Patent ID: 7914440
Filing Date: 2011-03-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising: a treatment instrument riser configured to guide a distal end of a treatment instrument projecting from a distal end opening provided in a channel for inserting the treatment instrument in an insertion portion to a desired position; a driving mechanism which is rotatably fitted onto an axis provided in an operation portion covered with an outer packaging member, and is configured to drive the treatment instrument riser; a guide-wire securing unit provided on the treatment instrument riser and configured to secure a position of a guide wire projecting from the distal end opening provided in the channel in the insertion portion; a guide-wire securing operation member connected to the driving mechanism and configured to operate the guide-wire securing unit, the guide-wire securing operation member including an operation knob configured to secure a position of the guide wire by operating the driving mechanism of the treatment instrument riser with a rotation via the driving mechanism; and a securing unit configured to secure a position of the guide-wire securing operation member in a state where the position of the guide-wire is secured, wherein the securing unit comprises a first O-ring which is positioned between the axis and the driving mechanism and fits into a first groove formed on an O-ring holding member arranged around an outer surface of the axis, and a second O-ring which is positioned between the driving mechanism and the outer packaging member and fits into a second groove formed on an outer surface of the driving mechanism, wherein the first and second O-rings are comprised of watertight members and are configured to cause the rotated position of the operation knob to be maintained when a position of the guide wire is secured by the guide-wire securing unit, wherein a wire diameter of the first O-ring and a wire diameter of the second O-ring are the same so that the rotated position of the operation knob is maintained when a position of the guide wire is secured by the guide-wire securing unit, and a fastening force applied by the second O-ring to the operation knob is larger than a fastening force applied by the first O-ring to the operation knob so that the rotated position of the operation knob is maintained when a position of the guide wire is secured by the guide-wire securing unit.