JP2004290457A

JP2004290457A - Nozzle and endoscope for cleaning endoscope leading edge surface

Info

Publication number: JP2004290457A
Application number: JP2003087901A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hideo Suga; 秀男須賀; Masayuki Yamazaki; 正幸山崎; Yuichi Torii; 雄一鳥居
Original assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fujinon Corp
Priority date: 2003-03-27
Filing date: 2003-03-27
Publication date: 2004-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-27
Also published as: JP4297484B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the flow rate of washing water from a nozzle for cleaning a leading edge surface at the time of washing the leading edge surface of an endoscope. <P>SOLUTION: The nozzle for cleaning the leading edge surface of the endoscope prepared at the leading edge of a conduit which leads fluid for cleaning to the leading edge main body of the endoscope, wherein an ejection port 160 which is opened towards the washing object direction of the leading edge surface of the endoscope, a channel 190 which changes the direction of the fluid for cleaning from the conduit and leads it to the ejection port, and a movable formed section 192, which is equipped within the channel and in which the cross sectional area of this channel varies according to the pressure of the washing fluid, are included and this movable formed section is formed of an elastic body including, for example, rubber or a spring. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は，内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル及び内視鏡にかかり，特に内視鏡の先端部本体に嵌合することにより設けられる先端面洗浄用ノズルに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
内視鏡は，一般に操作部に体腔内等へ挿入される挿入部が連接され，また操作部からコネクタ部等に接続するためのユニバーサルコードを引き出すことにより大略構成される。挿入部は，操作部への連接部から大半の長さを占める任意方向に曲がる軟性部と，軟性部の先端側に連接され，操作部からの遠隔操作により任意の方向に湾曲されるアングル部と，このアングル部の先端側に連接される先端部とを備える。
【０００３】
先端部の先端面には，観察窓，照明窓等が配設されている。また，内視鏡には，先端部の先端面を洗浄するための送気／送水機構が設けられている。挿入部内には，長手方向に沿って送気／送水管路が形成されている。また，先端部の先端面には，送気／送水管路の開口部位に観察窓等の洗浄用のノズルが設けられている。このノズルは，送気／送水管路の開口部を覆い，ノズルの開口面が観察窓等の洗浄対象に向いている。
【０００４】
しかし，上記の洗浄用ノズルは，観察窓等の表面に洗浄用の流体を噴射するために，通常，観察窓の表面より先端側に突出した構造となっている。このために，洗浄用ノズルが，観察画面内に写ってしまう，いわゆる観察視野のケラレが生じる虞があった。
【０００５】
このため，非洗浄時には，洗浄用ノズルが先端部本体内に格納され，洗浄時に付勢手段により観察窓の表面より突出した位置に洗浄用ノズルを移動させるものが開示されている（例えば，特許文献１，特許文献２参照）。これらの洗浄用ノズルを使用することにより，観察時における観察視野のケラレを防止することができる。
【０００６】
また，ノズル本体を金属材で形成し，合成樹脂による保護層を積層させることにより，ノズル本体の強度の向上と薄肉化を図った洗浄用ノズルが開示されている（例えば，特許文献３参照）。この洗浄用ノズルを使用することにより，観察時における観察視野のケラレを防止することができる。
【０００７】
【特許文献１】
特開平０８−０１９５１２号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平０９−２０１３３２号公報
【特許文献３】
特開平１１−０９９１２２号公報
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで，コネクタ部に接続される送気ポンプや送水タンクの経時的変化等により水等の洗浄流体の流量が不安定になり，そのためノズルから洗浄水等を噴出するときの流速が不安定になることがある。しかしながら，上記の特許文献１〜３に記載のような洗浄用ノズルでは，観察時における観察視野のケラレを防止することができるものの，洗浄流体の噴出時の噴出口からの流速を安定させるのに不十分である。例えば，流速が過渡に大きいと洗浄水が霧状となって噴出されるため，観察窓表面に水滴が付着し，観察し難くなる。また，流速が小さいと洗浄対象となる観察窓まで必要な強度の洗浄水が到達しないので，十分に観察窓表面を洗浄できない。
【０００９】
本発明は，従来の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルが有する上記問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり，本発明の目的は，観察視野を妨げることなく，内視鏡の先端部端面の洗浄時に，安定した流速で洗浄水を観察窓等に噴射することの可能な，新規かつ改良された内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルを提供することである。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するため，本発明の第１の観点によれば，洗浄用流体を内視鏡の先端部本体へ導く管路の先端に設けられる内視鏡先端面洗浄用ノズルであって，内視鏡先端面の洗浄対象方向に向けて開口した噴出口と，管路からの洗浄用流体の方向を変えて噴出口へ導く流路と，流路内に設けられ，この流路の断面積が洗浄流体の圧力に応じて変化する可動絞り部と，を備えたことを特徴とする，内視鏡先端面洗浄用ノズルが提供される。
【００１１】
このとき，可動絞り部は，流路の内壁に設けた弾性体により構成し，この弾性体は，例えばゴム材，流路の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けられたばねを具備する可動絞り弁で構成したこととしてもよい。
【００１２】
また，このとき，可動絞り部は，流路の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に可動絞り弁を設け，この可動絞り弁をばねで支持する構成としたこととしてもよい。
【００１３】
さらに，このとき，可動絞り部は，流路の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けた可動絞り弁と，この可動絞り弁の絞り量を調整する手段とを設けたこととしてもよい。
【００１４】
また，上記課題を解決するため，本発明の第２の観点によれば，洗浄用流体を内視鏡の前記先端部本体へ導く管路の先端に内視鏡先端面洗浄用ノズルを設けた内視鏡であって，内視鏡先端面洗浄用ノズルは，内視鏡先端面の洗浄対象方向に向けて開口した噴出口と，管路からの洗浄用流体の方向を変えて噴出口へ導く流路と，流路内にこの流路の断面積が洗浄流体の圧力に応じて変化する可動絞り部と，を備えたことを特徴とする，内視鏡を提供する。
【００１５】
このような構成とすることにより，コネクタ部に接続される送気ポンプや送水タンクの経時的変化等により洗浄水を噴出するときの流量が不安定になった場合でも，洗浄水の噴出時にノズルの噴出口からの流速を安定させることができる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に添付図面を参照しながら，本発明の好適な実施の形態について詳細に説明する。なお，本明細書及び図面において，実質的に同一の機能構成を有する構成要素については，同一の符号を付することにより重複説明を省略する。
【００１７】
（第１の実施の形態）
図１は，本発明にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルを適用する内視鏡１００の管路全体構成図である。
【００１８】
内視鏡１００は，体腔内等へ挿入される挿入部１０２と，挿入部１０２の湾曲操作や送気／送水，吸引等の操作をする操作部１０４と，光源装置等と接続するためのコネクタ部１０８と，操作部１０４からコネクタ部１０８に接続するためのユニバーサルコード部１０６とを備えている。
【００１９】
内視鏡１００には，送気／送水機構が設けられている。この送気／送水機構は，操作部１０４に設けられた送気／送水バルブ１０９を備える。送気／送水バルブ１０９は，操作部１０４に装着された送気／送水用シリンダ１１２と，この送気／送水用シリンダ１１２に摺動自在に設けられた送気／送水ボタン１１０とを備える。
【００２０】
送気／送水用シリンダ１１２は，操作部１０４内に配設された先端部側送気管路１１４と先端部側送水管路１１６が接続されている。また，操作部１０４からユニバーサルコード部１０６を介してコネクタ部１０８へ延出して設けられたコネクタ部側送気管路１１８，コネクタ部側送水管路１２０が接続されている。
【００２１】
また，先端部側送気管路１１４と先端部側送水管路１１６は，途中で合流して挿入部１０２内に配設された送気／送水管路１１５に連設している。さらに，コネクタ部側送気管路１１８，及びコネクタ部側送水管路１２０は，コネクタ部１０８に備わる送水タンク１３２に接続されている。このとき，コネクタ部側送気管路１１８は，途中で分岐して分岐管１３４を介して，送気ポンプ１３６を具備する制御装置１３８に接続される。このような送気／送水機構とすることにより，分岐管１３４を経て，送水タンク１３２の液面上に送気ポンプ１３６からの加圧エアが供給され，送水タンク１３２内の洗浄水を送り出すことが可能となる。
【００２２】
また，内視鏡１００には，吸引機構が設けられている。この吸引機構は，操作部１０４に設けられた吸引バルブ１２１を備え，この吸引バルブ１２１は，送気／送水バルブ１０９と並設されている。吸引バルブ１２１は，操作部１０４に装着された吸引用シリンダ１２４と，この吸引用シリンダ１２４に摺動自在に設けられた吸引ボタン１２２とを備える。
