JP2000232958A - Method for cleaning pipeline of endoscope and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for cleaning the pipelines of an endoscope capable of rapidly and surely cleaning the pipelines and a device therefor. SOLUTION: The front end rigid part 22 and light guide connector 36 of the endoscope 10 of the endoscope are immersed and arranged in medicinal liquids 112 and 116 stored in medicinal liquid tanks 110 and 114. Adapter units for sucking the medicinal liquids are mounted at an air and water feed cylinder 46 and suction cylinder 66 of a manual manipulation section 12. The medicinal liquids 112 and 116 of the medicinal liquid tanks 110 and 114 are sucked via the plurality of pipelines by driving a suction device 94.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning a conduit of an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope provided with a conduit such as an air supply / water supply conduit or a suction conduit. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for cleaning a pipeline for cleaning a pipeline.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A medical endoscope has an air / water supply valve attached to a hand operation unit, and operates an air / water supply valve operation button with a finger of an operator, thereby allowing air and water to be exchanged. Is switched and supplied into the body cavity.
Such an endoscope includes an air supply pipe that supplies air to a cylinder of the air supply / water supply valve, a water supply pipe that supplies water, and an air supply pipe that guides supplied air to a distal end of the insertion unit, and A water pipe for guiding water to the tip of the insertion section is connected. The air supply pipe and the water supply pipe are disposed in a flexible tube that connects a hand operation unit and a connector such as a light guide connector, while the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe are disposed in an endoscope insertion section. I have.

[0003] In the method of cleaning a plurality of pipes arranged as described above, an operation button and a piston of an air supply / water supply valve are removed from a cylinder, and the end opening of the pipe exposed by the syringe is used with a syringe. This was performed by injecting a chemical solution into the pipeline.

[0004]

However, the conventional pipe line cleaning method has a drawback that it is cumbersome because it is a cleaning method in which a medical solution is injected with a syringe, and that the cleaning takes a long time. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for cleaning a conduit of an endoscope which can easily and surely clean a conduit in a short time. .

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a hand-held operating section of an endoscope, an insertion section connected to the hand-operated section, and a cable connected to the hand-operated section. Cleaning method for an endoscope, comprising: a connector connected to the insertion section; and a pipe having one end opened at the distal end of the insertion section and the other end opened to the connector via a valve cylinder of the hand operation section. Wherein the connector and the distal end of the insertion portion are immersed in a chemical solution, and the valve cylinder of the hand operation portion is suctioned to wash the conduit with a chemical solution.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hand-held operating section of an endoscope, an insertion section connected to the hand-operated section, and a connector connected to the hand-operated section via a cable. An endoscope conduit cleaning device having a conduit having one end opened at the tip of the insertion portion and the other end opened to the connector via the valve cylinder of the hand operation portion, The connector and the tip of the insertion section are immersed in the chemical solution, and the pipe line is washed with the chemical solution by attaching the chemical solution suction adapter member to the valve cylinder of the hand operation unit and sucking. I do.

According to the present invention, the connector and the distal end of the insertion portion are immersed and arranged in the chemical solution stored in the chemical solution tank, and the chemical solution suction adapter member is attached to the valve cylinder of the hand-operated portion. Then, the drug solution suction adapter member connects the drug solution stored in the drug solution tank to a suction device permanently installed in the hospital via a pipe line to suck the drug solution, thereby cleaning the pipe line with the drug solution. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably clean the pipeline in a short time.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a method and an apparatus for cleaning a conduit of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows an endoscope 1 used for medical use.
FIG. 2 is an overall view showing the appearance of the endoscope 10 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a pipeline configuration diagram schematically showing a plurality of pipelines arranged in the apparatus.

An endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a hand operation unit 12, and a distal joint 14 of the hand operation unit 12 has
An insertion portion 16 to be inserted into a body cavity is connected. The insertion portion 16 includes a flexible portion 18, a curved portion 20, and a hard distal end portion 2.
2, the bending portion 20 includes a flexible portion 18
It is connected to a pair of angle operation knobs 24 provided on the hand operation unit 12 via a pair of angle operation wires (not shown) inserted therein. Therefore, when the angle operation knobs 24, 24 are operated by the operator, the bending portion 20 is bent, and the distal end hard portion 22 is directed in a desired direction. Reference numeral 26 denotes a forceps hole, through which a treatment tool such as forceps is inserted into the insertion section 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, an air supply / water supply port 28 and a forceps channel 30 are formed on an end face of the distal end hard portion 22. In addition, an objective lens, an illumination lens, and the like (not shown) are provided adjacent to the air / water supply port 28 and the forceps channel 30. The image formed by the objective lens is guided to an eyepiece 32 (see FIG. 1) of the hand operation unit 12 via an image guide (not shown), and is observed from the eyepiece 32.

A light guide (not shown) is provided behind the illumination lens. The light guide is inserted into the bending section 20, the flexible section 18, the hand operation section 12, and the flexible cable (corresponding to a cable) 34, and the light of a light guide connector (corresponding to a connector) 36 connected to the flexible cable 34. It is connected to a guide bar 38.

The hand operating section 12 is provided with an air / water supply valve 40. The air / water supply valve 4
0, a suction valve 42 and a shutter button 44
Are juxtaposed. The air supply / water supply valve 40 is provided as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a cylinder (corresponding to a valve cylinder) 46,
It is composed of a piston 48 and an operation button 50. The cylinder 46 has an air supply pipe 52 and a water supply pipe 5.
4 are connected to each other. The air supply pipe 52
Is connected to the light guide connector 3 via the flexible cable 34.
6 and its connection end 52A protrudes from the light guide connector 36. The connection end 52A is connected to an air supply source when the light guide connector 36 is connected to a light source / air supply source device (not shown). Thus, air from the light source / air supply source device is supplied to the cylinder 46 via the air supply pipe 52.

The air supply pipe 52 is connected to a branch pipe 56 in the light guide connector 36. This branch pipe 56
The connection end 56A protrudes from the light guide connector 36, and is connected to a water tank (not shown) via an air supply tube (not shown). A water supply tube (not shown) is connected to the water tank, and the water supply tube is connected to a connection end 54 </ b> A of the water supply pipe 54 protruding from the light guide connector 36. Therefore, a part of the air from the light source / air supply source device flows into the branch pipe 56 and is blown out to the water tank through the air supply tube.
As a result, the internal pressure in the water tank increases, and the water in the water tank flows to the water supply pipe 54 via the water supply tube at this pressure, and is supplied to the cylinder 46.

The air supplied to the cylinder 46 is supplied to the air supply pipe 58 by closing the air leak hole 51 of the operation button 50 with the operator's finger. On the other hand, cylinder 46
Is supplied to the water pipe 60 by depressing the piston 48 with the operation button 50. The proximal end of each of the air supply pipe 58 and the water supply pipe 60 is connected to a predetermined position of the cylinder 46, and the distal end of each of the air supply pipe 58 and the water supply pipe 60 It is connected to the air supply / water supply pipe 62 of the book. The air / water pipe 62 is inserted through the insertion section 16 and connected to the air / water port 28 formed in the distal end hard portion 22.

On the other hand, the suction valve 42 includes a cylinder (corresponding to a valve cylinder) 66, a piston 68, and an operation button 70. The distal end of a connecting pipe 72 is connected to the cylinder 66. The connecting pipe 72
Is connected to the light guide connector 3 via the flexible cable 34.
6 and its connection end 72A protrudes from the light guide connector 36. The connection end 72A is connected to a suction device that is permanently installed in a hospital (not shown).

A suction tube 74 is provided in the cylinder 66.
The suction tube 74 is inserted through the insertion portion 16, and the forceps channel 30 formed in the distal end hard portion 22.
It is connected to the. Therefore, when the piston 68 is pressed down by the operation button 70 of the suction valve 42 to make the connection pipe 72 and the suction pipe 74 communicate with each other through the cylinder 66, the liquid in the body cavity is sucked from the forceps channel 30 to the suction pipe 74. Then, it is discharged outside through the connecting pipe 72. Note that the forceps hole 26 is connected to the suction tube 74 in the hand operation unit 12. That is, the suction tube 74
Is also used as a treatment instrument insertion tube such as forceps.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adapter unit 80 for suctioning a chemical solution, which is used when cleaning the conduit of the endoscope 10. As shown in FIG. The chemical liquid suction adapter unit 80 has an adapter body 82, and the adapter body 82 is provided with a first adapter 84 and a second adapter 86. First
A flexible tube 88 is connected to the adapter 84, and a flexible tube 90 is also connected to the adapter 86. The base ends of these tubes 88 and 90 are connected to a suction device 94 via a switching valve 92. It is connected.

The first adapter 84 is an adapter detachably attached to the cylinder 46 of the air / water supply valve 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
A packing 96 is fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 46 as shown by the two-dot chain line.
8 is inserted. This pipe 98 is connected to the tube 88 shown in FIG.

The second adapter 86 is an adapter detachably attached to the cylinder 66 of the suction valve 42 shown in FIG. Like the first adapter 86, the second adapter 88 also has a packing 100 fitted to the cylinder 66 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4, and a pipe 102 is fitted into the packing 100. This pipe 102 is connected to the tube 90 shown in FIG.

The first adapter 84 and the second adapter 86 are integrally provided by a connecting member 104 as shown in FIG. Also, the first adapter 84 and the second
The adapters 86 are juxtaposed with the connecting members 104 at intervals so as to be simultaneously attached to the cylinders 46 and 66 with one touch. Note that the connecting member 104 may be configured to be divided and detachable on the first adapter 84 side and the second adapter 86 side.

First adapter 84 and second adapter 86
Are attached to the cylinders 46 and 66, and in this state, the lever 93 of the switching valve 92 shown in FIG.
When the fourth side is opened, the cylinder 46 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the suction device 94 shown in FIG. When the lever 93 is operated to open the first adapter 84 side, the cylinder 46 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the suction device 94 shown in FIG. Note that, without providing the switching valve 92, both adapters 84 and 86 may be opened simultaneously to perform suction. However, since the air resistance of the pipes connected to the cylinders 46 and 66 differs depending on the pipes, imbalance occurs in suction when suction is performed simultaneously. Therefore, it is preferable from the viewpoint of cleaning the pipeline that the suction is performed by opening each of them separately.

Next, the adapter unit 8 for sucking the chemical solution
The pipeline cleaning method using 0 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the piston 48 and the operation button 50 of the air / water supply valve 40 are pulled out from the hand operation unit 12 to expose the cylinder 46, and the piston 68 and the operation button 70 of the suction valve 42 are pulled out, and the cylinder 6 is pulled out.
Expose 6. Thus, the distal ends of the air supply pipe 52 and the water supply pipe 54 are exposed, and the base openings of the air supply pipe 58, the water supply pipe 60, and the suction pipe 74 are exposed. Then, the first adapter 84 of the chemical solution suction adapter 82 shown in FIG. 3 is fitted to the cylinder 46, and the second adapter body 86 is fitted to the cylinder 66.

Next, the distal end hard portion 22 is immersed in a chemical solution 112 stored in a chemical solution tank 110 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Then, the connector 36 is immersed and arranged in a chemical solution 116 stored in a chemical solution tank 114 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Thereafter, the lever 93 of the switching valve 92 is operated to open the first adapter 84 side, and the suction device 9 is opened.
4 is driven.

As a result, the chemical 112 in the chemical tank 110
From the air supply / water supply port 28 to the air supply / water supply pipe 62 and the air supply pipe 5
8. The water flows into the cylinder 46 of the air / water supply valve 40 via the water supply pipe 60 and is sucked by the first adapter 84. Due to the chemical solution flowing during the suction, the air supply pipe 58, the water supply pipe 6
0 and the air / water pipe 62 are cleaned. Further, the chemical solution 116 in the chemical solution tank 114 flows from the air supply pipe 52 and the water supply pipe 54 to the cylinder 46 of the air / water supply valve 40 and is sucked by the first adapter 84. The gas supply pipe 52 and the water supply pipe 54 are washed by the chemical solution flowing during the suction. Therefore, according to this cleaning method, the pipes 52, 54, 58, 60, 62 connected to the air / water supply valve 40 can be easily and reliably cleaned in a short time.

When the washing of the pipes 52, 54, 58, 60 and 62 is completed, the lever 93 of the switching valve 92 is operated to open the second adapter 86 side, and the suction device 9
4 is driven. Thus, the chemical 112 in the chemical tank 110
Flows from the forceps channel 30 to the cylinder 66 of the suction valve 42 via the suction tube 74, and is sucked by the second adapter 86. The suction tube 74 is cleaned by the chemical solution flowing during the suction. Also, the chemical solution 116 in the chemical solution tank 114
Flows from the connecting pipe 72 to the cylinder 66 of the suction valve 42 and is sucked by the second adapter 86. The connecting tube 72 is washed by the chemical solution flowing during the suction. Therefore, according to this cleaning method, the pipes 72 and 74 connected to the suction valve 42 can be easily and reliably cleaned in a short time. When cleaning the tube 74, the forceps hole 26
Is preferably closed with a cap. Also, a drug solution suction adapter dedicated to the forceps hole 26 is prepared, and the drug solution suction adapter is fitted into the forceps hole 26 and sucked by the suction device of the drug solution suction adapter. The branch line can be washed with a chemical solution.

In the present embodiment, the pipes 52, 54, 58,
Although the method of simultaneously cleaning 60 and 62 has been described,
The tubes 52, 54 and the tubes 58, 60, 62 can also be washed separately. For example, when only the pipes 52 and 54 are to be washed, the distal end hard portion 22 is immersed in the chemical 112 and the connection ends 52A, 54A and 56A of the connector 36 are closed with a cap. Thereafter, when the suction device 94 of the chemical solution suction adapter 80 is driven, the pipes 52, 54
Only the chemical can be washed. The same applies to other pipes.

The suction device 94 of the embodiment
Is a suction device permanently installed in the hospital (usually the connection end 72A
) Is efficient because there is no need to use a suction device for cleaning.

[0028]

As described above, according to the method and the apparatus for cleaning the conduit of an endoscope according to the present invention, the connector and the distal end of the insertion portion are immersed and arranged in the chemical solution stored in the chemical solution tank. By attaching the chemical solution suction adapter member to the valve cylinder of the hand operation unit, and by using the chemical solution suction adapter member to suck the chemical solution stored in the chemical solution tank through the pipeline, the pipeline is filled with the chemical solution. Since the cleaning is performed, the pipeline can be easily and reliably cleaned in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a conduit of an endoscope and a method of cleaning the conduit.

FIG. 3 is an overall view showing a drug solution suction adapter unit connected to a cylinder of a hand operation unit of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an adapter main body of the chemical solution suction adapter unit shown in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope, 12 ... Hand operation part, 52 ... Air supply pipe, 54
... water supply pipe, 58 ... air supply pipe, 60 ... water supply pipe, 62 ... air supply
Water supply pipe, 72 ... connecting pipe, 74 ... suction pipe, 80 ... adapter unit for chemical liquid suction, 110, 114 ... chemical liquid tank, 11
2,116 ... chemical

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuo Kondo 1-324 Uetake-cho, Omiya-shi, Saitama Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H040 DA21 DA57 EA01 3B116 AA12 AA47 BB02 BB03 4C061 AA00 BB02 CC00 DD03 FF42 FF43 GG07 GG08 GG09

Claims (3)

[Claims] An endoscope having a hand-operated portion, an insertion portion connected to the hand-operated portion, a connector connected to the hand-operated portion via a cable, and one end opened at a tip of the insertion portion. And an endoscope having a conduit with the other end opened to a connector via a valve cylinder of the hand-operated portion, wherein the connector and the distal end of the insertion portion are immersed in a chemical solution. Washing the conduit with a chemical solution by suctioning a valve cylinder of the hand operation unit. 2. An endoscope having a hand-operated portion, an insertion portion connected to the hand-operated portion, a connector connected to the hand-operated portion via a cable, and one end opened at a tip of the insertion portion. And a conduit having the other end opened to the connector via the valve cylinder of the hand-operated part, the conduit cleaning device for an endoscope, wherein the connector and the connector are disposed in a chemical solution stored in a chemical solution tank. A pipe cleaning device for an endoscope, comprising: immersing a distal end of an insertion section; and attaching the liquid suction adapter member to a valve cylinder of a hand operation section to perform suction, thereby cleaning the pipe with a liquid chemical. 3. The endoscope channel cleaning apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the channel is an air / water channel and / or a suction channel.