JP6599677B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus including a bending portion that can be bent is known.
For example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when a bending portion having a plurality of joints is provided such that each joint is provided so that the interval between the joints gradually increases toward the tip, the bending portion is bent. Discloses that the tip side is sufficiently curved and deformed.
Further, in Patent Documents 3 and 4, in a bending portion having a plurality of joints, each joint has a wire guide serving as a power point of a wire for bending the bending portion, and an interval between adjacent power points goes to the tip. It is disclosed that each force point is provided at each joint so as to gradually become wider.

JP 2000-342517 A JP-A-1-223924 JP-A-3-218723 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-335703

  The bending portions of the endoscope devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 bend by a pulling operation using a bending wire. In the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the bending shape of the bending portion is a shape determined according to the pulling state of the bending wire. In the inventions disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4, only a part of the bending portion cannot be bent and deformed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an endoscope apparatus that can bend and deform the entire bending portion and bend only a part of the bending portion. Objective.

One aspect of the present invention is connected to a plurality of bending pieces arranged side by side in a predetermined direction, and a first bending piece arranged at a first end in the predetermined one direction among the plurality of bending pieces. A bending wire provided to extend toward the second end opposite to the first end in the predetermined one direction, and a set of a plurality of the bending pieces adjacent to the predetermined one direction. It is arranged between the bending pieces, and can be engaged with a plurality of bending pieces so that it can be attached to and detached from each of the plurality of bending pieces, and an extension material that separates the pair of bending pieces from each other when no external force is applied. A straight rigid member, a flexible tube connected to the second end, a first operating portion connected to the flexible tube to operate the bending wire, and the rigid member To move forward and backward in the predetermined direction And a second operation section kicked, the first operating portion, the endoscope comprising a wire reciprocating portion for advancing and retracting operation of the bending wire, a restriction can be bent locking mechanism advancing and retracting movement of the deflection wire It is a mirror device.

The plurality of bending pieces include a first bending piece, a second bending piece adjacent to the first bending piece, and a third bending piece adjacent to the second bending piece from the first end to the second bending piece. It may be included in this order toward the end.
The elongating material is arranged between the first bending piece and the second bending piece, and the first elongating piece is arranged between the second bending piece and the third bending piece. And a second elongated material that is softer than the material.

  At least one extension member may be provided between each of the plurality of bending pieces. In the predetermined one direction, the flexibility of the plurality of elongated members may be gradually or stepwise increased from the first end to the second end.

  A through hole into which the rigid member can be inserted may be formed in the bending piece. The rigid member may be engaged with the bending piece by inserting the rigid member through the through holes of the plurality of bending pieces.

  According to the present invention, the entire bending portion can be bent and deformed, and only a part of the bending portion can be bent.

1 is an external view of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic cross section in the line | wire which tied the rigid member and bending wire of the insertion part in an endoscope apparatus. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the 2nd operation part of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the 2nd operation part of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the 2nd operation part of the same endoscope apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bending state of an insertion part. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state of the rigid member in the curved state shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the rigidity of the whole insertion part in the bending state shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bending state of an insertion part. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state of the rigid member in the curved state shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the rigidity of the whole insertion part in the bending state shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the bending state of an insertion part. It is a schematic cross section which shows the state of the rigid member in the curved state shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the rigidity of the whole insertion part in the bending state shown in FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external view of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a line connecting the rigid member of the insertion portion and the bending wire in the endoscope apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the endoscope apparatus 100 of this embodiment includes an insertion portion 10, a bending wire 60, a rigid member 70, and an operation portion 80.

The insertion portion 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a distal end portion (first end portion 11) and a proximal end portion (second end portion 12).
The insertion portion 10 includes a distal end configuration portion 13, a bending portion 14, and a flexible tube portion 15.

  The tip configuration unit 13 has an imaging unit 16 for imaging an observation object. Note that the distal end configuration unit 13 may not include the imaging unit 16. In addition, the distal end configuration unit 13 may include an inspection unit for the observation object instead of the imaging unit 16 or in addition to the imaging unit 16. Furthermore, the distal end configuration unit 13 may include an illumination unit that irradiates the observation target with light.

  The bending portion 14 includes a plurality of bending pieces 17 to 24 (first bending piece 17, second bending piece 18, third bending piece 19, fourth bending piece 20, fifth bending piece 21, sixth bending piece 22, A seventh bending piece 23, an eighth bending piece 24) and a plurality of elongated members 25-31 (first elongated member 25, second elongated member 26, third elongated member 27, fourth elongated member 28, fifth elongated member 29). , Sixth elongated material 30 and seventh elongated material 31).

  The bending pieces 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are arranged in this order in a predetermined direction. The predetermined one direction in the present embodiment is, for example, a direction in which the center line C1 of the insertion portion 10 extends. For example, the plurality of bending pieces 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are included in this order from the first end portion 11 toward the second end portion 12.

  Of the plurality of bending pieces 17 to 24, the bending piece (first bending piece 17) arranged on the most distal end side has a predetermined thickness dimension and is formed in a disc shape. In the first bending piece 17, four wire insertion holes 32 for independently inserting four bending wires 60 described later are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The wire insertion hole 32 of the first bending piece 17 has a wire fixing portion 33 to which the distal end of the bending wire 60 is fixed.

  The first bending piece 17 is formed with four through holes 34 for inserting four rigid members 70 to be described later at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the wire insertion holes 32 interposed therebetween. The rigid member 70 is engaged with the first bending piece 17 by inserting the rigid member 70 through the through hole 34 of the first bending piece 17. The rigid member 70 is not fixed to the through hole 34 of the first bending piece 17 and can advance and retreat with respect to the through hole 34.

  A bending piece (second bending piece 18) adjacent to the proximal end side of the first bending piece 17 among the plurality of bending pieces 17 to 24 is similar to the first bending piece 17, for example. In the second bending piece 18, four wire insertion holes 35 for independently inserting four bending wires 60 described later are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The bending wire 60 is engaged with the second bending piece 18 by inserting the bending wire 60 into the wire insertion hole 35 of the second bending piece 18.

  The second bending piece 18 is formed with four through holes 36 for inserting four rigid members 70 described later at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the wire insertion holes 35 interposed therebetween. The rigid member 70 is engaged with the second bending piece 18 by the rigid member 70 being inserted into the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18. That is, the rigid member 70 is not fixed to the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18, and can advance and retreat with respect to the through hole 36.

  Of the plurality of bending pieces 17 to 24, a bending piece (third bending piece 19) adjacent to the proximal end side of the second bending piece 18 is similar to the first bending piece 17, for example. In the third bending piece 19, four wire insertion holes 37 for independently inserting four bending wires 60 described later are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The bending wire 60 is engaged with the third bending piece 19 by inserting the bending wire 60 into the wire insertion hole 37 of the third bending piece 19.

  The third bending piece 19 is formed with four through holes 38 for inserting four rigid members 70 described later at equal intervals in the circumferential direction with the wire insertion holes 37 interposed therebetween. The rigid member 70 is engaged with the third bending piece 19 by inserting the rigid member 70 through the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19. That is, the rigid member 70 is not fixed to the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19 and can advance and retreat with respect to the through hole 38.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of fourth bending pieces 20, fifth bending pieces 21, sixth bending pieces 22, seventh bending pieces 23, and eighth bending pieces 24 are further provided on the proximal end side of the third bending piece 19. It is provided side by side. In the bending pieces 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, as described for the first bending piece 17 to the third bending piece 19, through holes 39, 40, through which the rigid member 70 is inserted. Wire insertion holes 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 for inserting 41, 42, 43 and the bending wire 60 are formed.

  Each of the elongated members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 has a space 49 through which the rigid member 70 can be inserted. For example, the elongated members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 are coil springs having a space 49, and the inner diameter dimension that defines the size of the space 49 is larger than the outer diameter dimension of the rigid member 70. large.

  The elongated member (first elongated member 25) connected between the first bending piece 17 and the second bending piece 18 has a predetermined flexibility. Therefore, a predetermined elastic repulsive force is applied to the first bending piece 17 and the second bending piece 18 to separate them from each other. The first elongated member 25 is in contact with the first bending piece 17 so as to communicate with the through hole 34. Further, the first elongated member 25 is in contact with the second bending piece 18 so as to communicate with the through hole 36. Thereby, in the process in which the rigid member 70 moves from the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18 toward the first bending piece 17, the first elongated member 25 guides the rigid member 70 toward the through hole 36. Can do.

  The stretch material (second stretch material 26) connected between the second bending piece 18 and the third bending piece 19 is more flexible than the first stretch material 25. Therefore, by applying an elastic repulsion force lower than that of the first elongated member 25 to the second bending piece 18 and the third bending piece 19, the two are separated from each other. That is, each of the elongated members 25 and 26 has a high elastic repulsion force toward the first end portion 11, and has a low elastic repulsion force on the base side of the bending portion 14. The second elongated member 26 is in contact with the second bending piece 18 so as to communicate with the through hole 36. Further, the second elongated member 26 is in contact with the third bending piece 19 so as to communicate with the through hole 38. Thereby, in the process in which the rigid member 70 moves from the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19 toward the second bending piece 18, the second elongated member 26 guides the rigid member 70 toward the through hole 36. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, between the plurality of bending pieces provided on the proximal end side of the third bending piece 19, similarly to the relationship between the first extending member 25 and the second extending member 26, the distal end side The elongated member 31 disposed on the base end side is more flexible than the first elongated member 25 disposed on the base. That is, the flexibility of the plurality of elongated members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 is gradually or gradually increased from the first end 11 to the second end 12 in the predetermined direction. Is getting higher.

The flexible tube portion 15 is a flexible tubular portion that connects the bending portion 14 and the operation portion 80, and is connected to the proximal end portion (second end portion 12) of the bending portion 14.
The flexible tube portion 15 is disposed so as to enclose a rigid member 70 connected to a second operation portion 82 described later. A plurality of bending wires 60 are inserted into the flexible tube portion 15. A rigid tube may be provided instead of the flexible tube portion 15.

  The bending wire 60 is connected to the bending pieces 17 to 24 of the bending portion 14 corresponding to the direction in which the bending portion 14 is bent. The number of the bending wires 60 is four in this embodiment. Note that the number of the bending wires 60 may not be four. The material of the bending wire 60 is not particularly limited.

  The rigid member 70 is, for example, a round bar-shaped member. The rigid member 70 is so hard that the bending portion 14 can be reinforced in order to hold the bending portion 14 in a straight state, and the insertion portion 10 is inserted into the specimen or the insertion section 10 is inserted into the specimen. The insertion portion 10 is flexible enough to allow the insertion portion 10 to be curved and deformed to some extent when moving forward or backward or rotating.

  The rigid member 70 is mainly positioned in the flexible tube portion 15 on the proximal end side with respect to the first region 71 (see FIG. 2) engaged with the bending pieces 17 to 24 of the bending portion 14 and the bending portion 14. And a second region 72. The first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is configured so that the bending portion 14 becomes linear against the strength of the bending operation using the bending wire 60 in a state where the first region 71 is positioned on the bending portion 14. It is hard. In the state where the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is located at the bending portion 14, the bending portion 14 may be bent when the amount of bending operation using the bending wire 60 is sufficiently large.

  In a state where the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is located only in a part of the bending portion 14 in the vicinity of the second end portion 12, the entire length of the bending portion 14 is increased by the amount of bending operation using the bending wire 60. Of these, the region located further forward than the tip of the rigid member 70 is preferentially bent. This is because the region of the bending portion 14 where the rigid member 70 is disposed is reinforced by the rigid member 70. The reinforcement of the bending portion 14 by the rigid member 70 is generally more flexible at the portion where the rigid member 70 is disposed than at the portion where the bending portion 14 in the state where the rigid member 70 is not arranged is most difficult to bend. It is done to be low. That is, for the hardness and softness of the rigid member 70, the flexibility of each part in the bending portion 14 is considered. In addition, the rigid member 70 has a configuration in which compression deformation, extension deformation, buckling, and the like in the center line direction of the rigid member 70 are unlikely to occur, and bending deformation in which the center line of the rigid member 70 is curved is allowed. Also good.

  Further, in the first region 71 of the rigid member 70, the plurality of elongated members 25 to 31 are flexible gradually or stepwise from the first end portion 11 side toward the second end portion 12 side. Correspondingly, the rigidity may increase gradually or stepwise from the first end portion 11 side toward the second end portion 12 side. This is because, when a part or all of the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is disposed in the bending portion 14, the range in which the first region 71 is located in the bending portion 14 (from the tip of the rigid member 70). In the range between the curved portion 14 and the second end portion 12), the entire portion is configured to have substantially constant rigidity. In this case, in a range in which the first region 71 is located in the bending portion 14, a linear force is maintained up to a certain amount of force, and when the amount of force is exceeded, the entire region is curved so as to form a part of an arc. It is not necessary to consider that the range in which the first region 71 is located in the bending portion 14 is curved in an arc shape.

  In the rigid member 70 in the present embodiment, at least the first region 71 has a solid bar shape or wire shape. In addition, the 1st area | region 71 of the rigid member 70 may consist of the strand wound by the helical coil shape.

  It is preferable that the material of the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 of the present embodiment has a spring property that maintains a linear shape in a state where no external force is applied. For example, the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 may be made of a superelastic alloy or other alloy or metal material. Further, the material of the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 may be selected in consideration of the material of the bending wire 60. For example, the material of the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 may be the same as the material of the bending wire 60 or may be different from the material of the bending wire 60.

  The second region 72 of the rigid member 70 is proximal to the second end 12 of the bending portion 14 in a state where the distal end of the first region 71 is engaged with the first bending piece 17 of the bending portion 14. Located in. The second region 72 of the rigid member 70 does not enter the bending portion 14. For this reason, the hardness and softness of the second region 72 are such that the second region 72 of the rigid member 70 and the flexible tube portion 15 are combined in a flexible state, and the rigid member 70 on the operation unit 80 side. May be determined in consideration of the fact that the forward / backward operation can be transmitted to the first area 71.

The material of the second region 72 of the rigid member 70 may be different from that of the first region 71. The second region 72 of the rigid member 70 may be the same material as the first region 71 and may have a different shape.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the operation unit 80 includes a first operation unit 81 connected to the flexible tube unit 15 and a second operation unit 82 provided in the vicinity of the first operation unit 81.

  The first operation unit 81 is connected to the proximal end portion of the flexible tube unit 15 in order to operate the bending wire 60 or display an image acquired by the imaging unit 16. The first operation unit 81 includes a wire advance / retreat unit 85 including a joystick 83, a bending lock mechanism 86 connected to the joystick 83, and a monitor 84. The monitor 84 may be separate from the first operation unit 81.

  The wire advancing / retracting portion 85 sends out or retracts the bending wire 60 in response to the tilting operation of the joystick 83. As a result, each bending wire 60 is advanced and retracted in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 10.

  The bending lock mechanism 86 has a push button arranged at the protruding end of the joystick 83 in the first operation portion 81. When the bending lock mechanism 86 is pressed once, the joystick 83 is fixed at that position, and when pressed again, the joystick 83 is released from being fixed. Thereby, the bending lock mechanism 86 can regulate the forward and backward movement of the bending wire 60.

  The second operation portion 82 is disposed at the proximal end portion of the flexible tube portion 15. The second operation portion 82 moves the rigid member 70 forward and backward in the predetermined direction (in this embodiment, for example, the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 10), or the position of the distal end of the rigid member 70 is within the bending portion 14. The rigid member 70 is held so as to be positioned at an arbitrary part in the predetermined one direction. The second operation unit 82 is positioned together with the first operation unit 81 outside the observation target (sample) or the like with the distal end of the insertion unit 10 being inserted into the observation target (sample) or the like.

The configuration of the second operation unit 82 is not limited to the above configuration.
For example, when the second operation unit 82 operates the first operation unit 81, the operator's finger operating the first operation unit 81 can operate the second operation unit 82 easily so that the second operation unit 82 can be operated. It may reach the part 82 as well.

  For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 4, the second operation portion 82 has a ring 87 for hooking the operator's finger, and the rigid member is moved by moving the ring 87 while operating the first operation portion 81. 70 can be operated.

  As another example, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the second operation portion 82 has a flange portion 88 for hooking the operator's finger, and the flange is operated while operating the first operation portion 81. The rigid member 70 can be operated by moving the portion 88.

  As still another example, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 6, the second operation unit 82 has a ring 89 for hanging the operator's finger attached to the joystick 83 of the first operation unit 81. The rigid member 70 can be operated while bending the bending portion 14 using the joystick 83.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described.
When the endoscope apparatus 100 is used, first, the insertion unit 10 is inserted into, for example, a sample. In order to guide the distal end portion of the insertion portion 10 to the site to be observed inside the specimen, it may be necessary to bend and deform the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion portion 10. In this case, the rigid member 70 may be moved to the proximal end side so that the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is located further to the proximal end side than the second end portion 12 of the bending portion 14. Thereby, the bending portion 14 can be easily bent and deformed using the bending wire 60. Even when the bending wire 60 is subjected to a sufficiently strong operation force, the bending portion 14 may be bent and deformed while the first region 71 of the rigid member 70 is located on the bending portion 14. Good.

The position of the distal end of the rigid member 70 can be set to an arbitrary position between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14 by the second operation portion 82.
7 to 9 are views for explaining the bending state of the insertion portion 10 when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located in the vicinity of the distal end of the bending portion 14. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the bending state of the insertion portion 10. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the rigid member 70 in the curved state shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a graph showing the rigidity of the entire insertion portion 10 in the curved state shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is positioned between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14, the distal end portion of the bending portion 14 (the first portion of the entire length of the bending portion 14 (first The region between the end portion 11) and the distal end of the rigid member 70 is relatively flexible and easily deforms, and the distal end of the rigid member 70 and the proximal end portion (second end portion 12) of the curved portion 14 The space between them is relatively hard and is difficult to bend and deform (see FIG. 9). Further, the portion of the entire length of the bending portion 14 where the tip of the rigid member 70 is located (indicated by reference numeral P1 in FIG. 9) is the weakest and most flexible, so the tip of the rigid member 70 is located. The site is most likely to bend.
When the distal end of the rigid member 70 is positioned between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14, the distal end portion (first end portion 11) and the rigidity of the bending portion 14 out of the entire length of the bending portion 14. Due to the region between the distal end of the member 70, a curved shape in which the center of curvature is located closer to the distal end side than the center of curvature when the entire bending portion 14 is curved is generated.

  In addition, when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is positioned between the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14, a curved shape having a smaller curvature radius than the case where the entire bending portion 14 is curved is curved. It can be generated near the tip of the portion 14.

10 to 12 are diagrams for explaining the bending state of the insertion portion 10 when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located near the center of the bending portion 14. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the bending state of the insertion portion 10. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the rigid member 70 in the curved state shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the rigidity of the entire insertion portion 10 in the curved state shown in FIG.
When the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located on the proximal side relative to the distal end of the bending portion 14 as compared with the bending state of the insertion portion 10 as shown in FIG. By the action of the materials 25, 26, and 27), the curved portion 14 is returned to the linear shape in order from the tip side. As shown in FIG. 12, the portion where the tip of the rigid member 70 is located (indicated by reference numeral P <b> 2 in FIG. 12) of the entire length of the bending portion 14 is the weakest and most flexible. The part where is located is most easily curved. For this reason, in the bending state shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the bending portion 14 does not have a uniform curvature, but has a curved shape in which the curvature increases in order from the distal end side.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are views for explaining the bending state of the insertion portion 10 when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located at the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the bending state of the insertion portion 10. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state of the rigid member 70 in the curved state shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the rigidity of the entire insertion portion 10 in the curved state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 14, when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located at the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14, the rigid member 70 does not contribute to the rigidity of the bending portion 14. Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the bending portion 14 is bent to the limit of the bending performance of the bending portion 14, the bending portion 14 is bent with a uniform curvature like the bending portion of a general endoscope. It becomes. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, within the range of the bending performance of the bending portion 14, the distal end side of the bending portion 14 is linear and the proximal end side of the bending portion 14 is curved.
Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the base end of the bending portion 14 (indicated by reference numeral P <b> 3 in FIG. 15) is the weakest and most flexible among the entire length of the bending portion 14, so the base end of the bending portion 14 is the most. Easy to bend. For this reason, in the bending state shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the bending portion 14 does not have a uniform curvature, but has a curved shape in which the curvature increases in order from the distal end side.

  Thus, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, by changing the position of the distal end of the rigid member 70, it is possible to bend only a part of the distal end side of the bending portion 14, or the bending portion. The entirety of 14 can also be curved.

  In the present embodiment, by changing the position of the rigid member 70 by the second operation unit 82, for example, corresponding to the internal structure of the specimen, the center of curvature of the bending unit 14 and the bending unit 14 can be easily inserted. The radius of curvature can be changed. In this way, after the insertion unit 10 is guided to the member to be observed in the specimen, the target can be imaged by the imaging unit 16 or other examinations can be performed.

  Next, this embodiment exemplifies a process of bending operation of the bending portion 14 for guiding the distal end of the insertion portion 10 to a narrow bent portion in the observation object using the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The operation of the endoscope apparatus 100 will be further described.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the distal end of the insertion portion 10 is guided to a portion where the bending operation of the bending portion 14 is required in a state where the bending portion 14 is in a straight line state. At this time, the rigid member 70 is inserted through the through hole 34 of the first bending piece 17, the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18, and the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19. As shown in FIG. 4, the rigid member 70 is inserted through the through hole 34 of the first bending piece 17, the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18, and the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19. In the state, the rigidity of the bending portion 14 is high, and the bending portion 14 is in a first state in which it is not easily bent even if there is a bending operation with respect to the first operation portion 81.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the bending portion 14, a rigid member is formed from the through hole 34 of the first bending piece 17, the through hole 36 of the second bending piece 18, and the through hole 38 of the third bending piece 19. 70 is extracted. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the rigidity of the distal end portion including the bending pieces 17, 18 of the bending portion 14 by the rigid member 70 retracting in the operation portion direction opposite to the distal end direction in the bending portion 14. Becomes the second state (the bending portion 14 is in a straight state, but the rigidity is changed from the first state).

Subsequently, the bending wire 60 is driven to bend at the distal end portion of the bending portion 14 whose rigidity is lowered by extracting the rigid member 70. Thereby, each bending piece 17 and 18 moves, and it will be in the 3rd state by which a part of the front end side of the bending part 14 was made into the curved shape (refer FIG. 8). At this time, each bending piece 17 and 18 is in a non-parallel state.
The operator can guide the distal end of the bending portion 14 to a narrow bent portion in the observation object in a state where the distal end portion of the bending portion 14 is curved. After the distal end portion of the bending portion 14 is guided to the bent portion, for example, the operator can lock the bending wire 60 by the bending lock mechanism 86. Thereby, it will be in the 4th state fixed in the state where the tip part neighborhood of curving part 14 was curving corresponding to a narrow bending part.

When the insertion portion 14 is further inserted into the bent portion, the operator pushes the flexible tube portion 15 relatively to the distal end side with respect to the rigid member 70. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the rigid member 70 is relatively moved toward the base end side, so that the bending piece positioned on the base end side with respect to the second bending piece 18 (for example, the third bending piece in FIG. 14). The area where the 19, the fourth bending piece 20 and the fifth bending piece 21) are newly bendable. Due to the action of each of the elongated members 25 to 31, the portion where the distal end of the rigid member 70 is located is the most flexible among the curved portions 14 (see FIG. 14). For this reason, if the area | region between the 4th bending piece 20 and the 5th bending piece 21 curves according to the relative stress relationship of each extending | stretching material 25,26,27,28,29,30,31, the bending part 14 will be shown. On the tip end side, the fifth state returns to the linear state in order from the region between the first bending piece 17 and the second bending piece 18.
Since the rigid member 70 is shifted toward the base end side by one frame in the plurality of bending pieces 17 to 24, the configuration bent in the fourth state is shifted by one frame to the base end side in the fifth state.
In addition, when the flexible tube portion 15 is pushed toward the distal end side relative to the rigid member 70, the position of the distal end of the rigid member 70 with respect to the bent portion of the specimen does not change. For this reason, the bending portion 14 is smoothly inserted into a narrow bent portion by an operation in which the flexible tube portion 15 is pushed toward the distal end side relative to the rigid member 70.

  When the flexible tube portion 15 is further pushed toward the distal end side with respect to the rigid member 70 from the fifth state, due to the relative stress relationship between the respective stretch members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, The bending starts in order toward the proximal end side of the bending portion 14, and simultaneously returns to the linear state from the distal end side. Then, the portion of the bending portion 14 that is in a bending state gradually changes from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion of the bending portion 14. That is, the bending center of the bending portion 14 moves from the tip portion toward the operation portion. As a result, the distal end of the insertion portion 10 can be smoothly guided even in a narrow bent portion.

  Further, when the distal end of the rigid member 70 is positioned at the base end of the bending portion 14, the action of the rigid member 70 for regulating the bending portion 14 in a straight line does not reach the bending portion 14, so that the bending portion 14 is generally used. It can be bent and deformed to the same extent as the bending portion of a flexible endoscope (for example, close to 180 degrees as shown in FIG. 14).

  As described above, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the entire bending portion 14 is bent and deformed by varying the rigidity of the bending portion 14 as the rigid member 70 advances and retreats. In addition, only a part of the bending portion 14 can be bent.

  Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the first extending member 25 is connected between the first bending piece 17 and the second bending piece 18, and the second bending piece 18 and the third bending piece 19 are connected. The second elongated material 26, which is more flexible than the first elongated material 25, is connected between the two. Therefore, it is possible to return to the linear state in order from the distal end side of the bending portion 14.

  Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the elongated members 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and the like extend from the first end portion 11 to the second end portion 12 in a predetermined direction. The flexibility of 30, 31 increases gradually or stepwise. Thereby, it can return to a linear state in order from the front end side of the bending part 14.

  Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the through holes 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 of the bending pieces 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 are provided. 43, the rigid member 70 is inserted. Thereby, the connection state of each bending piece 17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 with respect to the rigid member 70 and a detached state can be produced easily.

  Further, according to the endoscope apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the rigid member 70 is moved forward and backward in a predetermined direction, or the position of the distal end of the rigid member 70 is arbitrary one in the predetermined direction in the bending portion 14. For example, the operation unit 80 can be operated outside the sample in the operation unit 80. Further, the second operation portion 82 for operating the rigid member 70 is disposed on the flexible tube portion 15, and therefore, the relative movement of the flexible tube portion 15 with respect to the rigid member 70 can be easily performed.

  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.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Endoscope apparatus 11 1st edge part 12 2nd edge part 14 Bending part 15 Flexible tube part 17 1st bending piece (bending piece)
18 Second bending piece (curving piece)
19 Third bending piece (curving piece)
20 4th bending piece (curving piece)
21 Fifth bending piece (curving piece)
22 6th bending piece (curving piece)
23 Seventh bending piece (curving piece)
24 8th bending piece (curving piece)
25 First stretch material (stretch material)
26 Second stretch material (stretch material)
27, 28, 29, 30, 31 Elongating material 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 Through hole 60 Bending wire 70 Rigid member 81 First operation portion 82 Second operation portion 85 Wire advance / retreat portion 86 Bending Lock mechanism 87 Ring 88 Flange 89 Ring

Claims (4)

A plurality of bending pieces arranged side by side in a predetermined direction;
Of the plurality of bending pieces, connected to a first bending piece disposed at a first end portion in the predetermined one direction to a second end portion on the opposite side to the first end portion in the predetermined one direction. A bending wire provided extending toward the surface,
An elongated material that is arranged between a pair of bending pieces adjacent to each other in the predetermined direction among the plurality of bending pieces, and separates the set of bending pieces from each other in a state where no external force is applied,
A linear rigid member that can be engaged with the plurality of bending pieces so as to be detachable from each of the plurality of bending pieces;
A flexible tube connected to the second end;
A first operating part connected to the flexible tube part for operating the bending wire;
A second operating portion provided in the vicinity of the first operating portion for moving the rigid member forward and backward in the predetermined direction;
With
The first operation unit is
A wire advancing / retreating part for advancing and retracting the bending wire;
A bending lock mechanism capable of regulating the forward and backward movement of the bending wire;
An endoscope apparatus having The plurality of bending pieces include a first bending piece, a second bending piece adjacent to the first bending piece, and a third bending piece adjacent to the second bending piece from the first end to the second bending piece. Including in this order towards the end,
The stretch material is
A first elongated member disposed between the first bending piece and the second bending piece;
A second elongated material that is arranged between the second curved piece and the third curved piece and is more flexible than the first elongated material;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: At least one extension member is provided between each of the plurality of bending pieces;
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein in the predetermined direction, the flexibility of the plurality of extending members gradually or stepwise increases from the first end to the second end. apparatus. A through hole through which the rigid member can be inserted is formed in the bending piece,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rigid member is engaged with the bending piece by inserting the rigid member into each through hole of the plurality of bending pieces.

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