JP5669671B2 - Bending operation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bending operation device for bending a bending portion provided in an insertion portion of an endoscope, and more particularly, to a bending operation device including a lock mechanism for holding the bending portion in a desired bending state. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes that perform observation and various processing by inserting a thin insertion portion into the body or the like are widely used with a bending portion for directing the distal end portion of the insertion portion in a desired direction. ing. In general, in this type of endoscope, an operation unit is connected to the base side of the insertion unit, and the bending unit is operated to bend through a bending operation device provided in the operation unit. As the bending operation device, a configuration in which the bending portion is bent by pulling or relaxing the operation wire connected to the bending portion is widely employed. In this case, for pulling or relaxing the operation wire, a pulley, a sprocket, etc. It is common to use a rotating member made of

  In addition, this type of bending operation device is generally provided with a lock mechanism that restricts (brakes) the rotation of the rotation member with a predetermined amount of fixing force and holds (locks) the bending portion in a desired bending state. ing. In this case, the amount of braking force generated by the lock mechanism during braking does not completely prohibit the bending operation or the like.For example, when the bending operation is performed by a surgeon or the like with a predetermined force or more, It is desirable to set the force amount to allow the bending operation against the braking force. Furthermore, in the unlikely event that an operator or the like removes the insertion portion from the body without releasing the braking, the force is set to a force that can passively extend the bending portion against the braking force. It is desirable.

  On the other hand, the amount of braking force generated by the lock mechanism is easily affected by manufacturing errors and the like, and individual fine adjustment is required for each bending operation device. To cope with this, for example, in Patent Document 1, a lock mechanism that locks (brakes) the drive shaft by bringing a lock plate into contact with the friction pad has a screw on the outer peripheral surface of the pulley drive shaft operated by the bending operation lever. A friction pad having a pad layer having a conical surface continuously reduced in diameter as the outer peripheral surface is directed to the distal end side is fitted to the screw portion, and the friction pad is fixed. A technique is disclosed in which a predetermined tightening force is applied between the spacer ring and the nut so that the position is adjustable.

JP 2008-23064 A

  However, the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 requires a plurality of types of spacers for adjusting the power, and the structure is complicated. In addition, the technique disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 needs to remove the friction pad from the screw portion and replace the spacer when adjusting the force, and the adjustment work becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a bending operation device that can easily adjust the amount of force generated during bending braking with a simple configuration.

  A bending operation device according to an aspect of the present invention is a bending operation device that operates an endoscope bending portion, and an operation wire connected to the bending portion is wound around a peripheral portion, and the operation wire is pulled by rotation. Alternatively, a rotating member that relaxes, a rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the rotating member, a support member that rotatably supports the rotating member via the rotating shaft, and the rotating shaft. A ring member that is non-rotatably held by the support member on the outer peripheral side of the inner periphery and is capable of sliding in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft by elastic deformation starting from a preset easily deformable portion, and the support The ring member is easily deformed by adjusting the rotation position of the pressing member supported by the member and capable of pressing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ring member toward the inner peripheral side, and the ring member held on the supporting member. Adjustable relative position between the pressing part and the pressing position by the pressing member Those having a mechanism.

  According to the bending operation device of the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust the amount of force generated during bending braking with a simple configuration.

A perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope Side view of the operation unit Plan view showing the operation unit from the base end side Exploded perspective view showing the main part of the bending operation device Cross-sectional view of the main part of the bending operation device Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the bending operation apparatus at the time of the braking by a locking mechanism along the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the bending operation apparatus at the time of the brake release by a lock mechanism along the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a bending operation apparatus when changing force with an adjustment mechanism along the AA line of FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the principal part of a bending operation apparatus when changing force with an adjustment mechanism along the AA line of FIG. Exploded perspective view showing pulley and operation wire Top view of pulley with operation wire The top view which concerns on the 1st modification about the attachment structure of an operation wire, and crushed and shows a part of pulley with which the operation wire was mounted | worn A plan view of a pulley to which an operation wire is attached according to a second modification of the operation wire mounting structure. An exploded perspective view showing a pulley and an operation wire according to a third modification of the operation wire mounting structure. Same as above, top view of pulley with operating wire Same as above, sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the wiring structure of the operation wire in the operation unit Explanatory drawing which shows the wiring structure of the operation wire in the operation unit An exploded perspective view showing a cover and a ring member of the casing body Explanatory drawing which shows the fitting key before being locked in the fitting groove Explanatory drawing which shows the fitting key after being latched in the fitting groove | channel. Sectional drawing which shows the modification of the ring member with which the cover of the casing main body was mounted | worn Rear view of the finger rest part in connection with the first modification of the bending operation lever Sectional view along the line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. Rear view of the finger rest part in connection with the second modification of the bending operation lever Sectional view along the line XXVI-XXVI in FIG. Cross section of the main part of the insertion part rotation mechanism Disassembled perspective view of insertion part rotation mechanism

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a side view of an operation unit, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the operation unit from the base end side, and FIG. Is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the bending operation device, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the main part of the bending operation device, and FIG. 6 shows the main part of the bending operation device during braking by the lock mechanism along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the bending operation device when the brake is released by the lock mechanism, along the line AA in FIG. 5, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are views when the force is changed by the adjusting mechanism. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing the pulley and the operation wire, and FIG. 11 is a plan view of the pulley to which the operation wire is attached. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3 that is connected to the proximal end of the insertion portion 2, and a universal that extends from a proximal end side portion of the operation portion 3. And a cord 4.

  The insertion portion 2 includes a flexible and flexible flexible tube portion 5, a bending portion 6, and a distal end portion 7, which are successively provided from the operation portion 3 side. In addition, the insertion part may be provided with a hard part instead of the flexible tube part 5.

  A pair of operation wires 19 (see FIG. 11) extending from the operation unit 3 side are inserted into the flexible tube unit 5, and the distal ends of these operation wires 19 are connected to the bending unit 6. These operation wires 19 can be alternately pulled or relaxed by a bending operation device 20 which will be described later, whereby the bending portion 6 is bent in, for example, two vertical (UD) directions. .

  The operation unit 3 includes a gripping unit 10 that is connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 2, and an operation unit body 11 that is connected to the base side of the gripping unit 10.

  A treatment instrument channel opening 10 a is provided on the distal end side of the grip 10 as an opening of a treatment instrument channel through which various treatment instruments are inserted into the insertion section 2.

  A bending operation device 20 is disposed inside the operation unit main body 11 (see FIG. 5). In addition, a bending operation lever 15 and a bending lock lever 16 connected to the bending operation device 20 are swingably disposed outside the operation unit main body 11, and operation switches for various endoscope functions are arranged. (See FIGS. 1 to 3). Further, the base end portion of the universal cord 4 is connected to the side portion of the operation portion main body 11.

  More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the exterior case 12 constituting the operation unit main body 11 includes a case main body 13 having circular openings 13 </ b> L and 13 </ b> R on both the left and right sides, and these openings 13 </ b> L. , 13R and circular covers 14L, 14R are provided, and the bending operation device 20 of this embodiment is held in the operation portion main body 11 mainly through the right cover 14R.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bending operation lever 15 of the present embodiment includes a lever main body 15 a extending along the side surface of the outer case 12 (that is, the right cover 14 </ b> R), and the lever main body. It has a finger contact portion 15b that is connected to the free end side of 15a and extends in the width direction of the case main body 13. A part of the free end side of the lever main body 15a is formed wider than the fixed end side. In the wide area on the lever main body 15a, as an indication of the bending operation direction of the bending operation lever 15, for example, a bending portion An “Up” display indicating an operation direction for bending 6 upward and a “Down” display indicating an operation direction for bending the bending portion 6 downward are described. By displaying the operation direction on the lever main body 15a in this way, the display of the operation direction is not hidden behind the bending operation lever 15 even when the bending operation lever 15 is swung. And the like can accurately recognize the operation direction by visual recognition. A plurality of protrusions 15c extending along the longitudinal direction are provided on the outer surface side of the finger rest 15b. These protrusions 15c function as anti-slip members when an operator or the like operates the bending operation lever 15. These protrusions 15c are extended over substantially the entire region from one end side to the other end side of the finger pad 15b, whereby the surgeon and the like are good in various directions with respect to the finger pad 15b. It is possible to realize simple operation input.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the universal cord 4 of the present embodiment is connected to the left cover 14L.

  Note that the vertical and horizontal directions of the endoscope 1 differ depending on the usage pattern (for example, the direction in which the surgeon or the like grips the grip portion 10) when the viewpoint of the surgeon or the like is used as a reference. In order to simplify the description, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction of the rotation shaft 36 (described later) of the bending operation lever 15 extends in the left-right (LR) direction, the rotation shaft 36 and the linear shape. A direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the inserted portion 2 is defined as a vertical (UD) direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bending operation device 20 includes a pulley 25 as a rotating member and a lock mechanism 26 capable of braking (locking) the rotation of the pulley 25 in the housing 21 as a supporting member. The main part is configured by being housed in the main body.

  The housing 21 includes, for example, a substantially cylindrical housing main body 22 that opens at one end side, and a lid body 23 that closes the opening of the housing main body 22.

  A pulley housing chamber 27 for housing the pulley 25 is provided inside the housing body 22, and a lock mechanism housing chamber 28 for housing the lock mechanism 26 is provided in the deep portion of the pulley housing chamber 27. It has been.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pulley accommodating chamber 27 is configured by a substantially circular concave portion, and a pair of wire insertion ports 27 a including notches are provided on the peripheral wall of the pulley accommodating chamber 27.

  The lock mechanism accommodation chamber 28 includes a ring accommodation chamber 29 formed of a substantially circular recess that is concentric with the pulley accommodation chamber 27 and smaller in diameter than the pulley accommodation chamber 27, and a substantially rectangular recess that communicates with one side of the ring accommodation chamber 29. And a cam housing chamber 30.

  Further, a through hole coaxial with the pulley housing chamber 27 and the ring housing chamber 29 is formed in the housing body 22 as a pulley bearing hole 31. Further, a through hole communicating with the cam housing chamber 30 and parallel to the pulley bearing hole 31 is formed in the housing body 22 as a cam bearing hole 32.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the pulley 25 is configured by a substantially disk-shaped member having an engagement groove 35 that can be engaged with the operation wire 19 on the circumferential surface.

  A rotation shaft 36 that rotates integrally with the pulley 25 is provided at the center of the pulley 25, and the rotation shaft 36 is inserted into the pulley bearing hole 31 from the pulley housing chamber 27 side. Yes. Further, the tip end portion of the rotating shaft 36 passes through the pulley bearing hole 31 and protrudes to the outside of the housing main body 22, and the lever main body 15 a of the bending operation lever 15 is provided at the protruding end portion of the rotating shaft 36. It is fixed. As a result, the pulley 25 is rotatably supported with respect to the housing main body 22 and can be rotated through an operation input to the bending operation lever 15.

  The pulley 25 is provided with a pair of guide grooves 37. These guide grooves 37 are formed as through grooves having a substantially arc shape concentric with the rotation shaft 36, and screw members 24 for fastening and fixing the lid body 23 to the housing body 22 are inserted into the respective guide grooves 37. Has been. The engagement between each guide groove 37 and each screw member 24 ensures a stable rotation of the pulley 25 and defines a maximum rotation range allowed for the pulley 25.

  A pair of notch portions 38 having a symmetrical shape is provided on one side of the pulley 25. Further, near each notch portion 38, for example, a wire stop chamber 39 formed of a rectangular recess is provided, and each wire stop chamber 39 communicates with each notch portion 38 via a recessed groove 40. Each wire stop chamber 39 accommodates, for example, a stainless steel wire stop 19a formed at the base end of each operation wire 19 by a known swaging process or the like, and is held by soldering or the like. Thus, the distal end side of each operation wire 19 whose base end portion is held in the wire stopper chamber 39 is guided to the engagement groove 35 through the concave groove 40 and the notch portion 38, and is wound around the outer peripheral portion of the pulley 25. Has been. Further, the distal end side of the operation wire 19 extends outside the housing 21 through the wire insertion port 27 a and is connected to the bending portion 6 through the inside of the grip portion 10 and the flexible tube portion 5. The operation wire 19 is pulled or relaxed by changing the winding state of the engagement groove 35 with the rotation of the pulley 25, so that the bending portion 6 can be bent. .

  In order to reduce the friction between the pulley 25 and the lid 23, for example, a resin spacer 41 is interposed between them (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

  4 to 7, the lock mechanism 26 includes a C ring 45 as a ring member held on the outer peripheral side of the rotation shaft 36 of the pulley 25 and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the C ring 45. And a cam 46 as a pressing member that can be pressed on the circumferential side.

  The C ring 45 is made of a resin member having a predetermined elasticity made of POM (polyoxymethylene (polyacetal resin)) or the like, for example. A cutout portion 45a extending in the axial direction is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the C-ring 45, and the portion on the C-ring 45 where the cutout portion 45a is formed is easier to deform than other portions. It is set as an easily deformable part.

  Here, a plurality of (for example, three) cutout portions 29 a corresponding to the cutout portions 45 a on the C ring 45 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring housing chamber 29 (that is, the outer peripheral portion of the C ring 45). Yes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, these notches 29 a can be selectively aligned with the notches 45 a on the C ring 45 to form one pin insertion hole 47. It has become. Then, by inserting the pin 48 into the pin insertion hole 47 formed in this way, the C-ring 45 is held in the ring housing chamber 29 so as not to rotate. In the present embodiment, the cutout portions 45a and 29a formed in the C ring 45 and the ring storage chamber 29 each have a semicircular shape, and a circular pin insertion hole 47 is formed by selective alignment.

  The cam 46 is constituted by, for example, a metal flat cam and is accommodated in the cam accommodating chamber 30. An eccentric shaft 50 that can rotate integrally with the cam 46 is erected on the cam 46, and the eccentric shaft 50 is inserted into the cam bearing hole 32. Further, the end of the eccentric shaft 50 penetrates the cam bearing hole 32 and protrudes to the outside of the housing body 22, and the curved lock lever 16 is fixed to the protruding end of the eccentric shaft 50. As a result, the cam 46 is rotatably supported (swingable) with respect to the housing main body 22 and can be rotated through an operation input to the bending lock lever 16.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a partition plate 55 is provided between the cam housing chamber 30 and the pulley housing chamber 27 to partition them. For fastening the partition plate 55 to the housing body 22, a part of the screw member 24 for fastening and fixing the lid body 23 to the housing body 22 is also used.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a guide fitting 56 that guides various cables such as signal lines extending from the insertion portion 2 side into the operation portion 3 into the universal cord 4 is fixed to the lid body 23. ing.

  In such a configuration, when the cam 46 is rotated in one direction around the eccentric shaft 50 through an operation input to the bending lock lever 16 by an operator or the like (for example, see FIG. 6), the outer peripheral surface of the cam 46 is The C ring 45 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface and presses a part of the outer peripheral surface of the C ring 45 toward the inner peripheral side. By this pressing, the C ring 45 is elastically deformed mainly starting from the easily deformable portion (notch portion 45 a), and the inner peripheral surface of the C ring 45 is slidably contacted with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 36. By such sliding contact of the C-ring 45, the rotation of the rotation shaft 36 (pulley 25) is braked (locked) with a predetermined amount of force.

  On the other hand, when the cam 46 is rotated in the other direction around the eccentric shaft 50 through an operation input to the curved lock lever 16 by an operator or the like, the outer peripheral surface of the cam 46 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the C ring 45. . As a result, the elastic deformation of the C-ring 45 is restored, and the inner peripheral surface of the C-ring 45 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 36, thereby releasing the braking (locking) on the rotating shaft 36 (pulley 25). Is done.

  Incidentally, as described above, in the lock mechanism 26 of the present embodiment, the C ring 45 is elastically deformed mainly starting from the easily deformable portion (notch portion 45a). In the peripheral surface, an arc region A (see FIG. 6) from the contact portion with the cam 46 to the notch portion 45 a is strongly slidably contacted with the rotation shaft 36. That is, in the lock mechanism 26 of the present embodiment, the arc region A on the C ring 45 greatly contributes to the generation of the braking force.

  Further, as described above, the notch portion 45a provided in the C ring 45 can be selectively aligned with any one of the notch portions 29a provided in the ring accommodating chamber 29, and by this alignment, the ring accommodating portion is accommodated. The rotational position in the chamber 29 can be selectively adjusted. Then, by changing the rotational position of the notch 45a in the ring accommodating chamber 29, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the arc region A on the C ring 45 can be changed. In other words, the notches 29a and 45a and the pin 48 function as an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the relative position between the easily deformable portion on the C ring 45 and the pressing position by the cam 46. On the ring 45, the effective area of the inner peripheral surface that greatly contributes to the generation of the braking force can be adjusted stepwise.

  According to such an embodiment, the rotation shaft 36 of the pulley 25 is held non-rotatably in the housing 21 on the outer peripheral side of the rotation shaft 36, and the rotation shaft 36 is elastically deformed starting from a preset easily deformable portion. The locking mechanism 26 includes a C-ring 45 that can slidably contact the inner peripheral surface with the outer peripheral surface, and a cam 46 that is supported in the housing 21 and can press a part of the outer peripheral surface of the C-ring 45 toward the inner peripheral side. By adjusting the rotational position of the C-ring 45 on the housing 21 by the adjustment mechanism, the relative position between the easily deformable portion of the C-ring 45 and the pressing position is adjusted by the cam 46. It is possible to easily adjust the amount of force generated during braking.

  That is, a plurality of types of replacement parts and the like are prepared in advance by adjusting the relative position between the easily deformable portion on the C ring 45 and the pressing position by the cam 46 according to the rotational position of the C ring 45 in the housing 21. Without this, the amount of braking force generated at the time of bending braking can be adjusted with a simple configuration. Then, by setting the amount of braking force to an appropriate value by such adjustment, operability during bending operation or removal from the body can be made suitable.

  In this case, the easily deformable portion can be set on the C ring 45 with a simple configuration by forming the easily deformable portion by the notch portion 45 a provided on the outer peripheral surface of the C ring 45.

  A plurality of notches 29 a that form pin insertion holes 47 by selective alignment with the notches 45 a of the C ring 45 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the ring housing chamber 29, and the pins 48 are inserted into the pin insertion holes 47. Thus, by adopting a configuration in which the C ring 45 is held in the housing body 22 so as not to rotate, the notch portion 45a on the C ring 45 can be used as both the easily deformable portion and the variable mechanism. Simplification of the structure can be realized.

  Further, by forming the notch 45a on the C-ring 45 and each notch 29a in the ring housing chamber 29 in a semicircular shape, it is possible to easily perform the alignment and insertion of the pin 48, etc. Become.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of a holding structure for holding the operation wire 19 to the pulley 25 in an exchangeable manner, a wire stopper 19a is provided at the base end portion of each operation wire 19, and the wire stopper 19a. Has been described, but the holding structure for the operation wire 19 can be variously modified.

  FIG. 12 relates to a first modification of the operation wire mounting structure, and FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a part of the pulley to which the operation wire is attached. In this modified example, a single notch 60 is provided on one side of the pulley 25. Further, the pulley 25 is provided with wire stop chambers 61 each having a hole opening on each side surface of the notch 60, and the bottom of each wire stop chamber 61 is communicated with the engagement groove 35 through the communication hole 62. ing. Each wire stopper chamber 61 accommodates a wire stopper 19a formed at the proximal end portion of each operation wire 19 and is held by soldering or the like. Then, the distal end side of each wire 19 in which the base end portion is held in this way is guided to the engagement groove 35 through the communication hole 62. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately prevent the wire stoppers 19a from falling off the pulleys 25 and the like compared to the case where the wire stopper chambers are configured by recesses.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration has been described in which each operation wire 19 extending into the insertion portion 2 is configured as a separate wire, and each operation wire 19 is individually held with respect to the pulley 25. It is also possible to configure the pair of operation wires 19 with a series of wires 65 and to hold the midway part of the pulleys 25 on the pulley 25.

  FIG. 13 relates to a second modification of the operation wire mounting structure, and FIG. 13 is a plan view of the pulley to which the operation wire is attached. In this modification, a pair of notch portions 66 having a symmetrical shape are provided on one side of the pulley 25. In addition, on the pulley 25, a wire stopper chamber 67 formed of a single recess is provided between the notches 66, and both ends of the wire stopper chamber 67 are connected to the notches 66 via the grooves 68. Each communicates. A wire stopper 65a formed in the middle of the wire 65 is accommodated in the wire stopper chamber 67 and held by soldering or the like. The both sides (operation wire 19) of the wire 65 whose midway portion is held in the wire stopper chamber 67 in this way are guided to the engagement groove 35 through the concave groove 68 and the notch portion 66. According to such a configuration, the operation wire 19 (wire 65) can be held with a simple configuration.

  14 to 16 relate to a third modification of the wire mounting structure, FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view showing the pulley and the operation wire, and FIG. 15 is a plan view of the pulley on which the operation wire is mounted. 16 is a sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. In this modification, a circular recess 70 is provided on one side of the pulley 25, and a part of the recess 70 communicates with the engagement groove 35. A disc member 71 is accommodated in the recess 70, and the disc member 71 is fastened and fixed to the pulley 25 by a screw member 72. Here, the peripheral surface of the disk member 71 is configured by a tapered surface 71a, and a midway portion of the wire 65 is wound around the tapered surface 71a. The wire 65 is held by the pulley 25 when the portion wound around the tapered surface 71 a is pressed into the recess 70 by the fastening force of the screw member 72. In order to prevent the disk member 71 from rotating when fastened by the screw member 72, a concave groove 70a is formed on the bottom surface of the concave portion 70 as shown in FIG. A ridge 71b that fits into 70a is formed. According to such a configuration, the wire 65 (operation wire 19) can be held with a simple configuration without forming a wire stopper or the like on the wire 65 (operation wire 19).

  By the way, it is preferable that the pulley 25 built in the operation unit main body 11 is formed as large as possible in view of measures against a decrease in the amount of bending of the bending unit 6 caused by the elongation of the operation wire 19. In response to this, when the diameter of the pulley 25 is increased, the angle of the operation wire 19 extending from the pulley 25 becomes steep with respect to the guide member 75 that guides the operation wire 19 toward the distal end portion 7 inside the operation portion 3. (For example, refer to the two-dot chain line in FIG. 17), there is a possibility that the operation wire 19 is cut by friction with the guide member 75. Further, if the interval at which the guide member 75 is disposed is set large so that the insertion angle of the operation wire 19 with respect to the guide member 75 is made gentle, the size of the grip portion 10 (thickening) is increased.

  For example, the operation unit 3 illustrated in FIG. 17 includes a small pulley 76 for changing the wire direction between the pulley 25 and the guide member 75. The small pulley 76 shown in FIG. 17 changes the point at which the operation wire 19 is released from the engagement groove 35 of the pulley 25 to the inside, and changes the insertion angle of the operation wire 19 with respect to the guide member 75 to be gentle. It is. Thereby, the enlargement of the diameter of the pulley 25 and the improvement of the durability of the operation wire 19 can be achieved without causing an increase in the size of the operation unit 3 or the like.

  Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the guide member 75 is extended to the vicinity of the pulley 25, and the guide member 75 is urged inward by an elastic member 77 such as a spring so that the guide member 75 is halfway. It is also possible to make the angles of the operation wire 19 inserted from the pulley 25 side and the guide member 75 substantially coincide by bending.

  By the way, in this kind of endoscope 1, predetermined coloring etc. may be given to the operation part 3 grade | etc., For the purpose of the improvement of aesthetics. On the other hand, since the endoscope 1 is generally repeatedly washed at a high temperature and a high pressure every time it is used, there is a possibility that the paint may be peeled off when being colored by painting. Therefore, in the endoscope 1, it is preferable to perform differential planting or the like by combining members of a predetermined color.

  An example of applying an annular color (for example, blue) on the cover 14R of the operation unit body 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 19, an annular step 80 is formed at the edge of the cover 14 </ b> R, and a ring member 81 made of a blue resin material is fitted to the step 80. In order to realize this fitting, a fitting key 80a protrudes from the cover 14R at an appropriate position on the cylindrical surface formed by the stepped portion 80. On the other hand, a substantially L-shaped fitting groove 81a with one end opened is recessed in the inner peripheral surface of the ring member 81, and the fitting key 80a can be locked in the middle of the fitting groove 81a. A snap fit portion 81b is projected. In such a configuration, the ring member 81 is mounted on the stepped portion 80 of the cover 14R in a state where the open end portion of the fitting groove 81a is positioned with the fitting key 80a (see FIG. 20). When the ring member 81 is rotated relative to the cover 14R, the fitting key 80a moves relative to the fitting groove 81a, gets over the snap fitting portion 81b, and is locked to the snap fitting portion 81b. . Thereby, the ring member 81 is fitted and held on the stepped portion 80 of the cover 14R.

  As another holding method, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, the engaging concave portion 80 b is formed on the cylindrical surface formed by the step portion 80 of the cover 14 R, and the engaging claw portion 81 c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring member 81. It is also possible to hold the ring member 81 by forming them and engaging them.

  According to these configurations, since coloring can be performed without depending on painting or printing, it is possible to maintain a good appearance for a long period of time. In any of the above configurations, since the residual stress does not remain in the ring member 81 or the like, it is preferable to prevent the ring member 81 or the like from being damaged due to the influence of a chemical solution or the like when cleaning or the like is performed. Can do. Of course, these configurations are also applicable to the left cover 14L.

  By the way, when the endoscope 1 is used, an operator or the like often performs a bending operation while observing a display or the like on which an endoscopic image is displayed while keeping an eye on the operation unit 3. In such a case, it is difficult for an operator or the like to visually confirm the operation direction of the bending operation lever 15. Therefore, it is desirable that the bending operation lever 15 has a configuration that allows an operator or the like to recognize the operation direction by the sense of touch of a finger. As a first modification of the bending operation lever having such a configuration, for example, a bending operation lever 15 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 15d on the rear surface of the finger rest portion 15b.

  As a second modification of the bending operation lever, the bending operation lever 15 shown in FIGS. 23 and 24 includes a plurality of protrusions 15c formed on the finger rest 15b only on the protrusion 15c closer to the rear surface. A protrusion 15e is provided.

  According to these configurations, when the finger is brought into contact with the finger contact portion 15b, the operation direction can be recognized by the tactile sensation of the protrusion 15d (or the protrusion 15e).

  By the way, as shown in the above-described embodiment, the endoscope 1 that can bend the bending portion 6 only in two vertical directions is, for example, an endoscope that can bend the bending portion in four directions, up, down, left, and right. This is advantageous in terms of reducing the diameter of the insertion portion. On the other hand, when using this type of endoscope 1, it is necessary to perform an operation such as twisting the entire operation unit 3 when approaching the distal end portion 7 to the target site. However, such a twisting operation is a burden on the operator. In order to reduce such a twisting operation, an endoscope in which the insertion portion rotates independently of the operation portion has also been developed. This endoscope has an insertion portion or a base portion of the insertion portion. There is a problem in that it is necessary to grip and twist the connecting folding stop portion, and one hand is taken away for the operation. Therefore, an insertion portion rotation mechanism that can rotate the insertion portion without gripping the insertion portion, the bend preventing portion, or the like will be described with reference to FIGS.

  27 and 28 is for rotating the insertion portion 2 by, for example, pulling or loosening a pair of operation wires 91. For this reason, the endoscope provided with the main insertion portion rotation mechanism 90 is provided with a rotation operation device (not shown) having a configuration substantially similar to that of the bending operation device 20 in the operation portion main body 11, for example. The operation wire 91 is pulled or relaxed through an operation on a rotation operation lever (not shown) connected to the rotation operation device.

  The insertion portion rotation mechanism 90 includes a distal end frame 92 fixed to the distal end portion of the operation unit 3, a rotation stop cover 93 that guides the operation wire 91 in the distal end frame 92 so as not to rotate, and the distal end of the operation wire 91. It has the insertion part rotary body 94 which a part connects.

  The distal end frame 92 is formed of, for example, a substantially cylindrical frame body, and a guide groove 92a including a through hole extending in the circumferential direction is provided in the middle of the distal end frame 92.

  The rotation stop cover 93 is configured by a substantially cylindrical member fixed to the inner periphery of the front end frame 92. An inward flange 93a is provided at the base end portion of the rotation stop cover 93, and a wire insertion hole 93b for inserting each operation wire 91 is formed on one side of the inward flange 93a. The rotation stopper cover 93 is fixed to the inner periphery of the distal end frame 92 by screws or the like, so that the operation wire 91 is non-rotatably guided along one side of the distal end frame 92. .

  The insertion portion rotating body 94 is rotatably supported on the inner periphery of the distal end frame 92. A cylindrical wire receiving portion 94 a is formed at the base end portion of the insertion portion rotating body 94. The wire receiving portion 94a is accommodated in the rotation stop cover 93, and the operation wires 91 are wound around the circumferential surface in the reverse winding direction. Further, the distal ends of the operation wires 91 are formed by a single screw 94b. It is fixed. In addition, a guide pin 94c is erected in the middle of the insertion portion rotating body 94, and the guide pin 94c engages in the guide groove 92a, thereby defining a rotatable range of the insertion portion rotating body 94. . Further, a serpentine tube 95 constituting the insertion portion 2 is connected to the distal end portion of the insertion portion rotating body 94. The distal end side of the insertion portion rotating body 94 is fixed to the anti-bending unit 97 via a fixing nut 96.

  In such a configuration, when each operation wire 91 is pulled or loosened through an operation on a rotation operation lever (not shown), the winding state of each operation wire 91 around the wire receiving portion 94a changes, and accordingly, the insertion portion The rotating body 94 is rotated within the distal end frame 92. Then, along with the turning operation of the insertion portion rotating body 94, the serpentine tube 95 and the folding prevention unit 97 connected to the distal end portion are turned, and as a result, the entire insertion portion 2 is turned in a desired direction.

  According to such a configuration, the surgeon or the like can perform the bending operation on the bending portion 6 and the rotation operation on the insertion portion 2 with the same hand, and the operability is improved.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Universal cord, 5 ... Flexible pipe part, 6 ... Bending part, 7 ... Tip part, 10 ... Grasping part, 10a ... Treatment instrument channel opening part , 11 ... operation section main body, 12 ... exterior case, 13 ... case main body, 13L, 13R ... opening, 14L, 14R ... cover, 15 ... bending operation lever, 15a ... lever main body, 15b ... finger rest, 15c ... protrusion Ridge, 15d ... projection, 15e ... projection, 16 ... curvature lock lever, 19 ... operation wire, 20 ... curve operation device, 21 ... housing (support member), 22 ... housing body (support member), 23 ... lid (Support member), 24 ... screw member, 25 ... pulley (rotating member), 26 ... lock mechanism, 27 ... pulley housing chamber, 27a ... wire insertion port, 28 ... lock mechanism housing chamber, 29 ... ring housing chamber, 29a ... Notch (tone (Mechanism), 30 ... cam housing chamber, 31 ... pulley bearing hole, 32 ... cam bearing hole, 35 ... engagement groove, 36 ... rotating shaft, 37 ... guide groove, 38 ... notch, 39 ... wire retaining chamber, 40 ... concave groove, 41 ... spacer, 45 ... C-ring (ring member), 45a ... notch (easy deformation part, adjustment mechanism), 46 ... cam (pressing member), 47 ... pin insertion hole (adjustment mechanism), 48 ... Pin (adjustment mechanism), 50: Eccentric shaft, 55: Partition plate, 56: Guide fitting, 60 ... Notch, 61 ... Wire stop chamber, 62 ... Communication hole, 65 ... Wire, 66 ... Notch, 67 ... Wire stop Chamber, 68 ... concave groove, 70 ... concave part, 70a ... concave groove, 71 ... disk member, 71a ... tapered surface, 71b ... protrusion, 72 ... screw member, 75 ... guide member, 76 ... small pulley, 77 ... elastic 80, stepped portion, 80a, fitting key, 80b, recessed portion for engagement, 81 Ring member, 81a ... fitting groove, 81b ... snap fit part, 81c ... engaging claw part, 90 ... insertion part turning mechanism, 91 ... operation wire, 92 ... tip frame, 92a ... guide groove, 93 ... cover, 93a ... Inward flange, 93b ... Wire insertion hole, 94 ... Rotating body for insertion part, 94a ... Wire receiving part, 94b ... Screw, 94c ... Guide pin, 95 ... Tax tube, 96 ... Nut, 97 ... Unit

Claims (4)

A bending operation device for operating an endoscope bending portion,
A rotating member that winds an operation wire connected to the bending portion around the periphery, and pulls or relaxes the operation wire by rotation;
A rotating shaft that rotates integrally with the rotating member;
A support member that rotatably supports the rotating member via the rotating shaft;
A ring member that is non-rotatably held by the support member on the outer peripheral side of the rotating shaft, and that can slidably contact the inner peripheral surface with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft by elastic deformation starting from a preset easily deformable portion. When,
A pressing member supported by the supporting member and capable of pressing a part of the outer peripheral surface of the ring member toward the inner peripheral side;
An adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the relative position between the easily deformable portion of the ring member and the pressing position by the pressing member by adjusting the rotational position of the ring member held on the support member;
A bending operation apparatus comprising:   The bending operation device according to claim 1, wherein the easily deformable portion is set by providing a cutout portion on an outer peripheral surface of the ring member. The adjustment mechanism is provided on the support member along an outer peripheral portion of the ring member, and a plurality of notches that form pin insertion holes by selective alignment with the notches of the ring member;
A pin that holds the ring member non-rotatable with respect to the support member by being inserted into the pin insertion hole;
The bending operation device according to claim 2, further comprising:   The bending operation device according to claim 3, wherein the cutout portion provided in the ring member and the cutout portion provided in the support member each have a semicircular shape.

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