JP2009219823A - Forceps plug for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a forceps plug for an endoscope which surely provides a prescribed diameter of an opening when a pathway is opened, allows insertion of a large-scaled device, and surely close the opening when the pathway is closed. <P>SOLUTION: In constitution of a forceps plug 30, a flexible tube 32 is installed in a supporting chassis 31 which includes an elastic member attached to a ferrule 25 attached to an instrument-leading section 22. A coil 34 is coiled around the outer circumference of the flexible tube 32. A rotational operating member 33 is rotatably fitted to the upper end of the supporting chassis 31. The coil 34 has a length corresponding to several pitches at rough pitch intervals, and both ends of the coil are bent in such a way that they are straight and linked with the rotational operating member 33 and the supporting chassis 31. When the rotational operating member 33 is rotated, the coil 34 is wound and tightened and a communicating path 32a is closed in such a way that the flexible tube 32 may overlap in a helical manner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a forceps plug that is attached to a treatment instrument introduction section provided in a main body operation section of an endoscope and opens and closes a passage of the treatment instrument introduction section.

  The endoscope is provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel, and by inserting a forceps or other treatment instrument into the treatment instrument insertion channel, it is possible to perform treatments such as cell collection, tissue incision, and hemostasis. It has become. For this purpose, the treatment instrument insertion channel has a treatment instrument outlet opening opened at the distal end of the insertion portion, and a treatment instrument insertion tube made of a flexible member is connected to the treatment instrument outlet. The treatment instrument insertion tube extends to the inside of the main body operation section, and the other end is connected to the treatment instrument introduction section provided in the main body operation section. In addition to the treatment instrument being inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel, the treatment instrument insertion channel is also used as a suction passage for performing suction from the body. Therefore, in the main body operation portion, a branch portion is provided at a position in front of the treatment instrument introduction portion, and the treatment instrument insertion tube is branched into a passage leading to the treatment instrument introduction portion and a suction passage at this branch portion.

  The suction passage extends from the main body operation unit to the universal cord, and the negative pressure pipe connected to the suction source device can be attached and detached at the position of the connector that is provided on this universal cord and is detachably connected to the light source device etc. It is connected. The main body operation unit is provided with a suction valve, and the suction passage is connected to the suction valve. Therefore, a suction operation is performed by operating the suction valve with a finger of a hand that holds the main body operation unit.

  Since the treatment instrument is introduced into the treatment instrument introduction portion, the distal end portion is open to the atmosphere, and when the treatment instrument insertion channel functions as a suction passage, a plug member is attached to the treatment instrument introduction portion. As a result, it is possible to communicate and block the atmosphere. However, the plug member is not attached and detached each time the treatment instrument is introduced, but the passage can be opened and closed with the plug member attached. As described above, as a representative plug member capable of opening and closing the passage, as shown in Patent Document 1, the plug member is formed of an elastic member, and the canopy portion covers the treatment instrument insertion portion. A configuration in which a slit is formed is widely used. The wall surfaces on both sides of the slit can be brought into close contact with each other, and when the treatment tool is not inserted, the wall surfaces on both sides constituting the slit are in close contact with each other to close the passage. On the other hand, when the treatment tool is inserted, the plug member can be passed by pushing the slit left and right.

  The forceps plug of this patent document 1 is kept completely sealed before the treatment tool is inserted, but once the treatment tool is inserted, the slit portion is forced to be expanded. Become. In particular, if the treatment instrument is kept inserted for a long time, or if the treatment instrument is repeatedly inserted and removed, the sealing performance of the slit deteriorates. The body fluid or the like may leak out, and due to incomplete sealing, outside air is sucked from the slit during suction, and the negative pressure suction force is reduced. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the sealing force must be maintained even after the slit is opened. Therefore, the forceps plug material has a high degree of rubber hardness and a high elastic restoring force. Must be used. For this reason, when the treatment instrument is inserted, a large resistance force acts, and it is resistant to compression, for example, a thin tube member or the like, even if the treatment instrument is strong such as forceps. However, there is a problem that it is difficult to insert the treatment tool for which the above cannot be sufficiently obtained.

