JP2005168607A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope quickly and surely sterilizing the interior of a conduit incorporated in an endoscope in a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: This endoscope 1 is provided with at least the single conduit 3 having one end opened to an endoscope outside at the distal end 1c of an insertion tube 1B, and the other end opened to the endoscope outside at a portion (a processing device insertion port 3C, and operating part opening 3B, a connector part opening 3A or the like) except for the insertion tube 1B; and a space part 6 disposed outside the conduit 3 and closely sealed by being covered with an external member 2 of the endoscope. The whole or at least a part of the space part 6 is filled with thermal conductive materials (fluid or solid) 5 having thermal conductivity. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope that can be sterilized by high-temperature high-pressure steam sterilization (hereinafter referred to as autoclave sterilization) or ethylene oxide gas sterilization (hereinafter referred to as EOG sterilization). The present invention relates to an endoscope capable of promptly and reliably performing sterilization in a pipe line built in a mirror.

Endoscopes that can be used for observing deep parts in body cavities by inserting into body cavities, etc., and performing treatment treatments by using treatment tools as needed, have come to be widely used in the medical field. .
In the case of a medical endoscope, it is indispensable to surely disinfect and sterilize the used endoscope in order to prevent infections and the like.

  Recently, when performing disinfection and sterilization, autoclave sterilization (high-temperature and high-pressure steam sterilization) or EOG sterilization, which can be used immediately after sterilization without any complicated work and is advantageous in terms of running cost, is also used for endoscope equipment. Sometimes used as a sterilization method.

   In such autoclave sterilization and EOG sterilization methods, for example, an endoscope is housed in a sterilization storage case or sterilization pack and housed in a chamber of a sterilization apparatus. Further, in such a sterilization method, a vacuum process for reducing the pressure before the sterilization process is performed in order to allow the vapor to penetrate into the details of the endoscope during the sterilization process. In this vacuum process, the inside of the chamber is decompressed so that high-pressure and high-temperature steam is distributed throughout the endoscope.

However, when the vacuum process is performed, the inside of the chamber is depressurized, so that the most flexible part of the exterior of the endoscope, generally the covering tube (coiled tube) of the curved portion, swells and bursts during decompression. There is a risk of it.
For this reason, the endoscope needs to have a structure that can withstand a low-pressure environment. For example, in the prior art disclosed in JP-A-5-253168, when the endoscope is sterilized at high temperature and high pressure steam, An endoscope internal pressure adjusting device having an internal pressure adjusting mechanism for preventing damage to the outer skin (cover) of the endoscope due to a pressure difference is disclosed.
JP-A-5-253168

  However, as shown in the above conventional example, when the endoscope is provided with the internal pressure adjusting mechanism, the space between the exterior (outer skin) of the endoscope and the duct inside the endoscope is vacuumed when the pressure is reduced. Therefore, even if the temperature around the endoscope rises, the temperature inside the endoscope is difficult to warm. Therefore, even if vapor or the like penetrates into the endoscope pipeline to be sterilized, the temperature is deprived from the outside of the pipeline before the vapor or the like reaches the entire pipeline. As the depth of the path increases, the temperature of the steam is less likely to rise, and it may take a considerable amount of time to ensure sterilization. The A similar problem occurs even in the case where no internal pressure adjusting mechanism is provided.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope capable of promptly and reliably performing sterilization in a conduit built in an endoscope with a simple configuration. Objective.

  In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope of the present invention has at least a pipe line that opens to the outside of the endoscope at one end of the insertion portion and opens to the outside of the endoscope at a portion other than the insertion portion. An endoscope having a space portion that is disposed outside the pipe line and is covered and sealed with an outer skin portion of the endoscope. This is characterized in that a heat conductive material with a certain thickness is arranged.

  The endoscope of the present invention has an advantage that sterilization in a pipe line built in the endoscope can be promptly and reliably performed with a simple configuration.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show a first embodiment of an endoscope according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope, and FIGS. 2 and 3 explain the operation of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a heat transfer path of steam or the like when sterilized using a conventional endoscope having an internal pressure adjusting mechanism, and FIG. 3 shows the endoscope of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the movement path | route of heat | fever, such as a vapor | steam at the time of using and sterilizing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment has an imaging unit (not shown), and a signal obtained by the imaging unit is sent to a video processor (not shown) via a signal cable (not shown). Supply. A video processor (not shown) processes the supplied signal and outputs the processed signal to a monitor (not shown), so that an image corresponding to the subject image output from the video processor is displayed on the monitor (not shown). It has become so.

  The endoscope 1 has resistance to high-temperature and high-pressure steam so that it can be sterilized with high-temperature and high-pressure steam after being cleaned after being used for endoscopy such as observation and treatment. It is comprised by the member.

  The endoscope 1 has an elongated insertion portion 1B having flexibility, an operation portion 1A connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 1B, and flexibility extended from a side portion of the operation portion 1A. A connecting cord (universal cord) 1C, and an electric connector portion that is provided at an end of the connecting cord 1C and that can be detachably connected to a signal cable connector that is detachably connected to a video processor (not shown); A connector portion 1D that is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown), an internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4 that is provided in the vicinity of the connector portion 1D and adjusts the pressure of the space portion 6 inside the exterior member 2, have.

The endoscope 1 has one end opened at the distal end 1c of the insertion portion 1B, and the other end other than the insertion portion 1B (treatment instrument insertion port 3C, operation portion opening 3B, connector portion opening 3A, etc. ) At least one pipe line 3 that opens to the outside of the endoscope and allows fluid or the like to pass inside.
In the present embodiment, the case where one pipe line 3 is provided is shown for the sake of simplification, but in actuality, the pipe line 3 includes an air / water supply line, a treatment instrument insertion line. Or, it corresponds to a plurality of pipelines such as a suction pipeline.

  The insertion portion 1B is provided with a flexible flexible tube portion 1a having flexibility, a bending portion 1b that is provided on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion 1a and can be bent by operation of the operation portion 1A, and provided at the distal end. A distal end portion 1c provided with an observation optical system, an illumination optical system, etc. (not shown).

An air / water supply nozzle (not shown) for ejecting cleaning liquid or gas toward the optical member on the outer surface of the observation optical system (not shown) by the air supply operation and the water supply operation, and the insertion A suction port 3D, which is an opening on the distal end side of a treatment tool channel (corresponding to the conduit 3) (not shown) for inserting a treatment tool arranged in the section 1B and sucking the liquid in the body cavity, is provided.
In addition, the distal end portion 1c is provided with a liquid supply port (not shown) for ejecting the liquid that is opened toward the observation object.

  A treatment instrument insertion port 3 </ b> C communicating with the pipe line 3 is provided on the proximal end side of the operation unit 1 </ b> A. The operation unit 1 </ b> A is provided with an operation unit opening 3 </ b> B communicating with the pipe line 3.

  The connector 1D includes a gas supply base 1d that is detachably connected to a gas supply source (not shown) built in the light source device, and a water supply that is detachably connected to a water supply tank (not shown) that is a liquid supply source. A tank pressurizing base and a liquid supply base are provided. Further, in the vicinity of the connector part 1D, a connector part opening part 3A communicating with the pipe line 3 is provided. The connector opening 3A corresponds to, for example, a suction base connected to a suction source (not shown) for performing suction from the suction port, or an injection base connected to a water supply means (not shown) for supplying water from the liquid supply port. To do.

  Further, on the back side of the connector opening 3A, a ventilation part 3E is provided for communicating the inside (space part 6) of the endoscope 1 with the outside. The ventilation part 3E is provided with the internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4. The internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4 is a waterproof cap having a pressure adjusting valve (not shown), for example, and the waterproof cap can be detachably connected to the vent portion 3E.

The endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is filled with the heat conductive body 5 having good heat conductivity in the entire space portion 6 or a part of the space portion 6 arranged between the exterior member 2 and the pipe line 3. . The heat conductive body 5 may be a fluid or a solid having good heat conductivity. When the heat conductive body 5 is a fluid, it is preferable to use a fluid having a high boiling point and a low saturated vapor pressure, particularly oil such as silicon oil. In the case where the thermal conductive member 5 is solid, it is preferable to use copper or a metal such as gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, iron, Particles or pellets may be used.
In addition, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment uses a fluid as the heat conductive body 5, and this configuration example is shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 2 shows a movement path of heat such as steam in the case of sterilization using a conventional endoscope having an internal pressure adjusting mechanism.
Now, assuming that the endoscope 1 is to be autoclaved or EOG sterilized, the operator stores the endoscope 1 in a sterilization storage case or sterilization pack and stores it in the chamber of the sterilizer.

And an operator implements the vacuum process which decompresses before a sterilization process in order to make a vapor | steam infiltrate to the detail of an endoscope more at the time of a sterilization process.
When the vacuum process is performed, the inside of the chamber (not shown) is depressurized.
In this case, in the conventional endoscope that is not filled with the heat conductive body 5, when the pressure is reduced by the vacuum process, the internal pressure is adjusted by the internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4, that is, the pressure adjustment of the internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4 is performed. The valve is opened, and the air in the space 6 disposed between the exterior 2 of the endoscope 1 and the conduit 3 is discharged.

  Subsequently, the operator performs a sterilization process. Then, when steam or the like is steamed to the endoscope 1 in the chamber, the pressure adjustment valve of the internal pressure adjustment mechanism 4 is closed, and the space portion between the exterior member 2 of the endoscope 1 and the pipe line 3 is closed. 6 is almost in a vacuum state. Therefore, even if the temperature in the chamber rises, the temperature of the space portion 6 of the endoscope 1 becomes difficult to rise and becomes cold.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the heat 3a such as steam entering from the opening (the suction port 3D, the treatment instrument insertion port 3C, the operation unit opening 3B, the connector unit opening 3A, etc.) of the conduit 3 Before reaching the center of the path 3, it is cooled by the space 6, that is, the heat 3 a escapes in the direction of the space 6 (A arrow direction in the figure). The center of the line 3 will not reach a temperature at which sterilization can be achieved.

On the other hand, the endoscope of the present embodiment operates as described below.
FIG. 3 shows a heat transfer path such as steam in the case of sterilization using the endoscope according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, heat 7 a such as vapor transmitted from the serpentine tube 7 occupying most of the exterior member 2, fibers or electrics built in the endoscope 1. The heat 8a of the signal line 8 or the like is transmitted to the space 6 so as to move in the direction indicated by the arrow B in the figure or in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 in the figure, depending on the characteristics of the thermal conductive member 5. That is, the space 6 is easier to warm than a completely vacuum state by providing the thermal conductive member 5.

  Therefore, heat 3a such as steam entering from the opening of the conduit 3 (suction port 3D, treatment instrument insertion port 3C, operation unit opening 3B, connector unit opening 3A, etc.) is cooled by the space 6. In the center of the conduit 3 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure), the sterilization achievement temperature is maintained as it is, and the pipe 3 moves efficiently. As a result, the temperature at the center of the pipe line 3 rises to a temperature at which the sterilization can be performed reliably, so that the entire pipe line 3 can be sterilized quickly and reliably.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the heat 3a such as steam entering from the opening of the conduit 3 (suction port 3D, treatment instrument insertion port 3C, operation unit opening 3B, connector unit opening 3A, etc.) Since the heat conductive body 5 can penetrate efficiently while maintaining the sterilization achievement temperature to the vicinity of the center of the pipe line 3, the inside of the pipe line 3 can be sufficiently sterilized. This contributes to preventing sterilization defects and, as a result, enhancing medical safety and security. In addition, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment can be sterilized in a shorter time than a conventional endoscope.

  In the present embodiment, when the oil, which is a fluid, is used as the thermal conductive member 5 and the space portion 6 is filled entirely or partially, the endoscope 1 is unlikely to be hard, and the conventional endoscope Of course, it can exhibit the same performance as a mirror.

  4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a serpentine tube of the endoscope for explaining the configuration and operation of the endoscope, and FIG. It is sectional drawing of the snake tube shown in FIG. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment does not fill the whole space part 6 or a part of the fluid or solid as the heat conductive body 5, but the heat A heat conductive metal member 9 is provided as the conductive body 5, and the heat conductive metal member 9 is configured to cover all or at least a part of the outside of the pipe line 3.

The heat conductive metal member 9 is formed in a tube shape so as to cover the pipe line 3 using a metal having good heat conductivity such as a metal mesh or a metal coil. As the heat conductive metal member 9, for example, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, iron or the like is preferably used.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

Next, the operation of the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The operation of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the tube 3 enters from the opening (the suction port 3D, the treatment instrument insertion port 3C, the operation unit opening 3B, the connector unit opening 3A, etc.). The heat 3a such as steam, or the heat 8a such as the fiber adjacent to the pipe line 3 or the electric signal line 8 is in the direction indicated by the arrow C in the figure or in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 in the figure, depending on the characteristics of the heat conductive metal member 9. It is transmitted from the exterior of the pipeline 3 to the entire pipeline 3 so as to move.

  Therefore, the heat 3a such as steam entering from the opening (the suction port 3D, the treatment instrument insertion port 3C, the operation portion opening 3B, the connector portion opening 3A, etc.) of the conduit 3 is not cooled, It moves efficiently while maintaining the sterilization achievement temperature as it is in the central direction of the pipe line 3 (in the direction of arrow C in the figure). As a result, the temperature at the center of the pipe line 3 rises to a temperature at which the sterilization can be performed reliably, so that the entire pipe line 3 can be sterilized quickly and reliably.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the first embodiment without greatly changing the conventional endoscope structure.

  In this embodiment, the space 6 may be further filled with the thermal conductive member 5 used in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side cross-sectional view of the serpentine tube of the endoscope for explaining the configuration and operation of the endoscope. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions are described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is configured by providing a cylindrical heat conductive metal member 10 instead of the tube-shaped heat conductive metal member 9 used in the second embodiment. doing.

The heat conductive metal member 10 is a metal column formed in a cylindrical shape. The thermally conductive metal member 10 is disposed so as to abut on the outer periphery of the pipe line 3 from an opening provided at a predetermined position of the exterior member 2, and one end thereof is exposed from the exterior member 2. Yes.
Further, a packing member 11 is fitted in a portion (opening) where the exterior member 2 and the heat conductive metal member 10 are in contact with each other so as to maintain watertightness.

  It is preferable that the heat conductive metal member 10 is applied to the endoscope 1 in such a number that a sufficient effect can be obtained. The heat conductive metal member 10 is a metal having good heat conductivity. For example, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, iron, or the like is used. preferable. In the present embodiment, the thermally conductive metal member 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but may be formed in a ring shape.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, heat such as vapor transmitted from the snake tube 7 occupying most of the exterior member 2 is transferred from the exterior of the conduit 3 to the conduit by the characteristics of the heat conductive metal member 10. 3 is transmitted to the whole space 6 and simultaneously to the space 6. That is, at the same time that the entire conduit 3 is warmed, the space 6 is also likely to be warmed more than in a completely vacuum state.

  Therefore, heat such as steam entering from the opening portion (suction port 3D, treatment instrument insertion port 3C, operation portion opening portion 3B, connector portion opening portion 3A, etc.) of the conduit 3 is cooled by the space portion 6. Therefore, it moves efficiently while maintaining the temperature for achieving sterilization in the central direction of the pipe 3 as it is. As a result, the temperature at the center of the pipe line 3 rises to a temperature at which the sterilization can be performed reliably, so that the entire pipe line 3 can be sterilized quickly and reliably.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the second embodiment without greatly changing the conventional endoscope structure.

  In this embodiment, the space 6 may be further filled with the thermal conductive member 5 used in the first embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited only to the above-described embodiment, and even in the case where the internal pressure adjusting mechanism is not provided, the heat conductive member 5 may be provided in the space 6 as shown in FIG. good. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the endoscope 1 is not provided with the internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4, the endoscope 1 has a transmission hole 12 having a permeable film for communicating gas inside and outside the endoscope instead of the internal pressure adjusting mechanism 4. Is provided. The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix]
(1) At least one pipe having one end opened outside the endoscope at the distal end of the insertion section and the other end opened outside the endoscope at a portion other than the insertion section is disposed outside the pipe. In an endoscope having a space part that is covered and sealed with an endoscope outer skin part,
An endoscope characterized in that a heat conductive material having a heat conductive property is arranged in the whole space part or at least a part thereof.

  (2) The heat conductive body is a fluid having a heat conduction characteristic or a solid having a heat conduction characteristic, and either one of the fluid and the solid is filled in the entire space part or at least a part thereof. The endoscope according to appendix (1), which is characterized in that.

  (3) The endoscope according to appendix (2), wherein the fluid is a fluid having a high boiling point and a low saturated vapor pressure.

  (4) The endoscope according to appendix (3), wherein the fluid is oil such as silicone oil.

  (5) The internal appearance according to appendix (2), wherein the solid is copper, or a metal such as gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, or iron mirror.

(6) In an endoscope having at least one duct having one end opened to the outside of the endoscope at the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the other end opened to the outside of the endoscope at a portion other than the insertion portion.
An endoscope characterized in that the whole or at least a part of the pipe line is covered with a heat conductive metal body having heat conduction characteristics.

  (7) The inside of the appendix (6), wherein the thermally conductive metal body is formed in a pipe shape capable of fitting the pipe line in a state of being always in contact with the outer periphery of the pipe line. Endoscope.

  (8) Additional notes (6), wherein the thermally conductive metal body is made of copper, gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, iron, or the like. ).

(9) At least one pipe having one end opened outside the endoscope at the distal end of the insertion section and the other end opened outside the endoscope at a portion other than the insertion section is arranged outside the pipe. In an endoscope having a space part that is covered and sealed with an endoscope outer skin part,
An internal endoscope characterized in that a heat conductive metal body having a heat conductive property is provided in the space portion so that one end is exposed in a watertight manner to the outer skin of the endoscope and the other end is in contact with the pipe line. mirror.

  (10) The endoscope according to appendix (9), wherein the thermally conductive metal body is configured in a cylindrical shape.

  (11) The endoscope according to appendix (9) or appendix (10), wherein a plurality of the thermally conductive metal bodies are provided.

  (12) Additional note (9), wherein the thermally conductive metal body is made of copper, gold, silver, aluminum, tungsten, cadmium, molybdenum, magnesium, beryllium, iridium, SUS, iron, or the like. The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary Notes (11).

  (13) An additional note (1) having a communication port for communicating the space portion with the outside of the endoscope, and provided with an internal pressure adjusting means for performing pressure reduction adjustment of the space portion. The endoscope according to any one of Supplementary Notes (12).

  In the endoscope of the present invention, since sterilization in a duct built in the endoscope can be performed more quickly and reliably than before, a plurality of endoscopic examinations using an endoscope are performed. This is especially effective when the endoscope used in this examination is reprocessed and used repeatedly on the same day.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Sectional drawing which shows 1st Example of the endoscope of this invention and shows the schematic structure of the whole endoscope. Explanatory drawing which showed the movement path | route of heat | fever, such as a vapor | steam, in the case of sterilizing using the endoscope which gave the conventional internal pressure adjustment mechanism. Explanatory drawing which showed the movement path | route of heat | fever, such as a vapor | steam, at the time of sterilizing using the endoscope of a present Example. The side sectional view of the serpentine tube of an endoscope for explaining the composition and operation of an endoscope, showing the 2nd example of the endoscope of the present invention. Sectional drawing of the snake tube shown in FIG. The 3rd Example of the endoscope of this invention is shown, The sectional side view which fractured | ruptured partially the snake tube of the endoscope for demonstrating the structure and effect | action of an endoscope. Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the whole endoscope at the time of applying this invention to the endoscope which does not provide an endoscope adjustment mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Endoscope,
1A: operation unit,
1B ... insertion part,
1C: Connection cord,
1D connector part,
1a: flexible tube,
1b: curved part,
1c ... the tip,
1d: Gas supply cap,
2 ... exterior member,
3 ... pipeline,
3A: Connector part opening,
3B ... opening of the operation unit,
3C ... treatment tool insertion port,
3D ... suction port,
3E ... Ventilation part,
4 ... Internal pressure adjustment mechanism,
5 ...
5 ... Thermally conductive material,
6 ... space part,
7 ... Snake tube,
8 ... Electric signal line,
9, 10 ... heat conductive metal member,
11 ... packing member,
12. Transmission hole 12.
Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (1)

One end has at least one duct that opens to the outside of the endoscope at the distal end of the insertion section, and the other end opens to the outside of the endoscope at a portion other than the insertion section. In an endoscope having a space part covered and sealed with an outer skin part of an endoscope,
An endoscope characterized in that a heat conductive material having a heat conductive property is arranged in the whole space part or at least a part thereof.

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