Endoscope tube connection system - has connection between flexible section of endoscope and control section enclosed by sliding outer stiffening tube

摘要

The tube extension (3) encloses an external tube (9) as well as a coaxially located inner pulling tube (10) which is operated by an endoscope handpiece. The outer tube corresponds in diameter with the outer ring (19) of an extension member (1e) of the flexible section of the endoscope and the pulling tube similarly matches its inner ring (18). At the front of the two tubes are slots in which projections (4,5) of the rings engage forming a connection. An accidental loosening of this connection is prevented by sliding a stiffening tube (6) into a forward position to enclose the front end of the tube extension and the near end of the extension member. As well as serving to protect the connection, the stiffening tube serves to secure the flexible section at the desired angle of curvature. To remove the flexible section, the stiffening tube is slid backwards.