As another type of forceps plug, a stepped portion that expands the diameter is provided on the distal end side of the treatment instrument introducing portion, and an elastic ring having an inner diameter through which the treatment tool can be inserted is attached to the stepped portion. A device configured to be used as a stopper is disclosed in Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, when inserting the treatment instrument, the elastic ring is held in a free state, and when closing the passage, the outer diameter side of the elastic ring is regulated from above and below by the pushing member. The passage space is closed by crushing and inflating inward.
JP 2005-198834 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-70108

  As in Patent Document 2, by crushing the elastic ring from above and below, the inner diameter of the elastic ring is reduced. However, the cross section of the passage changes on a single plane perpendicular to the axis of the passage. Therefore, it is extremely difficult to completely close the inner diameter portion, and there is a possibility that poor sealing occurs when the forceps plug is closed. Increasing the thickness of the elastic ring and reducing its inner diameter can provide a certain degree of sealing, but this restricts the outer diameter of the treatment instrument that can be inserted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points. The object of the present invention is to ensure that a predetermined opening diameter is obtained in a state where the passage is open, a large treatment instrument can be inserted, and the passage is closed. When doing, it is providing the forceps stopper which can be made to seal reliably.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a treatment instrument introduction section provided in a main body operation section of an endoscope, having one end opened to the outside and the other end communicating with a treatment instrument insertion channel. A forceps plug that is mounted and changes the passage from a fully open state to a fully closed state, and includes a flexible tube having a communication passage communicating with the passage and having an inner peripheral surface that can be expanded and contracted, and the flexible tube The inner diameter of the flexible tube is changed from the fully open state by changing the contact state between the spiral portion and the outer periphery of the flexible tube. The present invention is characterized by comprising passage variable means having an operating portion that changes to a fully closed state.

  A flexible cylinder is provided at a position on the extension line of the passage of the treatment instrument introducing portion, and the flexible cylinder is expanded and contracted to change the passage cross-sectional area from the fully open state to the fully closed state. In the fully open state, the treatment instrument having the maximum diameter can be smoothly inserted. Further, when the treatment instrument insertion channel is used as a suction path, by making the fully closed state, the maximum negative pressure suction force is surely applied to the distal end of the insertion section, and the sucked dirt is treated by the treatment instrument. Prevent outflow from the introduction.

  In the fully closed state of the treatment instrument introducing portion, the outer periphery of the flexible tube is not narrowed down from the entire circumference at a specific cross-sectional position in the passage, but by the spiral portion having a plurality of pitches so that the position is changed in the axial direction. The inner surface of the flexible cylinder is overlapped in a spiral manner by contacting the surface and pressing and deforming the flexible cylinder in this state. Therefore, when the spiral portion is in the most contracted diameter state, the narrowing action is exerted spirally over a predetermined length in the axial direction of the flexible cylinder, and thus complete sealing is performed. Further, since the spiral portion has a predetermined length in the axial direction, even if it is not completely sealed, that is, even if some gap is generated, the gap is spiral, and Since it becomes a labyrinth structure in which the size of the gap changes, negative pressure leakage and filth outflow are prevented.

  A forceps plug may be integrated into the treatment instrument introduction part, but it should be discarded every time it is used and replaced with a new forceps plug. For this purpose, it should be attached to the distal end of the treatment instrument introduction part. Make it possible to connect. Some flexible cylinders cannot hold the shape themselves, and may be a predetermined shape by themselves. In addition, the inner surface of the flexible cylinder is a smooth surface having substantially no unevenness, but the outer peripheral surface may be a smooth surface or may have unevenness. If the outer peripheral surface is a smooth surface, it is narrowed down to a spiral shape when sealed by the action of the spiral portion. In addition, a spiral concavo-convex portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and the protruding portion is pressed inward by the spiral portion.

  The flexible cylinder is configured to open and close by the action of the spiral portion, and thus is configured with flexibility. However, it is not necessarily required to elastically restore when the flexible cylinder is released from the fully closed state. That is, when inserting the treatment instrument, the treatment instrument may be configured to push and expand the flexible cylinder. Accordingly, in the case where the shape cannot be maintained by the flexible tube itself, it can be made of an elastic member such as rubber or a soft synthetic resin. For example, from the viewpoint of the insertion operability of the treatment instrument, it is possible to configure the member with a good slip. On the other hand, when the shape can be maintained by the flexible tube itself, it is constituted by an elastic member such as rubber.

  A flexible tube that cannot retain its shape by itself cannot be directly attached to the treatment instrument introducing portion. Therefore, as a matter of course, such a flexible cylinder can be detachably provided with a support cylinder made of a hard member in the treatment instrument introduction portion even if it is a flexible cylinder capable of maintaining its shape. The both ends of the flexible tube can be fixed to each other. And the spiral part which comprises a path variable means is comprised with the coil which wound the wire which has the elasticity which one end fixedly provided, and the operation part was connected to the said support cylinder so that rotation was possible. A rotary operation unit can be provided. The coil can be provided with one end fixed to a support cylinder or other fixed side member and the other end fixed to the operation portion. In order to hold the flexible cylinder in a state where the inner diameter of the flexible cylinder is reduced by rotating the operation section, a resistance is generated in a direction in which the coil rewinds to prevent the operation section from freely rotating. A resistance generator can be provided.

