Patent ID: 9192283
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61B,F16L,G02B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising: an insertion unit configured to be inserted into a body cavity; an operation unit that operates the insertion unit and comprises a distal end part connected to a proximal end part of the insertion unit, the insertion unit being configured to rotate about an axis defined by a lengthwise direction of the insertion unit; an operation-unit mouthpiece part directly engaged in the distal end part of the operation unit, the operation-unit mouthpiece part being a one-piece member; an insertion-unit mouthpiece part directly engaged in the proximal end part of the insertion unit, the insertion-unit mouthpiece part being connected to and directly inserted into the operation-unit mouthpiece part and being rotatable about the axis in a manner that the insertion unit is axially rotatable about the axis connected to the operation unit, the insertion-unit mouthpiece part being a one-piece member; a rotary operation unit connected to the insertion-unit mouthpiece part, the rotary operation unit being axially rotatable along with the insertion-unit mouthpiece part and being operated to allow the insertion unit to be axially rotatable about the operation unit via the insertion-unit mouthpiece part; a water-tight sealing member that ensures water-tightness between the insertion unit and the operation unit; and a torque control member that is provided at a different position from the water-tight sealing member, the torque control member being disposed between the operation-unit mouthpiece part and the insertion-unit mouthpiece part in a radial direction of the insertion unit, the torque control member being incapable of releasing tight contact with the operation-unit mouthpiece part and the insertion-unit mouthpiece part during normal operation, and the torque control member applying resistive torque to the insertion unit during rotation of the insertion unit by applying frictional resistance in directions about the axis to the insertion unit when the insertion unit rotates in relation to the operation unit by the rotary operation unit axially rotating about the axis along with the insertion-unit mouthpiece part, the torque control member being a one-piece member, wherein the water tight sealing member is provided between the proximal end part side of the insertion unit and the distal end part side of the operation unit which are connected to each other in the radial direction of the insertion unit, so as to make tight contact with the proximal end part side of the insertion unit and the distal end part side of the operation unit which are connected to each other, the torque control member is provided at a part where water-tightness is ensured by the water-tight sealing member, and in the water-tight sealing member that tightens the proximal end part side of the insertion unit, and in the torque control member that tightens the proximal end part side of the insertion unit, frictional force of the torque control member is greater than frictional force of the water-tight sealing member.