JPH09154807A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify handling, and change flexibility of an inserting part without deteriorating a sucking function by housing a long and narrow rigid member inside an endoscope, and arranging a means to move the rigid member in the shaft direction in the inserting part, in an operation part. SOLUTION: A stylet 13 is a rigid member to give rigidity to an inserting part 2, and a tip part is composed of a tip soft part 21, and a hand side part is composed of a rigid part 22, and a part on the more hand side than it is composed of a rear soft part 23. A space 12 is formed between the rear end of a first guide tube 8 and the tip of a second guide tube 9, and a moving means of the stylet 13 is arranged in this part. This moving means is provided with two transfer rollers 14 and 14 to sandwich the stylet 13 inserted over into the first and the second guide tubes 8 and 9, and at least one is rotated by a motor 15 connected to a control device 17, and a switch 18 to control this motor 15 is arranged in an operation part 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of adjusting the flexibility of an insertion section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, in an endoscope used for the large intestine, the insertion part is inserted by pushing it into a meandering portion like a sigmoid colon. In such a case, the insertion part is relatively soft. Is suitable. However, in the case of a soft insertion part, if you try to insert it deeper than the sigmoid colon, the insertion part will bend in the middle, and the pushing force from your hand will not be easily transmitted to the tip side of the insertion part. was there.

[0003] Therefore, beyond the sigmoid colon, an elongated waist wire made of stainless steel or the like called a stylet is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope up to the insertion portion, and the insertion portion is hardened. In some cases, an attempt was made to insert the deeper part.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

(Conventional Deficiency) However, the method of inserting a separate stylet into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope has the following drawbacks.

(1) Since the suction function performed through the treatment tool insertion channel is impaired, water in the intestine cannot be removed promptly and the insertion time becomes long. (2) The work of attaching and detaching the separate stylet to and from the insertion channel of the endoscope is troublesome and the handling is complicated. (3) It is necessary to clean and disinfect the stylet for each inspection, which requires time and labor for the work and management, and the handling of the stylet is complicated.

(Object of the invention) Therefore, an object of the present invention is to maintain the suction function performed through the insertion channel,
An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope whose handling is simple and whose flexibility of the insertion portion can be changed.

[0007]

According to the present invention, in an endoscope having an insertion portion provided with a soft portion and an operating portion, an elongated hard member is housed inside the endoscope, and the hard member is The operating portion is provided with means for axially moving in the insertion portion. By doing so, it is possible to harden or soften the insertion portion in the range where the tip portion of the stylet moves. Since the stylet is housed inside the endoscope, there is generally no need for its attachment / detachment and cleaning / disinfection.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) FIG. 1A shows an endoscope 1, which is mainly composed of an insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3 and a universal cord 4. The insertion portion 2 has a tip portion 5, a bending portion 6, and a flexible portion 7, which are arranged in that order in a line from the tip.
The tip portion 5 is provided with an observation window incorporating an objective lens, an image pickup device device for picking up a field of view observed through the observation window, an illumination window, a channel opening, a nozzle for the observation window, etc. It is omitted and not shown. Curved part 6
Is operated to be bent through a bending operation wire by an operation knob (not shown) provided in the operation section 3. The flexible portion 7 is made of a flexible tube and has a relatively flexible structure.

Inside the insertion portion 2, a light guide connected to the illumination window, an image pickup signal line connected to the image pickup device, a treatment instrument channel tube connected to the channel opening, and a nozzle are connected. Built-in items such as the air supply / water supply tube and the bending operation wire are arranged.
Here, it is omitted and not shown.

On the other hand, a first guide tube 8 forming a conduit 8a is arranged in the flexible portion 7. The distal end side of the first guide tube 8 extends partway near the distal end of the flexible portion 7 and is arranged in a free state. The first
The distal end of the guide tube 8 may be fixed to the main member of the insertion portion 2 in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the bending portion 6 and the flexible portion 7. The tip of the first guide tube 8 is sealed by a sealing member 10.

The proximal end side of the first guide tube 8 is guided into the operating portion 3. A second guide tube 8 having a duct 9a on the rear side further from the proximal end of the first guide tube 8.
The guide tube 9 of is connected. The first guide tube 8 and the second guide tube 9 are each formed of a flexible tube.

The rear end of the first guide tube 8 and the front end of the second guide tube 9 have their respective end portions of the operating portion 3 in a state in which the openings of both the conduits 8a, 9a are coaxially arranged. It is attached and fixed to the support frame member 11. The rear end side portion of the second guide tube 9 on the proximal side is guided and arranged in the universal cord 4.

A space 12 is formed between the rear end of the first guide tube 8 and the front end of the second guide tube 9, and a stylet moving means is installed in this space 12. The stylet moving means includes two transfer rollers 1 for sandwiching the stylet 13 inserted through the first guide tube 8 and the second guide tube 9.
4 are provided. At least one of the two transfer rollers 14 is adapted to be rotated by a motor 15.

The motor 15 is connected to the control device 17 via an electric wire 16. The control device 17 may be provided at the extending distal end portion of the universal cord 4, but may be installed separately from the endoscope 1 in a light source device (not shown) or installed separately. May be provided.
A switch 18 for controlling the motor 15 is provided on the operation unit 3. The switch 18 is connected to the control device 17 via an electric line 19.

The switch 18 is, for example, a seesaw type as shown in FIG. 1 (a), and when the upper (forward) mountain is pushed, the motor 15 is rotated so that the roller 14 rotates in the direction of advancing the stylet 13. It can be driven, and the motor 15 can be driven so as to rotate the roller 14 in the direction in which the stylet 13 is retracted by pushing the lower (rear) mountain.

Of course, the switch 18 need not be a seesaw type switch but may be separate switches for forward and backward movement.
The driving method of the motor 15 for driving the roller 14 may be an electromagnetic type, a piezoelectric element, or any other actuator. The outermost circumference of the roller 15 is coated with a rubber-based resin or the like as shown in black in FIG. 9A so as to prevent slippage as much as possible.

The stylet 13 is a hard member for imparting hardness to the insertion portion 2. Then, as shown in FIG. 1B, the stylet 13 has a tip portion (for example, 5 cm).
Is a flexible portion 21, a portion on the proximal side (for example, about 75 cm) is a hard portion 22, and a portion on the proximal side (for example, about 55 cm) is a rear flexible portion 23. Of course, there are various patterns for the length of each part depending on the specifications of the endoscope 1 using the part.

The front soft portion 21 and the rear soft portion 23 are made of, for example, a coil pipe and are softer than the hard portion 22. The hard portion 22 is a solid wire or pipe made of metal such as stainless steel, brass, aluminum, titanium, and super elastic alloy, and its outer diameter is about 0.5 to 2 mm. Also,
Although it may be a resin, a superelastic alloy is highly desirable because it is hard to be plastically deformed, and thus it is hard to have a bending tendency.

Moreover, in the case of resin, the diameter tends to be larger than that of metal in order to obtain the same rigidity. The outer diameters of the hard portion 22 and the rear soft portion 23 are substantially the same, and both of them can move forward and backward while being sandwiched by the rollers 14. The tip of the flexible front portion 21 and the rear end of the rear flexible portion 23 are provided with the conduit 8 of the first guide tube 8.
It is rounded so as not to damage the inner surface of the conduit 9a of the second guide tube 9 and a, and is finished by providing, for example, a spherical tip 24.

Since the tip end opening of the conduit 8a of the first guide tube 8 is sealed by the sealing member 10, the tip end of the stylet 13 is restricted from moving further forward. Similarly, the conduit 9 of the second guide tube 9
Although the rear end opening of a is not shown, it is closed and restricts the rearward movement of the stylet 13 further.

The stylet 13 in the position shown in FIG. 1 (a) is located at the rearmost position on the proximal side.
The stylet 13 at the position shown in (b) shows the case where the stylet 13 is moved closest to the front. A relatively steep curve 26 is formed where the second guide tube 9 moves from the operating portion 3 to the universal cord 4. Therefore, in FIG.
In the stylet 13 (the rearmost position) in (a), the rear end of the rigid portion 22 is not shown, but it is located in front of the curve 26. The rear flexible portion 23 is accommodated in the portion.

As a result, it is the rear flexible portion 23 of the stylet 13 that moves in the curve 26, so that the conduit 9a of the second guide tube 9 is not damaged. Of course, this is an example, and if the sealing member 10 is near the connecting portion between the bending portion 6 and the flexible portion 7, the flexibility can be made variable from the tip of the flexible portion 7, and Various patterns are possible.

Further, the flexible portion 21 is provided in front of the hard portion 22.
Therefore, even if the stylet 13 is moved when the flexible portion 7 of the insertion portion 2 is bent to some extent, the pipe line 8a
Does not hurt Further, also in the rigid portion 22, there may be a change in hardness in the longitudinal direction, for example, the front side may be slightly softer than the rear side (since it affects the insertability. There is also a preference of the user).

Although the first guide tube 8 has a basic function of moving the stylet 13 without providing it, the moving stylet 13 may damage other built-in objects as described above, or may damage the flexible portion 7. The guide tube 8 is preferably provided so as not to be caught on the inner surface of the flexible tube 7a which is a tubular body. Further, it is desirable that the tip of the first guide tube 8 does not extend into the curved portion 6. At the very least, it is preferable that the connecting portion between the curved portion 6 and the tubular body 6a is about.

In general, the endoscope 1 has a narrower space in the curved portion 6 than in the flexible portion 7. Therefore, if the first guide tube 8 is forcibly inserted into the curved portion 6, that portion has a large diameter. It will be designed to change. In addition, the rigid portion 2 of the stylet 13
If the bending portion 2 is bent with a small bending radius while it is inside the bending portion 6, the hard portion 22 may strongly press other internal components to damage them, or the bending portion 6 itself may be broken. Therefore, the rigid portion 22 of the stylet 13 has a curved portion 6
You should be able to move only to the hand side than.

(Function) By pushing the switch 18, the motor 15 is driven and the roller 14 is rotated to move the stylet 1
3 can be moved back and forth in the axial direction. The switch 18 is located at a position where a finger of the hand holding the operation unit 3 can easily reach, and the switch 18 can be easily operated with one hand.

At the position of the stylet 13 in FIG. 1 (a), it is assumed that the tip of the stylet 13 is about 75 cm from the tip surface of the tip portion 5, and it is advanced as shown in FIG. 1 (b). If the tip of the stylet 13 at that time is located about 20 cm from the tip surface of the tip portion 5, the movement amount d is about 55 cm. Stylet 13
Assuming that the tip soft part 21 is about 5 cm, the soft part 7 from about 25 cm to about 80 cm from the tip of the endoscope 1 is practically used.
Is flexible.

However, if the second guide tube 9 (particularly in the vicinity of the curve 26) is made of a hard tube, the hard portion 22 can be put in the universal cord 4, so that the tip of the hard portion 22 is completely stored in the operating portion 3. Therefore, the entire length of the flexible portion 7 can be made extremely soft.

Next, an example of a procedure for inserting the endoscope 1 into the large intestine 31 will be described with reference to FIG. First, stylet 13
Is positioned at the rearmost position with respect to the endoscope 1 as shown in FIG. Except for the stylet 13, the soft part 7 has very soft flexibility. The tip of the rigid part 22 of the stylet 13 is 80 cm from the tip of the endoscope 1.
The insertion part 2 is 80cm from the tip because it is around
It is very soft up to this point, and it is much harder on the hand side.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the sigmoid colon 32 of the large intestine
, The insertion part 2 is very soft up to about 80 cm from the tip, so if the insertion part 2 is pushed slowly along the curved shape, the patient can easily cross the sigmoid colon 32 without causing any pain. Is possible.

In this way, when the tip of the insertion portion 2 crosses the sigmoid colon 32 and reaches the vicinity of the spleen curve 34, the amount of insertion into the body is usually 70 cm or less. Therefore, the rearmost position of the rigid portion 22 of the stylet 13 is appropriate.

Next, when the insertion portion 2 is pulled from the state of FIG. 2 (a) so that the tip of the insertion portion 2 does not come off, FIG. 2 (b) is obtained.
, The insertion part 2 becomes substantially straight,
The sigmoid colon 32 is also folded and becomes almost straight. Here, the switch 18 is pushed to move the stylet 13 to the tip side (state of FIG. 1B). Then, in the insertion part 2, the flexible part 7 from 25 cm to 1 m from the tip thereof is in a hard state (the hard part 22 is 75
(If it is about cm).

As a result, the sigmoid colon 32 is not defeated by the force of returning to the original curved shape or the flexure of the transverse colon 35 (the rigid portion 22 is not only rigid but also immediately after bending). Since it has a high resilience to return, it can be inserted while releasing the bowel deflection), the transverse colon 35, the hepatic curve 37, the ascending colon 36, and the cecum 38, and FIG.
It can be easily and quickly inserted while drawing a gentle curve as shown in (c). At this time, since the amount inserted into the body is usually 80 cm or less from the tip,
Is considered reasonable.

As described above, since the stylet 13 is completely housed and built in the endoscope 1, the flexible portion 7 is provided.
It is not necessary to insert the stylet through the treatment instrument insertion channel to change the flexibility of the device. Therefore, the suction function through the treatment instrument insertion channel is not sacrificed. In addition, the stylet 13 is housed inside the endoscope 1 and does not become dirty, so only the endoscope 1 is washed and cleaned after the inspection.
Just sterilize.

(Effect) The insertion performance of the endoscope 1 can be improved by sacrificing the suction function through the treatment instrument channel tube and by simplifying the handling and changing the flexibility of the insertion portion.

<Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) This embodiment is basically the same as the above-described embodiment, but here is different in the following points. That is, the stylet 13 can be moved manually rather than electrically. The operation knob 41 is provided on the operation unit 3.
Is provided, and the operation knob 41 drives the roller 14. In this embodiment, a transparent window 42 is provided in a part of the operation portion 3 where the stylet 13 is stored so that the stylet 13 can be seen from the outside. The stylet 13 is color-coded in the axial direction and has a scale.

(Operation) By rotating the operation knob 41, the stylet 13 can be moved back and forth. The electric operation with the switch 18 as in the above-described embodiment is easier with one touch, so the operation itself is easier, but the manual operation as in the present embodiment allows the motor 15, the switch 18, and the control for controlling them. Since the device is unnecessary, the endoscope 1 and its system configuration can be simplified.

Also, the stylet 1 is inserted through the transparent window 42.
By observing the color and scale of No. 3, it is possible to recognize the axial position of the stylet 13, that is, which part of the insertion section 2 is hard. The transparent window 42 may be adhered to the casing of the operation portion 3 or may be integrally formed by insert molding or two-color molding.

(Effect) The endoscope 1 and the system can be made simpler than those of the above-described embodiment. Further, the hardened portion of the insertion portion 2 can be visually recognized.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) FIG. 4 shows a portion of the connector 45 provided at the rear end of the universal cord 4 in the endoscope of this embodiment. The basic configuration of the endoscope 1 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments described above. Here, the rear flexible portion 23 of the stylet 13 inserted into the second guide tube 9 and the conduit 9a thereof is extended to the connector 45 portion.

The connector 45 is provided with a cap 47 which is attached to the opening of a hole 46 which communicates with the conduit 9a of the second guide tube 9. The cap 47 is watertightly attached by a seal ring 48, and is usually screwed so as to be detachable. The cap 47 accommodates the rear end portion of the rear flexible portion 23 of the stylet 13. The position of the stylet 13 in FIG. 4 is a position close to when the stylet 13 is at the rearmost position. The connector 45 is provided with a light guide tube 49 communicating with the light guide.

(Operation) Post-hardening portion 23 of the stylet 13
Different users have different preferences for hardness. In addition, it is possible that the same stylet 13 is used in many inspections and becomes bent.

At such time, remove the cap 47,
Pull out the stylet 13 to make it your favorite stylet 13.
It can be easily changed to a new stylet 13. In the case where the stylet 13 is formed into the connector 45, the roller 14 and the motor 15 shown in the first embodiment may be provided in the connector 45 and driven therein, and then, the first embodiment. From the operation part 3
Can be lightened.

(Effect) According to this embodiment, the stylet 13 can be easily replaced, and it is possible to cope with the user's preference and changes with time.

<Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) The present embodiment has the same basic principle as the first and second embodiments. However, in this embodiment, the stylet 1
The rear end of 3 does not enter the inside of the universal cord 4. When the stylet 13 is located at the rearmost position, the rear end of the stylet 13 is near the rear end of the operating portion 3, and the opening 5 provided at the rear end of the operating portion 3 is provided.
Located within 1. A rubber cap 52 is watertightly attached to the opening 51. The rubber cap 52 is attached so as not to come off unless it is pulled out with a considerably strong force. Then, the rear end portion of the stylet 13 is normally inserted into the rubber cap 52.

As in the case of the second embodiment, the stylet 13 can be manually moved back and forth by turning the operation knob 41 provided on the operation section 3. (Operation) As in the case of the second embodiment, the stylet 13 can be moved by turning the operation knob 41, but since the rear portion of the stylet 13 is not in the universal cord 4 as in the first embodiment, that The amount of movement is generally small. However, by removing the rubber cap 52, the stylet 12 can be easily removed and replaced. Since the total length of the stylet 12 is shorter than that of the fourth embodiment, the replacement work is easier. Further, since the stylet 13 and its guide tube are not contained in the universal cord 4, the universal cord 4 can be made fine.

(Effect) According to this embodiment, the work of replacing the stylet 13 is easy and the universal cord 4 is used.
Can be thin. In this embodiment, the rear end of the stylet 13 is not inside the universal cord 4. Therefore, the stylet 13 may be the rigid portion 22 to the rear.

<Fifth Embodiment> A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. (Structure) In the present embodiment, a specific example of the flexible portion of the endoscope described so far will be shown. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the soft part.

The tubular body 55, which constitutes the exterior of the flexible portion, comprises an outer layer 56 and an inner layer 57. The outer layer 56 is further composed of a plurality of layers, and the outermost layer is resin (including surface coating).
And, a knitting tube on which it is placed (a tube generally made of stainless steel or other thin wire called a blade) is provided inside the knitting tube. The inner layer 57 may be a single layer or a plurality of layers, and is made of, for example, a spiral tube made of stainless steel or another metal. A groove 58 is formed in a part of the inner layer 57 along the axial direction. A lumen 59 formed between the groove 58 and the outer layer 56 is used to guide the stylet 13 as described above. Here, the guide tube 8 as described above is installed in the lumen 59, and the stylet 13 is inserted into the guide tube 8 and stored in the insertion portion 2.

Since the groove 59 forms the lumen 59 between the groove 58 and the outer layer 56, the guide tube 8 is not necessarily required as a separate member, but the guide tube 8 is not necessary, but the stylet 13 can be smoothly provided. It is desirable because it can be moved.

In the flexible portion tubular body 55, there are other built-in instruments such as a treatment instrument channel tube 61 and an air supply conduit tube 6.
2, a water supply tube 63, a light guide 64, an image signal line 65, and an angle wire coil 66 are incorporated.

(Operation) When the hard part 22 of the stylet 13 is inside the soft part 7 of the insertion part 2, the hard part 22 may press other built-in objects when the soft part 7 is bent. There is a possibility of damaging the light guide 64 and the like, but in the present embodiment, since the stylet 13 is partitioned from other internal components by the groove portion 58 of the inner layer 57, it is possible to prevent the internal components from being pressed. Has become.

(Effect) Even if there is the hard portion 22 of the stylet 13 in the soft portion 7, it does not damage other internal components.

<Sixth Embodiment> This embodiment is a modified example of the moving force amount of the means for moving the stylet 12 in the previous embodiments.

An example in which the force for moving the stylet 13 is set to a predetermined force will be described. As described in FIG. 2, basically, the stylet 13 is moved from the rear side to the front side when the flexible portion 7 is in a state close to the straight state. However, if the stylet 13 is forcibly advanced by mistake when the flexible portion 7 is in a sudden loop, the first
Buckles the guide tube 8 and the conduit 8a of
There is a risk that the steep loop is suddenly released due to the increased rigidity of the stylet 13 and the tip portion 5 jumps up, damaging the living body wall.

Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the motor 15
When the stylet 13 is moved by, the force for rotating the roller 14 is set to a predetermined force. For example, the amount of force may be smaller than the frictional resistance force generated between the pipe line 8a and the stylet 13 when the flexible portion 7 loops smaller than the specified bending radius.

Alternatively, when the operation knob 41 and the roller 14 are manually rotated as in the second embodiment, the frictional force between the roller 14 and the stylet 13 causes the pipe to move when the flexible portion 7 loops at a specified bending radius. It should be smaller than the frictional resistance generated between the passage 8a and the stylet 13. That is,
Try to slip.

Further, the amount of force for moving the stylet 13 may be set as follows. It's a stylet 13
The front end or the rear end of the pipe abuts against the front end of the conduit 8a, or the rear end of the conduit 9a (or the rear end wall of the cap 47, 52).
When hitting the abutting portion of the motor 15, the amount of force generated by the motor 15 and the roller 14 are adjusted so that the abutting portion is not broken or the pipe lines 8a and 9a are not subjected to plastic deformation by applying a large tension. And the frictional force of the stylet 13 is set.

(Effect) It is possible to prevent damage to parts and living body wall due to movement of the stylet 13. [Additional Notes] (1) In an endoscope having an insertion portion provided with a flexible portion and an operating portion, an elongated hard member is housed inside the flexible portion, and the rigid member is moved in the axial direction of the insertion portion. An endoscope in which a means is provided in the operation unit. (2) In the above (1), at least one of the front end portion and the rear end portion of the hard member is a soft portion.

(3) In the above item (1), the hard member is located closer to the hand than the curved portion. (4) In (1) above, the hard member is replaceable. (5) In (4), the hard member is replaced at the connector portion at the end of the universal cord. (6) In (4), the hard member is replaced at the rear end of the operating portion.

(7) In the above item (1), the hard member in the flexible portion is in a conduit provided in the flexible portion, and the conduit is formed by a guide tube inserted in the insertion portion, or an outer cylinder of the insertion portion. Formed into a strip-shaped member.

(8) In (7) above, the tip of the conduit is closed. (9) In (7) above, the tip of the conduit is closer to the hand than the curved portion. (10) In (1) above, the proximal side of the rigid member is inside the universal cord. (11) In the above item (10), the proximal side of the rigid member is in the conduit provided in the universal cord. (12) In (11) above, the rear end of the conduit is closed. (13) In the above (1), the means for moving is an electric drive mechanism and a switch for controlling the electric drive mechanism. (14) In the above (13), the electric drive mechanism is in the operation section.

(15) In (13), the electric drive mechanism is in the connector. (16) In the above (1), the means for moving is a manual operation knob. (17) In (1) above, the position of the rigid member is made visible. (18) In the item (17), the visual recognition is based on a transparent window provided on the operation unit and a display provided on the stylet. (19) In (1) above, the hard member is housed in the outer wall of the hard part. (20) In the above (19), the hard member is provided in the pipe line housed in the outer wall of the soft part.

(21) In (1) above, the amount of force for moving the rigid member is set to a predetermined amount or less. (22) In the above item (21), the predetermined force amount is a frictional resistance force that the rigid member receives when the insertion member is formed into a predetermined loop shape and moves. (23) In (21) above, the predetermined force amount is a force amount that destroys other members when the hard member moves to the frontmost or the rearmost. (24) In (21) above, the setting is based on the fact that the driving force for electrically driving the rigid member is determined.

(25) In (21) above, the setting is
This is because the frictional force between the contact portion that feeds the rigid member and the rigid member is determined. (26) In (1) above, the hard member is made of a superelastic alloy. (27) In (1) above, when the rigid member is located at the rearmost position, the distal end of the rigid member is closer to the hand side than 70 cm from the distal end of the endoscope. (28) In (1) above, when the rigid member is at the most front, the rear end of the rigid member is closer to the hand side than 80 cm from the tip of the endoscope.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the insertability of the endoscope by changing the flexibility of the insertion portion without sacrificing the suction function, the handling is simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the use of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit of the endoscope according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a connector portion of the endoscope according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit of the endoscope according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a flexible part of the endoscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Tip part 6 ... Bending part 7 ... Flexible part 8 ... 1st guide tube 8a ... Pipe line 9 ... 2nd guide tube 9a ... Pipe Road 12 ... Space 13 ... Stylet 14 ... Transfer roller 15 ... Motor 16 ... Electric wire 17 ... Control device 18 ... Switch 41 ... Operation knob 47 ... Cap 52 ... Cap 55 ... Cylindrical body 58 ... Groove 59 ... Lumen

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having an insertion section provided with a flexible section and an operating section, wherein an elongated hard member is housed inside the endoscope, and the hard member is moved in the axial direction in the insertion section. An endoscope in which a means is provided in the operation unit.