JP2000126111A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope wherein no rupture of the curved portion or no degradation of internal parts such as electronic parts of the endoscope occurs during the sterilization of the autoclave, and sterilization can be performed easily and reliably. SOLUTION: In an endoscope comprising a top portion 8 incorporating a subject imaging means and a lighting means, a curving portion 9 that curves the top portion, an insertion portion that is inserted into a coelom, and a connector portion that connects a control portion that controls the insertion of the insertion portion, and a signal source that drives and controls a solid-state imaging device in the top portion, the base portion of the top portion is arranged at one end of the curved portion, and the base portion of a flexible tube 10 is arranged at the other end, and the first endoscope internal space 42 formed by covering with a flexible housing tube 38, the second endoscope internal space 43 including the flexible tube and the control section, and a partition member 44 that closes watertightly the first and second endoscope internal spaces are provided, thereby making the cubic capacity of the second endoscope internal space larger than the first endoscope internal space.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus having high watertightness of an endoscope, easy disinfection and sterilization work, and free from deformation and damage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes that can be inserted into a body cavity to observe a deep part in the body cavity or perform a medical treatment or the like using a treatment tool as necessary have been widely used in the medical field. It became so.

In the case of this medical endoscope, it is indispensable to surely disinfect and sterilize the used endoscope in order to prevent infectious diseases and the like.

Conventionally, this disinfecting sterilization treatment is performed by disinfecting and sterilizing a gas such as ethylene oxide gas or a disinfecting solution.
Sterilizing gases used for this disinfection sterilization are highly toxic, and the sterilization work is complicated to ensure safety. Further, there is a problem that aeration for removing sterilizing gas attached to the equipment after sterilization takes time, cannot be used immediately after sterilization, and further, the running cost of sterilization is high.

Further, in the case of a disinfectant, there is a problem that management of the disinfectant is complicated, and that disposal of the disinfectant requires a large cost.

Therefore, recently, without complicated work,
Autoclave sterilization (high-pressure steam sterilization), which can be used immediately after sterilization and has low running costs, is becoming mainstream.

[0007] Typical conditions for the autoclave sterilization include the American Standards Association approved and the American Standards ANSI / AAMI ST37-1992 issued by the Medical Device Development Association.
32 ° C, 4 minutes, sterilization step 13 for gravity type
2 ° C., 10 minutes.

However, in order to perform autoclave sterilization, similarly to ethylene oxide gas sterilization, it is necessary to decompress the inside of a sterilization chamber accommodating the endoscope, and to make the endoscope a structure that can withstand a low-pressure environment. Although it is necessary, the endoscope generally has a watertight structure that can be immersed in a drug solution, and the air inside the endoscope expands when the autoclave is depressurized,
There is a problem that the skin tube of the curved portion, which is the most flexible part of the exterior partition wall of the endoscope, is ruptured.

Therefore, conventionally, when performing gas sterilization such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-1802, a fiberscope using an image guide fiber as an image transmission means has an endoscope. A valve communicating between the inside and outside of the mirror is provided in the light guide connector or the like to prevent the outer tube of the curved portion from bursting during pressure reduction.

In the case of an electronic scope as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-315024, the outer tube of the curved portion is ruptured when decompressed by subjecting it to gas sterilization such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization with the waterproof cap removed. Had been prevented.

However, if the inside and outside of the endoscope are communicated as described above during autoclave sterilization, steam enters the inside of the endoscope, and there is a problem that the endoscope is quickly deteriorated by the swallowing air.

In particular, in the case of an electronic scope, there is a problem that an imaging unit having an electric component such as a solid-state imaging device is disposed inside the endoscope and is destroyed by vapor that has entered, resulting in image defects.

[0013]

In a conventional endoscope apparatus, when performing gas sterilization such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization, the inside and outside of the endoscope are communicated as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-12802. A valve is provided in the light guide connector or the like to prevent the outer tube of the curved portion from bursting during pressure reduction.

Further, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-315024, gas sterilization such as ethylene oxide gas sterilization is performed with the waterproof cap removed to prevent the outer tube of the curved portion from bursting when the pressure is reduced. I was

However, during autoclave sterilization,
When the inside and outside of the endoscope are communicated with each other, steam invades the inside of the endoscope, and there is a problem that the endoscope is quickly deteriorated by the steam.

In particular, there has been a problem that an imaging unit having an electric component such as a solid-state imaging device is disposed inside the endoscope and is destroyed by the vapor that has entered, resulting in an image defect.

Further, regarding the metal parts inside the endoscope,
There is a problem that rust is generated early.

According to the present invention, an endoscope which can prevent rupture of a curved portion and deterioration of electric parts due to sterilization steam during autoclave sterilization of an endoscope formed in a watertight structure, and can easily perform sterilization processing. It is intended to provide a device.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a tip having a built-in imaging means and illumination means for a subject, a bending part for bending the tip, imaging means for the tip, illumination means and the bending part. A flexible tube having a built-in signal line and operation wire for driving and controlling the device, an insertion unit to be inserted into a body cavity, an operation unit for controlling the operation of the insertion unit, and an imaging unit and an illumination unit of the distal end unit are driven. In an endoscope including a signal source to be controlled and a connector unit to be connected, a proximal end of the distal end is disposed at one end of the bending portion, and a proximal end of the flexible tube is disposed at the other end. A first endoscope internal space formed by covering with a flexible outer tube; a second endoscope internal space including at least the flexible tube and the operation unit; The inner space of the first endoscope and the inner space of the second endoscope are watertight. ; And a partition member which, in comparison to the volume of the first endoscope interior space, an endoscope apparatus having an increased volume of the second endoscope interior space.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an overall configuration of an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

An endoscope 1 according to one embodiment has an insertion section 2 inserted into a body cavity, and an operation section connected to the proximal end side of the insertion section 2 and held by an observer to perform various operations. 3, a universal cord 4 extending from the operation section 3, a connector section 5 connected to the other end of the universal cord 4, and a camera connector for connecting the connector section 5 to a camera control unit (not shown). 7 and a light guide connector 6 connected to an illumination drive source (not shown).

The insertion section 2 includes a tip section 8 containing at least a solid-state image pickup device (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD) and an illumination lamp, a bendable section 9 and a flexible tube 1 having flexibility.
0.

The operation section 3 includes a bending operation lever 11 for controlling and operating the bending operation of the bay local section 9, a treatment tool insertion port 12 for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps, and a CCD of the distal end portion 8.
And a plurality of switches 13 for freezing and releasing the captured image.

A vent port 14 for ventilating the inside and outside of the endoscope 1 is formed inside the camera connector 7 of the connector section 5, and is detachably attached to the camera connector 7 and hermetically sealed. A waterproof cap 15 is disposed, the waterproof cap 15 is attached to the camera connector 7, the inside of the endoscope 1 is hermetically sealed, the waterproof cap 15 is removed, and outside air is introduced into the endoscope 1. Allow to vent.

Next, the distal end portion 8 of the insertion portion 2 and the bending portion 9
The detailed configuration of the flexible tube 10 will be described with reference to an enlarged sectional view of FIG.

The distal end portion 8 includes a distal end body 16, a photographing unit 17 which is inserted and fixed in a watertight manner into an insertion hole formed in the axial direction of the distal end body 16, and an illumination unit 18.
The photographing unit 17 includes an objective lens 19
And a subject image taken by the objective lens 19,
Also, a CCD 20 for photoelectrically converting, a printed wiring board 21 on which electronic components for processing electric signals photoelectrically converted by the CCD 20 are mounted, and a CCD for guiding the electric signals processed by the printed wiring board 21 to the camera connector 7. The configuration is such that the signal cable 22 is connected. Note that this C
The CD signal cable 22 also supplies a drive control signal for driving and controlling the CCD 20. The lighting unit 18
Is a light emitting diode (hereinafter, referred to as an LED) 23 for illuminating a subject, an illumination lens 24 for optimizing an illumination angle of light emitted by the LED 23, and a drive current for driving the LED 23. And the LED drive cable 25.

The objective lens 19 of the imaging unit 17
The CCD 20 and the printed wiring board 21 are hermetically sealed by a cover glass 26, a metal frame 27 and a hermetic connector 29. The hermetic connection between each of the cover glass 26, the metal frame 27, and the hermetic connector 29 is selected from welding methods such as brazing, fusion welding, pressure welding, and the like, and is joined by, for example, soldering, brazing, laser welding, or the like. ing. The LED 23 of the lighting unit 18 is hermetically sealed by a lighting lens 24, a metal frame 33, and a hermetic connector 34.

The hermetic connector 29 is, as shown in an enlarged sectional view of FIG.
, The contact pin 31, and the contact pin 31
The hermetic connector 34 of the lighting unit 18 has a similar configuration. With the hermetic connectors 29 and 34 configured as described above, an airtight electrical connection connector can be formed.

