Patent ID: 7371211
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A branching passage assembly for an endoscope comprising: a forked branching member internally positioned in a casing of a manipulating head assembly to connect a base end of a biopsy channel running through an insertion tube of said endoscope with a biopsy channel entrance way and a suction passage, wherein said forked branching member is retained in position by threaded engagement with an inner end of a biopsy channel entrance pipe fitted in said biopsy channel entrance way, and said forked branching member is associated with restrictive members arranged to restrict movements of said branching member in all directions except a movement in a direction toward said biopsy channel entrance pipe when said branching member is pulled toward the latter for threaded engagement therewith, said casing of said manipulating head assembly is formed by joining a main cover section and a grip cover section, and arranged to support a manipulating member of an angulation control mechanism on said main cover section and to accommodate said branching member internally of said grip cover section, said branching member is located internally in passage-forming structural members including first and second tubular members provided internally in said casing of said manipulating head assembly to extend from said main cover section to said grip cover section and connected with each other through a reinforcing ring, and a notched void portion is provided in part of said first tubular member and said reinforcing ring, said second tubular member being fitted on said reinforcing ring, said forked branching member having a threaded connecting portion projected toward said biopsy channel entrance pipe through said notched void portion, said restrictive members being constituted by a pair of laterally projecting stopper blades provided on said branching member, said stopper blades being placed in said notched void portion and held in abutting engagement with vertical and horizontal surfaces at notched portions of said reinforcing ring within said second tubular member.