JP2004254729A - Distal end of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a distal end of the endoscope which facilitates the removal of water or the like stuck on the observation window or the like in the washing of the end face of the distal end of the endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: In the distal end 150 of the endoscope, in which a tip cap 166 having a nozzle for washing the surface of the observation window 154 integrally formed therewith is detachably mounted relative to the body 152 thereof with the observation window 154, the end part 166a of the tip cap 166 facing the opening part 162 of the nozzle is located closer to the bended portion from the end part 152a of the body 152 of the distal end. At this point, the end part 166a of the tip cap 166 facing the opening part 162 of the nozzle and the end part 152a of the body 152 of the distal end make a continuous curved surface with the joint part of the end part 166a of the tip cap 166 and the end part 152a of the body 152 of the distal end. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an endoscope, particularly to an endoscope distal end portion having a detachable distal end cap.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an endoscope is generally configured by connecting an insertion section to be inserted into a body cavity or the like to an operation section, and by pulling out a universal cord for connecting the operation section to a connector section or the like. The insertion part is a flexible part that bends in an arbitrary direction that occupies most of the length from the connection part to the operation part, and an angle part that is connected to the distal end side of the flexible part and is bent in any direction by remote control from the operation part. And a tip connected to the tip of the angle portion.
[0003]
An observation window, an illumination window, and the like are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end portion. Further, the endoscope is provided with an air supply / water supply mechanism for cleaning the distal end surface of the distal end portion. An air supply / water supply conduit is formed in the insertion portion along the longitudinal direction. In addition, a nozzle portion is provided on an end portion of the end portion at an opening portion of the air / water supply conduit. The nozzle unit covers the opening of the air / water supply conduit, and the opening surface of the nozzle unit is directed to a cleaning target such as an observation window.
[0004]
Endoscopes must be cleaned each time they are used because they are inserted into the body. In this cleaning, it is necessary to clean not only the outer surface portion of the endoscope, but also the inside of the conduit such as the treatment instrument insertion conduit and the air / water supply conduit. As an effective method for cleaning the inside of such a pipeline, brushing with a cleaning brush has conventionally been performed on the treatment instrument insertion pipeline.
[0005]
However, in the air / water supply line, it is difficult to completely brush the nozzle part because the cleaning brush hits the inner surface of the nozzle part when brushing with the cleaning brush.
[0006]
For this reason, a detachable tip cap integrated with a nozzle in which a nozzle portion for blowing air or water toward the surface of the observation window at the tip end surface of the tip end body is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1) reference). By using this detachable tip cap, the tip cap can be removed for cleaning after use, and there is an advantage that the nozzle portion can be easily cleaned and disinfected.
[0007]
Further, there is a tip end hood for an endoscope detachable from the tip end body, which removes water or the like adhering to an observation window or the like after washing by a suction action from a suction connection port connected to a suction port ( For example, see Patent Document 2).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-166856 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-248792
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the device described in Patent Literature 1, when the tip cap is attached to the tip body, the portion facing the opening of the nozzle portion is substantially flush with the tip of the tip body and the tip of the tip cap. Since it is arranged on the upper side, a slight step or gap is generated between the distal end portion of the distal end portion main body and the distal end portion of the distal end cap at the time of air supply / water supply from the nozzle portion during use. For this reason, when the pressurized air is blown from the nozzle to remove water droplets and the like adhering to the surface of the observation window after cleaning the observation window, etc., water and the like are caught in these steps and gaps, and sufficient washing water is used. Cannot be removed. For this reason, there has been a problem that water droplets and the like remain attached to the observation window and the like, making it difficult to observe when using the endoscope.
[0010]
In addition, the endoscope hood described in Patent Literature 2 can certainly improve the drainage property at the time of the action of removing water or the like adhering to an observation window or the like after cleaning. However, in order to prevent excessive pressure on the inner wall of the body cavity, organs, etc. at the tip of the tip body, the end of the hood protrudes from the end face of the tip body. The water or the like that has been removed is not removed only by the air supply operation of the pressurized air, but requires a two-stage operation of applying a suction operation after the cleaning operation, which is troublesome.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional endoscope distal end, and an object of the present invention is to remove water droplets or the like adhering to an observation window or the like at the time of cleaning the distal end of the endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved endoscope tip which can be reliably and easily removed.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of the distal end body is integrally formed with the distal end body provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. In the distal end portion of the endoscope provided with the detachable tip cap detachably, at least a portion facing the opening of the nozzle is characterized in that the tip portion of the tip portion main body is located on the tip side with respect to the tip portion of the tip cap. An endoscope tip is provided.
[0013]
At this time, at least at the edge of the portion facing the opening of the nozzle, the tip of the tip cap and the tip of the tip body are continuous, and the outer shape of the edge may be a smooth curved surface as a whole. Good.
[0014]
With this configuration, pressurized air is supplied after the water is supplied at the time of cleaning the end face of the endoscope, so that water or the like attached to the observation window or the like is reliably and easily removed. Can be done.
[0015]
At this time, a suction communication port communicating with a suction pipe of a suction mechanism provided in the endoscope is provided on at least a portion of the distal end surface of the distal end body facing the opening of the nozzle. The mouth may be in communication with the suction conduit via a suction communication passage formed between the side surface of the distal end body and the distal end cap.
[0016]
With this configuration, when the suction pipe is set to a negative pressure, a suction action can be applied to the suction communication port, so that water droplets and the like adhering to the front surface of the front end body can be more reliably removed. can do.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0018]
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a conduit of an endoscope 100 to which a distal end portion of an endoscope according to the present invention is applied.
[0019]
The endoscope 100 includes an insertion portion 102 inserted into a body cavity or the like, an operation portion 104 for performing operations such as a bending operation, air / water supply, and suction of the insertion portion 102, and a connector for connecting to a light source device and the like. And a universal cord section 106 for connecting from the operation section 104 to the connector section 108.
[0020]
The endoscope 100 is provided with an air supply / water supply mechanism. This air supply / water supply mechanism includes an air supply / water supply valve 109 provided on the operation unit 104. The air supply / water supply valve 109 includes an air supply / water supply cylinder 112 mounted on the operation unit 104, and an air supply / water supply button 110 slidably provided on the air supply / water supply cylinder 112.
[0021]
The air supply / water supply cylinder 112 is connected to a distal end side air supply conduit 114 and a distal end side water supply conduit 116 arranged in the operation unit 104. Further, a connector-side air supply pipe 118 and a connector-side water supply pipe 120 provided to extend from the operation section 104 to the connector section 108 via the universal cord section 106 are connected.
[0022]
Further, the distal end side air supply conduit 114 and the distal end side water supply conduit 116 are joined together on the way to be connected to an air supply / water supply conduit 115 disposed in the insertion portion 102. Further, the connector section-side air supply pipe 118 and the connector section-side water supply pipe 120 are connected to a water supply tank 132 provided in the connector section 108. At this time, the connector-side air supply conduit 118 is branched on the way and connected to the control device 138 having the air supply pump 136 via the branch pipe 134.
[0023]
Further, the endoscope 100 is provided with a suction mechanism. The suction mechanism includes a suction valve 121 provided in the operation unit 104, and the suction valve 121 is provided in parallel with the air / water supply valve 109. The suction valve 121 includes a suction cylinder 124 mounted on the operation unit 104 and a suction button 122 slidably provided on the suction cylinder 124.
[0024]
The suction cylinder 124 is provided at the distal end side suction pipe 126 disposed in the operation section 104 and at the connector section side suction pipe provided to extend from the operation section 104 to the connector section 108 via the universal cord section 106. It is connected to the conduit 128. The distal end side suction conduit 126 joins the treatment instrument insertion conduit 130 on the way to become a suction conduit 125 communicating with the distal end 150. The connector part side suction pipe 128 is connected to a suction pump (not shown).
[0025]
When the air supply / water supply button 110 is pushed by the above configuration of the conduit of the endoscope 100, the side wall hole 142 provided in the active / closing part 140 of the air supply / water supply button 110 and the connector part side air supply pipe The passage 118 and the water supply conduit 120 on the connector side communicate with each other. The desired air supply / water supply operation is performed by connecting the connector-side air supply line 118 and the connector-side water supply line 120 with the distal-side air supply line 114 and the distal-side water supply line 116. Is done.
[0026]
Further, when the suction button 122 is pushed, the side wall hole 146 provided in the active portion 144 of the suction button 122 and the connector-side suction pipe 128 communicate with each other. The side suction pipe 126 is communicated with, and a desired suction operation is performed.
[0027]
Next, a first embodiment of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
First, the distal end 150 of the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a front view of the distal end portion 150 of the endoscope of the present embodiment as viewed from the distal end side.
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the distal end side of the distal end portion main body 152 of the distal end portion 150, an observation window 154, which is a part of an observation system for capturing an image of the subject, an illumination system for emitting illumination light toward the subject. 156, an opening 158 of a suction conduit 125 through which a treatment tool such as a forceps is inserted, and an observation window 154. An opening 160 of an air / water supply line 115 which is a part of an air / water supply mechanism for cleaning dirt is provided.
[0030]
The tip main body 152 is integrally provided with a nozzle 164 formed with an opening 162 for ejecting the cleaning / drying fluid from the air supply / water supply conduit 115 toward the surface of the observation window 154. Is fitted.
[0031]
In addition, a suction communication port 168 is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end body 152 at least at a portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164 to more reliably remove water droplets attached to the observation window 154 during cleaning. I have. In addition, a suction communication port 169 is provided in the vicinity of the suction communication port 168 on the front end surface of the tip main body 152. The suction communication port 169 has a distal end side covered with a distal end cap 166, and suctions and removes water or the like accumulated between the distal end cap 166 and the distal end body 152.
[0032]
These suction communication ports 168 and 169 are connected to a suction conduit 158 provided inside the distal end body 152 via a suction communication groove 170 formed on a side surface of the distal end body 152 and a suction communication path 171. A suction communication passage is formed by the inner side surface of the tip cap 166, the suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication passage 171. With such a configuration, when the suction pipe 158 is set to a negative pressure, the suction communication port 168, the suction communication port 168, and the suction communication channel formed by the suction communication groove 170 and the inner surface of the tip cap 166 are formed. The suction force acts on the 169.
[0033]
As a result, the suction communication ports 168 and 169 can suck water, air, and the like that are ejected from the nozzle 164 and have passed through the object to be cleaned such as the observation window 154. As described above, the water and the like spouted from the nozzle 164 are sucked into the suction communication ports 168 and 169, so that it is possible to prevent the water and the like from splashing outside through the edge of the distal end portion 150. In particular, when water or the like is ejected from the nozzle 164 at a wide angle, water or the like that accumulates in a portion of the distal end surface of the distal end portion 152 covered with the distal end cap 166 can be efficiently sucked through the suction communication port 169. I can do it.
[0034]
next. The configuration of the distal end 150 of the insertion section 102 of the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3A is an axial cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 150 of the endoscope 100 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the distal end portion 150 of the insertion portion 102 is provided with an angle portion 174 that is bent and operated by an operation wire 172 extending from the operation portion 104 to the distal end portion main body 152. In the angle portion 174, a plurality of tubular members are alternately connected by connecting portions (not shown) provided at a total of four locations, for example, one pair in the vertical direction and one pair in the horizontal direction.
[0036]
An operation wire fixing portion 178 is formed in the tubular member 176 provided on the distal end portion main body 152 side by being depressed inward from the outer surface. The operation wire 172 is inserted by inserting the operation wire 172 into the operation wire fixing portion 178. Is fixed. With this configuration, the remote control is performed by the operation unit 102, whereby the angle unit 174 is operated to bend, and the distal end main body 152 can be directed in a desired direction.
[0037]
The outer periphery of the curved tube 180 formed by the angle portion 174 and the tip main body 152 is covered with a knitted tube (not shown) formed by knitting a thread-like element, and the knitted tube is further made of synthetic rubber. And the like. The outer tube 182 is tied from the outside with a thread or the like so as not to be easily peeled off from the curved tube 180, and the thread winding portion 184 is made of a sealing material such as an adhesive to prevent the thread from coming off. 186.
[0038]
A lens barrel 188 constituting an objective optical system having an observation window 154 is mounted on the distal end main body 152, and a solid-state imaging device 192 is provided via a prism 190 at an image forming position of the objective optical system. . A cable 196 is drawn from a substrate 194 of the solid-state imaging device 192. In addition, a suction conduit 125 that is a part of a suction mechanism that suctions a body fluid or the like during treatment and through which a treatment tool such as forceps is inserted is provided in the distal end portion main body 152.
[0039]
Further, a tip cap 166 provided with a nozzle 164 for supplying the observation window 154 with cleaning water for cleaning the observation window 154 and the like and pressurized air for drying the observation window 154 and the like after cleaning. 152. The nozzle 164 communicates with the air / water supply line 115 so that cleaning water or pressurized air from the air / water supply line 115 is blown out from the opening 162. When the contaminants adhere to the observation window 154, first, cleaning water is jetted to the observation window 154 to wash away the contaminants. Then, after the cleaning water is jetted, pressurized air is jetted toward the observation window 154 in order to dry / remove water droplets adhering to the surface of the observation window 154.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, in the portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164, the tip 152 a of the tip body 152 is located on the tip side of the tip 166 a of the tip cap 166. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, at the edge of the portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164, the tip 166a of the tip cap 166 and the tip 152a of the tip main body 152 are continuous. The outer shape of the part is a smooth curved surface as a whole.
[0041]
By adopting the above-described configuration of the distal end portion 150, by supplying pressurized air from the nozzle 164 after cleaning, water droplets and the like adhering to the observation window 154 and the like are removed without stagnation at the distal end portion 152 a of the distal end portion main body 152. It is easy to be. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the observation field of view from deteriorating due to clouding of the observation window 154 after cleaning with water drops or the like.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in FIG. 3A, and is a cross-sectional view of the distal end portion 150 as viewed from the proximal end side. A plurality of through holes are formed in the tip main body 152. Each of these through holes has a lens barrel 188 having an observation window 154 that is a part of an observation system, an illumination function unit 198 that is a part of an illumination system, a suction conduit 125 that is a part of a suction mechanism, and An air / water supply line 115, which is part of the air / water supply mechanism, is provided.
[0043]
The suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171 are formed on the side surface of the tip main body 152 as described above. The suction communication groove 170 communicates with suction communication ports 168 and 169 formed in the distal end 152a of the distal end main body 152, which is an edge of a portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164. With the distal end main body 152 having such a configuration, even if the suction conduit 158, which is a part of the suction mechanism, is separated from the suction communication ports 168, 169, the suction conduit 158 is set at a negative pressure. It is possible to apply suction to the suction communication ports 168 and 169 via the suction communication path formed by the suction communication path 171, the suction communication groove 170, and the inner surface of the tip cap 166. Therefore, by applying a suction action to these suction communication ports 168 and 169, water droplets and the like can be more reliably removed.
[0044]
Next, the configuration of connection from the suction communication ports 168, 169 formed in the end 152a of the distal end body 152 of the present embodiment to the suction conduit 158 provided in the distal end body 152 will be described with reference to the drawings. explain.
[0045]
FIG. 5A is a side view of the distal end cap 166 and the distal end main body 152 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the distal end main body 152 from the distal end side. FIG. 6 is a side view when the tip cap 166 is worn on the tip body 152 of the present embodiment.
[0046]
The suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171 are formed on the side surface of the front end portion 152 on the front end side as described above. A suction communication port 168 is formed at an end 152 a of the front end main body 152 facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164 provided on the front end cap 166, and suction is performed through the suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171. It communicates with the conduit 158.
[0047]
When the distal end cap 166 is attached to the distal end body 152, the suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171 are blocked from the outside by the inner surface of the front end cap 166 serving as a wall as shown in FIG. Then, by setting the suction pipe line 158 to a negative pressure, it becomes possible to apply suction to the suction communication ports 168 and 169 via the suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when the tip cap 166 is attached to the tip body 152, the portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164 is such that the tip 152a of the tip body 152 has the tip 152a. It is located on the distal end side of the distal end portion 166a of the cap 166. For this reason, by supplying pressurized air from the nozzle 164 after cleaning, water droplets and the like adhering to the observation window 154 and the like are easily removed without stagnating at the end 152a of the distal end main body 152.
[0049]
Next, the operation when the conventional tip cap 66 is worn and the operation when the tip cap 166 of the present embodiment is worn will be described with reference to drawings.
[0050]
FIGS. 7A and 7B are operation explanatory diagrams when (a) the conventional distal end cap 66 is worn, and (b) are operational explanatory diagrams when the distal end cap 166 of the present embodiment is worn.
[0051]
In the related art, as shown in FIG. 7A, a portion facing the opening 62 of the nozzle 64 provided in the tip cap 66 includes a tip 52 a of the tip body 52 and a tip 66 a of the tip cap 66. They are arranged on the same surface or in such a manner that the distal end portion 66a of the distal end cap 66 protrudes. For this reason, a slight step or a gap occurs between the distal end portion 52a of the distal end portion main body 52 and the distal end portion 66a of the distal end cap 66. For this reason, when the observation window 54 is supplied with water from the nozzle 64 and washed, and then pressurized air is supplied to dry the observation window 54, the water droplet w is caught on these steps and gaps. In other words, the water droplets w attached to the observation window 54 during cleaning cannot be completely removed only by the air supply action from the nozzle 64.
[0052]
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the portion facing the opening 162 of the nozzle 164 provided in the tip cap 166 is located closer to the tip cap 152 a than the tip 152 a of the tip body 152. The distal end 166a of the 166 is disposed on the proximal side. For this reason, after the observation window 154 is supplied with water from the nozzle 164 for cleaning, the pressurized air is supplied to dry the observation window 154, so that water droplets are blown to the outside of the distal end main body 152, and the observation window 154 is closed. Water droplets w attached to the surface can be easily removed. In other words, the water droplets w attached to the observation window 154 during cleaning can be easily removed only by the air supply from the nozzle 164.
[0053]
In the present embodiment, as described above, by setting the suction pipe 158 to a negative pressure, the suction communication ports 168 and 169 perform a suction action via the suction communication groove 170 and the suction communication path 171. Thus, the water droplets w attached to the surface of the observation window 154 can be more reliably removed.
[0054]
As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person skilled in the art can conceive various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and those changes naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood to belong.
[0055]
For example, the endoscope of the first embodiment has two suction communication ports provided at the end of the distal end portion, but at least one suction communication port may be provided near the observation window. . In addition, it is possible to provide three or more suction communication ports by extending the suction communication groove formed in the distal end body.
[0056]
Further, in the first embodiment, the suction communication passage is formed by the suction communication groove formed on the outer surface of the tip main body and the inner surface of the tip cap. The suction communication passage may be formed by the groove and the outer surface of the tip body.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when cleaning the distal end surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope, it is possible to further improve the water drainage property by causing the pressurized air to be supplied. Water and the like adhering to the surface of a window or the like can be more reliably and easily removed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a conduit of an endoscope to which a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the distal end portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment as viewed from the distal end side.
FIG. 3A is an axial sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment,
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion A in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line BB in FIG.
FIG. 5A is a side view of a tip cap and a tip body according to the first embodiment;
(B) is a front view of the distal end body from the distal end side.
FIG. 6 is a side view when the tip cap is worn on the tip body according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram of an operation when the conventional tip cap is worn and washed, and FIG. 7B is an operation when the tip cap of the first embodiment is worn and washed. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Endoscope 102 Insertion unit 104 Operation unit 106 Universal cord unit 108 Connector unit 115 Air supply / water supply line 125 Suction line 150 Tip end 152 Tip body 152a Tip 154 of observation body 154 Observation window 156 Illumination window 158, 160, 162 Opening 164 Nozzle 166 Tip cap 166a Tip portions 168, 169 of tip cap Suction communication port 170 Suction communication groove 171 Suction communication path

Claims (4)

At the distal end of the endoscope, a distal end cap provided integrally with a nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of the distal end main body provided at the distal end of the insertion portion is provided;
At least a portion facing the opening of the nozzle has a distal end portion of the distal end body located closer to a distal end side than a distal end portion of the distal end cap. At least at the edge of the portion facing the opening of the nozzle, the tip of the tip cap and the tip of the tip body are continuous, and the outer shape of the edge is a smooth curved surface as a whole. 2. The endoscope tip according to claim 1, wherein: A suction communication port communicating with a suction pipe of a suction mechanism provided in the endoscope is provided on at least a portion of the distal end surface of the distal end body facing the opening of the nozzle. The endoscope end portion according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The suction suction port according to claim 3, wherein the suction communication port communicates with the suction conduit via a suction communication passage formed between a side surface of the distal end body and the distal end cap. Endoscope tip.

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