JP2000271070A - Fluid controller for ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain the excellent operability of the switching operation of a channel by rotating a valve constituting a single valve member in a valve casing by simple and compact constitution without separately providing the channel with a passage selecting valve so as to select the switching operation mode of a plurality of channels arranged in an ultrasonic endoscope. SOLUTION: An air sending and water sending valve 25 disposed at a main body operation part is obtained by slidably mounting the valve 27 into a valve casing 26. The casing 26 is provided with first and second input ports 28, 29 respectively connected with an air inlet channel 22 and a water feeding channel 24, an air sending channel 34 and first to third output ports 30 to 32 connected with a second water sending channel communicating with a nozzle 7. Two selectively passages 42 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the valve 27 and by rotating the valve 27, the port 29 can selectively be connected to the second output port 31 or the third output port 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope having an endoscope observation means and an ultrasonic observation means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ultrasonic endoscope is provided with an endoscope observation means and an ultrasonic observation means at the tip of an insertion portion inserted into a body or the like. As is well known, the endoscope observation means has an illumination window and an observation window, and inspects a state of a body cavity inner wall and the like through the observation window in a state where illumination light is emitted from the illumination window. An emission end of a light guide for transmitting illumination light faces the illumination window, and an objective lens is attached to the observation window, and a solid-state imaging means or an image guide faces the image forming position of the objective lens. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation means
It has an ultrasonic transducer, transmits an ultrasonic pulse from the ultrasonic transducer into the body, receives a reflected echo from a tissue tomographic part in the body, and obtains tissue tomographic information in the body from the received signal as an ultrasonic image. Is done.

[0003] By the way, if dirt or the like adheres to the lens surface provided in the observation window constituting the endoscope observation means, the observation field of view cannot be obtained. Therefore, even if the insertion portion is inserted into the body, the lens surface must be cleaned. We need to be able to do it. For this purpose, a nozzle for jetting a cleaning fluid is provided, and washing water is jetted from the nozzle toward the lens surface to wash away dirt, and then pressurized air is jetted to remove water droplets adhering to the lens surface. I do. For cleaning this lens surface,
A water supply path and an air supply path are provided. The water supply path for cleaning the lens surface and the air supply path are controlled by an air supply / water supply device provided in the main body operation unit. The air / water supply device has an air / water supply valve, and the air / water supply valve has an operation device for air / water supply control provided in the main body operation unit, specifically, an operation button, and the like.
This operator can be operated with fingers.

[0004] The main body operation unit is provided with a suction device in addition to the air / water supply device. The suction device is for suctioning and removing body fluids and the like that are filled in the body. In general, a treatment tool insertion channel for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps is shared with a suction path. That is, the treatment tool insertion channel is branched into a suction passage in the main body operation section, and a suction valve is interposed in the middle of the suction passage, and the suction valve is divided into a suction passage on the treatment tool insertion channel side and a suction source side passage. The suction valve is operated so that the suction source-side flow path is opened to the atmosphere and the suction path is communicated with the suction passage. In this switching operation, similarly to the case of the air / water supply control device, an operation element is provided, and the operation element can be operated with one finger.

[0005] In the case of an ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic observation means is provided together with the endoscope observation means. The ultrasonic observation means transmits and receives ultrasonic signals with an ultrasonic transducer. An ultrasonic transmission medium is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer and the inner wall of the body cavity due to a significant attenuation therein. For this purpose, a balloon is mounted so as to surround the ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in the balloon and expanded to a predetermined size. However, the supply of the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon is performed in a state where the ultrasonic transmission medium is inserted into the body, and when the ultrasonic inspection is completed, the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon is discharged while the insertion portion is positioned in the body.

As described above, the ultrasonic endoscope is further provided with a supply path of the ultrasonic transmission medium to the balloon and a discharge path thereof. Since the main body operation section is provided with an air supply / water supply operation element and a suction operation element, an operation means for controlling supply / discharge of the ultrasonic transmission medium to / from the balloon is further provided in the main body operation section. It is difficult to provide a space at a position where the operation is easy. Therefore, the supply / discharge operation of the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon is performed in a system different from that of the main body operation unit. Specifically, the operation is not performed by the operator himself, and the medical assistant such as a nurse performs the operation. Generally, the operation is performed based on a command from a person.

By the way, the operation of discharging the ultrasonic transmission medium from the inside of the balloon is not substantially different from the operation of sucking the body fluid or the like. In other words, since a negative pressure only needs to be applied to the portion to be suctioned, the suction device can be used both for sucking and removing body fluid and the like and for discharging the ultrasonic transmission medium from inside the balloon. However, the passage cannot be shared because the opening position of the passage to be sucked is different. Accordingly, the suction passage from the body and the discharge passage of the ultrasonic transmission medium from inside the balloon are provided separately, and the suction passage and the discharge passage are connected to the passage selection valve, and the passage from the suction valve is selected by this passage selection valve. The valve is selected, and the suction passage or the discharge passage is selectively connected to the suction valve by the passage selection valve.
For example, it is disclosed in JP-A-58-65129.

