Endoscopic insertion section tip and endoscope

A tip of an endoscopic insertion section includes a tip body having a forceps hole, and a cap covering the distal face of the tip body and having an opening corresponding to the forceps hole. Protrusions are provided between the distal face of the tip body and the opposite face of the cap that is opposite to the distal face, so that a specified space is formed between the distal face and the opposite face with the protrusions. In the space, at least a region around the forceps hole is filled with an adhesive so as to adhere the tip body and the tip cap together with no voids in the adhesive surrounding the forceps hole and thereby prevent disadvantages due to the entrance of a body fluid or a chemical cleaning solution through such voids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tip of an endoscopic insertion section. Particularly, the present invention is drawn to an endoscopic insertion section tip, in which secure adhesion and sealing are attained between a tip body and a cap for covering the tip body, and an endoscope having such a tip.

As is well-known, an endoscope is a medical instrument inserted into the living body of a human being, for instance, for diagnosis or examination on organs.

An endoscope basically includes an insertion section to be inserted into a human body, an operating section for operating the endoscope by manipulating the insertion section, supplying air/water, and so forth, a connector (light guide (LG) connector) connected with a source of air, a suction pump, and the like, and a universal cord (LG flexible section) for connecting the connector with the operating section and the insertion section.

The insertion section has a tip, in which an imaging unit provided with a CCD sensor, an illumination lens, and the like are incorporated, an elongated flexible portion toward the proximal end of the section, and an angling portion between the tip and the flexible portion, with the angling portion being bent in accordance with an operation through the operating section of the endoscope.

In the tip of the insertion section, an imaging unit with a CCD sensor, a light guide (optical fiber) for light propagation, an illumination lens for illuminating the site to be examined with light propagated through the light guide, and the like are incorporated. In addition, such holes as a forceps hole (forceps channel) and an air supply hole (air supply channel) for air/water supply are opening into the tip.

FIG. 5schematically shows a cross section of a tip of an endoscopic insertion section. As shown inFIG. 5, a tip100of an endoscopic insertion section generally includes a tip body102having such components as an imaging unit incorporated therein and a forceps hole108and the like formed therein, and a tip cap104in a nearly cylindrical shape for covering the distal end of the tip body102. The tip body102is normally made of metal. InFIG. 5, a resin or rubber jacket for covering the whole insertion section except for the tip cap104is denoted by a reference character106.

As mentioned above, the tip body102has the forceps hole108and the like formed therein. The forceps hole108consists of a through hole formed in the tip body102and a tube108awith its distal end being inserted/fixed in the through hole. In the tip cap104, an opening110corresponding to the forceps hole108is formed.

The tip body102and the tip cap104are fixed together normally by using an adhesive to adhere the distal face of the tip body102and the inner face (hereafter referred to as “opposite face”) of the tip cap104that is opposite to the distal face of the tip body102to each other, as described in JP 2006-320543 A, for instance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104(adhesion faces of the tip body102and the tip cap104) are both flat. The parallelism between the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104thus depends largely on the density of presence of the adhesive between the faces.

On the other hand, an adhesive is manually applied to the distal face of the tip body102or the opposite face of the tip cap104because, as is well-known, a tip of an endoscopic insertion section is minute in size. After the application of an adhesive, the tip cap104is set onto the tip body102also manually.

Such manual handling may cause the adhesive between the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104to vary in density of presence and give a tilt to the faces. Moreover, the tip cap104may be adhered to the tip body102in a tilted state.

If the tip body102and the tip cap104are adhered together under such conditions that the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104are not parallel to each other, the adhesive will unevenly be present between the adhesion faces in an adhered part on the periphery of the forceps hole108(and the opening110). In other words, voids will be left in the adhesive at the adhesion faces around the forceps hole108.

The forceps hole108is provided in order to insert various procedure devices such as a forceps and a clipping device to the site to be examined and, accordingly, communicates with the outside (that is to say, is equivalent to the outside on an endoscopic basis).

It is thinkable that a body fluid of a subject enters the forceps hole108. During the cleaning of the endoscope, the forceps hole108is filled with a cleaning solution flowing through it.

Consequently, voids in the adhesive at the adhesion faces around the forceps hole108may permit bacteria into them, leading to risk of infection.

In addition, voids in the adhesive around the forceps hole108may permit a chemical solution into them during the cleaning of the endoscope, which reduces the adhesive in adhesion strength. The chemical solution having entered the voids in the adhesive may enlarge the voids. If the voids in the adhesive are enlarged, the chemical solution may further enter the light guide or the imaging unit through the voids to cause a breakdown and other troubles.

If the adhesive is deteriorated by the chemical solution to an undue extent, the tip cap104will come away from the tip body102.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems with the prior art by forming a specified space with a uniform height between the distal face of a tip body and the opposite face of a tip cap (that is to say, between the adhesion faces) to thereby allow a region required to be sealed, such as the periphery of a forceps hole, to be filled with an adhesive at a reliable and uniform density of presence, so as to provide an endoscopic insertion section tip whose tip body and tip cap are able to be appropriately adhered to each other, with the sealing of the periphery of a forceps hole communicating with the outside, for instance, being secured with no voids in the adhesive around the hole, and an endoscope including an insertion section having such a tip.

In order to achieve the object as above, the present invention provides a tip of an endoscopic insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity, comprising: a tip body having a forceps hole; a cap for covering a distal face of the tip body, the cap having an opening corresponding to the forceps hole; protrusions provided between the distal face of the tip body and a face of the cap that is opposite to the distal face; and an adhesive with which a gap formed by the protrusions between the tip body and the cap is filled such that the adhesive at least surrounds a perimeter of the forceps hole of the tip body.

In the tip of an endoscopic insertion section according to the present invention, it is preferable that the protrusions are three in total number.

Further, it is preferable that the tip comprises one linear protrusion and another protrusion, with the protrusions being uniform in height of their tops.

Further, it is preferable that the distal face of the tip body and the face of the cap that is opposite to the distal face are kept parallel to each other by the protrusions.

Further, it is preferable that the forceps hole has an extension throughout its perimeter that projects from the distal face of the tip body to such an extent that the extension is smaller in height than the protrusions.

Further, it is preferable that the forceps hole includes a tubular member forming the forceps hole, and a distal end portion of the tubular member constitutes the extension.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the gap formed by the protrusions between the tip body and the cap is filled with the adhesive in its entirety.

The present invention also provides an endoscope including an insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity, which is adapted to inspect a site to be inspected by inserting the insertion section into the body cavity, wherein: a tip of the insertion section comprises a tip body having a forceps hole; a cap for covering a distal face of the tip body, the cap having an opening corresponding to the forceps hole; protrusions provided between the distal face of the tip body and a face of the cap that is opposite to the distal face; and an adhesive with which a gap formed by the protrusions between the tip body and the cap is filled such that the adhesive at least surrounds a perimeter of the forceps hole of the tip body.

In the endoscope according to the present invention, it is preferable that the protrusions of the tip are three in total number.

Further, it is preferable that the tip of the insertion section comprises one linear protrusion and another protrusion, with the protrusions being uniform in height of their tops.

Further, it is preferable that the distal face of the tip body and the face of the cap that is opposite to the distal face are kept parallel to each other by the protrusions of the tip of the insertion section.

Further, it is preferable that the forceps hole of the tip body has an extension throughout its perimeter that projects from the distal face of the tip body to such an extent that the extension is smaller in height than the protrusions.

Further, it is preferable that the forceps hole of the tip body includes a tubular member forming the forceps hole, and a distal end portion of the tubular member constitutes the extension.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the gap formed by the protrusions of the tip of the insertion section between the tip body and the cap is filled with the adhesive in its entirety.

According to the present invention with the configuration as above, in a tip of an endoscopic insertion section, the distal face of a tip body and the opposite face (face opposite to the distal face of the tip body) of a tip cap are kept parallel to each other by protrusions provided between the distal face and the opposite face (three protrusions formed on the distal face of the tip body, for instance).

In other words, in the endoscopic insertion section tip according to the present invention, a specified space with a uniform height is formed between the adhesion faces of the tip body and the tip cap by protrusions provided between the distal face of the tip body and the opposite face of the tip cap, and the tip body and the tip cap are adhered together by filling the space with an adhesive.

According to the present invention as above, the space between the distal face of the tip body and the opposite face of the tip cap (that is to say, between the adhesion faces) can be filled with an adhesive at a uniform density so as to adhere the tip body and the tip cap together, by applying the adhesive to the distal face of the tip body at a thickness exceeding the height of the protrusions, for instance.

Thus in the endoscopic insertion section tip of the invention, the tip body and the tip cap are adhered together with a secured sealing, with no voids being left in the adhesive around the forceps hole and the like, so that body fluids and chemical solutions are prevented from entering voids in the adhesive. As a result, risk of infection caused by voids in the adhesive around the forceps hole and the like, and faults due to the deterioration of the adhesive, such as the breakdown of the imaging unit and the coming away of the tip cap, are prevented with advantage.

Since the applied adhesive can have a larger thickness than usual owing to the protrusions, the deterioration of the adhesive by a chemical solution is further retarded.

In addition, the protrusions allow an adhesive to have a higher fluidity during the adhesion of the tip body and the tip cap to each other. In consequence, a wider region between the distal face of the tip body and the opposite face of the tip cap (or, between the adhesion faces) can be filled with the adhesive, which further improves the adhesion between the tip body and the tip cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following, the endoscopic insertion section tip and the endoscope, both according to the present invention, are detailed in reference to the preferred embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1schematically shows an example of the endoscope of the present invention using the endoscopic insertion section tip of the present invention.

An endoscope10shown inFIG. 1is adapted to be inserted into the area where treatment or examination is to be conducted, such as a body cavity (e.g., alimentary canal, ear, nose, throat), so as to make an inspection, take a still image or a moving image, collect biological tissue, or perform other procedures in the living body.

The endoscope10is an endoscope of a so-called electronic type using a CCD sensor to image (or, take an image of) the site to be examined, so as to inspect the site or obtain a moving image or a still image of the site. Similar to the conventional endoscope, the endoscope10includes an insertion section12, an operating section14, a universal cord16, a light guide (LG) connector18, and a video connector20.

The insertion section12, as being an elongated section inserted to the site to be examined in a body cavity or the like, has a tip24at its distal end (insertion end, namely, end opposite to the end at which the operating section14is located), an angling portion26, and a flexible portion28, as is the case with a known endoscope.

The tip24is the endoscopic insertion section tip according to the present invention. The endoscope10is basically identical to a known endoscope except that the present invention is applied to the tip24of the insertion section12.

The operating section14is a section for operating the endoscope10.

Similar to the conventional endoscope, a forceps port32for inserting such a procedure device as a forceps that communicates with a forceps hole (forceps channel)72, a suction button34for performing suction from the tip24using the forceps hole72, an air/water supply button36for supplying air or water from the tip24to the site to be examined or the like using an air/water supply hole (air/water supply channel)74, and the like are arranged in the operating section14. Apart from the above, the endoscope10, as being of an electronic type, is provided with various switches for inspecting/imaging the site to be examined with an imaging unit (CCD sensor), such as a zoom switch, a still image taking switch, a moving image taking switch, and a freeze switch.

In the operating section14, an LR knob38for bending the angling portion26rightward/leftward, a UD knob40for bending the angling portion26upward/downward, as well as an LR brake42and a UD brake46for keeping the angling portion26in a bent state are also arranged.

The LG connector18is a component for connecting the endoscope10with a water supply means, an air supply means, a suction means, and the like in the facilities where the endoscope10is to be employed. The LG connector18has a water supply connector50for connecting the endoscope10with the water supply (water feeding) means in the facilities, a ventilation connector52for the connection with the air supply means, a suction connector for the connection with the suction means, a crimped terminal connected with an air feeding means, and the like arranged thereon.

The LG connector18also has an LG rod54for the connection with an illumination light source, and an S terminal used for connecting an S cord upon use of an electronic knife.

Since the endoscope10is an electronic endoscope, the LG connector18is connected with the video connector20for connecting the endoscope10with a processing unit. The image (image data) as obtained by the CCD sensor of the tip24, and various instructions given through the operating section14are transmitted by a signal line via the LG connector18and outputted from the video connector20to the processing unit.

The universal cord (LG flexible section)16is a section connecting between the LG connector18and the operating section14.

In the universal cord16, a water supply channel connected with the water supply connector50, an air supply channel connected with the ventilation connector52, a suction channel connected with the suction connector, a light guide, a signal line, and the like are contained/inserted.

As mentioned before, the insertion section12of the endoscope10has the tip24, the angling portion26, and the flexible portion28.

The angling portion (bending portion)26is a portion bendable upward/downward and rightward/leftward (that is to say, in four directions orthogonal to one another) in order to insert the tip24to a target location or position it at the target location. The angling portion26is bent by actuating the LR knob38and the like of the operating section14.

The flexible portion28is an elongated portion linking the tip24and the angling portion26with the operating section14. The flexible portion28has a length and flexibility adequate to the insertion to the site to be examined.

In the flexible portion28and the angling portion26, the forceps hole72(a tube72adescribed later), the air/water supply hole74, the signal line which transmits an output signal from an imaging unit68of the tip24, the light guide through which light is propagated to an illumination lens70of the tip24, a wire for bending the angling portion26, and the like are inserted.

InFIG. 2A, the front face of the tip24(the distal face of the insertion section12) is schematically shown.FIG. 2Bis a schematic diagram showing the cross section along line b-b inFIG. 2A.

The tip24is comprised of a tip body60, and a tip cap62in a nearly cylindrical shape for covering the distal end of the tip body60. As an example, the tip body60is made of metal and the tip cap62is made of such a resin as polysulfone.

InFIG. 2B, a resin or rubber jacket for covering the whole insertion section12except for the tip cap62is denoted by a reference character64.

In the endoscope10as shown, the imaging unit68and the illumination lens70(as well as a light guide) are incorporated in the tip body60. In addition, the forceps hole72communicating with the forceps port32, the air/water supply hole74for supplying air and water, and the like are formed in the tip body60.

The imaging unit68has elements and optical components necessary for imaging, such as a CCD sensor and an imaging lens, integrated with one another into a unit. A signal line for transmitting the images as taken with the imaging unit68is inserted in the insertion section12(the angling portion26and the flexible portion28), the operating section14, the universal cord16and the LG connector18, thus extending to the video connector20.

The illumination lens70is a lens for illuminating the site to be examined with the light as propagated through a light guide (bundle of thin optical fibers, for instance). The tip body60is provided with a through hole for receiving the light guide, and the illumination lens70is positioned at the distal end of the through hole. The light guide is inserted in the insertion section12, the operating section14and the universal cord16, thus extending to the LG rod54of the LG connector18.

The forceps hole72for inserting such a procedure device as a forceps to the site to be examined consists of a through hole formed in the tip body60and the tube72awith its distal end being inserted/fixed in the through hole. The tube72a, as extending through the insertion section12, communicates with the forceps port32as mentioned above.

The air/water supply hole74also consists of a through hole formed in the tip body60and a tube (not shown) connected to the tip body60. The tube constituting the air/water supply hole74is inserted in the insertion section12, the operating section14and the universal cord16, thus extending to the LG connector18.

In the tip24of the endoscope10, the tip cap62is so fixed to the tip body60as to cover a distal face60aof the tip body60.

The tip cap62has a nearly cylindrical shape, with its one end being opened, and is as such put over the distal end of the tip body60. In the part of the tip cap62that faces the distal face60a(so to speak, the ceiling of a cylinder), not only an opening78corresponding to the forceps hole72but openings corresponding to the imaging unit68and the illumination lens70provided on the tip body60and an opening corresponding to the air/water supply hole74are formed.

In the tip24, the tip cap62is fixed to the tip body60by adhering the distal face60aof the tip body60and the face (ceiling face) of the tip cap62which is opposite to the distal face60a, namely an opposite face62ato each other with an adhesive80.

If necessary, the lateral face of the tip body60and the inner peripheral face of the tip cap62may be adhered together with an adhesive.

On the distal face60aof the tip body60, three protrusions82are formed.

In the tip24as shown, the part of the distal face60aof the tip body60where neither a component is provided nor a hole, such as the forceps hole72, is formed is flat. The part of the opposite face62aof the tip cap62where an opening, such as the opening78, is not formed is also flat. The flat parts serve as adhesion faces of the tip body60and the tip cap62.

The protrusions82are equal in height. Consequently, the distal face60aand the opposite face62aas adhesion faces are kept parallel to each other by the protrusions82.

In the endoscopic insertion section tip24of the present invention, the protrusions82which define a plane are provided between the distal face60aof the tip body60and the opposite face62aof the tip cap62so as to keep the distal face60aand the opposite face62a(adhesion faces of the tip body60and the tip cap62) parallel to each other with the protrusions82and thus form a specified space with a uniform height between the two faces (adhesion faces).

The space as such is filled with an adhesive at a reliable and uniform density of presence, so that it is favorably possible to prevent voids in the adhesive from occurring in a region required to be sealed at the adhesion faces of the tip body60and the tip cap62, such as the periphery of the forceps hole72.

As described before, in such a conventional tip of an endoscopic insertion section as shown inFIG. 5, the parallelism between the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104depends largely on the density of presence of an adhesive between the faces that may vary with location. Moreover, very delicate works, such as application of an adhesive onto the distal face of the tip body102or the opposite face of the tip cap104and setting of the tip cap104onto the tip body102, are done by hand.

Consequently, it is often in a conventional tip of an endoscopic insertion section that the tip cap104is set onto the tip body102and adhered to it under such conditions that the distal face of the tip body102and the opposite face of the tip cap104are not parallel to each other. In that case, on the periphery of the forceps hole108and the like, the adhesive will unevenly be present between the distal face and the opposite face as adhesion faces, that is to say, voids will be left in the adhesive at the adhesion faces. Voids in the adhesive may permit a body fluid into them, leading to risk of infection. A chemical solution for endoscope cleaning having further entered through the voids in the adhesive may cause such troubles as the breakdown of an imaging unit, or the coming away of the tip cap.

In contrast, in the endoscopic insertion section tip of the present invention, the tip body60and the tip cap62are adhered together under such conditions that the distal face60aand the opposite face62aas adhesion faces are kept parallel to each other by providing three protrusions82between the distal face60aand the opposite face62a, as in the shown embodiment for instance.

In other words, according to the present invention, the distal face60aand the opposite face62aare kept parallel to each other and a specified space with a uniform height is formed between the faces60aand62aby providing the protrusions82, which makes it possible to reliably fill the region between the adhesion faces that is required to be sealed, such as the periphery of the forceps hole72, with an adhesive at an even and uniform density of presence (filling density) so as to carry out the adhesion of the tip body60and the tip cap62to each other.

Thus according to the present invention, the tip body60and the tip cap62can be adhered together with a secured sealing, with no voids being left in the adhesive at the adhesion faces around the forceps hole72and the like, so that body fluids and chemical solutions are prevented from entering voids in the adhesive. As a result, risk of infection caused by such voids as above, deterioration of the adhesive by a chemical solution having entered the voids, the entrance of a chemical solution into the imaging unit and so forth and the occurrence of troubles that are induced by a spread deterioration of the adhesive, coming away of the tip cap, and other problems are prevented with advantage.

In the conventional structure, a tip body and a tip cap (the distal face of the tip body and the opposite face of the tip cap) are adhered together by pressing them against each other, so that the thickness of the adhesive is not more than 30 μm. In the present invention, the adhesive80(in layer form) is allowed to have a larger thickness than usual by providing the protrusions82, and the deterioration of the adhesive by a chemical solution, for instance, is retarded accordingly.

In addition, the protrusions82allow the adhesive80to have a higher fluidity between the distal face60aand the opposite face62aduring the adhesion of the tip body60and the tip cap62to each other. In consequence, a wider region between the distal face60aand the opposite face62acan be filled with the adhesive, which further improves the adhesion between the tip body60and the tip cap62.

In the endoscopic insertion section tip24of the present invention, it is basically acceptable that a gap formed by the protrusions82between the distal face60aof the tip body60and the opposite face62aof the tip cap62is filled with the adhesive80such that the adhesive80surrounds the perimeters of holes (openings) equivalent to the outside of the insertion section12, such as the forceps hole72, as long as an adequate adhesion is secured between the tip body60and the tip cap62.

In other words, the tip body60and the tip cap62may be adhered together by applying the adhesive only to a region surrounding the perimeter of a hole or opening as a possible inlet for a chemical solution and so forth, such as the periphery of the opening78in the opposite face62aof the tip cap62(and/or the periphery of the forceps hole72in the distal face60aof the tip body60), at a thickness exceeding the height of the protrusions82.

It, however, is preferable that the entire region between the flat parts of the distal face60aand the opposite face62ais filled with the adhesive80. Such a configuration allows a reliable adhesion of the tip body60and the tip cap62to each other, and a longer-term prevention of disadvantages due to the entrance of a chemical solution through voids in the adhesive80.

For instance, it is preferable that the adhesive is applied to the whole of the opposite face62aof the tip cap62(and/or the entire part to be adhered of the distal face60a) at a thickness exceeding the height of the protrusions82, and the tip body60and the tip cap62are adhered to each other such that the adhesive overflows into the forceps hole72. The adhesive having overflowed into the forceps hole72and the like may be removed by a known method suitable for the adhesive in question, and so forth.

It is desirable in any case that the adhesive80is applied between the distal face60aof the tip body60and the opposite face62aof the tip cap62in a uniformly flat manner with no height variations with respect to the forceps hole72, the opening78, and the like equivalent to the outside of the endoscope10.

In the present invention, no limitation is imposed on the adhesive80used to adhere the tip body60and the tip cap62together. Any known adhesive used in an endoscope to adhere a tip body and a tip cap together, such as an epoxy adhesive, is available.

The protrusions82are not limited in height but may have a height specified appropriately to the type of the endoscope10, the size of the tip24, and so forth.

According to studies by the present inventor, a preferred height of the protrusions82is 30 to 100 μm. A height of the protrusions82falling within such range yields favorable results in terms of the parallelism between the distal face60aand the opposite face62a, the fluidity (availability for filling) of the adhesive80, the adhesion strength, and so forth.

The protrusions82are not limited in number to three (three point) as in the shown embodiment, either. Various structures are available to the present invention as long as the distal face60aand the opposite face62aare kept parallel to each other by a plurality of protrusions defining a plane.

For instance, a combination of one linear (longitudinal) protrusion82L and one punctiform protrusion82schematically shown inFIG. 3, with their top faces being uniform in height, may define a plane and keep the distal face60aand the opposite face62aparallel to each other.

The protrusions82(82L) are not limitedly formed on the distal face60aof the tip body60.

The protrusions82may be formed on the opposite face62aof the tip cap62or, alternatively, on both the distal face60aof the tip body60and the opposite face62aof the tip cap62. If the three protrusions82as shown inFIG. 2are to be used, for instance, it is also possible to form two protrusions on the distal face60aand one on the opposite face62a.

In each of the endoscopic insertion section tips as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the tube72aforming the forceps hole72does not reach the distal end of the tip body60, to which the present invention is not limited.

In a preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 4, a tube72bforming a forceps hole72projects from a distal face60aof a tip body60to such an extent that its projecting end portion is smaller in height than protrusions82(that is to say, a clearance is left between an opposite face62aof a tip cap62and the distal end of the tube72b).

In the case of an endoscopic insertion section tip with the configuration as shown inFIG. 4, an adhesive is applied to, for instance, the opposite face62aof the tip cap62at a thickness exceeding the height of the protrusions82, and the tip body60and the tip cap62are adhered together such that the adhesive overflows through the entire clearance between the tube72b(namely, the forceps hole72) and the opposite face62aof the tip cap62.

As is well-known, a liquid basically flows into a wider space. Consequently, the adhesive overflows through a narrow clearance between the tube72band the opposite face62aafter it runs through the region between the distal face60aand the opposite face62athat allows the adhesive to be distributed.

In other words, in the endoscopic insertion section tip of this embodiment, a region between parts of the distal face60aand the opposite face62a, which parts can be adhesion faces, is filled with the adhesive in its entirety, and the tip body60and the tip cap62are adhered together with a more reliable and higher sealing by causing the tube72bforming the forceps hole72to project from the distal face60ato such an extent that its projecting portion is smaller in height than the protrusions82and adhering the tip body60and the tip cap62to each other as described above.

No limitation is imposed on the difference in height between the projecting portion of the tube72band the protrusions82, namely, the height of the clearance between the tube72band the opposite face62aof the tip cap62. The difference in height between the projecting portion of the tube72band the protrusions82may be specified at will as long as a clearance allowing the overflow of the adhesive is secured.

While the tube72bforming the forceps hole72as shown inFIG. 4projects from the distal face60a, other configurations are also possible. In an exemplary configuration, a tube forming the forceps hole72may be similar to the tube72aofFIG. 2, and the bumps which are smaller in height than the protrusions82and surround the forceps hole72in the same plane may be formed on the distal face60a.

The endoscopic insertion section tip and the endoscope according to the present invention are as detailed above, although the present invention is in no way limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications and improvements may be made within the gist of the present invention.