Abstract:
In an endoscopic insertion instrument having a rigid tip end section, an elongated flexible body, and an angle section connected between the rigid tip end section and the flexible body, a joint construction connects an angle section to the fore end of the flexible body. A couple of connecting rings are provided opposingly at joining ends of the angle section and the flexible body. At least one aperture is provided in an outer one of the connecting rings to feed a flux. At least one angle section operating is passed through the connecting ring. The operating wire is encased in a sheathing coil, the fore end of which is fixed to the inner one connecting rings. To prevent flux from getting into the closed sheathing coil, a shield portion is formed around an outer periphery of the sheating coil over a predetremined range in axial length.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Art 
     This invention relates to an endoscopic insertion instrument which is suitable for use in medical examinations, and more particularly to an endoscopic insertion instrument having a wire guide mechanism incorporated into a flexible body portion of the insertion instrument for guiding operating wires which are pulled back and forth at the time of flexibly bending an angle section of the instrument. 
     2. Prior Art 
     As for endoscopes of medical use, for example, it has been known to employ an insertion instrument of the construction as shown in FIG.  5 . In that figure, indicated at  1  is a manipulating head, at  2  an elongated insertion instrument and at  3  a universal cable. A major part of the elongated insertion instrument  2  is constituted by a flexible body section  2   a  which is connected to the manipulating head  1  at its proximal end. An angle section  2   b  is connected to the fore end of the flexible body section  2   a , and further a rigid tip end section  2   c  is connected to the fore end of the angle section  2   b . Illumination means as well as image pickup means are mounted on or in the rigid tip end section  2   c . The angle section  2   b  is flexibly bendable to turn the rigid tip end section  2   c  into desired directions. The flexible body section  2   a  is also arranged to be arbitrarily bendable along a path of insertion at the time of introduction into a body cavity. 
     Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a joint portion which connects the angle section  2   b  with the flexible body section  2   a  of the insertion instrument. Incorporated into the flexible body  2   a , which is required to be bendable in arbitrary directions, is a flexible coil shaft  10  which is formed by helically winding narrow metal strips. Generally, the coil shaft  10  is of a double-coil tube construction consisting of two coil windings of opposite directions. The coil tube  10  is enshrouded in a mesh layer  11  which is in turn enshrouded in a flexible outer skin layer  12 . 
     On the other hand, the angle section  2   b  is flexibly bent into an angular form by remote control from an angle knob  4  which is provided on the manipulating head  1  of the endoscopic insertion instrument. In construction, the angle section  2   b  is constituted by a series of angle rings  13  which are pivotally connected one after another by means of vertically and transversely aligned pivoting pins  14 . Namely, preceding and succeeding angle rings  13  which are pivotally connected with each other by means of a pair of pivoting pins  14  are pivotally flexible relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the paired pivoting pins  14 . Further, the angle rings  13  are connected successively and alternately by vertically aligned pivoting pins and transversely aligned pivoting pins, so that the angle section  2   b  can be turned arbitrarily in upward and downward directions as well as rightward and leftward directions. Similarly to the elongated flexible body  2   a , the angle rings  13  of the angle section  2   b  are wrapped in successively by a mesh layer  15  and a flexible outer skin layer  16 . 
     As described above, the flexible body  2   a  and angle section  26  of the endoscopic insertion instrument distinctively differ from each other in construction. Therefore, it is after the flexible body  2   a  and the angle section  2   b  are assembled separately that a proximal end portion of the angle section  2   b  is connected to a fore end portion of the flexible body  2   a  of the insertion instrument. For the purpose of connecting the flexible body  2   a  and the angle section  2   b  with each other, connecting rings  17  and  18  are provided on the flexible body  2   a  and the angle section  2   b , respectively. Namely, a connecting ring  17  is securely fixed, for example, by welding to the fore end of the coil tube  10  of the flexible body  2   a . On the other hand or on the side of the angle section  2   b , a connecting ring  18  which constitutes a rearmost angle ring of the angle section  2   b  is pivotally connected to an adjacent angle ring  13  by pivoting pins  14 . Alternatively, the connecting ring  18  can be securely fixed to a rearmost angle ring by welding if desired. 
