JP2001061772A - Fluid controller for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the smooth operation of an operation button with light force by the hands and fingers with a fluid controller which operates to change over flow passages by pressing the operation buttons connected to the front end of a valve stem by connecting the operation buttons to the valve stem relatively immovably in its axial direction and freely rotatably. SOLUTION: A main body operation part of the endoscope is provided with the plural operation buttons on the front surface on its base end side and is provided with, for example, the suction button 7 and the air feed button. A control valve 10 for suction operated by the suction button 7 is mounted within a housing 9 of the main body operation part. A cylindrical valve element 14 is freely vertically movably mounted at a valve casing 11 of this control valve 10 and a guide part 14a within a large-diameter part 16a of a partition wall 16 of the valve element 14 is successively provided with the valve stem 14b. The valve stem 14b projects upward from the housing 9 constituting the main body operation part 1 and the control valve 10 is changed over by making operation to push the suction button 7 connected to the projecting part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope used for medical purposes and the like.
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fluid control device mounted on a main body operation unit of an endoscope for an operator or the like to perform an operation while holding the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an endoscope used for medical purposes or the like includes an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity or the like, a main body operation portion provided with a base end portion of the insertion portion, and a main body operation portion. And a universal cord that is pulled out and connected to the light source device in a detachable manner. The endoscope is inserted into the body of the patient to perform examinations, diagnosis, treatment, etc., but the operator who operates the endoscope grasps the main body operation unit and performs the operation. Will be done. For this reason, a casing which can be grasped by an operator with one hand is formed in a casing constituting the main body operation section.

At the distal end of the insertion portion, an observation means is provided together with an illumination means. If an observation window constituting the observation means is soiled by body fluid or the like, an observation field of view cannot be obtained. The observation window can be cleaned as it is. In this cleaning of the observation window, water droplets and the like adhering to the observation window are wiped off with pressurized air after supplying the cleaning liquid. In addition, if the body is full of body fluids or the like, the observation becomes impossible or extremely difficult, so that the body fluids and the like can be removed by suction.

[0004] In order to clean the observation window, a nozzle is mounted at the tip of the insertion portion, and a liquid sending channel and an air sending channel are connected to the nozzle. It should be noted that the liquid supply flow path and the air supply flow path may be connected to the nozzle as a single flow path that joins on the way. In addition, the suction channel may be configured as an independent channel, or may be configured to join with a treatment tool insertion channel for inserting forceps or other treatment tools. In any case, the liquid supply flow path, the air supply flow path, and the suction flow path extend to the inside of the main body operation unit and are connected to the control valve. Here, the liquid supply flow path and the air supply flow path may be connected to separate control valves, but are generally configured by a single control valve. The control valve for suction is provided separately from the control valve for cleaning the observation window. However, the control valve for suction and the control valve for cleaning the observation window do not always have to be provided, and there is also a configuration in which any one control valve is provided.

[0005] The operation of the control valve is usually performed manually, and can be operated with the finger of the hand holding the main body operation unit, for example, the index finger. For this purpose, the control valve has a configuration in which a valve element is slidably mounted in a valve casing, and the switching operation is performed by sliding the valve element along the valve casing. In order to operate this valve element, a valve rod is provided continuously with the valve element, and an operation button is connected to a tip of the valve rod. The operation button is generally provided on an upper surface portion of the housing of the main body operation section so that the operation button can be easily operated with fingers. The suction control valve switches between two modes of applying a negative pressure suction force in the suction flow path or connecting the negative pressure source to the atmosphere. The urging force of the urging means is applied, and in this state, the negative pressure source is opened to the atmosphere, the operation button is pressed with a finger, and the negative pressure source is connected to the suction flow path side,
The air is shut off from the atmosphere, and a negative pressure is applied to the suction channel.

On the other hand, when the control valve for cleaning the observation window is used for both air supply and liquid supply, the control valve must be switchable between three modes. That is, it is necessary to switch between three positions: a stopped state in which neither air supply nor liquid supply is performed, a state in which pressurized air is supplied to the air supply flow path, and a state in which the cleaning liquid is supplied to the liquid supply flow path. For this,
An air release port is formed in the operation button, the valve body is held at a predetermined position, and switching between the stop state and the air supply state is performed by opening or closing the air release port with a finger. . Further, by switching the valve body along the valve casing, switching between the air supply state and the liquid supply state is performed. Therefore, the urging means such as a spring is urged in the valve body in a direction to close the liquid supply flow path, and the liquid supply flow path is connected to the liquid supply source by operating the operation button so as to be pushed. I do.

[0007]

As described above, whether the control valve is for cleaning the observation window or the control valve for suction, the operation button is directed in the axial direction of the valve stem against the spring. The switching operation is performed by performing an operation of pressing only a predetermined stroke. Here, the pressing stroke of the operation button depends on the size of the port formed in the valve casing, and a considerable pressing stroke is required to completely switch the flow path. In addition, the operation button is pressed against the urging means, and a seal member is in contact with the valve body, and the valve body slides on the seal member, etc. A large operation reaction force will act.

By the way, depending on the shape, structure, etc. of the operation section of the main body of the endoscope, and the size of the hand of the person who operates the endoscope, the gripping position on the main body operation section differs. Things. Therefore, in the case where the finger that operates the operation button cannot move straight in the axis direction of the operation button, and the movement is in a diagonal direction or a twisting direction in relation to the position where the operator grips the main body operation unit. There is. For this reason, a slip occurs between the finger and the operation button, and the operability of the operation button is deteriorated. Further, since an excessive force is required for the operation, the grip of the main body operation unit is performed. However, there is a problem that the stability cannot be obtained. In particular, when operating an endoscope for medical use, wear a surgical rubber glove, but when pressing the operation button with a finger wearing this rubber glove,
Since the resistance to sliding is large, the movement of the finger itself is restricted, and the movement of the operation button may be significantly deteriorated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to operate the operation button connected to the control valve with a light load with a light load. Is to do.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an endoscope in which a valve body is provided within a valve casing in a main body operation section connected to a base end of an insertion section. A control valve that is slidably mounted only for the stroke, and that has a valve stem connected to this valve body,
A fluid control device that protrudes the valve stem from a housing of the main body operation unit, connects an operation button to a tip of the valve stem, and performs a switching operation of a flow path by pressing the operation button by a predetermined stroke. The operation button is configured to be rotatably connected to the valve stem so that the operation button cannot move relative to the valve stem in the axial direction.

Here, as a specific configuration for rotatably connecting the operation button and the valve stem, for example, a male screw is formed at a tip portion of the valve stem, and a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the valve stem. The first connecting ring provided is screwed into the housing, and the operation button is connected to the finger pad and the outer peripheral surface of the finger pad, and covers at least the periphery of the male thread of the valve stem. And a skirt portion extending to the side, a female screw portion is provided on the skirt portion, and a second connection ring provided with a male screw portion on the outer peripheral surface is provided on the female screw portion.
The first connecting ring may be screwed into the position closer to the housing than the screwed position of the first connecting ring to the valve stem, and the outer diameter of the first connecting ring may be larger than the inner diameter of the second connecting ring.

As the control valve, a suction control valve for controlling whether a negative pressure is applied to the suction path or a negative pressure suction force is communicated with the atmosphere, or an air supply state, a liquid supply state, and a stop state There is a control valve for air supply and liquid supply that switches to the state. When configured as a control valve for gas supply and liquid supply, the operation button is provided with an atmosphere opening port.

[0013]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external view of a main body operation unit constituting the endoscope. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body operation unit, 2 denotes an insertion portion connected to the main body operation unit 1 and is inserted into a body cavity or the like, and 3 denotes a universal cord detachably connected to a light source device or the like.

An angle operation knob 4 for bending and operating a portion near the distal end of the insertion portion 2 is mounted on a side surface on the base end side of the housing of the main body operation portion 1.
In the vicinity of the connection part to the, a treatment tool introduction part 5 for introducing forceps and other treatment tools is provided, and in the vicinity of the connection part, an auxiliary liquid supply connection part 6 of an auxiliary liquid supply mechanism composed of a syringe or the like is provided. Is provided. A plurality of operation buttons are further provided on the upper surface on the base end side of the main body operation unit 1.
Among these operation buttons, 7 is a suction button, and 8 is a gas supply / liquid supply button.

A person who operates the endoscope grips the grip portion 1a between the angle operation knob 4 and the treatment instrument introduction portion 5 with one hand in the housing of the main body operation portion 1 and, of the fingers, the thumb. To operate the angle operation knob 4, and the suction button 7 and the air supply / liquid supply button 8 can be operated with, for example, an index finger. However, an operation of inserting a treatment tool such as forceps through the treatment tool introduction unit 5, a syringe or the like connected to the auxiliary liquid sending connection unit 6 to inject water or a drug solution into the body, and to perform suction from the body. The operation to be performed is performed with the other hand.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the structure of a control valve for suction operated by a suction button 7, and FIGS. 2 shows a configuration of a control valve for liquid.

First, the control valve 10 for suction has a valve casing 11 mounted in a housing of the main body operating section 1, and a suction source side flow path 12 is connected to a lower end of the valve casing 11. A chamber 11a and a chamber 11b having a suction channel 13 connected to the side are formed. The suction source side flow path 12 is connected to a suction pump, and the suction flow path 13 is a suction flow path opened at the end of the insertion section 2 (usually used also as a treatment instrument insertion channel, but is constituted by an independent path). You can also). Further, a cylindrical valve body 14 having a lower end opened and a closed upper end is mounted on the valve casing 11 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The valve 14 is provided with a communication passage 15. I have. The communication passage 15 has a passage portion 15a having a predetermined length from the lower end side of the valve body 14 and a passage portion 1
5a and a side surface through hole 15b which is always in communication.
Further, a partition 16 is provided on the upper side of the chamber 11b in the valve casing 11, and the partition 16 allows a side surface through hole 15b provided in the valve body 14 to communicate with the atmosphere and to communicate with the chamber 11b. State.

The valve element 14 extends upward from the partition 16, and a guide portion 14 a is continuously provided in the large diameter portion 16 a of the partition 16.
4a is guided by a groove formed in the large diameter portion 16a of the partition wall 16 in the axial direction of the valve casing 11,
This restricts movement of the valve body 14 in directions other than the axial direction. A valve stem 14b is connected to the guide portion 14a, and the valve stem 14b protrudes upward from the housing 9 forming the main body operating portion 1. The suction button 7 is provided so as to be connected to the valve rod 14b. Furthermore, partition 1
A spring receiver 17 is connected to the large-diameter portion 16a of the motor 6 and a suction button 7 is provided between the spring receiver 17 and the suction button 7 (specifically, a first connection ring 32 described later).
A spring 18 for biasing the valve body 14 in the projecting direction is elastically mounted, and the guide portion 14 a of the valve body 14 is held at a position where the guide portion 14 a contacts the spring receiver 17 by the biasing force of the spring 18.

The suction control valve 10 configured as described above is provided with a suction button 7 mounted on the upper surface of the main body operation unit 1.
By operating, the suction source side flow path 12 can be switched between a state in which the suction source side flow path communicates with the atmosphere and a state in which the suction source side flow path is shut off from the atmosphere to generate a negative pressure on the suction flow path 13 side. Normally, as shown in FIG. 2, the suction button 7 projects from the housing 9 of the main body operating portion 1 by a predetermined length due to the action of the spring 18, and in this state, the suction source side flow path 12 Since it is in communication with the atmosphere, no negative pressure suction force acts on the suction channel 13. When the suction button 7 is pushed in against the urging force of the spring 18, the valve element 14 slides along the valve casing 11, and the communication path in which the suction source side flow path 12 always communicates. Fifteen
Is switched to a state in which the communication with the atmosphere is cut off and the suction path 13 is connected.

The control valve 2 shown in FIGS.
Numeral 0 is for operating the air / liquid supply button 8 to control the air / liquid supply in order to perform the cleaning operation of the observation window provided at the distal end of the insertion section 2. The control valve 20 for air supply and liquid supply has a valve casing 21, and an air supply flow path 22 from an air pump and a liquid supply flow path 23 connected to the cleaning liquid tank are connected to the valve casing 21. In addition, an air supply channel 24 and a liquid supply channel 25 that communicate with the nozzle are also connected. A valve body 26 is slidably mounted in the valve casing 21, connects the air supply flow path 22 and the air supply flow path 24 with the valve body 26, and connects the liquid supply flow path 23 and the liquid supply flow path 25. 4, the air supply passage 22 and the air supply passage 24
And the liquid supply flow path 23 and the liquid supply flow path 25
And the state of FIG. For this purpose, a first chamber 27 for communicating and blocking the air supply flow path 22 and the air supply flow path 24 is provided between the outer peripheral portion of the valve body 26 and the inner surface of the valve casing 21, and a liquid supply flow path A second chamber 28 for communicating / blocking between the liquid supply channel 25 and the liquid supply channel 25 is formed.

A spring receiving member 29 is connected to the upper end of the valve casing 21 and provided to the outside through the housing 9 of the main body operating portion 1. A valve stem 26a extending through the spring receiving member 29 is connected to the valve body 26, and the air / liquid feeding button 8 is connected to the tip of the valve stem 26a. And
A spring 30 is elastically mounted between the air supply / liquid supply button 8 (specifically, a first connection ring 33 described later) and the spring receiving member 29, whereby the control valve 20 always operates. Due to the action of the spring 30, the air supply flow path 22 and the air supply flow path 24 are connected via the first chamber 27, and the liquid supply flow path 23 is cut off from the second chamber 28.
The liquid supply flow path 23 is maintained in the state shown in FIG.

Here, an open-to-atmosphere path 31 is formed so as to pass through the valve rod 26a from the valve body 26 and further to pass through the air-supply / liquid-feed button 8, and this air-open path 31 is provided with the air-feed / liquid-feed button The upper surface 8 is open as an air opening 31a. Therefore, even if the air supply flow path 22 and the air supply flow path 24 are connected, the air supplied from the air supply flow path 22 side due to the pressure difference between the body and the outside air is released to the atmosphere unless the air opening port 31a is closed. Be released. This is the stop state of the control valve 20. When the finger is brought into contact with the air / liquid supply button 8 to close the air opening port 31a, the communication of the air supply flow path 22 with the atmosphere is interrupted. Is supplied.

When the air / liquid supply button 8 is pushed in against the urging force of the spring 30, the valve element 26 slides in the valve casing 21 and the liquid supply flow path 23 and the liquid supply flow path 25 are separated. The liquid supply state shown in FIG. And
At this time, the communication between the air supply flow path 22 and the air supply flow path 24 is interrupted, so that pressurized air is not sent to the nozzle.

The control valve 10 configured as described above,
Reference numeral 20 denotes a hand for pushing the suction button 7 and the air / liquid feeding button 8 with fingers, and the fingers for operating these buttons are the fingers for gripping the main body operation unit 1. .
In addition, the buttons 7, 8 must be accurately pushed in the axial direction of the stems 14b, 26a. In the first place,
A spring acts on the buttons 7 and 8, and the valve body 1
4 and 26 are slid along the valve casings 11 and 21, so that the valve bodies 14 and 26 and the valve casing 11 and
Since a sealing member is interposed between the button 21 and the slide member 21 and the sliding resistance is large, even if the button is pushed straight, a considerably large operation reaction force is generated at that time. If a force other than the axial direction of the valve stems 14b, 26a is applied when the buttons 7, 8 are pushed in, a slip occurs between the finger and the buttons 7, 8, and an extra force is applied to the operation. Operation becomes difficult. In particular, when wearing surgical gloves on the fingers of the hands operating the buttons 7 and 8,
The operation of the buttons 7 and 8 becomes more difficult because rubber with poor slippage comes into contact with the surfaces of the buttons 7 and 8.

In particular, the suction button 7 has a directionality of the valve element 14. That is, since the suction passage 13 and the side surface through-hole 15b in the communication passage 15 must be located at the same position, the guide portion 14a of the valve body 14 is guided by the groove formed in the partition wall 16 so that the valve casing 11 On the other hand, the position is not shifted in the rotation direction, and the valve rod 14b is in a state where it cannot rotate. For this reason, when pushing the suction button 7, if a finger that operates the suction button 7 applies a force in a direction other than the axial direction of the valve stem 14 b, for example, in a direction in which the suction button 7 is rotated, an extra direction is required for the operation. The operation becomes difficult when a force is applied, and more pressing force than necessary must be applied. Therefore, when the suction button 7 is repeatedly operated, the fatigue of the operator becomes extremely large.

From the above, the valve rod 14b of the suction button 7
The suction button 7 and the air / liquid feeding button 8 are connected to the valve rods 14b and 26a so as to be relatively rotatable at the connecting part of the air supply / liquid feeding button 8 to the valve rod 26a. And Therefore, the valve stem 14b,
A male screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of 26a. The suction button 7 and the gas supply / liquid supply button 8 are provided at their upper ends with finger pads 7a, 8a with which the fingers abut. The outer circumferences of the finger pads 7a, 8a are connected to the valve rods 14b, 26a. Toward the side, these valve stems 14b, 26a
A substantially cylindrical skirt portion 7b, 8b covering the distal end portion including the male screw portion forming portion is continuously provided, and a female screw portion is formed on the inner surface of the skirt portion 7b, 8b.
Then, the first connection ring 3 having a female screw formed on the inner peripheral side.
The suction button 7 and the gas supply / liquid supply button 8 cannot be moved relative to the valve rods 14b, 26a in the axial direction by using the second connection rings 34, 35 having external threads formed on the outer peripheral side. , So as to be rotatably connected.

Thus, the first connecting rings 32, 33
The external diameters of the valve stems 14b and 26a are screwed into the male threaded portions of the valve stems 14b and 26a, and their outer diameters substantially correspond to the inner diameters of the skirt portions 7b and 8b of the suction button 7 and the air / liquid feeding button 8, or more than that. It has slightly smaller dimensions. On the other hand, the second connection rings 34 and 35 are configured such that a male screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof is screwed into a female screw portion formed on the inner surface of the skirt portions 7b and 8a. The inner diameters of the second connecting rings 34, 35 are at least smaller than the outer diameters of the first connecting rings 32, 33 and larger than the outer diameters of the valve rods 14b, 26a. Therefore, the first connection rings 32 and 33 have a shape that cannot pass through the second connection rings 34 and 35. The first connecting rings 32 and 33 have a shape in which the outer diameter on the lower side is small and the diameter on the upper side is large, but this increases the screwing length with respect to the valve rods 14b and 26a. It is not always necessary to form the step shape.

With such a configuration, the control valves 10 and 20 are connected to the suction button 7 and the air supply / liquid supply button 8, respectively, so that the suction button 7 and the air supply / liquid supply button 8 can be relatively rotated in the axial direction. Be incorporated. Therefore, a method of incorporating the suction button 7 into the control valve 10 will be described. First, the second connecting ring 34 is fitted in advance to the valve stem 14b connected to the valve element 14, and then the valve stem 14b
The first connection ring 32 is screwed into the end of b. Thereafter, the skirt portion 8b of the suction button 7 is fitted to the valve stem 14b in which the first connection ring 32 is screwed, and the second connection ring 34 is screwed in from the lower end side of the skirt portion 8b. The second connection ring 34 is connected to the first connection ring 32
To the position where it is almost in contact with the end of. However, when the second connection ring 34 is screwed in, the second connection ring 34 is not pressed against the first connection ring 32. Thereby, the suction button 7 is connected to the first connection ring 3 screwed to the valve rod 14b.
When the suction button 7 is brought into contact with the second connection ring 34 provided on the suction button 7 side, the second connection ring 34 cannot move relatively in the axial direction. The suction button 7 is rotated with respect to the valve rod 14b by sliding the connection ring 34 of the suction valve 7. In addition, the incorporation of the air / liquid supply button 8 into the control valve 20 can be performed in exactly the same manner, and a description thereof will be omitted.

With the above-described configuration, when the person who operates the endoscope operates the suction button 7 and the air / liquid feeding button 8 with the finger of the hand holding the holding portion 1a of the main body operation portion 1, In addition, due to the relationship between the gripping position and the position of the finger, the movement of the finger during operation cannot move straight in the axial direction of the control valves 10 and 20, and even if a force in the twist direction is applied, The suction button 7 and the gas supply / liquid supply button 8 are rotated relative to the valve rods 14b and 26a following the movement of the button, so that the force in the twist direction is absorbed by the rotation of the buttons 7 and 8, and There is no excessive force in the direction. As a result, the valve bodies 14 and 26 can be smoothly and reliably switched with a light load. Therefore, the burden on the operator of the endoscope can be reduced even if suction from the body and washing of the observation window are repeatedly performed during the inspection with the endoscope.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the operation button is not rotatable relative to the valve stem in the axial direction and is rotatably connected, the finger of the hand holding the main body operation portion is provided. When operating the operation button of the control valve with, even if a force in the direction of rotating the operation button acts, the force in this direction is absorbed by the rotation of the operation button, and no reaction force to the finger acts. Therefore, the operation buttons of the control valve are always kept smoothly operated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a main part of an endoscope showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a control valve for suction and operation buttons thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the control valve of FIG. 2 at a switching position.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a control valve for air / liquid supply and operation buttons thereof.

5 is a sectional view of the control valve of FIG. 4 at a switching position.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 7 Suction button 8 Air supply and liquid supply button 7a, 8a Finger contact part 7b, 8b Skirt part 10, 20 Control valve 11, 21, Valve casing 14, 26 Valve body 14a Guide part 14b, 26a Valve stem 31 partition wall 32,33 first connection ring 34,35 second connection ring

Claims (4)

[Claims] A valve body is slidably mounted in a valve casing within a valve casing in a predetermined stroke within a main body operating portion connected to a base end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a valve stem is attached to the valve body. A control valve configured by connecting the control valve is mounted, the valve stem is projected from the housing of the main body operation unit, an operation button is connected to a tip of the valve stem, and the operation button is pressed by a predetermined stroke. In the fluid control device for performing the switching operation of the flow path, the operation button is configured to be rotatably connected to the valve rod so as to be relatively immovable in the axial direction thereof. Mirror fluid control device. 2. A male screw portion is provided at a tip portion of the valve stem, and a first connection ring provided with a female screw on an inner peripheral surface is screwed to the male screw portion. And a skirt portion connected to the outer peripheral portion of the finger rest portion and extending toward the housing so as to cover at least a periphery of the external thread portion of the valve stem, and an inner surface of the skirt portion. A second connection ring having a female screw portion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the female screw portion is screwed into a position closer to the housing than a screwed position of the first connection ring. The fluid control device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the first connection ring is larger than an inner diameter of the second connection ring. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the control valve is a suction valve that controls whether a negative pressure is applied to a suction path or a negative pressure suction force is communicated with the atmosphere. Mirror fluid control device. 4. The air supply and liquid supply valve for switching between a gas supply state, a liquid supply state, and a stop state,
2. The fluid control device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an air opening is formed in the operation button.