Patent ID: 8905919
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising: a distal rigid portion comprising an imaging unit configured to image an observation target; a bending portion comprising a first bending portion coupled to the distal rigid portion and a second bending portion coupled to the proximal end portion of the first bending portion; a flexible tube portion coupled to the proximal end portion of the second bending portion; an operation wire which is connected to the distal rigid portion and which is inserted through the first bending portion, the second bending portion, and the flexible tube portion; a wire guide member comprising a distal end fixed to the inside of the distal end of the second bending portion, the wire guide member being inserted through the second bending portion and the flexible tube portion the wire guide member guiding the operation wire when the operation wire is inserted through the wire guide member; a bending operation portion which is connected to the operation wire and which bends and operates the first bending portion when the bending operation portion pulls the operation wire; and a regulation wire, the regulation wire being longer than the bending portion, the regulation wire being inserted through the first bending portion and the second bending portion, the regulation wire being provided to face the operation wire in the diametrical direction of the bending portion, the regulation wire regulating the bending of the bending portion so that the second bending portion is bent in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the first bending portion and the bending portion is bent in an S-shape when the first bending portion is bent, wherein the first bending portion and the second bending portion comprise holding members which hold the regulation wire, at least one of the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the regulation wire is formed as a free end so that the regulation wire is movable along the axial direction of the regulation wire, and the free end comprises a prevention portion which contacts the holding member, and thereby regulates the bending of the bending portion and prevents the regulation wire from coming off the bending portion.