Patent ID: 6471641
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A joint construction for joining an angle section to an elongated flexible body of an endoscopic insertion instrument, comprising:a connector ring provided at a proximal end of said angle section; a connector ring provided at a fore end of said flexible body and adapted to be connected with said connector ring on the side of said angle section by fitting engagement, with one connector ring on the outer side of the other connector ring; a number of radially inwardly projecting ridge portions provided at angular intervals on an inner periphery of an inner one of said connector rings; screw holes bored in said inner connector ring radially through said inwardly projecting ridge portions; perforations bored in an outer one of said connector rings in radially aligned positions with respect to said screw holes in said inner connector ring; screw members threaded into said screw holes in said inner connector ring through said perforations in said outer connector ring, each one of said screw members having a head portion of a diameter substantially same as that of said perforations; and a screw anchor ring slidably fitted on said outer connector ring for displacement between a covering position to close in at least part of said head portions of said screw members and an uncovering position to totally expose said head portions of said screw members.