Insertion assembly of an endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope comprising an insertion section having a distal-end unit which has a member having a plurality of through holes. An image guide has a distal end inserted in the first through hole. A first protective member surrounds and protects the distal end portion of the image guide. A light guide has a distal end inserted in the second through hole. A second protective member surrounds and protects the distal end portion of the light guide. The endoscope further comprises a fluid supply tube having a flexible main tube, a branch pipe, and two flexible sub-tubes. The main tube has a proximal end and a distal end which is fitted in the third through hole of said member. The branch pipe has three ends, the first of which is connected to the proximal end of the main tube. The two flexible sub-tubes are coupled to the second and third ends of the branch pipe, respectively. The branch pipe is located farther from the member of the distal-end unit than the proximal ends of the first and second protective members, and is thus spaced apart from the proximal ends of these protective members. Therefore, the proximal ends of the tubes protecting the image guide and the light guides are prevented from abutting against the branch pipe when the operation section is operated.