JP2001187015A - Endoscope for animal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an economical endoscope for animals which can be used for inspecting a plurality of internal organs by one instrument and especially to provide the endoscope for animals by which inspections among different families of animals are possible. SOLUTION: The endoscope 1 for animals can be inserted into both internal organs, i.e., the first internal organ in the first family of animals and the second internal organ in the second family of animals and is provided with an inserting part 2 by which endoscopic inspections on these internal organs are possible.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope for animals which can be inserted into the body of an animal other than a human to perform an inspection or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With respect to endoscopes used by humans, various regulations are imposed on the manufacture and use of the endoscopes by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a jurisdiction body. For example, to endoscope manufacturers, it is legally regulated that endoscopes manufactured for human use should not be sold for animals. In addition, human endoscopes used for examinations of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum should not be used for examinations of organs other than the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. Stipulates that it should not be used for examination of organs other than the bronchi. As a result, endoscope manufacturers have suggested that human endoscopes, which are used to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum,
The specifications such as the length, diameter, and angle of curvature of the endoscope insertion section are manufactured according to anatomical data of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, and are sold as endoscopes for esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
In addition, for human endoscopes used for bronchial examination, specifications such as the length, diameter and bending angle of the endoscope insertion part are manufactured according to the anatomical data of the bronchi, and the endoscope for bronchial endoscopes is manufactured. Sold as.

[0003] By the way, such a human endoscope is
Depending on its specifications, it can be used for animals.
For this reason, at present, veterinarians conduct endoscopy of animals by diverting endoscopes used for humans to animals. This is because there are no animal-specific endoscopes, and it is not regulated by law that veterinarians can perform endoscopy using human endoscopes at their discretion. .

[0004]

By the way, for the above-mentioned reasons, there are only endoscopes for human beings (specifications) suitable for the intended use, such as those for the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and bronchi. do not do. That is, there is no human endoscope that can be used (observed) for both the esophagus and the bronchus, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has not legally approved this. Therefore, veterinarians who use human endoscopes for animals also use endoscopes according to the purpose of use, such as esophagus / stomach / duodenum endoscopes and bronchial endoscopes. You must prepare more than one. However, veterinarians often open their own business, and preparing a plurality of endoscopes imposes a great economic burden.

Further, regarding animals, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has jurisdiction, and there are no regulations stipulated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare regarding humans. -It is also possible to support examination of multiple organs such as the duodenum and bronchi. However, when trying to examine multiple organs such as the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and bronchus of an animal with a bronchoscope used for humans, the length of the insertion section does not match when examining the esophagus. Various problems occur, such as difficulty in use and difficulty in observing because a desired bending angle of the insertion portion is not obtained. Similarly, if an esophageal endoscope used for humans is used to test multiple organs such as the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and bronchus of an animal, the length of the insertion section will not match when the bronchi are examined. Various problems occur, such as difficulty in use and difficulty in observing because a desired bending angle of the insertion portion is not obtained.

[0006] Even if the veterinarian prepares a plurality of dedicated human endoscopes for each individual organ, apart from economical problems, mammals other than humans will not have the length and size of the organ. Is significantly different from that of humans, and if an endoscope for humans is used for endoscopic examination of animals, problems arise such as difficulty in use and inability to perform accurate examinations.

[0007] At present, there is no human endoscope with a specification capable of accurately examining a plurality of organs of an animal. Of course,
There is no endoscope dedicated to animals. For this reason, veterinarians strongly desire an endoscope dedicated to animals that can be used for examining a plurality of organs with one unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an economical animal endoscope which can be used for examining a plurality of organs by one unit, and in particular, a different kind of animal endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope for animals that can be inspected between animals.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an animal endoscope according to the present invention comprises a first organ in an animal of a first species and a second organ in an animal of a second species. And an insertion portion capable of being inserted into both organs and enabling endoscopy of these organs.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an endoscope 1 for animals according to an embodiment of the present invention. This animal endoscope 1 is an electronic endoscope (video scope), and its main body is composed of an insertion section 2 that can be inserted into the body of an animal and an operation section 3 provided on the hand side of the insertion section 2. It is configured.

The insertion section 2 includes a flexible tube 2a and a flexible tube 2a.
a bending tube portion 2b connected to the tip of a and bent
And a rigid distal end portion 2c provided at the distal end of the curved tube portion 2b. In addition, the insertion portion 2 has
A forceps channel through which the treatment tool can be inserted is formed.
The proximal end of the forceps channel communicates with a forceps port 5 provided in the operation unit 3. The distal end of the forceps channel is open at the distal end of the distal end hard portion 2c. Further, an air supply / water supply conduit and a suction conduit (the forceps channel may also serve at least a part thereof) are formed in the insertion portion 2, and the air supply / water supply and suction are performed through these conduits. Can be performed. In addition, an optical fiber for transmitting illumination light is provided in the insertion section 2, and an objective lens and a nozzle for cleaning the objective lens by spraying clean water or air on the objective lens are provided on the distal end hard section 2 c. Are provided respectively.

The operation unit 3 includes an air / water supply button 6 for controlling water supply or air supply to the air / water supply line, a suction button 7 for controlling a suction operation to the suction line,
A switch box 8 having various switches and a bending operation knob 20 (see FIG. 2) for bending the bending tube portion 2b are provided.

A ride guide cable 4 extends from the operation unit 3. A connector 9 is provided at the distal end of the light guide cable 4.
It is designed to be detachably connected to. The connector 9 is connected to the video processor 1 via a connection cable 11.
2 can also be connected.

Therefore, in the animal endoscope 1 having such a configuration, the illumination light from the light source device 10 is transmitted through the light guide cable 4 and the optical fiber in the insertion section 2 to the insertion section 2.
Is irradiated toward the observation object from the tip of. Further, the reflected light from the observation target is imaged on an imaging surface of a CCD provided in the distal end hard portion 2c, and is converted into an electric signal. Then, the electric signal is sent to the video processor 12 via the electric cable in the insertion section 2 and the light guide cable 4 and subjected to image processing.

By the way, the endoscope 1 for animals according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion section 2 is formed so that endoscopy of the bronchi of a dog and the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of a cat can be performed. Here, the endoscopic examination means that the insertion unit 2 is inserted into the organ, the organ can be observed, and a predetermined treatment using a treatment tool is performed. Therefore, the insertion section 2 is set as follows.

[Specification A]-The outer diameter of the insertion portion is 6.5 mm or less.-The effective length of the insertion portion is 900 mm or more.-The bending angle of the curved tube portion UP: 210 °, DOWN: 130 °,
RIGHT / LEFT: 100 °-Forceps channel inner diameter 2mm or more-Air supply, water supply, and suction functions available-Air supply and water supply nozzles available The above figures are based on anatomical surveys.
The result obtained by selecting the greatest common denominator of both the following specification B assumed as a dog bronchoscope and the following specification C assumed as a cat esophagus / stomach / duodenum endoscope It is.

[Specification B]-Outer diameter of the insertion portion is 6.5 mm or less-Effective length of the insertion portion is about 850 mm-Bending angle of the curved tube portion UP: 180 °, DOWN: 130 °-Forceps channel inner diameter 2 mm or more-Suction function is provided・ No air / water supply nozzle [Specification C] ・ Outer diameter of insertion section 8mm or less ・ Effective length of insertion section 700mm or more ・ Bending angle of curved tube UP: 210 °, DOWN: 90 °, RI
GHT / LEFT: 100 °-Forceps channel inner diameter 2 mm or more-Air supply, water supply, and suction functions-Air supply / water supply nozzle available If the insertion part 2 is formed with the above specification A, the dog's bronchi and the esophagus / stomach / duodenum of cats Can insert the insertion section 2 into both, and can reliably observe both the bronchi of the dog and the esophagus, stomach and duodenum of the cat, and can also use a treatment tool (inserted into the insertion section 2 through the forceps channel). Be done)
It is also possible to perform a predetermined treatment using.

As described above, in the animal endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, since the insertion section 2 is configured according to the above-described specification A, one of them can be used for a dog (animal of the first race). Esophagus, stomach, and bronchi (first organ) and cats (animals of the second race)
It can be inserted into both organs of the duodenum (second organ), and endoscopy of these organs can be performed. Therefore, it is very economical, and the operability at the time of performing an endoscopic examination of an animal is also improved. The animal endoscope 1 of the present embodiment can be inserted into both the first organ of the animal of the first species and the second organ of the animal of the second species, and can be inserted into these organs. Although the insertion section 2 is provided for endoscopic examination, it goes without saying that the first organ and the second organ may be the same organ.

The animal endoscope 1 of the present embodiment includes:
Since the gas supply and water supply function is provided, in the stomach examination, it is possible to secure a visual field by inflating the stomach by supplying air to the stomach, and it is also possible to wash away dirt by supplying water to the stomach. . In addition, if the bending tube portion 2b is configured to be able to bend in four directions, the orientation in the stomach is also simplified.

In this embodiment, it is desirable to empty the water supply tank and inspect the dog's bronchi. By doing so, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a water supply operation is performed by mistake and water is supplied into the bronchi.

In the present embodiment, it is desirable to examine the bronchi of the dog in a continuous air supply state. By doing so, the air supply mechanism can be used as an assist for artificial respiration, so that a narrow tracheal tube, that is, a tracheal tube with a small clearance between the endoscope and the outer surface can be used.

Although the animal endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is an electronic endoscope, it may be an optical endoscope 1A as shown in FIG. This optical endoscope transmits the reflected light from the observation object to the observation optical system by an optical fiber (image guide fiber) provided in the insertion section 2.
In FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, 21 is an optical fiber (light guide fiber) for transmitting illumination light, 22 is an objective lens, and 23 is an objective lens 22 which is made by spraying cleaning water on the objective lens 22. Is a forceps channel for cleaning the nozzle. In addition, the same components as those of the electronic endoscope in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a multi-lumen tube (overtube) 30 through which the animal endoscope 1 is inserted. The tube 30 is made of, for example, PTFE, PF
A, polyurethane, medical vinyl chloride, etc., the total length is about 30 cm, and the outer diameter is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the esophagus. In addition, the tube 30 includes a first channel 31 serving also as an endoscope insertion conduit and an air supply / water supply conduit, a treatment tool insertion conduit for inserting a treatment tool such as a grasping forceps 32, and a suction conduit. The second channel 33 also serves as
And In addition, a first luer lock base 34 to which a tube (not shown) for air / water supply is connected and a second luer lock base 35 to which a suction device (not shown) is connected are provided on the proximal side of the tube 30. Have been. The first luer lock base 34 is connected to the first channel 31, and the second luer lock base 35 is connected to the second channel 33. Also, the second channel 33
Is set larger than that of the forceps channel of the endoscope 1 for animals. An airtight packing is provided on the proximal side of the tube 30. Further, the tube 30 is provided with an index 37 for grasping the insertion amount. Note that the number of channels is not limited to two. Further, the tube 30 may also serve as a mouthpiece.

Such a tube 30 is placed in the body with its end positioned in front of the bent base of the heart of the animal. About 50% of the use of endoscopes in animals is for foreign body collection. If a foreign substance such as a hair ball is collected only by an endoscope, the amount of the foreign substance that can be collected at a time is small, so that the collection operation becomes very troublesome. However, the use of such a tube 30 facilitates the collection of the foreign substance.

FIG. 5 shows a modification of the tube 30 shown in FIG. The multi-lumen tube 30A according to this modification has an endoscope insertion conduit 40 through which the animal endoscope 1 is inserted, a water supply conduit 41, and a suction conduit. In this case, the water supply line 41 and the suction line 42
Is set to be larger than that of the forceps channel of the endoscope 1 for animals. In addition, the tube 30A is set to a length that can enter the stomach (for example, if it is set to 1 m, it can be applied to a large dog). A water supply base 43 connected to a water supply pipe 41 and a suction base 44 connected to a suction pipe 42 are provided on the near side of the tube 30A.
And a detachable packing 45 are provided. Note that a check valve may be provided on the proximal side of the endoscope insertion conduit 40 instead of the packing 45.

When the stomach is cleaned using only the forceps channel of the endoscope, it takes a long time to remove dirt.
By using such a tube 30A in which the endoscope insertion conduit 40, the water supply conduit 41, and the suction conduit 42 are separately provided, the stomach can be cleaned easily and in a short time.

FIG. 6 shows a treatment tool 50 used with the endoscope 1 for animals. As shown in FIG. 6A, the treatment tool 50 includes a sheath 51 that can be inserted into the forceps channel 24 of the endoscope 1 for animals, and a core 52 that is inserted into the sheath 51 so as to be able to advance and retreat. Consists of FIG. 6B
As shown in FIG.
6 is formed. In addition, core material 5
2 has a proximal end connected to a handle 54 of an operation section 53 provided on the proximal side of the sheath 51.
Is operated so that the puncture portion 57 is protruded and retracted from the distal end of the sheath 51.

As shown in FIG. 6 (c), such a treatment instrument 50 is provided with the forceps channel 24 of the endoscope 1 for animals.
The foreign matter S is collected by piercing the puncture portion 57 into the foreign matter S in the body through the body. In this case, the protrusion 56 bites into the foreign matter S, and the removal of the foreign matter S from the puncture portion 57 is prevented. Therefore, the foreign matter S can be easily collected.

The puncture portion 57 may have two projections 56 as shown in FIG. Further, puncturing section 57 may have a shape as shown in FIG. 6 (e) or FIG. 6 (f).