     The angle section  2   b  is connected to the flexible body  2   a  of the insertion instrument by partly fitting the connecting ring  18  into the connecting ring  17  on the side of the flexible body  2   a . The connecting ring  17  on the side of the flexible body  2   a , which is located on the outer side of the connecting ring  18 , is provided with an aperture or apertures  19 . Solder  20  is filled into the apertures  19  to fix the two connecting rings  17  and  18  to each other in a securely connected state. The outer skin layer  12  of the flexible body  2   a  is butted against the outer skin layer  16  of the angle section  2   b . A line wrapping is formed across the butted ends of the outer skin layers  12  and  16 , and an adhesive is applied on the line wrapping. Thus, the angle section  2   b  is connected to the flexible body  2   a  almost seamlessly. 
     In this instance, fitted in the insertion instrument  2  are various component parts, including a light guide consisting of a bundle of fiber optics for transmission of illumination light, a signal cable in the case of an electronic endoscope (an image guide consisting of a bundle of fiber optics in the case of an optical endoscope), a biopsy channel, an air/water feed channel etc. Operating wires are  21  also fitted in the insertion instrument  2  in order to flexibly bend the angle section  2   b  by remote control. A couple of operating wires are threaded in upper and lower positions in the insertion instrument  2  in case the angle section  2   a  is to be angularly bent in upward and downward directions, and four operating wires are threaded in upper, lower, right and left positions in the angle section  2   b  is to be bent in rightward and leftward directions as well as upward and downward directions. Fore ends of the operating wires  14  are fixedly anchored on a foremost angle ring of the angle section  2   b  or on the rigid tip end section  2   c . Further, within the angle section  2   b , the operating wires  21  are successively passed or threaded through the pivoting pins  14  or lancing arches which are formed in the angle rings  13 . On the other hand, within the flexible body  2   a , the operating wires  21  are passed through sheathing guide coils  22 , which are each in the form of a tightly wound coil of a metallic wire with adjacent helices tightly closed to each other. The fore end of each closed sheathing coil  22  is securely fixed at a joint portion of the flexible body  2   b  with the angle section  2   b , while the operating wires  21  are led out through the fixed end portion of the respective closed sheathing coils  22  and further extended forward through the angle section  2   b.    
     Illustrated in FIG. 7 is the construction at and around the fixed fore ends of the closed sheathing coil  22  which serve as guide means for the operating wires  21 . Anchor pins  23  are fixedly planted by caulking, for example, on the inner one of the two connecting rings  17  and  18 , that is, on the connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b . Head portions  23   a  of the anchor pins  23  are located on the inner side of the connecting ring  18  and are each provided with a wire guide hole  24 , in which an anchor pipe  25  is fixedly fitted by brazing or by other suitable means for fixing a fore end portion of a closed sheathing coil  22 . The anchor pipe  25  is in the form of a stepped pipe having a large diameter portion  25   a  and a small diameter portion  25   b . A fore end portion of each closed sheathing coil  22  is fixedly anchored in the large diameter portion  25   a , for example, by brazing. An operating wire  21  alone is threaded through the smaller diameter portion  25   b  which is fitted in the guide hole  24  of the anchor pin  23 , while the large diameter portion  25   a  is extended toward the flexible body  2   a.    
     In assembling the insertion instrument  2 , it is necessary to fix the two connecting rings  17  and  18  between the flexible body  2   a  and the angle section  2   b  firmly to each other. For this purpose, a flux is filled in the apertures  19  in the connecting ring  17  on the side of the flexible body  2   a  before applying solder to the apertures  19 , thereby to distribute the solder all over the joining surfaces of the two connecting rings  17  and  18 . By so doing, the connecting rings  17  and  18  can be fixed to each other securely over broader surface areas. Use of a large amount of flux may result in exudation of extra flux through gaps between the two connecting rings  17  and  18 . Exudation of flux from end portions of the outer connecting ring  17  on the side of the flexible body  2   a  would not give rise to any serious problem in particular as long as it is relatively small in amount. However, flux which exudes from end portions of the inner connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b , if any, will get into internal portions of the insertion instrument  2 , particularly into internal portions of the flexible body. 
     The operating wires  21  are passed internally of the end position of the connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b , along with the closed sheathing coils  22  in which the operating wires  21  are threaded. Each operating wire  21  is constituted by a large number of stranded fine metal filaments, and slid within the closed sheathing coil  22  at the time of flexibly bending the angle section  2   b . The above-mentioned flux, which has migrated into internal portions of the insertion instrument  2  from end portions of the connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b , can get into the closed sheathing coils  22  and stick on the surface of the operating wires  21  to cause oxidation of the constituent fine metal wires of the operating wires  21 . Under such circumstances, due to corrosive deteriorations, the operating wires  21  are subjected to abrasive wear in a conspicuously increased degree while in sliding contact with the closed sheathing coils  22  and are caused to break in a worst case. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the foregoing situations in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a joint construction for connecting an angle section to an elongated flexible body of an endoscopic insertion instrument, which permits to solder the angle section and the flexible body firmly and securely together by the use of a flux in such a way as to preclude possibilities of flux deposition on operating wires of the angle section. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a joint construction for connecting an angle section to an elongated flexible body of an endoscopic insertion instrument, which can ensure smooth movements of angle section operating wires within closed sheathing coils even if a relatively large amount of flux is applied to increase soldering surface areas of connecting rings. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a joint construction for connecting an angle section to an elongated flexible body of an endoscopic insertion instrument, which can improve durability of angle section operating wires. 
     In order to achieve the above-stated objectives, according to the present invention, there is provided a joint construction for an endoscopic insertion instrument which is basically composed of a rigid tip end section with an observation window and an illumination window, an elongated flexible body, and an angle section connected between said rigid tip end section and said flexible body. More particularly, according to the present invention, there is provided a joint construction for connecting an angle section to a fore end of a flexible body of an endoscopic insertion instrument, which comprises: a couple of connecting rings opposingly provided at joining ends of the angle section and the flexible body for fitting engagement with each other, one on the outer side of the other one; an aperture or a plural number of apertures provided in an outer one of the connecting rings to supply solder to overlapped joining surfaces of the connecting rings at the time of fixedly soldering the connecting rings to each other; at least one operating wire threaded and extended through the angle section and the elongated flexible body of the insertion instrument via the connecting rings for flexibly bending the angle section; a closed sheathing coil coextensively provided in the flexible body for encasing the operating wire and having a fore end portion thereof securely fixed to an inner one of the connecting rings; and a fluid-tight shield portion formed on and around outer periphery of the closed sheathing coil over a predetermined range in axial length, including at least proximal end portions of the inner connecting ring, to prevent a flux from intruding into the closed sheathing coil at the time of soldering the connecting rings together. 
     In this instance, the closed sheathing coil can be fixed to one of the connecting rings either directly or through an anchor pipe. For example, the anchor pipe can be constituted by a large diameter portion which is to receive a fore end portion of the closed sheathing coil, and a small diameter portion which is fixedly stopped in an inner one of the connecting rings by an anchor pin and internally provided with an axial wire passage for threading therethrough an operating wire coming out of the closed sheathing coil. In a case where the anchor pipe is arranged in the way just described, the shield portion is formed to cover the outer periphery of the closed sheathing coil over a predetermined range in axial length from the large diameter portion of the anchor pipe. In this case, it is the connecting ring on the side of the angle section to which the closed sheathing coil is connected either directly or through an anchor pipe. 
     In a case where the closed sheathing coil is fixed by the use of an anchor pipe, the shield portion is formed on and around the closed sheathing coil in such a way that it is connected to the anchor pipe at one end and extended into the flexible body of the insertion instrument at the other end thereof. Preferably, the other end of the shield portion is axially extended beyond the connecting ring on the side of the flexible body and into a helical coil structure which forms a bone structure of the flexible body. Further, preferably the shield portion is constituted by a soft and resilient structure although this is not a mandatory requisite. In one preferred form of the invention, the shield portion is formed by applying a soft and resilient seal material on and around the outer periphery of a closed sheathing coil portion on the proximal side of the anchor pipe. Alternatively, the shield portion can be formed by fitting a flexible tube on the outer periphery of the closed sheathing tube. 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following particular description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which show by way of example some preferred embodiments of the invention. Needless to say, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to particular exemplary forms shown. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the accompanying drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an operating wire guide which is adopted in a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an outer view of an operating wire which is threaded in an anchor pipe; 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of an operating wire guide which is adopted in a second embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of an operating wire guide which is adopted in a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is an outer view of an endoscope having an insertion instrument which is generally known in basic construction; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view taken through a joint portion of an angle section and an elongated flexible body of the known endoscopic insertion instrument; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the joint portion shown in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereafter, the present invention is described more particularly by way of its preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of preferred embodiments, those component parts which are equivalent or identical with the counterparts in the above-discussed prior art are designated by similar reference numerals or characters to avoid repetitions of same explanations. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a first embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, indicated at  25  is an anchor pipe which is fixed to a connecting ring  18  on the side of an angle section  2   a  of an endoscopic insertion instrument  2  by means of an anchor pin  23 . Similarly to the counterpart in the above-described prior art, the anchor pipe  25  is constituted by a large diameter portion  25   a  and a small diameter portion  25   b , and a fore end portion of a tightly closed sheathing coil  22  of an operating wire  21  is fixedly fitted in the large diameter portion  25   a . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the fore end of the tightly closed sheathing coil  22  which is fitted in the large diameter portion  25   a  in the shape of a circular tube is abutted against a stepped portion between the large and small diameter portions  25   a  and  25   b  and securely fixed to the anchor pipe  25  by conducting laser spot welding from the side of circumferential surface of the large diameter portion  25   a . The tightly closed sheathing coil  22  may be welded to the anchor pipe  25  only at one spot because, once assembled into an endoscopic insertion instrument, they will not be subject to large external forces. However, the number of welding spots may be increased for the purpose of stabilizing the connection of these parts. 
     A seal material  30  is applied to form a shield portion on and around the circumference of the closed sheathing guide coil  22  on the posterior side of the anchor pipe  25 , over a predetermined axial length L across a proximal end of the anchor pipe  25 . In this instance, the seal material  30  is of a soft and resilient type which can fill in and hermetically seal the gaps between the helices of the closed sheathing coil  22  which is in the range of the above-mentioned axial length L. The closed sheathing coil  22 , however, is flexible in bending directions. Namely, the closed sheathing coil  22  is formed into the shape of a tunnel which is circumferentially closed by the seal material  30  and which is extended across the proximal end of the anchor pipe  25  over the axial length L. 
     Thus, the closed sheathing guide coil  22  is partially hermetically closed by the seal material  30  as described above, for the purpose of preventing a flux from getting into the coil  22  at the time of joining and soldering the connecting rings  17  and  18  to each other. At this time, a flux is used for the purpose of letting solder sufficiently get on and spread over broad joining surface areas of the connecting rings  17  and  18  which are fitted one on the other substantially in a tightly closed state. Accordingly, the coil portion which is hermetically encased in the seal material  30  functions to block intrusion of the flux. In order to produce the flux blocking function to a sufficient degree, the seal material  30  should be applied over the axial length L which extends at least as far as a position on the proximal side of the inner connecting ring  17  on the part of the angle section  2   b , more specifically, a position inward of the coil tube  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . 
     With the arrangements just described, at the time of joining the angle section  2   b  with the flexible body  2   a  of the insertion instrument  2  by soldering, a sufficient amount of flux can be filled into the apertures  19  in the connecting ring  17  on the side of the angle section  2   b . As solder is put into the apertures  19 , the flux is pushed apart and an excess amount of flux is caused to exude from a gap space between the two connecting rings  17  and  18  in a direction radially inward of the flexible body  2   a . However, at this position, the closed sheathing coil  22  is hermetically enshrouded in the seal material  30 , so that there is no possibility of the flux depositing on the operating wire  21  which is threaded in the closed sheathing coil  22 . Accordingly, the joint construction according to the invention contributes to protect operating wire  21  against oxidative deteriorations by the flux and to prolong the service life of the operating wire  21  by suppressing the abrasive wear which results from sliding contact with the closed sheathing coil  22 . In addition, the joint construction contributes to ensure smooth sliding movements of the operating wire  21  within the closed sheathing coil  22 . Further, the use of a sufficient amount of flux in joining and fixing the flexible body portion  2   a  and angle section  2   b  with each other makes it possible to distribute solder over broad joining surface areas of the connecting rings  17  and  18  and thus to improve the strength of connection between the two connecting rings. 
     From the standpoint of preventing intrusion of a flux, it is desirable to increase as much as possible the axial length of coil portion which is circumferentially sealed with the seal material  30 . However, resistance to bending movements is increased to a certain degree in case the seal material  30  is applied in such a way to fill in interstices between individual helices of the closed sheathing coil  22  even if the seal material  30  is of a soft and resilient type. In this connection, considering that applied flux tends to exude and flow into the insertion instrument from end portions of the connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b , the range of application of the seal material  30  should be extended at least to a position further on the proximal side of the proximal end of the connecting ring  18 . 
     At the joint of the flexible body  2   a  and the angle section  2   b  of the insertion instrument, the connecting ring  18  on the side of the angle section  2   b  and the connecting  17  on the side of the flexible body  2   a  are located in an unbendable rigid portion in the path of the operating wire  21 . The fore end of the closed sheathing coil  22  is connected to the anchor pipe  25  which is located in the unbendable rigid portion. In this regard, it is important to locate the anchor pipe  25  within the range of the unbendable rigid portion. The flexible body  2   a  is less bendable in a transitional portion which extends over a certain length from the unbendable rigid portion. Accordingly, a drop in bending flexibility by application of the seal material  30  around the circumference of the closed sheathing coil  22  will not give rise to a problem in particular as long as it is located in the above-mentioned transitional portion of the flexible body  2   a . Accordingly, a shield portion which is formed on and around the closed sheathing coil  22  by application of the seal material  30  can be extended as far as the less bendable transitional portion. More specifically, the seal material  30  is applied such that the shield portion is preferably extended as far as a position slightly inward of the coil tube  10  in the flexible body  2   a . By so arranging the shield portion, it becomes possible to prevent intrusion of a flux more securely without impairing necessary bending flexibility of the closed sheathing coil  22 . 
     Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a shield is formed by fitting a flexible shield tube  40  on the circumference of the closed sheathing coil  22  instead of applying a seal material thereon. Similarly to the shield portion in the foregoing first embodiment, the flexible tube  40  has a length which extends from a position in the anchor pipe  25  to a position in the less bendable transitional portion of the flexible body  2   a . In this instance, for example, the flexible tube  40  is formed of a thermally contractible material and tightly fitted on the closed sheathing coil  22  by application of heat after it is set in position on the anchor pipe  25  and the sheathing coil  22 . Upon fitting the flexible shielding tube  40  on the closed sheathing coil  22  in this manner, the interstices between the individual helices of the coil  22  are completely closed by the tube  40  to block a flux which might otherwise intrude into the closed sheathing coil  22  and deposit on the operating wire  21  when soldering the connecting rings  17  and  18  for joining the angle section  2   b  to the flexible body  2   a  of the insertion instrument  2 . 
     In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the flexible shield tube  40  is fitted on the closed sheathing tube  22  before inserting and fixing same to the anchor pipe  25 . However, as shown in FIG. 4, a flexible shield tube  41  may be fitted on the closed sheathing coil  22  and the large diameter portion  25   a  after inserting the closed sheathing coil  22  into the anchor pipe and securely fixing these parts together by laser spot welding or by other suitable fixation means. In this case, it is important for the flexible shield tube  41 , which is fitted on the closed sheathing coil  22 , to be arranged to cover at least proximal end portions of the large diameter portion  25   a  of the anchor pipe  25 .