Patent ID: 7708685

Claim:
An operating instrument system for an endoscope, comprising: an operating instrument having an insert section insertable into and out of a channel of the endoscope, the operating instrument comprising a distal operating end which is responsive to a back-and-forth movement drive force; a storage unit for accommodating the operating instrument comprising a winding unit with a rotation axis, the winding unit being connected to a proximal end of the insert section so that the insert section of the operating instrument can be wound therearound, a back-and-forth drive mechanism detachably connected to the winding unit and providing the back-and-forth drive force to the distal operating end of the operating instrument, and an insertion/withdrawal mechanism provided with or mounted on the endoscope, comprising a rotary drive unit having a driving shaft on which the back-and-forth driving mechanism is provided at the distal end thereof; wherein the driving shaft of the insertion/withdrawal mechanism and the rotation axis of the winding unit are aligned so that the rotation of the driving shaft of the insertion/withdrawal mechanism is capable of rotating the winding unit through the back-and-forth movement drive mechanism about a revolving shaft of the winding unit to insert and withdraw the insert section into or from the channel.