JPH0373125A - Curved part for curvature operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the manufacturing cost, and also, to widen an effective use range of the inside, and to prevent the damage of an inserted-through object such as an optical fiber, etc., by combining plural coils, and inserting an operating wire through a clearance formed between the outside periphery of the coil and the inside periphery of the other coil. CONSTITUTION:As for a curved part 3, an angle 3A is constituted of two coils 31, 32, and each coil 31, 32 can be manufactured much more easily than the case of manufacturing many cylindrical bodies. Also, by only combining each coil 31, 32, trouble for connecting many cylindrical bodies, respectively can be saved and the manufacturing cost of the angle 3A, and also, the manufacturing cost of the curved part 3 can be reduced remarkably. Moreover, operating wires 33, 34 are inserted through clearances S1, S2, and in a space S surrounded by each inside periphery of two coils 31, 32, a guide cylinder, etc., are not protruded. Accordingly, the inside of the space S can be utilized widely and effectively. In addition, since there is no projecting object, it is not feared that an inserted object such as an optical fiber, etc., is damaged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a bending section for a bending section operating device used, for example, in a bending section of an endoscope, and particularly to improving the angle of the bending section.

1-Prior Art] The curved portion of a conventional endoscope is provided with an angle a, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. The angle a is made up of a large number of cylindrical bodies, and two connecting pieces C are formed at the rear end (right end) of the cylindrical bodies at an interval of 180° in the circumferential direction. This connecting piece C is rotatably connected to the tip of the adjacent cylindrical body by a rivet d, etc., and thereby the two adjacent cylindrical bodies S and B are rotatably connected. . Also, inside the cylindrical body,
A guide tube e is provided at a location 90° apart from the connecting piece C in the circumferential direction.
e is fixed. An operating wire [ is inserted through each guide tube e. The distal end of the operating wire f is fixed to the cylindrical body located at the distal end side or to a distal end component (not shown) fixed to the cylindrical body, and pulls one operating wire f. and the other operating wire f
By loosening it, the angle will curve in the direction of the arrow.

Note that a forceps channel, an optical fiber bundle (not shown) for illumination light transmission or image transmission, etc. are inserted into the inside of the angle a.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the curved portion of the conventional endoscope described above, the manufacturing cost of the angle a increases because it takes time and effort to process the cylindrical body having the connecting piece C and tighten the rivets. As a result, there is a problem in that the manufacturing cost of the curved portion increases. In particular, when the diameter of the cylindrical body is small, it is very difficult to process it, and the problem of rising manufacturing costs is significant. In addition, there are 2 inside of the cylindrical body.
Since two guide tubes e are arranged and each guide tube e protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the tube body, the effective use range of the internal space of the tube body is extremely narrow, and the optical fiber bundle inserted inside the tube, etc. There was a risk that the guide tube e would be damaged by the end portion of the guide tube e during the bending operation.

This invention was made in order to solve the above problems, and it is possible to reduce manufacturing costs, widen the effective range of internal use, and prevent damage to inserted objects such as optical fibers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a bending section for a bending operation device that is free from fear.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a bending section for a bending operation device that includes a bendable angle and an operation wire that bends the angle. It has a plurality of bendable coils, and each coil has wires arranged alternately in the axial direction of the coil,
The wire of each coil contacts the wire of other coils at two points in the circumferential direction between one pitch of the coil, or between the inner circumference of each coil and the outer circumference of the outer coil, or between the outer circumference of each coil and the outer coil of the outer coil. They are assembled with their axes slightly spaced apart from each other so that a gap is created between them and the inner periphery of the actuator, and the operating wire is inserted through the gap.

[Operation] Each coil can be bent using the point of contact with another coil as a neutral point of curvature, and as a result, the entire angle can be bent. Therefore, by pulling the operating wire, the angle can be bent.

[Embodiments] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being an enlarged sectional view of the main parts, and Figure 2 being the same as Figure 1.
3 is a side view, with some parts omitted, of an endoscope equipped with a curved portion according to the present invention.

First, the overall configuration of the endoscope A will be described based on FIG. 3. The endoscope A includes an operation base 1. As shown in FIG. The operating base l is provided with an insertion section 2 extending from its tip, a curved section 3 is provided at the tip of the insertion section 2, and an observation window 41 and an illumination window are provided at the tip of the curved section 3. Light window 42 (
1), a forceps entrance/exit (not shown), and the like. The operation base 1 is provided with an eyepiece tube ll optically connected to an observation window 41, a forceps insertion port 12 into which forceps (not shown) are inserted, an operation dial 13, etc., and an illumination light window 42. An optical fiber (not shown) for optically connecting to an illumination light source (not shown) is inserted.

Note that, as will be described later, when the operation dial 13 is rotated in one direction, the bending portion 3 is curved upward, and the operation dial 1 is rotated in one direction.
3 in the other direction, the curved portion 3 curves downward.

The insertion section 2 includes two spiral tubes 21 and 22 extending from the operating base 1, as shown in FIG. The spiral tubes 21, 22 are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction, which is the direction of curvature, and a flexible spiral band 23 is arranged on the outside so as to wrap around both the spiral tubes 21, 22. ing.

The rear end of the spiral band 23 is fixed to the operation base 1.

The curved portion 3 is provided with an angle 3A, as shown in FIG. Angle 3A has two coils 31.32
It consists of These coils 31 and 32 are identical to each other, and approximately 2 of the wire rods 31a (32a)
It has twice the pitch. These two coils 31 and 32 are combined so that the wire 31a of one coil 31 and the wire 32a of the other coil 32 are alternately located. Moreover, the axis 1 of the coil 31 and the axis 1 of the coil 32. , are vertically spaced apart from each other by an interval I7 that is 1 inch larger than the diameter of the wire 31a (32a). As a result, as shown in FIG.
1 and 32 come into contact with each other at two points x1 and Gaps S1 and S are respectively formed between the inner peripheries of the two coils 31 and 32, and a space S is formed by the inner peripheries of the two coils 31 and 32, respectively.

The angle 3A configured in this manner has its rear end fixed to the spiral band 23 via the connecting tube 24, and its tip end fixed to the frame 43 of the tip structure section 4. In this case, the angle 3A is formed by two coils 31.32.

The central portions of S and S are arranged and fixed so as to face the spiral tubes 21 and 22.

Operating wires 33 and 34 are inserted through each of the gaps S, , S, respectively. Each tip of the operating wire 3334 is fixed to the frame 43 of the tip component 4 by brazing or the like.

On the other hand, the rear end portions of the operating wires 33 and 34 are respectively inserted into the spiral tubes 21 and 22, and are wound and fixed around a pulley (not shown) rotated by the operating dial 13 from the opposite direction. has been done.

Therefore, when the operating dial 13 is rotated in one direction and the operating wire 33 is pulled, the operating wire 34 is loosened. As a result, the angle 3A curves with the contact points X, , X as the neutral point of curvature, and the curved portion 3 curves upward.

Conversely, when the operating dial 13 is rotated in the other direction, the operating wire 33 is loosened and the operating wire 34 is pulled. As a result, the curved portion 3 is curved downward.

In addition, an optical fiber, a forceps-r channel, etc. (not shown) are inserted into the space S formed by the inner circumferences of the two coils 31 and 32.

The spiral tubes 21, 22, spiral band 23, and connecting tube 24 of the insertion section 2, the coils 31, 32 and operating wires 33, 34 of the bending section 3, and the frame 41 of the distal end component 4 are made of plastic, rubber, or the like. It is embedded inside a cylindrical covering 5 made of flexible resin. As a result, the insertion section 2, the curved section 3, and the tip structure section 4 are integrated.

In the curved part 3 of the endoscope of Moki structure, angle 3A
is constituted by two coils 31, 32, and the valley coils 31, 32 can be manufactured much more easily than in the case of manufacturing a large number of cylinders. Moreover, since each coil 31, 32 is simply combined, the effort required to connect a large number of cylindrical bodies can be saved. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the angle 3A and, by extension, the manufacturing cost of the curved part 3 can be significantly reduced. can do.

In addition, the operating wires 33, 34 are inserted through the gaps S, , S, and nothing such as a guide tube projects into the space S surrounded by the inner peripheries of the two coils 31, 32. Therefore, the inside of the space S can be widely and effectively utilized. Furthermore, since there is no protrusion, there is no risk of damaging the inserted object such as the optical fiber.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention shown in factors 4 to 15 will be described. Note that the same parts as in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The endoscope B shown in FIG.
1.32 outside and two helical tubes 21.2 of the insertion part 2
A cylindrical blade 6 is provided on the outside of the blade 2.
The rear end of the blade 6 is fixed to the operating base 1, and the tip thereof is fixed to the frame 41 of the tip structure section 4.

With this configuration, the blade 6 is connected to the insertion portion 2 and the curved portion 3.
And since the tip component 4 is integrated with the covering 5,
Their tensile strength can be improved. Further, as a result, in this embodiment 1 and X, there is no need to use the spiral band 23 in the previously described embodiment, and it is not used here.

In the endoscope C shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the cover 5 is not used, and a tube 7 made of heat-shrinkable resin is disposed outside the blade 6.

When configured in this way, the tube 7 with a large diameter
The tube 7 can be easily attached by inserting the insertion part 2 and the curved part 3 into the inside of the tube 7 and then heating the tube 7 to shrink it.

However, on the other hand, the two coils 31 by the tube 7
．． Coil 31.3 has a weak position fixing force with respect to 32.
There is a risk that the contact point in step 2 may change during operation. Therefore,
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is desirable that the contact points of the coils 31 and 32 be fixed with a flexible resin layer 35 such as rubber so that they do not shift.

Furthermore, in the endoscope C, the frame 44 of the distal end component 4 is made of hard resin. Furthermore, the middle part of the operating wire 33 of the angle 3B is hooked on the tip of the coil 31, and both ends are wound and fixed around the boob of the operating dial 13 from one direction. Similarly,
The middle part of the operating wire 34 is hooked onto the tip of the coil 32, and both ends are wound and fixed around the pulley of the operating dial 13 from the opposite direction to the operating wire 33.

Moreover, FIGS. 8 to 16 each show other examples of angles.

The angle 3C shown in FIG. 8 is the wire 31a of the coil 31.
The wire rod 32a of the coil 32 is made larger in diameter than the wire rod 32a of the coil 32.

Angle 3D shown in FIG. 9 is one in which the diameter of the coil 31 is larger than the diameter of the coil 32, and is suitable when it is desired to bend strongly in one of two directions. In this angle 3D, the distance from the contact point between the wire 31a and the wire 32a to the operating wire 33 is the wire 31a3.
The distance is longer than the distance from the point of contact with 2a to the operating wire 34. Therefore, when the operating wire 33 is pulled and curved, the curved portion can be formed more easily than when the operating wire 34 is pulled and curved. Furthermore, by arranging the parts of the space S that are difficult to bend closer to the operating wire 34 side and the parts that are easier to bend closer to the operating wire 33 side, the upward operating force can be further reduced.

The angle 3E shown in FIG. 10 is an elliptical shape of the coil 31° 32 when viewed in the axial direction, and the angle 3E shown in FIG.
1 and 2 are spaced apart in the long sleeve direction of the ellipse.

The angle 3F shown in FIG. 11 is obtained by separating the axes L, L, of the elliptical coil 31, 32 in the direction of the short axis of the ellipse.

The angle 3G shown in FIG. 12 is a coil 3 made of a strip plate.
1.32, and as shown in FIG. 13, recesses 31b and 32b that fit into each other are formed at the contact points of each coil 31 and 32, respectively.

Further, the angle 3H shown in FIG. 14 is a modification of the angle 3G shown in FIG. Flat part 3 provided between each end of part 31d
1e. Similarly, the coil 32 has a large diameter portion 32c.

It is composed of a small diameter portion 32d and a flat portion 32e.

At the center of each flat part 31e, 32e are recesses 31b, 3.
2b are formed respectively. The coil 31 and the coil 32 are combined with the recesses 31b and 32b fitted together.

In the angle 3H configured in this way, since the flat parts 31e and 32e intersect at a large angle, the width of the recessed parts 31b and 32b can be narrowed, and when the angle 3H is curved, the coil 31 and 32
It is possible to prevent the point of contact with the axis Ll from being largely displaced in the direction of separation from the axis Ll.

Note that in each of the above embodiments, two coils 31.
32 are combined so that their contact points are aligned in the axial direction of the coils 31° and 32, but after being combined in this way, the two coils 31°, 32, and 41 are oriented in the same direction.
If you twist it, the contact cylinder i)) will be located in a spiral.If you include the fill of 5, 2-) in this way, the angle will become a spiral. It curves as shown. In this case, if one of the operating wires is pulled -1・Taba and the other operating wire is pulled, ! :, the spiral progresses in the opposite direction to rips.

In addition, in each embodiment described in -1, the spiral tube 2122
However, when providing a covering 5 as shown in Fig. 1, the spiral tubes 21 and 22 may not be used. However, the angle according to the invention may also consist of three or more coils.

The angle 3I shown in Fig. 116 has two coils 31.3
In addition to 2 °C, a coil 36 is used, and the coils 31, 32.36 have their respective axes Y21.1,
fil 1. The wires 31a, 32a, 36a of each coil 3132, :36 are of course arranged with r3 equally spaced from the center 0 of the angle 3, and equiangularly spaced around the center 0. , are arranged one after the other in the axial direction of the angle, and each coil is in contact with the coil of the coil at two points between the l pinners of the coil. That is, the coils 31 and 32 are in contact at points X, , X, 2, the coils 32 and 37 are in contact at points Yl and Yt, and the coils 31 and 37 are in contact at points Z, , Z, etc. °C
There is.

As a result of arranging the coils 31, 32, and 36 of 3-) in this way, there are two coils 32.3, one on the inner circumference of the coil 31 and the other on the inner circumference of the coil 31.
between the outer circumference of the coil 32 and the inner circumference of the coil 31.
between the outer circumference of coil 3G and other coils 31. ．． 3
There is a gap S l+ S t+ S
3 are formed respectively. So(-1, each gap S
, ,S, ,S, have operation wires 3334 and 37 inserted therein, respectively.

In the angle 3I with the above configuration, the operation l tweeter 33
When the angle 3I is pulled and the operating wires 34 and 37 are loosened, the angle 3I curves toward the operating wire 33 with the contact points X, , Z being the 1° points in the curve. When the operating wire 341 is pulled and the operating wire 33.37 is loosened, the angle 3I contacts X, ..., Y are bent toward the operating wire 34 with the middle α point When the operating wires 33 and 34 are loosened, the angle 3I curves toward the operating wire 37 with the contacts Y, Z, as neutral points 17.

Also, when the two ↑Eisaku wires 33 and 34 are pulled and the operating wire 37 is loosened, the angle 31 will move to the contact points Y, Z,
is the neutral point of the curve. Similarly, two operating wires 34. ．． 37 and loosen the operating wire 33, the angle 31 will close the contact x2゜11 to the neutral point C
When the two operating wires 33, 37 are stretched and the operating wire 34 is loosened, the angle 3I will connect to the contact points X, Y.
, is the neutral point.

Furthermore, as is clear from the above operation details, the coil 31
A gap S formed between the outer circumference of the coil 32C and the inner circumference of the other two coils 32.36 S 36, two coils 31.3, the outer circumference of the coil 36 and the pond
A gap S is formed between the inner periphery of No. 2 and the inner circumference of No. 2. -r is also good. In this case as well, the bay 1ll
II''!! When making the operation, -C pulls one operating wire and loosens the other two operating wires. Just loosen the book's control wire.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, coils are used in which the winding direction is the same, but a coil in which the winding direction is exactly I'L may be used.

In addition, when curving only in one direction, it is sufficient to use the operation wire of 1, 1 (in that case, the gaps S+, S+
or gaps SL, S
*, S3 (S4+ Ss-S a) All you have to do is insert the operation screw into either of the hooks.

Furthermore, the curved portion of the present invention can be used not only for endoscopes but also for catheters. [Invention σ) Effect" As explained above, the RIIJI operation system of this invention
According to the device equipment department, the angle is determined by combining multiple coils and generating sound, so the manufacturing cost can be significantly reduced compared to conventional ones. In addition, since the operating wire is inserted into the gap formed between the inner circumference of a coil and the outer circumference of another coil, or between the outer circumference of a coil and the inner circumference of another coil, it is possible to It is possible to effectively utilize the internal space defined by the inner periphery, and it is also possible to prevent damage to the inserted object such as the optical fiber.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention, with Figure 1 being an enlarged sectional view of the main parts, and Figure 2 being the same as Figure 1.
3 is a partially omitted side view showing an endoscope having a curved portion of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of the present invention. , FIGS. 5 to 7 show still other embodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 5 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a side view showing an angle, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, FIG. 8 is a side view showing other examples of the angle according to the present invention, and FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12 are still other examples of the angle according to the present invention. 13 is a side view showing the angle coil shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing another example of the angle according to the present invention, FIG. 15 is a side view showing a coil of the angle shown in FIG. 14, and FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the angle according to the present invention. A cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 showing another example, and FIGS. 17 and 18 show the schematic structure of a conventional curved section, with FIG. 17 being a side view thereof and FIG. 18 being a front view thereof. It is. A, B, C... Endoscope, L, , L, , L,... Axis line, S... Internal space, s,, s',, s,, s,, s,
, s. ...Gap, 3...Curved portion, 3A, 3B, 3G, 3D, 3E. 3F, 3G, 3H, 31...Angle, 31, 32.
36... Coil, 33.34.37... Operation wire.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In the bending section for a bending operation device including a bendable angle and an operating wire for bending the angle, the angle has a plurality of bendable coils, and each coil has a bendable angle in the axial direction of the coil. The wire rods of each coil are arranged alternately, and the wire rods of each coil touch the wire rods of other coils at two places in the circumferential direction during one pitch of the coil, and the wire rods of each coil touch the wire rods of other coils at two places in the circumferential direction, or between the inner circumference of each coil and the outer circumference of other coils, or between the inner circumference of each coil and the outer circumference of other coils, or A bending operation characterized in that the outer periphery of one coil and the inner periphery of another coil are combined with their respective axes slightly separated from each other so as to create a gap, and the operating wire is inserted into the gap. Curved part for equipment.