WO2019163252A1 - Pipe connection structure - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, a connection structure is configured to include: the base end-side region 46 of a bending piece 24 located nearest a base end and having a center axis O; the front end-side region 50 of a connection fitting 35, which has a smaller outer diameter than the base end-side region 46 of the bending piece 24 nearest the base end and which can slide along the center axis O into the base end-side region 46 of the bending piece 24 nearest the base end; the head section 47b of a rivet 47, which is affixed so as to protrude in the direction of the center axis O from the inner peripheral surface of the base end-side region 46 of the bending piece 24 nearest the base end; a first groove section 52a which is provided in the front end-side region 50 of the connection fitting 35, contains the head section 47b of the rivet 47, and allows the head section 47b to slide from the front end side to the base end side; and a second groove section 52b which is in communication with the first groove section, contains the head section 47b of the rivet 47, allows the head section 47b to slide in a direction intersecting the direction of the center axis O, and has an end surface against which the slid head section 47b is caused to abut.

Description

Pipe connection structure

The present invention relates to a tube connection structure suitable for connecting a thin tubular body constituting an insertion portion of an endoscope or a catheter.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes and catheter insertion portions used in the medical field and the like are configured using a thin and long tubular structure. Such a tubular structure is configured by connecting a plurality of tubular bodies for realizing various functions along a longitudinal axis (center axis). Thereby, various functional parts, such as a front-end | tip part, a bending part, and a flexible tube part, are comprised in the insertion part.

As a technique for connecting such tubular bodies, for example, in FIG. 5 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-129229, a female joint for connecting with a male joint with a pin (protrusion) protruding on the outer peripheral side is shown. A circumferential intermediate passage extending in the circumferential direction, a longitudinal front passage extending forward from one end of the circumferential intermediate passage, and a longitudinal rear passage extending in the other end pattern of the circumferential intermediate passage. , A technology for connecting two pipes by providing a pin receiving passage (groove) with a male joint pin in the pin receiving passage.

However, there are many endoscope insertion portions and the like having an outer diameter of 5 mm or less, and in particular, in the tubular structure of such a thin insertion portion, the thickness of each tubular body Becomes extremely thin.

Therefore, when the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-129229 is applied to the connection of such thin-walled tubular bodies, the tubular body on the groove side is used when the protrusion protruding toward the outer periphery is engaged with the groove. There is a possibility that the end portion of the outer peripheral portion is deformed in the outer peripheral direction by the protrusion and damages the exterior member such as the curved rubber or the blade.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a pipe connection structure capable of accurately connecting thin tubular bodies in a good connection state.

A pipe connection structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first tubular body having a central axis, an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the first tubular body, and the inside of the first tubular body along the central axis. A second tubular body having a slidable sliding portion and extending from one end to the other along the central axis, and projecting from the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular body toward the central axis A projection provided on the first tubular body having a portion and a sliding portion provided on the sliding portion of the second tubular body, wherein the projection is received and the projection is slid from the one end side to the other end side. 1 groove portion and the sliding portion of the second tubular body are provided in communication with the first groove portion, the protrusion is received, and the protrusion is slid in a direction intersecting the direction along the central axis. And a second groove portion having an end surface against which the slid protrusion is abutted.

Overall view of the endoscope Cross section of the main part of the insertion part The exploded perspective view which shows the principal part of the connection part of a bending part and a flexible tube part The perspective view which shows the relationship between the connection nozzle | cap | die with which the flexible tube was connected, and the most proximal end bending piece. Cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the most proximal bending piece and the rivet Riveted perspective view Plan view showing the relationship between the most proximal bending piece and the connecting base VIII-VIII sectional view of FIG. The top view which concerns on a 1st modification and shows the relationship between a most proximal end bending piece and a connection nozzle | cap | die. Same as above, XI-XI cross-sectional view of FIG. The top view which concerns on a 2nd modification and shows the relationship between a most proximal end bending piece and a connection nozzle | cap | die. XII-XII cross section of Fig. 11

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion of an insertion portion, and FIG. 3 is a main portion of a connecting portion between a bending portion and a flexible tube portion. 4 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the connection base to which the flexible tube is connected and the most proximal bending piece, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the most proximal bending piece and the rivet. 6 is a perspective view of the rivet, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the relationship between the most proximal bending piece and the coupling cap, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG.

An endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an insertion portion 2 that is formed in an elongated tube shape and is inserted into a subject such as a body cavity, an operation portion 3 that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2, and an operation The universal cord 4 extended from the side part of the part 3 and the connector 5 arrange | positioned at the front end side of the universal cord 4 are provided as main components.

Note that the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is a transnasal endoscope that performs inspection of the upper digestive tract such as the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum via the nose of the subject. The outer diameter of 2 is a small diameter of about 5 mm.

The insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 includes, in order from the distal end side along the longitudinal direction, a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 7 connected to the proximal end side of the distal end portion 6, and a proximal end of the bending portion 7. And a long flexible tube portion 8 continuously provided on the side.

The operation unit 3 covers the proximal end of the flexible tube unit 8 and is connected to the flexible tube unit 8, and the operation unit 3 is connected to the folding unit 3 a, and the user uses the endoscope 1. And a gripping portion 3b that is gripped by a hand.

Various operation members are disposed on the proximal end side of the grasping portion 3b, and a treatment instrument insertion port 9 for guiding a treatment instrument such as forceps into the body cavity is provided on the distal end side of the grasping portion 3b.

As an operation member provided in the operation unit 3, there is a bending operation knob 10 for performing the bending operation of the bending unit 7 described above. The bending operation knob 10 pulls or relaxes the bending operation wire 40 as a long object inserted over the entire length in the insertion portion 2 in accordance with a user operation input, for example, the bending portion 7. Can be actively curved in four directions (up and down direction).

In the present embodiment, the up and down direction and the left and right direction of the bending portion 7 and the like are associated with, for example, the up and down direction and the left and right direction of an image captured by an imaging unit (not shown) built in the tip portion 6. Is defined.

Also, the bending operation knob 10 is provided with a bending fixing lever 11 for fixing the bending state of the bending portion 7. Furthermore, as operation members provided in the operation unit 3, a plurality of operation switches for performing operations corresponding to air / water supply operations or suction operations, imaging, illumination, and the like are provided.

The universal cord 4 passes through the inside of the bending portion 7 and the flexible tube portion 8 from the distal end of the insertion portion 2 to the operation portion 3, and further inserts various signal lines and the like extending from the operation portion 3.

In this universal cord 4, a light guide for transmitting illumination light of a light source device (not shown) is inserted, and an air / water supply tube extending from an air / water supply device (not shown) is further provided. It is a composite cable.

The connector 5 provided at the extending end of the universal cord 4 is connected to various devices such as a signal processing device (video processor) light source device, an air / water supply device, and other peripheral devices. Thereby, the endoscope 1 constitutes an endoscope system together with various device groups.

Next, the internal configuration on the distal end side of the insertion portion 2 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 6 positioned at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 is configured to have a distal end configuration portion (hereinafter referred to as a distal end rigid portion) 20 that is a rigid cylindrical frame. The distal end hard portion 20 includes an illumination optical system for illuminating the inside of the subject, an imaging unit, and the like, and an air / water supply channel and forceps for supplying fluid to the target portion in the subject. A treatment instrument insertion channel or the like from which a treatment instrument is derived is opened at the distal end surface (none of which is shown).

Inside the distal end portion 6, the most advanced bending piece 22 located at the most distal end of the bending piece set 21 described later is fixed to the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 20.

Inside the bending portion 7, a plurality of bending pieces 23 for constituting a bending piece set 21 which is a bending structure is disposed. The plurality of bending pieces 23 are arranged in a line along the longitudinal axis (center axis O) on the proximal end side of the most advanced bending piece 22. Furthermore, the most proximal end bending piece 24 as a first tubular body having a substantially cylindrical shape is disposed on the proximal end side of the piece row composed of a plurality of bending pieces 23 (that is, the most proximal end of the bending piece set 21). Has been.

The most advanced bending piece 22, the plurality of bending pieces 23, and the most proximal bending piece 24 are rotated by a rivet 25, which is a pivot member, at a portion where adjacent connecting portions overlap each other at positions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions. By being movably connected, a bending structure is formed that can be bent in four directions perpendicular to the upper and lower sides and the right and left sides. The rivet 25 has a flange-like side of the head arranged on the inner diameter side of the bending piece set 21 in order to prevent the rivet 25 from protruding to the outer shape side.

Here, the cutting edge bending piece 22 is provided with a wire fixing portion 22a for fixing one end of the wire 40 on the distal end side. In the present embodiment, the wire fixing portions 22a are provided at four locations on the inner peripheral side of the most advanced bending piece 22 corresponding to the four wires 40 for bending operation in the four directions of up and down and left and right.

Further, annular guide rings 23 a and 24 a are provided at appropriate positions on the inner peripheral side of each bending piece 23 and the most proximal bending piece 24. Each guide ring 23a, 24a is inserted into the middle of each wire 40 having a distal end fixed to the wire fixing portion 22a, and the base end side of each wire 40 is connected to the bending operation knob 10 of the operation portion 3 (see FIG. (Not shown).

Thus, when any of the four wires 40 is pulled by the bending operation knob 10, the bending portion 7 bends in any of the vertical and horizontal directions.

That is, the bending portion 7 has a bending structure formed by connecting a plurality of bending pieces 23 in the longitudinal axis direction, and pulling operation by the wires 40 from the operation portion 3 in four directions perpendicular to the upper and lower sides and the left and right. Actively curves with input.

On the other hand, the outer periphery of the plurality of bending pieces 23 is covered with a net-like blade 15 formed by braiding a metal or non-metallic fine wire. Further, the outer periphery of the blade 15 is covered with a curved rubber 17, and an outer skin from the distal end portion 6 to the curved portion 7 is formed by the curved rubber 17.

The curved rubber 17 is fixed to the outer periphery of the distal end portion 6 in a watertight manner, but other portions along the insertion direction are the most advanced bending piece 22, the plurality of bending pieces 23, and the most proximal end. The outer periphery of the bending piece 24 is covered with no adhesion.

Inside the flexible tube portion 8, for example, a spiral tube (flex) 30 configured by spirally winding a band-shaped member is disposed.

The outer periphery of the spiral tube 30 is covered with a mesh blade (mesh tube) 31 formed by braiding a metal or non-metallic fine wire.

Further, the outer periphery of the blade 31 is covered with an outer skin 32, and the distal end side of the outer skin 32 is liquid-tightened by a bobbin adhering portion 33 on the proximal end side of the curved rubber 17 extending to the flexible tube portion 8 side. It is connected.

Further, a connection cap 35 as a second tubular body having a substantially cylindrical shape is connected to the tip of the spiral tube 30 covered with the blade 31.

The distal ends of four guide sheaths 41 as wire guide members into which the four wires 40 are inserted so as to be able to advance and retreat are fixed to the inner periphery of the coupling base 35 by brazing or the like.

The guide sheath 41 is formed as a flexible coil pipe formed by tightly winding a stainless steel wire, for example, and is inserted through the inner peripheral side of the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 2.

Further, the outer periphery on the distal end side of the connection base 35 is connected to the inner periphery on the proximal end side of the most proximal end bending piece 24, thereby configuring the spiral tube 30 constituting the flexible tube portion 8 and the bending portion 7. Connection with the bending piece set 21 is realized.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, 7, and 8, the most proximal bending piece 24 has a substantially cylindrical tip side region 45 and a larger diameter than the tip side region 45. The base end side area | region 46 which makes | forms the substantially cylindrical shape formed is comprised by the cylindrical part with the step provided in a row.

The distal end region 45 of the most proximal bending piece 24 is provided with a connecting portion 45a with the adjacent bending piece 23 and the above-described guide ring 24a.

Further, in the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24, a through hole 46a penetrating in the thickness direction of the most proximal end bending piece 24 (that is, from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral side of the most proximal end bending piece 24). (See FIGS. 3 and 5 etc.).

A rivet 47 is held in the through hole 46a. The shaft portion 47 a is inserted into the through hole 46 a from the inner peripheral side of the most proximal end bending piece 24, and the tip of the shaft portion 47 a is caulked on the outer peripheral side of the most proximal end bending piece 24. It is held in the hole 46a. Thereby, the head 47b having a flange-like shape in the rivet 47 is disposed so as to protrude toward the inner periphery of the most proximal end bending piece 24, thereby realizing a function as a protrusion.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the rivet 47 is provided with a slit 47c in a portion from the head 47b to a part of the shaft portion 47a. The slit 47c is positioned so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the central axis O of the most proximal bending piece 24 when the rivet 47 is held in the through hole 46a. As a result, the head 47b of the rivet 47 can be elastically deformed in the direction of the central axis O within the range allowed by the slit 47c.

The connection cap 35 is, for example, a stepped portion in which a distal end side region 50 having a substantially cylindrical shape and a proximal end side region 51 having a substantially cylindrical shape formed in a larger diameter than the distal end side region 50 are connected. It is comprised by the cylindrical part.

The distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24, and slides inside the most proximal end bending piece 24 along the central axis O. It has a function as a movable sliding part.

Further, the tip end of the above-described guide sheath 41 is fixed to the inner periphery of the tip end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 (see FIG. 4).

Further, the coupling cap 35 is provided with an engagement groove 52 that can receive and engage the head 47b of the rivet 47 held by the most proximal bending piece 24. The engagement groove 52 is a through groove penetrating in the thickness direction of the coupling base 35, and a first groove portion 52 a that slides the head 47 b of the rivet 47 from one end side to the other end side of the coupling base 35, The rivet 47 is constituted by a substantially L-shaped groove having a second groove portion 52b that slides the head portion 47b of the rivet 47 in a direction intersecting with the direction along the central axis O of the coupling base 35.

That is, the first groove 52 a has substantially the same groove width as the head 47 b of the rivet 47, and is constituted by a groove extending along the central axis O from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the connection cap 35. . One end of the first groove 52 a is opened at the tip of the connection base 35. Note that the extending direction of the first groove portion 52a does not necessarily coincide with the central axis O, and the main component of the extending direction may be the direction of the central axis O.

The second groove portion 52b basically has the same groove width as the head portion 47b of the rivet 47, and is configured by a groove portion extending along the circumferential direction of the coupling base 35 orthogonal to the central axis O. . One end of the second groove portion 52b communicates with the other end of the first groove portion 52a. Further, the other end of the second groove portion 52b is closed in a bag shape, whereby an end face for abutting the head portion 47b of the rivet 47 is formed at the other end of the second groove portion 52b. Further, a narrowed portion 52c in which the groove width is partially narrowed is formed in the middle of the second groove portion 52b. Note that the extending direction of the second groove 52b is not necessarily required to be completely coincident with the direction orthogonal to the central axis O, and may be any direction in which the main component of the extending direction is orthogonal to the central axis O.

Here, the engagement groove 52 having such a configuration is, for example, when the head portion 47b of the rivet 47 held by the most proximal end bending piece 24 is positioned at the other end of the second groove portion 52b (when it hits). The pair of guide rings 24a provided on the most proximal end bending piece 24 and the distal ends of the guide sheaths 41 corresponding to the guide rings 24a are set so as to be positioned coaxially or substantially coaxially, respectively. Yes. Thus, in the present embodiment, the pair of guide rings 24a has a function as a first receiving portion, and the pair of guide sheaths 41 corresponding to the pair of guide rings 24a functions as a second receiving portion. Have

The distal end of the spiral tube 30 covered with the blade 31 is coupled to the inner periphery of the proximal end side region 51 of the coupling base 35.

In such a configuration, when the bending piece set 21 constituting the bending portion 7 and the spiral tube 30 constituting the flexible tube portion 8 are connected, the head 47b of the rivet 47 and the opening of the first groove portion 52a are connected. The distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 is inserted into the inner periphery of the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24.

Then, the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 is pushed into the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24 while sliding in the direction of the central axis O. 47b and the first groove portion 52a are slid, and the head portion 47b of the rivet 47 is relatively moved toward the base end side (the other end side) of the first groove portion 52a.

Thereafter, the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24 and the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 are relatively rotated while sliding around the central axis O, whereby the rivet 47 The head 47b and the second groove 52b are slid, and the head 47b of the rivet 47 is relatively moved to the base end side (the other end side) of the second groove 52b. At that time, the head portion 47b of the rivet 47 slides while elastically deforming in the diameter reducing direction at the throttle portion 52c, or the head portion 47c is slid while elastically deforming the periphery of the throttle portion 52c. When it passes and hits the other end of the second groove 52b, it is released from the restricting portion 52c and restored in the diameter expanding direction. Thereby, the relative rotation of the most proximal end bending piece 24 and the connection base 35 is prohibited, and the connected state is maintained.

At this time, the pair of guide rings 24a provided on the most proximal end bending piece 24 and the pair of guide sheaths 41 corresponding to these guide rings 24a are arranged coaxially (see FIG. 2).

According to such an embodiment, the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24 having the center axis O and the outer diameter smaller than the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24, A distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35 slidable inside the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24 along the axis O, and an inner peripheral surface of the proximal end side region 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24. Are provided in a head portion 47b of the rivet 47 fixed so as to protrude in the direction of the central axis O, and a distal end side region 50 of the coupling base 35. The head portion 47b of the rivet 47 is accommodated to receive a base from the distal end side. The first groove 52a to be slid to the end side and the first groove 52 are communicated, and the head 47b of the rivet 47 is accommodated and slid in a direction intersecting with the direction along the central axis O and slid A second groove 52b having an end face against which the head 47b is abutted. , It is possible to accurately connect the thin-walled tubular body the tubular body at a good connection state.

That is, for example, an endoscope such as a nasal endoscope needs to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 2, but the head 47 b of the rivet 47 that engages with the engagement groove 52 is attached to the proximal end bending piece 24. By projecting toward the inner peripheral surface side of the proximal end side region 46, it is possible to realize a connection structure between the bending piece set 21 and the spiral tube 30 without inhibiting the diameter reduction of the insertion portion 2. In addition, in order to reduce the diameter of the insertion portion 2, the thickness of the tubular body such as the most proximal end bending piece 24 and the coupling base 35 is inevitably reduced, but even in such a case, By providing the engagement groove 52 (the first groove part 52a and the second groove part 52b) in the distal end side area 50 of the coupling base 35 inserted into the proximal end side area 46 of the most proximal end bending piece 24, Even when the coupling base 35 is deformed in the vicinity of the opening of the first groove 52a when the rivet 47 is engaged with the head 47b, the blade 15 and the curved rubber 17 and the like are moved by the deformed edge of the coupling base 35. A connection structure that is not damaged can be realized.

Further, by configuring the coupling mechanism using the head 47b of the rivet 47 as a protrusion, the thickness of the proximal end bending piece 24 and the coupling base 35 cannot be screwed (that is, the thread cannot be formed). Even when the thickness is reduced to a small dimension), the connection between the most proximal bending piece 24 and the connection base 35 can be accurately realized.

Here, as another embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, instead of the head 47 b of the rivet 47, a tongue piece 55 is projected at the proximal end of the most proximal bending piece 24, and this tongue piece It is also possible to form a protrusion (folded portion) by folding 55 to the inner peripheral side.

This configuration can further simplify the connection structure. Furthermore, the length of the proximal end region 51 in the direction of the central axis O can be shortened, and the length of the connection region in which bending or the like is impossible can be shortened.

Alternatively, as still another embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the length of the proximal end region 51 in the direction of the central axis O is shortened and partially protruded from the proximal end region 51. 57 can be formed, and the rivet 47 can be partly projected from the proximal end of the most proximal bending piece 24 and held.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the tube connection structure of the present invention is applied to the insertion portion of the nasal endoscope has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the intranasal endoscope In addition to endoscopes, it may be applied to insertion parts of otolaryngological and urological endoscopes, and may also be applied to catheters having a curved portion composed of bending pieces other than endoscopes. Is possible.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-29721 filed in Japan on February 22, 2018. The above disclosure is included in the present specification and claims. Shall be quoted.

Claims (8)

A first tubular body having a central axis;
The first tubular body has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter, and has a sliding portion that can slide inside the first tubular body along the central axis, from one end to the other end along the central axis. A second tubular body extending;
A protrusion provided on the first tubular body having a portion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular body toward the central axis;
A first groove that is provided in the sliding portion of the second tubular body, houses the protrusion, and slides the protrusion from the one end side to the other end side;
The sliding portion of the second tubular body is provided in communication with the first groove, and the projection is received and the projection is slid in a direction intersecting with the direction along the central axis and slid. And a second groove portion having an end face against which the protrusion is abutted. The inner peripheral portion of the first tubular body has a first receiving portion that slidably supports a long object extending in a direction along the central axis,
The inner peripheral portion of the second tubular body has a second receiving portion that slidably supports the elongated object in a direction along the central axis,
When the projection sliding in a direction intersecting with the direction along the central axis hits the end face, the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion make the elongated object coaxial or substantially coaxial. The pipe connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion are arranged so as to be supported. The long object including a wire sliding inside the first tubular body and the second tubular body in a direction along the central axis on an end side of the first tubular body or the second tubular body. The pipe connection structure according to claim 2, further comprising an operation unit that is operated by the operation unit. The protrusion includes a rivet that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular body toward the central axis, or a tongue piece provided on the first tubular body, the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular body. 2. The pipe connection structure according to claim 1, further comprising: a folded portion that is folded back so as to protrude in a direction toward the central axis. 5. The pipe connection structure according to claim 4, wherein the protrusion or the folded portion is provided at a position protruding from an end portion of the first tubular body in a direction along the central axis. 2. The pipe connection structure according to claim 1, further comprising a protrusion preventing portion of the protrusion that is narrower than a width of the first groove part in the middle of the second groove part. The protrusion includes a rivet that protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the first tubular body toward the central axis, and the rivet is divided in a direction that intersects the central axis and the central axis of the rivet. The pipe connection structure according to claim 6, wherein a slit is formed. The first tubular body is a bending piece constituting a bending portion connected to an insertion portion of an endoscope,
The pipe connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the second tubular body is a connection base provided in the insertion portion that is connected to the bending piece.

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