The bending section 9 includes a plurality of bending pieces 35a to 35b.
35e, connecting pins 36a to 36c for rotatably fixing the adjacent curved pieces 35a to 35e, a mesh pipe 37 for covering the outer circumference of the plurality of connected curved pieces 35, and further covering the outer circumference of the mesh pipe 37. And a flexible outer tube 38 made of rubber or elastomer and having elasticity.

That is, the bending portion 9 is formed by laminating a thin bending piece 35, a mesh tube 37, and an outer tube 38 from the inside, and the outer diameter of the bending portion 9 is made as small as possible. . Further, in order to further reduce the outer diameter, a mesh tube may not be provided, and only the curved piece 35 and the outer tube 38 may be laminated from the inside.

The top bending piece 35a is fixed to the rear end of the front end body 16, and the rearmost bending piece 35e is fixed to the connection base 39 at the front end of the flexible tube 10. I have.

The outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9
The one end portion is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the distal end portion main body 16, and the other end portion is fixed to the outer peripheral portion of the connection mouthpiece 39 of the flexible tube 10 by a stringer 40 and an adhesive 41 in a watertight manner.

A flexible outer skin of the curved portion 9 between the distal end main body portion 16 fixed at one end of the curved portion 9 and the flexible tube 10 fixed at the other end of the curved portion 9. A partition member that partitions a first endoscope internal space 42 covered and surrounded by a tube 38 from a second endoscope internal space 43 of the flexible tube 10 fixed to the other end of the bending portion 9. 44 is disposed near the other end of the bending portion 9 and the connection base 39 of the flexible tube 10.

The first endoscope inner space 42 formed by the distal end body 16 and the outer tube 38 partitioned by the partition member 44 is filled with a fluid filler 45. The fluid filler 45 is preferably a highly fluid, high heat-resistant, insulating filler such as silicone oil or fluorine oil. The partition member 44 has the same configuration and structure as the hermetic connectors 29 and 34 (see FIG. 3). One contact pin of the hermetic connector used as the partition member 44 has A CCD signal cable 22a connected to the printed wiring board 21 of the photographing unit 17 at the distal end portion 8 via the contact pins 31 of the hermetic connector 29, and an LED drive cable 25a connected to the lighting unit 18 are connected and arranged. I have.

Further, the CCD signal cable 22b inserted into the flexible tube 10 and the LED are connected to the other contact pin 31 of the hermetic connector of the partition member 44.
The drive cable 25b is arranged and connected. This CCD
The signal cable 22 and the LED drive cable 25 are inserted into the connector unit 5 via the operation unit 3.

That is, one end is connected to the hermetic connector 29 of the distal end portion 8 in the first endoscope internal space portion 42 of the curved portion 9, and the other end is connected to the flexible tube 10. The first CCD signal cable 22a connected to the hermetic connector-shaped partition member 44 near the connection base 39, one end is connected to the hermetic connector 34 of the lighting unit 18, and the other end is connected to the partition member 44.
Is connected to the first LED drive cable 25a. On the other surface of the partition member 44, a second CCD signal cable 22b and a second LED drive cable 25b connected and arranged to the operation unit 3 and the connector unit 5 are arranged.

As a result, a driving power supply source for illumination connected to the light guide connector 6 and the camera connector 7 of the connector section 7 and driving power and control signals from the camera control unit are supplied to the CCD 20 and the LED 23. The driving current for driving the LED may be a small battery, and the battery may be detachably provided to the endoscope body.

The first CCD signal cable 22
a and the first LED drive cable 25a are housed in the first endoscope internal space 42 in a sufficiently loosened state so as not to be disconnected even if the bending portion 9 is bent. The filler 45 to be filled in the endoscope internal space 42 is filled so as not to flow out of the first endoscope internal space 42, and is partitioned by the partition member 44 into a watertight and airtight state.

Further, a distal end of a bending wire 46 for bending the bending portion 9 is fixed to the foremost bending piece 35a disposed inside the bending portion 9 (not shown). The bending wire 46 is disposed through the first endoscope internal space 42 of the bending portion 9 and the flexible tube 10 to the operation portion 3, and is connected to the bending operation lever 11 of the operation portion 3. The bending section 3 is driven to bend by the pulling operation of the operation lever 11.

The configuration of the partition member 44 through which the bending wire 46 passes will be described with reference to an enlarged sectional view of FIG. In this figure, only the portion of the bending wire 46 is shown, and the portion to which the CCD signal cable 22 and the LED drive cable 25 are connected is omitted because it is the same as FIG.

The curved wire 46 near the partition member 44 is covered with a pipe 47 so that the wire hard portion 4
8 are formed. This pipe 47 and curved wire 4
6 is fixed in a watertight manner by an adhesive or solder.
A through hole 49 is formed in the partition member 44, and the hard wire portion 48 is inserted into the through hole 49.
Further, one side of the through hole 49 is formed in a stepped shape, and the first step 50 is made of, for example, fluorine rubber.
The ring 51 is housed therein, and a cover member 53 for preventing the o-ring 51 from falling off is fixedly attached to the partition member 44 at the second step 52.

Accordingly, the wire rigid portion 48 of the bending wire 46 can be slid in a watertight manner while being inserted into the through hole 49 of the partition member 44, and the filler in the first endoscope internal space 42 can be filled. 44 does not flow out of the partition member 44.

When the endoscope 1 having the above-described structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is subjected to autoclave sterilization, the waterproof cap 15 is attached to the camera connector 7 to make the entire endoscope 1 watertight. When put into a sterilizer, the steam of the autoclave can be sterilized without entering the inside of the endoscope 1, and the first steam enclosed by the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 of the endoscope 1 is obtained. Endoscope internal space 42
Is very small compared to at least the volume of the second endoscope internal space 43 formed by the flexible tube 10 and the operation section 3, and the first endoscope internal space 42
Since the volume of the flowable filler filled inside the tube under the negative pressure of the autoclave vapor is very small, the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 does not expand and burst. Also, when sterilizing by various gas sterilization methods having a decompression step, the outer sheath tube 3 of the bending portion 9 may be used.
Since the first endoscope internal space 42 covered with 8 is filled with a filler, the same as at the time of autoclave sterilization,
The outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 does not expand or burst.

Next, a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the description of the above-described embodiment, the camera connector 7 is provided with the vent 14 and is sealed with the waterproof cap 15 at the time of sterilization. However, the camera connector 7 is provided with the vent 14. Alternatively, the connector portion 5 may be configured with the camera connector 7 in a sealed shape. Since the endoscope having such a configuration and shape has a water-tightly sealed state as a whole, the endoscope does not enter into the endoscope even when put into a steam atmosphere of autoclave sterilization. In addition, the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 does not expand and burst, and the sterilization operation can be performed simply and reliably.

That is, it is free from the troublesome work of attaching and removing the waterproof cap during autoclave sterilization.

Further, the outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9
Can be a very narrow space in which the bending piece 35, the CCD signal cable 22, and the LED drive cable 25 can be arranged, and the outer tube 38, which has sufficient strength and fills the first endoscope inner space 42 surrounded by the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9
By filling the gas in place of the above, it is possible to suppress the expansion and rupture of the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 under negative pressure during the autoclave sterilization.

Further, as an outer material of the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 3, the universal cord 4 and the connector portion 5 of the endoscope 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, polyphenylene sulfide (P
Polymer materials that do not deteriorate due to autoclave sterilization, such as PS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyphenylsulfone, are used.

On the other hand, in recent years, the influence on the human body due to unnecessary electromagnetic waves generated during the driving operation of the photographing unit 17 of the distal end portion 8 and the camera unit connected to the connector portion 5 during the operation operation of the endoscope 1 has been described. There is a demand for prevention of effects on other medical devices and electronic devices. In particular, since the endoscope 1 is inserted into a body cavity, it is necessary to prevent the generation of these unnecessary electromagnetic waves and to shield the leakage of the unnecessary electromagnetic waves that have been generated.

When unnecessary electromagnetic waves are generated from the endoscope 1, a coloring agent is added to the polymer material used as the exterior material of the endoscope 1 so as not to leak from the inside of the endoscope 1 to the outside. Highly dispersed and filled with a carbon material that also serves as an electromagnetic wave absorber. That is, the carbon material which also functions as the colorant and the electromagnetic wave absorber is highly dispersed and filled in the distal end portion main body 16 of the distal end portion 8, the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9, and the outer cover of the flexible tube 10. The endoscope 1 is made of a polymer material, can be made black without coating the exterior of the endoscope 1, and can absorb unnecessary electromagnetic waves with a carbon material and shield leakage of the electromagnetic waves into the body cavity.

Furthermore, electromagnetic waves are absorbed by the functional parts of the endoscope 1, for example, the adhesive 41 at the joint between the distal end body 16 and the curved portion 9 and the joint between the curved portion 9 and the operation portion 3. It is also possible to use an adhesive in which a carbon material is highly dispersed and filled, or to use a coiled carbon fiber or the like as the carbon material. A similar effect can be obtained by using a soft magnetic metal, for example, Fe-Si-A1 instead of the carbon material.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
This will be described with reference to an enlarged sectional view of the insertion section 2 of the endoscope 1 in FIG. The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

In the second embodiment, the lighting unit 1
8 is constituted by a light guide fiber 54,
The light guide connector 6 of the connector section 5 shown in FIG.
Therefore, illumination light is incident from a light source device (not shown). The light guide fiber 54 is formed by inserting a first light guide fiber 54a into an axial through hole provided in the distal end body 16 of the distal end portion 5.
5 is inserted, and an illumination lens 56 is disposed in front of the first light guide fiber 54a.
Further, a first optical connection connector 57 is provided at the other end of the first light guide fiber 54a, and an optical connection portion 58 provided on the partition member 44 is provided.
The first optical connector 57 is connected to one end of the first optical connection connector 57. On the other end side (the flexible tube 10 side) of the optical connection portion 58 provided on the partition member 44, the distal end of the second light guide fiber 54 b is connected via a second optical connection connector 59. It is connected. The second light guide fiber 54b passes through the inside of the flexible tube 10, the operation part 3, and the universal cord 4, and the other end is connected and fixed to the light guide connector 6 of the connector part 5.

A partition glass 60 is fixed to the optical connection portion 58 provided on the partition member 44 in a watertight manner, and is provided inside the first endoscope internal space 42 of the bending portion 9. The flowable filler 45 is prevented from flowing out of the partition member 44.

The first light guide fiber 5
An outer tube 61a made of, for example, a silicone tube is attached to the 4a and the second light guide fiber 54b.
61b is exterior.

In the endoscope 1 configured as described above,
When performing the autoclave sterilization process, if the waterproof cap 15 is attached to the camera connector 7 of the connector section 5 and the entire endoscope is watertight, and the sterilization process is performed, the autoclave vapor does not enter the inside of the endoscope. Further, in the endoscope having the configuration of the present embodiment, the volume of the first endoscope internal space 42 surrounded by the outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 can be formed very small, and the flowable filler 41 can be formed. Filled during the negative pressure stroke during autoclave sterilization.
The air in the endoscope internal space 42 does not expand and the outer tube of the bending portion 9 does not expand and break. Further, light from the light source device is supplied to the second light guide fiber 54b and the optical connection portion 58 provided on the partition member 44 and the first light guide fiber 54b.
The light is guided to the distal end portion 8 via the light guide fiber 54a to irradiate the subject, and the diameter of the distal end portion 8 can be reduced by using the light guide fiber as illumination means.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The endoscope 100 according to the other embodiment uses an image guide fiber as an image pickup means.
An image guide fiber 101 is inserted into an insertion section 2 to be inserted into a body cavity. An objective lens 102 is disposed at the tip of the image guide fiber 101, and the other end is provided in the operation section 3. The eyepiece 103 is disposed. A light guide connector 105 and a vent cap 1 for ventilating the inside and outside of the endoscope 100 are provided in the connector portion 104.
06 is provided, and the inside and outside of the endoscope 100 can be ventilated by attaching the vent cab 107 to the vent cap 106. As shown in FIG. 7, an image guide base 108 having an image guide fiber 101 inserted therein is inserted into an axial through hole provided in the distal end body 16, and an objective lens 102 is provided in front of the image guide fiber 101. Are located. Partition member 4
Image guide fiber 101 near 4
09 is covered with the image guide fiber hard portion 110.
Are formed. The pipe 109 and the image guide fiber 101 are fixed with an adhesive or the like, and the clearance between the two is also filled with the adhesive or the like.

The partition member 44 is provided with a through hole 111, into which the image guide fiber hard portion 110 is inserted. Also, the through hole 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes a stepped shape. A first step 112 contains a ring 113 made of, for example, fluorine rubber, and a second step 114 has a cover for preventing the ring 113 from falling off. A member 115 is fixedly attached to the partition member 44. Accordingly, the image guide fiber 101 can slide in a watertight manner while being inserted into the through hole 111 of the partition member 44, and the filler 44 inside the first endoscope internal space 42 can flow out of the partition member. Absent.

The light guide fiber 116 is also provided with a light guide fiber hard portion 117 to take the same form as the image guide fiber 101, so that the light guide fiber 116 slides in a watertight manner while being inserted into the through hole 111 of the partition member 44. Becomes possible, the first endoscope internal space 4
The filler 44 inside 2 does not flow out of the partition member.

When the endoscope 100 having the structure of the third embodiment is subjected to the autoclave sterilization process, when the endoscope 100 is
6 without attaching the ventilation cap 107, the processing is carried out in a watertight state as a whole. Therefore, the vapor of the autoclave does not enter the endoscope.

Further, since the volume of the first endoscope inner space 42 surrounded by the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 is very small and is filled with a flowable filler, the shadow in autoclave sterilization is reduced. Also during the pressure stroke, the outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 due to the air expansion of the first endoscope internal space 42.
Does not occur.

When the bending section 9 is bent when the endoscope 100 is used, even if the image guide fiber 101 and the light guide fiber 116 are pulled, the image guide fiber 101 and the light guide fiber 116 are partitioned. Since it is slidable within the through hole 111 of the member 44 within the range of the image guide fiber hard portion 110 and the light guide fiber hard portion 117, the wire does not break.

As a result, in autoclave sterilization,
Since the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 does not undergo expansion and rupture and an image guide fiber can be used as an imaging means, the diameter of the distal end portion 8 can be reduced. Furthermore, installation of ventilation cap at the time of autoclave sterilization,
It is free from the complicated work such as removal.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.

The fourth embodiment is a modification of the third embodiment. Hard portions 118 and 119 are provided by covering a middle portion between the image guide fiber 101 and the light guide fiber 116 with a pipe or the like. , 119 are fixedly fixed to the partition member 44 by an adhesive or the like in a watertight state.

The image guide fiber 101 and the light guide fiber 116 housed in the first endoscope inner space 42 surrounded by the outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 are used even if the bending portion 9 is bent. The wire is housed in the first endoscope internal space 42 in a sufficiently loosened state so as not to cause wire breakage.

With such a configuration, the endoscope 100
Since the volume of the first endoscope internal space 42 surrounded by the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 is very small and is filled with a flowable filler, the first endoscope internal space 42 can be used even during the negative pressure stroke in autoclave sterilization. The air in the inner space 42 of the endoscope 1 does not expand and the outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 does not expand and break.

In the above description of the embodiment, an endoscope having a flexible tube is used as the insertion section of the endoscope. It can also be applied to rigid endoscopes.

[0070]

[Supplementary Note 1] A distal end portion which incorporates an imaging unit and an illuminating unit for a subject, a curved portion for curving the distal end portion, a signal line for driving and controlling the imaging unit and the illuminating unit of the distal end portion, and an operation. An insertion part comprising a flexible tube containing a wire and inserted into a body cavity, an operation part for controlling the operation of the insertion part, and a connector for connecting to a signal source for driving and controlling the imaging means and the illumination means at the distal end. In the endoscope consisting of a portion, the proximal end of the distal end is disposed at one end of the bending portion, the proximal end of the flexible tube is disposed at the other end, and a flexible outer tube. A first endoscope internal space formed by coating; a second endoscope internal space including at least the flexible tube and the operation unit; and the first endoscope internal space And a partition member that hermetically seals the second endoscope internal space with the second endoscope internal space. , An endoscope, wherein the first endoscope than the volume of the inner space was large volume of the second endoscope interior space.

[0071]

(Additional Item 2) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein a fluid filler is filled inside the first endoscope internal space.

[0072]

(Supplementary note 3) The endoscope according to Supplementary note 2, wherein the fluid filler that fills the internal space of the first endoscope is a filler having an insulating property.

[0073]

[Appendix 4] The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the partition member is disposed at a base end of the curved portion.

[0074]

[Appendix 5] The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the imaging means at the distal end is a solid-state image sensor.

[0075]

[Appendix 6] The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein a light emitting diode is provided as the illumination means at the distal end.

[0076]

[Supplementary Note 7] An electrical connector is provided on the partition member, and an electrical cable on a distal end side of the partition member and an electrical cable on a proximal end side of the partition member can be electrically connected. Item 5. The endoscope according to item 1 or 4.

[0077]

[Supplementary Note 8] The solid-state imaging device built in the distal end portion, an objective lens for forming a subject image on the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic component for processing an electric signal from the solid-state imaging device are mounted. An additional feature wherein at least a part of an imaging unit including a printed wiring board and a signal cable for transmitting an electric signal from the solid-state imaging device and the printed wiring board is hermetically sealed. The endoscope according to 1.

[0078]

[Appendix 9] A bending wire for bending the bending portion, a hard portion is provided on the bending wire, and the wire hard portion can be slid air-tight or water-tight by a partition member. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein

[0079]

[Supplementary Note 10] The endoscope has a light guide as an illuminating means, an optical connection portion is provided on the partition member, and a light guide on a base end side of the partition member and a light on a distal end side of the partition member. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the guide is optically connectable.

[0080]

[Appendix 11] The endoscope has a light guide fiber as an illuminating means, and a hard portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the light guide fiber, and the hard portion of the light guide fiber is airtight or watertight with the partition member. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope can be slidably moved.

[0081]

[Supplementary note 12] The endoscope has an image guide fiber, and a hard portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the image guide fiber, and the hard portion of the image guide fiber slides in an airtight or watertight manner by the partition member. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is enabled.

[0082]

[Supplementary Note 13] The endoscope has a light guide fiber as an illuminating means, a hard portion is provided in an intermediate portion of the light guide fiber, and the hard portion of the light guide fiber is hermetically sealed in a through hole of the partition member. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is fixed in a watertight manner.

[0083]

[Appendix 14] The endoscope has an image guide fiber, a hard portion is provided at an intermediate portion of the image guide fiber, and the hard portion of the image guide fiber is airtightly or watertightly inserted into a through hole of the partition member. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is fixed.

[0084]

[Appendix 15] The endoscope according to Appendix 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is an endoscope apparatus compatible with autoclave sterilization.

[0085]

[Appendix 16] In an endoscope apparatus having a bending section for bending the distal end of the insertion section and a flexible tube for covering the bending section, a space inside the endoscope is partially divided. An endoscope comprising: a partition member for partitioning a space; and a closed space covered by the flexible outer tube is narrowed by the partition member.

[0086]

(Additional Item 17) The endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the partition member is disposed on a proximal end side of the insertion portion.

[0087]

[Supplementary Note 18] In a watertight endoscope having an insertion portion having a bendable portion which is connected to the base end of the distal end portion and covered with an outer tube, the base portion of the bend portion may be provided. An endoscope, comprising: a partition member arranged to hermetically isolate the inside and outside of a portion surrounded by the distal end portion and the outer tube.

[0088]

According to the present invention, even if autoclave sterilization is performed in a watertight and airtight state without connecting the inside and the outside of the endoscope, the bent portion of the endoscope is not destroyed, and Without the sterilization steam entering the endoscope,
Since the electronic components and other internal components of the endoscope are not deteriorated, the autoclave sterilization process can be reliably performed, and the sterilization operation can be simplified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an outline of an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing an insertion portion of the endoscope device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a configuration of a hermetic connector used in the endoscope device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a configuration of a cutting member of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a second embodiment of the insertion section of the endoscope device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an outline of a second embodiment of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing a third embodiment of the insertion section of the endoscope device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the insertion section of the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Connector part 6 ... Light guide connector 7 ... Camera connector 8 ... Tip part 9 ... Bending part 10 ... Flexible tube 11 ... Bending operation lever 12 ... Treatment tool insertion hole 13 Switch 14 Vent 15 Waterproof cap 16 Tip body 17 Imaging unit 18 Illumination unit 19 Objective lens 20 Solid-state imaging device 21 Printed wiring board 22 CCD signal cable 23 Light emission Diode 24 Illumination lens 25 LED drive cable 26 Cover glass 27 Frame 29 Hermetic connector 30 Connector body 31 Contact pin 32 Glass part 33 Frame 34 Hermetic connector 35 Curved piece 36 Connection pin 37 ... mesh tube 38 ... outer tube 39 ... connection port 40 Thread binding 41 Adhesive 42 First endoscope internal space 43 Second endoscope internal space 44 Partition member 45 Filler 46 Curved wire 47 Pipe 48 Wire hard part 49 Through hole 50 ... first step 51 ... ring 52 ... second step 53 ... cover member 54 ... light guide fiber 55 ... light guide base 56 ... illumination lens 57 ... first optical connection connector 58 ... optical connection 59 ... 2nd optical connection connector 60 ... partition glass 61 ... silicone tube 100 ... endoscope 101 ... image guide fiber 102 ... objective lens 103 ... eyepiece 104 ... connector 105 ... light guide connector 106 ... vent 107 ... ventilation cap 108 ... Image guide fiber base 109 ... Pipe 110 ... Image gas De fibers rigid portion 111 ... through hole 112 ... first step 113 ... ○ ring 114 ... second step 115 ... cover member 116 ... light guide fiber 117 ... light guide fiber rigid portion 118 ... hard part 119 ... hard portion

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 17, 1998 (1998.12.
17)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

However, in order to perform the autoclave sterilization, as well as the ethylene oxide gas sterilization, it is necessary to depressurize the sterilization chamber housing the endoscope, the endoscope structure to withstand low pressure environment Although the endoscope generally has a water-tight structure that can be immersed in a chemical solution, the air in the endoscope internal space expands when the autoclave is depressurized,
There is a problem that the skin tube of the curved portion, which is the most flexible part of the exterior partition wall of the endoscope, is ruptured.

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0011] However, if communicating the endoscope and out Thus during autoclave sterilization, for entering the inside the endoscope steam, the endoscope is deteriorated at an early stage by the steam.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a tip component.
Bay connected to the proximal side and covered by a skin tube
A watertight endoscope with an insertion section with a bendable section
In this case, the inside of the insertion portion is located at the bending portion.
The first part on the distal side including the position and the second part on the proximal side
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a watertight partition member .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0043

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

When the endoscope 1 having the above-described structure according to the embodiment of the present invention is subjected to autoclave sterilization, the waterproof cap 15 is attached to the camera connector 7 to make the entire endoscope 1 watertight. , when placed in a sterilizer, steam Oh <br/> Tokure Bed sterile becomes possible without entering the interior of the endoscope 1, surrounded by a sheathing tube 38 of the bending portion 9 of the endoscope 1 First endoscope internal space 42
Is very small compared to at least the volume of the second endoscope internal space 43 formed by the flexible tube 10 and the operation section 3, and the first endoscope internal space 42
Since the volume of the flowable filler filled inside the tube under the negative pressure of the autoclave sterilization is very small, the outer tube 38 of the curved portion 9 does not expand and burst. Also, when sterilizing by various gas sterilization methods having a decompression step, the outer sheath tube 3 of the bending portion 9 may be used.
The first endoscope interior space 42 covered at 8, since the filler is filled, as in the case of autoclave sterilization,
The outer tube 38 of the bending portion 9 does not expand or burst.

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0046

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0046] In other words, the mounting of the waterproof cap at the time of autoclave sterilization, it is released from the complexity of the work of removal and the like.

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0058

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The endoscope 100 according to the other embodiment uses an image guide fiber as an image pickup means.
An image guide fiber 101 is inserted into an insertion section 2 to be inserted into a body cavity. An objective lens 102 is disposed at the tip of the image guide fiber 101, and the other end is provided in the operation section 3. The eyepiece 103 is disposed. A light guide connector 105 and a vent cap 1 for ventilating the inside and outside of the endoscope 100 are provided in the connector portion 104.
06 is provided, and the inside and outside of the endoscope 100 can be ventilated by attaching the vent cab 107 to the vent cap 106. As shown in FIG. 7, an image guide base 108 having an image guide fiber 101 inserted therein is inserted into an axial through hole provided in the distal end body 16, and an objective lens 102 is provided in front of the image guide fiber 101. Are located. Partition member 4
4 image guide fiber 101 around the pipes 1
09 is covered with the image guide fiber hard portion 110.
Are formed. Pipes 109 and the image guide fiber 101 are fixed by an adhesive or the like, adhesive or the like to both the clearance is filled.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 2

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hidetoshi Saito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Susumu Aono 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuyuki Futaki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo F-term (reference) in Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. 2H040 BA24 CA03 CA11 CA27 DA12 DA14 DA15 DA17 GA02 4C060 GG28 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD03 FF11 FF32 FF35 GG09 GG14 JJ13 LL02

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A watertight endoscope having an insertion portion connected to a base end side of a distal end component portion and covered by an outer tube, the insertion portion having a bendable bending portion. An endoscope comprising: a first member on a distal end side including a portion located in a curved portion; and a second portion on a proximal end side, provided with a partition member for partitioning in a watertight manner.