[0008]

Here, the passage selection valve needs to be switched, and in the above-mentioned prior art, the passage selection valve is disposed in the casing by a lever from outside the casing of the main body operating portion. Is performed. For this purpose, a shaft is provided in series with the passage selection valve, and the shaft is led out through a through hole provided in the casing, and a lever is connected to the shaft. The ultrasonic endoscope is cleaned each time it is used.In this cleaning, not only the insertion part but also the main body operation part is immersed in the cleaning liquid, so the shaft from the passage selection valve passes through the casing of the main body operation part. Then, when it is led out, the space between the shaft and the through hole of the casing must be completely sealed. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration of the main body operation unit is complicated and the size is increased by the provision of the passage selection valve, and the possibility of sealing leakage at the shaft outlet is increased. further,
The main body operation section is operated and held by the operator by hand,
An angle knob, operating means for the air / water supply device, and operating means for the suction device are provided, and operation switches for external devices such as a VTR are also provided. In addition to these, a space for installing a lever for selecting a passage is secured. It can be difficult to do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a simple and compact structure for a plurality of ultrasonic endoscopes without separately providing a passage selection valve. It is therefore possible to make it possible to select the switching operation mode of the flow path, and to improve the operability of the switching operation of the flow path.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a valve provided in a main body operation section for switching a fluid flow path provided in an insertion section of an ultrasonic endoscope. A valve member in which a valve body is slidably mounted in a casing is provided, and an operation element is connected to the valve body in the valve member, and provided.
In the fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope having a configuration in which the flow path is switched by the pushing operation of the operation element, by rotating the operation element by a predetermined angle, the flow path switched by the operation of the valve member is changed. The feature is that the configuration is selectable.

Here, when the lens surface is cleaned, cleaning water is used, but water can also be used for the ultrasonic transmission medium supplied into the balloon. Therefore, it is possible to use the air / water supply device not only for cleaning the lens surface but also for controlling the supply of the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon.

As described above, the second aspect of the present invention encloses an air / water supply nozzle for cleaning an observation window provided at the end of an insertion portion connected to a main body operation portion, and an ultrasonic transducer. In a fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope having a water supply flow path in a balloon for supplying water into a balloon, a valve body is operably provided in the main body operation section by pushing a valve body into a valve casing, and the valve body is opened to the atmosphere. A supply stop position where the air release path is opened, an air supply position to the nozzle by closing the air release path, and a push operation of the operation element. A first operating position in which the nozzle at the water supply position is the nozzle, by switching the valve to a water supply position and rotating the valve body by a predetermined angle in the valve casing; That it has a structure comprising a fluid control valve having two selection path for selecting one of the second operating position to water flow path and its features.

Here, in the second invention, specifically, for example, the valve casing is provided with first and second flow passages respectively connected to an air supply passage from a pressure source and a water supply passage from a water supply source. An input port, an air supply flow path to the nozzle, a water supply flow path to the nozzle, and a first, second, and third output ports to which a water supply flow path inside the balloon to the nozzle are connected, respectively. Further, the valve body is rotated by a predetermined angle in the valve casing so that the second input port and the second input port are connected to each other.
A first selection passage connectable to an output port of the first port and a second selection passage connectable to a second input port and a third output port are formed. So as to be in contact with and separated from the first output port,
When the first input port is connected to the first output port, the second input port is disconnected from the second and third output ports, and the valve body is moved along an axis along the valve casing. Moving in the direction, when the connection between the first input port and the first output port is interrupted, the second input port is connected to the second or third output port via the first or second selection passage. It can be configured to be selectively connected to a port.

Further, since suction of body fluid and the like and discharge of the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon are both performed by applying a negative pressure suction force, it is possible to share a suction source. Therefore, a third aspect of the present invention provides a suction channel connected to a suction port provided at a distal end of an insertion section connected to a main body operation section, and a balloon for removing water sent into a balloon surrounding the ultrasonic transducer. In the fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope having an internal drainage channel, the main body operation unit connected to the insertion unit includes the suction channel and the balloon drainage channel, and a suction source side channel. A valve body slidably provided in a valve casing connected to the valve casing, and an operation member protruding from the main body operation portion is connected to the valve body, and an air opening port is formed in the valve body or the operation member to form the valve. By rotating the body by a predetermined angle, a first operating position at which the suction source side flow path can be switched between the air release port and the suction flow path, and the suction source side flow path is connected to the air release port. A second operating position switchable to the drainage flow path in the balloon And characterized in that a selectable configuration and.

Still further, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a nozzle and a suction port for air / water supply for cleaning an observation window are provided at a distal end of an insertion portion connected to a main body operation portion, and surround an ultrasonic transducer. The nozzle is connected to an air supply channel and a water supply channel, and the suction port is connected to a suction channel, and further opened in the balloon. An ultrasonic wave provided with an in-balloon water supply flow path and an in-balloon drainage flow path, and an air supply / water supply valve member and a suction valve member mounted on the main body operation unit to perform switching control of each flow path. In the fluid control device of the endoscope, the air / water supply valve member and the suction valve member are each configured to be operably mounted by pushing a valve body into a valve casing, and the air / water supply valve member has Operation that forms an open air path in the valve body Switches between a supply stop position where the air release path is opened, an air supply position to the nozzle by closing the air release path, and a water supply position by a pushing operation of the operation element. It is not possible, and by rotating the valve body by a predetermined angle in the valve casing, a water supply destination at the water supply position is a first operation position where the nozzle is the nozzle and a water supply flow path in the balloon. The suction valve member has a switching opening formed in the valve body to rotate the valve body by a predetermined angle. Moving the suction source-side flow path between the atmosphere and the suction flow path via the switching opening by moving the suction-source-side flow path; Through the atmosphere and inside the balloon It is characterized in that a selectable configuration and a second operating position can be switched to the water flow path.