【００２３】
吸引用シリンダ１２４は，操作部１０４内に配設された先端部側吸引管路１２６と，及び操作部１０４からユニバーサルコード部１０６を介してコネクタ部１０８へ延出して設けられたコネクタ部側吸引管路１２８と接続されている。先端部側吸引管路１２６は，途中で処置具挿通管路１３０と合流して，先端部１５０に連通する吸引管路１２５となる。また，コネクタ部側吸引管路１２８は，吸引ポンプ（図示せず）に接続されている。
【００２４】
内視鏡１００の管路を上記の構成とすることにより，送気／送水ボタン１１０を押動すると，送気／送水ボタン１１０の活塞部１４０に設けられた側壁孔１４２とコネクタ部側送気管路１１８，及びコネクタ部側送水管路１２０とが連通される。これらのコネクタ部側送気管路１１８及びコネクタ部側送水管路１２０が先端部側送気管路１１４，及び先端部側送水管路１１６と連通されることにより，所望の送気／送水操作が施される。
【００２５】
また，吸引ボタン１２２を押動すると，吸引ボタン１２２の活塞部１４４に設けられた側壁孔１４６とコネクタ部側吸引管路１２８とが連通することにより，このコネクタ部側吸引管路１２８と先端部側吸引管路１２６とが連通され，所望の吸引操作が施される。
【００２６】
次に，本発明にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルの第１の実施の形態について，図面を参照しながら説明する。
【００２７】
まず，本実施形態の内視鏡１００の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８が適用された内視鏡１００の先端部１５０について，図面を用いて説明する。図２は，本実施形態の内視鏡１００の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８が適用された先端部１５０の先端側からの正面図であり，図３は，その先端部１５０の構成を示す長手方向の断面図である。
【００２８】
図２に示すように，先端部１５０に有する先端部本体１５２の先端側には，被検体の画像を取り込む観察系の一部である観察窓１５４，被検体に向けて照明光を照射する照明系の一部である照明窓１５６，処置時に体液等を吸引する吸引機構の一部であり，かつ鉗子等の処置具を挿通させる吸引管路１２５の開口部１５８，及び観察窓１５４等の汚れを洗浄するための送気／送水機構の一部である先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８が設けられている。
【００２９】
この先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の噴出口１６０は，上記の送気／送水管路１１５からの洗浄／乾燥用の流体を洗浄対象表面に向けて噴出させるために，例えば観察窓１５４の方向に向いている。
【００３０】
また，照明窓１５６には，不図示のライトガイドの出射端が臨み，このライトガイドは，挿入部１０２から本体操作部１０４を経てユニバーサルコード１０６内に挿通されている。
【００３１】
さらに，先端部本体１５２には，図３に示すように，観察窓１５４を備える対物光学系を構成する鏡胴１６２が装着され，この対物光学系の結像位置には，プリズム１６４を介して固体撮像素子１６６が設けられている。この固体撮像素子１６６の基板１６８からは，ケーブル１７０が引き出されている。
【００３２】
先端部本体１５２には，以上のように各部材が装着されると共に，複数の挿通孔が形成された複雑な形状のものであり，また固体撮像装置１６６等のように外力が加わると損傷するおそれの高い部材が設けられている。このため，加工の容易性，強度等の観点から先端部本体１５２は，一般的に金属で形成されている。ただし，金属が外面に露出していると，例えば固体撮像装置１６６に漏電等が生じた場合には，患者の体内壁に接触して体内に電流が流れる虞がある。このために軟性樹脂等から形成される外皮層１７２で挿入部１０２の略全長を覆い，かつ先端部本体１５２の先端側から角縁部を覆うように，例えば合成樹脂製の先端キャップ１７４が装着され，外皮層１７２をこの先端キャップ１７４に接合させるようにしている。この先端キャップ１７４には，照明窓１５６，観察窓１５４，吸引管路１２５の開口部１５８等の部位に開口が設けられる。
【００３３】
この先端部本体１５２には，その軸線方向に貫通するように洗浄流体噴出通路１７６が設けられる。この洗浄流体噴出通路１７６には，先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８が装着される。また，先端キャップ１７４には，洗浄流体噴出通路１７６の延長線の位置に開口１７８が形成されている。この洗浄流体噴出通路１７６には，接続パイプ１８０が挿通固着されており，この接続パイプ１８０の基端側には，軟性チューブからなる流体通路１８２が接続される。この流体通路１８２は，上記の送気／送水管路１１５と連通されている。
【００３４】
先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８は，筒体部１８４の先端に挿入部１０２の軸線方向に流れる洗浄水等を洗浄対象，例えば観察窓１５４の方向に向くように方向転換させて噴出させる噴出部１８６を連設することにより形成される。そして，筒体部１８４を洗浄流体噴出通路１７６に挿入することによって，先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８は，洗浄流体噴出通路１７６に嵌合される。
【００３５】
先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８と洗浄流体噴出通路１７６との間は，接着剤等で固着することもでき，また接着剤等で固着しなければ，先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８は，着脱可能となる。先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８を洗浄流体噴出通路１７６の所定の位置まで挿入すると，噴出部１８６の左右のエッジ部１８８が先端キャップ１７４の表面に当接し，この結果，先端が開口した洗浄流体の流路１９０が形成される。
【００３６】
先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８を前述の構成とすることにより，送気／送水管路１１５からの洗浄水や加圧エアが噴出部１６０から噴出するようになる。観察窓１５４に汚濁物が付着すると，まず洗浄水を観察窓１５４に噴出させて，汚濁物を洗い流す。そして，洗浄水を噴出させた後に，観察窓１５４の表面に付着する水滴を乾燥／除去するために，加圧エアを観察窓１５４に向けて噴出させる。
【００３７】
次に，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の構成を説明する。図４は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の分解斜視図である。この先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８は，図４に示すように，噴出部１８６に筒体部１８４を嵌合させて形成される。
【００３８】
この筒体部１８４は，先端部本体１５２に設けられた洗浄流体噴出通路１７６内に略密嵌状態に挿入できる外径を有する円筒状の部材である。その先端部分は，略半円の部位に流体の流出を可能にするための切欠部１８４ａが形成され，残りの略半円の部位は，所定の高さ突出した取付部１８４ｂとなっている。
【００３９】
一方，噴出部１８６は，取付部１８４ｂの外周に接合連結される嵌合部１８６ａと，筒体部１８４の内部を流れる流体を略直角に方向転換させて噴出するために断面が略コ字状に形成されたノズル形成部１８６ｂとを備える。この噴出部１８６が筒体部１８４の取付部１８４ｂの外面に嵌合部１８６ａを嵌合させて，溶接等の手段で強固に固定して，筒体部１８４と一体化することにより，先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８が形成される。
【００４０】
以上の構成を有する先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８は，筒体部１８４を洗浄流体噴出通路１７６内に挿入されて，噴出部１８６のノズル形成部１８６ｂが洗浄対象，例えば観察窓１５４の方向に向くようにして装着される。そして，噴出部１８６のノズル形成部１８６ｂにおける左右両側のエッジ部１８８を先端キャップ１７４の表面に当接させるように装着される。これによって，筒体部１８４内から切欠部１８４ａを通り，噴出部１８６と先端キャップ１７４との間の隙間を介して流体を観察窓１５４に向けて噴出させる流路１９０が形成される。
【００４１】
次に，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８に設けられた可動絞り部１９２の構成，及び作用について図面を用いて説明する。図５は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の構成を示す図であり，図５（ａ）は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８に形成される流路１９０の長手方向の断面図であり，図５（ｂ）は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の正面図であり，図６は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の作用説明図である。
【００４２】
噴出部１８６に設けられる流路１９０の一部，換言すると筒体部１８４の切欠部１８４ａから先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の噴出部１６０に至るまでの途中に，洗浄水の圧力に応じて，流路１９０の断面積が変化する可動絞り部１９２が設けられている。この可動絞り部１９２は，弾性体により流路１９０の一部を狭めることにより形成される。
【００４３】
本実施形態では，可動絞り部１９２は，ゴム等の弾性体で流路１９０の内壁に形成されている。なお，平常時では，図６（ａ）に示すように，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積が最小面積Ａ１となっている。先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８の流路１９０に洗浄水が流れ，送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加すると，洗浄水の圧力も増加する。このため，可動絞り部１９２がゴム等の弾性体で形成されていることにより，図６（ｂ）に示すように，可動絞り部１９２の流路側の側壁部１９２ａが洗浄水により押圧され，それにより可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積が増加する。
【００４４】
次に，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８に備わる可動絞り部１９２の作用効果について説明する。図７（ａ）は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８に備わる可動絞り部１９２に流れる洗浄水の流量（単位：ｍ^３／ｓ）と可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積（単位：ｍ^２）との関係を示したグラフであり，図７（ｂ）は，上記の洗浄水の流量（単位：ｍ^３／ｓ）と洗浄水のノズル噴出時の流速（単位：ｍ／ｓ）との関係を示したグラフである。
【００４５】
送水タンク１３２から洗浄水の送水が開始され，洗浄水の圧力が可動絞り部１９２の側壁部１９２ａを押圧するに至らない大きさの間は，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積は，一定であり最小面積Ａ１のままである。
【００４６】
しかし，一般に，一定時間，一定体積の容量の部分に送られる流体の流量が増加すると，この流体の圧力も増加することより，洗浄水の流量の増加に伴い，洗浄水の圧力も増加する。このため，図７（ａ）に示すように，洗浄水の流量がある値（Ｑ１）以上に達すると，洗浄水の圧力により，ゴム材で形成された可動絞り部１９２の側壁部１９２ａが押圧され，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積が増加する。換言すると，洗浄水の流量の増加に伴い，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積が，例えば流量Ｑ２時に断面積Ａ２へと増加する。
【００４７】
本実施形態において，噴出口１６０から噴出される洗浄水の流速Ｖ，送水タンク１３６からの洗浄水の流量Ｑ，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積Ａは，以下の式１の関係を満たす。
【式１】
Ｖ＝Ｑ／Ａ
【００４８】
上記の式１より，この可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３を導通する洗浄水の流速は，図７（ｂ）に示すように，流量がＱ１からＱ２に増加しても，流速は，略一定となる（流速Ｖｃ）。洗浄水が可動絞り部１９２を経て，噴出部１６０から噴出されるため，ノズル噴出時の洗浄水の流速は，略一定となり，安定した送水作用が実現可能となる。換言すると，コネクタ部１０８に接続される送気ポンプ１３６や送水タンク１３２の劣化等により洗浄水の流量が不安定になった場合でも，洗浄水を噴出部１６０から噴出するときの洗浄水の流速が安定する。
【００４９】
なお，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の可変範囲には，限界があるため，洗浄水の流量がある程度以上の限界値Ｑ３に達すると，可動絞り部１９２の開口部１９３の断面積は，限界断面積Ａ３以上にはならない。
【００５０】
（第２の実施の形態）
次に，本発明の第２の実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８について，図面を参照しながら説明する。本実施形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８を適用する内視鏡１００の管路全体構成図は，図１と同様であり，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８が適用された先端部１５０の先端側からの正面図は，図２と同様であり，その先端部１５０の構成を示す長手方向の断面図は，図３と同様である。
【００５１】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８に備わる可動絞り部１９２の構成，及び作用について以下，図面を用いて説明する。図８は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８の流路１９０の長手方向の断面図であり，図９は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８の作用説明図である。
【００５２】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８は，第１の実施の形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル１４８と可動絞り部の構造が異なる。すなわち，本実施形態では，図６に示すように，噴出部２８６に有する流路１９０の内壁にゴム等の弾性体からなる１対の可動絞り弁２９４が流路１９０の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けられている。本実施形態では，この可動絞り弁２９４が流路１９０の一部を狭める可動絞り部２９２となる。なお，可動絞り弁２９４は，図８（ａ）に示すように，略直方体でも，図８（ｂ）に示すように，略三角柱でもよい。
【００５３】
本実施形態でも，平常時では，図９（ａ）に示すように，可動絞り部２９２の開口部２９３の断面積が最小面積Ａ１となっている。先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８の流路１９０に洗浄水が流れ，送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加すると，先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８内の洗浄水の圧力も増加する。このため，可動絞り部２９２となる可動絞り弁２９４がゴム材等の弾性体で形成されていることにより，図９（ｂ）に示すように，可動絞り弁２９４が洗浄水により押圧され，それにより可動絞り部２９２の開口部２９３の断面積が増加する。
【００５４】
このため，第１の実施の形態と同様に，可動絞り部２９２の開口部２９３を導通する洗浄水の流速は，上記の流量が増加しても，流速は略一定となる。洗浄水が可動絞り部２９２を経て，ノズル噴出部１６０から噴出されるため，ノズル噴出時の洗浄水の流速は，略一定となり，安定した送水作用が実現可能となる。換言すると，コネクタ部から送水されてくる洗浄水の流量が不安定になった場合でも，洗浄水をノズル噴出部１６０から噴出するときの洗浄水の流速が安定する。
【００５５】
（第３の実施の形態）
次に，本発明の第３の実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８について，図面を参照しながら説明する。本実施形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８を適用する内視鏡１００の管路全体構成図は，図１と同様であり，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８が適用された先端部１５０の先端側からの正面図は，図２と同様であり，その先端部１５０の構成を示す長手方向の断面図は，図３と同様である。
【００５６】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８に備わる可動絞り部３９２の構成について以下，図面を用いて説明する。図１０は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８の流路１９０の長手方向の断面図である。
【００５７】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル３４８は，第２の実施の形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル２４８と可動絞り部を形成する可動絞り弁３９４の構造が異なる。すなわち，本実施形態では，図１０に示すように，流路１９０の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けられたばね３９５を内部に備えた１対の可動絞り弁３９４が噴出部３８６の内壁に設けられている。本実施形態では，この可動絞り弁３９４が流路１９０の一部を狭める可動絞り部３９２となる。
【００５８】
本実施形態でも，第２の実施の形態と同様に，平常時では，可動絞り部３９２の開口部３９３の断面積が最小面積となっている。送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加すると，洗浄水の圧力も増加する。このため，可動絞り部３９２となる可動絞り弁３９４がばね３９５を具備する弾性体で形成されていることにより，第２の実施の形態と同様に，可動絞り弁３９４が洗浄水により押圧され，それにより可動絞り部３９２の開口部３９３の断面積が増加する。
【００５９】
このため，第１，及び第２の実施の形態と同様に，可動絞り部３９２の開口部３９３を導通する洗浄水の流速は，流量が増加しても略一定となる。洗浄水が可動絞り部３９２を経て，噴出口１６０から噴出されるため，ノズル噴出時の洗浄水の流速は，略一定となり，上記の実施形態と同様に安定した送水作用が実現可能となる。
【００６０】
（第４の実施の形態）
次に，本発明の第４の実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８について，図面を参照しながら説明する。本実施形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８を適用する内視鏡１００の管路全体構成図は，図１と同様であり，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８が適用された先端部１５０の先端側からの正面図は，図２と同様であり，その先端部１５０の構成を示す長手方向の断面図は，図３と同様である。
【００６１】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８に備わる可動絞り部４９２の構成について以下，図面を用いて説明する。図１１は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８の流路１９０の長手方向の断面図である。
【００６２】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル４４８は，上記の各実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズルと可動絞り部の構造が異なる。すなわち，本実施形態では，図１１に示すように，噴出部４８６の流路１９０の内壁に１対の可動絞り弁４９４が流路１９０の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けられている。可動絞り弁４９４の基端側に芯材，例えばピン４９６を挿通させることにより，この可動絞り弁４９４がピン４９６を中心に回動可能となり，さらにこの可動絞り弁４９４を流路１９０の長手方向に対し斜方向に設置したばね４９５で支持することによって，流路１９０の一部を狭める可動絞り部４９２が形成される。
【００６３】
本実施形態でも，上記の各実施形態と同様に，平常時では，可動絞り部４９２の開口部４９３の断面積が最小面積となっている。送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加すると，洗浄水の圧力も増加する。可動絞り部４９２となる可動絞り弁４９４が流路１９０の長手方向に対し斜方向に設置したばね４９５で支えられていることにより，第２及び第３の実施の形態と同様に，可動絞り弁４９４が洗浄水により押圧され，それにより可動絞り部４９２の開口部４９３の断面積が増加する。
【００６４】
このため，上記の各実施形態と同様に，可動絞り部４９２の開口部４９３を導通する洗浄水の流速は，流量が増加しても，略一定となる。洗浄水が可動絞り部４９２を経て，ノズル噴出部１６０から噴出されるため，ノズル噴出時の洗浄水の流速は，略一定となり，上記の実施形態と同様に安定した送水作用が実現可能となる。
【００６５】
（第５の実施の形態）
次に，本発明の第５の実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８について，図面を参照しながら説明する。本実施形態にかかる内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８を適用する内視鏡１００の管路全体構成図は，図１と同様であり，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８が適用された先端部１５０の先端側からの正面図は，図２と同様であり，その先端部１５０の構成を示す長手方向の断面図は，図３と同様である。
【００６６】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８に備わる可動絞り部５９２の構成について以下，図面を用いて説明する。図１２（ａ）は，本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８の構成を示す長手方向の断面図であり，図１２（ｂ）は，図１２（ａ）のＰ部の拡大図である。
【００６７】
本実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズル５４８は，上記の各実施形態の先端面洗浄用ノズルと可動絞り部の構造が異なる。すなわち，本実施形態では，図１２（ａ）に示すように，噴出部５８６に有する流路１９０の内壁に１対の可動絞り弁５９４が流路１９０の長手方向に対し略垂直方向に設けられている。この可動絞り弁５９４の基端側には，可動絞り弁５９４を手動により可動絞り弁５９４の絞り量を調整する手段が設けられている。
【００６８】
本実施形態では，図１２（ｂ）に示すように，可動絞り弁５９４の基端部に歯部５９４ａが形成され，これらの歯部５９４ａに噛合するように歯車部材５９６が噴出部５８６に設けられている。可動絞り部５９２をこのような構成とすることにより，送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加してノズル噴出部１６０からの洗浄水の流量が増加した場合に，可動絞り部５９２となる可動絞り弁５９４を，歯車部材５９６を手動で回動させることにより，可動絞り弁５９４を開き，可動絞り部５９２の開口部５９３の断面積を増加させることができる。従って，流量が増加した場合でも，流速を低下させることが可能となる。
【００６９】
このため，上記の各実施形態と同様に，可動絞り部５９２の開口部５９３を導通する洗浄水の流速は，流量が増加しても，略一定とすることができる。洗浄水が可動絞り部５９２を経て，ノズル噴出部１６０から噴出されるため，ノズル噴出時の洗浄水の流速も略一定となり，上記の実施形態と同様に安定した送水作用が実現可能となる。
【００７０】
また，図１３には，本実施形態の変形例の構成が示されている。この変形例では，可動絞り弁６９４の基端部がねじ６９６で留められている。可動絞り部６９２をこのような構成とすることにより，送水タンク１３２からの流量が増加してノズル噴出部１６０からの洗浄水の流速が増加した場合に，可動絞り部６９２となる可動絞り弁６９４の基端部に有するねじ６９６を手動で回動させることにより，可動絞り弁６９４を開き，可動絞り部６９２の開口部６９３の断面積を増加させることができる。従って，流量が増加しても，流速を低下させ，略一定にすることが可能となる。
【００７１】
なお，本実施形態における可動絞り弁５９４，６９４の絞り量を調整する手段は，可動絞り弁を備える第２，第３及び第４の実施の形態に適用することも可能である。
【００７２】
以上，添付図面を参照しながら本発明の好適な実施形態について説明したが，本発明はかかる例に限定されない。当業者であれば，特許請求の範囲に記載された技術的思想の範疇内において各種の変更例または修正例に想到し得ることは明らかであり，それらについても当然に本発明の技術的範囲に属するものと了解される。
【００７３】
例えば，上記の各実施形態では，先端部本体に着脱自在の先端面洗浄用ノズルについて取り上げているが，先端キャップに一体に設けられている先端面洗浄用ノズル，および先端部本体に一体に設けられている先端面洗浄用ノズルに本発明を適用することも可能である。
【００７４】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように，本発明によれば，先端面洗浄用ノズルに有する噴出部に可動絞り部を設けることにより，コネクタ部に接続される送気ポンプや送水タンクの劣化等により洗浄水の流量が不安定になった場合でも，洗浄水の噴出時にノズル開口部からの流速を安定させることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】図１は，本発明の第１の実施の形態にかかる内視鏡の先端部を適用する内視鏡の管路全体構成図である。
【図２】図２は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端部の先端側からの正面図である。
【図３】図３は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端部の軸方向の断面図である。
【図４】図４は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルの分解斜視図である。
【図５】図５（ａ）は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の構成図であり，図５（ｂ）は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルの正面図である。
【図６】図６は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の作用説明図である。
【図７】図７（ａ）は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルを適用したときの洗浄水の流量と可動絞り部の開口部の断面積との関係を示したグラフであり，図７（ｂ）は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルを適用したときの洗浄水の流量と洗浄水のノズル噴出時の流速との関係を示したグラフである。
【図８】図８は，第２の実施の形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の構成図である。
【図９】図９は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の作用説明図である。
【図１０】図１０は，第３の実施の形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の構成図である。
【図１１】図１１は，第４の実施の形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の構成図である。
【図１２】図１２（ａ）は，第５の実施の形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の構成図であり，図１２（ｂ）は，図１２（ａ）のＰ部の拡大図である。
【図１３】図１３は，同実施形態の内視鏡の先端面洗浄用ノズルに設けられた可動絞り部の変形例の構成図である。
【符号の説明】
１００内視鏡
１０２挿入部
１０４操作部
１０６ユニバーサルコード部
１０８コネクタ部
１１５送気／送水管路
１２５吸引管路
１４８先端面洗浄用ノズル
１５０先端部
１５２先端部本体
１５４観察窓
１５６照明窓
１５８開口部
１６０噴出口
１７４先端キャップ
１８４筒体部
１８６噴出部
１８８エッジ部
１９０流路
１９２可動絞り部
１９３開口部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nozzle for cleaning a distal end surface of an endoscope and an endoscope, and more particularly to a nozzle for cleaning a distal end surface provided by being fitted to a distal end body of the endoscope.
[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 for cleaning, such as an observation window, is provided on an end portion of the end portion at an opening portion of the air / water supply conduit. This nozzle covers the opening of the air / water supply conduit, and the opening surface of the nozzle faces an object to be cleaned such as an observation window.
[0004]
However, the above-mentioned cleaning nozzle usually has a structure protruding from the surface of the observation window to the distal end side in order to jet a cleaning fluid to the surface of the observation window or the like. For this reason, there is a possibility that the so-called vignetting of the observation field of view occurs in which the cleaning nozzle is reflected in the observation screen.
[0005]
For this reason, there has been disclosed an apparatus in which the cleaning nozzle is stored in the distal end main body during non-cleaning, and the cleaning nozzle is moved to a position protruding from the surface of the observation window by the urging means during cleaning (for example, see Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2). By using these cleaning nozzles, it is possible to prevent vignetting of the observation visual field during observation.
[0006]
Further, a cleaning nozzle has been disclosed in which the nozzle body is formed of a metal material and a protective layer made of a synthetic resin is laminated to improve the strength and reduce the thickness of the nozzle body (for example, see Patent Document 3). . By using this cleaning nozzle, it is possible to prevent vignetting of the observation visual field during observation.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 08-019512 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-09-201332
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-11-099122
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the flow rate of the cleaning fluid such as water becomes unstable due to the temporal change of the air supply pump and the water supply tank connected to the connector portion, and therefore the flow velocity when the cleaning water or the like is jetted from the nozzle becomes unstable. Sometimes. However, although the cleaning nozzles described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 described above can prevent vignetting in the observation field of view during observation, they do not provide a stable flow velocity of the cleaning fluid from the ejection port when ejecting the cleaning fluid. Not enough. For example, if the flow velocity is excessively high, the washing water is sprayed out in a mist state, so that water droplets adhere to the surface of the observation window, making observation difficult. Also, if the flow velocity is low, the required intensity of the cleaning water does not reach the observation window to be cleaned, so that the surface of the observation window cannot be sufficiently cleaned.
[0009]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional endoscope cleaning nozzle, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope with a distal end end face without obstructing an observation field of view. An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved endoscope cleaning nozzle capable of spraying cleaning water to an observation window or the like at a stable flow rate during cleaning.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope distal end surface cleaning nozzle provided at a distal end of a conduit for guiding a cleaning fluid to a distal end main body of an endoscope, A spout that opens toward the direction of cleaning on the endoscope end face, a flow path that changes the direction of the cleaning fluid from the conduit to the spout, and is provided in the flow path. There is provided a nozzle for cleaning an endoscope distal end surface, comprising: a movable throttle portion whose area changes according to the pressure of a cleaning fluid.
[0011]
At this time, the movable throttle portion is constituted by an elastic body provided on the inner wall of the flow path, and the elastic body is, for example, a rubber material, and a movable throttle valve having a spring provided substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path. May be configured.
[0012]
At this time, the movable throttle section may be provided with a movable throttle valve substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path, and the movable throttle valve may be supported by a spring.
[0013]
Further, at this time, the movable throttle portion may include a movable throttle valve provided substantially in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path, and means for adjusting the throttle amount of the movable throttle valve.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nozzle for cleaning an endoscope distal end surface at a distal end of a conduit for guiding a cleaning fluid to the distal end body of the endoscope. In the endoscope, the nozzle for cleaning the end surface of the endoscope is provided with an opening opening toward the direction to be cleaned on the end surface of the endoscope, and a nozzle for changing the direction of the cleaning fluid from the conduit to the opening. An endoscope comprising: a flow channel for guiding; and a movable throttle portion in which the cross-sectional area of the flow channel changes according to the pressure of the cleaning fluid.
[0015]
With this configuration, even when the flow rate of the cleaning water when the cleaning water is blown out becomes unstable due to the temporal change of the air supply pump or the water supply tank connected to the connector, the nozzle is not used when the cleaning water is blown out. Can stabilize the flow velocity from the spout.
[0016]
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.
[0017]
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a conduit of an endoscope 100 to which a nozzle for cleaning a distal end surface of an endoscope according to the present invention is applied.
[0018]
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.
[0019]
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.
[0020]
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.
[0021]
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. With such an air supply / water supply mechanism, pressurized air from the air supply pump 136 is supplied to the liquid level of the water supply tank 132 through the branch pipe 134, and the cleaning water in the water supply tank 132 is sent out. Becomes possible.
[0022]
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.
[0023]
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).
[0024]
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 channel 118 and the connector-side water supply pipe 120 are communicated. 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 to the distal-side air supply line 114 and the distal-side water supply line 116. Is done.
[0025]
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.
[0026]
Next, a first embodiment of a nozzle for cleaning a distal end surface of an endoscope according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0027]
First, a distal end portion 150 of the endoscope 100 to which the nozzle 148 for cleaning the distal end surface of the endoscope 100 of the present embodiment is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a front view of the distal end portion 150 of the endoscope 100 according to the embodiment, to which the distal end surface cleaning nozzle 148 is applied, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal view showing the configuration of the distal end portion 150. FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the distal end side of the distal end portion 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, and illumination for irradiating the subject with illumination light. The illumination window 156, which is a part of the system, is a part of a suction mechanism that suctions a body fluid or the like during treatment, and is dirty with the opening 158 of the suction conduit 125 through which a treatment tool such as forceps is inserted, and the observation window 154. Is provided with a nozzle 148 for cleaning the front end surface, which is a part of an air supply / water supply mechanism for cleaning the nozzle.
[0029]
The ejection port 160 of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 faces, for example, in the direction of the observation window 154 in order to eject the cleaning / drying fluid from the air / water supply pipe 115 toward the surface to be cleaned. ing.
[0030]
The emission end of a light guide (not shown) faces the illumination window 156, and the light guide is inserted into the universal cord 106 from the insertion section 102 via the main body operation section 104.
[0031]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a lens barrel 162 constituting an objective optical system having an observation window 154 is mounted on the distal end main body 152, and an image forming position of the objective optical system is provided via a prism 164. A solid-state image sensor 166 is provided. A cable 170 is drawn out from a substrate 168 of the solid-state imaging device 166.
[0032]
The distal end main body 152 has a complicated shape in which the respective members are mounted and a plurality of insertion holes are formed as described above, and is damaged when an external force is applied as in the solid-state imaging device 166 or the like. A member that is likely to be provided is provided. For this reason, the tip main body 152 is generally formed of metal from the viewpoint of easiness of processing, strength, and the like. However, if the metal is exposed on the outer surface, for example, if a leak or the like occurs in the solid-state imaging device 166, there is a possibility that a current may flow through the body by contacting the body wall of the patient. For this purpose, a tip cap 174 made of, for example, a synthetic resin is attached so as to cover substantially the entire length of the insertion portion 102 with an outer skin layer 172 formed of a soft resin or the like, and to cover a corner edge from the tip end side of the tip end body 152. The outer skin layer 172 is joined to the tip cap 174. The tip cap 174 is provided with an opening at a site such as the illumination window 156, the observation window 154, and the opening 158 of the suction channel 125.
[0033]
The distal end body 152 is provided with a cleaning fluid ejection passage 176 so as to penetrate in the axial direction. A nozzle 148 for cleaning the front end surface is mounted in the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176. An opening 178 is formed in the tip cap 174 at a position that is an extension of the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176. A connection pipe 180 is inserted and fixed to the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176, and a fluid passage 182 made of a flexible tube is connected to the proximal end of the connection pipe 180. The fluid passage 182 communicates with the air / water supply line 115 described above.
[0034]
The tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 has an ejection portion 186 at the tip of the cylindrical body portion 184 for changing the direction of washing water or the like flowing in the axial direction of the insertion portion 102 so as to be directed toward the object to be washed, for example, the observation window 154, and ejecting the same. It is formed by connecting in series. Then, by inserting the cylindrical body portion 184 into the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176, the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 is fitted into the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176.
[0035]
The tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 and the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176 can be fixed with an adhesive or the like, and if not fixed with an adhesive or the like, the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 can be attached or detached. When the tip cleaning nozzle 148 is inserted to a predetermined position of the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176, the left and right edges 188 of the ejection portion 186 abut against the surface of the tip cap 174, and as a result, the flow of the cleaning fluid with the tip opened. A path 190 is formed.
[0036]
With the above-described configuration of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148, cleaning water and pressurized air from the air / water supply conduit 115 are ejected from the ejection unit 160. 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.
[0037]
Next, the configuration of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 is formed by fitting a cylindrical portion 184 to a jet portion 186.
[0038]
The cylindrical portion 184 is a cylindrical member having an outer diameter that can be inserted into the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176 provided in the distal end main body 152 in a substantially tight fit state. A cutout portion 184a for allowing fluid to flow out is formed at a substantially semicircular portion at the tip portion, and a mounting portion 184b protruding at a predetermined height is formed at the remaining substantially semicircular portion.
[0039]
On the other hand, the jetting portion 186 has a substantially U-shaped cross section in order to change the direction of the fluid flowing inside the cylindrical portion 184 to a substantially right angle and jet it out, with the fitting portion 186a being joined and connected to the outer periphery of the mounting portion 184b. And a nozzle forming part 186b formed in the nozzle. By fitting the fitting portion 186a into the outer surface of the mounting portion 184b of the cylindrical body portion 184, and firmly fixing the same by welding or the like, the ejection portion 186 is integrated with the cylindrical body portion 184 to form a front end surface. A cleaning nozzle 148 is formed.
[0040]
The tip cleaning nozzle 148 having the above-described configuration is such that the cylindrical body portion 184 is inserted into the cleaning fluid ejection passage 176 so that the nozzle forming portion 186b of the ejection portion 186 faces the object to be washed, for example, the observation window 154. It is attached to. Then, the nozzle 186 is attached so that the left and right edge portions 188 of the nozzle forming portion 186 b of the ejection portion 186 abut on the surface of the tip cap 174. As a result, a flow path 190 is formed from inside the cylindrical portion 184, through the cutout portion 184a, and through the gap between the ejection portion 186 and the tip cap 174, to eject the fluid toward the observation window 154.
[0041]
Next, the configuration and operation of the movable throttle unit 192 provided in the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of the present embodiment in the longitudinal direction of the flow path 190. FIG. 5B is a front view of the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of the present embodiment.
[0042]
Depending on the pressure of the washing water, a part of the flow path 190 provided in the ejection part 186, in other words, from the notch part 184a of the cylindrical body part 184 to the ejection part 160 of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148, A movable throttle 192 in which the cross-sectional area of the path 190 changes is provided. The movable throttle portion 192 is formed by narrowing a part of the flow path 190 with an elastic body.
[0043]
In the present embodiment, the movable throttle portion 192 is formed on the inner wall of the flow path 190 by an elastic body such as rubber. In a normal state, as shown in FIG. 6A, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable diaphragm 192 is the minimum area A1. When the cleaning water flows through the flow path 190 of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 and the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases, the pressure of the cleaning water also increases. For this reason, since the movable throttle portion 192 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, the side wall portion 192a on the flow path side of the movable throttle portion 192 is pressed by the cleaning water as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable diaphragm 192 increases.
[0044]
Next, the operation and effect of the movable throttle portion 192 provided in the nozzle 148 for cleaning the front end surface of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7A illustrates a flow rate (unit: m) of the cleaning water flowing through the movable throttle unit 192 provided in the tip surface cleaning nozzle 148 of the present embodiment. ³ / S) and the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable diaphragm 192 (unit: m) ² FIG. 7B is a graph showing the relationship with the flow rate (unit: m) of the washing water. ³ / S) and a flow rate (unit: m / s) at the time of washing water jetting from the nozzle.
[0045]
When the supply of the washing water is started from the water supply tank 132 and the pressure of the washing water is not large enough to press the side wall portion 192a of the movable throttle portion 192, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable throttle portion 192 is It is constant and remains at the minimum area A1.
[0046]
However, in general, when the flow rate of a fluid sent to a part having a fixed volume for a certain period of time increases, the pressure of the fluid also increases, so that the pressure of the wash water increases with the flow rate of the wash water. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the flow rate of the cleaning water reaches a certain value (Q1) or more, the pressure of the cleaning water presses the side wall portion 192a of the movable throttle portion 192 formed of the rubber material. As a result, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable diaphragm 192 increases. In other words, as the flow rate of the washing water increases, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable throttle 192 increases to, for example, the cross-sectional area A2 at the flow rate Q2.
[0047]
In the present embodiment, the flow rate V of the washing water ejected from the ejection port 160, the flow rate Q of the washing water from the water supply tank 136, and the cross-sectional area A of the opening 193 of the movable throttle unit 192 are expressed by the following equation (1). Fulfill.
(Equation 1)
V = Q / A
[0048]
According to the above equation 1, as shown in FIG. 7B, the flow rate of the washing water flowing through the opening 193 of the movable throttle 192 is substantially constant even if the flow rate increases from Q1 to Q2. (Flow velocity Vc). Since the washing water is ejected from the ejection section 160 via the movable throttle section 192, the flow rate of the washing water at the time of ejecting the nozzle becomes substantially constant, and a stable water supply action can be realized. In other words, even when the flow rate of the cleaning water becomes unstable due to deterioration of the air supply pump 136 and the water supply tank 132 connected to the connector unit 108, the flow rate of the cleaning water when the cleaning water is jetted from the jetting unit 160. Becomes stable.
[0049]
Since the variable range of the opening 193 of the movable throttle 192 has a limit, when the flow rate of the cleaning water reaches a certain limit value Q3, the cross-sectional area of the opening 193 of the movable throttle 192 is limited. It does not exceed the sectional area A3.
[0050]
(Second embodiment)
Next, a tip cleaning nozzle 248 of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The entire configuration of the endoscope 100 to which the endoscope cleaning nozzle 248 according to the present embodiment is applied is the same as FIG. 1, and the distal end cleaning nozzle 248 of the present embodiment is applied. The front view of the distal end 150 from the distal end side is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end 150 is the same as that of FIG.
[0051]
The configuration and operation of the movable throttle portion 192 provided in the nozzle 148 for cleaning the front end surface of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flow path 190 of the tip cleaning nozzle 248 of this embodiment, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the tip cleaning nozzle 248 of this embodiment.
[0052]
The tip cleaning nozzle 248 of the present embodiment is different from the tip cleaning nozzle 148 of the first embodiment in the structure of the movable throttle unit. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of movable throttle valves 294 made of an elastic material such as rubber are provided on the inner wall of the flow path 190 of the ejection section 286 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path 190. Direction. In the present embodiment, the movable throttle valve 294 serves as a movable throttle portion 292 that narrows a part of the flow path 190. The movable throttle valve 294 may be a substantially rectangular parallelepiped as shown in FIG. 8A, or a substantially triangular prism as shown in FIG. 8B.
[0053]
Also in this embodiment, in normal times, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cross-sectional area of the opening 293 of the movable diaphragm 292 is the minimum area A1. When the cleaning water flows through the flow path 190 of the tip cleaning nozzle 248 and the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases, the pressure of the cleaning water in the tip cleaning nozzle 248 also increases. For this reason, since the movable throttle valve 294 serving as the movable throttle portion 292 is formed of an elastic body such as a rubber material, the movable throttle valve 294 is pressed by the cleaning water as shown in FIG. As a result, the sectional area of the opening 293 of the movable diaphragm 292 increases.
[0054]
Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the opening 293 of the movable throttle section 292 becomes substantially constant even if the above flow rate increases. Since the washing water is ejected from the nozzle ejection section 160 via the movable throttle section 292, the flow rate of the washing water at the time of ejecting the nozzle becomes substantially constant, and a stable water supply action can be realized. In other words, even when the flow rate of the cleaning water sent from the connector section becomes unstable, the flow rate of the cleaning water when the cleaning water is jetted from the nozzle jetting section 160 is stable.
[0055]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a tip cleaning nozzle 348 of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The overall configuration of the endoscope 100 to which the endoscope cleaning nozzle 348 according to the present embodiment is applied is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the distal end cleaning nozzle 348 of the present embodiment is applied. The front view of the distal end 150 from the distal end side is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end 150 is the same as that of FIG.
[0056]
The configuration of the movable throttle portion 392 provided in the tip surface cleaning nozzle 348 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the flow path 190 of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 348 of the present embodiment.
[0057]
The tip cleaning nozzle 348 of the present embodiment differs from the tip cleaning nozzle 248 of the second embodiment in the structure of the movable throttle valve 394 forming the movable throttle portion. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, a pair of movable throttle valves 394 each having a spring 395 provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path 190 is provided on the inner wall of the ejection portion 386. Have been. In the present embodiment, the movable throttle valve 394 serves as a movable throttle portion 392 that narrows a part of the flow path 190.
[0058]
In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the opening 393 of the movable diaphragm 392 is the minimum area in normal times. As the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases, the pressure of the washing water also increases. For this reason, since the movable throttle valve 394 serving as the movable throttle portion 392 is formed of an elastic body having the spring 395, the movable throttle valve 394 is pressed by the washing water as in the second embodiment. Thereby, the cross-sectional area of the opening 393 of the movable diaphragm 392 increases.
[0059]
Therefore, as in the first and second embodiments, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the opening 393 of the movable throttle 392 becomes substantially constant even if the flow rate increases. Since the washing water is ejected from the ejection port 160 via the movable throttle portion 392, the flow rate of the washing water at the time of ejecting the nozzle becomes substantially constant, and a stable water supply action can be realized similarly to the above-described embodiment.
[0060]
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a tip cleaning nozzle 448 of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The entire configuration diagram of the endoscope 100 to which the endoscope cleaning nozzle 448 according to the present embodiment is applied is the same as FIG. 1, and the distal end cleaning nozzle 448 of the present embodiment is applied. The front view of the distal end 150 from the distal end side is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end 150 is the same as that of FIG.
[0061]
The configuration of the movable throttle unit 492 provided in the tip cleaning nozzle 448 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the flow channel 190 of the tip cleaning nozzle 448 of the present embodiment.
[0062]
The tip cleaning nozzle 448 of this embodiment differs from the tip cleaning nozzle of each of the above embodiments in the structure of the movable throttle unit. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a pair of movable throttle valves 494 are provided on the inner wall of the flow path 190 of the ejection section 486 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow path 190. By inserting a core material, for example, a pin 496, through the base end side of the movable throttle valve 494, the movable throttle valve 494 can rotate around the pin 496. The movable throttle portion 492 for narrowing a part of the flow path 190 is formed by supporting with a spring 495 installed in an oblique direction.
[0063]
In this embodiment, as in the above embodiments, the cross-sectional area of the opening 493 of the movable diaphragm 492 is the minimum area in normal times. As the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases, the pressure of the washing water also increases. Since the movable throttle valve 494 serving as the movable throttle portion 492 is supported by a spring 495 installed obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the flow path 190, the movable throttle valve 494 is provided in the same manner as in the second and third embodiments. 494 is pressed by the cleaning water, whereby the cross-sectional area of the opening 493 of the movable throttle 492 increases.
[0064]
Therefore, as in the above embodiments, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the opening 493 of the movable throttle 492 is substantially constant even if the flow rate increases. Since the washing water is ejected from the nozzle ejection section 160 via the movable throttle section 492, the flow rate of the washing water at the time of ejecting the nozzle becomes substantially constant, and a stable water supply action can be realized as in the above embodiment. .
[0065]
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an endoscope cleaning nozzle 548 for an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The entire configuration diagram of the endoscope 100 to which the endoscope cleaning nozzle 548 according to the present embodiment is applied is the same as that of FIG. 1, and the distal end cleaning nozzle 548 of the present embodiment is applied. The front view of the distal end 150 from the distal end side is the same as that of FIG. 2, and the longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the distal end 150 is the same as that of FIG.
[0066]
The configuration of the movable throttle portion 592 provided in the tip surface cleaning nozzle 548 of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction showing the configuration of the tip surface cleaning nozzle 548 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged view of a portion P in FIG. 12A.
[0067]
The tip cleaning nozzle 548 of this embodiment differs from the tip cleaning nozzle of each of the above embodiments in the structure of the movable throttle unit. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12A, a pair of movable throttle valves 594 are provided on the inner wall of the flow channel 190 provided in the ejection portion 586 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the flow channel 190. ing. A means for manually adjusting the throttle amount of the movable throttle valve 594 is provided at the base end side of the movable throttle valve 594.
[0068]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12B, a tooth portion 594a is formed at the base end of the movable throttle valve 594, and a gear member 596 is provided on the ejection portion 586 so as to mesh with the tooth portion 594a. Have been. With such a configuration of the movable throttle portion 592, the movable throttle valve 594 serving as the movable throttle portion 592 when the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases and the flow rate of the washing water from the nozzle ejection section 160 increases. By manually rotating the gear member 596, the movable throttle valve 594 can be opened and the sectional area of the opening 593 of the movable throttle portion 592 can be increased. Therefore, even when the flow rate increases, the flow velocity can be reduced.
[0069]
Therefore, as in the above embodiments, the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing through the opening 593 of the movable throttle 592 can be made substantially constant even if the flow rate increases. Since the cleaning water is jetted from the nozzle jetting portion 160 via the movable throttle portion 592, the flow rate of the cleaning water at the time of jetting the nozzles is also substantially constant, and a stable water supply action can be realized as in the above embodiment.
[0070]
FIG. 13 shows a configuration of a modification of the present embodiment. In this modification, the proximal end of the movable throttle valve 694 is fixed with a screw 696. With the movable restrictor 692 having such a configuration, the movable restrictor 694 becomes the movable restrictor 692 when the flow rate from the water supply tank 132 increases and the flow rate of the washing water from the nozzle ejection part 160 increases. By manually rotating the screw 696 at the base end of the movable throttle valve 694, the sectional area of the opening 693 of the movable throttle portion 692 can be increased. Therefore, even if the flow rate increases, the flow velocity can be reduced to be substantially constant.
[0071]
The means for adjusting the throttle amount of the movable throttle valves 594, 694 in this embodiment can be applied to the second, third, and fourth embodiments including the movable throttle valve.
[0072]
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.
[0073]
For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the tip cleaning nozzle that is detachable from the tip body is taken up. However, the tip cleaning nozzle that is provided integrally with the tip cap, and the tip cleaning nozzle that is provided integrally with the tip body. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a nozzle for cleaning the front end surface.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the flow rate of the cleaning water is reduced due to the deterioration of the air supply pump and the water supply tank connected to the connector by providing the movable throttle portion at the ejection portion of the tip surface cleaning nozzle. Even when the water becomes unstable, the flow velocity from the nozzle opening can be stabilized when the cleaning water is jetted.
[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 a distal end portion of the endoscope of the embodiment as viewed from the distal end side.
FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a tip cleaning nozzle of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5A is a configuration diagram of a movable throttle provided in a tip cleaning nozzle of the endoscope of the embodiment; FIG. 5B is an endoscope of the embodiment; It is a front view of the nozzle for front-end | tip cleaning of a mirror.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a movable throttle provided in the nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 7A is a graph showing a relationship between a flow rate of cleaning water and a cross-sectional area of an opening of a movable throttle unit when a nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of the endoscope according to the embodiment is applied. FIG. 7B is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate of the cleaning water and the flow velocity at the time of jetting the cleaning water when the tip cleaning nozzle of the endoscope according to the embodiment is applied. .
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a movable throttle unit provided in a distal end surface cleaning nozzle of an endoscope according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of a movable throttle unit provided in the distal end surface cleaning nozzle of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a movable throttle unit provided in a tip cleaning nozzle of an endoscope according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a movable throttle provided in a distal end surface cleaning nozzle of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12A is a configuration diagram of a movable throttle unit provided in a distal end surface cleaning nozzle of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a configuration diagram of FIG. It is an enlarged view of the P section of a).
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a modified example of a movable throttle unit provided in the distal end surface cleaning nozzle of the endoscope according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 endoscope
102 insertion section
104 Operation unit
106 Universal cord
108 Connector
115 Air supply / water supply pipeline
125 suction line
148 Tip cleaning nozzle
150 Tip
152 tip body
154 observation window
156 Lighting window
158 opening
160 spout
174 Tip cap
184 cylinder
186 spout
188 Edge
190 channel
192 movable diaphragm
193 opening

Claims

A nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of an endoscope provided at a distal end of a conduit for guiding a cleaning fluid to a distal end main body of the endoscope,
An outlet opening toward the direction of cleaning on the distal end surface of the endoscope;
A flow path for changing the direction of the cleaning fluid from the conduit and leading to the jet port;
A movable restrictor provided in the flow path, wherein a cross-sectional area of the flow path changes according to the pressure of the cleaning fluid;
A nozzle for cleaning the end surface of an endoscope, comprising:

2. The nozzle for cleaning a distal end surface of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the movable throttle portion is formed of an elastic body provided on an inner wall of the flow path.

The nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the elastic body is made of a rubber material.

3. The endoscope end surface cleaning nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the elastic body is a movable throttle valve provided with a spring provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path.

The movable throttle portion is formed by providing a movable throttle valve in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path and supporting the movable throttle valve with a spring. 2. The nozzle for cleaning the distal end surface of an endoscope according to 1.

2. The movable throttle unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable throttle unit includes a movable throttle valve provided in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the flow path, and means for adjusting a throttle amount of the movable throttle valve. The nozzle for cleaning the end surface of the endoscope according to the above.

An endoscope provided with a nozzle for cleaning an endoscope distal end surface at a distal end of a conduit for guiding a cleaning fluid to the distal end body of the endoscope,
The endoscope tip cleaning nozzle includes an ejection port that opens toward the direction to be cleaned of the endoscope tip,
A flow path for changing the direction of the cleaning fluid from the conduit and leading to the jet port;
A movable throttle portion in which a cross-sectional area of the flow path changes in accordance with the pressure of the cleaning fluid;
An endoscope, comprising: