing an endoscope apparatus, comprising: a blade fixing step of fixing the extended blade to an outer periphery of the bending tube by a fixing means. In the manufacturing method of the endoscope apparatus according to claim 7 ,
In the first bonding step, the first adhesive is impregnated in the gap between the thin wires of the blade even at a position fixed by the fixing means.

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