JP2007075281A - Protector for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protector for an endoscope which protects an insertion part from an external shock, which can be fitted to insertion parts of different outer diameters and which prevents the insertion part from being damaged when the protector is mounted to the insertion part. <P>SOLUTION: The protector 1 for an endoscope is provided with a pair of openable and closable half cylinder parts 4 and 5. The half cylinder parts 4 and 5 are provided with: a protection member 2 which is constituted cylindrically in a closed state and which covers the distal end side of the insertion part 11 including the distal end face of the insertion part 11 of the endoscope 10; holding members 3 which are provided on the inner peripheral surfaces 4a and 5a of the pair of half cylinder parts 4 and 5 and which have prescribed elastic force for holding the insertion part 11 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 11 in a closed state; and engaging parts 7 holding the closed state of the half cylinder parts 4 and 5 when the pair of half cylinder parts 4 and 5 are constituted in the closed state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope protector that is disposed so as to cover a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an endoscope and protects the distal end portion and the like of the insertion portion.

  In recent years, endoscopes that can perform a minimally invasive procedure by observing the inside of a patient's body cavity without making an incision or introducing a dedicated treatment tool inside the body cavity as necessary have become widespread in the medical field. Yes.

  There are two types of endoscopes: a type having a flexible and elongated insertion portion and a type having a rigid insertion portion. Built-in objects such as an observation optical system and an illumination optical system are built into the distal end of the insertion section. As an observation optical system, there is a combination of an objective lens and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD in addition to a combination of an objective lens and an image guide. As the illumination optical system, a light guide or an optical element such as an LED is used.

  Some endoscopes having a flexible insertion portion have a bending portion in the insertion portion. Some endoscopes have at least one of an air supply channel, a water supply channel, and a treatment instrument insertion channel in addition to the optical system. Further, there is an observation means with a built-in ultrasonic probe. Built-in objects such as an objective lens, a CCD, and an ultrasonic probe are very expensive parts.

  An endoscope used in a medical field is generally stored in a storage room. The endoscope is moved from the storage room to the examination room when it is used for examination or treatment. After being used, the endoscope is moved from the examination room to the washing room for cleaning and disinfection. A cleaned or disinfected endoscope is moved from the cleaning room to the storage room and stored in the storage room until it is used. In this way, the endoscope is frequently moved.

  When the endoscope is moved, if the insertion portion of the endoscope is soft and slender as described above, the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope may greatly shake during movement. When the distal end of the insertion section shakes greatly, if the distal end of the insertion section collides with another device, or collides with a wall, floor surface, ground, etc., the endoscope exterior may be cracked or scratched. The built-in endoscope may be damaged.

  When a part of the built-in item is damaged, a large cost is required for repair and replacement. Moreover, even when a crack or the like occurs in the endoscope exterior, a large cost is required for the repair. For this reason, when moving an endoscope, the protector which protects an endoscope front-end | tip part is calculated | required.

  For example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-172906 discloses a protective sheath for a rigid endoscope. In this protective sheath, an elastic member is provided inside the protective sheath in the protective sheath that houses the insertion portion of the rigid endoscope and protects the rigid endoscope. Accordingly, the external impact applied to the rigid endoscope can be reduced by the elastic member by holding the rigid endoscope by the elastic member inside the protective sheath.

Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-15901 discloses an endoscope protector. This endoscope protector is made of an elastic resin, and has a cylindrical or bowl-shaped buffer portion having a plurality of vent holes, and a plurality of needle-like, linear, or belt-like press-contacts protruding inside the buffer portion. And a mounting portion comprising a child. Then, the press contact member protruding inward of the buffer portion is integrally formed, elastically deforms radially outward, and covers the insertion portion in line or point contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope. Since this endoscope protector is formed of an elastic resin, it can be attached to various endoscopes having different diameters. Further, since the endoscope is held by line contact or point contact, moisture can be eliminated without absorbing moisture. Furthermore, since it can be manufactured at a low cost, it is possible to solve sanitary problems by making it disposable.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-72906 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-15901

  However, in the protective sheath of the rigid endoscope of Patent Document 1, the outer diameter size of the distal end portion of the endoscope that can be mounted is limited by the cross-sectional shape of the elastic member fixed inside the sheath. Generally, hospitals and other facilities have multiple types of endoscopes. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a dedicated protector for each endoscope having a different outer diameter size at the tip. Moreover, since the elastic member arrange | positioned inside the protective sheath is not exposed, when the inside is contaminated, washing | cleaning is difficult and it is difficult to fully dry after washing | cleaning. Furthermore, when the protective sheath is attached to the endoscope, a frictional resistance is generated between the elastic member and the endoscope, and it is difficult to perform the attachment appropriately. In addition, there is a possibility that the elastic member may be scraped by a step such as a nozzle provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope during mounting.

  On the other hand, in the endoscope protector of Patent Document 2, one end side is open, but the structure is closed inside. For this reason, there is a drawback that it is difficult to confirm cleaning. In addition, since the structure is complicated, it is difficult to manufacture. Furthermore, even when the endoscope protector is disposable, it can be reused by the user because it has a reusable structure. And, if it is reused without being washed and disinfected, a major problem occurs. In addition, when the endoscope protector is mounted on the endoscope, there is a possibility that the endoscope exterior may be damaged by rubbing between the elastic resin and the endoscope.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, protects the insertion portion from external impact, can be attached to an insertion portion having a different outer diameter, and is inserted when the insertion portion is mounted. It aims at providing the protector for endoscopes which prevents that a part gets damaged.

  The endoscope protector of the present invention includes a pair of openable and closable cover members, and the cover member is configured in a cylindrical shape in a closed state, and includes a distal end side of the insertion portion including a distal end surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope. A protective member for covering; a holding member provided on an inner peripheral surface of the pair of cover members; having a predetermined elastic force for holding the insertion portion in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion; When the cover member is configured to be in a closed state, the cover member is provided with an engaging portion that holds the cover member in a closed state.

  According to this configuration, when the endoscope protector is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, the insertion portion is arranged on the holding member provided on the one cover member in the open state. Next, the other cover member is put on the insertion portion exposed from the one cover member, and is held closed by the engagement portion. Thus, the endoscope protector is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion.

  According to the present invention, the insertion portion is protected from external impact and can be attached to the insertion portion having a different outer diameter, and the insertion portion is prevented from being damaged when mounted on the insertion portion. An endoscope protector can be realized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining an endoscope protector in an open state, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining an endoscope protector in a closed state. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a view showing a state in which an endoscope protector is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and FIG. 5 is an endoscope having a hinge-like fixing portion. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the endoscope protector in an open state provided with a hinge-like fixing portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope protector 1 includes a protection member 2 and a holding member 3. The protective member 2 is formed of a resin member that is hard and excellent in impact resistance. The holding member 3 is an elastic body having a predetermined elasticity. The protection member 2 is composed of semi-cylindrical portions 4 and 5 that are a pair of cover members. One or a plurality of holding members 3 are disposed in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 4 a of the semi-cylindrical portion 4 and in the circumferential direction of the inner circumferential surface 5 a of the semi-cylindrical portion 5. The holding member 3 is an elastic body such as a so-called sponge set to predetermined thickness dimensions, width dimensions, and length dimensions. The density of the sponge is set in consideration of water drainage and elastic force.

  The semi-cylindrical part 4 and the semi-cylindrical part 5 are integrally configured via a connecting part 6 having a notch 6a formed in the longitudinal axis direction. The semi-cylindrical part 4 and the semi-cylindrical part 5 are configured to change from an open state to a closed state with the connecting part 6 interposed therebetween. By bringing the peripheral part dividing surface 4b and the bottom surface part dividing surface 4c of the semicylindrical part 4 into contact with the peripheral part dividing surface 5b and the bottom surface part dividing surface 5c of the semicylindrical part 5, the figure is closed. 2 and a cylindrical protective member 2 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, an engagement convex portion 7 a that constitutes the engagement portion 7 is provided on the peripheral portion dividing surface 4 b of the semicylindrical portion 4. On the other hand, an engagement concave portion 7 b that constitutes the engagement portion 7 is provided on the peripheral portion dividing surface 5 b of the semicylindrical portion 5. The engaging convex part 7a is a convex part of a predetermined shape protruding from the peripheral part dividing surface 4b. The engaging recess 7b has an opening in the peripheral part dividing surface 5b. An engaging convex portion 7a is engaged and disposed in the engaging concave portion 7b. The engagement state holding force of the engagement part 7 is appropriately set according to the size and shape of the engagement step part of the engagement convex part 7a and the engagement concave part 7b, or the engagement distance. The engaging convex portion 7a and the engaging concave portion 7b are formed over the entire surface of the circumferential division surfaces 4b and 5b extending from the protective member opening side end surface 2a to the bottom surface side end surface 2b, or from the protective member opening side end surface 2a to the bottom surface. It is formed to have a predetermined length dimension toward the part-side end surface 2b, or to a predetermined length dimension from the bottom surface part-side end surface 2b toward the protective member opening-side end surface 2a.

  A breaking portion 8 is formed in the peripheral portion 4 d of the semicylindrical portion 4. The destruction part 8 is composed of a pair of groove parts 8a provided in the longitudinal axis direction and a destruction operation part 8b. The groove portion 8a has a predetermined depth dimension, and a thin portion is provided in the peripheral portion 4d. The groove portions 8a are provided at a predetermined interval. The destruction operation part 8b protrudes from the protective member opening side end face 2a by a predetermined amount. The width dimension of the destruction operation part 8b is formed so that each side end surface of the destruction operation part 8b substantially matches the outer method of each groove part 8a.

  A plurality of through holes 9 are provided in the bottom surface portion 4 e of the semicylindrical portion 4 and the bottom surface portion 5 e of the semicylindrical portion 5. In addition, you may make it the structure which provides the several through-hole 9 as shown to the surrounding part 4d of the semi-cylindrical part 4 and the surrounding part 5d of the semi-cylindrical part 5 with the broken line of a figure. Moreover, the notch 6a is provided in the position which opposes the mating surface of the peripheral part division surfaces 4b and 5b across the central axis.

The operation of the endoscope protector 1 configured as described above will be described.
The attachment of the endoscope protector 1 to the insertion portion of the endoscope will be described. In addition, the protector 1 for endoscopes shall be accommodated and provided in the sterilization pack which is not illustrated in an open state.

  First, the user takes out the endoscope protector 1 from the sterilization pack, for example, when the endoscope protector 1 is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope after cleaning and disinfection. And a user arrange | positions the insertion part front end side in the internal peripheral surface 4a of the semi-cylindrical part 4, for example. Then, a part of the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion is placed on the holding member 3 disposed on the inner peripheral surface 4a. At this time, the distal end surface of the insertion portion is close to the bottom surface portion 4e.

  Next, the user moves the engagement concave portion 7b of the semi-cylindrical portion 5 toward the engagement convex portion 7a of the semi-cylindrical portion 4 in order to configure the endoscope protector 1 in the closed state, that is, the cylindrical shape. . As a result, the inner peripheral surface 5 a of the semi-cylindrical part 5 is arranged so as to cover the insertion part exposed from the semi-cylindrical part 4. At this time, the holding member 3 disposed on the inner peripheral surface 5a of the semi-cylindrical portion 5 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion.

  In this state, the user moves the engaging concave portion 7b and the engaging convex portion 7a closer to each other against the elastic force of the holding member 3. Then, the engaging convex portion 7a is engaged and arranged in the engaging concave portion 7b. As a result, the endoscope protector 1 in the closed state is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 10 as shown in FIG. At this time, the plurality of holding members 3 are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 11. In other words, the insertion portion 11 disposed in the endoscope protector 1 is held by the elastic force of the holding member 3.

  The endoscope 10 is moved in a state where the endoscope protector 1 is disposed on the distal end side of the insertion portion 11. At this time, if the distal end side of the insertion portion 11 of the endoscope 10 collides with a wall such as a passage, for example, the endoscope protector 1 attached to the insertion portion 11 collides with the wall. .

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the distal end side of the insertion portion 11 from directly colliding with the wall and prevent the distal end side exterior of the insertion portion 11 from being damaged. Also, the endoscope protector 1 is attached to the insertion portion 11 via the holding member 3. For this reason, the impact at the time of the collision is softened by the holding member 3. Therefore, a large impact is prevented from being transmitted to the built-in object built in the insertion portion 11.

  In the endoscope after washing and disinfection, moisture may adhere to the surface of the insertion portion. Therefore, when the endoscope protector is attached to the insertion portion, a part of the water is absorbed by the holding member 3. The moisture absorbed by the holding member 3 and the moisture adhering to the insertion portion are evaporated to the outside through the through hole 9 and the like with the passage of time.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the endoscope protector 1 is mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion, the distal end side of the insertion portion is first disposed in the inner peripheral surface 4a of the semi-cylindrical portion 4. The endoscope protector 1 may be attached to the insertion portion 11 after the distal end side of the insertion portion is disposed in the inner peripheral surface 5 a of the semi-cylindrical portion 5.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the structure which provides the destruction part 8 in the surrounding part 4d of the semi-cylindrical part 4 is shown, you may make it comprise the destruction part 8 in the surrounding part 5d of the semi-cylindrical part 5. FIG.

  As described above, the endoscope protector includes the protective member having a pair of semi-cylindrical portions and the holding member disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the semi-cylindrical portion. The thickness dimension of the holding member is set in consideration of the diameter dimension of the insertion portion. In addition, the pair of semi-cylindrical portions are integrally formed by a connecting portion having a notch, and the pair of semi-cylindrical portions are configured to change from an open state to a closed state with the connecting portion interposed therebetween. Therefore, when the endoscope protector is mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion, a predetermined mounting state can be obtained without rubbing the insertion portion and the endoscope protector. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the insertion portion from being damaged at the time when the endoscope protector is attached to the insertion portion.

  In addition to the thickness dimension of the holding member, the elastic force is set in consideration of the diameter dimension of the insertion portion to which the endoscope protector is attached. As a result, when the insertion portions having different thicknesses are mounted in the endoscope protector, the holding member is elastically deformed so as to correspond to the thickness. Therefore, the endoscope protector can be attached to the insertion portion in a stable state regardless of changes in the thickness of the insertion portion.

  Furthermore, when the endoscope protector is mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion, if the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope collides with a wall or the like, the endoscope protector changes to the insertion portion. Collide with the wall. Therefore, the insertion portion exterior can be prevented from being damaged. In addition, an endoscope protector is attached to the insertion portion via a holding member. Therefore, the impact at the time of the collision is attenuated by the holding member and transmitted to the insertion portion. For this reason, it can prevent that the built-in thing built in the insertion part is damaged.

  Here, removal of the endoscope protector 1 attached to the insertion portion 11 as shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  When the user uses the endoscope 10, it is necessary to remove the endoscope protector 1 from the insertion portion 11. At that time, the user grasps the destruction operation portion 8b with fingers and pulls the destruction operation portion 8b upward in the figure with a predetermined force. Then, the groove part 8a is formed, and the destruction part 8 provided with the thin part is gradually destroyed. And the destruction operation part 8b is continuously pulled up upwards as shown by the dashed-dotted line in a figure. As a result, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure, the breaking portion 8 provided in the peripheral portion 4d is broken to form the dividing portion 12 in the semi-cylindrical portion 4.

  If the predetermined parting part 12 is formed in the semi-cylindrical part 4, the user can expand the parting part 12 without releasing the engaging state of the engaging part 7, and insert the endoscope protector 1 into the insertion part. Remove from 11 and discard. Thereafter, the user performs observation or treatment using an endoscope.

  Thus, a destruction part is provided in a part of protective member which comprises the protector for endoscopes. And when removing the endoscope protector with which the insertion part was mounted | worn, a destruction operation part is operated suitably and a destruction part is broken and a parting part is formed in a protection member. Thus, the protective member constituting the endoscope protector can be expanded, and the endoscope protector attached to the insertion portion can be smoothly removed from the insertion portion. Further, the removed endoscope protector is in a state in which the destruction portion is broken. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the endoscope protector once used from being reused.

  In addition, although the structure which provides the groove part which comprises a destruction part in the surrounding part is shown in embodiment mentioned above, you may make it provide a groove part to a bottom part. Accordingly, the protective member constituting the endoscope protector can be more easily opened, and the endoscope protector attached to the insertion portion can be smoothly removed.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the structure which provides a through-hole in the protection member which comprises the protector for endoscopes is shown. However, when the endoscope protector is attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope after use, the through hole of the protective member constituting the endoscope protector is not necessary. As a result, when the endoscope is moved from the operating room or the examination room to the washing room, it is possible to prevent body fluid or the like adhering to the endoscope from leaking out.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope protector 1 described above, the holding member 3 is a sponge having a predetermined thickness dimension, width dimension, and length dimension. However, the holding member 3 is not limited to a sponge. The hinge 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be used.

  The endoscope protector 1A shown in the figure includes a hinge 20 as a holding member for holding the insertion portion 11A. The endoscope protector 1A is excellent in impact resistance and is formed of a resin member having elasticity. The hinge 20 has an insertion portion holding portion 21 and an insertion portion outer diameter adjusting portion 22. The shapes of the insertion portion holding portion 21 and the insertion portion outer diameter adjusting portion 22 are configured in a predetermined shape considering that the insertion portion holding portion 21 is elastically deformed toward the substantially central axis direction. The longitudinal length of the hinge 20 is set in consideration of the holding force for holding the insertion portion. In consideration of drainage, a plurality of longitudinal grooves are provided on the holding surface 21 a of the insertion portion holding portion 21. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the protection member and the holding member may be separate members having different characteristics and may be integrally formed.

  When the endoscope protector 1A is attached to the insertion portion 11A shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, or when the insertion portion 11B shown by the alternate long and short dash line is attached to the endoscope protector 1A, the insertion portion holding portion 21 and the insertion portion The outer diameter adjusting portion 22 is elastically deformed, and the holding surface 21a of the insertion portion holding portion 21 is disposed in close contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the insertion portions 11A and 11B with a predetermined holding force. Thus, the insertion portion is stably held by the endoscope protector.

  As a result, the operation of providing the holding member 3 on the inner peripheral surfaces of the semi-cylindrical portions 4 and 5 can be made unnecessary. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The perspective view explaining the protector for endoscopes of an open state The perspective view explaining the protector for endoscopes in a closed state AA line sectional view of FIG. The figure which shows the state which provided the protector for endoscopes in the insertion part front end side of the endoscope The figure explaining the structure of the protector for endoscopes provided with a hinge-shaped fixing | fixed part. The perspective view explaining the protector for endoscopes of an open state provided with a hinge-shaped fixing | fixed part

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope protector 2 ... Protective member 3 ... Holding member 4 ... Semi-cylindrical part 4a ... Inner peripheral surface 4b ... Peripheral part division surface 5 ... Semi-cylindrical part 5a ... Inner peripheral surface 5b ... Peripheral part division surface 6 ... Connection Part 6a ... Notch 7 ... Engagement part 7a ... Engagement convex part 7b ... Engagement concave part 8 ... Destruction part 8a ... Groove part 8b ... Destruction operation part

Claims (3)

A protective member comprising a pair of openable and closable cover members, the cover member being configured in a cylindrical shape in the closed state, and covering the distal end side of the insertion portion including the distal end surface of the insertion portion of the endoscope;
A holding member that is provided on an inner peripheral surface of a pair of cover members and has a predetermined elastic force that holds the insertion portion in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion;
When the pair of cover members are configured in a closed state, an engaging portion that holds the closed state of the cover member;
An endoscope protector comprising:   The protector for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is an engaging convex portion and an engaging concave portion respectively formed on a split surface of the cover member. The breakage part which changes the protection member from the closed state to the open state without releasing the engagement state by the engagement part is provided in the protection member. The endoscope protector as described.

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