# US 11,439,294 B2 · Insertion apparatus, endoscope, and connection structure for connecting exterior member and cylindrical member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,294 B2 - Document ID: US11439294B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/888,984 - Filed: 2020-06-01 - Published: 2020-09-17 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-30 - Assignees: Olympus Corporation - Applicants: Olympus Corporation - Inventors: Mitsuru Kaneko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439294B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00124: {electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection} - A61B 1/00078: {with stiffening means} - A61B 1/00105: {characterised by modular construction} - A61B 1/0056: {the insertion parts being asymmetric, e.g. for unilateral bending mechanisms} - A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment - G02B 23/24: Instruments {or systems} for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes - G02B 23/2476: {Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An insertion apparatus includes: a bend preventing member having a first opening and a second opening; an exterior member connected to the bend preventing member in a state where the exterior member abuts against a second surface side, and a projection which is formed on the second surface circumferentially in a protruding manner toward the exterior member, the projection being elastically deformable such that the projection is inclined in an outside direction of the bend preventing member by making the projection abut against the exterior member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An insertion apparatus comprising: a tubular member formed in a tapered shape, the tubular member having a through hole with a first opening formed at one end of the through hole and a second opening formed at another end of the through hole, the second opening having a larger diameter than the first opening, and the tubular member having an outer tapered peripheral surface connecting a first surface having the first opening and a second surface having the second opening; an exterior member connected to the tubular member in a state where the exterior member abuts against a projection on the second surface of the tubular member; and the projection circumferentially formed on the second surface to project toward the exterior member, the projection being elastically deformable such that the projection is inclined radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member when the projection is made to abut against the exterior member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inner peripheral surface of the projection has an inclined surface inclined radially outward from the central longitudinal axis of the tubular member toward the exterior member with respect to a direction that the projection is made to abut against the exterior member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The insertion apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a cross section of the projection in a direction that the projection is made to abut against the exterior member has an approximately trapezoidal shape or an approximately pentagonal shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the projection is formed so as to extend in a direction that the projection is made to abut against the exterior member from an outer peripheral edge of the second surface of the tubular member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an elastic modulus of the projection is smaller than each of an elastic modulus of the tubular member and an elastic modulus of the exterior member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the through hole has a female thread which is threadedly fixed to a mating male thread on the exterior member in a direction that the tubular member is made to abut against the exterior member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection is formed in a protruding manner along the central longitudinal axis of the tubular member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The insertion apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the projection is disposed in a gap formed between the second surface of the tubular member and the exterior member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the insertion apparatus is an endoscope. ### Claim 10 An insertion apparatus comprising: a tubular member formed in a tapered shape, the tubular member having a through hole with a first opening formed at one end of the through hole and a second opening formed at another end of the through hole, the second opening and having a larger diameter than the first opening, and the tubular member having an outer tapered peripheral surface connecting a first surface having the first opening and a second surface having the second opening; an exterior member connected to the tubular member in a state where the exterior member abuts against a ring-shaped projection on the second surface of the tubular member; and the ring-shaped projection circumferentially formed on the second surface to project toward the exterior member, the projection formed such that a distance between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the projection decreases as the projection extends away from the second surface, and the projection being elastically deformable such that the projection is inclined radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member when the projection is made to abut against the exterior member. ### Claim 11 A connection structure for connecting an exterior member and a tubular member, the connection structure comprising: the tubular member formed in a tapered shape, the tubular member having a through hole with a first opening formed at one end of the through hole and a second opening formed at another end of the through hole, the second opening having a larger diameter than the first opening, and the tubular member having an outer tapered peripheral surface connecting a first surface having the first opening and a second surface having the second opening and is formed in a tapered shape; the exterior member connected to the tubular member in a state where the exterior member abuts against a ring-shaped projection on the second surface of the tubular member; and the ring-shaped projection circumferentially formed on the second surface to project toward the exterior member, the projection formed such that a distance between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the projection decreases as the projection extends away from the second surface, and the projection being elastically deformable such that the projection is inclined radially outward from a central longitudinal axis of the tubular member when the projection is made to abut against the exterior member.