JP2000166856A - Tip end of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the tip end of an endoscope, wherein the fitting work of a nozzle which is integrally formed with a tip end cap is easy, while having no fluid leakage, and can feed out a fluid in the prescribed direction. SOLUTION: On a tip end main body 3, wherein an observation window 4 or the like is arranged, a tip end cap 10 made of a material having elasticity is detachably fitted, and at the same time, a nozzle 12 which is formed integrally with the tip end cap 10 is loosely fitted in an exit opening 20 of channels 21 and 22 in the tip end of an endoscope. In such a tip end section, a section 122 which is fitted in the exit opening 20 of the nozzle 12, is formed so that it make close contact with the sidewall surface of the exit opening 20 by the pressure of a fluid which is discharged from the channels 21 and 22.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an endoscope in which a nozzle is formed on a distal end cap detachably attached to a distal end body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A distal end body in which an observation window or the like is disposed is provided at the distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope. For this reason, a nozzle for ejecting a fluid is provided in the distal end body.

In the case of an endoscope in which a tip cap made of a resilient material is detachably attached to the tip body, a nozzle is integrally formed with the tip cap, and a flow opening formed in the tip body is formed. It is loosely fitted into the exit opening of the road.

[0004]

As described above, the endoscope in which the nozzle is formed integrally with the tip cap and fitted into the outlet opening of the flow path not only reduces the manufacturing cost but also has a simple structure. It has advantages such as easy cleaning and disinfection after use.

However, on the other hand, since the nozzle is simply loosely fitted into the outlet opening of the flow path, leakage occurs from a gap between the outlet opening and the nozzle, and the fluid flows out in a direction other than a predetermined direction, and the fluid flows out of the observation window. In some cases, dirt cannot be removed.

In order to eliminate such leakage, it seems that the nozzle should be fitted tightly into the outlet opening of the flow channel. However, in doing so, the mounting of the nozzle becomes very difficult, so not only does the mounting work take a very long time, but also the end portion of the expensive endoscope, which is hardened at the time of mounting. Inconveniences such as breakage of the device may occur.

Therefore, the present invention provides a distal end portion of an endoscope which can easily perform a mounting operation of a nozzle formed integrally with a distal end cap and can send out fluid in a predetermined direction without fluid leakage. The purpose is to:

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a distal end of an endoscope according to the present invention is provided with a distal end cap made of a resilient material attached to and detached from a distal end main body in which an observation window and the like are disposed. The end of the endoscope, which is freely mounted, has an outlet opening of a flow path through which fluid is sent, is formed in the tip main body, and a nozzle formed integrally with the tip cap is loosely fitted in the outlet opening. The portion of the nozzle fitted in the outlet opening is formed so as to expand by the pressure of the fluid sent out from the flow path and to be in close contact with the side wall surface of the outlet opening.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a distal end portion of an insertion section 1 of an endoscope, and a distal end body 3 is connected to a distal end of a bending section 2 which is bent by remote operation from a hand side.

This endoscope is a so-called forward-looking type endoscope for observing the front of the distal end main body 3, and has an observation window 4 on the distal end surface of the distal end main body 3. And observation window 4
The imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 6 is arranged at a position where an object is imaged by the objective optical system 5 arranged at the position. 7 is a signal cable.

A fluid outlet opening 2 is provided at the distal end surface of the distal end body 3.
The air supply and water supply tubes 21 and 22 inserted through the insertion portion 1 are connected to the fluid outlet opening 20. However, the portion of the fluid outlet opening 20 is formed in a state where both conduits merge into one.

Numeral 10 is a tip cap attached so as to surround the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion main body 3. FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the single body, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the single body. I have.

The tip cap 10 is formed of a resilient rubber-based material, and a projection 11 formed on the inner peripheral surface is engaged with a groove 8 formed on the outer periphery of the distal end body 3. The distal end cap 10 can be detached from the distal end body 3 by elastically deforming the distal end cap 10 to release the engagement.

A nozzle 12 for blowing air or water toward the surface of the observation window 4 is provided on the tip cap 10.
It is formed in a direction along the distal end surface of the distal end portion main body 3, and its ejection port 121 is directed to the surface of the observation window 4.

A fitting portion 122 that fits into the fluid outlet opening 20 formed in the distal end surface of the distal end body 3 is formed on the back side of the nozzle 12 so as to project rearward. The protruding length is, for example, about 3 to 15 mm.

The flow passage portion 123 formed in the fitting portion 122 so as to communicate with the jet outlet 121 is provided with a fluid outlet opening 2.
0 is formed in a U-shape along the shape of the
Is formed to a uniform thickness.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the portion of the fluid outlet opening 20 in a direction perpendicular to the tube axis. The fitting portion 122 of the nozzle 12 is loosely fitted into the fluid outlet opening 20. However, FIG. 4 shows it slightly exaggeratedly.

Specifically, the fitting portion 122 is, for example, 0.1 to 0.2 in the width direction with respect to the fluid outlet opening 20.
mm, for example, 0.1 mm
It is formed about 0.3 mm smaller. Therefore, when attaching the distal end cap 10 to the distal end body 3, the nozzle 12 can be easily fitted into the fluid outlet opening 20.

Then, air or water supply tubes 21 and 22 are provided.
When pressured air or water is sent from
As shown in (2), when the pressure inside the flow path portion 123 rises, the fitting portion 122 expands laterally and is pressed against and tightly adheres to the side wall surface of the fluid outlet opening 20.

Therefore, most of the pressurized air or water does not leak from around the fitting portion 122, and most of the air or water is blown from the ejection port 121 to the surface of the observation window 4, and adheres to the surface of the observation window 4. Dirt can be removed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the shape of the nozzle 12 integrally formed with the tip cap 10 may be any shape. The nozzle portion fitted into the outlet opening may be expanded by the pressure of the fluid, pressed against the side wall surface of the outlet opening and brought into close contact therewith.

[0022]

According to the present invention, since the nozzle formed integrally with the distal end cap is loosely fitted into the outlet opening of the flow path formed in the distal end body, the mounting operation of the distal end cap to the distal end body can be performed. It is very easy, and because the nozzle portion fitted into the outlet opening of the flow path is formed so as to expand by the pressure of the fluid sent out from the flow path and closely contact the side wall surface of the outlet opening, the fluid leakage The fluid can be sent out in a predetermined direction without the need, and the surface of the observation window can be reliably washed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the distal end cap according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the distal end cap according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the flow channel according to the embodiment of the present invention in a direction perpendicular to an axis of an outlet opening in a state where air supply and water supply are not performed.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the flow path according to the embodiment of the present invention in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the outlet opening in a state where air supply and water supply are performed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Tip main body 4 Observation window 10 Tip cap 12 Nozzle 20 Fluid outlet opening 121 Spouting outlet 122 Fitting part 123 Flow path part

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A tip cap made of a resilient material is detachably attached to a tip body in which an observation window and the like are arranged, and an outlet opening of a flow path through which fluid is sent is provided in the tip body. At the distal end of the endoscope, wherein the nozzle formed integrally with the distal end cap is loosely fitted into the outlet opening, a portion fitted into the outlet opening of the nozzle is a fluid sent out from the flow path. A distal end portion of the endoscope, wherein the distal end portion is formed so as to be expanded by the pressure of (1) and adhere to the side wall surface of the outlet opening.