FIG. 7 shows a grasping forceps 60 used with the endoscope 1 for animals. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the grasping forceps 60 includes an insertion portion 61 that can be inserted into a forceps channel of the endoscope 1 for an animal, and an insertion portion 61.
And an operation unit 62 provided on the hand side of the device. Insertion section 6
1 comprises an outer sheath 63 and an inner sheath 64 inserted into the outer sheath 63.

A grip portion 65 is provided at the tip of the inner sheath 64. The grip portion 65 is opened and closed by operating a slider 66 provided on the operation portion 62 to push and pull an operation wire (not shown) extending inside the inner sheath 64. A bending operation wire 67 is connected to the grip 65. The bending operation wire 67 extends to the proximal side along the outer surface of the inner sheath 64, is inserted into the outer sheath 63, and is led out from the outlet 68 of the operation unit 62, and a knob 69 is attached to the end thereof. Have.

Accordingly, in such a configuration, when the knob 69 is pulled to pull the bending operation wire 67, as shown in FIG.
The tip side of 4 is curved.

According to the gripping forceps 60 described above, a sharp needle such as a fishing hook can be easily gripped and collected. In this configuration, the grip 65 is bent only in one direction, but two bending operation wires 67 are provided,
The grip 65 may be curved in two directions. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, a slider 66 for opening and closing the grip portion and a bending operation wire pulling slider 70 may be provided on the operation portion 62. In this case, since the operability is improved, the collection operation can be easily performed.

FIG. 8 shows a clip device 72 used with the endoscope 1 for animals. As shown in FIG. 8A, the clip device 72 includes an insertion portion 73 that can be inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope 1 for an animal, and an insertion portion 7.
3. A clip 74 that is detachably engaged with the distal end engaging portion.
And an operation unit 75 provided on the hand side of the insertion unit 73 for engaging and disengaging the clip 74. Clip 74
Has a shape as shown in FIG. 8B,
It is configured to be closed when the insertion portion 73 is detached from the distal end locking portion.

Such a clip device 72 is used, for example, when treating achalasia. That is, as shown in FIG. 8C, when the clip 74 is driven into the inner surface of the esophagus 75 using the clip device 72, the clip 7
4 ligates the inner surface of the esophagus 75. As shown in FIG. 8D, the same treatment can be performed by using a wire loop 77 instead of the clip 74 and ligating the inner wall of the esophagus 75 lifted by the grasping forceps with the wire loop 77. Can do it.

FIG. 9 shows a fixture 80 for stably supporting the animal A when treating the animal A without anesthesia. The fixing device 80 includes a transparent bath-type container 81 large enough to hold an animal (such as a dog) A, and a hole (a variety of sizes can be set) 83 for leading the neck of the animal A to the outside. It has a dropping lid 82, a pair of fixing plates 84, 84 for holding the animal A, and adjusting means for adjusting the distance between the fixing plates 84, 84. The adjusting means comprises, for example, a screw member 85 having an operation handle 86.

In order to support the animal A using the fixing device 80, the operation handle 86 is rotated while the animal A is positioned between the fixing plates 84, 84, and the screw member 85 is rotated.
, And the animal A may be pinched between the fixing plates 84, 84.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
The animal A may be supported in the container 81 by pouring a UV-curable gel or gypsum 88 therein. As the adjusting means, a spring 89 as shown in FIG. 11 can be used in addition to the screw member 85.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an endoscope 1 for animals.
A high-frequency grasping forceps (such as a hot biopsy) 90 that can be used together with and can minimally invasively collect a foreign object pierced into a body cavity wall is shown. The high-frequency grasping forceps 90 includes a sheath 91 that can be inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope 1 for animals.
And a core member 92 inserted into the sheath 91 so as to be able to advance and retreat. As shown in detail in FIG. 13, a gripper 93 that can be opened and closed is provided at the tip of the core member 92. In addition, the grip portion 93 is operated by the slider 95 of the operation portion 94 provided on the hand side of the sheath 91 being operated forward and backward.
It can be opened and closed. Core material 92 and gripper 9
3 is supplied with a high-frequency current from a high-frequency power supply 97 via a power supply cord 96. In this case, the power supply cord 96 is detachably connected to the terminal of the slider 95. Further, a counter electrode plate 99 that forms a pair of electrodes together with the gripping portion 93 is connected to the high-frequency power supply 97.

Such a high-frequency grasping forceps 90 is used in a form as shown in FIG. That is, first, the sheath 91 of the grasping forceps 90 (the grasping portion 93) is introduced into the esophagus of the animal via the forceps channel of the animal endoscope 1, and the counter electrode plate 99 is placed on the body surface portion facing the grasping portion 93. Install. Subsequently, when the metallic foreign matter (fish hook, etc. swallowed by mistake) 101 pierced into the inner wall 100 of the esophagus is picked up by the grip portion 93 and pulled while performing high-frequency cauterization, the foreign matter 101 itself functions as a high-frequency treatment tool, and is removed while incising. be able to. No bleeding occurs because the incision is performed with induction cautery. After removing the foreign object 101 from the body cavity wall, the endoscope 1 is removed from the animal with the high-frequency grasping forceps 90 as it is or by switching to a normal grasping forceps. At this time, the transparent hood 103 is put on the end of the endoscope 1 and
It is safer if the tip is removed with the tip inside the hood 103.

According to the technical contents described above, various configurations as described below can be obtained.

1. An insertion portion capable of being inserted into both the first organ of the animal of the first species and the second organ of the animal of the second species and capable of performing endoscopy of these organs; Characteristic animal endoscope. 2. The insertion portion has an outer diameter dimension that allows endoscopy of the bronchi of a dog, and is set to a length that allows endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of a dog and a cat. 2. The endoscope for animals according to item 1, wherein 3. The first insertion portion has an outer diameter of 6.5 mm or less and a length of 900 mm or more.
14. The endoscope for animals according to the above item.

4. 2. The endoscope for animals according to claim 1, wherein the first organ and the second organ are the same organ. 5. The animal endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first race is a dog and the second race is a cat. 6. Item 6. The endoscope for animals according to item 4 or 5, wherein the first and second organs are stomachs. 7. 6. The endoscope for animals according to claim 4, wherein the first and second organs are esophagus. 8. Item 6. The endoscope for animals according to item 4 or 5, wherein the first and second organs are duodenum.

9. An animal endoscopy method comprising performing an endoscopy of a dog's bronchus using a cat's stomach, esophagus and duodenum endoscope. 10. 10. The animal endoscope inspection method according to claim 9, wherein an endoscope having a water supply function is used, and a water supply tank is emptied when inspecting a dog's bronchi. 11. 10. The animal endoscope inspection method according to claim 9, wherein an endoscope having an air supply function is used, and the bronchus of the dog is inspected in a continuous air supply state.

[0046]

As described above, the veterinary endoscope of the present invention can be used for examining a plurality of organs by itself, and is economical. It is also possible to test between animals of different races.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an animal endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention and peripheral devices connected to the endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which the animal endoscope of FIG. 1 is applied to a dog and a cat.

3A is a diagram showing another embodiment of the animal endoscope of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a distal end portion of the endoscope of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multi-lumen tube used with the animal endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tube according to a modified example of the tube of FIG.

6A is a view showing a treatment tool used together with the animal endoscope of FIG. 1, FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the distal end of the treatment tool of FIG. 1A, and FIG. 6C is a view of FIG. (D) and (e) are views showing a state in which the treatment tool of (1) is introduced into the body by an endoscope for animals.
(F) is a perspective view which shows the modification of the front-end | tip part of a treatment tool.

7A is a view showing a straight state of the grasping forceps used with the animal endoscope of FIG. 1, FIG. 7B is a view showing a state where the grasping forceps of FIG. 1A is curved, and FIG. It is a figure which shows the modification of the operation part of the grasping forceps of (a).

8 (a) is a side view of a clip device used with the animal endoscope of FIG. 1, (b) is a perspective view of a clip used with the clip device of (a), and (c) is a clip A diagram showing a state in which the inner wall of the esophagus is ligated,
(D) is a figure which shows the modification of (a).

9A is a diagram showing a fixture for stably supporting an animal when treating the animal without anesthesia, and FIG. 9B is a plan view of a drop lid provided on the fixture of FIG. 9A. .

FIG. 10 is a view showing a modification of the fixing device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a modification of the fixing device of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a high-frequency grasping forceps used with the animal endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a use form of the high-frequency grasping forceps of FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1. Endoscope for animals 2. Insertion section

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hironobu Kono 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hisao Yabe 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Makai Adult F-term (reference) 4C061 AA00 BB01 CC04 CC06 DD00 FF21 FF41 LL00 MM00 NN10 in Olympus Optical Kogyo Co., Ltd. 2-34-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An insertion portion which can be inserted into both the first organ of the animal of the first species and the second organ of the animal of the second species and which allows endoscopy of these organs. An endoscope for animals, comprising: