JP2003245241A - Endoscope cover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope cover 14 which is well suited to introduce an endo-therapy accessory 52 such as forceps and snares into a cover type endoscope 10. <P>SOLUTION: In the endoscope cover 14 covering at least the insertion tube of the endoscope, a dust 50 comprising a member that makes treating instruments 52 insertable toward the distal end from the proximal end part thereof is provided on the external surface thereof 14 and made crushable when the distal end of the endoscope is inserted into the body cavity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cover used for an endoscope, and more particularly to an endoscope cover that allows a treatment instrument to be easily inserted into a body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes used in the medical field are washed, disinfected and sterilized after use in order to prevent infections and the like. However, since the endoscope has resistance to heat and chemicals, a complicated appearance shape, and a long and narrow channel, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and effort to completely clean, disinfect, and sterilize the endoscope.

In order to reduce the labor of cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing the endoscope in the related art, an endoscope inspection is performed after the cover is attached to the endoscope insertion portion, and the cover is discarded after the inspection. An endoscope has been proposed. In this cover, a cover into which a general endoscope insertion part is inserted, and a cover provided with an air / water supply channel or a suction channel, into which a dedicated endoscope corresponding thereto is inserted. There is an endoscope cover etc.

Conventionally, this endoscope has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
As disclosed in JP-A-191790, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-54734, etc., the cover is attached by inserting the insertion portion into the tubular cover.

[0005]

When introducing a treatment tool such as forceps or a snare into these conventional endoscopes, a contrivance is required to insert the treatment tool. Therefore, in the conventional example,
For example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-54734, a configuration in which a U-shaped cutout (cutout) is provided, a configuration in which a pipe member (biopsy channel) is provided separately from the endoscope, and the like are adopted. ing.

However, such a structure has a problem in manufacturing or use and has a problem. That is, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6A, in the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope body 1, a U-shaped notch 3 is formed in the insertion portion 2.
And the treatment tool introducing tube 4 is arranged in the notch 3,
Although it has no protruding portion and is convenient for use, it has a complicated structure, is difficult to design and manufacture, and is fragile.

Further, as shown in the sectional view of FIG. 6B, in the insertion portion 6 of the endoscope main body 5, the treatment instrument introducing tube 7 is arranged separately from the insertion portion 6 is designed. Although it is relatively easy to manufacture, it causes a protruding portion, which causes a problem in use. This is because such a protruding portion is likely to cause pain to the subject when inserting the insertion portion 6 into the body cavity. Further, the provision of the protruding portion even when the treatment tool is not used is redundant in terms of layout.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope cover suitable for introducing a treatment tool such as forceps or a snare into an endoscope. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an endoscope cover for covering at least an endoscope insertion portion, wherein an outer surface of the endoscope cover has a base end portion to a tip end portion. Is provided with a duct made of a soft member that allows a treatment instrument to be inserted therethrough, and the duct can be collapsed when the endoscope insertion part is inserted into a body cavity. Provided is an endoscope cover.

According to the present invention, when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, the projecting portion is only the duct which is made of the soft member, and this duct can be crushed. Is less likely to cause pain. Then, when the treatment tool is used after inserting the endoscope insertion portion into the body cavity, the treatment tool may be inserted into the body cavity by inserting the treatment tool into the duct. In addition, since the structure of the conduit into which the endoscope is inserted is relatively simple, designing and manufacturing are relatively easy.

The soft member means a member that is easily deformed by an external force or its own weight, and various rubber sheets, various synthetic resin sheets typified by polyurethane elastomer, etc. can be used.

In the present invention, it is preferable that an undulating treatment instrument outlet plate is provided at a distal end portion of the conduit, and the treatment instrument outlet plate can be undulated by an operation from a base end portion. . This is because, if the treatment instrument outlet plate provided at the distal end portion of the duct can be raised and lowered, it becomes easy to insert the endoscope insertion portion into the body cavity. Further, if the treatment instrument outlet plate can be undulated by the operation from the base end portion, the treatment instrument can easily come out of the treatment instrument outlet plate when the treatment instrument is inserted into the body cavity.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an endoscope cover according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope to which an endoscope cover according to an embodiment is attached, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a state in which the endoscope insertion portion is covered with the endoscope cover. It is the figure shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 10 is composed of an endoscope body 12 and an endoscope cover 14. FIG. 3 is a left side view of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the positional relationship between the treatment tool and the duct. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the endoscope cover 14 of the embodiment.

The endoscope main body 12 is provided with a hand operation section 16 which is grasped and operated by an operator, and an insertion section 18 inserted into the body cavity of the hand operation section 16 and a lighting device (not shown) or the like. The universal cable 20 to be connected is connected.

The insertion portion 18 is composed of a flexible portion 18A, an angle portion 18B, and a distal end hard portion (end of the endoscope insertion portion) 18C, and most of the insertion portion 18 is composed of the flexible portion 18A. The angle portion 18 is attached to the tip of the flexible portion 18A.
B is formed, and a tip hard portion 18C is further formed at the tip of the angle portion 18B.

The angle portion 18B is for orienting the distal end hard portion 18C in a desired direction, and the angle operation is performed by rotating a not-shown angle knob 19 (see FIG. 5) provided on the hand operation portion 16. Is done by doing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end hard portion 18C has an observation window (objective optical system) 22 and an illumination window 24 arranged at predetermined positions on the distal end surface 31. A CCD (solid-state image sensor) (not shown) is arranged inside the observation window 22, and an image to be observed in the body cavity is captured by this CCD. A light guide (not shown) is connected to each of the illumination windows 24, and the illumination light transmitted by the light guides is emitted from the illumination window 24.

A universal cable 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a light guide for transmitting illumination light, a signal cable for transmitting an electric signal from the CCD, and the like inserted through the illumination window 24 of the hard end portion 18C. The light guide is connected to a light source device (not shown), and illumination light from this light source device is transmitted to the illumination window 24 of the hard tip end portion 18C.

The signal cable is connected to a processor (not shown), and an electric signal from the CCD is transmitted to this processor. The processor converts the input electric signal into a video signal and outputs it to a monitor (not shown). As a result, the observed image in the body cavity captured by the CCD is enlarged and displayed on the monitor.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope cover 14 includes an insertion portion cover 30 that covers the insertion portion 18 of the endoscope body 12 and a hand operation that covers the hand operation portion 16 of the endoscope body 12. The operation portion cover 32 is configured to cover the base end of the insertion portion cover 30, and is entirely formed of a flexible rubber material such as urethane. The entire insertion portion cover 30 is formed in a tube shape, and a joint portion 36 for joining to the hand operation portion 16 is integrally formed at the base end portion thereof.

In FIG. 1, on the outer surface of the endoscope cover 14, there is mainly a conduit main body 50A made of a soft member through which a treatment tool 52 (see FIG. 2) can be inserted from the proximal end to the distal end. A conduit 50 is provided. The positional relationship between the treatment tool 52 (forceps shown in the figure) and the duct 50 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4B.

In each figure, the conduit main body 50A of the conduit 50 can be crushed when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity. Further, a treatment tool outlet plate 50B which is capable of undulating is provided at the distal end portion of the conduit 50, and the treatment tool outlet plate 50B can be undulated by an operation from the base end portion. To connect the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B to the upper end of the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B,
A configuration may be adopted in which the wire member is extended from the body cavity to the proximal end portion of the endoscope cover 14 and is operated from outside the body cavity.

In addition, as a means for undulating the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B by operating from the base end, the endoscope body 12 is used.
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a predetermined undulating means is provided inside the.

The cross-sectional shape and material of the conduit main body 50A are arbitrary, but the treatment instrument 52 can be inserted and the treatment instrument 5 can be inserted.
No. 2 is required to have a cross-sectional shape and material that can be crushed when not in use and that does not harm the human body when inserted into a body cavity. The illustrated duct main body 50A has a substantially circular cross-section, but is not limited to this as long as the movement of the treatment instrument 52 inserted therethrough can be ensured. For example, a kamaboko shape (dome shape) is possible. May be

It is preferable that the material of the conduit main body 50A can be formed at a low cost in view of the disposable endoscope cover 14. Further, it is preferable that the longitudinal elastic modulus (Young's modulus) is small because it is assumed that the endoscope main body 12 is used by being curved. This is because if the longitudinal elastic modulus is small, it is easy to follow the bending of the endoscope body 12.

Generally, the material of the conduit main body 50A is preferably the same as that of the endoscope cover 14. If the same material as the endoscope cover 14,
It is convenient because it can be integrally molded during manufacturing.

The conduit 50 is arranged on the outer surface of the insertion portion 18 of the endoscope cover 14 in a straight line in the case of the drawing, but in addition to this, the conduit 50 is spirally wound around the insertion portion 18. Various modes such as a disposing arrangement can be adopted. With such an arrangement, the bending of the endoscope body 12 can be easily followed.

Further, the conduit main body 50A shown in the figure is formed in a straight pipe shape, but if the conduit main body 50A is a bellows-shaped pipe, when the endoscope main body 12 is bent, The difference in length caused by the difference in bending radius between the mirror cover 14 and the conduit body 50A can be absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the bellows.

Further, in the conduit 50, the hand operation unit 16
If the distal end 50D in the vicinity is arranged at a distance from the endoscope cover 14 as shown in FIG. 1 and the inner diameter of the conduit main body 50A is formed to be larger than the other portions, the treatment tool 52 is removed. The work of inserting the pipe main body 50A becomes easy.

The treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is arranged so that the distal end of the duct body 50A closes the duct body 50A.
The outer peripheral edge of B is provided so as to be connected to the conduit main body 50A. Further, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is provided with a through hole 50C through which the treatment instrument 52 can be inserted and withdrawn.

The treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is fixed so as to be rotatable about the vicinity of the boundary with the endoscope cover 14. That is, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B can be raised and lowered. To do so, for example, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B may be connected to the endoscope cover 14 via the conduit main body 50A in the vicinity of the boundary with the endoscope cover 14.

The other parts of the endoscope cover 14 are constructed as follows. The entire insertion portion cover 30 is formed in a tubular shape, and the distal end surface 31 opposite to the distal end hard portion 18C is closed. As shown in FIG. 2, a tip window 38 is attached to the tip surface 31 in a watertight and airtight state, and the tip window 38 faces the observation window 22 and the illumination window 24 via a predetermined gap 42. ing.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hand operation section cover 32 is formed into a bag shape by a flexible sheet material, and one end thereof is integrally connected to the joint section 36 of the insertion section cover 30. ing. The other end opening 58 of the hand operation section cover 32 is extended to the middle of the universal cable 20 so as to cover the entire hand operation section.

The operation of the endoscope 10 covered with the endoscope cover 14 of the present embodiment configured as described above is as follows. The endoscope 10 is used with the endoscope cover 12 attached to the endoscope body 12. The mounting of the endoscope cover 14 is performed by a conventional method.

When inserting the endoscope insertion portion of the endoscope 10 into the body cavity, the treatment instrument 52 is not inserted into the duct 50. Then, the conduit body 50A of the conduit 50 is crushed so that it can be easily inserted into the body cavity. This state is shown in Figure 3.
(A), FIG. 4 (a) and FIG. 5 (a).

Then, depending on the inspection condition in the body cavity, the treatment tool 5
When it is determined that the introduction of 2 is necessary, the treatment tool 52 is inserted into the body cavity through the duct 50. At that time, as shown in FIGS. 3B, 4B, and 5B, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is erected by an operation from the base end portion.

In the structure shown in FIG. 4 (a), the treatment instrument outlet plate 5 is in a normal state (a state in which the base end is not operated).
The OB is inclined so that it is brought into close contact with the hard tip portion (the tip of the endoscope insertion portion) 18C. And the conduit body 5
When the treatment instrument 52 is inserted through the 0A, the distal end of the treatment instrument 52 abuts on the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B, so that the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is forced to stand up, and the treatment instrument 52 is placed inside the body cavity. Can be inserted into.

In the structure shown in FIG. 4B, the treatment instrument outlet plate 5 is in a normal state (a state in which the base end is not operated).
OB is habituated to stand up. One end is locked to the upper end of the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B and is pulled by the wire 54 extending through the inside of the conduit main body 50A to the outside of the distal end 50D in the vicinity of the hand operation unit 16. As a result, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is forcibly collapsed and brought into close contact with the distal end hard portion 18C. When inserting the treatment tool 52 into the conduit main body 50A, the wire 5
By releasing the traction by 4, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50
As B stands, the treatment tool 52 can be inserted into the body cavity.

The insertion of the treatment tool 52 into the body cavity is performed by inserting the treatment tool 52 into the duct main body 50A at the distal end 50D near the operating portion 16 outside the body cavity and gradually feeding it into the body cavity. Be seen.

When the treatment in the body cavity by the treatment tool 52 is completed, usually only the treatment tool 52 is first taken out of the body cavity. At that time, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is automatically tilted due to the habit, or is operated from the base end portion, for example, is extended to the base end portion of the endoscope cover 14 along the inside of the conduit main body 50A. By operating the wire 54 from outside the body cavity, the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B is tilted as shown in FIGS. 3 (a), 4 (a) and 5 (a), and the endoscope 10 can be easily taken out. I will let you.

When the treatment in the body cavity by the treatment tool 52 is completed, the treatment tool 52 is not taken out of the body cavity first,
When all the examinations are completed, the endoscope 10 with the treatment tool 52 attached can be taken out of the body cavity.

As described above, when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, since the projecting portion is only the duct made of the soft member, the subject is less likely to suffer pain. Then, after the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, when the treatment tool is used, the treatment tool may be inserted into the duct to be inserted into the body cavity.

Since the treatment tool 52 is used outside the endoscope cover 14, it is necessary to completely clean, disinfect and sterilize it after use. However, cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization of only the treatment tool 52 does not impose a great burden, and since it can be made disposable, the effect of using the endoscope cover 14 can be sufficiently obtained.

Although the endoscope cover according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modes can be adopted. For example, the cross-sectional shape and material of the conduit main body 50A, means for undulating the treatment instrument outlet plate 50B from the proximal end, and the like are the endoscope main body 12 and the like.
Various modes can be adopted depending on the mode of use and the like.

[0046]

As described above, according to the endoscope cover of the present invention, when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into the body cavity, the projecting portion is only the duct formed of the soft member, Since this conduit can be crushed, it is less likely to cause pain to the subject. Then, when the treatment tool is used after inserting the endoscope insertion portion into the body cavity, the treatment tool may be inserted into the body cavity by inserting the treatment tool into the duct. Moreover, since the configuration of the endoscope insertion portion is relatively simple, design and manufacture are relatively easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope equipped with an endoscope cover according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which an endoscope insertion portion is covered with an endoscope cover.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a state where the endoscope insertion portion is covered with an endoscope cover.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically showing a positional relationship between a treatment tool and a duct.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the endoscope cover of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an insertion portion of a conventional endoscope body.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope, 12 ... Endoscope main body, 14 ... Endoscope cover, 16 ... Hand operation part, 18 ... Insertion part, 18A ... Flexible part, 18B ... Angle part, 18C ... Hard tip part, 20 ...
Universal cable, 22 ... Observation window, 24 ... Illumination window,
30 ... Insert section cover, 32 ... Hand operation section cover, 50 ...
Pipe line, 50B ... Treatment tool outlet plate, 52 ... Treatment tool, 54 ... Wire

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Shuichi Yamataka             1-324 Uetakecho, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture             Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C061 FF43 GG14

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope cover that covers at least the endoscope insertion portion, and a tube made of a soft member that allows a treatment instrument to be inserted from the base end portion to the distal end portion on the outer surface of the endoscope cover. The endoscope cover is provided with a passage, and the conduit can be collapsed when the endoscope insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity. 2. The treatment instrument outlet plate which is capable of undulating is provided at the distal end portion of the conduit, and the treatment instrument outlet plate can be undulated by an operation from the base end portion. Endoscope cover.