[0016]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope, and FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion section.

First, in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body operation unit;
Is an insertion portion, and 3 is a universal cord. The insertion portion 2 includes a distal end portion main body 2a, an angle portion 2b, and a flexible portion 2c from the distal end side, and the distal end portion main body 2a is provided with endoscope observation means and ultrasonic observation means. As is clear from FIG. 2, the endoscope observation means includes at least an illumination window 4 and an observation window 5, and the observation window 5 is provided with an objective lens. The entrance end of the image sensor or image guide faces. Further, when the lens surface 6 of the objective lens attached to the observation window 5 is contaminated with dirt and the like inside the body, a nozzle 7 for cleaning the lens surface is provided to wash away the dirt. On the other hand, the ultrasonic observation means is composed of an ultrasonic transducer 8, and this ultrasonic transducer 8 performs electronic scanning.

Here, in FIG. 2, the endoscope observation means is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end main body 2a, and the ultrasonic transducer 8 constituting the ultrasonic observation means is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end main body 2a. Although the ultrasonic observation means is shown, the ultrasonic observation means may be arranged on the distal end side of the distal end body, and the endoscope observation means may be arranged on the proximal end side of the ultrasonic observation means. When the endoscope observation means is disposed closer to the base end than the ultrasonic observation means, the observation direction by the endoscope observation means may be a direct-view type which is forward as shown in FIG. Depending on the configuration of the observation means, it may be a perspective type or the like. On the other hand, the ultrasonic transducer constituting the ultrasonic observation means performs electronic scanning,
It may perform mechanical radial scanning, mechanical linear scanning, or the like.

In any case, when the ultrasonic transducer 8 constituting the ultrasonic observation means is operated to obtain tissue tomographic information in the body, a predetermined standoff is provided between the ultrasonic transducer 8 and the inner wall of the body cavity. In order to hold and prevent air from intervening, the tip body 2a
Are formed with annular grooves 9a and 9b at positions before and after the ultrasonic transducer 8, respectively, and a balloon 10 (see FIG. 1) is mounted between the grooves 9a and 9b. The balloon 10 is made of a thin film member having excellent flexibility, such as latex, and is supplied with an ultrasonic transmission medium to expand the balloon 10 to a predetermined size. The balloon 10 is brought into contact with the inner wall of the body cavity. The transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 8 are performed. Therefore, in order to supply and discharge the ultrasonic transmission medium into the balloon 10, the ultrasonic transducer 8
The supply port 11 and the discharge port 12 of the ultrasonic transmission medium are open between the groove and the concave groove 9a on the base end side.

In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a treatment instrument insertion channel. The treatment instrument insertion channel 13 extends from a treatment instrument introduction section 13a provided in the main body operation section 1 to the distal end main body 2
a, the treatment instrument insertion channel 13 has a suction passage 14 in the main body operation section 1.
Is connected. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion channel 13
Is a passage for guiding a treatment tool such as forceps, and is used as a suction passage when a body fluid or the like is full in the body. In addition, the treatment tool insertion channel 1 is used as the suction passage.
In addition to the structure which also serves as 3, the structure in which an independent passage is provided is also possible.

In the above configuration, the nozzle 7 is supplied with washing water for washing away dirt on the lens surface 6 and pressurized air for removing water droplets of the washing water. Further, an ultrasonic transmission medium is supplied into the balloon 10, and water is used as the ultrasonic transmission medium, and the ultrasonic transmission medium and the cleaning water are shared. On the other hand, the suction operation of the bodily fluid is performed by setting the passage to a negative pressure.
Even when the ultrasonic transmission medium supplied into the chamber is discharged, the passage is kept at a negative pressure. Therefore, the suction source for both the suction of the body fluid and the discharge of the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon 10 is shared.

First, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a configuration of a supply mechanism of the ultrasonic transmission medium and the cleaning water. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 20 denotes an air pump, reference numeral 21 denotes a water supply tank, and the air pump 20 is a supply source of pressurized air and also means for pressurizing the water supply tank 21. Further, the water supply tank 21 is a supply source of the cleaning water for supplying the nozzle 7 with the cleaning water, and is also a supply source of the ultrasonic transmission medium into the balloon 10. An air supply channel 22 is connected to the air pump 20, and a pressure channel 23 that pressurizes the liquid surface of the water supply tank 21 branches in the middle of the air supply channel 22. On the other hand, a water supply channel 24 is connected to the water supply tank 21. The air supply flow path 22 and the water supply flow path 24 are connected to the universal cord 3
And is extended to the main body operation unit 1 via the. Therefore,
These flow paths 22, 24 are constituted by tubes, pipes, and the like.

An air supply / water supply valve 25 is mounted on the main body operation unit 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the air / water supply valve 25 has a valve body 27 operably mounted by pushing a valve body 27 into a valve casing 26.
Second input ports 28 and 29 and first to third output ports 30 to 32 are provided. Air supply channel 2 described above
2 is connected to the first input port 28, and the water supply passage 24 is connected to the second input port 28.
Is connected to the input port 29. In addition, the first to third
Output ports 30 to 32 have air supply passages 33,
The first water supply channel 34 and the second water supply channel 35 are connected. The air supply channel 33 and the first water supply channel 34 are joined near the distal end of the insertion portion 2 to form an air supply / water supply channel 36,
The air / water supply channel 36 communicates with the nozzle 7. The second water supply channel 35 is connected to the supply port 11, thereby forming a balloon water supply channel for supplying an ultrasonic transmission medium inside the balloon 10.

Valve casing 2 constituting air / water supply valve 25
6 has two input ports 28, 29 and 3 as described above.
Three output ports 30 to 32 are provided.
Is a supply stop position at which fluid is not supplied to any of the output ports 30 to 32, and an air supply position at which pressurized air is supplied from the first input port 28 to the air supply passage 33 via the first output port 30. A washing water supply position for supplying water from the second input port 29 to the first water supply channel 34 via the second output port 31, and a cleaning water supply position from the second input port 29 via the third output port 32. The position can be switched to four positions, that is, an ultrasonic transmission medium supply position for supplying water to the second water supply passage 35.

The air / water supply valve 25 is provided in a casing of the main body operation unit 1, and an operation element 37 such as a push button is connected to the valve body 27. It is led out from the casing. Therefore,
The operator of the ultrasonic endoscope operates the operator 37 with his / her finger to switch the air / water supply valve 25 to the four positions described above.

A step 27a is formed at a portion where the valve body 27 is connected to the operation element 37, and a stopper tube 38 is provided at the upper end of the valve casing 26 so as to be connected thereto. Further, a step 2 is also provided at a position near the lower end on the inner surface of the valve casing 26.
6a are formed. Therefore, the valve body 27 reciprocates in the axial direction between the position where the step 27a contacts the stopper cylinder 38 and the position where the lower end contacts the step 26a of the valve casing 26 in the axial direction. I do. A return spring 39 is elastically mounted between the operation element 37 and the stopper cylinder 38, and the step 27 a of the valve body 27 is held at a position where the step 27 a contacts the stopper cylinder 38 by the urging force of the return spring 39. You. An open-to-atmosphere path 40 is provided so as to penetrate the manipulator 37 from the valve body 27.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, two selection passages 41 and 42 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 27, and the first selection passage 41 is directed obliquely and 2
The selection passage 42 is formed with concave grooves formed in the vertical direction at positions where the phase is changed by a predetermined angle in the rotation direction with respect to the first selection passage 41. In addition, at least one of the first and second selection passages 41 and 42 can be formed by a through hole formed in the valve body 27. However, since the valve body 27 is provided with the open-to-air passage 40, when the selection passage is formed by a through-hole, it must be provided at a position that does not interfere with the open-to-air passage 40.

These two selection passages 41 and 42 are used to selectively connect the second input port 29 provided in the valve casing 26 to the second output port 31 or the third output port 32. The passage can be selected by the rotation of the body 27. That is, when the valve body 27 is shown in an expanded state in FIG. 6, at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, that is, at the first operating position, the second input port 29 is connected to the second And the third output port 32 is kept shut off. When the valve body 27 is rotated around the axis by a predetermined angle, the first and second selection passages 41 and 42 on the valve casing 26 side move in the direction of the arrow, so that the second The state where the second input port 29 is in communication with the third output port 32 via the selection passage 42 is in the second operating position.

FIG. 4 shows the supply stop position of the air / water supply valve 25. That is, the valve body 27 is held at a position where the step 27a abuts on the stopper cylinder 38 by the action of the return spring 39. In this state, the first input port 2
8 communicates with the first output port 30 and the open air path 40. Therefore, since the air pump 20 is in a state of communicating with the atmosphere, the air pump 20 operates substantially without load,
That is, the air is not pressurized. Therefore, although the first input port 28 communicates with the first output port 30, no air is supplied to the first output port 30 side, and the first output port 30 is discharged to the atmosphere through the open-to-atmosphere path 40. .

When the open-to-atmosphere path 40 is closed, that is, when the open-to-atmosphere path 40 of the operator 37 is closed with a finger, the first input port 28 communicates only with the first output port 30, so that the air pump 20 is loaded. State, the outside air is pressurized,
The discharged pressurized air is supplied into the valve casing 26 from the first input port 28 via the air supply passage 22 and flows into the air supply passage 33 from the first output port 30. As a result, the air supply position is at which the pressurized air is supplied from the air supply / water supply passage 36 to the nozzle 7.

At the supply stop position and the air supply position described above, the second input port 29 is shut off by the valve 27. Then, no pressure is supplied from the pressurized flow path 23 to the water supply tank 21 at the supply stop position. On the other hand, at the air supply position, the water supply tank 21 is pressurized via the pressurized flow path 23. However, since the water supply channel 24 is closed, no water is supplied from the water supply tank 21.

The operator 37 is pushed in a direction against the urging force of the return spring 39 to displace the valve body 27 downward in the axial direction of the valve casing 26, and the lower end of the valve body 27 is The first input port 28 and the first output port 30 are cut off. As a result, the supply of the pressurized air to the nozzle 7 is stopped. Further, since the communication between the first input port 28 and the open-to-atmosphere path 40 is cut off, the air pump 20 is in a state where a load is applied, and pressurized air is supplied into the water supply tank 21 through the pressurized flow path 23. Since it is supplied and pressurizes the liquid level,
This is the cleaning water supply position where water is supplied to the second input port 29.

In this case, the first,
When the valve body 27 is pushed into the valve casing 26, the second selection passages 41 and 42 connect the second input port 29 of the valve casing 26 to the second and third output ports 31, 42, respectively.
32 for selective communication. The selection of the flow path is performed by rotating the valve body 27 by a predetermined angle around the axis in the valve casing 26, and the second input port 2
9 is connected to one end of the first selection passage 41, the other end of the first selection passage 41 is connected to the second output port 31, and this is the first supply passage through which the washing water can be supplied. Operating position. When the valve body 27 is rotated until the second input port 29 is connected to the second selection passage 42, the third output port 32 is also opened via the second selection passage 42. , This is the second working position where the ultrasonic transmission medium can be supplied.

The valve body 27 can be positioned between a first operating position and a second operating position. For this, the valve element 2
A click ball 45 urged by a spring is provided on an outer peripheral surface of an operation element 37 connected to the valve casing 7, and two click grooves 46 a and 46 are provided in a stopper cylinder 38 connected to the valve casing 26.
b is provided. And these two click grooves 46
Is elongated in the axial direction of the valve body 27, and the length has at least the entire length of the pushing stroke of the valve body 27 or more.

With the above construction, the air / water supply valve 25 functions as an air / water supply control valve when observing the inside of the body with the endoscope observation means, and a balloon when operating the ultrasonic observation means. It functions as an in-balloon water supply control valve that controls the supply of the ultrasonic transmission medium to the inside of 10.

When the air / water supply valve 25 functions as an air / water supply control valve, it is held at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. That is, the positional relationship is such that the first selection passage 41 of the valve body 27 can be connected to the second input port 29 and the second output port 31 on the valve casing 26 side. Therefore, the third
Output port 32 is kept closed. In this state, the click ball 45 provided on the operation element 37 is engaged with the click groove 46a.

When the lens surface 6 in the observation window 5 is contaminated with body fluid or the like, the operator 37 is first pushed in against the return spring 39 so as to push the air supply / water supply valve 25 at the supply stop position. To the first operating position. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication between the first input port 28 and the first output port 30 is cut off, the second input port 29 is connected to the first selection passage 41, and 2
Output port 31 opens into the first selection passage 41. Moreover, since the connection between the first input port 28 and the first output port 30 is cut off, the air pump 20 is cut off from communicating with the atmosphere, and the air pump 20 is acted upon by a load.
Since the pressurized air from the air pump 20 is guided into the water supply tank 21 through the pressurized flow path 23, the water supply tank 21 is pressurized and supplied with water from the water supply flow path 24 to the second input port 29. You. This second input port 29 is
Is connected to the second output port 31 through the selection passage 41 of the air supply / water supply passage 3 from the first water supply passage 34.
Cleaning water is supplied to the nozzle 7 via 6. This nozzle 7
The washing water is sprayed toward the lens surface 6 to wash away dirt and the like adhering to the lens surface 6.

When the dirt is washed away from the lens surface 6, the pushing force applied to the operation element 37 is released, and the valve body 27 is slid along the inner surface of the valve casing 26 by the action of the return spring 39. As a result, the second input port 29 is shut off, and the first input port 28 communicates with the first output port 30. However, the open-to-atmosphere path 40 provided on the operation element 37 is kept closed by a finger. Thus, the first input port 28 communicates with the first output port 30, and the open-to-atmosphere path 40 is not opened. As a result, the pressurized air supplied from the air pump 20 to the air supply channel 22 is guided from the first input port 28 to the air supply channel 33 via the first output port 30, and the air supply / water supply channel 36 and the nozzle Pressurized air is jetted toward the lens surface 6 via 7, and water droplets attached after cleaning the lens surface 6 are removed.
When the lens surface 6 is completely clean, the operator releases his / her finger from the operator 37 to open the open-to-atmosphere path 40. As a result, since the first input port 28 communicates with the open-to-atmosphere path 40, the air from the air pump 20 is released to the atmosphere, and the air pump 20 returns to the no-load operation state.

Therefore, every time the lens surface 6 of the observation window 5 becomes dirty during observation of the inside of the body cavity by the endoscope observation means,
By repeating the above operation, the lens surface 6 can be always kept in a clean state, so that a clear observation field of view can be obtained.

Next, as a result of observation or the like by the endoscope observation means, when it becomes necessary to obtain information on the tissue tomography at a certain position of the inner wall of the body cavity, the ultrasonic transducer 8 constituting the ultrasonic observation means is operated. To perform ultrasonic scanning. For this purpose, the operator 37 is moved to the click ball 45.
Pivots to a position where it engages with the click groove 46b. As a result, the second selection passage 42 is connected to the second input port 29
And the third output port 32 can be connected, that is, the second operating position indicated by a virtual line in FIG. Even in this state, unless the operating element 37 is operated, the air / water supply valve 2
5 is held at the supply stop position.

When the operator 37 is pushed against the return spring 39, the second input port 29 is connected to the third output port 3 via the second selection passage 42 as shown in FIG.
2 and the first input port 28 is closed, the pressurized air from the air pump 20 is guided to the water supply tank 21, and is supplied from the water supply tank 21 to the water supply flow path 24, and the second input port 28 is closed. The water is fed into the second water supply passage 35 through the input port 29, the second selection passage 42, and the third output port 32 in this order. Since the second water supply channel 35 communicates with the inside of the balloon 10 from the supply port 11, water is supplied to the inside of the balloon 10, which becomes an ultrasonic transmission medium, and the balloon 10 is expanded by this water supply. Then, when the operation element 37 is released when the balloon is bulged to a predetermined size, the valve body 27 is displaced to the supply stop position, and the water supply into the balloon 10 is stopped. In addition, at the supply stop position, the third output port 32 is in the cutoff state.
Even if a force in the direction of compressing zero acts, there is no possibility that water will flow backward.

Here, when the cleaning water is supplied to the lens surface 6, since the cleaning water is supplied continuously, even if there is a slight gap between the surface of the valve body 27 and the inner surface of the valve casing 26. Although not a particular problem, when supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium into the balloon 10, the balloon 10 must be kept in an expanded state for a certain period of time. Therefore, if there is a gap between the valve body 27 and the valve casing 26, the third
Output port 32 communicates with the second output port 31 and the second input port 29, and the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon 10 may leak. For this purpose, it is desirable that the outer peripheral surface of the valve body 27 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve casing 26 be substantially in contact with each other. However, in order to smoothly slide the valve body 27 with respect to the valve casing 26, the valve body 27 is sealed with an O-ring 43 provided on the outer circumferential surface thereof. When the space between the inner peripheral surface of the casing 26 and the inner peripheral surface is set in a non-contact state, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
42a may be formed, and the seal ring 140 may be mounted in the concave groove 142a.

Here, the operation of supplying the ultrasonic transmission medium into the balloon 10 must be performed with the insertion section 2 inserted into the body cavity. If the balloon 10 is inflated at the stage before insertion into the body cavity, the operation of inserting the insertion portion 2 along the insertion path into the body cavity, particularly the operation of passing through the stenosis, becomes difficult, and the patient's operation becomes difficult. The pain also grows. Therefore, water supply into the balloon 10 is performed when ultrasonic observation is started. Then, after performing the ultrasonic observation, it is not desirable to pull out the insertion portion 2 from the body cavity while the balloon 10 is inflated. Therefore, it is necessary to drain water from inside the balloon 10 after the ultrasonic observation is completed. For this purpose, the air supply / water supply valve 2
A suction valve 50 is provided side by side with the operator 37 of FIG.
The water is drained from the inside of the balloon 10 using the suction valve 50.

In the first place, the suction valve 50 is for sucking and removing body fluid and the like when the body cavity in which the insertion portion 2 is inserted is full of body fluid and the like. For this purpose, the suction passage 14 is connected to a suction source 51 and a waste tank 52. Therefore, the suction passage 14 is divided by the suction valve 50 into a suction source side flow path 53 and a channel side suction flow path 54 communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 13. The suction valve 50 is for switching between a state in which the suction source side flow path 53 communicates with the atmosphere and a state in which the suction source side flow path 53 is connected to the channel side suction flow path 54. With this suction valve 50,
The suction valve 50 also operates the drainage flow path 55 in the balloon from the discharge port 12 opened in the balloon 10. When providing an independent suction passage, the suction valve 50 is configured to be interposed in the middle of this passage.

The specific structure of the suction valve 50 is shown in FIG.
0 to FIG. As is clear from these figures, the suction valve 50 has a configuration in which a valve body 57 is pushed into a valve casing 56 so as to be operable. The valve casing 56 has a single input port 58 and first and second output ports 59 and 60. Also, the valve body 56
The passage 61 is formed in the valve body 5.
7, an input opening 61a which is always in communication with the input port 58 is formed.
A switching opening 61b that selectively communicates with the atmosphere and any one of the first and second output ports 59 and 60 is open.

Further, the holding cylinder 62 is provided in the valve casing 56.
The holding cylinder 62 is connected to a guide cylinder 64 via a stopper ring 63.
The valve body 57 is inserted into the guide cylinder 64 and protrudes from the casing of the main body operation unit 1.
An operation element 65 is connected to and provided at the end of the. further,
An atmosphere chamber 66 is formed between the holding cylinder 62 and the valve body 57, and the atmosphere chamber 66 communicates with the atmosphere via a groove 66 a provided in the guide cylinder 64. Further, a return spring 67 acts on the valve body 57, and the urging force of the return spring 67 causes the switching opening 61 b formed on the side surface of the valve body 57 to open to the atmosphere chamber 66. When the operation element 65 is pushed in the direction against the return spring 67, the communication between the switching opening 61b and the atmosphere chamber 66 is cut off, and the first output port 59 is switched according to the rotational position of the valve body 57. Alternatively, it selectively communicates with the second output port 60.

The input port 58 is connected to the suction source side flow path 53, the first output port 59 is connected to the channel side suction flow path 54, and the second output port 60 is connected to the discharge port inside the balloon. The channels 55 are respectively connected. Therefore, the suction source side channel 53 connected to the input port 58 is always in communication with the channel 61 through the input side opening 61a, and the first output port 59 connected to the channel side suction channel 54.
And the second output port 60 connected to the discharge passage 55 in the balloon are arranged at the same position in the axial direction on the side surface of the valve casing 56 and at a position shifted by 180 ° in the rotational direction. ing. As a result, the valve body 57 is
When rotated by 0 °, the switching opening 61b of the passage 61 can be connected to the first output port 59 or the second output port 60 in the valve casing 56, that is, the first and second output ports 59, 60 selections become possible. In addition,
In order to position the valve body 57 at each of these selected positions, a click mechanism or the like shown in FIG. 4 can be provided, but illustration of this positioning mechanism is omitted.

With the above configuration, the valve body 57 is connected to the first output port 59 by the switching opening 6 of the passage 61.
1b, ie, the first operating position that can be connected to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, and as shown in FIG. 10, when the operation element 65 is not operated, the suction source side channel 53 communicates with the atmosphere. No negative pressure acts on the side suction flow path 54.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the operation element 65 is pushed in, the suction source side flow path 53 is connected to the first output port 59 via the input port 58 and the passage 61,
Suction of a body fluid or the like can be performed from the treatment instrument insertion channel 13 through the channel-side suction channel 54 and the suction source-side channel 53 that constitute the suction passage 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the second output port 60 is connected to the switching opening 61 of the passage 61.
When the operation element 65 is pushed in a state where the valve body 57 is rotated so as to be in the second operation position connectable with the suction port b, the suction source-side flow path 53 passes through the input port 58 and the passage 61 to the second position. Output port 60 is connected. As a result, the balloon 10
Water as an ultrasonic transmission medium stored in the outlet 12
Can be discharged to the suction source side flow path 53 through the second output port 60 and the passage 61 in sequence through the drainage flow path 55 in the balloon. On the other hand, even in the first and second operating positions, the valve body 5
As long as 7 is not pushed in, the switching opening 61b communicates with the atmosphere chamber 66, and no negative pressure acts on the channel side suction flow path 54 and the balloon discharge flow path 55.

Therefore, when operating the ultrasonic endoscope, during the inspection by the endoscope observation means,
The valve body 27 of the air / water supply valve 25 is connected to the second input port 29 and the second output port 31 on the valve casing 26 side by the first selection passage 41, that is, the first operating position. By holding the suction valve 50 at the first operating position where the first output port 59 can be connected to the switching opening 61 b of the passage 61, the suction valve 50 is appropriately operated.
By operating 7, 65, the lens surface can be cleaned.

On the other hand, when examining the condition of the body tissue by the ultrasonic observation means, the valve element 27 of the air / water supply valve 25 is connected to the second input port 29 via the second selection passage 42 and to the third input port 29. A second operating position communicating with the output port 32 is provided, and the valve body 57 of the suction valve 50 is connected to the second output port 60 through the passage 61.
Are respectively displaced to the second operating positions that can be connected to the switching openings 61b. Thereby, the ultrasonic transmission medium can be supplied into the balloon 10 by pushing the operation element 37, and the balloon 10 can be inflated, thereby reducing the attenuation of the ultrasonic signal when performing an ultrasonic inspection. Can be suppressed. After the completion of the ultrasonic inspection, the operation of pushing the operation element 65 is performed to discharge the ultrasonic transmission medium in the balloon 10 and to contract the balloon 10.

Here, at the time of the inspection by the ultrasonic observation means, the lens surface cannot be cleaned, but at this time, the inspection by the endoscope observation means is not particularly performed. Therefore, even if the lens surface is soiled, there is no particular problem.

[0052]

The present invention is configured as described above.
With a simple and compact configuration, it is possible to select a switching operation mode of a plurality of flow paths provided in the ultrasonic endoscope with a single valve member, and it is excellent in operability of switching operation of flow paths. It has the effect of becoming something.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an external view of an insertion portion shown with a balloon removed.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of a fluid supply system for an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the air / water supply valve of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an external view of a valve body.

FIG. 6 is a development view of a valve body.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where an air / water supply valve is in a first operating position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where an air / water supply valve is in a second operating position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the air / water supply valve provided with the seal mechanism of the second selection passage at a second operating position.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the suction valve of FIG. 3;

11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the suction valve is in the first operating position shown in FIG. 10 and the valve body is pushed in.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 10, with the suction valve in a second operating position.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 6 Lens surface 7 Nozzle 8 Ultrasonic transducer 10 Balloon 11 Supply port 12 Discharge port 13 Treatment instrument insertion channel 14 Suction passage 20 Air pump 21 Water supply tank 22 Air supply flow path 23 Pressurized flow path 24 Water supply flow path 25 Air supply / water supply valve 26,56 Valve casing 27,57 Valve body 28,29,58 Input port 30,31,32,59,60 Output port 33 Air supply flow path 34 First water supply flow path 35 Second water supply flow path 37, 65 Operator 40 Open-to-atmosphere path 41 First selection path 42 Second selection path 50 Suction valve 51 Suction source 53 Suction side flow path 54 Channel side suction flow path 55 Balloon drainage flow path 61 Passageway

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A valve member having a valve body slidably mounted in a valve casing provided in a main body operation unit, for switching a fluid flow path provided in an insertion portion of an ultrasonic endoscope,
An operator is connected to a valve element of the valve member, and the flow path is switched by a pushing operation of the operator. A fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope, wherein a flow path switched by operating the valve member is selectable. 2. An air supply / water supply nozzle for cleaning an observation window provided at a distal end of an insertion portion connected to a main body operation portion, and a water supply passage in a balloon for supplying water into a balloon surrounding the ultrasonic transducer. In the fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope provided with the above, a valve casing is mounted on the main body operation section, and a valve body is pushed into the valve casing so as to be operable, thereby forming an atmosphere open path in the valve body. And a supply stop position where the open-to-atmosphere path is opened, an air supply position to the nozzle by closing the open-to-atmosphere path, and a water supply position by a pushing operation of the control element. And a first operation position where the water supply destination at the water supply position is the nozzle, and a water supply flow path in the balloon by rotating the valve body by a predetermined angle in the valve casing. A fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope, comprising: a fluid control valve having two selection passages for selecting any one of a second operation position and a second operation position. 3. The valve casing includes a first and a second input port to which an air supply passage from a compressed air source and a water supply passage from a water supply source are connected, respectively, and an air supply passage to the nozzle.
A water supply flow path to the nozzle and first, second, and third output ports to which the water supply flow path in the balloon is connected, respectively, and the valve body is provided with the valve body in a valve casing. By rotating the second input port and the second output port by a predetermined angle, the first selection passage connectable to the second input port and the second output port is connected to the second input port and the third output port. A possible second selection passage is formed, wherein the first input port communicates with the open-to-atmosphere path and is brought into and out of contact with the first output port, and the second input port is connected to the first output port. When the first input port is connected to the first output port, the connection with the second and third output ports is interrupted, and the valve body moves in the axial direction along the valve casing. The first input port and the first output When the connection with the port is blocked,
3. An ultrasonic wave according to claim 2, wherein said second input port is selectively connected to said second or third output port via said first or second selection passage. Endoscope fluid control device. 4. A suction flow path connected to a suction port provided at a distal end of an insertion portion connected to a main body operation portion, and a drainage flow in the balloon for removing water sent into the balloon surrounding the ultrasonic transducer. In the fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope having a channel, the suction channel and the drainage channel in the balloon, and the suction source side channel are connected to a main body operation unit connected to the insertion unit. The valve body slidably provided in the valve casing is connected to an operator protruding from the main body operation portion, and a switching opening is formed in the valve body to rotate the valve body by a predetermined angle. By doing so, a first operating position in which the suction source side flow path can be switched between the atmosphere and the suction flow path through the switching opening, and the suction source side flow path is connected to the switching opening. A second switchable between the atmosphere and the drainage flow path in the balloon via A fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope, wherein the fluid control device is configured to be capable of selecting an operation position. 5. A super-cooling device which is provided at a distal end of an insertion portion connected to a main body operation portion and includes a nozzle for air / water supply for cleaning an observation window, a suction port, and a balloon surrounding an ultrasonic transducer. Attached to an acoustic endoscope, the nozzle is connected to an air supply channel and a water supply channel, and the suction port is connected to a suction channel, and a balloon water supply channel that opens into the balloon and A fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope in which a drainage flow path in a balloon is provided, and an air supply / water supply valve member and a suction valve member are mounted on the main body operation unit to control switching of each flow path. In the air / water supply valve member and the suction valve member, each is constituted by a valve body that is operably mounted by pushing a valve body into a valve casing, and the air / water supply valve member has an air release path in the valve body. It consists of a series of formed controls, A supply stop position in which the open-to-atmosphere path is opened, an air supply position to the nozzle by closing the open-to-atmosphere path, and a water supply position by a pushing operation of the operation element, and the valve body is not switchable. By rotating a predetermined angle in the valve casing, a water supply destination at the water supply position can be any one of a first operation position where the nozzle is the nozzle and a second operation position where the water supply passage in the balloon is used. Composed of those having two selection paths for selecting
Further, the suction valve member, and by forming a switching opening in the valve body, by rotating the valve body a predetermined angle,
A first operating position at which the suction source-side flow path can be switched between the atmosphere and the suction flow path via the switching opening; and the suction source-side flow path being connected to the atmosphere via the switching opening. A fluid control device for an ultrasonic endoscope, wherein a selectable second operation position is selectable with the drainage flow path in the balloon.