HINGE MEMBER FOR BENDABLE TREATMENT TOOL AND BENDABLE TREATMENT TOOL HAVING SAID HINGE MEMBER INCORPORATED THEREIN

摘要

This hinge member (10) has a cylindrical shape and comprises a recessed section (42) on the base end surface (41) thereof and a protruding section (44) on the tip surface (43) thereof. The protruding section (44) is offset from the recessed section (42) by 90° in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical hinge member (10). A plurality of hinge members (10) are aligned along the same axis by fitting the protruding section (44) of one hinge member (10) into the recessed section (42) of an adjacent hinge member (10). A plurality of the hinge members (10) thereby constitute a bendable section (4) of a treatment tool (1a, 1b). Four through holes (45) for bending pass through the hinge member (10). A wire (22) for bending passes through the interior of each of the through holes (45). When the wire (22) is pulled, the protruding section (44) rotates within the recessed section (42) and the bendable section (4) bends. The through holes (45) are formed so as to avoid locations at which the recessed section (42) and the protruding section (44) are in contact. As a result, the wire (22) that passes through the interior of the through holes (45) does not inhibit rotation of the protruding section (44) within the recessed section (42).