Patent Description:
In an endoscope, one of various treatment tools is led in from a treatment tool lead-in port provided in a hand operation section (hereinafter, referred to as "operation section"), and the treatment tool is led out from a treatment tool lead-out port opening in a distal end member of an insertion section to the outside to be used for a treatment. For example, a treatment tool, such as forceps or a contrast agent tube, is used for a duodenum endoscope, and a treatment tool, such as a puncture needle, is used for an ultrasonic endoscope. With such a treatment tool, to provide a treatment at a desirable position in a subject, a lead-out direction of the treatment tool that is led out from the treatment tool lead-out port needs to be changed. Hence, the distal end member is provided with a treatment tool erecting base (hereinafter, referred to as "erecting base"), and the endoscope is provided with a treatment tool erecting mechanism that changes the posture of the erecting base between an erecting position and a lying position.

For the treatment tool erecting mechanism, a wire pulling mechanism is known (see <CIT> (<CIT>)), in which a distal end portion of a wire (also referred to as forceps erecting wire) is directly attached to an erecting base. The mechanism couples the proximal end side of the wire to an erecting operation lever (also referred to as forceps erecting lever) included in an operation section, operates the wire to be pushed/pulled by using the erecting operation lever to rotate the erecting base around a rotation shaft, and hence changes the posture of the erecting base between an erecting position and a lying position.

More specifically, the operation section of <CIT> (<CIT>) is provided with a grip part for holding the operation section with a hand, and an angle knob. The operation section has a wire opening portion below the grip part, and a drive shaft opening portion in the grip part. The proximal end of the wire is led out from the wire opening portion. The distal end of the drive shaft that is moved by the forceps erecting lever is led out from the drive shaft opening portion. The distal end of the drive shaft and the proximal end of the wire are removably coupled to a connecting tool. A protection cover that covers the connecting tool is provided on the operation section in an attachable/detachable manner.

When an endoscope is used for one of various inspections or one of various treatments, liquid in a body cavity adheres to the distal end member of the insertion section including the erecting base and to a guide pipe through which the wire is inserted. The endoscope after use is subjected to washing and disinfection processing using a washing solution and a disinfectant. At this time, since the guide pipe has a small diameter and the wire is inserted through the inside of the guide pipe, washing is troublesome.

Owing to this, in the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>)), the cover covering the distal end member of the insertion section, the erecting base, and the wire are provided in an attachable/detachable manner; the cover, the erecting base, and the wire are removed; and the distal end member of the insertion section and the guide pipe of the wire are washed.

Moreover, <CIT> discloses an endoscope in which the proximal end of a cable cord is led out from the proximal end of a control handle, and a collet is connected to the proximal end of the cable cord. The collet is fastened to a nut and moves in the front-rear direction by an operation lever.

<CIT> discloses an endoscope sheath assembly including an integrated elevator mechanism. The elevator mechanism is configured to direct instruments passed through an endoscope sheath toward a target area. The elevator mechanism includes a sheath assembly configured to cover an endoscope, the endoscope having a longitudinal axis; an elevator mechanism including a main body for receiving an instrument, the elevator mechanism operably coupled to the sheath assembly; and at least one pull-wire operably coupled to the elevator mechanism for raising and lowering the elevator mechanism from a first position to a second position.

However, since the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>) is configured such that the connecting tool serving as the erecting operation mechanism is housed in the narrow area in the operation section, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire to/from the erecting operation mechanism is troublesome.

In addition, with the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>), the operation section increases in size by the amount that the connecting tool of the erecting operation mechanism is housed in the operation section.

With the endoscope of <CIT>, the cable cord is led out to the outside of the control handle, and the distal end of the cable cord is mounted at the collet and the nut in an attachable/detachable manner. However, the attachment/detachment operation is troublesome.

Regarding a duodenum endoscope, a treatment tool led out from the distal end of an insertion section with the direction thereof changed at an erecting base is inserted from the Vater papilla of the duodenum into the bile duct or the pancreatic duct, and a treatment is performed. A treatment tool, such as forceps or a contrast agent tube, is used. When the treatment tool is replaced, a guide wire is used and a treatment tool is inserted along the guide wire. Thus, the treatment tool can be inserted to a treatment position, and a burden on an operator during a replacement work can be reduced.

To prevent a phenomenon in which the guide wire moves during the replacement of the treatment tool and the guide wire comes out from the Vater papilla from occurring, a guide wire locking device that fixes the guide wire may be used. The guide wire locking device is used by winding a band of the guide wire locking device around an operation section of an endoscope and fixing the guide wire with a main body portion. However, when the guide wire locking device is wound around the operation section, the guide wire locking device may limit the operation of the endoscope.

The present invention is made in light of the situations, and it is an object of the invention to provide an endoscope in which, even when a guide wire locking device is mounted, an operation of a treatment tool erecting base is not limited and the treatment tool erecting base can be reliably moved.

To attain the object of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope according to claim <NUM> of the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the interference prevention section is configured of an interference prevention wall vertically extending from an outer wall surface of the operation section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the interference prevention wall is configured of an interference prevention plate formed in a ring shape around the outer wall surface of the operation section.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the interference prevention wall is configured of a plurality of interference prevention bodies that are arranged around the outer wall surface of the operation section and that are spaced apart from one another.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the operation section has an operation section main body provided with the operating member, a holding part connected to the operation section main body, and an extension part extending from the holding part toward a distal end side; the extension part is provided with the movable member; and the interference prevention section is provided at a connection portion between the extension part and the holding part.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, an engagement hole is provided in one of the movable member and the attachment member, and an engagement portion that is engaged with the engagement hole in an attachable/detachable manner is provided at the other one.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the engagement portion is provided with an elastic deformation portion that is elastically deformed and engaged with the engagement hole.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, a pair of claw portions are formed at the elastic deformation portion, the pair of claw portions being elastically deformable and configured to be latched to an edge portion of the engagement hole, the pair of claw portions being displaced in directions to move toward each other by elastic deformation when the engagement portion is engaged with or disengaged from the engagement hole.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the engagement hole has a small width portion having a first width, and a large width portion having a second width that is larger than the first width; and the engagement portion has a shaft portion having an outside diameter that is equal to or smaller than the first width, and a large diameter portion provided at a distal end of the shaft portion and having an outside diameter that is larger than the first width and smaller than the second width.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, one of the movable member and the attachment member is provided with a cylindrical body extending in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the erecting operation wire, and the other one is provided with a ring-shaped body that is rotatably engaged with an outer periphery of the cylindrical body; and the endoscope includes a rotation restriction stopper that restricts relative rotations of the cylindrical body and the ring-shaped body.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the endoscope includes an engagement member provided at a distal end of the erecting operation wire; and a housing groove that is provided in the treatment tool erecting base and that is engaged with the engagement member in an engageable/disengageable manner.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the endoscope includes a proximal end opening provided in the operation section; a distal end opening provided in the distal end part; and an erecting operation wire channel that is provided in the insertion section and that causes the proximal end opening to communicate with the distal end opening. The erecting operation wire is inserted through the erecting operation wire channel, has the distal end side that is arranged outside the distal end opening and that is coupled to the treatment tool erecting base, and has the proximal end side that is arranged outside the proximal end opening and that is coupled to the movable member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the movable member is rotatably provided while a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the erecting operation wire serves as a rotation axis.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the operating member is an operating member rotatably supported by the operation section; and the endoscope includes a first conversion mechanism that converts a rotational motion of the operating member into a linear motion, a drive member that is linearly driven by the first conversion mechanism, and a second conversion mechanism that converts a linear motion of the drive member into a rotational motion to rotate the movable member.

According to an aspect of the present invention, preferably, the second conversion mechanism includes a speed reduction mechanism.

With the present invention, since the operation section is provided with the interference prevention section, the endoscope in which an interference with the movable member that moves the treatment tool erecting base can be prevented and the treatment tool erecting base can be reliably moved can be provided.

Endoscopes according to preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system <NUM> including an endoscope <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope system <NUM> includes an endoscope <NUM>, a processor device <NUM>, a light source device <NUM>, and a display <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates a treatment tool <NUM> that is used in the endoscope system <NUM>.

The endoscope <NUM> includes an operation section <NUM> including an erecting operation lever <NUM> that serves as an operating member, and an insertion section <NUM> provided on the distal end side of the operation section <NUM>.

Referring to perspective views in <FIG> and <FIG> illustrating the configuration of a distal end part <NUM> of the insertion section <NUM>, a distal end member <NUM> is provided at the distal end part <NUM> of the insertion section <NUM>, and an erecting base <NUM> (described later) is attached to the distal end member <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the distal end member <NUM> when the erecting base <NUM> is located at a lying position. <FIG> is a perspective view of the distal end member <NUM> when the erecting base <NUM> is located at an erecting position.

In the following description, an upward direction indicates a Z(+) direction in <FIG> and <FIG>, and a downward direction indicates a Z(-) direction in <FIG> and <FIG>. Moreover, a rightward direction indicates an X(+) direction in <FIG>, and a leftward direction indicates an X(-) direction in <FIG>. Furthermore, a Y(+) direction in <FIG> and <FIG> indicates a distal end side direction of the distal end member <NUM>, and a Y(-) direction in <FIG> and <FIG> indicates a proximal end side direction of the distal end member <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the operation section <NUM> has an operation section main body <NUM> provided with the erecting operation lever <NUM>, a holding part <NUM> connected to the operation section main body <NUM>, and an extension part <NUM> extending from the holding part <NUM> toward the distal end side. A proximal end portion of the insertion section <NUM> is provided on the distal end side of the extension part <NUM> via a break prevention pipe <NUM>.

The extension part <NUM> is included in the operation section <NUM> to provide a movable member <NUM> (described later, see <FIG>), and is a part in a non-holding region that is extended from a distal end portion of the holding part <NUM> that is held by an operator toward the distal end side. Regarding the extension part <NUM>, a region A extending from a circular-ring-shaped interference prevention wall <NUM> that is provided at the holding part <NUM> and that configures an interference prevention section <NUM> to a proximal end portion 38A of the break prevention pipe <NUM> is defined as the extension part <NUM>.

The operation section main body <NUM> of the operation section <NUM> includes a universal cord <NUM>. A light source connector <NUM> is provided on the distal end side of the universal cord <NUM>. An electric connector <NUM> branches out from the light source connector <NUM>. The electric connector <NUM> is connected to the processor device <NUM>, and the light source connector <NUM> is connected to the light source device <NUM>.

The insertion section <NUM> includes the distal end part <NUM>, a bending part <NUM>, and a soft part <NUM> that are coupled from the distal end side toward the proximal end side.

The insertion section <NUM> incorporates the following contents. In particular, the contents include, for example, a treatment tool channel <NUM> that guides a distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> in <FIG> to the distal end member <NUM> in <FIG>; an erecting operation wire <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as wire <NUM>) for performing an operation of changing a lead-out direction of the distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> led out from the distal end member <NUM>; an erecting operation wire channel <NUM> (hereinafter, referred to as wire channel <NUM>) that guides a distal end portion of the wire <NUM> to the distal end member <NUM>; a light guide (not illustrated) that guides illumination light supplied from the light source device <NUM> in <FIG> to the distal end member <NUM> in <FIG>; an air/water supply tube (not illustrated); an angle wire (not illustrated); and a signal cable (not illustrated).

Referring back to <FIG>, the operation section <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole and has a cylinder axis B along the Y(+)-Y(-) direction. A pair of angle knobs <NUM> that perform an operation of bending the bending part <NUM> are arranged at a side surface 22A on one side with respect to a section extending in the up-down direction and including the cylinder axis B of the operation section <NUM>. The pair of angle knobs <NUM> are coaxially rotatably provided.

The bending part <NUM> has a structure in which a plurality of angle rings (not illustrated) are mutually rotatably coupled. The bending part <NUM> is configured such that the outer periphery of the structure is covered with a tubular mesh body braided using metal wires, and the outer peripheral surface of the mesh body is covered with a tubular outer sheath made of rubber. For example, four angle wires (not illustrated) are disposed to extend from the thus configured bending part <NUM> to the angle knobs <NUM>. An operation of pushing/pulling the angle wires is performed by an operation of rotating the angle knobs <NUM> to bend the bending part <NUM> upward, downward, leftward, and rightward.

Moreover, on the operation section main body <NUM> of the operation section <NUM>, an air/water supply button <NUM> and a suction button <NUM> are arranged side by side. By operating the air/water supply button <NUM>, the air and water can be ejected from an air/water supply nozzle <NUM> provided in the distal end member <NUM> in <FIG>. By operating the suction button <NUM> in <FIG>, body fluids such as blood can be sucked from a suction port that also serves as a treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> provided in the distal end member <NUM> in <FIG>.

Furthermore, a treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> is provided in the holding part <NUM> of the operation section <NUM> in <FIG>. The treatment tool <NUM> is led in to the treatment tool lead-in port <NUM>. The treatment tool <NUM> led in from the treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> while the distal end portion 56A is at the head is inserted through the treatment tool channel <NUM> in <FIG> inserted through the insertion section <NUM>, and is led out to the outside from the treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> provided in the distal end member <NUM>.

The erecting operation lever <NUM> is rotatably provided at the one side surface 22A of the operation section <NUM> in <FIG> in a manner coaxial with the angle knobs <NUM>. The erecting operation lever <NUM> is rotationally operated by a hand of the operator who holds the holding part <NUM>. When the erecting operation lever <NUM> is rotationally operated, the wire <NUM> in <FIG> is pushed/pulled by an erecting operation mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) that moves in association with the rotational operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM>, and the posture of the erecting base <NUM> coupled to the distal end side of the wire <NUM> is changed between an erecting position in <FIG> and a lying position in <FIG>. The above-described erecting operation mechanism <NUM> will be described later.

The soft part <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a helical pipe (not illustrated) formed by winding a thin elastic strip-shaped plate made of metal in a helical form. The outside of the helical pipe of the soft part <NUM> is covered with a tubular mesh body braided using metal wires. The outer peripheral surface of the mesh body is covered with a tubular outer sheath made of resin.

The endoscope <NUM> according to the thus configured embodiment is a side-view endoscope used as a duodenum endoscope. The insertion section <NUM> is inserted into a subject via the oral cavity. The insertion section <NUM> is inserted from the esophagus via the stomach to the duodenum, and, for example, a treatment, such as a predetermined inspection or a predetermined medical care, is performed.

In the embodiment, biopsy forceps serve as an example of the treatment tool <NUM>, the biopsy forceps having a cup capable of collecting a living tissue at the distal end portion 56A. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, a treatment tool, such as a contrast agent tube or an endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) knife, is used as another treatment tool.

Next, the distal end part <NUM> of the insertion section <NUM> is described.

Referring to <FIG>, the distal end part <NUM> of the insertion section <NUM> is configured of the distal end member <NUM>, and a cap <NUM> that is mounted on the distal end member <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner. The cap <NUM> has a substantially tubular shape whose distal end side is sealed. A substantially rectangular opening window 76A is formed in part of the outer peripheral surface of the cap <NUM>. When the cap <NUM> is mounted on the distal end member <NUM>, the opening window 76A of the cap <NUM> communicates with the treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> of the distal end member <NUM>. Thus, the distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> led out from the treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> is led out to the outside from the opening window 76A.

The cap <NUM> is made of an elastic material, for example, a rubber material, such as fluorocarbon rubber or silicon rubber; or a resin material such as polysulfone. An engagement portion (not illustrated) is provided on the proximal end side of the cap <NUM>. The engagement portion is engaged with a groove (not illustrated) formed in the distal end member <NUM>. By engaging the engagement portion with the groove of the distal end member <NUM>, the cap <NUM> is mounted on the distal end member <NUM>. When the treatment with the endoscope <NUM> is ended, the cap <NUM> is removed from the distal end member <NUM>, and washed and disinfected, or discarded as a disposable.

The distal end member <NUM> is made of a corrosion-resistant metal material. Moreover, in the distal end member <NUM>, a partition wall <NUM> protruding toward the distal end side and a partition wall <NUM> opposite to the partition wall <NUM> are integrally provided. An erecting base housing chamber <NUM> that houses the erecting base <NUM> is formed between the partition wall <NUM> and the partition wall <NUM>. The treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> that leads out the treatment tool <NUM> to the outside is formed on the proximal end side of the erecting base housing chamber <NUM>. A distal end portion of the treatment tool channel <NUM> is connected to the treatment tool lead-out port <NUM>.

The treatment tool channel <NUM> is inserted through the inside of the insertion section <NUM> in <FIG>. A proximal end portion of the treatment tool channel <NUM> is connected to a distal end pipe <NUM> of a branch pipe <NUM> (see <FIG>) provided in the operation section <NUM>.

The branch pipe <NUM> has a known structure. A proximal end portion of the branch pipe <NUM> is branched into two pipe lines <NUM> and <NUM>. The treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> is formed at the proximal end of the one pipe line <NUM>. The distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> led in from the treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> to the treatment tool channel <NUM> via the pipe line <NUM> is inserted through the treatment tool channel <NUM>, and is led out from the treatment tool lead-out port <NUM> in <FIG> to the erecting base housing chamber <NUM>. The lead-out direction of the distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> led out to the erecting base housing chamber <NUM> is changed in accordance with the posture between the erecting position and the lying position of the erecting base <NUM> arranged in the erecting base housing chamber <NUM>. Moreover, the distal end of a suction pipe <NUM> for sucking body fluids such as blood is connected to the proximal end of the other pipe line <NUM> of the branch pipe <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the erecting base <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a guide surface 30A is included in an upper surface of the erecting base <NUM>. Along the guide surface 30A, the distal end portion 56A of the treatment tool <NUM> in <FIG> is led out to the outside from the opening window 76A of the cap <NUM> in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the erecting base <NUM> includes rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM> on both side surfaces of a base portion 30B of the erecting base <NUM>. The axial direction of the rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM> is set in the X(+)-X(-) direction in <FIG> when the erecting base <NUM> is attached to the distal end member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a main-part sectional view illustrating an attachment structure of the erecting base <NUM> to the distal end member <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the axes of the rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM> are coaxially arranged via the base portion 30B of the erecting base <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> is rotatably fitted to a recessed bearing portion 78A of the partition wall <NUM>. The rotation shaft <NUM> is rotatably fitted to a recessed bearing portion 80A of the partition wall <NUM>. Moreover, the rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM> are mounted at the bearing portions 78A and 80A respectively with a predetermined backlash amount x in the axial direction of the rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM>. When the rotation shafts <NUM> and <NUM> are moved to one side by using the backlash amount x, a portion of one bearing portion of the bearing portions 78A and 80A is exposed, and a brush can be easily inserted to the exposed portion, thereby increasing washing efficiency of the bearing portions 78A and 80A.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an optical system housing chamber <NUM> is included in the partition wall <NUM>. An illumination window <NUM> and an observation window <NUM> are adjacently disposed at an upper portion of the optical system housing chamber <NUM>. In addition, the air/water supply nozzle <NUM> directed to the observation window <NUM> is provided at the distal end member <NUM>. The air/water supply nozzle <NUM> is connected to an air/water supply device (not illustrated) via an air/water supply tube (not illustrated) inserted through the insertion section <NUM>. By operating the air/water supply button <NUM> of the operation section <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the air or water is ejected from the air/water supply nozzle <NUM> toward the observation window <NUM>. Accordingly, the observation window <NUM> is washed.

An illumination unit (not illustrated) and an imaging unit (not illustrated) are housed in the optical system housing chamber <NUM>. The illumination unit includes an illumination lens (not illustrated) disposed inside the illumination window <NUM> and a light guide (not illustrated) arranged such that a distal end surface of the light guide faces the illumination lens. The light guide is disposed to extend from the insertion section <NUM> via the operation section <NUM> to the universal cord <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>, and the proximal end thereof is connected to the light source device <NUM> via the light source connector <NUM>. Thus, the irradiation light from the light source device <NUM> is transmitted through the light guide and is emitted from the illumination window <NUM> to the outside.

The above-described imaging unit includes an imaging optical system (not illustrated) disposed inside the observation window <NUM> and an imaging element (not illustrated) of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge coupled device (CCD). The imaging element is connected to the processor device <NUM> via a signal cable (not illustrated) inserted through the insertion section <NUM> in <FIG>. An imaging signal of a subject image obtained by the imaging unit is output to the processor device <NUM> via the signal cable, undergoes image processing, and then is displayed as a subject image on the display <NUM>.

Although the description is redundant, the wire <NUM> is described. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the distal end side of the wire <NUM> is arranged outside a lead-out port <NUM> and is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>. The proximal end side of the wire <NUM> is arranged outside a lead-in port <NUM> provided in the operation section <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>, and is coupled to the movable member <NUM> (see <FIG>). The lead-out port <NUM> is an example of a distal end opening according to the present invention. The lead-in port <NUM> is an example of a proximal end opening according to the present invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the operation section <NUM>, and is a perspective view illustrating the other side surface 22B opposite to the one side surface 22A of the operation section <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the lead-in port <NUM> is provided in the extension part <NUM> of the operation section <NUM>. An attachment member <NUM> is provided at the proximal end of the wire <NUM> arranged at the outside from the lead-in port <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> is engaged with an engagement hole (described later) of the movable member <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner.

In this specification, being "engaged in an attachable/detachable manner" includes, like being "engaged in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation", that the attachment member <NUM> can be attached to and detached from the movable member <NUM> only by the movement of the attachment member <NUM> relative to the movable member <NUM> without using another fixing tool (for example, a screw, a bolt, or a nut), and that the attachment member <NUM> is attached to and detached from the movable member <NUM> by using another fixing tool.

The operation section <NUM> is provided with the movable member <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> is arranged to be exposed to the outside of the operation section <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> moves in association with the operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM> by the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> (described later). In the embodiment, the movable member <NUM> is rotatably arranged at the other side surface 22B opposite to the one side surface 22A provided with the angle knobs <NUM>. However, the arrangement position of the movable member <NUM> with respect to the operation section <NUM> is not limited, and may be rotatably arranged at a predetermined position of the operation section <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> is a driven lever that rotates in association with the rotational operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM>.

The erecting operation mechanism <NUM> is arranged inside the operation section <NUM>. The erecting operation mechanism <NUM> moves the movable member <NUM> in association with the operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM>. Thus, when the erecting operation lever <NUM> is rotationally operated, the movable member <NUM> moves via the erecting operation mechanism <NUM>, and the wire <NUM> (see <FIG>) coupled to the movable member <NUM> is pushed/pulled. The erecting operation mechanism <NUM> will be described later.

Next, an engagement structure for engaging the distal end of the wire <NUM> with the erecting base <NUM> in an engageable/disengageable manner is described.

Referring back to <FIG> and <FIG>, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is provided with an engagement member <NUM>. Moreover, the erecting base <NUM> is provided with a housing groove <NUM> having an opening <NUM> formed on the side in the X(+) direction. The engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> in an engageable/disengageable manner. Accordingly, by housing the engagement member <NUM> provided at the distal end of the wire <NUM> in the housing groove <NUM> via the opening <NUM>, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the engagement member <NUM> is a sphere, and the housing groove <NUM> is a spherical-surface-shaped concave portion that houses the spherical engagement member <NUM>. The shapes of the engagement member <NUM> and the housing groove <NUM> are not limited to the above-described shapes. However, as long as the engagement member <NUM> is the sphere and the housing groove <NUM> is the spherical-surface-shaped concave portion, the sliding resistance between the engagement member <NUM> and the housing groove <NUM> generated by the pushing/pulling operation of the wire <NUM> can be decreased. Accordingly, the pushing/pulling operation of the wire <NUM> can be smoothly performed.

Moreover, the distal end member <NUM> includes an engagement guide portion <NUM> connected to the housing groove <NUM> at the erecting position in <FIG>. The engagement guide portion <NUM> includes a function of guiding the engagement member <NUM> led out from the lead-out port <NUM> to the opening <NUM> of the housing groove <NUM>. The lead-out port <NUM> is provided in the distal end member <NUM>, and communicates with the lead-in port <NUM> (see <FIG>) via the wire channel <NUM> provided in the insertion section <NUM>.

With the endoscope <NUM> having such an engagement guide portion <NUM>, when the wire <NUM> is led in from the lead-in port <NUM> while the engagement member <NUM> is at the head, the engagement member <NUM> is inserted through the wire channel <NUM> (see <FIG>) and is led out to the outside from the lead-out port <NUM>. The engagement member <NUM> is guided by the engagement guide portion <NUM> toward the opening <NUM> of the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM> through the ongoing lead-in operation of the wire <NUM>, and is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. Accordingly, with the endoscope <NUM> according to the embodiment, the engagement member <NUM> of the wire <NUM> can be engaged with the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM> only by the lead-in operation of the wire <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view when the engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> via the engagement guide portion <NUM>. <FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating a successive movement until the engagement member <NUM> is guided by the engagement guide portion <NUM> and engaged with the housing groove <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the engagement guide portion <NUM> includes an engagement guide path <NUM> that guides the engagement member <NUM> led out from the lead-out port <NUM> to the opening <NUM> of the housing groove <NUM>, and a deformation generation portion <NUM> connected to the opening <NUM> of the housing groove <NUM> in the engagement guide path <NUM>. The deformation generation portion <NUM> comes into contact with the engagement member <NUM> that advances in the Y(+) direction toward the opening <NUM> in the engagement guide path <NUM>, and guides the engagement member <NUM> in the X(+) direction while guiding the engagement member <NUM> in the Y(+) direction.

Accordingly, the distal end side of the wire <NUM> is elastically deformed in a direction (X(+) direction) to move gradually away from the opening <NUM> as the engagement member <NUM> approaches the opening <NUM> along the engagement guide path <NUM>. When the engagement member <NUM> has passed through the deformation generation portion <NUM>, the engagement member <NUM> advancing in the engagement guide path <NUM> moves in the X(-) direction by the resilient force of the wire <NUM>, and is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> from the opening <NUM>.

The engagement guide path <NUM> is formed by cutting a portion of a peripheral surface 28A of the distal end member <NUM> into a recessed shape, and is a surface that extends from the lead-out port <NUM> in the Y(+) direction and that is gradually inclined in the X(+) direction. The deformation generation portion <NUM> is formed on the distal end side of the engagement guide path <NUM>.

Moreover, a groove <NUM> is formed in the engagement guide portion <NUM>. When the engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM>, the groove <NUM> allows the distal end side of the wire <NUM> to fall thereinto and to retract therein. Furthermore, a groove <NUM> is also formed at the proximal end side of the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM>. When the engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM>, the groove <NUM> allows the distal end side of the wire <NUM> to fall thereinto and to retract therein. The width dimension of the groove <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the paper face of <FIG> is larger than the diameter of the wire <NUM>, and is smaller than the diameter of the engagement member <NUM> so that the engagement member <NUM> which passes through the deformation generation portion <NUM> does not fall into the groove <NUM>. The width dimension of the groove <NUM> in the direction orthogonal to the paper face of <FIG> is larger than the diameter of the wire <NUM>, and is smaller than the diameter of the engagement member <NUM> so that the engagement member <NUM> engaged with the housing groove <NUM> does not come out in the Y(-) direction.

The engagement guide portion <NUM> has a suitable form for a case where the engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> in a state in which the erecting base <NUM> is located at the erecting position. That is, referring to <FIG>, the housing groove <NUM> is arranged at a position facing the lead-out port <NUM> in the state in which the erecting base <NUM> is located at the erecting position. Thus, by advancing the engagement member <NUM> straight from the lead-out port <NUM>, the engagement member <NUM> can be engaged with the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM> located at the erecting position, via the engagement guide portion <NUM>.

Next, a detachment structure for detaching the engagement member <NUM> of the wire <NUM> engaged with the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM> from the housing groove <NUM> is described.

The distal end member <NUM> includes a detachment guide surface <NUM>. The detachment guide surface <NUM> is included in an upper surface of the partition wall <NUM> (see <FIG>). The detachment guide surface <NUM> is a guide surface that extends in the X(+) direction and that is inclined in the Z(-) direction (see <FIG> and <FIG>). The detachment guide surface <NUM> also functions as a surface that guides the wire <NUM> in a direction in which the engagement member <NUM> is detached from the inside of the housing groove <NUM> to the outside of the opening <NUM> when the wire <NUM> is operated to be further pushed in a state in which the engagement member <NUM> is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> and the erecting base <NUM> is located at the lying position.

With the thus configured detachment structure, an attachment member (described later) provided at the proximal end of the wire <NUM> is detached from an engagement hole (described later) of the movable member <NUM>, and then the wire <NUM> is operated to be pushed from the lead-in port <NUM> of the extension part <NUM> to cause the erecting base <NUM> to be located at the lying position in <FIG> from the erecting position in <FIG>. Then, by further operating the wire <NUM> to be pushed, the wire <NUM> is guided in the X(+) direction in which the engagement member <NUM> is detached from the inside of the housing groove <NUM> to the outside of the opening <NUM> by using the detachment guide surface <NUM> of the distal end member <NUM>. Accordingly, the engagement member <NUM> is easily detached to the outside of the opening <NUM> from the inside of the housing groove <NUM> by the resilient force of the wire <NUM>.

Next, the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> is described.

<FIG> is a configuration diagram illustrating the entire configuration of the erecting operation mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> omit illustration of an exterior case (not illustrated) of the operation section <NUM>, and illustrate the inside of the operation section <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> is provided in the operation section <NUM>.

The erecting operation mechanism <NUM> is also a power transmission mechanism that couples the erecting operation lever <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> to each other and that transmits a rotational movement of the erecting operation lever <NUM> to the movable member <NUM>.

The erecting operation mechanism <NUM> includes a first conversion mechanism <NUM> that converts a rotational motion of the erecting operation lever <NUM> into a linear motion, a wire <NUM> that is linearly moved by the first conversion mechanism <NUM>, and a second conversion mechanism <NUM> that converts the linear motion of the wire <NUM> into a rotational motion to rotate the movable member <NUM>. The wire <NUM> is an example of a drive member according to the present invention.

The first conversion mechanism <NUM> includes a crank member <NUM> whose proximal end is coupled to the erecting operation lever <NUM>, a first slider <NUM> whose proximal end is coupled to the distal end of the crank member <NUM>, and a second slider <NUM> whose proximal end is coupled to the distal end of the first slider <NUM>.

The proximal end of the wire <NUM> is connected to the distal end of the second slider <NUM>. The distal end of the wire <NUM> is connected to the second conversion mechanism <NUM> including a speed reduction mechanism.

With the thus configured first conversion mechanism <NUM>, when the erecting operation lever <NUM> is rotationally operated, the crank member <NUM>, the first slider <NUM>, and the second slider <NUM> linearly move along the cylinder axis B in association with the rotational operation. Accordingly, the wire <NUM> linearly moves along the cylinder axis B, and the linear motion is transmitted to the second conversion mechanism <NUM>.

The second conversion mechanism <NUM> includes a lever <NUM>, a first gear <NUM>, a second gear <NUM>, a third gear <NUM>, and a fourth gear <NUM>. The first gear <NUM>, the second gear <NUM>, the third gear <NUM>, and the fourth gear <NUM> configure the speed reduction mechanism.

The lever <NUM> is rotatably supported by a bracket <NUM> via a shaft <NUM>. The distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the lever <NUM>. Thus, the lever <NUM> is rotated around the shaft <NUM> by the linear motion of the wire <NUM>.

The first gear <NUM> is provided integrally with the lever <NUM>, and is rotated around the shaft <NUM>. The second gear <NUM> is meshed with the first gear <NUM>, and is rotatably supported by the bracket <NUM> via a shaft <NUM>. The third gear <NUM> is provided integrally with the second gear <NUM>, and is provided coaxially with the second gear <NUM>. The fourth gear <NUM> is provided coaxially with a drive shaft <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>, and is rotatably supported together with the movable member <NUM> by the bracket <NUM> via the drive shaft <NUM>. The fourth gear <NUM> is meshed with the third gear <NUM>.

With the thus configured second conversion mechanism <NUM>, when the linear motion of the wire <NUM> is transmitted to the lever <NUM>, the first gear <NUM> is rotationally operated together with the lever <NUM>, the rotational movement of the first gear <NUM> is transmitted to the fourth gear <NUM> via the second gear <NUM> and the third gear <NUM>, and hence the fourth gear <NUM> is rotated. Accordingly, the movable member <NUM> integrated with the fourth gear <NUM> is rotated around the drive shaft <NUM>.

Thus, with the thus configured erecting operation mechanism <NUM>, the rotational operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM> can be transmitted to the movable member <NUM> via the first conversion mechanism <NUM>, the wire <NUM>, and the second conversion mechanism <NUM>. Accordingly, the movable member <NUM> is rotated around the drive shaft <NUM>.

With the erecting operation mechanism <NUM>, the speed of the rotational movement of the erecting operation lever <NUM> is reduced by the second conversion mechanism <NUM> including the speed reduction mechanism, and then the rotational movement is transmitted to the movable member <NUM>. That is, the rotation angle of leg portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the movable member <NUM> becomes smaller than the rotation angle of the lever <NUM> that moves by the operation of the erecting operation lever <NUM>. Accordingly, the force required for operating the erecting operation lever <NUM> can be further decreased, and the erecting/lying posture of the erecting base <NUM> can be easily controlled by the erecting operation lever <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the wire <NUM> is an example of a drive member of the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Since the wire <NUM> is used as the drive member, the following advantages are attained. That is, when the linear motion of the second slider <NUM> is converted into the rotational motion of the lever <NUM>, the wire <NUM> has a motion in a curve form (loose), hence a link mechanism is not required to be disposed, and limitation on the space is reduced. When the second slider <NUM> and the lever <NUM> are coupled to each other by a link mechanism, a place to which the force escapes is decreased in the erecting operation mechanism <NUM>. In such a case, by using the wire <NUM>, the wire <NUM> is loosened, hence the force can escape, and the load to be applied to the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> can be decreased. Thus, even when a certain external force is applied to the movable member <NUM> exposed to the outside of the operation section <NUM>, the wire <NUM> is loosened and hence the force can escape, thereby decreasing the load to be applied to the erecting operation mechanism <NUM>.

The shape of the movable member <NUM> is described here. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> (described later), the movable member <NUM> includes a flat-plate-shaped beam portion <NUM>, and the leg portions <NUM> and <NUM> provided on both ends of the beam portion <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> is formed in a U-like shape as a whole. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the drive shaft <NUM> provided on the leg portion <NUM> side is rotatably supported by the exterior case (not illustrated) of the operation section <NUM> via an O-ring <NUM>, and a driven shaft <NUM> provided on the leg portion <NUM> side is rotatably supported by the exterior case (not illustrated) via an O-ring (not illustrated). With the O-ring <NUM> and the other O-ring, the operation section <NUM> is held watertight.

The rotation axes of the drive shaft <NUM> and the driven shaft <NUM> of the movable member <NUM> are set in a direction (X(+)-X(-) direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the wire <NUM>. That is, since the movable member <NUM> is rotatably provided while the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the wire <NUM> serves as the rotation axis, the wire <NUM> can be smoothly pushed/pulled.

Next, a coupling structure <NUM> according to a first embodiment that couples the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to the movable member <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view when the coupling structure <NUM> is viewed from the other side surface 22B of the operation section <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view when the coupling structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is viewed from the left.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a wire assembly <NUM> including the wire <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM> provided at the proximal end of the wire <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the attachment member <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the extension part <NUM> illustrating the lead-in port <NUM> and the movable member <NUM>.

<FIG> described above are explanatory diagrams for illustrating the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a state in which the proximal end of the wire <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> are coupled by the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> illustrate the attachment member <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> that configure the coupling structure <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the movable member <NUM> includes an engagement hole <NUM> with which the attachment member <NUM> is engaged in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation. The engagement hole <NUM> is formed along the longitudinal direction of the beam portion <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>, and is configured of a through hole extending through the front and back surfaces of the beam portion <NUM>. A pair of engagement portions <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the attachment member <NUM> are engaged with the engagement hole <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation. Accordingly, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> are coupled to each other outside the operation section <NUM>. The engagement hole <NUM> may be a through hole extending through the front and back surfaces of the beam portion <NUM> or may be a recessed non-through hole not extending through the front and back surfaces of the beam portion <NUM>.

In this specification, being "engaged in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation" represents that a movement for attachment of the attachment member <NUM> to the movable member <NUM> and a movement for detachment of the attachment member <NUM> from the movable member <NUM> can be performed only by the movement of the attachment member <NUM> relative to the movable member <NUM> without using another fixing tool (for example, a screw, a bolt, or a nut). This is applied to other embodiments (described later).

The attachment member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is a substantially triangular plate-shaped body, and has a hole portion <NUM> at a core portion <NUM> of a center portion of the attachment member <NUM>. The proximal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the hole portion <NUM>. The engagement portions <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> are provided on both sides of the core portion <NUM> with slit-shaped cut portions <NUM> interposed between the engagement portions <NUM> and the core portion <NUM>. The engagement portions <NUM> are provided with a pair of elastic deformation portions <NUM> that are elastically deformed and engaged with the engagement hole <NUM>. The elastic deformation portions <NUM> have a pair of claw portions <NUM> at edge portions <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the engagement hole <NUM>. The pair of claw portions <NUM> are displaced in directions to move toward each other by elastic deformation of the pair of elastic deformation portions <NUM> when the engagement portions <NUM> are engaged with or disengaged from the engagement hole <NUM>.

Next, the coupling procedure of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> to each other with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>.

Before the proximal end of the wire <NUM> and the movable member <NUM> are coupled to each other, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the wire <NUM> is inserted from the lead-in port <NUM> while the engagement member <NUM> (see <FIG>) is at the head. With the insertion operation of the wire <NUM>, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>.

That is, in the state in which the erecting base <NUM> is located at the erecting position (see <FIG>), referring to <FIG>, when the wire <NUM> is led in from the lead-in port <NUM> while the engagement member <NUM> is at the head, the engagement member <NUM> is inserted through the wire channel <NUM> (see <FIG>) and is led out to the outside from the lead-out port <NUM>. The engagement member <NUM> is guided by the engagement guide portion <NUM> in <FIG> toward the opening <NUM> of the housing groove <NUM> of the erecting base <NUM> through the ongoing lead-in operation of the wire <NUM>, and is engaged with the housing groove <NUM> from the opening <NUM>. Accordingly, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the state of the attachment member <NUM> in a state in which the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>. In this state, tapered portions <NUM> located below the claw portions <NUM> are brought into contact with edges on both sides of the engagement hole <NUM> and are pushed into the engagement hole <NUM>. With this movement, the distance between the claw portions <NUM> is decreased, the claw portions <NUM> are latched to the edge portions <NUM> on both sides of the engagement hole <NUM>, and the attachment member <NUM> is coupled to the movable member <NUM> referring to the coupling diagram of <FIG>.

Accordingly, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the movement for attachment of the attachment member <NUM> to the movable member <NUM> can be performed only by the movement of the attachment member <NUM> relative to the movable member <NUM>. That is, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the attachment member <NUM> can be engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

When the attachment member <NUM> is mounted at the movable member <NUM>, the pair of engagement portions <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> can be pinched with fingers of a hand to narrow the distance between the claw portions <NUM> to be smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the engagement hole <NUM>. That is, the pair of elastic deformation portions <NUM> are displaced in directions to move toward each other by elastic deformation. After the claw portions <NUM> are inserted into the engagement hole <NUM>, by relaxing the force of the fingers of the hand to expand the distance between the claw portions <NUM>, the claw portions <NUM> are latched to the edge portions <NUM> on both sides of the engagement hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> is engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Then, when the erecting operation lever <NUM> in <FIG> is operated, as illustrated in the movement explanatory diagram of the movable member <NUM> in <FIG>, the movable member <NUM> moves in a direction of arrow C or arrow D. Then, in association with the movement of the movable member <NUM>, the wire <NUM> is operated to be pushed/pulled by the movable member <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>. Accordingly, the erecting base <NUM> is rotated between the erecting position and the lying position.

According to the embodiment, the engagement hole <NUM> is formed in the movable member <NUM> and the engagement portions <NUM> are formed at the attachment member <NUM>. However, the engagement portions <NUM> may be formed at the movable member <NUM> and the engagement hole <NUM> may be formed in the attachment member <NUM>. That is, the engagement hole <NUM> may be provided in one of the movable member <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM>, and the engagement portions <NUM> that are engaged with the engagement hole <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation may be provided at the other one. The claw portions <NUM> may not be provided on the sides in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>, and may be provided on the sides in the transverse direction of the beam portion <NUM>. The engagement hole <NUM> may be two engagement holes independently formed in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion <NUM>.

The endoscope <NUM> is used for one of various inspections or one of various treatments. Thereafter, when the endoscope <NUM> is washed, the following works are performed.

First, the cap <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is removed from the distal end member <NUM>. Then, the engagement portions <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> are removed from the engagement hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the movable member <NUM>, and the wire <NUM> is removed from the movable member <NUM>. Then, the wire <NUM> is operated to be pushed from the lead-in port <NUM> of the extension part <NUM> to cause the erecting base <NUM> to be located at the lying position in <FIG> from the erecting position in <FIG>. Then, by further operating the wire <NUM> to be pushed, the engagement member <NUM> is detached to the outside of the opening <NUM> from the inside of the housing groove <NUM>. With the works, the distal end of the wire <NUM> is removed from the erecting base <NUM>. Then, the wire <NUM> is pulled out from the lead-in port <NUM>, and the wire channel <NUM> is made empty. Then, the distal end member <NUM>, the erecting base <NUM>, and the wire channel <NUM> of the wire <NUM> are washed.

In the work of removing the distal end of the wire <NUM> from the erecting base <NUM>, in the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, since the attachment member <NUM> is coupled to the movable member <NUM> outside the operation section <NUM>, the attachment member <NUM> can be easily removed from the movable member <NUM>. Specifically, the pair of engagement portions <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> are pinched with fingers of a hand to narrow the distance between the claw portions <NUM> to be smaller than the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the engagement hole <NUM>. Then, the claw portions <NUM> are pulled out from the engagement hole <NUM>.

Accordingly, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the movement for detachment of the attachment member <NUM> from the movable member <NUM> can be performed only by the movement of the attachment member <NUM> relative to the movable member <NUM>. That is, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, the attachment member <NUM> can be detached from the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

As described above, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, after the distal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the erecting base <NUM>, merely by engaging the engagement portions <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> with the engagement hole <NUM> of the movable member <NUM> outside the operation section <NUM>, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be coupled to the movable member <NUM>. When the endoscope <NUM> is washed, to remove the proximal end of the wire <NUM> from the movable member <NUM>, merely by detaching the attachment member <NUM> from the engagement hole <NUM> of the movable member <NUM> outside the operation section <NUM>, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be removed from the movable member <NUM>.

Thus, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment, compared with the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>) that performs the attachment/detachment work of the proximal end of the wire to/from the connecting tool in the operation section and the endoscope of <CIT> in which the distal end of the cable cord is mounted at the collet and the nut in an attachable/detachable manner, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> can be easily performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the wire <NUM> is pulled out from the lead-in port <NUM>. However, the wire <NUM> may be pulled out from the lead-out port <NUM> of the distal end member <NUM>. In this case, by removing the attachment member <NUM> from the proximal end of the wire <NUM> before the wire <NUM> is pulled out, the wire <NUM> can be pulled out from the lead-out port <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a modification of the coupling structure <NUM> according to the first embodiment illustrated in <FIG>.

A coupling structure 170A according to a modification illustrated in <FIG> is described with the same reference signs applied to the same or similar members as or to those of the coupling structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

An engagement hole 174A formed in the movable member <NUM> is a circular through hole. An engagement portion 176A of an attachment member 98A has a tubular portion <NUM> that is inserted into the engagement hole 174A. An elastic deformation portion of the attachment member 98A is configured of a slotted portion 184A provided at a distal end portion of the tubular portion <NUM>. A claw portion 186A is formed at the outer peripheral surface of the slotted portion 184A.

With the thus configured coupling structure 170A, when the slotted portion 184A of the tubular portion <NUM> is inserted into the engagement hole 174A, the diameter of the slotted portion 184A is decreased by elastic deformation. Accordingly, after the slotted portion 184A is passing through the engagement hole 174A and then the slotted portion 184A has passed through the engagement hole 174A, the diameter of the slotted portion 184A is restored to the original diameter. Thus, referring to the sectional view of the coupling structure 170A illustrated in <FIG>, the claw portion 186A of the slotted portion 184A is engaged with a back surface 160A of the beam portion <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>. The attachment member 98A is engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Even with the coupling structure 170A, the attachment/detachment work of the attachment member 98A to/from the movable member <NUM> is performed outside the operation section <NUM> similarly to the coupling structure <NUM>. The attachment work is of merely inserting the engagement portion 176A into the engagement hole 174A. With the attachment work, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be easily coupled to the movable member <NUM> via the attachment member 98A.

When the attachment member 98A is removed from the movable member <NUM>, the slotted portion 184A is pinched with fingers to decrease the diameter of the slotted portion 184A. Then, the slotted portion 184A is pulled out from the engagement hole 174A.

Accordingly, even with the coupling structure 170A according to the modification, the movement for attachment of the attachment member 98A to the movable member <NUM> and the movement for detachment of the attachment member 98A from the movable member <NUM> can be performed only by the movement of the attachment member 98A relative to the movable member <NUM> similarly to the coupling structure <NUM>. That is, with the coupling structure 170A, the attachment member 98A is engaged with the movable member <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation.

<FIG> is a sectional view illustrating a state in which a valve body <NUM> is mounted at the lead-in port <NUM>. In the embodiment, since the proximal end of the wire <NUM> is arranged outside the lead-in port <NUM>, the valve body <NUM> is preferably mounted at the lead-in port <NUM>. Accordingly, liquid in a body cavity which flows backward from the lead-out port <NUM> of the distal end member <NUM> via the wire channel <NUM> can be prevented from leaking to the outside from the lead-in port <NUM>.

Next, the interference prevention section <NUM> is described. The interface prevention section <NUM> is provided to prevent a phenomenon in which a locking device <NUM> (described later) interferes with the movable member <NUM> and limits the movement of the movable member <NUM> from occurring.

Regarding a duodenum endoscope, when a treatment is performed in a duct, such as the bile duct or the pancreatic duct, the insertion section <NUM> is inserted to a position close to the Vater papilla of the duodenum, and a treatment tool is inserted from the treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> of the operation section <NUM>. When the treatment tool is inserted, first, a guide wire is inserted through the treatment tool channel <NUM> of the insertion section <NUM>, and the guide wire is inserted from the Vater papilla into the bile duct or the pancreatic duct. Then the treatment tool is inserted into the bile duct or the pancreatic duct while the treatment tool is guided by the guide wire. When the treatment tool is changed, a treatment tool is inserted along the guide wire, hence the treatment tool can be inserted to a position at which the treatment is currently performed, and a burden on the operator during the replacement work of the treatment tool can be reduced.

However, when the guide wire is not fixed during the replacement of the treatment tool, the guide wire may move and may come out from the Vater papilla. If the guide wire comes out from the Vater papilla, the treatment tool after the replacement is no longer guided to the treatment position. Thus, a guide wire locking device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is used in order to fix the guide wire. The guide wire locking device <NUM> is configured of a main body portion <NUM> that has a slit <NUM> and a lateral claw <NUM> and that fixes the guide wire, and a band portion <NUM> that is wound around the endoscope <NUM> and hence that fixes the guide wire locking device <NUM> to the endoscope <NUM>.

In this invention, since the movable member <NUM> is arranged to be exposed to the outside of the operation section <NUM>, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> can be easily performed. However, depending on the mount position of the guide wire locking device <NUM>, the guide wire locking device <NUM> may limit the movement of the movable member <NUM>. Thus, when the guide wire locking device <NUM> is mounted, it is required to mount the guide wire locking device <NUM> at a position at which the guide wire locking device <NUM> does not interfere with the movement of the movable member <NUM>. Since the interference prevention section <NUM> is provided and the guide wire locking device <NUM> is mounted at the proximal end side of the operation section <NUM> with respect to the interference prevention section <NUM>, the guide wire locking device <NUM> can be prevented from interfering with the movable member <NUM>.

<FIG> is an illustration when the guide wire locking device <NUM> is mounted at the endoscope <NUM> and a guide wire <NUM> is fixed to the guide wire locking device <NUM>. <FIG> is an enlarged view when the guide wire locking device <NUM> is mounted at the endoscope <NUM>. The guide wire locking device <NUM> is fixed to the endoscope <NUM> by winding the band portion <NUM> around an area between the treatment tool lead-in port <NUM> provided in the holding part <NUM> and the interference prevention section <NUM>. Moreover, the guide wire <NUM> is fixed by hooking the guide wire <NUM> to the slit (not illustrated in <FIG>) of the main body portion <NUM> and to the lateral claw <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide wire <NUM> is prevented from moving during the replacement of the treatment tool <NUM>.

The interference prevention section <NUM> is configured of an interference prevention wall <NUM> vertically extending from an outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. The movable member <NUM> moves in the direction of arrow C or arrow D as described above. The interference prevention wall <NUM> is provided at a position at which the movable member <NUM> or the attachment member <NUM> does not come into contact with the interference prevention wall <NUM> when the movable member <NUM> moves in the direction of arrow C. The interference prevention wall <NUM> may be, as illustrated in <FIG>, a flange-shaped interference prevention plate 40A formed over the entire circumference of the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. The interference prevention plate 40A preferably has a height at which the band portion <NUM> of the guide wire locking device <NUM> is not able to be wound around the operation section <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the interference prevention wall <NUM> may have a height H<NUM> of about <NUM> when being formed in a ring shape around the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. When the interference prevention wall <NUM> is formed around the operation section <NUM>, the diameter of the interference prevention section <NUM> including the operation section <NUM> and the interference prevention wall <NUM> is set to <NUM> or larger, so that the band portion <NUM> of the guide wire locking device <NUM> is not wound around the operation section <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate modifications of an interference prevention wall. An interference prevention wall is not particularly limited as long as the band portion <NUM> of the guide wire locking device <NUM> is not able to be mounted at a position at which the interference prevention wall is formed. An interference prevention wall <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is configured of an interference prevention plate 340A formed in a ring shape around the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM> like the interference prevention wall <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The interference prevention wall <NUM> is formed in a tapered shape in which the interference prevention plate 340A is widened from the proximal end side toward the distal end side of the operation section <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an interference prevention wall <NUM> may vertically extend from a portion of an outer wall of the operation section <NUM>. When the interference prevention wall <NUM> is provided at a portion of the periphery of the operation section <NUM>, the height of the interference prevention wall <NUM> from the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM> is preferably increased, and the interference prevention wall <NUM> may have a height H<NUM> of about <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate further modifications of an interference prevention wall. An interference prevention wall <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has an interference prevention plate 344A around the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. The height of the interference prevention plate 344A on the surface side provided with the movable member <NUM> from the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM> is increased. Moreover, a portion of the interference prevention plate 344A has a cut portion <NUM>. An interference prevention wall <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has an interference prevention plate 348A around the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. The height of the interference prevention plate 348A on the surface side provided with the movable member <NUM> from the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM> is increased. The interference prevention plate 348A may be provided with an opening portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a further modification of an interference prevention wall. An interference prevention wall <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is formed by arranging a plurality of interference prevention bodies 352B around the outer wall surface of the operation section <NUM>. The interference prevention bodies 352B are spaced apart from one another. The number of the interference prevention bodies 352B and the number of gaps of the interference prevention bodies 352B are not particularly limited as long as the band portion <NUM> of the guide wire locking device <NUM> is not able to be mounted.

Thus, since the interference prevention section <NUM> is provided, when the guide wire locking device <NUM> is mounted at the operation section <NUM> of the endoscope <NUM>, the position of the guide wire locking device <NUM> can be a position at which the guide wire locking device <NUM> does not interfere with the movement of the movable member <NUM>. Thus, the movement of the erecting base <NUM> is not limited by the movement of the movable member <NUM>, and the erecting operation can be reliably performed.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a further modification of an interference prevention section <NUM>. <FIG> is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system including an endoscope having the interference prevention section <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the interference prevention section <NUM>.

In the interference prevention section <NUM>, an extension part <NUM> has an outside diameter that is larger than the outside diameter of the holding part <NUM>, and the interference prevention section <NUM> has a step portion <NUM> between the extension part <NUM> and the holding part <NUM>. The outside diameter of the holding part <NUM> is an outside diameter at a position on the most distal end side of the holding part <NUM> and at the boundary between the extension part <NUM> and the holding part <NUM>. The outside diameter of the extension part <NUM> is a size with which the band portion <NUM> of the guide wire locking device <NUM> is not able to be mounted. Moreover, the distance from the position at which the movable member <NUM> is provided to the holding part <NUM> is a distance larger than the movement range of the movable member <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide wire locking device <NUM> can be prevented from being mounted in the movement range of the movable member <NUM>. Moreover, the guide wire locking device <NUM> mounted at the holding part <NUM> can be prevented from interfering with the movable member <NUM>, and can be prevented from limiting the movement of the erecting base <NUM>. The distance from the position at which the movable member <NUM> is provided to the holding part <NUM> is a distance that is the shortest distance from the rotation axis of the movable member <NUM> to the boundary between the holding part <NUM> and the extension part <NUM>.

Next, a coupling structure <NUM> according to a second embodiment is described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> is an assembly perspective view of the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> is a main-part sectional view of the coupling structure <NUM>. The coupling structure <NUM> is described with the same reference signs applied to the same or similar members as or to those of the coupling structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The coupling structure <NUM> is configured of a movable member <NUM> and an attachment member <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an engagement hole <NUM> is provided in a beam portion <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>, and an engagement portion <NUM> that is engaged with the engagement hole <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner by a one-touch operation is provided at the attachment member <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> is configured of a pinch portion <NUM> and a shaft portion <NUM> configuring the engagement portion <NUM>. The proximal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to a hole portion <NUM> formed in the shaft portion <NUM>.

The shape of the engagement hole <NUM> is described here. <FIG> is a plan view of the engagement hole <NUM>, and illustrating a state in which the shape of the engagement portion <NUM> is superposed on the shape of the engagement hole <NUM>.

The engagement hole <NUM> has a small width portion <NUM> having a diameter a and a large width portion <NUM> having a diameter b that is larger than the diameter a. In the embodiment, a first width according to the present invention is described as the diameter a, and a second width according to the present invention is described as the diameter b. As illustrated in <FIG>, a line CL connecting the center of the small width portion <NUM> and the center of the large width portion <NUM> is a curved line. The line CL defines a substantial arc centered on the lead-in port <NUM> (not illustrated). The arrangement of the small width portion <NUM> and the large width portion <NUM> makes an operation easy when the attachment member <NUM> is engaged with the engagement hole <NUM>. This will be described later.

The engagement portion <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has the shaft portion <NUM> having an outside diameter c that is equal to or smaller than the diameter a in <FIG>, and a large diameter portion <NUM> provided at the distal end of the shaft portion <NUM>. The large diameter portion <NUM> has an outside diameter d that is larger than the diameter a and smaller than the diameter b. The large diameter portion <NUM> functions as a fall prevention member that restricts detachment of the shaft portion <NUM> from the small width portion <NUM> in the axial direction of the shaft portion <NUM>. To stably hold the shaft portion <NUM>, the difference between the diameter a and the outside diameter c is preferably small.

The engagement operation is described. Since the large width portion <NUM> of the engagement hole <NUM> is larger than the large diameter portion <NUM>, the engagement portion <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> can be easily inserted into the engagement hole <NUM>. Then, the attachment member <NUM> is slid from the large width portion <NUM> to the small width portion <NUM>. At this time, as illustrated in <FIG>, the attachment member <NUM> is fixed to the wire <NUM>, and hence the attachment member <NUM> moves on a substantially arc-shaped locus centered on the lead-in port <NUM>. Since the small width portion <NUM> and the large width portion <NUM> are arranged in a substantially arc form as described above, the attachment member <NUM> can smoothly slide between the small width portion <NUM> and the large width portion <NUM>. Furthermore, when the attachment member <NUM> is located at the small width portion <NUM>, a tension can be applied to the wire <NUM>.

The engagement hole <NUM> has a frictional resistance portion <NUM> between the small width portion <NUM> and the large width portion <NUM>. The frictional resistance portion <NUM> is provided at an opening entrance portion of the small width portion <NUM>. The frictional resistance portion <NUM> can restrict unintentional sliding of the shaft portion <NUM> inserted into the small width portion <NUM>, from the small width portion <NUM> to the large width portion <NUM>. The frictional resistance portion <NUM> is formed to protrude from each of mutually facing wall surfaces of the engagement hole <NUM>.

Even with the thus configured coupling structure <NUM>, the attachment/detachment work of the attachment member <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> is performed outside the operation section <NUM> similarly to the coupling structure <NUM>. The attachment work is of merely inserting the engagement portion <NUM> into the large width portion <NUM> of the engagement hole <NUM>, sliding the engagement portion <NUM> toward the small width portion <NUM>, and engaging the engagement portion <NUM> with the small width portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> can be engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation. With the attachment work, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be easily coupled to the movable member <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>.

When the engagement portion <NUM> is slid from the large width portion <NUM> toward the small width portion <NUM>, the shaft portion <NUM> comes into contact with the frictional resistance portion <NUM>. However, the engagement portion <NUM> can be properly engaged with the small width portion <NUM> by the force of sliding the engagement portion <NUM>.

Moreover, in a state in which the engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the small width portion <NUM>, the large diameter portion <NUM> prevents the shaft portion <NUM> from being detached from the small width portion <NUM> in the axial direction of the shaft portion <NUM>. Furthermore, since the shaft portion <NUM> comes into contact with the frictional resistance portion <NUM>, sliding of the engagement portion <NUM> from the small width portion <NUM> to the large width portion <NUM> is restricted. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> can be reliably coupled to the movable member <NUM>.

When the endoscope <NUM> is washed, to remove the attachment member <NUM> from the movable member <NUM>, the engagement portion <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> is slid from the small width portion <NUM> to the large width portion <NUM>, and the engagement portion <NUM> is pulled out from the large width portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> is detached from the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Thus, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the second embodiment, compared with the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>) and the endoscope of <CIT>, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> can be easily performed.

In <FIG>, the engagement hole <NUM> including the frictional resistance portion <NUM> is illustrated as an example; however, the engagement hole <NUM> may not include the frictional resistance portion <NUM>.

Next, a coupling structure <NUM> according to a third embodiment is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an assembly perspective view of the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view of an engagement hole <NUM> formed in a movable member <NUM>, and illustrating a state in which the shape of an engagement portion <NUM> of an attachment member <NUM> is superposed on the shape of the engagement hole <NUM>. The coupling structure <NUM> is described with the same reference signs applied to the same or similar members as or to those of the coupling structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the engagement hole <NUM> has a small width portion <NUM> having a diameter a and a large width portion <NUM> having a diameter b that is larger than the diameter a. The small width portion <NUM> and the large width portion <NUM> have a positional relationship similar to that illustrated in <FIG>.

The engagement portion <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> has a shaft portion <NUM> having an outside diameter c that is equal to or smaller than the diameter a, and a large diameter portion <NUM> provided at the distal end of the shaft portion <NUM> and having an outside diameter f that is larger than the diameter b. A plurality of (for example, four) slotting grooves <NUM> (see <FIG>) are formed in the large diameter portion <NUM>. When the large diameter portion <NUM> is inserted into the large width portion <NUM>, the large diameter portion <NUM> is elastically deformed by the plurality of slotting grooves <NUM> and the diameter of the large diameter portion <NUM> is decreased. To stably hold the shaft portion <NUM>, the difference between the diameter a and the outside diameter c is preferably small.

Even with the thus configured coupling structure <NUM>, the attachment/detachment work of the attachment member <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> is performed outside the operation section <NUM> similarly to the coupling structure <NUM>. The attachment work is of first fitting the large diameter portion <NUM> into the large width portion <NUM> of the engagement hole <NUM>. At this time, the large diameter portion <NUM> is elastically deformed by the plurality of slotting grooves <NUM> and the diameter of the large diameter portion <NUM> is decreased. Accordingly, after the large diameter portion <NUM> is passing through the large width portion <NUM> and then the large diameter portion <NUM> has passed through the large width portion <NUM>, the diameter of the large diameter portion <NUM> is restored to the original diameter. Thus, the large diameter portion <NUM> is engaged with a back surface 160A of a beam portion <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> is prevented from coming out from the movable member <NUM>.

Then, the engagement portion <NUM> is slid toward the small width portion <NUM>, and the engagement portion <NUM> is engaged with the small width portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> can be engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation. With the attachment work, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be easily coupled to the movable member <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>.

When the endoscope <NUM> is washed, to remove the attachment member <NUM> from the movable member <NUM>, the engagement portion <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> is slid from the small width portion <NUM> to the large width portion <NUM>, then the large diameter portion <NUM> is pinched with fingers to decrease the diameter of the large diameter portion <NUM>, and the large diameter portion <NUM> is pulled out from the large width portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> is detached from the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Thus, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the third embodiment, compared with the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>) and the endoscope of <CIT>, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> can be easily performed.

Next, a coupling structure <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the coupling structure <NUM>. <FIG> is an assembly perspective view of the coupling structure <NUM>. The coupling structure <NUM> is described with the same reference signs applied to the same or similar members as or to those of the coupling structure <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The movable member <NUM> is configured of a leg portion <NUM>, a leg portion <NUM>, and a cylindrical body <NUM> that couples the leg portion <NUM> and the leg portion <NUM> to each other. The cylindrical body <NUM> extends in a direction (X(+)-X(-) direction) perpendicular to the axial direction of the wire <NUM>. Moreover, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, U-shaped grooves <NUM> and <NUM> configuring a rotation restriction stopper are formed in upper end portions of the leg portion <NUM> and the leg portion <NUM>.

The proximal end of the wire <NUM> is coupled to the attachment member <NUM>. The attachment member <NUM> is configured of a ring-shaped body <NUM> that is rotatably engaged with the outer periphery of the cylindrical body <NUM>, and pins <NUM> and <NUM> that configure the rotation restriction stopper together with the grooves <NUM> and <NUM>. The ring-shaped body <NUM> has a C-like shape in a section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. By pressing a slit <NUM> that is formed in the ring-shaped body <NUM> in the longitudinal direction against the cylindrical body <NUM>, the diameter of the ring-shaped body <NUM> is increased and is engaged with the cylindrical body <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Even with the thus configured coupling structure <NUM>, the attachment/detachment work of the attachment member <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> is performed outside the operation section <NUM> similarly to the coupling structures <NUM> and <NUM>. The attachment work is of pressing the slit <NUM> of the ring-shaped body <NUM> of the attachment member <NUM> against the cylindrical body <NUM> of the movable member <NUM>. With the work, the attachment member <NUM> is engaged with the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation. Accordingly, the proximal end of the wire <NUM> can be reliably coupled to the movable member <NUM> via the attachment member <NUM>.

Moreover, when the ring-shaped body <NUM> is engaged with the cylindrical body <NUM>, the pin <NUM> is engaged with the groove <NUM> and the pin <NUM> is engaged with the groove <NUM> simultaneously. When the wire <NUM> is operated to be pushed/pulled by the movable member <NUM>, the ring-shaped body <NUM> can be prevented from being rotated relative to the cylindrical body <NUM>. Accordingly, the pushing/pulling operation of the wire <NUM> can be smoothly performed.

When the endoscope <NUM> is washed, to remove the attachment member <NUM> from the movable member <NUM>, the attachment member <NUM> is pulled in a direction in which the pins <NUM> and <NUM> are removed from the grooves <NUM> and <NUM>, hence the ring-shaped body <NUM> is pushed by the cylindrical body <NUM>, the diameter of the ring-shaped body <NUM> is increased, and the ring-shaped body <NUM> is removed from the cylindrical body <NUM>. Accordingly, the attachment member <NUM> is detached from the movable member <NUM> by a one-touch operation.

Thus, with the coupling structure <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment, compared with the endoscope of <CIT> (<CIT>) and the endoscope of <CIT>, the attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of the wire <NUM> to/from the movable member <NUM> can be easily performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the cylindrical body <NUM> is provided at the movable member <NUM>, and the ring-shaped body <NUM> is provided at the attachment member <NUM>. However, the cylindrical body <NUM> may be provided at one of the movable member <NUM> and the attachment member <NUM>, and the ring-shaped body <NUM> may be provided at the other one.

In the above-described embodiments, the wire <NUM> is an example of a drive member of the erecting operation mechanism <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. However, a link mechanism may be employed instead of the wire <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a main-part structure in which a first slider <NUM> and a lever <NUM> are coupled to each other by using a link sheet metal <NUM> serving as a link mechanism. <FIG> is a movement explanatory diagram of the link mechanism in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the distal end of the link sheet metal <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the first slider <NUM> via a pin <NUM>, and the proximal end of the link sheet metal <NUM> is rotatably coupled to the lever <NUM> via a pin <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the erecting operation lever <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> is rotated, a straight advancement motion of the first slider <NUM> can be transmitted to the lever <NUM> via the link sheet metal <NUM> serving as the link mechanism. Thus, the lever <NUM> is rotated in a rotation range from <FIG>. The resultant rotational force can be transmitted to, for example, the movable member <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An endoscope (<NUM>) comprising:
an operation section (<NUM>) provided with an operating member (<NUM>);
an insertion section (<NUM>) that is provided on a distal end side of the operation section and that is inserted into a subject;
a treatment tool erecting base (<NUM>) provided at a distal end part of the insertion section;
a movable member (<NUM>) that is arranged to be exposed to the outside of the operation section and that moves in association with an operation of the operating member;
an erecting operation wire (<NUM>) that is coupled to the treatment tool erecting base at a distal end side thereof, that is coupled to the movable member at a proximal end side thereof, and that is pushed/pulled in accordance with a movement of the movable member to move the treatment tool erecting base;
an attachment member (<NUM>) that is provided at a proximal end of the erecting operation wire and that is engaged with the movable member in an attachable/detachable manner; and
an interference prevention section (<NUM>) that is provided at a position of the operation section on a proximal end side with respect to the movable member and
a guide wire locking device (<NUM>) that is mounted at the proximal end side of the operation section (<NUM>) with respect to the interference prevention section such that the interference prevention section prevents an interference of the guide wire locking device with the movable member.