COUPLING STRUCTURE BETWEEN INSERTION SECTION AND OPERATION SECTION OF ENDOSCOPE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coupling structure between an insertion section and an operation section of an endoscope, dispensing with the repetition of adjustment work in the direction around the axial direction when coupling the insertion section with the operation section, preventing the extension of a proximal-side hard section of a flexible tube to a bendable area of a break-prevention tubular body, and consequently capable of securing superior durability of the break-prevention tubular section against the bending operation. SOLUTION: A substantially tubular intermediate coupling ring 5 as a whole is insertedly disposed between a flexible-tube proximal mouthpiece 21 and the operation section 3, the flexible-tube proximal mouthpiece 21 is pushed inside the intermediate coupling ring 5 and pressedly fixed to the intermediate coupling ring 5 from the distal side towards the proximal side by a fixing nut 6 threadedly engaged with the side of the intermediate coupling ring 5, the periphery of the intermediate coupling ring 5 is formed with a V-shaped groove 51 in the circumferential direction, and the intermediate coupling ring 5 is fixed to the operation section 3 adjustably in the direction around the axial direction by a screw 7 with truncated cone point which is threaded in a screw hole on the side of the operation section 3 for engaging its tip in the V groove 51. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT