CN114727747A

CN114727747A - Endoscope with a detachable handle

Info

Publication number: CN114727747A
Application number: CN202080080040.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 小向牧人; 雪入毅司; 岩根广幸
Original assignee: Fujifilm Corp
Current assignee: Fujifilm Corp
Priority date: 2019-11-29
Filing date: 2020-11-24
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Also published as: JPWO2021106831A1; JP7216226B2; WO2021106831A1

Abstract

The invention provides an endoscope capable of improving protection of an observation window. A distal end surface (28) of an insertion section (12) of an endoscope (10) has an observation window (34), a fluid discharge nozzle (40), a 1 st protective protrusion (66), a 2 nd protective protrusion (68), and an extension section (72). The observation window (34) and the extension (72) are disposed on the 2 nd surface (62) of a projection (58) that projects forward from the 1 st surface (56). The cross-sectional shapes of the 1 st protective projection (66) and the 2 nd protective projection (68) perpendicular to the axial direction are rounded shapes, and the cross-sectional areas increase from the top (66A, 68A) to the bottom. The top sections (66A, 68A) are disposed at positions further inward than the outer edge section of the 1 st surface (56). In all combinations of virtual planes that can contact at least two of the fluid ejection nozzle (40), the 1 st protective protrusion (66), the 2 nd protective protrusion (68), and the extension (72) from the front side, the virtual planes are arranged at positions further to the front side than the observation window (34).

Description

Endoscope with a detachable handle

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope that achieves improved protection of an observation window in a distal end portion of an insertion portion.

Background

For example, in an upper gastrointestinal endoscope such as a gastroscope, an insertion portion is required to be reduced in diameter. An observation window for taking in subject light from an observed region and an illumination window for emitting illumination light to the observed region are disposed on a distal end surface of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of such an endoscope. A fluid ejection nozzle (air supply/water supply nozzle) for ejecting a cleaning fluid (water or the like) and a gas (air or the like) fluid toward the observation window in order to remove deposits such as body fluid adhering to the observation window is disposed on the distal end surface.

When the distal end surface of the endoscope comes into contact with the top plate of the table during preparation, with the floor surface during examination and holding by a medical practitioner, with the floor surface when hanging on a hanger, and with a water tank or a tank of a washing machine during washing and disinfection (hereinafter, also referred to as a "contacted member"), the observation window and the illumination window may be damaged by coming into contact with the top plate, the floor surface, and the tank.

As an endoscope having improved impact resistance while preventing contact with a lens portion of an observation window, for example, patent document 1 listed below describes an endoscope in which a 1 st protective projection, a 2 nd protective projection, and an extension portion extending from the observation window toward a side opposite to a nozzle are provided on a distal end surface of an insertion portion, and contact with the observation window is prevented by the nozzle, the 1 st protective projection, the 2 nd protective projection, and the extension portion.

Prior art documents

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-58203

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

However, in the endoscope described in patent document 1, the contact target member is prevented from contacting the observation window by the above-described structure, but when the size of the contact target member is smaller than the assumed size, the contact target member may pass through the 1 st protective projection, the 2 nd protective projection, the nozzle, and the extension portion to contact the observation window.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope capable of achieving improved protection of an observation window.

Means for solving the technical problem

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, an endoscope according to the present invention includes: an insertion unit inserted into a subject; a 1 st surface constituting a front end surface of the insertion portion; a 2 nd surface formed on a protruding portion protruding from the 1 st surface to the front side; an observation window provided on the 2 nd surface and used for observing the inside of the subject; a nozzle provided on the 1 st surface and ejecting a fluid toward the observation window; a 1 st protection protrusion and a 2 nd protection protrusion which are provided on the 1 st surface and are arranged with a virtual straight line passing through the center of the observation window and the center of the nozzle therebetween; and an extension portion provided to the protrusion portion and extending from the observation window toward a side opposite to the nozzle, wherein the 1 st protection protrusion and the 2 nd protection protrusion each have a top portion and an inclined surface portion, a cross section of the inclined surface portion perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion portion has a rounded shape, and a cross section area increases from the top portion toward the bottom portion, the top portion is disposed at a position more inward than an outer edge portion of the 1 st surface when viewed from an axial front side of the insertion portion, and the virtual plane is disposed at a position more forward than the observation window in all combinations of virtual planes contactable with at least two of the nozzle, the 1 st protection protrusion, the 2 nd protection protrusion, and the extension portion from the front side.

In one aspect of the present invention, the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection are preferably provided so as to protrude further forward than the observation window.

In one aspect of the present invention, the nozzle is preferably provided so as to protrude further forward than the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion.

In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the illumination device includes a 1 st illumination window and a 2 nd illumination window provided on the 1 st surface and arranged with a virtual straight line interposed therebetween, at least one of the 1 st protection projection and the 2 nd protection projection is arranged at a position adjacent to the 1 st illumination window or the 2 nd illumination window, the 1 st illumination window or the 2 nd illumination window is arranged on the same side with respect to the virtual straight line, and the 1 st protection projection and the 2 nd protection projection adjacent to the 1 st illumination window and the 2 nd illumination window are arranged along the contour of the 1 st illumination window or the 2 nd illumination window adjacent thereto.

In one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion preferably has a flat surface on the top, and the flat surface is smoothly connected to the inclined surface portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion has a conical inclined surface formed linearly from the 1 st surface toward the front side in a cross section parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion preferably has a circular curved surface or an elliptical curved surface in a cross section parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion.

In one aspect of the present invention, the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection are preferably disposed outside the observation field of the endoscope.

In one aspect of the present invention, the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion are preferably disposed outside the visual field of the observation window.

In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the nozzle has a step portion provided on the 1 st surface and protruding forward, and the nozzle is provided on the step portion.

Effects of the invention

According to the invention, the protection of the observation window can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a distal end surface of an insertion portion of the endoscope shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the front end face shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI in fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a virtual plane in contact with the distal end surface.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating another example of the virtual plane in contact with the distal end surface.

Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating still another example of a virtual plane in contact with the distal end surface.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a 1 st modification of the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection.

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a 2 nd modification of the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a 3 rd modification of the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection.

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a 4 th modification of the 1 st protective projection and the 2 nd protective projection.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, an endoscope 10 includes an insertion portion 12 to be inserted into a subject; an operation portion 14 provided at the base end of the insertion portion 12; a universal cable 16 for connecting the endoscope 10 to system components such as a light source device, a processor device, and an air/water supply device, which are not shown.

The insertion portion 12 has a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis a which is an axis of the insertion portion 12, and includes a soft portion 18, a curved portion 20, and a distal end portion 22 in this order from the proximal end toward the distal end.

The flexible portion 18 is flexible and can be bent in any direction along the insertion path of the insertion portion 12. The bending portion 20 is bent in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction by operating the

corner knobs

24 and 26 provided rotatably on the operation portion 14, and the direction in which the distal end portion 22 faces can be changed in any direction. The distal end portion 22 has a distal end surface 28 (see fig. 2) provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 12.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the distal end portion 22 in an enlarged manner, and fig. 3 is a front view of the distal end portion 22 as viewed from the longitudinal axis a (see fig. 1). Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 22 taken along the line IV-IV in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 4, the distal end portion 22 includes a distal end portion main body 30 made of a hard material such as metal and holding various components disposed at the distal end portion 22, and a distal end cover 32 made of an insulating resin material and covering a distal end surface 30A and a distal end outer peripheral surface 30B of the distal end portion main body 30. Fig. 4 shows a tip portion 42A of an air/water supply channel 42 connected to a fluid discharge nozzle 40 and accommodating a lens barrel 38 that constitutes an observation window 34 and an optical system 36 of an observation unit, as a unit held by the tip end main body 30 and the tip end cover 32.

The structure of the distal end surface 28 of the distal end portion 22 will be described with reference to fig. 2 and 3. The distal end surface 28 is formed on a surface of the distal end side of the distal end cover 32. The distal end surface 28 is formed on the basis of a circular flat surface whose intersection position with the longitudinal axis a is defined as the center C of the distal end surface 28. In the following description, the "front side" refers to the front end side of the insertion portion 12 in the longitudinal axis a direction.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the tip portion 22 is provided with a 1 st surface 56 constituting the tip end surface 28 along a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a of the insertion portion 12. The 1 st surface 56 has a projection 58 projecting forward from the 1 st surface 56, and the 2 nd surface 62 is formed on the projection 58.

The 1 st surface 56 is provided with the 1 st illumination window 44, the 2 nd illumination window 46, the treatment instrument outlet 48, and the like. The 2 nd surface 62 is provided with an observation window 34 for observing the inside of the subject. The 1 st surface 56 is provided with a step portion 64, and the step portion 64 is provided with the fluid discharge nozzle 40. Note that symbol C shown in fig. 2 and 3 indicates the center of the distal end surface 28.

The 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46 are components of an illumination unit for illuminating the region to be observed, and illuminate the region to be observed with illumination light transmitted from the light source device.

The

circular surfaces

44S and 46S of the 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46 are formed of, for example, flat surfaces, and are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a. The centers of the

surfaces

44S and 46S are disposed at positions offset from the center C of the distal end surface 28 toward the peripheral edge of the distal end surface 28, and are disposed at positions facing each other with the center B of the surface 34S of the observation window 34 interposed therebetween.

The observation window 34 is a component of an observation unit for acquiring an image of an observed site, and takes in subject light from the observed site to an imaging mechanism via an optical system 36 shown in fig. 4. The image captured by the observation unit is transmitted to the processor device as an observation image.

The circular surface 34S of the observation window 34 is formed of, for example, a flat surface, and is arranged perpendicular to the optical axis D of the observation window 34. The surface 34S is disposed on the same surface as the 2 nd surface 62, for example. The center B of the surface 34S is disposed at a position offset from the center C of the distal end surface 28 toward the peripheral edge of the distal end surface 28. The optical axis D of the observation window 34 is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis a of the insertion portion 12, and the center B is located on the optical axis D.

The treatment instrument outlet 48 communicates with the treatment instrument inlet 50 of the operation unit 14 via a treatment instrument insertion passage (not shown) inserted through the insertion unit 12 (see fig. 1). Therefore, the treatment instrument introduced from the treatment instrument introduction port 50 is led out from the treatment instrument outlet port 48 through the treatment instrument insertion passage.

A suction channel (not shown) is connected to the treatment instrument insertion channel, and suction operation from the treatment instrument outlet port 48 is performed through the suction channel by operation of a suction button 54 of the operation unit 14 (see fig. 1).

As shown in fig. 4, the fluid discharge nozzle 40 has a base end portion 40A and a tip end portion 40B, and the shape including the base end portion 40A and the tip end portion 40B is formed in an L shape.

The base end portion 40A is connected to a tip end portion 42A of the air/water supply channel 42, and is connected to the air/water supply device via the air/water supply channel 42. The channel 41A of the base end portion 40A has a circular cross section perpendicular to the axis of the channel 41A, and the center E of the circular cross section is disposed at a position offset from the center C (see fig. 3) of the distal end surface 28 toward the peripheral edge of the distal end surface 28 and is disposed at a position close to the 1 st illumination window 44 out of the 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46 in order to avoid interference with the treatment instrument lead-out opening 48.

The duct 41B of the distal end portion 40B is formed in a rectangular shape in cross section perpendicular to the axis of the duct 41B, and an injection port 52 opening toward the observation window 34 is formed at the distal end of the duct 41B. The injection port 52 is configured as a rectangular opening in the same manner as the cross-sectional shape of the conduit 41B.

According to the fluid discharge nozzle 40 configured as described above, when a leak hole (not shown) formed in the air/water supply button 55 of the operation unit 14 (see fig. 1) is closed with a finger, the gas from the air/water supply device is discharged from the discharge port 52 toward the surface 34S of the observation window 34. When the air/water feeding button 55 is pressed by a finger closing the leak hole, the cleaning liquid from the air/water feeding device is ejected from the ejection port 52 toward the surface 34S of the observation window 34. In addition, as a procedure for cleaning the observation window 34, for example, after the cleaning liquid is ejected from the ejection port 52 to remove the adhering matter such as blood or body fluid adhering to the surface 34S of the observation window 34, the gas is ejected from the ejection port 52 to remove the cleaning liquid remaining in the adjacent region adjacent to the surface 34S of the observation window 34 and the observation window 34.

In addition to the above configuration, the 1 st surface 56 of the distal end surface 28 of the present embodiment further includes a 1 st protective projection 66 and a 2 nd protective projection 68 for preventing the contact of the contact target member with the observation window 34. The protrusion 58 has an extension 72 extending from the observation window 34 toward the side opposite to the fluid discharge nozzle 40. The extension 72 is provided to extend from the 2 nd surface 62 in parallel with the vertical direction of the longitudinal axis a, and a surface 72A (refer to fig. 4) of the extension 72 is formed on the same plane as the 2 nd surface 62.

As shown in fig. 3, the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 are disposed at positions facing each other with a virtual straight line 70 passing through the center B of the observation window 34 and the center F of the fluid discharge nozzle 40 interposed therebetween. In other words, the 1 st protective protrusion 66 is disposed on the 1 st surface 56 on the left side in fig. 3, and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 is disposed on the 1 st surface 56 on the right side, with the virtual straight line 70 as a boundary. Similarly, the 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46 are disposed at positions facing each other with a virtual straight line 70 interposed therebetween, the 1 st protection projection 66 is disposed on the side where the 1 st illumination window 44 is disposed, and the 2 nd protection projection 68 is disposed on the side where the 2 nd illumination window 46 is disposed. The

top portions

66A, 68A of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 are disposed inward from the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56.

In the distal end surface 28 shown in fig. 2 and 3, the 1 st protective projection 66 is provided at a position adjacent to the 1 st illumination window 44. The 2 nd protective projection 68 is provided at a position adjacent to the 2 nd illumination window 46. The 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 are arranged in a shape cut along the outline of the 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46, respectively.

Here, in the upper gastrointestinal endoscope, in order to reduce the burden on the subject when the endoscope 10 is inserted, the diameter of the insertion portion 12 is required to be reduced or the size thereof is required to be reduced. Therefore, since the positions of the members disposed on the distal end surface 28 are restricted, the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 can be disposed without increasing the size of the distal end portion 22 by forming the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 in a cut-away shape.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the front end portion 22 taken along the line V-V of fig. 2, and fig. 6 is a sectional view of the front end portion 22 taken along the line VI-VI of fig. 2. The heights of the members disposed on the distal end surface 28 of the distal end portion 22 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. The height is a length that projects forward (toward the front end of the vertical axis a) from the reference position, with the position of the 1 st surface 56 as the reference position. In fig. 5 and 6, for convenience of explanation, the optical systems of the observation window 34 and the 1 st illumination window 44 are not shown.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the height H2 is set to be higher than the height H1, where H1 represents the height from the reference position to the surface 34S of the observation window 34 and the height to the surface 72A of the extension 72, and H2 represents the height to the tops 66A, 68A of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68. That is, the

top portions

66A, 68A are disposed to protrude further to the front than the surface 34S. When the height from the reference position to the distal end side surface 43 of the fluid discharge nozzle 40 is H3, the height H3 is set to be higher than the height H2. That is, the front end side surface 43 is disposed to protrude further forward than the

top portions

66A, 68A. That is, in the embodiment, the heights H1, H2, and H3 are in the relationship of H1 < H2 < H3.

According to the height relationship described above, in the case of (1) to (5), the contact of the contacted member to the observation window 34 can be prevented. That is, in the case where the contacted member (not shown) is in contact with both (1) the tip side surface 43 of the fluid discharge nozzle 40 and the surface 72A of the extending portion 72 from the front side of the longitudinal axis a, in the case where the contacted member is in contact with both (2) the tip side surface 43 of the fluid discharge nozzle 40 and the top portion 66A of the 1 st protective projection 66, in the case where the contacted member is in contact with both (3) the tip side surface 43 of the fluid discharge nozzle 40 and the top portion 68A of the 2 nd protective projection 68, in the case where the contacted member is in contact with both (3) the top portion 66A of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the top portion 68A of the 2 nd protective projection 68, in the case where the contacted member is in contact with both (4) the top portion 66A of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the surface 72A of the extending portion 72, and in the case where the contacted member is in contact with both (5) the top portion 68A of the 2 nd protective projection 68 and the surface 72A of the extending portion 72, in each case, the contacted member can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34. This will be described later.

Next, an example of the shape of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 will be described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shapes of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal axis a and including the

top portions

66A and 68A.

As shown in fig. 7, the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 have rounded

top portions

66A, 68A and

inclined surface portions

66B, 68B whose cross-sectional areas increase from the

top portions

66A, 68A toward the bottom portion 65 indicated by the broken line. The 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 have a circular curved surface in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal axis a direction. Thus, the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 shown in fig. 7 are formed in a spherical shape having a circular bottom portion 65.

Specifically, in the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B, in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal axis a direction, an angle α formed by a tangent L to a point P where the 1 st surface 56 contacts the bottom portions 65 of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 and the 1 st surface 56 is greater than 90 °. Thus, the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 are configured to be tapered toward the front (toward the tip in the longitudinal axis a direction) from the bottom portion 65 toward the

top portions

66A and 68A.

In the present embodiment, in all combinations of virtual planes that can be brought into contact with at least two of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the 1 st protective protrusion 66, the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and the extension 72 protruding from the 1 st surface 56 toward the front side from the front side, the heights (H1 < H2 < H3) and positions of the respective members are set so that the virtual planes are arranged on the front side of the observation window 34. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the virtual plane 74 shown in fig. 8 to 10.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the virtual plane 74 is in contact with three points, namely, the front end side surface 43 (point Q in the drawing) of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the top 66A (point R in the drawing) of the 1 st protective projection 66, and the top 68A (point S in the drawing) of the 2 nd protective projection 68. Here, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, since the height H3 of the front end side surface 43, the height H2 of the top 66A and the top 68A are higher than the height H1 of the surface 34S of the observation window 34, the contact target member shown as the virtual plane 74 can be prevented from coming into contact with the observation window 34. Further, since the point R, S is disposed further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56 when viewed from the front side in the vertical axis a direction, even when the size of the member to be contacted is smaller than the assumed size, the member to be contacted can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the virtual plane 74 is in contact with three points, namely, the front end side surface 43 (point Q in the drawing) of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the top 68A (point S in the drawing) of the 2 nd protective projection 68, and the surface 72A (point T in the drawing) of the extension 72. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, since the height H3 of the front end side surface 43 and the height H2 of the top portion 68A are higher than the height H1 of the surface 34S of the observation window 34, even if the height H1 of the surface 72A of the extension portion 72 is the same as the height H1 of the surface 34S of the observation window 34, the contact of the contact target member shown as the virtual plane 74 with the observation window 34 can be suppressed. Further, since the point S is disposed further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56 when viewed from the front side in the vertical axis a direction, even when the size of the member to be contacted is smaller than the assumed size, the member to be contacted can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the virtual plane 74 is in contact with three points, namely, the front end side surface 43 (point Q in the drawing) of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the top 66A (point R in the drawing) of the 1 st protective projection 66, and the surface 72A (point T in the drawing) of the extension 72. As shown in fig. 5 and 6, since the height H3 of the front end side surface 43 and the height H2 of the top portion 66A are higher than the height H1 of the surface 34S of the observation window 34, even if the height H1 of the surface 72A of the extension portion 72 is the same as the height H1 of the surface 34S of the observation window 34, the contact target member shown as the virtual plane 74 can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34. Further, since the point R is disposed further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56 when viewed from the front side in the direction of the vertical axis a, even when the size of the member to be contacted is smaller than the assumed size, the member to be contacted can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34.

In this way, in the endoscope 10 according to the embodiment, when the

top portions

66A and 68A of the 1 st and 2

nd protection projections

66 and 68 are viewed from the front side in the longitudinal axis a direction, the

top portions

66A and 68A are arranged at positions more inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56, and in all combinations of the virtual plane 74 that can contact at least two of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the 1 st protection projection 66, the 2 nd protection projection 68, and the extension portion 72 from the front side, the virtual plane 74 is arranged at a position more forward than the observation window 34, and therefore, even when the size of the member to be contacted is smaller than the assumed size, the member to be contacted can be prevented from contacting the observation window 34. Therefore, according to the endoscope 10 of the embodiment, the protection of the observation window 34 can be improved.

In fig. 8 to 10, the description has been given of the form in which the virtual plane 74 contacts three of the nozzles 40 for discharging fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the same effect can be obtained even in a case where the virtual plane 74 is in contact with three of the 1 st protective protrusion 66, the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and the extension 72, and in a case where the virtual plane 74 is in contact with four of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the 1 st protective protrusion 66, the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and the extension 72. Even if the virtual plane 74 contacts at least two of the fluid discharge nozzle 40, the 1 st protective protrusion 66, the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and the extension 72, the same effect can be obtained.

Further, as shown in fig. 7, since the shape of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 is tapered from the bottom portion 65 toward the

top portions

66A, 68A and is formed by a curved surface toward the

top portions

66A, 68A, the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 can be suppressed from being reflected in the scope of the observation field of the endoscope observed through the observation window 34. The endoscopic observation field of view is an image range reflected on a monitor (not shown) connected to the processor device. The 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 are preferably disposed outside the visual field of the observation window 34. The field of view of the observation window 34 indicates the field of view taken in via the optical system of the observation window.

Further, by forming the 1 st protection protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protection protrusion 68 in the above-described shapes, it is possible to suppress the 1 st protection protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protection protrusion 68 from blocking the illumination light from the 1 st illumination window 44 and the 2 nd illumination window 46. This allows the illumination light to illuminate the endoscope field of view observed through the observation window 34.

Further, by forming the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 in the above-described shapes, when the boundary portion between the outer peripheral portion of the bottom portion 65 and the 1 st surface 56 is cleaned using a cleaning tool such as a brush, the distal end of the brush easily enters the corner portion of the boundary portion, and therefore the cleaning performance of the distal end surface 28 is improved.

The shape of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 is rounded in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis a. This makes it easy to cause the fluid, such as the cleaning liquid and the gas, ejected from the fluid ejection nozzle 40 to flow along the

inclined surfaces

66B and 68B of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, thereby preventing the cleaning liquid from accumulating on the distal end surface 28. Further, by setting the

top portions

66A, 68A of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 to be located further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56, the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 can be disposed close to the fluid discharge nozzle 40. Thus, the fluid such as the gas ejected from the fluid ejection nozzle 40 can easily reach the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68, and even if the cleaning liquid remains on the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68, the gas ejected from the fluid ejection nozzle 40 can be easily discharged.

In the above embodiment, the fluid discharge nozzle 40 is provided in the stepped portion 64, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the fluid discharge nozzle 40 may be provided in the 1 st surface 56.

The endoscope according to the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, and some improvements or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hereinafter, modifications will be described with reference to the drawings.

[ 1 st modification ]

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the 1 st modification of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis a and including the

top portions

66A and 68A. The cross section XIA is a cross section of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 in the above embodiment (see fig. 7), the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 are formed of a spherical portion, and the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B have a circular curved surface. The cross sections XIB and XIC are cross-sectional views of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 of the 1 st modification, and are formed by a part of an ellipsoid, and the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B have an elliptical curved surface. The cross section XIB has a major axis of an ellipse in a direction parallel to the 1 st plane 56 and a minor axis of an ellipse in a perpendicular direction. The cross section XIC has a major axis of an ellipse in a direction perpendicular to the 1 st plane 56 and a minor axis of the ellipse in a parallel direction. The shape of the cross section XIB can facilitate the entry of the brush tip into the boundary between the outer peripheral portions of the bottoms 65 of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 and the 1 st surface 56, as compared with the shape of the cross section XIA, and the cleanability of the tip surface 28 can be improved. In the 1 st and 2

nd protection protrusions

66 and 68 of the 1 st modification as well, the height relationship of the respective members (H1 < H2 < H3) is satisfied, and the contact between the contacted member and the observation window 34 can be suppressed by disposing the

top portions

66A and 68A at positions further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56.

[ modification 2 ]

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 according to the 2 nd modification, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal axis a direction and including

top portions

66A and 68A. As shown in fig. 12, flat surfaces 67 are formed on the

top portions

66A, 68A. The

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B are formed as the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B formed in a curved shape from the flat surface 67 toward the 1 st surface 56. As shown in fig. 12, the curved

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B are formed in a curved shape in which the angle β formed by the tangent M of the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B and the 1 st surface 56 approaches 90 ° from the

top portions

66A and 68A toward the bottom portion 65. The centers of the radii of curvature r1 of the curved

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B are located inside the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68. The 1 st and 2

nd protection projections

66 and 68 of the 2 nd modification also satisfy the height relationship of the respective members (H1 < H2 < H3), and by disposing the

top portions

66A and 68A at positions further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56, the contact of the contacted member with the observation window 34 can be suppressed.

[ modification 3 ]

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of a 3 rd modification of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the direction of the longitudinal axis a and including the

top portions

66A and 68A. The point that the bottom 65 sides of the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 of the 3 rd modification have linear

inclined surface portions

66C and 68C formed in a straight line is different from the point that the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68 of the 2 nd modification are provided. That is, the bottom 65 sides of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 of the 3 rd modification are formed in a conical shape. In this case, the curved inclined surface portions smoothly connect the linear

inclined surface portions

66C and 68C. In the 1 st and 2

nd protection protrusions

66 and 68 of the 3 rd modification as well, the height relationship of the respective members (H1 < H2 < H3) is satisfied, and the contact between the contacted member and the observation window 34 can be suppressed by disposing the

top portions

66A and 68A at positions further inward than the outer edge portion of the 1 st surface 56. Further, the brush tip can be easily inserted into the boundary between the outer peripheral portions of the bottom portions 65 of the 1 st and 2 nd

protective projections

66, 68 and the 1 st surface 56, and the cleaning performance of the tip surface 28 can be improved.

[ 4 th modification ]

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the shape of the 4 th modification of the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68, and is a cross-sectional view parallel to the longitudinal axis a direction and including

top portions

66A and 68A. As shown in fig. 14, the 1 st and 2

nd protection projections

66 and 68 of the 4 th modification are formed in a shape gradually expanding as going from the

top portions

66A and 68A to the bottom portion 65, and are formed to be gentle as approaching the bottom portion 65, as compared with the 1 st and 2

nd protection projections

66 and 68 of the 2 nd and 3 rd modifications. Specifically, the angle γ formed by the tangent N to the

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B of the 1 st protective projection 66 and the 2 nd protective projection 68 and the 1 st surface 56 is formed in a curved shape approaching 180 ° from the

top portions

66A and 68A toward the bottom portion 65. The centers of the radii of curvature r2 of the curved

inclined surface portions

66B and 68B are located outside the 1 st protective protrusion 66 and the 2 nd protective protrusion 68. In the 1 st and 2

nd protection protrusions

66 and 68 of the 4 th modification as well, the height relationship of the respective members (H1 < H2 < H3) is satisfied, and the contact between the contacted member and the observation window 34 can be suppressed by disposing the

top portions

protective projections

Description of the symbols

10-endoscope, 12-insertion section, 14-operation section, 16-universal cable, 18-flexible section, 20-bending section, 22-tip section, 24, 26-corner knob, 28-tip section, 30-tip section body, 30A-tip section of the tip section body, 30B-tip section outer peripheral surface of the tip section body, 32-tip cover, 34-observation window, 34S-surface of the observation window, 36-optical system, 38-lens barrel, 40-nozzle for fluid ejection, 40A-base section, 40B-tip section, 41A-base section, 41B-tip section, 42-air/water supply channel, 42A-tip section of the air/water supply channel, 43-tip side, 44-1 st illumination window, 46-lighting window 2, 44S-surface of lighting window 1, 46S-surface of lighting window 2, 48-treatment instrument outlet port, 52-jet port, 54-suction button, 55-air and water feeding button, 56-surface 1. 58-projection, 62-2 nd face, 64-step, 65-bottom, 66-1 st protective protrusion, 66A-top, 66B-slope portion, 66C-linear slope portion, 67-flat face, 68-2 nd protective protrusion, 68A-top, 68B-slope portion, 68C-linear slope portion, 70-virtual straight line, 72-extension, 74-virtual plane, a-longitudinal axis, B-center of surface of observation window, C-center of front end face, D-center of optical axis of observation window, E-center of base end portion of air/water feeding channel, F-center of nozzle for fluid ejection, L, M, N-tangent line, P-point where 1 st face meets bottom.

Claims

1. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion unit inserted into a subject;

a 1 st surface constituting a distal end surface of the insertion portion;

a 2 nd surface formed on a protruding portion protruding from the 1 st surface to a front side;

an observation window provided on the 2 nd surface and used for observing the inside of the subject;

a nozzle provided on the 1 st surface and ejecting a fluid toward the observation window;

a 1 st protection protrusion and a 2 nd protection protrusion provided on the 1 st surface and arranged with a virtual straight line passing through a center of the observation window and a center of the nozzle interposed therebetween; and

an extension portion provided to the protruding portion and extending from the observation window toward a side opposite to the nozzle,

the first protection protrusion and the second protection protrusion each have a top and a slope part, the slope part having a rounded shape in cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion part and having a cross-sectional area that increases from the top to the bottom,

the apex portion is disposed further inward than an outer edge portion of the 1 st surface when viewed from an axial front side of the insertion portion,

in all combinations of virtual planes contactable from the front side with at least two of the nozzle, the 1 st protective projection, the 2 nd protective projection, and the extension portion, the virtual plane is disposed at a position further to the front side than the observation window.

2. The endoscope of claim 1,

the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion are provided to protrude further forward than the observation window.

3. The endoscope of claim 1 or 2,

the nozzle is provided to protrude forward from the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion.

4. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the endoscope has a 1 st illumination window and a 2 nd illumination window, the 1 st illumination window and the 2 nd illumination window are provided on the 1 st surface and are arranged with the virtual straight line therebetween,

at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion is disposed adjacent to the 1 st illumination window or the 2 nd illumination window, and the 1 st illumination window or the 2 nd illumination window is disposed on the same side with respect to the virtual straight line,

the 1 st and 2 nd protection protrusions adjacent to the 1 st and 2 nd illumination windows are disposed along the outline of the adjacent 1 st or 2 nd illumination window.

5. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 4,

at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion has a flat surface on the top,

the flat surface is smoothly connected with the inclined surface portion.

6. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 5,

at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion has a conical inclined surface linearly formed from the 1 st surface toward the front side in a cross section parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion.

7. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 6,

at least one of the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion has a circular curved surface or an elliptical curved surface in a cross section parallel to the axial direction of the insertion portion.

8. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 7,

the 1 st protective protrusion and the 2 nd protective protrusion are disposed outside an observation field of the endoscope.

9. The endoscope of claim 8,

the 1 st protection protrusion and the 2 nd protection protrusion are disposed outside a visual field range of the observation window.

10. The endoscope of any one of claims 1 to 9,

the endoscope has a step portion provided on the 1 st surface and protruding forward,

the nozzle is arranged on the height difference part.