Anti-twist casing for endoscopic manipulating head assembly

• US 7,223,231 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Akiba, Haruo
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P.
• Application Number:
  US10/790,007
• Publication Number:
  US 20040193011A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 600/131, 600/101, 600146-149
• US Class Current: 600/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0011 Manufacturing of endoscope parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles

Abstract

A casing of an endoscopic manipulating head assembly is largely constituted by and dividable into a main cover section adapted to support an operating means of an angulation control mechanism and a grip cover section provided between the main cover section and an insertion tube of the endoscope. Both of the main cover section and the grip cover section are formed of a synthetic resin material. A support plate of a rigid metal is provided internally of the manipulating head assembly to support the angulation control mechanism. A plural number of passage-forming tubular structural members are successively connected within the grip cover section for passing internal components to and from the insertion tube of the endoscope. The support plate is connected to one of the tubular structural members which is located at the proximal end of the grip cover section. A first anti-twist lock portion is formed between the support plate and joined end portions of the main and grip cover sections, while a second anti-twist lock portion is formed between the grip cover section and joined end portions of the tubular structural members.

Claims

1. In a casing for manipulating a head assembly of an endoscope, said casing being formed of a synthetic resin material and largely constituted by a main cover section and a grip cover section, said main cover section being adapted to support thereon an operating member of an angulation control mechanism, and said grip cover section being projected forward from said main cover section to provide a grip portion between said main cover section and an insertion tube of said endoscope:

a rigid support plate provided mostly within said main cover section and partly in said grip cover section to support said angulation control mechanism;

a passage forming structure for passing through internal components to or from said insertion tube of said endoscope comprising a plural number of tubular members successively connected one after another within said grip cover section, a base end tubular member of said passage forming structure being connected to said rigid support plate and a fore end tubular member thereof being connected to said insertion tube;

a first anti-twist lock portion for blocking rotational movements of said grip cover section relative to said main cover section; and

a second anti-twist lock portion formed between a joint portion of said passage forming structure and said grip cover section of said casing;

wherein said first anti-twist lock portion being formed by placing opposite edge portions of said support plate in a pair of axial grooves provided on inner surfaces of said main and grip cover sections of said casing.

2. A casing for manipulating the head assembly of the endoscope as defined in claim 1, wherein said base end tubular member being connected to at least one intermediate tubular member through a reinforcing ring, and said fore end tubular member being inserted into a fore end of said intermediate tubular member.

3. A casing for manipulating the head assembly of the endoscope as defined in claim 2, wherein said base end tubular member, said at least one intermediate tubular member and said fore end tubular member are formed of a light metal, and said reinforcing ring is of stainless steel.

4. A casing for manipulating the head assembly of the endoscope as defined in claim 3, wherein said base end tubular member, said at least one intermediate tubular member and said fore end tubular member are formed of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

5. A casing for manipulating the head assembly of the endoscope as defined in claim 1, wherein said second anti-twist lock portion is formed by an axial groove provided on a large diameter portion at a fitting joint portion of said base end tubular member, and an axial projection or rib provided on an inner surface of said grip cover section for tight fitting engagement with said axial groove.