JP2008188207A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus which is inserted easily into a thin and complexly bending conduit without deteriorating flexibility of an insertion section and without enlarging the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope 2 which bends in accordance with a subject S and has a distal end section 7 with an observation means for observing a subject S and the flexible insertion section 8 extending from the distal end section 7 to the proximal end side, a first liquid injecting means 5 for injecting liquid F1 from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the endoscope 2, a rod 15 projecting toward the distal end side from the distal section 7 of the endoscope 2, and a first flange 4 provided on the distal end of the rod 15 and having a hood 3 stretching circumferentially. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for observing a subject.

In recent years, in various fields such as the medical field and the industrial field, an endoscope apparatus having an insertion part that can be inserted into a subject is used so that a narrowed part such as a duct that cannot be directly observed by an observer can be observed. Has been. The insertion part of such an endoscope apparatus is required to be flexible so that it can be freely bent inside the subject in order to obtain a good insertion property. However, if a certain degree of flexibility is given, the rigidity is lowered, and it becomes impossible to push the inside of the subject from the proximal end side, resulting in a problem that the insertability is lowered. In order to solve such a problem, the pressurizing tube extends from the proximal end of the insertion portion to the distal end and the distal end portion is formed in a J-shape, and the fluid is sent from the proximal end side to the pressurizing tube. An endoscope apparatus provided with ejection means having a syringe has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this endoscope apparatus, by sending a fluid to the pressurizing tube by a syringe, the delivered fluid is ejected toward the proximal end side at the distal end of the insertion portion, and thereby propelling force is applied to the distal end of the insertion portion. It is said that it is possible to generate and insert the insertion part into the subject.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-313443

  However, in the endoscope apparatus of Patent Document 1, in order to eject the fluid from the distal end of the pressurizing tube having a pressure necessary as a means for generating a propulsive force, it is formed in a long shape along the insertion portion. It is necessary to make the inner diameter of the pressurizing tube a certain size or more so that there is no pressure loss in the pressurizing tube. However, increasing the thickness of the pressurizing tube to ensure the necessary propulsive force reduces the flexibility of the insertion section, and as a result, it is difficult to insert into a narrow and complicatedly bent pipe. There was a problem that would become. It is also possible to prepare a large syringe capable of delivering a high-pressure fluid so that a sufficient driving force can be generated even if a pressure loss occurs in the pressurizing tube. However, there was a problem that would increase the size.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and is a thin and complicatedly bent pipe line without reducing the flexibility of the insertion section and without increasing the size of the entire apparatus. However, an endoscope apparatus that can be easily inserted is provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention has a distal end portion having observation means capable of observing a subject, and extends from the distal end portion to the proximal end side, and has flexibility and can be bent according to the subject. An endoscope comprising an insertion portion; first fluid ejecting means for ejecting fluid from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the endoscope; a rod projecting from the distal end portion of the endoscope toward the distal end side; It is provided with the 1st collar part which has the hood which is provided in the front-end | tip of a rod and projects on the outer peripheral side.

According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the endoscope is arranged inside the subject so that the subject can be observed by the observation means at the distal end by bending the insertion portion according to the subject. Established. If the fluid is ejected from the first fluid ejecting means in this state, the fluid is guided to the subject from the proximal end side of the endoscope to the distal end side, and located closer to the distal end side than the distal end portion. It is injected into the hood of the first buttocks projecting outward. At this time, since the fluid passes through the inside of the subject, the fluid can be jetted onto the first hood hood while suppressing pressure loss. For this reason, a propulsive force is given to the hood of the first buttocks by the fluid to be jetted, and by this propulsive force, the first buttocks are inserted in advance and then along the first buttocks The endoscope can be inserted, or the endoscope can be inserted together with the first buttocks.
Here, in this endoscope apparatus, the first end portion having the hood is provided on the distal end side of the endoscope, and the proximal end of the endoscope is provided by the first fluid ejecting means as means for generating a propulsive force. Only the fluid is ejected from the side, and the outer diameter of the endoscope can be minimized. For this reason, it is possible to insert the endoscope based on the propulsive force applied to the first collar while ensuring the flexibility of the insertion portion, and it is possible to improve the insertability.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, the rod of the first collar portion has flexibility, and a proximal end side is disposed so as to advance and retreat in the axial direction along the distal end portion and the insertion portion. It is considered preferable.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the rod of the first collar portion is connected to the hood on the distal end side, and the proximal end side is disposed so as to be able to advance and retract in the axial direction with respect to the endoscope. ing. For this reason, a propelling force is given to the hood of the first collar part by the fluid ejected from the first fluid ejecting means, so that the hood and the rod constituting the first collar part are self-flexible. Depending on the nature, it is inserted into the distal end side while being curved according to the shape of the subject. Then, after the first collar is inserted by the first fluid ejecting means, if the endoscope is pushed in from the proximal side, the rod of the first collar inserted in advance is used as a guide, and the rod The endoscope can be inserted while being deformed according to the curved state.

Furthermore, in the above endoscope apparatus, the rod of the first collar portion is inserted into a channel communicating from the proximal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope to the distal end of the distal end portion and protrudes toward the distal end side. It is considered preferable.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the outer diameter of the endoscope from being increased by inserting the rod of the first buttocks into the channel of the endoscope. Even if the subject is an elongated duct, it can be suitably inserted.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, it is more preferable that the first collar portion has a pressing unit that projects to the outer peripheral side of the hood and can press the subject.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the hood can be fixed to the subject by pressing the subject with the pressing means. For this reason, when inserting an endoscope using the rod of the 1st collar part as a guide, it can prevent that the 1st collar part follows and moves and can improve insertability.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, the rod of the first collar portion may be fixed to the endoscope.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the rod of the first collar portion is fixed to the endoscope. For this reason, a driving force is given to the hood of the first buttocks by the fluid ejected from the first fluid ejecting means, so that the endoscope can be inserted together with the first buttocks.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, it is more preferable to include a second collar portion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope and projecting to the outer peripheral side.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the fluid ejected from the first fluid ejecting means is ejected not only to the hood of the first buttocks but also to the second buttocks. For this reason, a driving force can be given to the front-end | tip part or insertion part of an endoscope via a 2nd collar part, and an endoscope can also be inserted.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, it is more preferable to include a sealing means for sealing the entrance side of the subject.
According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the fluid ejected by the first fluid ejecting means from leaking from the entrance by sealing the entrance side of the subject by the sealing means. it can. For this reason, the endoscope can be inserted by efficiently converting the fluid ejected from the first fluid ejecting means into a propulsive force.

In the endoscope apparatus described above, it is more preferable to include a second fluid ejecting unit that ejects a fluid from the hood of the first collar part in a predetermined direction on the outer peripheral side.
According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the hood is guided in the direction opposite to the direction of the ejected fluid by the reaction force by ejecting the fluid from the hood to the outer peripheral side by the second fluid ejecting means. be able to. For this reason, for example, a branch pipe can be inserted in a desired direction.

  Further, in the endoscope apparatus described above, at least one or more concentric members disposed concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, with respect to the insertion portion, and each other, More preferably, it includes a flexible outer tube that can be advanced and retracted, and a fixing means that removably fixes the outer tube to the other outer tube or the insertion portion positioned on the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side. It is said that.

  According to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the endoscope tube is inserted in a state where the exterior tube and the insertion portion that are sheathed on the insertion portion are fixed by the fixing means, so that the outer tube is constant up to a certain depth. It is possible to insert the endoscope with the rigidity of. Further, the slipperiness can be improved according to the material of the outer tube. Then, when the insertion becomes impossible due to the curved shape of the subject, only the endoscope is inserted while being deformed according to the flexibility of the insertion portion by releasing the fixation by the fixing means. be able to. At this time, since the outer periphery of the insertion portion is covered with the outer tube curved according to the shape of the subject, the outer tube is guided to the outer tube while ensuring a certain slipperiness according to the material of the outer tube. It can insert suitably. In addition, when a plurality of exterior tubes are provided, it is more preferable that they can be inserted while releasing the fixing by the fixing means sequentially from the outside.

  According to the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, by providing the first collar portion having the hood and the first fluid ejecting means, the necessary propulsive force can be obtained without reducing the flexibility of the insertion portion. The first hood hood can be reliably transmitted and inserted, and the insertability can be improved. For this reason, even a narrow and complicatedly bent pipe line can be easily inserted. Moreover, the pressure loss of the fluid ejected from the fluid ejecting means can be minimized, and the entire apparatus can be prevented from becoming large.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show an endoscope apparatus 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an endoscope 2 that is inserted into a subject S, and a buttock (first buttock) having a hood 3 that is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope 2. ) 4 and fluid ejecting means (first fluid ejecting means) 5 capable of ejecting compressed air F1 as a fluid.

  The endoscope 2 includes a distal end portion 7 having a CCD and an objective lens 6 (not shown) that are observation means capable of observing the subject S, an elongated insertion portion 8 extending from the distal end portion 7 to the proximal end side, and an insertion portion 8. The operation part 9 provided in the base end side of this and the main-body part 10 connected to the operation part 9 are provided. On the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end portion 7, the light guide 11 disposed inside the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 is exposed together with the objective lens 6. On the other hand, the main body unit 10 includes a display unit 10 a connected to a CCD provided inside the distal end portion 7 by an imaging cable (not shown) disposed inside the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8, a light guide 11, and the like. And a connected light source unit 10b. For this reason, the distal end side is illuminated from the light guide 11 exposed to the distal end surface 7a of the distal end portion 7 with illumination light supplied from the light source unit 10b of the main body unit 10, and an image of the subject S imaged by the CCD is obtained. The subject S can be observed by being displayed on the display unit 10 a of the main body unit 10.

  The insertion portion 8 is provided with a flexible tube portion 8a that is flexible and can be bent according to the subject S, and is provided on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion 8a. And a bendable bending portion 8b. The operation unit 9 is provided with a joystick 9a, which can bend the bending portion 8b freely in the radial direction. Furthermore, the endoscope 2 has a channel 2 a that communicates from the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end portion 7 to the opening 9 b of the operation portion 9 via the insertion portion 8.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flange portion 4 is inserted through the channel 2 a of the endoscope 2 at the proximal end side, and protrudes from the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2. The guide wire 15 which is a rod and the hood 3 connected to the tip 15a of the guide wire 15 are provided. The hood 3 is a substantially hemispherical member that protrudes from the distal end 15a of the guide wire 15 to the outer peripheral side and has a distal end surface 3a formed into a curved surface. Although not shown, the base end side of the hood 3 is formed on a concave surface. The hood 3 is formed of a transparent member so that the front end side can be observed by the CCD. The outer diameter of the hood 3 is not limited, but it is more preferable to set the outer diameter of the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 to be substantially equal to or smaller than the outer diameter. By doing in this way, as long as the subject S has an internal space larger than the outer diameter of the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2, there is no restriction due to the shape of the hood 3. This is because the endoscope 2 can be inserted and observed. Furthermore, when the endoscope 2 is pulled out from the subject S, it is easy for the endoscope 2 to be pulled out without being caught by the subject S. Note that this is not the case when the size of the internal space of the subject S is considerably larger than the outer diameter of the endoscope 2.

  The guide wire 15 has a certain rigidity so that it can be moved back and forth inside the subject S, and has a flexibility that can be bent in accordance with the subject S. As shown in FIG. 1, the proximal end side of the guide wire 15 is inserted through the channel 2 a and protrudes from the opening 9 b of the operation unit 9. A stopper 16 is provided in the opening 9 b of the operation unit 9, and it is possible to switch between a state in which the guide wire 15 is fixed to the operation unit 9 and a state in which the guide wire 15 is not fixed. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stopper 16 includes a shaft-like main body portion 16a inserted through a through hole 9c that communicates the outside with the channel 2a, and an external portion from the through hole 9c of the main body portion 16a. And a flange portion 16b formed at one end portion protruding from the end portion. An annular groove 16 c is formed in the main body 16 a of the stopper 16. An O-ring 16d is fitted in the groove 16c, and the through hole 9c is hermetically sealed by the O-ring 16d. On the other hand, a recess 9d is formed at a position facing the through hole 9c in the channel 2a, and the tip of the main body 16a of the stopper 16 can be protruded and submerged. Further, an insertion hole 16 e through which the guide wire 15 is inserted is formed in the main body portion 16 a of the stopper 16. Further, a spring 17 is interposed as a biasing means between the flange portion 16b of the stopper 16 and the one surface 9e of the operation portion 9 facing the flange portion 16b. The stopper 16 is externally provided through the through hole 9c. It is energized towards. On the other hand, a locking member 18 is attached to one surface 9 e of the operation portion 9, and one end portion 18 a locks the flange portion 16 b of the stopper 16 so as to face the spring 17. When the flange portion 16b of the stopper 16 is locked to the locking member 18, the insertion hole 16e of the main body portion 16a is disposed at a position eccentric from the channel 2a. For this reason, the guide wire 15 inserted through the insertion hole 16e is sandwiched between the stopper 16 and the operation portion 9 forming the channel 2a, that is, the guide wire 15 advances and retreats inside the channel 2a. Is in a regulated state. On the other hand, if the stopper 16 is pressed against the spring 17 from the outside, the tip of the stopper 16 is immersed in the recess 9d, and the insertion hole 16e of the main body 16a is arranged coaxially with the channel 2a. Therefore, the guide wire 15 is in a state where it can advance and retract in the axial direction with respect to the inside of the channel 2a, that is, the endoscope 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid ejecting means 5 includes an air compressor 20 that can discharge the compressed air F <b> 1, an air tube 21 that guides the compressed air F <b> 1 discharged from the air compressor 20, and a tip of the air tube 21. And a cock 22 that can be switched on and off the injection of the compressed air F1. The air compressor 20 of the fluid ejecting means 5 is separate from the main body 10 of the endoscope 2, but the air compressor 20 may be built in the main body 10 and integrated.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the endoscope apparatus 1 is inserted into the duct S1 as the subject S as shown in FIGS. First, the endoscope 2 is pushed and inserted from the distal end portion 7 into the interior S2 of the pipe line S1. At this time, the insertion portion 8 disposed on the proximal end side of the distal end portion 7 includes the flexible tube portion 8a having flexibility, so that the insertion portion 8 has a shape along the shape of the pipe line S1 and is inserted. It will be done. Moreover, in the collar part 4, the insertion resistance can be suppressed to the minimum because the front end surface 3a of the hood 3 is formed in a curved surface. When the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 is disposed for a certain length in the interior S2 of the pipe line S1, the endoscope 2 is then inserted by the compressed air F1 ejected from the fluid ejecting means 5. I will let you. In this embodiment, as a method of inserting the endoscope 2 by the compressed air F1, a first method of inserting the hood 3 of the heel part 4 in advance, and an endoscope together with the hood 3 of the heel part 4 are used. There is a second method in which the mirror 2 is inserted. The following first method and second method will be described in order.

  First, the first method will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion of the air tube 21 of the fluid ejecting means 5 is disposed at the proximal end S3 of the pipeline S1 in a state where the insertion portion 8 is disposed inside the pipeline S1. Here, in FIG. 1, the stopper 16 is pressed so that the guide wire 15 of the collar portion 4 can be advanced and retracted in the channel 2 a. Next, in the fluid ejecting means 5, the compressed air F <b> 1 is ejected from the air compressor 20 into the inside S <b> 2 of the pipe line S <b> 1 by operating the cock 22. The injected compressed air F <b> 1 is guided to the distal end side by the pipe line S <b> 1 and is ejected to the proximal end side of the hood 3 disposed on the distal end side of the distal end portion 7. For this reason, a propulsive force is given to the front end side of the hood 3 of the collar part 4 by the compressed air F1 injected. In addition, since the base end surface of the hood 3 is formed in a concave shape, the injected compressed air can be efficiently converted into a propulsive force.

  Then, the guide wire 15 to which the hood 3 is connected can advance and retreat in the channel 2a, so that, as shown in FIG. Prior to the endoscope 2, the guide wire 15 is inserted into the distal end side in a shape along the shape of the pipe line S1 by its own flexibility. Next, at the proximal end S3 of the pipeline S1, the insertion portion 8 or the operation portion 9 is grasped and the endoscope 2 is pushed into the distal end side of the pipeline S1. Here, the stopper 16 is pressed so that the guide wire 15 of the collar portion 4 can be advanced and retracted in the channel 2a, and the guide wire 15 is not moved inside the subject S together with the insertion portion 8. The 15 base ends 15b are held. Therefore, the guide wire 15 leads the insertion of the endoscope 2 only in the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 constituting the endoscope 2 while the hood 3 and the guide wire 15 constituting the collar portion 4 are stationary. It will be inserted toward the hood 3 positioned on the distal end side. At this time, the guide wire 15 is inserted into the channel 2a of the endoscope 2 so as to be able to advance and retreat, so that the endoscope 2 is deformed according to the curved state of the guide wire 15 using the guide wire 15 as a guide. Can be inserted suitably.

  Next, the second method will be described. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, in the same manner as the first method, the air tube 21 of the fluid ejecting means 5 is connected to the proximal end S3 of the pipeline S1 with the insertion portion 8 disposed inside the pipeline S1. Place the tip. Here, the guide wire 15 is locked by the stopper 16 without pressing the stopper 16 so that the channel 2a cannot advance or retract. Next, the compressed air F <b> 1 is injected to the base end side of the hood 3 by injecting the compressed air F <b> 1 by the fluid ejecting unit 5, thereby generating a propulsive force in the hood 3. Here, since the guide wire 15 is locked by the stopper 16, the propulsive force given by the compressed air F <b> 1 is transmitted to the operation unit 9, and the endoscope 2 as a whole is distally moved together with the hood 3 of the collar unit 4. It will be inserted to the side. If the stopper 16 is pressed to temporarily move the guide wire 15 of the collar part 4 relative to the endoscope 2, the hood 3 of the collar part 4 and the distal end part 7 of the endoscope 2 Can be adjusted. For this reason, the hood 3 of the collar part 4 can be arrange | positioned in a suitable position with respect to the front-end | tip part 7 of the endoscope 2, and a thrust can be generated with the compressed air F1.

  As described above, the subject 4 can be applied to the subject S in either of the above two methods by the collar 4 having the hood 3 disposed on the distal end side of the distal end 7 of the endoscope 2 and the fluid ejecting means 5. It can insert suitably. At this time, the pipe S1 through which the compressed air F1 passes can ensure a larger cross-sectional area than the case where the pipe for guiding the compressed air F1 is piped inside the endoscope 2. The loss can be suppressed and the compressed air F1 can be injected, and a propulsive force can be generated effectively. Here, as the collar portion 4, only the guide wire 15 is inserted into the channel 2 a and the hood 3 is attached to the distal end 15 a with respect to the endoscope 2, and fluid ejecting means is used as means for generating propulsive force. 5, the compressed air F1 is only ejected from the proximal end side of the endoscope 2, that is, it is not necessary to provide the endoscope 2 with a conduit for sending fluid to the distal end side. For this reason, while ensuring the flexibility of the flexible tube portion 8a of the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2, the necessary propulsive force can be reliably transmitted to the hood 3 of the collar portion 4 and inserted. In other words, it is possible to easily insert even a narrow and complicatedly bent pipe line. Further, since the compressed air F1 is injected into the inside S2 of the pipe line S1 as described above, the pressure loss is suppressed, and therefore, the compressed air F1 may be injected with the minimum pressure. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the hood 3 of the collar portion 4 is formed of a transparent member so that the distal end side can be observed by the CCD provided at the distal end portion 7. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the hood 3 of the collar 4 is separated from the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2, the subject S can be observed between the distal end portion 7 and the hood 3. In addition, as in the present embodiment, the guide wire 15 of the collar portion 4 can be attached to and detached from the endoscope 2 by the stopper 16 so that the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2 can be observed when observing. It is good also as what makes the food | hood 3 of the collar part 4 space apart.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the guide wire 15 of the collar part 4 shall be penetrated by the channel 2a of the endoscope 2, it is not restricted to this. FIG. 6 shows a modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the flange portion 25 of this modification is disposed along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 2 on the distal end side of the endoscope 2, and the distal end side is the distal end of the endoscope 2. The guide wire 26 which protrudes from the front end surface 7a of the part 7 and the hood 3 connected to the front end 26a of the guide wire 26 are provided. A plurality of substantially C-shaped guide members 27 are fixed to the guide wire 26. The guide member 27 can be elastically expanded in diameter and can be externally mounted on the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2, and can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction of the endoscope 2 while being externally mounted. Thus, even if the guide wire 26 of the collar portion 25 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the endoscope 2, the guide member 27 can advance and retract in the axial direction with respect to the endoscope 2. It is possible to insert the endoscope 2 by one method or the second method.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the endoscope apparatus 30 of this embodiment further includes a sealing unit 31 that hermetically seals the entrance side of the subject S. More specifically, the sealing means 31 is a balloon 32 that can be expanded in diameter by sending compressed air, an air compressor 33 that can discharge compressed air, and the compressed air discharged from the air compressor 33 to the balloon 32. The air tube 34 is provided. In the present embodiment, the air compressor 33 is used by the sealing means 31 and the fluid ejecting means 5. That is, the air compressor 33 is provided with a changeover switch 33a, and can be switched between when compressed air is discharged to the balloon 32 as the sealing means 31 and when compressed air is discharged as the fluid ejecting means 5. ing.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 30 according to this embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the endoscope apparatus 30 is inserted into the duct S10 which is the subject S as shown in FIG. The pipe S10 is a pipe having insertion ports S11 and S12 and two inlets, and communicates from both the insertion ports S11 and S12 to the pipe tip S14 by a branch S13. In such a case, first, one insertion port S11 is selected, the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 is disposed inside the conduit S10, and the air tube of the fluid ejecting means 5 is inserted into the insertion port S11. The tip of 21 is arranged. Next, the balloon 32 of the sealing means 31 is arranged in the other insertion port S12. Then, the compressed air is sent to the balloon 32 by the air compressor 33 to expand the diameter of the balloon 32, and is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the pipe line S10, whereby the other insertion port S12 is hermetically sealed. Next, the changeover switch 33a of the air compressor 33 is switched, and the compressed air F1 is ejected from the one insertion port S11 as the fluid ejecting means 5 by the operation of the cock 22. Thereby, in the state where the stopper 16 is released, the endoscope 2 can be inserted by the second method described above when the guide wire 15 is locked by the stopper 16 by the first method described above. it can. Here, the other insertion port S12 is hermetically sealed by the sealing means 31, so that the compressed air F1 injected from the tip of the air tube 21 does not leak from the branch S13 to the other insertion port S12. Then, it flows into the pipe front end S14 side. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently and reliably generate a propulsive force with the compressed air F1 and insert the endoscope 2 into the pipe distal end S14 side.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. 9 to 12 show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope apparatus 40 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 2, and a hook part (first hook part) 42 having a hood 41 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope 2. The first fluid ejecting means 44 capable of ejecting compressed air F1 as fluid and the second fluid ejecting means 45 for ejecting compressed air F2 as fluid in a predetermined direction on the outer peripheral side from the hood 41 are provided. Note that the first fluid ejecting means 44 has the same configuration as the fluid ejecting means 5 described in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

  The buttocks (first buttocks) 42 are rods whose proximal end is inserted into the channel 2 a of the endoscope 2 and whose distal end protrudes from the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end 7 of the endoscope 2. A guide tube 43 and the hood 41 connected to the tip 43a of the guide tube 43 are provided. The guide tube 43 is a substantially tubular member having a certain rigidity so that the guide tube 43 can be advanced and retracted inside the subject S and having a flexibility capable of bending according to the subject S. The guide tube 43 has a distal end 43 a protruding from the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end portion 7 and a proximal end 43 b protruding from the opening 9 b of the operation portion 9.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the hood 41 is a substantially hemispherical, transparent material having a distal end surface 41a formed in a curved surface and a recess 41b formed on the proximal end side, as in the first embodiment. It is formed with. Further, a connection port 41d is formed in the axial direction on the bottom surface 41c of the recess 41b of the hood 41. The front end 43 a of the guide tube 43 is fitted into the connection port 41 d, whereby the hood 41 is connected to the guide tube 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a plurality of delivery holes 41 e that open toward the outer peripheral side are formed in the distal end surface 41 a of the hood 41 in the circumferential direction. Each delivery hole 41e communicates with the connection port 41d. A plurality of air tubes 46 are disposed inside the guide tube 43 in correspondence with the delivery holes 41e. Here, in the case of the present embodiment, three feed holes 41e of the hood 41 and three air tubes 46 are provided. And the front-end | tip 46a of the air tube 46 is inserted in each corresponding delivery hole 41e inside the connection port 41d, and is connected with the outer peripheral side of the food | hood 41 via the delivery hole 41e by this. Each base end 46 b of each of the plurality of air tubes 46 protrudes from the base end 43 b of the guide tube 43 and is connected to the fluid discharge part 47. The fluid discharge unit 47 includes a pump 48a that discharges the compressed air F2 as a fluid and a regulator 48b that adjusts the pressure of the compressed air F2 discharged from the pump 48a, and can send the compressed air F2 at a predetermined pressure. is there. From the regulator 48b, the compressed air F2 can be sent to each air tube 46 through the joint 48c. Further, an openable / closable valve 48d is provided between the joint 48c and each air tube 46. Each valve 48d is electrically connected to the valve controller 48e. A power supply 48fa is electrically connected to the valve control unit 48e, and a joystick 49 is connected thereto. That is, in the fluid discharge part 47, under the operation by the joystick 49 and the control by the valve control part 48e, each valve 48d is opened and closed to send the compressed air F2 to a predetermined air tube 46, and through the air tube 46 The compressed air F2 can be ejected from the corresponding delivery hole 41e in a predetermined direction on the outer peripheral side of the hood 41. That is, the second fluid ejection is performed by the fluid discharge portion 47, the air tube 46, and the delivery hole 41e. The means 45 is comprised.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 40 of this embodiment will be described by taking as an example a case where the endoscope apparatus 40 is inserted into a duct S20 that is a subject S as shown in FIG. In the pipeline S20, the first pipeline S21, the second pipeline S22, and the third pipeline S23 are connected by a branch S24. Then, in the pipeline S20, the endoscope 2 is inserted from the first pipeline S21 into the second pipeline S22 via the branch S24. In this case, first, the hood 41 and the endoscope 2 until the hood 41 of the collar portion 42 reaches the branch S24 by the first fluid ejecting means 44 by either the first method or the second method as described above. Will be inserted. Next, the pump 48 a of the fluid discharge unit 47 is driven in the second fluid ejecting means 45. Then, by operating the joystick 49, one of the valves 48d is opened, and the compressed air F2 is injected from the desired delivery hole 41e. Here, since the hood 41 is inserted into the second pipeline S22 side, the compressed air F2 is selectively injected from the delivery hole 41e facing the opposite side of the second pipeline S22. For this reason, the hood 41 is guided to the second pipeline S22 side by the reaction force injecting the compressed air F2, and the hood 41 of the collar 42 and the endoscope 2 are moved to the second pipeline S22. Can be inserted easily.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 13 to 15 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the endoscope apparatus 50 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 2, a collar part (first collar part) 51, and a fluid ejecting means (not shown) capable of ejecting compressed air as a fluid. First fluid ejecting means). The flange 51 is connected to a guide tube 52 that is a rod that is inserted into the channel 2 a of the endoscope 2 and protrudes from the distal end surface 7 a of the distal end 7 of the endoscope 2, and the distal end 52 a of the guide tube 52. A hood 53, and a pressing means 54 that projects to the outer peripheral side of the hood 53 and can press the subject S. The guide tube 52 is a substantially tubular member that has a certain rigidity so that it can be advanced and retracted inside the subject S, and has flexibility that can be bent in accordance with the subject S. And although not shown in figure, the base end of the guide tube 52 protrudes from the opening part 9b of the operation part 9, and is connected with the air compressor.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the hood 53 includes a substantially cylindrical hood main body 55, and a connection pipe 56 that connects the hood main body 55 and the tip 52 a of the guide tube 52. The hood body 55 has a distal end surface 55a formed in a curved surface and a recess 55b formed on the proximal end side. And the connection port 55d is formed in the axial direction in the bottom face 55c of the recessed part 55b. In the hood main body 55, a delivery hole 55f is formed between the connection port 55d and the outer peripheral surface 55e. Further, a female screw 55g is formed on the distal end side of the connection port 55d. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the connecting pipe 56 is formed with a male screw 56a that can be screwed into the female screw 55g on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end, and on the proximal side of the male screw 56a. An O-ring 56b is externally fitted. In addition, a vent hole 56c communicating to the inner peripheral side is formed in a part of the range where the male screw 56a is formed. The hood main body 55 and the connection pipe 56 are integrated with each other by inserting the connection pipe 56 into the connection port 55d in the hood main body 55 and screwing the male screw 56a of the connection pipe 56 into the female screw 55g of the hood main body 55. It has become. Further, in this state, the connection port 55d is hermetically sealed by the O-ring 56b, and the connection pipe 56 and the delivery hole 55f are communicated with each other through the vent hole 56c. Further, a substantially annular convex portion 56d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the connecting tube 56, and a distal end 52a of the guide tube 52 is externally fitted so as to cover the convex portion 56d. And the connection pipe 56 and the guide tube 52 are airtightly connected by tightening and fixing the outer peripheral surface of the front end 52a of the guide tube 52 with a thread winding adhesive 56e.

  In addition, the outer peripheral surface 55e of the hood main body 55 is covered with a flexible cylindrical member 57 made of, for example, rubber. The cylindrical member 57 is fastened and fixed to the hood main body 55 from the outer peripheral surface by a thread-wound adhesive 57c at the distal end side outer edge 57a and the proximal end side outer edge 57b. For this reason, a space 57d communicating with the delivery hole 55f is formed between the outer peripheral surface 55e of the hood body 55 and the cylindrical member 57. For this reason, if compressed air is sent to the space 57d through the guide tube 52, the connecting pipe 56 and the delivery hole 55f by an air compressor (not shown), the cylindrical member 57 expands and protrudes toward the outer peripheral side to press the subject S. That is, the pressing means 54 is constituted by an air compressor and a cylindrical member 57 (not shown). Then, by pressing the subject S with the pressing means 54 in this way, the hood 53 of the buttock 51 can be fixed to the subject S. For this reason, when the endoscope 2 is inserted using the guide tube 52 as a guide after the hood 53 is inserted by the compressed air in the first method, the guide tube 52 and the guide tube 52 constituting the collar portion 51 together with the endoscope 2 and It is possible to prevent the hood 53 from moving following, and to improve the insertability.

  16 to 18 show a first modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, in the endoscope apparatus 60 of this modification, the guide belt 62 of the flange 61 is substantially tubular and sends out compressed air for expanding the space 57 d of the pressing means 54 inside. It is a strip-shaped member having a possible pipe line 62b and having a substantially rectangular cross section. Further, the connection port 55d of the hood main body 55 is also formed to have a substantially rectangular cross section, and the tip end portion 62a of the guide belt 62 is inserted. Further, the hood body 55 is formed with a screw hole 55h from the outer peripheral side to the tip of the connection port 55d, and the guide belt 62 is sandwiched between fixing screws 55i screwed into the screw holes 55h, thereby the hood body 55. It is fixed to. The pipeline 62b for sending the compressed air inside the guide belt 62 forms an opening 62c at a position corresponding to the delivery hole 55f of the hood main body 55 at the distal end portion 62a, and communicates with the delivery hole 55f. Further, in the distal end portion 62a of the guide belt 62, an O-ring 62d is fitted on each of the distal end side and the proximal end side of the opening 62c, and the gap between the connection port 55d and the guide belt 62 is airtight. Is sealed.

  Further, in the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2, a recess 7b that opens to the distal end surface 7a is formed at a position that communicates with the channel 2a in the radial direction. The recess 7b of the tip 7 is provided with a worm 63 which is a shaft member disposed substantially parallel to the guide belt 62 inserted through the channel 2a and has teeth 63a formed in a screw shape on the outer peripheral surface. In addition, a motor 64 that rotates the worm 63 is disposed inside the distal end portion 7. The motor 64 and the operation part provided on the proximal end side of the insertion part 8 are connected by an electric wire 65, and thereby the ON / OFF and rotation direction of the motor 64 can be switched by the operation part. Further, the motor 64 is provided with an electromagnetic clutch (not shown) and can freely rotate around the axis when not driven. In the guide belt 62, teeth 62e are formed on the entire surface of the guide belt 62 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the worm 63, and mesh with the teeth 63a of the worm 63. Therefore, by driving the motor 64 to rotate, the guide belt 62 can be advanced and retracted in the axial direction according to the rotational direction.

  In the endoscope apparatus 60 of this modified example, a propulsive force is applied to the hood 53 of the flange 61 when the compressed air is ejected by the fluid ejecting means. At this time, by not driving the motor 64, the worm 63 can be freely rotated. Therefore, the hood 53 and the guide belt 62 are inserted into the distal end side by the propulsive force applied to the hood 53. . Next, similarly to the above, the subject S is pressed by the pressing means 54, and the hood 53 of the buttock 61 is fixed to the subject S. When the worm 63 is rotated by driving the motor 64 in this state, the hood 53 and the guide belt 62 are relatively drawn into the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2 according to the rotation direction. At this time, since the hood 53 is fixed to the subject S by the pressing means 54, the endoscope 2 is drawn into the hood 53, that is, the endoscope 2 is inserted on the distal end side. It will be done. Thus, the endoscope 2 can be inserted by power by providing the worm 63 and the motor 64 as a driving source at the distal end portion 7. Further, since the worm 63 is provided at the distal end portion 7 and the endoscope 2 can be inserted so as to be pulled on the distal end side, the insertability is improved as compared with the push-in insertion from the proximal end side. Can do. The worm 63 may be rotated by driving the motor 64 so as to send the hood 53 and the guide belt 62 forward in conjunction with the jetting of the compressed air F1 from the air compressor 20. As described above, the hood 53 and the guide belt 62 are sent to the tip side by the driving force of the motor 64 together with the propulsive force by the compressed air F1, so that the feeding can be performed more reliably. In this case, further, the insertion can be performed more efficiently by changing the speed at which the hood 53 and the guide belt 62 are sent out by the motor 64 according to the injection amount (injection pressure) of the compressed air F1 injected by the air compressor 20.

  19 and 20 show a second modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the endoscope 66 of this modification, the teeth 63a of the worm 63 and the guide belt 62 are normally meshed with each other. On the other hand, when a switch (not shown) is pressed to drive the cam motor 67, the cam 69 supporting the motor 64 is rotated about the shaft 68, whereby the worm 63 is displaced together with the motor 64 to be separated from the guide belt 62. It becomes like this. In this way, the worm 63 can be separated from the guide belt 62 so that the hood 53 can be selectively moved forward and backward, whereby insertion with the compressed air F1 is performed with less resistance. be able to.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 21 and 22 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the endoscope apparatus 70 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 2, a first flange 72 having a hood 71 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope 2, and A second flange 73 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 2 and projecting to the outer peripheral side, and a fluid ejecting means (first fluid ejecting means) 5 capable of ejecting compressed air F1 as a fluid are provided. The first collar 72 is inserted into the channel 2a of the endoscope 2 at the proximal end side, and a guide wire 74 that is a rod protruding from the distal end surface 7a of the distal end portion 7 of the endoscope 2, and a guide A substantially spherical hood 71 connected to the tip 74a of the wire 74. Further, the second collar 73 is disposed on the distal end side of the hood 76 and the hood 76 that is externally fitted to the distal end portion 7 or the insertion portion 8 constituting the endoscope 2, and the hood 76 is disposed on the endoscope 2. And a fixing member 77 that is locked in the axial direction. The hood 76 is a substantially cylindrical member, and a fixed portion 76a that is set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the distal end portion 7 and the insertion portion 8 that are externally fitted, and a main body that is expanded in diameter from the fixed portion 76a toward the proximal end side. Part 76b. The fixing portion 76a and the main body portion 76b are continuously formed with a notch 76c in the axial direction, and the hood 76 can be externally fitted to the endoscope 2 by opening the notch 76c. . Similarly, the fixing member 77 is a substantially cylindrical member having a substantially C-shaped cross section in which a notch 77a is formed, and is formed of an elastic material such as metal. The fixing member 77 is set to have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the fixing portion 76a of the hood 76. The fixing member 77 is elastically restored by opening the notch 77a and fitting the fixing member 76a outside. It is possible to fix the fixing portion 76a of the hood 76 in the axial direction with respect to the endoscope 2 by tightening from the above.

  In this endoscope apparatus 70, when the compressed air F1 is injected by the fluid injection means 5, a part of the compressed air F1 is injected into the hood 76 of the second flange 73, and in addition to the compressed air F1. A part of the gas passes through the outer peripheral side of the hood 76 of the second collar 73 and is injected to the hood 71 of the first collar 72. For this reason, while injecting the compressed air F1 to the hood 71 of the first collar 72 to generate a propulsive force, the endoscope 2 is inserted by the first method or the second method, and the second The hood 76 of the collar portion 73 can also generate a propulsive force and transmit the propulsive force to the endoscope 2 via the fixing member 77 to insert the endoscope 2, thereby improving the insertability. it can. In the present embodiment, the hood 71 of the first flange 72 is substantially spherical. However, the propulsive force can be obtained by injecting the compressed air F1 even if the hood 71 has a recess on the proximal end side. Can be generated. Moreover, since the 2nd collar part 73 is comprised by the food | hood 76 and the fixing member 77, the 2nd collar part 73 in the endoscope 2 is changed by changing the position which the fixing member 77 fits outside. It can be fixed at a suitable position in the axial direction.

  23 and 24 show a modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, an endoscope apparatus 80 according to this modification includes an endoscope 2, a first collar 82 having a hood 81 arranged on the distal end side of the endoscope 2, and an endoscope. 2 is provided with a plurality of second flanges 83 provided on the outer peripheral surface and projecting to the outer peripheral side, and fluid ejecting means (not shown) capable of ejecting compressed air F1 as fluid. In the present modification, two second collar portions 83 are provided at different positions in the axial direction of the endoscope 2. As shown in FIG. 24, each second collar 83 includes a substantially cylindrical hood 84 and a fixing means 85 that fixes the hood 84 to the endoscope 2. The hood 84 includes a fixed portion 84a that is externally mounted on the endoscope 2, and a main body portion 84b that increases in diameter from the fixed portion 84a to the proximal end side. A male screw 84c is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed portion 84a. The fixing means 85 includes a substantially annular annular member 86 that is externally fitted to the endoscope 2 and formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, and a substantially annular cap 87 that is externally fitted to the annular member 86. Have An inner flange 87 a that protrudes toward the inner peripheral side is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the tip of the cap 87. Further, a female screw 87 b that can be screwed into the male screw 84 c of the fixing portion 84 a of the hood 84 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 87. Then, if the cap 87 with the annular member 86 externally fitted is screwed into the hood 84, the annular member 86 is sandwiched between the end of the fixing portion 84a of the hood 84 and the inner flange 87a of the cap 87. Will bulge in the radial direction. Therefore, the cap 87 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 2 by the annular member 86, that is, the hood 84 screwed to the cap 87 of the fixing means 85 is fixed to the endoscope 2. It becomes.

  In the endoscope apparatus according to this modification, by providing a plurality of second collar portions 83, it is possible to further increase the means for generating a propulsive force by the compressed air F1, and to insert the endoscope 2 more efficiently. be able to. The second collar 83 can be moved in the axial direction of the endoscope 2 by releasing the state where the cap 87 and the hood 84 are screwed together to release the fixed state easily. By tightening again, it can be easily fixed at a suitable position in the axial direction of the endoscope 2.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 25 to 28 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the endoscope apparatus 90 of this embodiment includes an endoscope 2, a first collar 92 having a hood 91 disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope 2, and an endoscope. As a plurality of substantially cylindrical and flexible outer tubes 93 concentrically arranged on the outer peripheral side of the two insertion portions 8, a first outer tube 94, a second outer tube 95, and a third outer tube A tube 96 and a fourth exterior tube 97 are provided. Each outer tube 93 is made of, for example, resin. However, by using a coil sheath, it is possible to improve the slipperiness with respect to the subject located on the outer peripheral side. The first outer tube 94 located on the innermost side is covered with the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 so as to advance and retreat in the axial direction. Each outer tube 93 on the outer peripheral side of the first outer tube 94 is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction with respect to the other outer tube 93 positioned on the inner peripheral side. Moreover, each exterior tube 93 is set longer than the other exterior tube 93 located in the outer peripheral side, and the base end is the state which protruded from the other exterior tube 93 in the outer peripheral side, respectively. A fixing means 98 is provided at the base end of each outer tube 93 so as to be detachably fixed to another outer tube 93 disposed on the inner peripheral side.

  As shown in FIG. 26, the fixing means 98 is a substantially annular shape that is externally fitted to the outer tube 93A (93) located on the inner peripheral side or the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2, and is elastically deformable such as rubber. An annular member 99 made of a material and a substantially annular cap 100 fitted on the annular member 99 are provided. A male screw 93 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of each outer tube 93. A female screw 100a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap 100 so as to be able to be screwed into the male screw 93a. Further, an inner flange 100 b that protrudes toward the inner periphery is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the cap 100. And by screwing the female screw 100a of the cap 100 of the fixing means 98 to the male screw 93a of the outer tube 93B (93) positioned on the outer peripheral side and tightening, the annular member 99 is positioned on the outer tube 93B positioned on the outer peripheral side. Between the base end of the cap 100 and the inner flange 100b of the cap 100 and swell in the radial direction. For this reason, the cap 100 of the fixing means is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the outer tube 93B positioned on the inner peripheral side or the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 by the annular member 99, and the outer tube positioned on the inner peripheral side. The outer tube 93 </ b> B positioned on the outer peripheral side with respect to 93 </ b> A or the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 can be fixed via the fixing means 98.

  In a state where the cap 100 of each fixing means 98 is tightened and fixed, the endoscope 2 and the compressed air from the fluid ejecting means (first fluid ejecting means) (not shown) or by pushing from the proximal end. Each exterior tube 93 can be inserted as a unit. For this reason, in the integrated state, the outer tube 93 can be used to increase the rigidity of the insertion portion 8, and at a certain depth, it can be inserted with good insertability. . On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 27, in the state where the cap 100 of the fixing means 98 is loosened and the fixation is released, the outer tube 93 or endoscope on the inner periphery side is compared with the outer tube 93 on the outer periphery side by the same method. Only the two insertion portions 8 can be inserted. For this reason, when it becomes impossible to insert due to the insertion resistance generated between the subject and the subject, the outer tube 93 positioned on the outer peripheral side is released from being fixed, and the outer tube 93 and the inner tube positioned on the inner peripheral side are released. Only the endoscope 2 can be inserted.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram in a case where the endoscope 2 is inserted into the duct S30 having the curved portions S31a, S31b, S31c, and S31d as a subject S while the fixation of each fixing means 98 is sequentially released. It is. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, the first exterior tube 94, the second exterior tube 95, and the insertion portion 8 of the endoscope 2 are integrated until they pass through the curved portions S31a and S31b on the proximal end side. However, when it passes through the curved pipe S31b, it cannot be inserted due to the insertion resistance caused by the contact between the outer peripheral surface of the second outer tube 95 and the pipe line S30, particularly the curved parts S31a and S31b. Suppose that Note that the third outer tube 96 and the fourth outer tube 97 are omitted. In this case, the fixation of the first exterior tube 94 and the second exterior tube 95 is released, and only the first exterior tube 94 and the endoscope 2 are further inserted as a unit. The insertion method may be either the first method or the second method by ejecting compressed air from the fluid ejecting means (first fluid ejecting means), or the method of inserting by pushing. At this time, the first exterior tube 94 passes through the inside of the second exterior tube 95 up to the curved portion S31b, and is constant according to the material forming the exterior tube 93 with the second exterior tube 95. Can pass through the curved path formed by the second outer tube 95. For this reason, it can guide to the 2nd exterior tube 95 and can insert suitably. As a result of inserting the first exterior tube 94 and the endoscope 2 together, even when the insertion becomes impossible after passing through the curved portions S31c and S31d, the endoscope 2 is further fixed by the fixing means 98. By releasing the fixing of the insertion portion 8 and the first exterior tube 94, only the endoscope 2 can be inserted suitably.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 29 to FIG. 31 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, in the endoscope apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the endoscope 111 has an optical adapter 113 detachably attached to the distal end side of the distal end portion 112. More specifically, a male screw 112 a is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion 112 in the axial direction. Inside the distal end portion 112 are a CCD 114 as observation means, a light guide 115 as illumination means, a first air supply pipe 116 and a second air supply pipe for sending compressed air as fluid from the proximal end side to the distal end side. 117 is disposed. The CCD 114 and the light guide 115 are exposed on the distal end surface 112 b of the distal end portion 112. Further, the first air supply tube 116 and the second air supply tube 117 are open to the distal end surface 112 b of the distal end portion 112. The first air supply pipe 116 is connected to a fluid ejecting means (not shown) on the proximal end side, and guides the compressed air F1, which is a fluid, to the distal end portion 112 of the endoscope 2 and ejects it from the distal end surface 112b. Is possible. The second air supply pipe 117 is connected to a compressor (not shown) on the proximal end side, and can similarly guide the compressed air to the distal end surface 112b. In addition, O-rings 116b and 117b are respectively fitted on the front end openings 116a and 117a of the first air supply tube 116 and the second air supply tube 117, respectively, and a part of the O-rings 116b and 117b is connected to the front end side from the front end surface 112b. Protruding.

  The optical adapter 113 includes an adapter main body 118 and a substantially cylindrical connection ring 119 that detachably connects the adapter main body 118 to the distal end portion 112. On the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the adapter main body 118, a base end flange portion 118a protruding to the outer peripheral side is formed. Further, the distal end portion of the connection ring 119 is externally mounted on the adapter main body 118, and a stopper flange 119a projecting toward the inner peripheral side is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end. The connection ring 119 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction with respect to the adapter main body 118 by engaging the proximal flange portion 118a and the stopper flange 119a. A female thread 119b is formed on a part of the inner peripheral surface of the connection ring 119 in the axial direction. Then, by screwing the female screw 119b of the connection ring 119 into the male screw 112a of the distal end portion 112, the adapter main body 118 has the proximal end flange portion 118a locked to the stopper flange 119a of the connection ring 119, The base end surface 118b is in contact with the distal end surface 112b of the distal end portion 112, whereby the optical adapter 113 is connected to the distal end portion 112.

  In addition, the objective lens 120 and the cover glass 121 are disposed in the axial direction inside the adapter main body 118 of the optical adapter 113 so as to be exposed on the base end face 118b and the front end face 118c. In a state where the optical adapter 113 is connected to the distal end portion 112, the objective lens 120 is arranged coaxially with the CCD 114, and the cover glass 121 is arranged coaxially with the light guide 115. It is possible to illuminate the tip side from the light guide 115 through the cover glass 121 and observe the subject through the objective lens 120 by the CCD 114. The adapter main body 118 of the optical adapter 113 has a first through hole 118d communicating from the base end surface 118b to the front end surface 118c, a second through hole bent from the base end surface 118b to the outer peripheral side, and communicated to the outer peripheral surface 118e. Through-hole 118f. In a state where the optical adapter 113 is connected to the distal end portion 112, the first through hole 118d is coaxial with the first air supply pipe 116, and the second through hole 118f is coaxial with the second air supply pipe 117. It is formed to become. In a state where the optical adapter 113 is connected to the distal end portion 112, the O-rings 116b and 117b are crushed by the proximal end surface 118b of the adapter main body 118, whereby the first air supply pipe 116 and the first through hole 118d, In addition, the space between the second air supply pipe 117 and the second through hole 118f is hermetically sealed.

  Further, the optical adapter 113 includes an annular member 122 that is sheathed on the outer peripheral surface 118 e of the adapter main body 118, and a substantially annular balloon 123 that is sheathed on the annular member 122. The annular member 122 is formed with a through hole 122 a that communicates with the second through hole 118 f of the adapter main body 118. The balloon 123 is made of an elastically deformable material such as rubber and is disposed so as to cover the annular member 122 in the axial direction. A substantially annular caulking member 124 is fitted on each of the outer edge on the distal end side and the outer edge on the proximal end side of the balloon 123. For this reason, the balloon 123 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface 118e of the adapter main body 118 by the caulking member 124 so that the inside where the annular member 122 is located is airtight with respect to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 31, in the endoscope apparatus 110 of this embodiment, the compressed air F <b> 1 by the fluid ejecting means can be jetted to the hood 3 through the endoscope 111 to give a propulsive force. Thus, even if the compressed air F1 by the fluid ejecting means passes through the first air supply pipe 116 disposed inside the endoscope 2, the pressure loss can be effectively suppressed if it has a certain diameter. The hood 3 can be given a driving force. Further, by sending the compressed air F3 from a compressor (not shown), the compressed air F3 is sent from the second air supply pipe 117 into the balloon 123 through the second through hole 118f. For this reason, the balloon 123 protrudes to the outer peripheral side, and the distal end side can be hermetically sealed in a subject such as a duct. For this reason, the compressed air F1 ejected by the fluid ejecting means is not leaked to the base end side, and a propulsive force can be effectively generated in the hood 3 even with a small amount of compressed air F1.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 32 and 33 show an eighth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, in the endoscope apparatus 130 of this embodiment, the endoscope 131 has an optical adapter 132 detachably attached to the distal end side of the distal end portion 112. The optical adapter 132 includes an adapter main body 133 and a connection ring 119 that locks the proximal end flange portion 133a of the adapter main body 133 with the stopper flange 119a and fixes the adapter main body 133 to the distal end portion 112. A fixing hole 134 is formed in the distal end surface 133b of the adapter main body 133 toward the proximal end side in the axial direction. The fixing hole 134 has a female thread 134a formed at the inlet portion on the distal end side, and a stopper 134b formed of metal at the proximal end. Further, in the endoscope apparatus 130, the collar portion (first collar portion) 135 includes a rod 136 having a substantially rod shape and rigidity, and a hood 137 fixed to the tip portion of the rod 136. Since the details of the shape of the hood 137 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. A through hole 137a is formed in the hood 137 from the proximal end side to the distal end side, and the distal end portion of the rod 136 is inserted therethrough. A screw hole 136 a is formed at the distal end of the rod 136, and the hood 137 is fixed to the distal end portion of the rod 136 by screwing a fixing screw 136 b into the screw hole 136 a from the distal end side of the hood 137. . A first male screw 136c and a second male screw 136d are formed at the base end portion of the rod 136 with a gap in the axial direction. Then, the rod 136 of the collar portion 135 is tightened until the base end presses the stopper portion 134b in a state where the second male screw 136d is screwed into the female screw 134a of the fixing hole 134 of the adapter main body 133. Thus, the adapter body 133 is fixed to the adapter body 133 of the optical adapter 132 in a state of protruding from the distal end surface 133b of the adapter body 133.

  In the endoscope apparatus 130 of this embodiment, propelling force is given to the hood 137 by ejecting compressed air from a fluid ejecting means (not shown), and the endoscope 131 is inserted by the second method. it can. Further, in the endoscope apparatus 130, the rod 136 of the collar portion 135 presses the stopper portion 134b in a state where the second male screw 136d is screwed, so that friction is generated between the rod portion 136 and the stopper portion 134b. Thus, the state of being screwed and fixed to the optical adapter 132 can be more reliably maintained. Further, the rod 136 of the flange portion 135 has a first male screw 136c on the proximal end side with respect to the second male screw 136d. For this reason, even if the screwing between the second male screw 136d and the female screw 134a of the fixing hole 134 is released for some reason, the first male screw 136c is locked to the female screw 134a of the fixing hole 134. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the rod 136 of the collar portion 135 from falling off the optical adapter 132.

  FIG. 34 shows a modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 34, in the endoscope apparatus 140 of this modification, a through-hole penetrating from the base end surface 133c to the front end surface 133b is formed as the fixing hole 141 in the adapter main body 133 of the optical adapter 132. A female screw 141 a into which the first male screw 136 c and the second male screw 136 d of the rod 136 can be screwed is formed at the inlet on the distal end side of the fixing hole 141. Further, in the endoscope apparatus 140, a screw hole 112c that is coaxial with the fixing hole 141 of the optical adapter 132 and can be screwed into the first male screw 136c is formed in the distal end surface 112b of the distal end portion 112. Yes. The rod 136 of the flange 135 has the second male screw 136d screwed into the female screw 141a of the fixing hole 141 of the optical adapter 132 in a state where the optical adapter 132 is fixed to the distal end portion 112. The first male screw 136 c is screwed into the screw hole 112 c of the distal end portion 112, so that it is fixed to the optical adapter 132 and the distal end portion 112. In this modification, the rod 136 of the flange 135 is also fixed to the distal end 112, so that even if the connection ring 119 of the optical adapter 132 is removed from the distal end 112 for some reason, the flange 135 is removed. There is no possibility that the rod 136 will fall off.

  In the present embodiment and the modification, the rod 136 of the collar portion 135 is fixed to the optical adapter 132 fixed to the distal end portion 112. However, the optical adapter 132 is not connected to the distal end portion 112 without being connected. It may be fixed directly.

(Ninth embodiment)
Next, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. 35 and 36 show a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 35 and 36, in the endoscope apparatus 150 of this embodiment, the collar 151 includes a bottomed cylindrical cap 152 that can be attached to and detached from the adapter main body 133 of the optical adapter 132, and the tip of the cap 152. A rod 153 fixed so as to protrude from the bottom 152a formed on the side to the tip side, and a hood 154 fixed to the tip of the rod 153. Since the shape of the hood 154 is the same as that of the first embodiment, its details are omitted. Through holes 152b, 152c, and 152d are formed in the bottom 152a of the cap 152 in correspondence with the objective lens 120, the cover glass 121, and the channel 2a of the optical adapter 132. In addition, an inner flange 152e that protrudes toward the inner periphery is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the cap 152. In the optical adapter 132, a substantially annular retaining ring 155 is externally fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the adapter main body 133. Further, a substantially annular caulking member 156 is externally fitted and fixed between the retaining ring 155 and the connection ring 119. An annular recess 157 is formed by the stop ring 155, the caulking member 156, and the connection ring 119. The flange 151 is inserted into the optical adapter 132 fixed to the distal end 112 from the base end side of the cap 152, and the inner flange 152 e of the cap 152 is fitted into the recess 157 of the optical adapter 132. It is fixed to 132.

  In the endoscope apparatus 150 of this embodiment, the cap 152 of the collar portion 151 is externally fitted to the optical adapter 132, and the inner flange 152e of the cap 152 is merely engaged with the concave portion 157 of the optical adapter 132. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a screw hole etc. in an optical adapter or a front-end | tip part, and it can respond to the front-end | tip part of various adapters and endoscopes. In the present embodiment, the inner flange 152e of the cap 152 is engaged to fix the collar 151 to the optical adapter 132, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is good also as what fixes a collar part with respect to the optical adapter 132 with the friction which arises between the cap and an optical adapter as a rubber-bottomed cylindrical member by fitting a cap to an optical adapter 132. . Further, a screw hole penetrating from the outer peripheral surface of the cap to the inner peripheral surface may be provided, and the fixing screw may be fixed by being screwed into the screw hole until it abuts on the optical adapter positioned on the inner peripheral side. . Alternatively, a female screw may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cap and a male screw may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the optical adapter and fixed by screwing together.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part and insertion part, and the collar part of the endoscope. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of a stopper in the endoscope apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view showing details of a stopper in an endoscope apparatus of a 1st embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing at the time of inserting and injecting compressed air to the hood of a buttocks. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part, insertion part, and collar part of the endoscope. It is a whole block diagram which shows the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing at the time of inserting and injecting compressed air to the hood of a buttocks. It is a whole block diagram which shows the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is the side view which fractured | ruptured a part which shows the detail of the hood of a collar part, and the 2nd fluid injection means. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line AA in FIG. 9 in an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, it is explanatory drawing at the time of inserting and injecting compressed air to the hood of a buttocks. In the endoscope apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part and insertion part, and the collar part of the endoscope. In the endoscope apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the collar part was expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is a perspective view which shows the detail of the connecting pipe of a collar part. In the endoscope apparatus of the modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view to which the front-end | tip part and insertion part, and the collar part of the endoscope were expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the insertion part, and the collar part were expanded. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line BB in FIG. 17 in an endoscope apparatus according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the insertion part, and the collar part were expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing in CC of FIG. In the endoscope apparatus of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part and insertion part, and the collar part of the endoscope. In the endoscope apparatus of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, it is an exploded view of a buttocks. In the endoscope apparatus of the modification of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view to which the front-end | tip part, insertion part, and collar part of the endoscope were expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the modification of the 5th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the collar part was expanded. It is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part and insertion part of an endoscope, and the collar part in the endoscope apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the fixing means was expanded in the endoscope apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part and insertion part of an endoscope, and the collar part in the endoscope apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing at the time of inserting an endoscope in the endoscope apparatus of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the optical adapter, and the collar part were expanded in the endoscope apparatus of the 7th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line DD in FIG. 27 in an endoscope apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of a 7th embodiment of the present invention, it is an explanatory view at the time of inserting compressed air in a hood of a buttocks. In the endoscope apparatus of the 8th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the optical adapter, and the collar part were expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the 8th Embodiment of this invention, it is the perspective view to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the optical adapter, and the collar part were expanded. In the endoscope apparatus of the modification of the 8th Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the optical adapter, and the collar part were expanded. It is sectional drawing to which the front-end | tip part of the endoscope, the optical adapter, and the collar part were expanded in the endoscope apparatus of the 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is the perspective view which expanded the front-end | tip part, optical adapter, and collar part of an endoscope in the endoscope apparatus of the 9th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 30, 40, 50, 60, 66, 70, 80, 90, 110, 130, 140, 150 Endoscope device 2, 111, 131 Endoscope 3, 41, 53, 71, 81, 91, 137 154 Hood 4, 25, 42, 51, 61, 92, 135, 151 collar (first collar)
5 Fluid ejecting means (first fluid ejecting means)
7, 112 Tip 8 Insertion 15, 26, 74 Guide wire (rod)
31 Sealing means 43, 52 Guide tube (rod)
43 First fluid ejecting means 44 Second fluid ejecting means 54 Pressing means 62 Guide belt (rod)
72, 82 First collar 73, 83 Second collar 93, 93A, 93B Outer tube 98 Fixing means 136, 153 Rod F1 Compressed air S Subject

Claims (9)

A distal end portion having an observation means capable of observing the subject, and an endoscope including an insertion portion extending from the distal end portion to the proximal end side and having flexibility and bendable according to the subject;
First fluid ejecting means for ejecting fluid from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the endoscope;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a rod projecting from the distal end portion of the endoscope toward the distal end side; and a first collar portion having a hood provided at the distal end of the rod and projecting to the outer peripheral side. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rod of the first flange portion is flexible, and a proximal end side thereof is disposed so as to advance and retreat in the axial direction along the endoscope. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The endoscope device characterized in that the rod of the first collar portion is inserted into a channel communicating from the proximal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope to the distal end of the distal end portion and protrudes toward the distal end side. . The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first collar includes pressing means that protrudes to an outer peripheral side of the hood and can press the subject. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rod of the first collar portion is fixed to the endoscope. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An endoscope apparatus comprising a second collar portion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the endoscope and projecting to the outer peripheral side. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An endoscope apparatus comprising sealing means for sealing an entrance side of a subject. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a second fluid ejecting unit that ejects a fluid from the hood of the first collar in a predetermined direction on the outer peripheral side. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A substantially cylindrical member disposed at least one concentrically on the outer peripheral side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and is a flexible outer tube that can move forward and backward with respect to the insertion portion. When,
An endoscope apparatus comprising: a fixing unit that detachably fixes the outer tube to the other outer tube or the insertion portion positioned on the outer peripheral side or the inner peripheral side.

Images