JP7690484B2 - Endoscopy - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope, and in particular to an endoscope equipped with a stand at the tip of the insertion section for changing the direction in which a treatment tool is introduced.

In endoscopes, various treatment tools are introduced through a treatment tool introduction port provided in the operating section, and the treatment tools are led out from a treatment tool lead-out port opened at the tip of the insertion section for use in treatment. For example, treatment tools such as guidewires or contrast tubes are used in duodenoscopes. Treatment tools such as puncture needles are used in ultrasound endoscopes. Treatment tools such as forceps or snares are used in other direct endoscopes and oblique endoscopes. It is necessary to change the lead-out direction of such treatment tools at the tip in order to treat the desired location within the subject. For this reason, a stand is provided on the tip body of the tip to change the lead-out direction of the treatment tool. The endoscope is provided with a treatment tool standing mechanism that changes the position of the stand between an upright position and a reclined position.

The endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a stand at the distal end of the working channel. The stand rotates about a pivot axis by a wire, allowing the medical instrument to be accurately aimed at the surgical area. The proximal end of the wire is inserted into a collet, which is then tightened by rotating a nut, and the collet secures the wire.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0099500

However, in the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1, the collet and nut are separate components, and the wire is fixed using multiple components. This requires the wire to be inserted into the collet and the collet to be pushed into the nut and rotated. This raises concerns that the operation of fixing the wire may become cumbersome.

In addition, in the case of a collet chuck, depending on how tightly it is tightened, the fixing force may not be sufficient, or the fixed end of the wire may be gripped by the collet in an awkward position (for example, with almost no gripping margin at the fixed end of the wire).If the wire is fixed in the above state, there is a risk that it will come off the collet during the erection operation.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope in which the erection operation wire can be securely fixed to the wire fixing mechanism with a simple operation.

In order to solve the above problems, the endoscope of the present invention comprises an operating section provided with an operating member, an insertion section provided at the tip of the operating section and inserted into a subject, a treatment tool riser provided at the tip of the insertion section, a rise operation wire whose tip side is connected to the treatment tool riser and which operates the treatment tool riser by being pushed and pulled in response to the operation of the operating member, and a wire fixing mechanism for fixing the base end side of the rise operation wire, the operating section having a link member that operates in conjunction with the operation of the operating member, the wire fixing mechanism having a wire catch that detachably engages and fixes the base end side of the rise operation wire, a catch guide that guides the wire catch in the wire axial direction of the rise operation wire, and a wire catch fixing mechanism that operates in conjunction with the operation of the operating member to fix the wire catch to the wire The wire catch has a locking hole through which the locking part can be inserted and locked, and the wire fixing mechanism is configured so that the locking part can be inserted into the locking hole by attaching the wire fixing mechanism to the operation part, and the locking of the locking part into the locking hole, the locking of the locking part into the locking hole, the locking of the locking part into the locking hole, the locking state of the locking part and the locking hole can be fixed, and the lever connecting part and the link member can be connected by rotating the sliding lever.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire fixing mechanism is preferably configured to enable the disconnection of the lever connecting portion from the link member, the release of the locked state between the engaged portion and the locking hole, and the release of the engaged portion from the locking hole by rotating the sliding lever in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation, and to enable the release of the engaged portion from the locking hole by detaching the wire fixing mechanism from the operating portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a first rotation operation for rotating the sliding lever to one side in a first rotation direction centered on a first direction parallel to the wire axial direction, and a second rotation operation for rotating the sliding lever to one side in a second rotation direction centered on a second direction perpendicular to the first direction after the first rotation operation has been performed. It is preferable that the combination of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation is used to lock the locked portion with the locking hole, fix the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and connect the lever connecting portion to the link member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a third rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to one side in the second rotation direction, and a fourth rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to one side in the first rotation direction after the third rotation operation has been performed, and it is preferable that a combination of the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation is used to disconnect the lever connecting portion from the link member, release the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and release the locked portion from the locking hole.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch has a fixing member that fixes the locked state between the locked portion inserted into the locking hole and the locking hole, the fixing member is movable between a fixed position that fixes the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole and a release position that releases the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and the wire fixing mechanism is preferably configured to enable the fixing member to be moved to the fixed position by a second rotation operation and to enable the fixing member to be moved to the release position by a third rotation operation.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch has a catch body in which a locking hole is formed, and the fixing member is movable in the wire axial direction in conjunction with the second rotation operation, and when the second rotation operation is performed, the fixing member moves to a fixed position and fixes the locking state between the locked portion and the locking hole by the fixing member, and further, it is preferable that, while the fixed locking state is maintained, the fixing member and the catch body move together toward the base end in the wire axial direction to pull up the standing operation wire.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the catch guide has a catch guide groove extending in the wire axial direction, the catch body has a catch body shaft that is engaged and guided in the catch guide groove, and a catch body groove that is provided at a position overlapping with the catch guide groove and extends in the wire axial direction, the fixed member has a fixed member shaft that is inserted into the catch body groove and moves freely back and forth along the catch body groove, the sliding lever has a lever bearing hole that is rotatably connected to the catch body shaft, and a cam groove in which the fixed member shaft is slidably engaged, and it is preferable that the cam groove has a shape in which a linear first cam groove portion is connected to a curved second cam groove portion, and the first cam groove portion changes the relative distance between the catch body and the fixed member, and the second cam groove portion maintains the relative distance between the catch body and the fixed member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding lever has a first lever abutment portion, the catch guide has a first regulating surface against which the first lever abutment portion can abut, and when the fixed member axis is present in the first cam groove portion, the first regulating surface abuts against the first lever abutment portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever, thereby enabling rotation of the sliding lever around the catch body axis and preferably changing the relative distance between the catch body and the fixed member.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the first regulating surface is configured as an arc-shaped surface centered on the catch body axis.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sliding lever has a second lever abutment portion at a position different from the first lever abutment portion, the catch guide has a second regulating surface that can abut against the second lever abutment portion when the restriction on the sliding lever by the first regulating surface is released, and the second regulating surface abuts against the second lever abutment portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever when the fixed member shaft is present in the second cam groove portion of the cam groove, thereby moving the second lever abutment portion along the second regulating surface while allowing the sliding lever to rotate about the second lever abutment portion, and preferably moving the catch body and the fixed member together.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the locking hole has an opening shape in which a first hole large enough to insert the locked portion and a second hole large enough in size to fit the locked portion are continuous with each other and larger than the outer shape of the wire body and smaller than the outer shape of the locked portion.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wire catch is configured to be freely rotatable around a rotation axis that is eccentric from the standing operation wire, the locking hole is provided at a position eccentric from the rotation axis, and it is preferable that the first hole and the second hole are formed continuously along a rotation trajectory around the rotation axis.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tip cap is provided with a tip body provided at the tip of the insertion section, and the tip cap is detachable from the tip body and has a locking portion for attachment that can be locked to the tip body when attached to the tip body. The catch guide has a cap at its end, and the cap is configured to include a tip cap removal tool. The tip cap removal tool has a storage space provided in the cap and having an opening at one end, an unlocking portion provided in the cap, and a holding portion provided in the cap. When the tip cap is stored in the storage space, it is preferable that the unlocking portion is in an unlocked state in which the locking portion is released from the tip body, and the holding portion is in a held state in which it is held by the tip cap, so that the tip cap can be pulled out of the tip body together with the cap.

According to the present invention, the standing operation wire can be securely fixed to the wire fixing mechanism with a simple operation.

Configuration diagram of an endoscope system including an endoscope FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the distal end portion of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a base end portion of the operation unit body; FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a base end portion of the operation unit body; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a wire fixing mechanism being attached to an operation unit main body. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a wire fixing mechanism being attached to an operation unit main body. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of a wire fixing mechanism being attached to an operation unit main body. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the wire fixing mechanism according to the embodiment being attached to the operation unit body. An explanatory diagram of how the sliding lever is connected to the standing operation lever. A front view of the operating unit body in which the sliding lever is connected to the raising operation lever. FIG. 4 is a front view of the operating unit body with the raising operation lever positioned at the raising operation position; Front view of wire fixing mechanism FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a main part of the wire fixing mechanism shown in FIG. 12 with a cap removed; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part showing the configuration of a sliding lever; FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing how the wire fixing mechanism shown in FIG. 13 is attached to the operation unit main body. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the wire fixing mechanism taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a locked portion protrudes from a locking hole. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a wire protrudes from a locking hole. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the wire is engaged in the second hole. FIG. 20 is a front view of the wire catch in the state shown in FIG. 19 . FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which the wire fixing mechanism is attached to the operation unit body. A front view showing a state where the lever coupling operation has started. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the locked portion is engaged with the recessed portion during the lever connecting operation. A front view showing the state where the first half of the lever connecting operation is completed. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the wire fixing mechanism in the state shown in FIG. 24 . FIG. 13 is a front view showing the state where the second half of the lever coupling operation has started. A front view showing the state where the lever coupling operation is completed FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a wire fixing range and a driving range. A perspective view of the wire fixing mechanism seen from the cap side. A cross-sectional view of the cap including the tip cap removal jig, taken along a plane parallel to the central axis and passing through the unlocking portion and the retaining portion. Exploded perspective view of the tip FIG. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion, seen from an angle different from that of FIG. 31 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a distal end cap from which a treatment tool stand and an operating wire have been removed; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the distal end cap from which the operating wire has been removed, viewed from the proximal end side. FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a wall member as viewed from the base end side. A diagram showing the state before the tip cap is attached to the tip body. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state immediately before the locking portion of the wall member is locked to the stopper portion of the base end wall portion. FIG. 38 is a view of the tip cap and tip body in the state of FIG. 37 from the Z (+) direction. FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the locking portion of the wall member is locked to the stopper portion of the base end wall portion. FIG. 40 is a view of the tip cap and tip body in the state of FIG. 39 from the Z (+) direction. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating a procedure for removing the tip cap using a tip cap removal tool; A cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap using the tip cap removal tool. A cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap using the tip cap removal tool. A cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap using the tip cap removal tool. A cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap using the tip cap removal tool. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a restricting portion provided on the tip cap removal jig; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the insertion direction of the tip cap removal tool and the restriction portion. A diagram for explaining the function of the restricting portion 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views for explaining a procedure for removing the tip cap by using another embodiment of the tip cap removal tool; 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a procedure for removing the tip cap by using still another embodiment of the tip cap removal tool;

Below, a preferred embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention is described with reference to the attached drawings.

1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system 12 including an endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system 12 includes an endoscope 10, an endoscope processor device 14, and a display 18.

The endoscope 10 includes a hand-operated section 22 having a standing operation lever 20 and an insertion section 24 that is provided at the tip of the hand-operated section 22 and is inserted into the subject. The hand-operated section 22 functions as the operation section of the present invention.

The insertion section 24 has a long axis direction Ax from the base end to the tip end, and from the base end to the tip end, is provided with a flexible section 26, a curved section 28, and a tip section 30. The detailed configuration of the tip section 30 will be described later, but first, the general configuration of the tip section 30 will be described.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an enlarged view of the tip portion 30. Here, the endoscope 10 (see Figure 1) of the embodiment is a side-viewing endoscope used, for example, as a duodenoscope, and the tip portion 30 in Figure 2 has the configuration of a side-viewing endoscope.

As shown in Figure 2, the tip section 30 is constructed by attaching a tip cap 34 to a tip section main body 32. The tip cap 34 is provided with a treatment tool stand 36 (hereinafter referred to as the stand 36) having a treatment tool guide surface 36A, and the stand 36 is shown in a state in which it is positioned in a reclined position.

In addition to the tip 30, various contents arranged inside the insertion section 24 of the endoscope 10 (see FIG. 1) are shown in FIG. 2. That is, FIG. 2 shows a treatment tool channel 37 that guides the tip of a treatment tool (not shown) to the tip body 32, an upright operation wire 38 (hereinafter referred to as wire 38) for changing the direction of the tip of the treatment tool led out from the tip body 32, a wire channel 40 made of a tight-fitting spring through which the wire 38 is inserted, an air/water supply tube 42, and a cable insertion channel 44. In addition, contents such as a light guide insertion channel 45 that guides illumination light supplied from the light source device 15 (see FIG. 1) to the tip body 32, and an angle wire (not shown) for bending the bending section 28 (see FIG. 1) are also arranged inside the insertion section 24.

In this specification, the description will be given using a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system in three axial directions (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis). That is, when the direction in which the treatment tool (not shown) is led out by the stand 36 is the upward direction when looking at the distal end 30 from the hand operation unit 22, the upward direction is the Z (+) direction, and the opposite downward direction is the Z (-) direction. The rightward direction at that time is the X (+) direction, and the leftward direction is the X (-) direction. The forward direction at that time (the direction toward the distal end in the direction of the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion portion 24) is the Y (+) direction, and the rearward direction (the direction toward the proximal end in the direction of the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion portion 24) is the Y (-) direction. The Y-axis direction, which includes the Y (+) direction and the Y (-) direction, is parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis Ax of the insertion portion 24 and the wire axial direction of the wire 38. The Y (+) direction indicates the distal end side in the wire axial direction, and the Y (-) direction indicates the proximal end side in the wire axial direction. The Z-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the long axis direction Ax, and the X-axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

Returning to FIG. 1, the hand-held operation unit 22 is configured to have a generally cylindrical shape overall. The hand-held operation unit 22 has an operation unit main body 46 provided with the standing operation lever 20, and a gripping portion 48 connected to the operation unit main body 46. The gripping portion 48 is a portion that is gripped by the surgeon when operating the endoscope 10, and the base end of the insertion section 24 is connected to the tip side of the gripping portion 48 via a break-proof tube 50.

The base end of a universal cable 52 is connected to the operation unit body 46, and a connector device 54 is provided at the tip end of the universal cable 52. The connector device 54 is connected to the endoscope processor device 14.

The endoscope processor 14 includes a light source device 15 and an image processing device 16. The light source device 15 includes a processor-side connector 15A to which the connector device 54 is connected. The image processing device 16 is connected to a display 18 that displays an image processed by the image processing device 16. The endoscope system 12 includes a configuration for non-contact transmission of power, optical signals, and the like between the endoscope 10 and the endoscope processor 14 via a connector unit consisting of the connector device 54 and the processor-side connector 15A. As a result, light from the light source device 15 is transmitted via an optical fiber cable (not shown) and irradiated from an illumination window 74 (see FIG. 2) provided on the tip surface of the tip 30. The light captured from the observation window 76 (see FIG. 2) is captured by an image sensor, and the converted optical signal is image-processed by the image processing device 16 and displayed as an image on the display 18.

The operation unit main body 46 is provided with an air/water supply button 57 and a suction button 59. The air/water supply button 57 is a button that can be operated in two stages. The first stage operation allows air to be supplied to the air/water supply nozzle 58 (see FIG. 2) via the air/water supply tube 42, and the second stage operation allows water to be supplied to the air/water supply nozzle 58 via the air/water supply tube 42. In addition, when the suction button 59 is operated, bodily fluids such as blood can be aspirated from the treatment tool outlet 60 (FIG. 2) via the treatment tool channel 37.

A pair of angle knobs 62, 62 that bend the bending portion 28 are disposed on the operating unit main body 46. The pair of angle knobs 62, 62 are provided so as to be freely rotatable on the same axis. The angle knobs 62, 62 and the bending portion 28 are connected by, for example, four angle wires (not shown), and by rotating the angle knobs 62, 62, these angle wires are pushed and pulled, thereby bending the bending portion 28 up, down, left and right.

The operating unit body 46 is provided with a freely rotatable raising operation lever 20 coaxially with the angle knobs 62, 62. The raising operation lever 20 is rotated by the surgeon's hand holding the grip portion 48. This raising operation lever 20 functions as the operating member of the present invention.

A wire fixing mechanism 78, which is an embodiment of the wire fixing mechanism of the present invention, is provided on the outside of the operation unit main body 46. This wire fixing mechanism 78 has a sliding lever 80 and a fixing unit 82, and is configured to fix the base end side of the wire 38 (see FIG. 2) as described below. One end of the sliding lever 80 is detachably connected to the standing operation lever 20 side, and moves (slides) in conjunction with the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. In addition, the above-mentioned fixing unit 82 is provided on the other end of the sliding lever 80. This fixing unit 82 is attached to the operation unit main body 46, and the base end side of the wire 38 is fixed to this fixing unit 82. As a result, the standing operation lever 20 and the wire 38 are connected via the wire fixing mechanism 78. The wire fixing mechanism 78 will be described later.

As shown in Fig. 1, the gripping portion 48 of the proximal operating unit 22 has a treatment tool introduction port 64 for introducing a treatment tool. A treatment tool (not shown) introduced from the treatment tool introduction port 64 with its tip leading is inserted into the treatment tool channel 37 shown in Fig. 2 and is led out from the treatment tool lead port 60. Examples of treatment tools include biopsy forceps having a cup at the tip capable of collecting biological tissue, an EST (Endoscopic Sphincterotomy) knife, and an imaging tube.

Next, the structure of the tip portion 30 shown in Figure 2 will be described.

First, we will explain the tip body 32.

The tip body 32 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed from the Z(+) direction side, and includes a base end wall portion 65 and a partition wall 68. The partition wall 68 is made of, for example, a corrosion-resistant metal material, and protrudes toward the Y(+) direction. When the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32, the partition wall 68 and the tip cap 34 define a stand storage space 66. A through hole 61 is formed in the tip body 32, and the wire 38 is inserted through the through hole 61. Since FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, the stand storage space 66 formed after the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32 is illustrated in the tip cap 34.

An illumination window 74 and an observation window 76 are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction on the upper surface 68A on the Z(+) side of the partition wall 68. The illumination window 74 can irradiate the viewing area in the Z(+) direction with illumination light, and the observation window 76 can observe the viewing area in the Z(+) direction. An air/water nozzle 58 is provided on the tip body 32 facing the observation window 76, and the observation window 76 is cleaned with air and water sprayed from the air/water nozzle 58.

Next, we will explain the tip cap 34.

The tip cap 34 is made of an elastic material, such as a rubber material or a resin material. Examples of resin materials include polysulfone or polycarbonate.

The tip cap 34 has a body portion 34B that is sealed at the tip side and formed into a generally cylindrical shape, and a generally rectangular opening 34A is formed in a part of the body portion 34B. The opening 34A opens toward the Z (+) direction. The tip surface portion 34D is connected to the body portion 34B and is provided on the tip side of the tip cap 34 in the Y (+) direction. The tip surface portion 34D covers the tip surface on the Y (+) direction side of the tip body 32. The tip surface portion 34D and the body portion 34B form the tip cap 34 as a whole into a generally bottomed cylindrical shape.

The tip cap 34 has a bearing 34C therein that rotatably supports the stand 36. The bearing 34C has a height in the Z(+) direction and is configured as a plate-like body that extends in the Y(+) direction.

The stand 36 has a rotation axis 36B along the X direction, and this rotation axis 36B is rotatably supported in a through hole (not shown) of the bearing 34C. As a result, the stand 36 rotates around the rotation axis 36B and changes its posture between a lying position (see FIG. 2) and an upright position.

The tip of the wire 38 is connected to the stand 36. The wire 38 is connected to the tip of the stand 36, opposite the side where the rotation axis 36B is formed, and at a position adjacent to the treatment tool guide surface 36A.

The tip cap 34 configured in this manner is a type in which the stand 36 is pre-attached, and the wire 38 is also pre-connected to the stand 36. When the treatment with the endoscope 10 is completed, the tip cap 34 in this example is removed from the tip body 32 and discarded, for example, as a disposable item together with the stand 36 and the wire 38. The stand 36 may be attached to the tip body 32 instead of the tip cap 34.

The wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 will now be described. As previously described, the wire fixing mechanism 78 has a sliding lever 80 and a fixing unit 82.

First, the configuration and procedure for mounting the fixed unit 82 to the operation unit main body 46 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 8. Figures 3 to 8 are enlarged perspective views showing the base end side of the operation unit main body 46.

3, a cylindrical connection part 25 having an outlet 23 for leading out the base end side of the wire 38 is provided on the base end surface 46A of the operating unit main body 46. This connection part 25 protrudes in the Y(-) direction from the base end surface 46A, and the base end side of the wire 38 protrudes in the Y(-) direction from the outlet 23. The wire 38 protrudes from a position eccentric to the axis 25A of the connection part 25.

The wire 38 is provided with a long wire body 38A and a latched portion 39 located at the base end side of the wire body 38A and having a larger outer shape than the wire body 38A. Note that in FIG. 3, a cylinder is shown as an example of the shape of the latched portion 39, but this is not limited thereto, and it may be, for example, a sphere, as long as it has a larger outer shape than the wire body 38A. Note that in the following description, when the wire 38 is described, it mainly refers to the wire body 38A.

Here, we will briefly explain the protruding length of the wire 38 protruding from the connection portion 25. Figure 4 shows a wire 38 with a longer protruding length than the wire 38 shown in Figure 3. Both the wires 38 shown in Figures 3 and 4 have the same length, but the reason why the protruding lengths of these wires 38 of the same length differ is due to the state of the flexible portion 26 (see Figure 1) or the curved portion 28.

That is, when the flexible section 26 is in a looped state or when the curved section 28 is in a curved state, the wire channel 40 (see FIG. 2) through which the wire 38 is inserted extends, lengthening the insertion path of the wire 38. As a result, the wire 38 becomes shorter relative to the insertion path of the wire 38, resulting in the shorter protruding length shown in FIG. 3. In contrast, when the flexible section 26 or the curved section 28 is in a straight state, the wire channel 40 does not extend, resulting in the longer protruding length shown in FIG. 4. The wire fixing mechanism 78 in this example has a configuration that allows the wire 38 to be fixed without being affected by the protruding length of the wire 38, which will be described later.

Below, as an example, we will explain the case where the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operating unit main body 46 shown in Figure 4.

First, as shown in Figure 5, the fixed unit 82 is opposed to the engaged portion 39 of the wire 38. At this time, in the Y-axis direction parallel to the wire axis direction, the opening end 84A of the cam groove 84 provided in the fixed unit 82 is aligned with the cam pin 86 protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the connection portion 25. This cam groove 84 is formed so as to be inclined from the opening end 84A toward the Y (-) direction.

6, the fixed unit 82 is advanced in the Y(+) direction toward the connection portion 25 while the engaged portion 39 and the wire 38 are accommodated inside the fixed unit 82. Hereinafter, this operation will be referred to as the "wire accommodation operation."

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the cam pin 86 is accommodated in the opening end 84A of the cam groove 84 (see FIG. 5), the fixed unit 82 is rotated in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow B from the state shown in FIG. 7 with the axis 25A (see FIG. 4) eccentric from the wire 38 as the rotation axis. In this case, the sliding lever 80 is rotated to rotate the fixed unit 82. Then, the fixed unit 82 is pushed in the Y (+) direction by the guide action of the cam groove 84 and the cam pin 86. Then, in the position shown in FIG. 8 where the cam pin 86 has reached the end of the cam groove 84, the fixed unit 82 is attached to the operating unit main body 46 via the connection part 25. Hereinafter, this operation is referred to as the "rotational attachment operation". Therefore, the fixed unit 82 is attached to the operating unit main body 46 by going through the above-mentioned "wire accommodation operation" and "rotational attachment operation". The above-mentioned "wire accommodation operation" and "rotational attachment operation" can be performed by one action.

Here, the rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 performed during the "rotational mounting operation" is an operation of rotating to one side in a first rotation direction centered on the axis 25A, which corresponds to the first direction parallel to the wire axial direction, and therefore corresponds to the first rotation operation of the present invention.

Next, the configuration and procedure for connecting the sliding lever 80 to the standing operation lever 20 will be described with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the base end side of the operation unit main body 46.

As shown in Figure 9, the operating unit main body 46 has a link member 88 connected to the standing operation lever 20. This link member 88 is provided so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the standing operation lever 20, and is rotated in the same direction in conjunction with the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. An opening 90 is formed in the link member 88, and by engaging a claw portion 92 provided on the sliding lever 80 with this opening 90, the sliding lever 80 is detachably connected to the standing operation lever 20 via the link member 88. This claw portion 92 functions as the lever connection portion of the present invention.

On the other hand, the sliding lever 80 is rotatably connected to the fixed unit 82 via a first shaft 94 and a second shaft 96 shown by a dashed line, which can be selectively switched. As will be described in detail later, when the sliding lever 80 shown in FIG. 8 is pushed down in the direction indicated by the arrow C toward the link member 88, the sliding lever 80 first rotates around the first shaft 94 as the rotation axis and approaches the link member 88 as shown in FIG. 9. If the above-mentioned pushing action is continued, the sliding lever 80 rotates around the second shaft 96 as the rotation axis, and the claw portion 92 engages with the opening 90 (see FIG. 9) as shown in FIG. 10. Hereinafter, this action is referred to as the "lever connecting action". Therefore, the sliding lever 80 is connected to the standing operation lever 20 side through the above-mentioned "wire storage action", "rotation mounting action", and "lever connecting action". With the above, the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operation unit main body 46. FIG. 10 is a front view of the operation unit body 46 as seen from the X(+) direction side.

Here, the respective axes of the first shaft 94 and the second shaft 96 are perpendicular to the axis 25A (see FIG. 7). The rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 performed during the "lever coupling operation" is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to one side in the second rotation direction centered on the second direction perpendicular to the axis 25A, and corresponds to the second rotation operation of the present invention.

In addition, FIG. 10 shows the state in which the standing operation lever 20 is located in the lowering operation position. That is, the wire fixing mechanism 78 in this example is connected to the standing operation lever 20 located in the lowering operation position via the link member 88. Also, as will be described in detail later, the engaged portion 39 of the wire 38 (see FIG. 4) is fixed to the fixed unit 82 by going through the above-mentioned "wire storage operation", "rotation mounting operation", and "lever connecting operation". In addition, in the embodiment, as one of the preferred aspects, the lever connecting operation is performed in the lowering operation position, but this is not limited to this, and the lever connecting operation may be performed at a position other than the lowering operation position. For example, the lever connecting operation may be performed in the standing operation position, or between the standing operation position and the lowering operation position.

In Fig. 10, when the attitude of the stand 36 (see Fig. 2) is changed by rotating the standing operation lever 20, the standing operation lever 20 in Fig. 10, which is in the collapsed operation position, is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow U (see Fig. 10) toward the standing operation position shown in Fig. 11. This causes the link member 88 to rotate counterclockwise, the sliding lever 80 connected to the link member 88 to move in the Y(-) direction, and the fixed unit 82 connected to the sliding lever 80 to move in the Y(-) direction. Since the engaged portion 39 of the wire 38 (see Fig. 2) is fixed to this fixed unit 82, the wire 38 is pulled in the Y(-) direction by the above-mentioned rotation of the standing operation lever 20. This changes the attitude of the stand 36 connected to the tip of the wire 38 from the collapsed position in Fig. 2 to the standing position.

Conversely, to collapse the stand 36, the stand operation lever 20 in Fig. 11, which is in the stand operation position, is rotated clockwise as indicated by arrow D (see Fig. 11) toward the collapse operation position shown in Fig. 10. This causes the link member 88 (see Fig. 9) to rotate clockwise, the sliding lever 80 connected to the link member 88 to move in the Y(+) direction, and the fixed unit 82 connected to the sliding lever 80 to move in the Y(+) direction. As a result, the wire 38 is pushed in the Y(+) direction, and the position of the stand 36 is changed from the stand position to the collapsed position shown in Fig. 2.

When the connection between the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88 is to be released, as shown in Figure 10, the unlocking member 98 protruding from the tip of the sliding lever 80 is pushed in the direction of arrow E toward the link member 88. This causes the claw portion 92 to be pushed by the unlocking member 98 and retreat from the opening 90, making it possible to release the connection.

Next, we will explain the fixed unit 82. Figure 12 is a front view of the fixed unit 82.

12, the fixed unit 82 has a wire catch 100 that detachably engages and fixes the base end of the wire 38, and a catch guide 102 that guides the wire catch 100 in the wire axis direction (Y axis direction) of the wire 38. The wire catch 100 also has a catch body 104 and a fixing member 106. Of the components of the fixed unit 82, the component that moves in the Y axis direction due to the operation of the sliding lever 80 (the lever connecting operation and the driving operation of the stand 36) is the wire catch 100, and the catch guide 102 does not move, as will be described in detail later.

The catch guide 102 is provided with a cylindrical connection part 108 having a cam groove 84 at its end on the Y(+) direction side, and this connection part 108 is connected to the connection part 25 of the operating unit main body 46 (see FIG. 6). In addition, a cap 107 is attached to the end on the Y(-) direction side of the catch guide 102. This cap 107 has claw parts 110, 110 formed on both walls, and is detachably attached to the catch guide 102 by engaging the claw parts 110, 110 with grooves 112, 112 on both walls of the catch guide 102.

Figure 13 is an oblique view of the main parts when the cap 107 is removed from the catch guide 102 shown in Figure 12.

As shown in Figure 13, the catch guide 102 has a catch guide groove 114 formed in the center thereof that extends in the wire axial direction, and the first shaft 94 is slidably engaged and guided along this catch guide groove 114. As previously described, this first shaft 94 is one of the rotation axes of the sliding lever 80, and is fixed to the catch body 104. This first shaft 94 functions as the catch body shaft of the present invention. In addition, the lever bearing hole 80A (see Figure 14) of the sliding lever 80 is rotatably engaged with the first shaft 94.

Here, we will first explain the configuration of the sliding lever 80. Figure 14 is an oblique view showing the main parts of the sliding lever 80.

As shown in Figure 14, the sliding lever 80 has a pair of plate-shaped portions 120, 120 that sandwich and hold the fixed unit 82 (see Figure 5), and a lever main body 122 integrated with the plate-shaped portions 120, 120.

A second shaft 96, which is one of the rotation shafts of the sliding lever 80, is provided on the inner surfaces of the plate-shaped parts 120, 120 facing each other, and this second shaft 96 protrudes toward the surface 102A of the catch guide 102 shown in Figure 13. In addition, a substantially L-shaped cam groove 124 is formed in the plate-shaped parts 120, 120 at positions facing each other, and a pin 126 provided on the fixed member 106 (see Figure 13) is engaged with the cam groove 124. This pin 126 functions as the fixed member shaft of the present invention. The cam groove 124 will be described later.

A boss 121 is provided on the inner surfaces of the plate-like portions 120, 120 facing each other, and this boss 121 protrudes toward the surface 102A of the catch guide 102 shown in Figure 13. A boss hole 103 with which the boss 121 elastically engages is formed in the surface 102A. Therefore, when the boss 121 engages with the boss hole 103, the sliding lever 80 is held in the position shown in Figures 5 to 8. Furthermore, when the engagement state of the boss 121 with the boss hole 103 is released, the sliding lever 80 is allowed to rotate. This boss 121 functions as the first lever abutment portion of the present invention.

In addition, a first restricting surface 105 against which the boss 121 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 13 can come into contact is formed on the surface 102A of the catch guide 102. When the pin 126 is present in a first cam groove portion 125A (see Fig. 21) of the cam groove 124, which will be described later, the first restricting surface 105 comes into contact with the boss 121 to restrict the movement of the sliding lever 80. The first restricting surface 105 allows the sliding lever 80 to rotate about the first shaft 94. The first restricting surface 105 is also formed of an arc-shaped surface centered on the first shaft 94. This allows the sliding lever 80 to rotate smoothly about the first shaft 94.

In addition, a second restricting surface 116 is formed on the surface 102A of the catch guide 102. This second restricting surface 116 is a surface that can abut against the second shaft 96 when the above restriction on the sliding lever 80 by the first restricting surface 105 is released. In other words, the first restricting surface 105 is formed only up to a position corresponding to the position where the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restricting surface 116, and the restriction is released at the position where the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restricting surface 116. Note that the restriction on the sliding lever 80 by the first restricting surface 105 may be released at the same time that the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restricting surface 116, or may be released before or after the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restricting surface 116. Furthermore, when the pin 126 is present in a second cam groove portion 125B (see FIG. 21 ) of the cam groove 124, which will be described later, the second restriction surface 116 abuts against the second shaft 96 to restrict the movement of the sliding lever 80. This second restriction surface 116 allows the sliding lever 80 to rotate about the second shaft 96 while moving the second shaft 96 along the second restriction surface 116. This second shaft 96 functions as a second lever abutment portion of the present invention.

The second regulating surface 116 is formed at an incline in the Y(+) direction from the catch guide groove 114 toward the outside of the catch guide 102. When the second shaft 96 abuts against this second regulating surface 116 and moves, the rotation axis of the sliding lever 80 is switched from the first shaft 94 to the second shaft 96 during the "lever coupling operation (second rotation operation)" by the sliding lever 80.

Now, to explain the switching operation of the rotation axis, in the first half of the "lever coupling operation", the sliding lever 80 rotates around the first shaft 94 as the rotation axis. At this time, the second shaft 96 moves from a position on the left side of the second restriction surface 116 toward the second restriction surface 116, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13. Then, at the end of the first half of the "lever coupling operation", the restriction of the boss 121 by the first restriction surface 105 is released, and the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restriction surface 116, which restricts the movement of the sliding lever 80. Then, in the second half of the "lever coupling operation", rotation around the second shaft 96 becomes possible, so the sliding lever 80 rotates around the second shaft 96 as the rotation axis. This is the switching operation described above.

Next, the catch body 104 of the wire catch 100 will be described. Figure 15 is an oblique view showing the state immediately before the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operating portion body 46. Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the fixing unit 82 taken along line XVI-XVI in Figure 15.

15 and 16, the catch body 104 has a cylindrical portion 130, a pair of first shafts 94, 94 protruding from the cylindrical portion 130 in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical portion 130 (coincident with the axis 25A, which is the rotation axis of the fixed unit 82), and a guide portion 132 protruding from the cylindrical portion 130 in the Y (-) direction. The guide portion 132 has a catch body groove 133 extending in the wire axis direction. The catch body groove 133 is provided at a position overlapping with the catch guide groove 114, and a pin 126 (see FIG. 13) is inserted into the catch body groove 133. The pin 126 is a cam pin that engages with the cam groove 124 of the sliding lever 80, and is guided by the cam groove 124 to be able to move forward and backward along the catch body groove 133.

As shown in Figure 16, the cylindrical portion 130 has a locking hole 137 through which the locked portion 39 (see Figure 17) can be inserted and locked. This locking hole 137 is formed as a through hole that penetrates the cylindrical portion 130 in the Y-axis direction.

The locking hole 137 has a first hole 134 large enough to insert the locked portion 39, and a second hole 136 larger than the outer shape of the wire body 38A and smaller than the outer shape of the locked portion 39, and the first hole 134 and the second hole 136 have a continuous opening shape.

The locking hole 137 is provided at a position eccentric to the axis 25A, which is the rotation axis of the fixed unit 82, and the first hole 134 and the second hole 136 are formed continuously along a rotation trajectory centered on the axis 25A. The amount of eccentricity of the locking hole 137 with respect to the axis 25A is set to be approximately equal to the amount of eccentricity of the wire 38 with respect to the axis 25A shown in FIG. 4.

With the catch body 104 configured as described above, during the "wire storage operation" (see FIG. 6), the engaged portion 39 is stored in the first hole 134. The engaged portion 39 then passes through the first hole 134 and protrudes outward from the first hole 134 as shown in FIG. 17. Then, at the end of the "wire storage operation" (see FIG. 7), the wire 38 protrudes in the Y(-) direction from the first hole 134 as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 18.

Thereafter, during the "rotational mounting operation (first rotation operation)" by the sliding lever 80 (see FIG. 7), the catch body 104 rotates together with the catch guide 102 in the direction of arrow B about the axis 25A, causing the first hole 134 to move away from the wire 38. Then, at the end of the "rotational mounting operation", the wire 38 is accommodated in the second hole 136, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 19. This operation causes the engaged portion 39 to be inserted into the engaging hole 137, and the fixing unit 82 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 is attached to the operating unit main body 46. That is, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the insertion of the engaged portion 39 into the engaging hole 137 is possible by attaching the wire fixing mechanism 78 to the operating unit main body 46.

Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the catch body 104 and the fixing member 106 at the end of the "rotational mounting operation" shown in Figure 19.

20, the fixing member 106 is disposed on the Y(-) direction side with respect to the catch body 104. The end face 106A on the Y(+) direction side of this fixing member 106 is formed with a fixing hole 138 having an opening 135 capable of receiving the engaged portion 39.

The fixing hole 138 is formed at a position facing the second hole 136 shown in FIG. 19 in the Y-axis direction, and has a bottom 138A therein that engages with the locked portion 39. The fixing hole 138 also has a conical guide surface 139 that tapers from the opening 135 to the bottom 138A. This guide surface 139 is not essential, but it is preferable to provide the fixing hole 138 with it in order to smoothly guide the locked portion 39 to the bottom 138A. As shown in FIG. 20, at the end of the "rotation mounting operation" (i.e., before the start of the "lever connecting operation"), the locked portion 39 is not engaged with the bottom 138A and is located at a position spaced from the bottom 138A in the Y(+) direction.

Figure 21 is a front view of the wire fixing mechanism 78 at the end of the "rotational mounting operation" shown in Figure 19, and shows a perspective view of the plate-shaped portion 120 of the sliding lever 80.

As shown in Figure 21, at the end of the "rotational mounting operation", the boss 121 engages with the boss hole 103, the second shaft 96 is positioned above and to the left of the second regulating surface 116 in Figure 21, and the pin 126 is positioned at the right end 124A of the cam groove 124.

Now, the cam groove 124 will be described. The cam groove 124 has a shape in which a linear first cam groove portion 125A is connected to a curved second cam groove portion 125B. The first cam groove portion 125A has a function of changing the relative distance between the catch body 104 and the fixed member 106 by moving the fixed member 106 in the Y-axis direction in cooperation with the pin 126. The second cam groove portion 125B has a function of maintaining the relative distance between the catch body 104 and the fixed member 106 by moving the fixed member 106 in the Y-axis direction integrally with the catch body 104.

To be more specific, when the "lever coupling operation (second rotation operation)" is started from the state shown in Fig. 21, as shown in Fig. 22, the boss 121 leaves the boss hole 103 and is guided by the first restriction surface 105, and the sliding lever 80 rotates clockwise in Fig. 22 around the first shaft 94 as the axis of rotation. This rotation causes the pin 126 to move along the first cam groove portion 125A. This movement causes the fixed member 106 to move in the Y(+) direction, approaching the catch main body 104. Then, as shown in Fig. 23, the bottom 138A of the fixing hole 138 of the fixed member 106 engages with the locked portion 39 during the "lever coupling operation".

22 and 23, the pin 126 moves along the first cam groove portion 125A, causing the fixed member 106 to move further in the Y(+) direction. As a result, the wire 38 is pushed in the Y(+) direction by the fixed member 106.

24, when the second shaft 96 abuts against the second restriction surface 116, that is, when the first half of the "lever coupling operation" is completed, the fixing member 106 abuts against the cylindrical portion 130 of the catch body 104, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 25. At this time, the restriction of the boss 121 by the first restriction surface 105 is released. As a result, the locked portion 39 is locked in the second hole 136 of the catch body 104, and the locked portion 39 is sandwiched between the fixing hole 138 and the end face 130A on the Y(-) direction side of the cylindrical portion 130. As a result, the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the second hole 136 is fixed by the fixing member 106, and the locked portion 39 is reliably fixed to the fixing unit 82. That is, according to the embodiment of the wire fixing mechanism 78, the engagement of the engaged portion 39 with the engagement hole 137 and the fixing of the engaged state between the engaged portion 39 and the engagement hole 137 can be achieved by rotating the sliding lever 80.

Here, the position of the fixed member 106 shown in Figure 25 is the fixed position, and the position of the fixed member 106 shown in Figure 20 is the released position. The fixed member 106 is movable between the fixed position and the released position. The wire fixing mechanism 78 enables the fixed member 106 to be moved to the fixed position by a "lever coupling operation (second rotation operation)."

In addition, in the above-mentioned fixed position, the engaged portion 39 is engaged with the bottom 138A of the fixing hole 138, so that the movement of the wire 38 in a direction perpendicular to the wire axial direction is restricted by the bottom 138A. As a result, in the above-mentioned fixed position, the movement of the wire 38 from the second hole 136 to the first hole 134 is prevented, so that the above-mentioned engaged state can be maintained. Here, the inner wall surface of the bottom 138A functions as the restricting surface of the present invention. The inner wall surface of the bottom 138A is at least a part of the inner wall surface of the fixing hole 138.

On the other hand, when the second half of the "lever coupling operation" is started from the position shown in Figure 24, the restriction of the boss 121 by the first restriction surface 105 is released, so that the sliding lever 80 rotates clockwise around the second shaft 96 as the second shaft 96 moves along the second restriction surface 116, as shown in Figure 26. This operation causes the catch body 104 to move in the Y(-) direction via the first shaft 94, and the pin 126 to move along the second cam groove portion 125B, causing the fixing member 106 to move in the Y(-) direction together with the catch body 104. This operation causes the wire 38, which had been pushed in the Y(+) direction, to be pulled up in the Y(-) direction.

27 where the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 is connected to the link member 88 (see FIG. 10), the "lever connecting operation" ends, and the above-mentioned movement of the catch body 104 and the fixed member 106 stops. That is, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 can be connected to the link member 88 by rotating the sliding lever 80.

Furthermore, when the "lever connecting operation" is completed, the base end of the wire 38 is pulled up to the lowering operation position by the raising operation lever 20. Also, the pin 126 is positioned at the left end 124B of the cam groove 124. The above is an overview of the operation of the catch body 104 and the fixing member 106.

In this way, the rotational operation of the sliding lever 80 in the embodiment includes a "rotational mounting operation (first rotational operation)" and a "lever connecting operation (second rotational operation)", and by combining the first rotational operation and the second rotational operation, it is possible to engage the engaged portion 39 with the engaging hole 137, fix the engaged state between the engaged portion 39 and the engaging hole 137, and connect the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 to the link member 88.

Therefore, according to the endoscope 10 having the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the insertion of the engaged portion 39 into the engagement hole 137 is possible by attaching the fixing unit 82 to the operating portion main body 46, and the engagement of the engaged portion 39 into the engagement hole 137, the fixing of the engaged state between the engaged portion 39 and the engagement hole 137, and the connection between the claw portion 92 of the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88 are possible by rotating the sliding lever 80, so that the wire 38 can be reliably fixed to the wire fixing mechanism 78 with a simple operation.

Next, an example of the procedure for removing the wire fixing mechanism 78 from the operating unit main body 46 will be described.

First, the sliding lever 80 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation operation during the "lever coupling operation (second rotation operation)". This reverse rotation operation can release the coupling between the sliding lever 80 and the link member 88, and release the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137. Here, the above-mentioned reverse rotation operation is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to the other side opposite to one side of the second rotation direction, and therefore corresponds to the third rotation operation of the present invention.

Next, the sliding lever 80 is rotated in the opposite direction to the rotation operation during the "rotational attachment operation (first rotation operation)". This reverse rotation operation allows the engagement of the engaged portion 39 with the engagement hole 137 to be released. The fixing unit 82 is then detached from the operating unit main body 46. This releases the engagement of the engaged portion 39 with the engagement hole 137, and the wire fixing mechanism 78 can be removed from the operating unit main body 46. Here, the above-mentioned reverse rotation operation is an operation of rotating the sliding lever 80 to the other side opposite to one side of the first rotation direction, and therefore corresponds to the fourth rotation operation of the present invention.

As described above, the reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever 80 in the embodiment includes the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation, and a combination of the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation can disconnect the sliding lever 80 from the link member 88, release the locked state between the locked portion 39 and the locking hole 137, and release the locked portion 39 from the locking hole 137. In addition, the wire fixing mechanism 78 can move the fixing member 106 from the fixed position to the released position by the above-mentioned third rotation operation.

The operating range of the wire fixing mechanism 78 in the embodiment is described below.

The operating range of the wire fixing mechanism 78 has a "wire fixing range" in which the wire catch 100 operates due to the "lever connecting operation" of the sliding lever 80, and a "driving range" in which the wire catch 100 operates due to the rotation operation of the standing operation lever 20. Figure 28 is an explanatory diagram showing the above-mentioned "wire fixing range" and "driving range".

As described above, even if the wires 38 are the same length, the length of the wires 38 protruding from the connection portion 25 varies depending on the state of the flexible portion 26 or the curved portion 28 (see FIG. 1). According to FIG. 28, even if the protruding length of the wire 38 is long (see XXVIIIA in FIG. 28) or short (see XXVIIIB in FIG. 28), the wire catch 100 operates in the "wire fixing range", so that the wire catch 100 engages the engaged portion 39 with the engaging hole 137 and fixes the engaged state between the engaged portion 39 and the engaging hole 137, and therefore the wire is reliably fixed to the wire fixing mechanism 78.

Therefore, according to the wire fixing mechanism 78 of the embodiment, the wire 38 can be securely fixed regardless of the protruding length of the wire 38.

In the embodiment, the wire fixing mechanism 78 can pull up the base end of the wire 38 to the lowering operation position by the standing operation lever 20, regardless of the extension length of the wire 38, by the wire catch 100 operating within the "wire fixing range". This makes it possible to keep the positional relationship between the position of the standing platform 36 and the position of the standing operation lever 20 constant, regardless of the extension length of the wire 38.

Next, we will explain the preferred form of the wire fixing mechanism 78. This wire fixing mechanism 78 is equipped with a tip cap removal tool.

Figure 29 is an oblique view of the wire fixing mechanism 78 as viewed from the cap 107 side. As shown in Figure 29, the cap 107 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 includes a tip cap removal jig 200. The tip cap removal jig 200 is provided on the cap 107 and includes an accommodation space portion 204 with an opening 206 at one end, an unlocking portion 208 provided on the cap 107, and a holding portion 210 provided on the jig body.

The storage space 204 is formed inside the cap 107 and has an opening 206 at one end. The storage space 204 has a size and shape that allows the tip cap 34 to be accommodated through the opening 206. The size and shape of the storage space 204 can be defined by the inner wall of the cap 107.

An unlocking portion 208 is provided in the storage space 204 of the cap 107. When the tip body 32 with the tip cap 34 attached is stored in the storage space 204, the unlocking portion 208 unlocks the locking portion 190 of the tip cap 34 (described later) and the stopper portion 177 of the tip body 32 (see FIG. 44). When the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released, the tip cap 34 can be removed from the tip body 32.

The holding portion 210 is provided in the storage space 204 of the cap 107. When the engagement between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released, the holding portion 210 is held by the tip cap 34. The holding portion 210 has the role of holding the tip cap 34 to the cap 107. Therefore, when the cap 107 is moved in a direction away from the tip body 32, the tip cap 34 can be pulled out of the tip body 32 together with the cap 107.

In the tip cap removal jig 200 in Figure 29, the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 are provided in opposing positions across the storage space portion 204. However, they are not limited to this position.

Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of the cap 107 including the tip cap removal jig 200, cut along a plane parallel to the central axis CL and passing through the release portion 208 and the retaining portion 210.

As shown in FIG. 30, the cap 107 has an accommodating space portion 204, an unlocking portion 208, a retaining portion 210, and an opening portion 224, which constitute the end cap removal jig 200.

The unlocking portion 208 is provided in the storage space 204 of the cap 107, extends toward the opening 206, and tapers toward the opening 206. As described below, the unlocking portion 208 is inserted into the third opening 185 (see FIG. 32) of the tip cap 34, and releases the lock between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32.

The holding portion 210 is provided in the storage space 204 of the cap 107, extends toward the opening 206, and has a claw portion 214 on the side facing the opening 206. The claw portion 214 protrudes toward the central axis CL. The holding portion 210 is supported by a cantilever on the side opposite the opening 206, and the claw portion 214 can be displaced as a free end in the direction indicated by the arrow due to elastic deformation of the holding portion 210 (see Figure 43).

The claw portion 214 has an inclined surface on the side of the opening 206 and a flat surface on the side opposite the opening 206. The inclined surface approaches the central axis CL as it moves away from the opening 206. Meanwhile, the flat surface is approximately perpendicular to the central axis CL. The holding portion 210 shown in Figure 30 has a structure that can be engaged with the tip cap 34 by a snap fit, as described below.

The cap 107 has an opening 224 at the other end opposite the opening 206 at one end, which opens into the storage space 204. The opening 224 is formed to a size that allows the tip cap 34 to be ejected from the storage space 204 to the outside.

Next, the structure of the tip body 32 and tip cap 34, which are suitable for use with the tip cap removal tool 200 provided on the cap 107, will be described.

<Tip body>
Fig. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion 30, and Fig. 32 is an exploded perspective view of the tip portion 30 as viewed from an angle different from that of Fig. 31. The tip portion 30 is composed of a tip portion main body 32 and a tip cap 34.

As shown in Figure 32, the base end wall portion 65 of the tip portion main body 32 has two stopper portions 177 formed in the X (+) direction on the opposite side to the partition wall 68. The two stopper portions 177 are arranged along the Z direction. The two stopper portions 177 define a groove portion 178.

The two stopper portions 177 engage with locking portions 190 provided on the tip cap 34, which will be described later. The Y(-) direction side of the stopper portion 177 includes a plane that is approximately perpendicular to the Y direction. On the other hand, the Y(+) direction side of the stopper portion 177 includes an inclined surface that the locking portions 190 can easily get over when attaching the tip cap 34 to the tip body 32.

<Tip cap>
Figure 33 is a perspective view of the distal cap 34 with the stand 36 and wire 38 removed. Figure 34 is a perspective view of the distal cap 34 with the wire 38 removed, viewed from the proximal end.

31 to 34, the tip cap 34, the stand 36, and the wire 38 are attached to the tip body 32 before use (treatment, examination, etc.) of the endoscope 10. The tip cap 34, the stand 36, and the wire 38 are disposable, that is, they are removed from the tip body 32 and discarded after completion of use.

The tip cap 34 has a generally bottomed cylindrical shape and is removably attached to the tip body 32. When the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32, it forms a stand storage space 66 (see Figures 31 and 32) that stores the stand 36 together with the base end wall portion 65 and the partition wall 68. Figures 31 and 32 are exploded perspective views, so the stand storage space 66 that is formed after the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32 is illustrated in the tip cap 34.

The tip cap 34 has a main body portion 180, a first opening 181 formed in the main body portion 180, a tip surface portion 182, a second opening 183, a groove portion 184, a third opening 185 (see Figure 32), a bearing 186, and a wall member 187 (see Figure 33).

The main body 180 has an approximately cylindrical shape and forms a wall surrounding the treatment instrument outlet 60 and the partition 68.

When the distal end 30 is viewed from a position on the Z(+) direction side of the distal end 30, the first opening 181 exposes the stand housing space 66 and the upper surface of the partition wall 68 (illumination window 74, observation window 76, etc.). This makes it possible to lead out a treatment tool from the stand housing space 66 to the Z(+) direction side, and to illuminate and photograph the subject as described above.

The main body 180 is opened by a first opening 181. The main body 180 does not need to be closed all around. On the other hand, it is preferable that the base end side of the main body 180 is a closed ring so as to surround the tip body 32 in the circumferential direction.

The tip surface portion 182 is connected to the main body portion 180 and is provided on the tip side of the tip cap 34 in the Y (+) direction. The tip surface portion 182 covers the tip surface on the Y (+) direction side of the tip body 32. The tip surface portion 182 and the main body portion 180 give the tip cap 34 an approximately bottomed cylindrical shape as a whole. This tip surface portion 182 has a second opening 183 that exposes the stand storage space 66 when viewed from the tip side of the tip cap 34 (when the tip cap 34 is viewed from a position on the Y (+) direction side of the tip cap 34). The second opening 183 does not have to be formed.

A groove 184 is formed on the outside of the X(+) direction side of the main body 180, from the tip side to the base end side of the tip cap 34 along the Y direction (see FIG. 32). A third opening 185 is formed on the base end side (Y(-) direction side) of the groove 184. The third opening 185 is positioned opposite the groove 178 of the base end wall 65 when the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32.

The bearing 186 (see Figures 33 and 34) is formed on the inner surface of the tip cap 34 that defines the bottom surface (Z (-) direction side) of the stand storage space 66, and holds the stand 36 rotatably between a lying position and an upright position via a rotation shaft 188 (see Figure 34).

33, inside the main body 180, the wall member 187 is located on the X(+) direction side of the bearing 186 and has a shape extending in the Y(+) direction. The wall member 187 protrudes in the X(-) direction from the inner circumferential surface of the main body 180. When viewed from a position on the Z(+) direction side of the tip 30, the wall member 187 at least partially overlaps with the trajectory of the wire 38 (not shown). In other words, the wall member 187 is formed in a position that fills the gap on the Z(-) direction side of the trajectory of the wire 38. This allows the wall member 187 to prevent the tip of the treatment tool from slipping into this gap.

The wall member 187 has a locking portion 190 on the base end side that locks into the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65 (see Figures 33 and 34). The locking portion 190 is an attachment member that can lock into the stopper portion 177 of the tip body 32 when the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32. The locking portion 190 is positioned so as not to overlap the third opening 185. The wall member 187 is fixed to the bearing 186 together with the stand 36 by the rotating shaft 188. The wall member 187 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the body portion 180 and is therefore not exposed to the outside of the tip cap 34.

Figure 35 is an enlarged perspective view of the wall member 187, seen from the base end side. The locking portion 190 includes two support members 191 that extend from the wall member 187 in the X(+) direction and further in the Y(-) direction, and are L-shaped when viewed from the Z(+) direction. The two support members 191 are spaced apart in the Z direction so as not to overlap with the third opening 185 (see Figure 34). The two support members 191 each have a claw portion 192 extending in the X(-) direction on the base end side. The Y(+) direction side of the claw portion 192 is configured as a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the Y direction. On the other hand, the Y(-) direction side of the claw portion 192 is configured as an inclined surface that gradually approaches the Y(-) direction as it moves from the X(-) direction toward the X(+) direction. A connecting member 193 is provided to connect the two support members 191.

The two support members 191 are supported by a cantilever on the wall member 187, and the two support members 191 can be elastically deformed with this support portion as a fulcrum. The two claw portions 192 are free ends and can be displaced in the X direction as shown by the arrow.

<Attaching the tip cap to the tip body>
Next, a description will be given of the attachment of the tip cap 34 to the tip body 32. In order to facilitate understanding, the body 180 of the tip cap 34 is shown by virtual lines and the stand 36 is omitted in Figures 36 to 40 as appropriate.

Figure 36 shows the state before the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32. When attaching the tip cap 34 to the tip body 32, the positions of the groove portion 184 of the tip cap 34 and the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65 are adjusted. Next, as shown by the arrow, the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are moved in a direction in which they approach each other relatively along the Y direction.

Figure 37 shows the state immediately before the locking portion 190 of the wall member 187 locks with the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65. When the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are brought closer to each other from the state of Figure 36, as shown in Figure 37, the tip body 32 is accommodated in the space of the tip cap 34, and the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 come close to a position where they come into contact. Figure 38 is a view of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 in the state of Figure 37 as seen from the Z (+) direction side. As shown in Figure 38, the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 comes close to a position immediately before it comes into contact with the stopper portion 177. The claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 is not locked with the stopper portion 177. The inclined surface on the Y (+) direction side of the stopper portion 177 and the inclined surface of the claw portion 192 are positioned to face each other.

Figure 39 shows the state in which the locking portion 190 of the wall member 187 is locked to the stopper portion 177 of the base end wall portion 65. When the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 are brought even closer together from the state in Figure 38, the locking portion 190 is locked to the stopper portion 177. Figure 40 is a view of the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 in the state in Figure 39 as viewed from the Z (+) direction. As the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 move relative to each other in the Y direction, the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 comes into contact with the stopper portion 177.

As described above, the claw portion 192 is provided on the support member 191 that is supported by a cantilever. Therefore, when the tip cap 34 is moved toward the tip body 32, the claw portion 192 moves in the X (+) direction due to the elastic deformation of the support member 191, and the inclined surface side of the claw portion 192 rides up the inclined surface of the stopper portion 177. When the tip cap 34 is moved to the mounting position for the tip body 32, the two claw portions 192 of the engagement portion 190 ride over the two stopper portions 177, the elastic deformation of the support member 191 returns to its original state, and the claw portion 192 moves in the X (-) direction. The claw portion 192 is engaged with the stopper portion 177. When the claw portion 192 rides over the stopper portion 177, a clicking sensation occurs, so the surgeon can recognize that the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32.

The flat surface on the Y(-) direction side of the stopper portion 177 and the flat surface on the Y(+) direction side of the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 lock together, restricting the tip cap 34 from moving in the Y(+) direction relative to the tip body 32, and preventing the tip cap 34 from falling off the tip body 32. The structure of the tip cap 34 and tip body 32 described above allows the surgeon to easily attach the tip cap 34 and tip body 32.

<Removing the tip cap from the tip body>
1 is inserted into the subject's body after the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32. The treatment tool is directed in a desired direction of extraction inside the subject by the stand 36 of the tip 30.

After the procedure is completed, the tip cap 34 is removed and the tip body 32 is cleaned. Therefore, the tip cap 34 is required to be easily removable from the tip body 32 and to prevent damage or load from being applied to the endoscope 10 during removal.

Next, based on Figures 41 to 45, the procedure for removing the tip cap 34 using the tip cap removal tool 200 provided on the cap 107 will be described.

Figure 41 shows the state before the tip 30 is inserted into the tip cap removal tool 200. As described above, the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32 with the locking portion 190 locked to the stopper portion 177. The tip 30 and the cap 107 are moved in a direction approaching each other along the Y direction as shown by the arrow. It is preferable that the wire fixing mechanism 78 has an indicator 213 indicating the direction in which the tip cap 34 is accommodated in the accommodation space 204. The indicator 213 can guide the tip cap 34 to be inserted in the correct direction into the tip cap removal tool 200. The indicator 113 is not particularly limited as long as it can be recognized by the surgeon, such as by printing or unevenness. The indicator 213 can be provided not only in one place but also in multiple places.

Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the procedure for removing the tip cap 34. Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view of the tip 30 and the cap 107 in the state of Figure 41, cut by a plane perpendicular to the Z direction and passing through the lock release portion 208 and the holding portion 210. For ease of understanding, the stand 36 and the wire 38 are omitted, and only the cap 107 of the wire fixing mechanism 78 is shown. Since the tip 30 is not housed in the tip cap removal jig 200, the tip cap 34 is attached to the tip body 32, that is, the locking portion 190 is locked to the stopper portion 177. As shown in the upper view of Figure 42, a protrusion 220 is provided at the end of the base end side of the tip cap 34 to facilitate the engagement of the claw portion 214 of the holding portion 210 by snap fit.

Figure 43 shows the state immediately before the locking release portion 208 releases the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32, with the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30 accommodated in the accommodation space 204 of the tip cap removal jig 200 provided on the cap 107.

As described above, the tip cap 34 is provided with a groove 184 along the Y direction. As shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 43, when the tip 30 is inserted into the tip cap removal jig 200 with the circumferential angles of the tip 30 and the tip cap removal jig 200 roughly aligned, the lock release portion 208 slidably engages with the groove 184 of the tip cap 34 and moves along the groove 184 toward the third opening 185. This allows fine adjustment of the positions of the tip 30 and the tip cap removal jig 200, and alignment is performed while the tip cap removal jig 200 is guided. The groove 184 of the tip cap 34 functions as a guide portion, and the lock release portion 208 functions as a guided portion. Although the case where the lock release portion 208 also serves as a guided portion has been described, a guided portion can be provided separately from the lock release portion 208. The lock release portion 208 is guided to the third opening 185 as shown in the lower diagram.

As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 43, when the holding portion 210 and the tip cap 34 come into contact, the holding portion 210 elastically deforms in the X (-) direction and moves toward the protrusion 220 along the outer peripheral surface of the tip cap 34.

Figure 44 shows a state in which the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30 is accommodated in the accommodation space portion 204 of the cap 107, the locking release portion 208 releases the lock between the tip cap 34 and the tip portion main body 32, and the holding portion 210 holds the end of the tip cap 34.

As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 44, the unlocking portion 208 passes through the third opening 185 of the tip cap 34 and the groove 178 of the base end wall portion 65, and comes into contact with the connecting member 193 that connects the claw portion 192. Since the unlocking portion 208 is thicker on the Y(+) direction side, as it moves in the Y(-) direction, it moves the connecting member 193 in the X(+) direction. As a result, the support member 191 (not shown) is elastically deformed in the X(+) direction, and the claw portion 192 of the locking portion 190 that is locked to the stopper portion 177 moves in the X(+) direction, and the locking between the locking portion 190 and the stopper portion 177 is released. In other words, the locking between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 is released.

As shown in the upper diagram of Figure 44, the holding portion 210 climbs over the protruding portion 220, the elastic deformation of the holding portion 210 returns to its original state (X (+) direction), and the claw portion 214 engages with the end of the tip cap 34 by snap-fit. In this embodiment, the holding portion 210 is configured to be hooked onto the tip cap. When the claw portion 214 engages, it climbs over the protruding portion 220 and engages by snap-fit, so the surgeon can feel a click and recognize that the tip portion 30 has been inserted to the specified position in the tip cap removal jig 200 (cap 107). The click prevents the surgeon from pushing the tip portion 30 in more than necessary.

Here, it is preferable that the positional relationship between the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 is such that (1) the unlocking portion 208 releases the engagement between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 and the holding portion 210 holds the tip cap 34 simultaneously, or (2) the unlocking portion 208 releases the engagement between the tip cap 34 and the tip body 32 first, and the holding portion 210 holds the tip cap 34 later. When the unlocking portion 208 and the holding portion 210 have the above-mentioned positional relationship, the tip cap 34 can be reliably removed from the tip body 32.

Figure 45 is a diagram showing the state in which the tip cap 34 has been pulled out of the tip body 32 together with the cap 107. In Figure 44, the unlocking portion 208 is in an unlocked state in which the locking portion 190 is released from the tip body 32, and the holding portion 210 is in a held state in which it is held by the tip cap 34. In this state, when the cap 107 and the tip body 32 are moved in a direction away from each other in the Y direction, the tip cap 34 can be removed from the tip body 32 while being housed in the housing space 204. The tip cap 34 can be removed without applying a load to the tip body 32. The tip cap 34 can be easily removed even if it is soiled with body fluids.

As shown in FIG. 45, the tip cap 34 is accommodated in the accommodation space 204 of the cap 107, and the tip cap 34 is held by the holding part 210 on the side of the opening 206. When the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32 using the wire fixing mechanism 78 as shown in FIG. 41, the catch guide 102 and the cap 107 are engaged as shown in FIG. 45. To remove the tip cap 34 from the accommodation space 204, it is necessary to remove the tip cap 34 through the opening 206. However, the holding part 210 restricts the movement of the tip cap 34 to the opening 206. Therefore, by removing the catch guide 102 from the cap 107, the opening part 224 of the cap 107 is exposed. As a result, the tip cap 34 can be removed from the cap 107 through the opening part 224. If it is not necessary to remove the tip cap 34 from the cap 107, the opening part 224 may be replaced with a bottom part (not shown) that closes the accommodation space 204.

Next, a preferred form of the tip cap removal jig 200 will be described. Figure 46 is an oblique view of the cap 107 as viewed from the opening 206 side. As shown in Figure 46, a restricting portion 222 is provided in the storage space 204. The restricting portion 222 restricts the tip cap 34 (tip portion 30) from being inserted into the tip cap removal jig 200 from an incorrect circumferential direction. The restricting portion 222 allows the surgeon to recognize an incorrect insertion direction in the circumferential direction.

Figure 47 is a diagram to explain the case where the tip cap removal jig 200 and the tip portion 30 are inserted at the correct insertion angle (Figure 47 (A)), and the case where the tip cap removal jig 200 and the tip portion 30 are attached at an incorrect insertion angle (Figure 47 (B)). Figure 47 is a diagram of the tip portion 30 and the tip cap removal jig 200 viewed from the Y (+) direction side.

47(A), when inserted at the correct insertion angle, the unlocking portion 208 is inserted into the groove 184 as described above, and the tip portion 30 is guided and accommodated in the tip cap removal jig 200. Since the restricting portion 222 does not contact either the tip portion body 32 or the tip cap 34 of the tip portion 30, the tip portion 30 can move to a predetermined position in the accommodation space 204.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 47B, even if the insertion direction of the tip cap 34 and the tip cap removal tool 200 is not correct, the lock release part 208 can pass through the first opening 181 of the tip cap 34, so the tip cap removal tool 200 and the tip part 30 can be inserted. As a result, the surgeon may recognize that the tip cap 34 has been inserted into the tip cap removal tool 200 in the correct insertion direction due to the guide function when the lock release part 208 is inserted into the groove part 184. If the tip cap 34 is inserted into the storage space part 204 in this state, there is a risk that a load will be applied to the tip part 30, etc. Therefore, by providing a restricting part 222 in the storage space part 204, the restricting part 222 comes into contact with the tip cap 34 and restricts the tip cap 34 from moving inside the tip cap removal tool 200.

48, if the circumferential insertion direction of the tip cap 34 and the tip cap removal jig 200 is incorrect, the restricting portion 222 (not shown) prevents the tip portion 30 from being inserted into the tip cap removal jig 200 to a predetermined position. Because the tip portion 30 does not move toward the tip cap removal jig 200, the surgeon can notice that the insertion direction is incorrect midway through.

Next, another embodiment of the tip cap removal jig will be described. Note that the same components as those of the tip cap removal jig described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description may be omitted. Figure 49 is a cross-sectional view of the tip cap removal jig 300, showing the state immediately before the tip cap 34 is inserted into the tip cap removal jig 300.

As shown in Figure 49, the tip cap 34 has a notch 226 formed on the outer circumferential surface on the X(-) direction side. As shown in the enlarged view, the notch 226 has a rectangular shape in cross section.

The tip cap removal jig 300 has a holding portion 228 that protrudes towards the storage space 204. As shown in the enlarged view, the holding portion 228 has an inclined surface on the side of the opening 206 and a flat surface on the side opposite the opening 206. The inclined surface approaches the central axis CL as it moves away from the opening 206. Meanwhile, the flat surface is approximately perpendicular to the central axis CL.

When the tip cap removal tool 300 is moved to a predetermined position relative to the tip portion 30, the locking portion 208 releases the locking portion 190 from the stopper portion 177 (not shown), and simultaneously with or after the locking is released, the holding portion 228 is inserted into the notch portion 226 to hold the tip cap 34.

When removing the tip cap 34 from the tip body 32, the flat surface of the holding portion 228 is hooked onto the notch portion 226 of the tip cap 34, and the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32 together with the cap 107.

Next, another embodiment of the tip cap removal jig will be described. Note that the same components as those of the tip cap removal jig described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description may be omitted. Figure 50 is a cross-sectional view of the tip cap removal jig 400, showing the state immediately before the tip cap 34 is inserted into the tip cap removal jig 400 and the state after the tip cap 34 has been inserted into the tip cap removal jig 400.

As shown in Figure 50 (A), the tip cap removal jig 400 has two holding portions 230 that protrude toward the housing space 204. The two holding portions 230 are provided at positions facing each other across the housing space 204, and each holding portion 230 has a semi-elliptical shape that protrudes toward the central axis CL.

As shown in Figure 50 (B), when the tip cap removal jig 400 is moved to a predetermined position relative to the tip portion 30, the locking portion 208 releases the locking portion 190 from the stopper portion 177 (not shown), and simultaneously with or after the locking is released, the two holding portions 230 grasp the tip cap 34 from both sides, thereby holding the tip cap 34.

When the tip cap 34 is removed from the tip body 32, the holding portion 230 grips the tip cap 34, so that the tip cap 34 is held in the storage space 204 and is removed from the tip body 32 together with the cap 107. The tip cap removal jig 400 does not require the provision of projections and recesses for hooking, as with the holding portions 210 and 228, on the outer peripheral surface of the tip cap 34.

In this embodiment, a preferred aspect is shown in which the wire fixing mechanism 78 includes a tip cap removal tool (200, 300, 400), but this is not limited thereto, and the tip cap removal tool may be provided on another attachment part that is removably attached to the operating section of the endoscope.

Although an example of the application of the endoscope according to the present invention to a duodenoscope has been described above, the technology of the present invention is not limited to duodenoscopes and can also be applied to other endoscopes, such as colonoscopes or enteroscopes. Furthermore, the present invention may be improved or modified in several ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

<Additional Notes>
As will be understood from the detailed description of the embodiments above, this specification includes disclosure of various technical ideas including the inventions described below.

<Appendix 1>
an endoscope comprising an operating section provided with an operating member, an endoscope insertion section provided on the tip side of the operating section and inserted into a subject, a tip body provided on the tip side of the insertion section of the endoscope, a tip cap that is detachable from the tip body and has a locking section for attachment that can be engaged with the tip body when attached to the tip body, and an attachment part that is detachably attached to the operating section, wherein the attachment part comprises a storage space portion with an opening at one end, an unlocking section provided on the cap, and a holding section provided on the cap, and when the tip cap is stored in the storage space portion, the unlocking section enters an unlocked state in which the locking section with respect to the tip body is released, and the holding section enters a held state in which it is held by the tip cap, so that the attachment part becomes one with the cap and the tip cap can be pulled out from the tip body.

<Appendix 2>
2. An endoscope as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment part has a bottom portion that closes the storage space portion on the other end side opposite the one end.

<Appendix 3>
2. An endoscope as described in claim 1, wherein the attachment part has an opening portion that opens into the storage space portion on the other end side opposite the one end.

<Appendix 4>
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the opening is formed to a size that enables the tip cap, which has been pulled out of the tip body, to be discharged from the storage space to the outside.

<Appendix 5>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the tip cap has a guide portion, the attachment part has a guided portion that can engage with the guide portion, and when the tip cap is accommodated in the accommodation space portion, the guided portion engages with and is guided by the guide portion, thereby aligning the release portion and the engagement portion.

<Appendix 6>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendixes 1 to 5, wherein the attachment part has a restricting portion that restricts the tip cap from being inserted from an incorrect direction in the circumferential direction.

<Appendix 7>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendix 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion is hooked onto the tip cap.

<Appendix 8>
2. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion engages with the tip cap by a snap fit.

<Appendix 9>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendix 1 to 6, wherein the holding portion grasps the tip cap.

<Appendix 10>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendix 1 to 9, wherein the attachment part has an index indicating the accommodation direction of the tip cap relative to the accommodation space portion.

<Appendix 11>
An endoscope as described in any one of appendix 1 to 10, wherein the attachment parts are disposable.

<Appendix 12>
An endoscope described in any one of Appendices 1 to 11, wherein the positional relationship between the locking release portion and the holding portion is such that the locking between the tip cap and the tip body by the locking release portion and the holding of the tip cap by the holding portion are simultaneous, or the locking between the tip cap and the tip body by the locking release portion is released first and the tip cap is held by the holding portion later.

10 Endoscope 12 Endoscope system 14 Endoscope processor device 15 Light source device 15A Processor side connector 16 Image processing device 18 Display 20 Standing operation lever 22 Hand operation section 23 Lead-out port 24 Insertion section 25 Connection section 25A Shaft center 26 Flexible section 28 Curved section 30 Tip section 32 Tip section main body 34 Tip cap 34A Opening 34B Main body section 34C Bearing 34D Tip surface section 36 Treatment tool standing stand (standing stand)
36A Treatment tool guide surface 36B Rotation axis 37 Treatment tool channel 38 Elevation operation wire (wire)
[0033] FIG. 38A Wire main body 39 Retained portion 40 Wire channel 42 Air/water supply tube 44 Cable insertion channel 45 Insertion channel 46 Operation unit main body 46A Base end surface 48 Grip portion 50 Anti-break tube 52 Universal cable 54 Connector device 57 Air/water supply button 58 Air/water supply nozzle 59 Suction button 60 Treatment tool outlet 61 Through hole 62 Angle knob 64 Treatment tool introduction port 65 Base end wall portion 66 Stand storage space 68 Partition wall 68A Top surface 74 Illumination window 76 Observation window 78 Wire fixing mechanism 80 Sliding lever 80A Lever bearing hole 82 Fixing unit 84 Cam groove 84A Opening end 86 Cam pin 88 Link member 90 Opening 92 Claw portion 94 First shaft 96 Second shaft 98 Lock release member 100 Wire catch 102 Catch guide 102A Surface 103 Boss hole 104 Catch body 105 First restriction surface 106 Fixing member 106A End surface 107 Cap 108 Connection portion 110 Claw portion 112 Groove 114 Catch guide groove 116 Second restriction surface 120 Plate-shaped portion 121 Boss 122 Lever body 124 Cam groove 124A Right end 124B Left end 125A First cam groove portion 125B Second cam groove portion 126 Pin 130 Cylindrical portion 130A End surface 132 Guide portion 133 Catch body groove 134 First hole 135 Opening 136 Second hole 137 Locking hole 138 Fixing hole 138A Bottom portion 139 Guide surface 177 Stopper portion 178 Groove portion 180 Body portion 181 First opening 182 Tip surface portion 183 Second opening 184 Groove portion 185 Third opening portion 186 Bearing 187 Wall member 188 Rotating shaft 190 Locking portion 191 Support member 192 Claw portion 193 Connecting member 200 Tip cap removal jig 204 Housing space portion 206 Opening 208 Lock release portion 210 Holding portion 213 Index 214 Claw portion 220 Protruding portion 222 Restricting portion 224 Opening portion 226 Notch portion 228 Holding portion 230 Holding portion 300 Tip cap removal jig 400 Tip cap removal jig Ax Long axis direction CL Central axis

Claims (13)

an operation unit provided with an operation member;
an insertion section provided at a distal end of the operation section and inserted into a subject;
A treatment tool stand provided at a distal end of the insertion section;
a raising operation wire whose distal end side is connected to the treatment tool raising stand and which is pushed and pulled in response to the operation of the operation member to operate the treatment tool raising stand;
a wire fixing mechanism for fixing a base end side of the erection operation wire;
Equipped with
The operation unit has a link member that operates in conjunction with the operation of the operation member,
The wire fixing mechanism includes:
a wire catch that detachably engages and fixes the base end side of the standing operation wire;
a catch guide that guides the wire catch in a wire axial direction of the erection operation wire;
a sliding lever that moves the wire catch forward and backward in the wire axial direction by operating in conjunction with the operation of the operating member, the sliding lever having a lever connecting part that is detachably connectable to the link member, and that can be rotated when the connection between the link member and the lever connecting part is released;
having
The erection operation wire has a locking portion located on a base end side of a long wire body and formed with an outer shape larger than that of the wire body,
The wire catch has a locking hole through which the locked portion can be inserted for locking,
The wire fixing mechanism is configured to enable the insertion of the engaged portion into the engagement hole by mounting the wire fixing mechanism to the operation portion, and to enable the engagement of the engaged portion into the engagement hole, the fixation of the engaged state between the engaged portion and the engagement hole, and the connection between the lever connecting portion and the link member by rotating the sliding lever.
Endoscope. The wire fixing mechanism is configured to enable the disconnection of the lever connecting portion and the link member, the release of the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and the release of the locked portion from the locking hole by rotating the sliding lever in a direction opposite to the direction of the rotation operation, and to enable the release of the locked portion from the locking hole by detaching the wire fixing mechanism from the operating portion.
The endoscope according to claim 1 . the rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a first rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side in a first rotation direction centered on a first direction parallel to the wire axial direction, and a second rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to one side in a second rotation direction centered on a second direction perpendicular to the first direction after the first rotation operation is performed,
A combination of the first rotation operation and the second rotation operation causes the engaged portion to be engaged with the engaging hole, fixes an engaged state between the engaged portion and the engaging hole, and connects the lever connecting portion to the link member.
The endoscope according to claim 2. the reverse rotation operation of the sliding lever includes a third rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to the one side in the second rotation direction, and a fourth rotation operation of rotating the sliding lever to the other side opposite to the one side in the first rotation direction after the third rotation operation is performed,
A combination of the third rotation operation and the fourth rotation operation causes a disconnection of the lever connection portion and the link member, a release of the engagement state between the engaged portion and the engagement hole, and a release of the engagement of the engaged portion with the engagement hole.
The endoscope according to claim 3. The wire catch has a fixing member that fixes an engaged state between the engaged portion inserted into the locking hole and the locking hole,
the fixing member is movable between a fixing position where the engaged state between the engaged portion and the locking hole is fixed and a releasing position where the fixed state between the engaged portion and the locking hole is released, and the wire fixing mechanism is configured to enable the fixing member to be moved to the fixing position by the second rotation operation and to be moved to the releasing position by the third rotation operation.
The endoscope according to claim 4. The wire catch has a catch body in which the locking hole is formed,
The fixing member is movable in the wire axial direction in conjunction with the second rotation operation,
When the second rotation operation is performed, the fixing member moves to the fixing position, and the fixing member fixes the locked state between the locked portion and the locking hole, and further, while the fixed locked state is maintained, the fixing member and the catch main body move together toward the base end side in the wire axial direction, thereby pulling up the standing operation wire.
The endoscope according to claim 5. The catch guide has a catch guide groove extending in the wire axial direction,
The catch body has a catch body shaft that is engaged and guided by the catch guide groove, and a catch body groove that is provided at a position overlapping with the catch guide groove and extends in the wire axis direction,
The fixing member has a fixing member shaft that is inserted into the catch body groove and moves freely back and forth along the catch body groove,
The sliding lever has a lever bearing hole rotatably connected to the catch body shaft, and a cam groove with which the fixing member shaft is slidably engaged,
The cam groove has a shape in which a linear first cam groove portion and a curved second cam groove portion are connected, and the first cam groove portion changes the relative distance between the catch body and the fixed member, and the second cam groove portion maintains the relative distance between the catch body and the fixed member.
The endoscope according to claim 6. The sliding lever has a first lever abutment portion,
the catch guide has a first restriction surface against which the first lever contact portion can come into contact,
When the fixed member shaft is present in the first cam groove portion, the first regulating surface abuts against the first lever abutting portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever, thereby enabling the sliding lever to rotate about the catch main body shaft and changing the relative distance between the catch main body and the fixed member.
The endoscope according to claim 7. The first regulating surface is configured by an arc-shaped surface centered on the catch body axis.
The endoscope according to claim 8. the sliding lever has a second lever abutment portion at a position different from the first lever abutment portion,
the catch guide has a second restriction surface that can come into contact with the second lever abutment portion when the restriction on the sliding lever by the first restriction surface is released,
When the fixed member shaft is present in the second cam groove portion of the cam groove, the second regulating surface abuts against the second lever abutment portion to regulate the movement of the sliding lever, thereby allowing the second lever abutment portion to move along the second regulating surface while allowing the sliding lever to rotate about the second lever abutment portion, and moving the catch body and the fixed member integrally.
10. The endoscope according to claim 8 or 9. The locking hole has an opening shape in which a first hole having a size allowing the locking portion to pass therethrough and a second hole having a size larger than an outer shape of the wire body and smaller than an outer shape of the locking portion are continuous with each other.
An endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10. The wire catch is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis eccentric to the raising operation wire,
The locking hole is provided at a position eccentric to the rotation shaft, and the first hole and the second hole are formed continuously along a rotation trajectory centered on the rotation shaft.
The endoscope according to claim 11. A tip body provided at the tip of the insertion portion;
a tip cap that is detachable from the tip body and has a locking portion for attachment that can be locked to the tip body when attached to the tip body;
The catch guide has a cap at an end thereof,
The cap is configured to include a tip cap removal tool,
The tip cap removal tool includes a storage space portion provided in the cap and having an opening at one end, an engagement release portion provided in the cap, and a holding portion provided in the cap,
13. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein, when the tip cap is accommodated in the accommodation space, the release portion enters an unlocked state in which the lock of the locking portion with respect to the tip body is released, and the holding portion enters a held state in which it is held by the tip cap, thereby making it possible to pull out the tip cap from the tip body together with the cap.

Images