Abstract: An endoscope is provided in which an attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of a wire is easily performed to/from an erecting operation mechanism.

Abstract: An endoscope is provided in which an attachment/detachment operation of the proximal end of a wire is easily performed to/from an erecting operation mechanism and leakage of current to the outside can be prevented. An endoscope has an operation section 22 provided with an erecting lever, and a movable member 96 that moves in association with an operation of the erecting lever. The movable member 96 is arranged to be exposed to the outside of the operation section 22. A wire 60 is, at a distal end side thereof, coupled to an erecting base, and, at a proximal end side thereof, coupled to an attachment member 98 that is attachable to or detachable from the movable member 96 by a one-touch operation. The wire 60 includes a wire body 60A, and an insulating coat 60B coating a wire exposure region L.

Abstract: An endoscope in which an erecting operation of a treatment tool erecting base can be smoothly performed during an operation of the endoscope is provided. An endoscope according to the present invention has an operation section 22 provided with an erecting operation lever 20 and angle knobs 64; an insertion section 24 that is provided on a distal end side of the operation section 22 and that has a bending part 52 that is moved to be bent by an operation of the angle knobs 64; an erecting base 30 provided at a distal end part 26 of the insertion section 24; and a movable member 96 that is arranged to be exposed to outside of the operation section 22 and that moves in association with an operation of the erecting operation lever 20.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a main body portion that has a housing recession portion that houses an elevator, a drive member arrangement space that houses a drive member and is closed off from the housing recession portion, a lid insertion space that puts the drive member arrangement space and an outer space into communication, and a lid member that can be inserted into the lid insertion space and liquid-tightly closes off the lid insertion space when inserted. Also provided is a fitting/holding member that is fitted to the lid member inserted into the lid insertion space and is fixed to the main body portion, wherein the lid member has a protruding portion, and the fitting/holding member can be inserted into the drive member arrangement space in a direction that is different from a protruding direction of the protruding portion of the lid member.

Abstract: A rigidity variable device includes: a main body unit having an elongated shape; a plurality of higher rigidity portions made of metal, the higher rigidity portions being included in the main body unit and arrayed in a separated manner in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the main body unit; and one or a plurality of lower rigidity portions included in the main body unit and including a shape memory alloy coil disposed between adjacent ones of the higher rigidity portions and formed by winding a wire around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis. A rigidity of the shape memory alloy coil increases when heated.

Abstract: An endoscope includes: a distal-end rigid portion including an opening through which an instrument protrudes; a raising base disposed in the opening and configured to change a direction in which the instrument protrudes; a rotary shaft fixed to the raising base so as to rotate together with the raising base; an arm fixed to the rotary shaft so as to rotate the rotary shaft; a housing formed separately from the distal-end rigid portion, the housing including: a first bearing including a first shaft hole to rotatably support the rotary shaft; and a second bearing integrally formed with the first bearing and including a second shaft hole that is coaxially arranged with the first shaft hole so as to rotatably support the rotary shaft; and a seal member disposed between an outer circumference of the rotary shaft and an inner circumference of the first shaft hole to keep watertightness therebetween.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device may include a shaft having a distal end, and a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip may include an opening defined by a surface of the tip. An instrument inserted through the shaft may extend distally out of the opening. The device also may include an elevator for engaging the instrument. The elevator may include a proximal end fixed relative to the surface of the tip, a proximal portion extending distally from the proximal end, and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion. A force exerted on the elevator bends the proximal portion to deflect the distal portion without bending of the distal portion.

Abstract: An elevator for an endoscope comprises a first end secured to the endoscope, a second end movable by an actuator, a flexible portion positioned between the first and second ends that is rotatable when the second end is moved by the actuator, and a guide portion extending between the flexible portion and the second end to receive an endotherapy instrument extending from the endoscope, the guide portion comprising a chute to guide the endotherapy instrument leaving the endoscope. A method of forming an elevator comprises forming from a planar sheet of material an elongate body comprising a length between first and second ends, a width, and a thickness, forming a guide body in the elongate body, bending the elongate body such that first and second lengths of the elongate body oppose each other to form an interior space, and bending the guide body to extend into the interior space.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope including an endoscope head, a wide-angle lens on the distal end of the endoscope head, and a working channel extending in the endoscope head. Proximally from the wide-angle lens, the working channel is bent laterally toward the outer circumference of the endoscope head, wherein a distal working channel opening is formed on a lateral side of the endoscope head.

Abstract: Various embodiments comprise endoscopes (e.g., arthroscopes) for viewing inside a cavity of a body. The endoscopes may include a tip, at least one solid-state emitter such as light emitting diode (LED), located at the distal end of the endoscope, an elongated member. The elongated member may include a plurality of lenses for transmitting light received from the tip member and an elongated conducting member for providing electric power to the solid-state emitter. The elongated conducting member may include conducting lines embedded in a flexible elongated insulating membrane. The tip member and the elongated member may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the solid-state emitter.

Abstract: An insertion assist system includes a guide member and a shift member. The guide member brings an outside bend of a peripheral surface of an insertion body into contact with a guide surface of the guide member. The shift member shifts a direction of the distal end of the insertion body. The shift member comes into contact with an inside bend of the peripheral surface of the insertion body when the insertion body is bent. The shift member bends the insertion body toward the guide surface about the guide surface as a fulcrum when the shift member comes into contact with the inside bend and bends the insertion body.

Abstract: An articulated tip part for an endoscope having a number of hingedly connected segments including a distal end segment and a second segment, wherein adjacent segments are interconnected by at least one hinge member, whereby the tip part can be bent by means of the hingedly connected segments, wherein the distal end segment comprises a first steering wire guide for accommodating and guiding a steering wire, and wherein the second segment comprises an insertion guide with an entry in an outer circumferential surface of the second segment and an exit aligned with an entry into the first steering wire guide, whereby an end of a steering wire can be guided into the entry of the first steering wire guide via the insertion guide.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to an insertion assist system for an endoscope. The insertion assist system comprises a tube configured to control movement of an insertion portion of the endoscope during an advancing direction and a restrictor being disposed inside the tube and configured to restrict a protruding direction of the insertion portion. The tube includes an opening configured to receive the insertion portion to protrude therefrom. A guide surface is configured to control the advancing direction of the insertion portion and to restrict the protruding direction of the insertion portion. The restrictor is disposed facing the guide surface and is configured to press the insertion portion against the guide surface.

Abstract: According to a endoscope, an engaging part delivered from a delivery port advances while being guided to an opening of a housing part by an engagement guide path. Then, as the engaging part comes into contact with a deformation generating part, the engaging part is moved in a direction from a bottom surface of the housing part toward the opening, and thereby, the wire is elastically deformed. Then, in a case where the engaging part that advances within the engagement guide path has passed by the deformation generating part, the engaging part is housed in the housing part from the opening by a restoring force of the wire.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscope having an endoscope head with a working channel for guiding microtools, and an Albarran lever that is insertable on and detachable from the endoscope head, and having a tool guide surface with which a tool that is guidable through the working channel may come into contact in order to be deflected in the lateral direction of the endoscope head. An Albarran lever arrangement space is delimited by two flank sections of the endoscope head that extend in the distal direction. An Albarran lever pivot shaft, from which a shaft section protrudes with respect to the Albarran lever arrangement space with a length, is supported in one of the flank sections. The Albarran lever has a shaft insertion hole for inserting the shaft section, and has a width in a direction that is parallel to the shaft insertion hole.

Abstract: It is described an endoscope to perform surgeries preferably by perforation in translumenal organs in internal organs, comprising an insertion tube (10?) having a distal end (12?) and at least two working channels, one working channel having a smaller diameter (20?) and one working channel having a larger diameter (30?), the working channels (20?,30?) being capable of receiving surgical tools, the endoscope comprising at least two command cables (9?) operatively associated with the working channel of smaller diameter (20?) and at least two command cables (9?) operatively associated with the working channel of larger diameter (30?), the command cables (9?) being capable of allowing the surgical tool, arranged on any of the working channels (20?,30?), to move in any direction, regardless of the movement of the distal end (12?) of the insertion tube (10?).

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a device may include a shaft having a distal end, and a tip at the distal end of the shaft. The tip may include an opening defined by a surface of the tip. An instrument inserted through the shaft may extend distally out of the opening. The device also may include an elevator for engaging the instrument. The elevator may include a proximal end fixed relative to the surface of the tip, a proximal portion extending distally from the proximal end, and a distal portion extending distally from the proximal portion. A force exerted on the elevator bends the proximal portion to deflect the distal portion without bending of the distal portion.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion unit configured to be inserted into a subject, and allow a treatment tool to protrude from a distal end thereof. The insertion unit includes: a rigid member having a treatment tool insertion hole; a raising base that adjusts, by turning, a protruding direction of the treatment tool; a first guide groove that is formed on an outer surface of the raising base and holds the treatment tool; and a second guide groove that is formed on at least a part of an inner surface of the treatment tool insertion hole and includes an opening having a width smaller than a diameter of the treatment tool insertion hole. The first guide groove and the second guide groove have the treatment tool interposed therebetween in all of set states of the raising base.

Abstract: The disclosed technology is directed to a cover removal jig for an endoscope that removes a tip cover applied to a distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope. The cover removal jig includes an enclosing portion and a cylinder connected to the enclosing portion. The enclosing portion is to be applied to the tip cover to surround its circumference, and has a portion engageable with the tip cover. The cylinder is made from elastic material and capable to come into close contact with a part of an outer surface of the insertion section.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

Abstract: A medical device comprising an endoscope accessory for attachment to the working end of an endoscope. The coupler device provides a flexible working channel extension from the endoscope so that instruments can exit the endoscope at various angles. The device also provides a protective cover to reduce the ingress of debris, fluid, bacteria, or other unwanted matter from the working end of the endoscope which could lead to infection.

Abstract: An endoscope includes an insertion part that includes a distal end and a proximal end, a distal-end-portion body that is provided on a distal end side of the insertion part, and an ultrasound transducer that is provided on a distal end side of the distal-end-portion body. The distal-end-portion body includes a pair of walls, a standing base that is disposed in a space formed by the pair of walls and connected to a treatment tool outlet, an observation window that is disposed on one wall of the pair of walls, and a nozzle that is provided on the flat surface opposite to the space across the observation window and ejects washing water to the observation window. The wall surface of the other wall of the pair of walls is positioned on an extension of an ejection direction of the washing water to be ejected from the nozzle.

Abstract: There is provided herein an endoscope assembly comprising at least one front-pointing viewing element on a front end of a distal section of the endoscope assembly, at least one side-looking viewing element on at least one side wall of the distal section of the endoscope assembly, a working channel configured for insertion of a medical tool towards the distal section, and a system for regulating the direction of exit of medical device wherein said system enables the medical device to exit at multiple angles to the long dimension of the endoscope device either from the front end or through side walls of the distal section of the device.

Abstract: An anatomical probe system comprises an elongated flexible body and an elongated probe extending within the flexible body. The probe has a distal opening at a distal face of a distal end and includes an outer wall defining a channel, an access port in the outer wall in communication with the channel, a one-way flow controller, and an image capture instrument secured to the outer wall at a location proximal of the distal opening. The access port is spaced proximally of the distal face of the distal end. The one-way flow controller includes a cover configured to move between an open position where the access port is uncovered and the channel is in fluid communication with an area adjacent to the elongated probe via the access port, and a closed position where the access port is covered and a migration of fluids through the distal opening is permitted.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

Abstract: An endoscope cap with an elevator, which is easily attached to and detached from the distal end of the endoscope, may be provided. An endoscope cap attachable to and detachable from the endoscope, including a lever pivotally provided at a distal end of an insertion part of the endoscope and a pivot part making the lever pivot, comprises a bottomed cylindrical cover having an opening end, the opening end being attachable to and detachable from a distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope; a pedestal fixed to an inside of the cover and having an elevator attachment hole; and an elevator located inside the cover and having an elevator shaft inserted into the elevator attachment hole, the elevator being pivotable around the elevator shaft with respect to the pedestal.

Abstract: An endoscope having an endoscope shaft, with a distal shaft portion, a central shaft portion and a proximal shaft portion, and a light admission face at the distal shaft portion. The cross section of the central shaft portion is smaller than the cross section of the distal shaft portion and smaller than the cross section of the proximal shaft portion.

Abstract: A medical-endoscopic shank instrument includes a hollow shank (2), a distal side housing (8) in the hollow shank, an electronic picture sensor (14) and/or a light located in the housing. The housing is linearly movable to move the picture sensor and/or the light from within an inner lumen (22) of the hollow shank to outside the inner lumen. The housing is displaceable through an opening (20) formed on a peripheral wall of the hollow shank. An inner-lying outer side (26), opposite and away from the opening, is formed on a peripheral wall of the hollow shank and is supported on an elongate carrier (32) which is guided in the hollow shank. The elongate carrier (32) is configured elastically resiliently transverse to longitudinal extensions thereof and extends essentially over a whole length of the hollow shank and is fixed in a region of the proximal end/proximally of the hollow shank.

Abstract: An endobronchial tube comprising at least two lumens of different lengths for selectively associating with a patient about at least two locations relative to the Tracheal Carina.

Abstract: Various systems and methods of controlling a surgical instrument are disclosed. In one aspect, the surgical instrument includes a displacement member movable between a first position and a second position, a sensor configured to detect the position of the displacement member, and a display. The surgical instrument is configured to determine whether the surgical instrument is in a firing state and cause the display to display the position of the displacement member upon the surgical instrument being in the firing state.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a standing base in a tip portion body, an operation wire of which a tip side is connected to the standing base, and a stretchable coating member that covers the operation wire along an extending direction of the operation wire and so as to allow the operation wire to be relatively movable over the entire region from a connection portion between the standing base and the operation wire to an operation wire-guide passage. A tip of the coating member and the standing base are liquid-tightly fixed to each other, and a base end of the coating member and the operation wire-guide passage are liquid-tightly fixed to each other, and the coating member is disposed at a position where a moving path of the coating member and a moving path of a treatment tool led from a treatment tool-guide passage do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses control catheters and methods for pulmonary suffusion and related therapies. The control catheter may comprise a control end, working end having a first balloon, a minor lumen, and a first and second major lumen. One method of the present invention involves introducing the working end of the catheter into a circulator system of the mammal, positioning the catheter into a desired first lobe pulmonary artery, inflating the minor balloon using the corresponding lumen, positioning the major balloon in the main pulmonary artery, and inflating the major balloon using the corresponding lumen. The method may comprise the additional step of infusing a chemical agent through the distal tip after the inflation of the minor balloon and the major balloon.

Abstract: An elevator assembly to be accommodated in the leading end section of the endoscope includes an assembly body, an elevator, and an elevation lever. The elevator includes an elevator rotation shaft portion, the elevation lever includes a lever rotation shaft portion, and the assembly body includes a bearing hole for supporting the rotation shaft portions and. The elevator rotation shaft portion is inserted into the bearing hole from a recessed portion of the assembly body, and the lever rotation shaft portion is inserted into the bearing hole from a side opposite to the recessed portion, and then the shaft portions are coupled to each other.

Abstract: An endoscope (1) having a handle with a handle housing (2) and an insertion tube (3) extending from said handle (2) and terminating in a tip part (4) at the distal end of the endoscope (1). A working channel and having a distal end and a proximal end extends within the insertion tube (3). The endoscope further comprises motion transfer means (53, 54) extending within said working channel and adapted to operate a tool (55) at the exit port of the tip part (4) in response to the activation of an operating member (22). The working channel comprises a generally tubular working channel wall. The distal working channel end comprises an exit port at the tip part (4) at the distal end of the endoscope (1). The proximal working channel end comprises an end sealing means accommodated within the handle housing (2). An entry port is provided between the distal working channel end and the proximal working channel end.

Abstract: A catheter for removing tissue from a body lumen and for providing information relating to the body lumen. The catheter includes a tissue cutting element that rotates relative to the catheter body and is mounted to the drive shaft for imparting rotation to the tissue cutting element. As energy emitting element of the catheter rotates relative to the catheter body and is rotatable independently of the tissue cutting element.

Abstract: It is described an endoscope to perform surgeries preferably by perforation in translumenal organs in internal organs, comprising an insertion tube (10?) having a distal end (12?) and at least two working channels, one working channel having a smaller diameter (20?) and one working channel having a larger diameter (30?), the working channels (20?,30?) being capable of receiving surgical tools, the endoscope comprising at least two command cables (9?) operatively associated with the working channel of smaller diameter (20?) and at least two command cables (9?) operatively associated with the working channel of larger diameter (30?), the command cables (9?) being capable of allowing the surgical tool, arranged on any of the working channels (20?,30?), to move in any direction, regardless of the movement of the distal end (12?) of the insertion tube (10?).

Abstract: A duodenoscope protected with disposable consumables comprises a body having an insertion portion covered with a cuff, and a disposable forceps passage tube inserted into a tube of the body. A distal end portion of the body is covered with an end cap, which is integrally connected to the cuff and to the disposable forceps passage tube. The end cap is made of transparent elastic material with an elongated opening, compatible in shape to an opening of the distal end portion of the duodenoscope body, and further comprises a soft connection port in a shape of a pipe with a small-orifice end secured onto the disposable forceps passage tube, and a large orifice end secured onto an edge of the elongated opening. A forceps-lifting unit is disposed at the distal end portion of the duodenoscope body, and comprises a grooved pulley coupled with a steel wire for maneuverability.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of devices and method for affecting at least one anatomical tissue can be provided. A configuration can be provided that includes a structure which is expandable (i) having and/or (ii) forming at least one opening or a working space through which the anatomical tissue(s) is placed in the structure. For example, the structure, prior to being expanding, can have at least one partially rigid portion. In addition, or as an alternative, upon a partial or complete expansion thereof, the structure can be controllable to have a plurality of shapes. Further, the structure can be controllable to provide the working space with multiple shapes and/or multiple sizes.

Abstract: A treatment device used together with an endoscope, has a guide pipe and a movement mechanism. The guide pipe has a first pipe having a curving portion and a second pipe continuous with a proximal side of the curving portion. The curving portion has, in its inner circumferential surface, a bent surface bent to the second pipe, and bending the flow direction of the fluid discharged from the distal end of the sheath in a state where the distal end of the sheath is located near the distal end of the second pipe. The movement mechanism protrudes a distal surface of the insertion portion from the distal end of the sheath and brings the distal surface closer to or into abutment with the bent surface in a state where the distal end of the sheath is disposed near the distal end of the second pipe.

Abstract: Operability in inserting an insertion part of an endoscope into a body cavity using an insertion assisting tool is improved. In an insertion assisting tool 60, a sidewall portion of a tube main body 64 through which an insertion part 12 of an endoscope 10 is passed is provided with a sidewall opening part 68 having a size in which the insertion part 12 can pass through. A distal end side of the sidewall opening part 68 is provided with a guiding valve 82, and the insertion part 12 is guided by the guiding valve 82 to be easily fed from the sidewall opening part 68. The guiding valve 82 is swingably supported, and when the insertion part 12 is fed from a distal end opening part 67 of the tube main body 64, allowing the parallel state of being substantially parallel to an axial direction of the insertion part 12 and passing the insertion part 12 to a distal end opening part 67 side are enabled.

Abstract: A method may include inflating a first balloon within an internal carotid artery so as to block antegrade flow of blood into an ophthalmic artery. Additionally, the method may include maintaining antegrade flow of blood in the internal carotid artery via a perfusion lumen in the first balloon. Further, the method may include inserting a device into the ophthalmic artery via a lumen extending through a portion of the first balloon to a side opening in the first balloon.

Abstract: The specification describes a manifold for use in a tip section of a multi-viewing elements endoscope. The manifold has: a first section attached to an elongated second section, where the proximal section has a proximal socket and the distal section has a distal socket; a groove having a first portion along a first axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the manifold, and a second portion along a second axis tilted at an angle to the first axis; and a working channel tube wherein a distal segment of the tube extends along the first axis to lie within the first portion of the groove, and where a proximal segment of the tube extends along the second axis to lie within the second portion of the groove.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope capable of realizing equal operability by either a left or right hand without upsizing an operation portion. For this purpose, an operation portion is formed in a bilaterally symmetrical shape; a suction button and a bending lever are disposed at a center in a left and right width direction of the operation portion facing each other; and respective arm portions are disposed in a state of being rotated around a central axis of the bending lever by a predetermined angle relative to up, down, left and right tilt directions defined for the bending lever.

Abstract: An endoscope which can reduce time and labor for cleaning processing is provided. The endoscope includes: a distal end portion body which is provided on the distal end side of an insertion portion; a rotating shaft which is rotatably supported in the distal end portion body; an elevator which is coupled with one end of the rotating shaft; an elevator erecting lever which is coupled with the other end of the rotating shaft; an operating wire which rotates the rotating shaft through the elevator erecting lever by operation of an operating member and raises the elevator; a partition wall which includes a holding hole to support the rotating shaft; and a seal member which is disposed between the holding hole and the rotating shaft, at least part of the seal member being exposed to a surface side facing the elevator of the partition wall.

Abstract: A treatment instrument lifting adjusting portion including a lifting member and an operation wire is disposed outside of a treatment instrument guiding-out path including an exit member and a tube in a distal end portion. Thus, cleaning work can be performed by inserting, for example, a brush into the treatment instrument guiding-out path, and is easily performed similarly to an endoscope of a type having no treatment instrument lifting function.

Abstract: Described embodiments include a capsule, including a cyclically everting sleeve shaped to define a sleeve interior, a fluid, configured to facilitate the everting of the sleeve, contained within the sleeve interior, and a plurality of electrically-conductive coils coupled to the sleeve. The coils are configured to, when at least two of the coils are magnetized, advance the capsule within a lumen by applying an everting force to the sleeve. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope which can clean a distal end portion promptly and easily. An elevator housed in an elevator housing space of a distal end portion body is coupled with an erecting lever of an erecting lever housing chamber through a rotating shaft. A rotating shaft receiving portion formed with an engagement hole engaged with the rotating shaft and an engagement hole loosely fitted thereto is provided in the elevator, the elevator is retreated from the elevator housing slit by loosely fitting the elevator to the rotating shaft in cleaning.

Abstract: A method of inserting a treatment tool includes: making a puncture needle project from a first channel of an endoscope and puncturing an upper digestive tract to place a distal end of a needle tube of the puncture needle inside a biliary tract while observing an ultrasound image; inserting a guide wire into the biliary tract via the needle tube and making a distal end of the guide wire extend out from a duodenal papilla into a duodenum; placing a distal end portion of the endoscope in vicinity of the duodenal papilla while keeping the distal end of the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla while observing a captured image; pulling the guide wire extending out from the duodenal papilla into a second channel having a raised angle of the treatment tool larger than that of the first channel; and inserting the treatment tool inside the biliary tract via the guide wire.

Abstract: There is provided an endoscope which can clean a distal end portion promptly and easily. An elevator housed in an elevator housing space of a distal end portion body is coupled with an erecting lever of an erecting lever housing chamber through a rotating shaft. A first shaft portion which is engaged with an engagement hole of the elevator and a second shaft portion which is provided on the distal end side of the first shaft portion and is loosely fitted to an engagement hole of the elevator are provided in the rotating shaft. The elevator is avoided from the elevator housing slit by loosely fitting the engagement hole of the elevator to the second shaft portion at cleaning.

Abstract: Operability in inserting an insertion part of an endoscope into a body cavity using an insertion assisting tool is improved. In an insertion assisting tool, a sidewall portion of a tube main body through which an insertion part of an endoscope is passed is provided with a sidewall opening part having a size in which the insertion part can pass through. A distal end side of the sidewall opening part is provided with a guiding valve, and the insertion part is guided by the guiding valve to be easily fed from the sidewall opening part. The guiding valve is swingably supported, and when the insertion part is fed from a distal end opening part of the tube main body, allowing the parallel state of being substantially parallel to an axial direction of the insertion part and passing the insertion part to a distal end opening part side are enabled.