  On the other hand, when the flexible tube can be held so as to have a predetermined shape, the flexible tube can be detachably connected to the treatment instrument introducing portion. In this case, a through passage that penetrates in the axial direction is provided, and the outer peripheral surface is formed of an elastic member having a threaded portion. The passage varying means is made of a hard member, and the inner circumferential surface forms a screw groove that is screwed into the threaded portion of the flexible cylinder, thereby forming a spiral portion, and the outer circumferential surface becomes the operation portion. It consists of an operation ring that can be operated once. At least one of the threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube or the thread groove on the inner peripheral surface of the hard ring is tapered, and the operation ring is moved along the flexible tube to close the through passage. .

  For example, when a thread groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube, the outer peripheral surface side has a tapered shape whose diameter is continuously increased from the opening end side toward the connection side to the treatment instrument introducing portion. And it is desirable to make the site | part between a screw thread thin, using the thread groove in a thread part as a deep bottom. As a result, when the operating ring is moved, the thread groove is deformed so that the thread of the threaded portion is pressed inward, and the inner peripheral wall of the through passage is overlapped, so that the sealing performance is secured. The

  When the passage is open, a predetermined opening diameter can be reliably obtained and a large treatment instrument can be inserted. When the passage is closed, the passage can be reliably sealed, and the treatment instrument insertion channel can function as a suction passage. In addition to the backflow prevention function, a high negative pressure suction force can be exhibited at the treatment instrument outlet.

    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. Reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope, and the endoscope 1 is generally composed of a main body operation unit 2, an insertion unit 3, and a universal cord 4. The insertion portion 3 is mostly a flexible portion 3a from the connecting portion to the main body operation portion 2, and the bending portion 3b is connected to the flexible portion 3a, and the distal end hard portion 3c is connected to the bending portion 3b. . As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end rigid portion 3c is provided with illumination windows 10 and 10 and an observation window 11 between the illumination windows 10 and 10 for leading out a treatment instrument such as forceps. The treatment instrument outlet 12 is open. Further, in the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a cleaning nozzle that injects a cleaning fluid for removing the dirt when the observation window 11 is soiled.

  As is apparent from FIG. 3, the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 whose tip is connected to the treatment instrument outlet 12 extends into the main body operation unit 2, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is formed of the passage branching member 21. It is connected to the. The passage branching member 21 is connected to a treatment instrument passage 23 extending toward a treatment instrument introduction section 22 provided in the casing 2a of the main body operation section 2, and is connected to a suction passage 24. Accordingly, the treatment instrument passage 23 constitutes a passage communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel 20. A base 25 is attached to the treatment instrument introducing portion 22, and an end of the base 25 is connected to the treatment instrument passage 23, and the passage branch member 21 passes from the base 25 through the treatment instrument passage 23. Is screwed into the treatment instrument passage 23. Therefore, when the treatment instrument is inserted into the base 25, the treatment instrument is guided from the treatment instrument passage 23 through the passage branching member 21 and into the treatment instrument insertion channel 20, and is provided at the distal end hard portion 3 c of the insertion portion 3. Derived from the treatment instrument outlet 12.

  On the other hand, the suction passage 24 extends from the main body operation unit 2 into the universal cord 4, and opens as a connection port provided in a connector portion (not shown) of the universal cord 4. A pipe from the suction source is detachably connected. A suction valve 14 is mounted inside the main body operation unit 2 and in the middle of the suction passage 24. The suction valve 14 can be operated with a finger of the hand that holds the main body operation unit 2, and is normally in a state where the connection side of the suction passage 24 to the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is blocked from the suction source side. The suction source side communicates with the atmosphere. When the suction valve 14 is pushed in, the suction source side in the suction passage 24 communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 side, and negative pressure suction force acts on the treatment instrument outlet 12.

  Here, since the inside of the body cavity is in a pressure state higher than the atmospheric pressure, when the body fluid or the like is kept from flowing back from the inside of the body into the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 and the suction valve 14 is operated, the treatment instrument is introduced. A forceps plug is provided on the base 25 attached to the treatment instrument introduction section 22 in order to ensure that a negative pressure suction force acts on the outlet 12 and to prevent the suctioned material from flowing back to the treatment instrument introduction section 22 side. ing. Here, the base 25 is a small-diameter portion 25a whose connection side to the treatment instrument passage 23 has substantially the same inner diameter as the treatment instrument passage 23, and becomes a large-diameter portion 25b that continuously expands from the middle. A predetermined length on the opening side is a large diameter portion 25c, and the forceps plug is detachably attached to the large diameter portion 25c.

  4 to 7 show a first embodiment of the forceps plug. 4 and 5, reference numeral 30 denotes a forceps plug. The forceps plug 30 is provided with a support cylinder 31 attached so as to be fitted to the large-diameter portion 25 c of the base 25 attached to the treatment instrument introducing portion 22. It is what you have. The support cylinder 31 is made of an elastic member such as rubber, and an annular locking groove 31 a is formed in the vicinity of the end portion on the connection side to the base 25. Accordingly, the locking groove 31a is fitted into the large diameter portion 25c of the base 25.

  A flexible cylinder 32 having a communication path 32 a communicating with the treatment instrument path 23 is inserted into the support cylinder 31 through the base 25, and a rotation operation member 33 is inserted at the upper end of the support cylinder 31. Are rotatably fitted. Further, a coil 34 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the flexible cylinder 32 so as to surround it. The coil 34 is a spiral part, and the rotation operation member 33 constitutes an operation part for expanding and contracting the coil 34. The coil 34 and the rotation operation member 33 constitute a passage variable means.

  The rotation operation member 33 constitutes an opening at the distal end for introducing the treatment instrument into the treatment instrument passage 23, and a through hole 33a having a large diameter portion at the distal end is formed. The flexible tube 32 is mounted in the through-hole 33a, and the treatment instrument is inserted into the flexible tube 32. The flexible cylinder 32 is a flexible member made of an elastic member such as rubber or a soft synthetic resin, and has a relatively thin cylindrical shape so that the peripheral body portion constituting the communication path 32a can be easily deformed. It has become. A flange portion 32 b is formed at the distal end portion of the flexible cylinder 32, and the flange portion 32 b is fixedly held by a step portion of the through hole 33 a of the rotation operation member 33.

  The flexible cylinder 32 extends from the through hole 33 a of the rotation operation member 33 into the support cylinder 31. The support cylinder 31 is formed with an annular holding wall 31b that holds the other end of the flexible cylinder 32 at an intermediate position on the inner surface thereof. 32b and 32c are formed and are mounted so as to sandwich the holding wall 31b between the sandwiching pieces 32b and 32c. The other end of the flexible cylinder 32 is not fixed to the support cylinder 31, but can also be fixed to the holding wall 31b.

  The coil 34 is formed by spirally winding an elastic wire, and is disposed in an annular gap between the inner wall of the through hole 33 a of the rotation operation member 33 and the outer peripheral surface of the flexible cylinder 32. . When the coil 34 is in a free state, the outer diameter is in contact with or close to the inner surface of the through hole 33 a, and the inner diameter side is substantially in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flexible cylinder 32. I am doing so. The coil 34 has a rough pitch interval, and has a length corresponding to several pitches, that is, several turns, preferably about 3 to 5 pitches. Both ends of the coil 34 are bent in a straight line to form locking portions 34a and 34b. The locking portion 34a is inserted into a locking hole 33b provided in the rotation operation member 33, and the locking portion 34b is supported. It is fixedly held by being inserted into a locking hole 31 c provided in the cylindrical body 31. Note that protective spheres 35, 35 are provided at the tip portions of the locking portions 34a, 34b.

  An annular groove 31d is formed in the vicinity of the tip of the support cylinder 31, and the rotation operation member 33 is inserted into the annular groove 31d at the end on the fitting side to the support cylinder 31. The connecting projection 33c is provided. Therefore, the rotation operation member 33 is connected by expanding the diameter of the tip opening of the support cylinder 31 and fitting the connection protrusion 33c into the annular groove 31d. In such a state where the rotation operation member 33 is connected to the support cylinder 31, the rotation operation member 33 can be rotated with respect to the support cylinder 31 and is rotated manually. When the position is reached, the rotation operation member 33 is configured to have a resistance generating portion that holds it so that it does not rotate freely even if the hand is released.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting projection 33c has a rectangular shape with curved corners, and the inner diameter R of the support cylinder 31 is the length of the diagonal line D of the connecting projection 33c. It is smaller than this. Therefore, the corners of the connecting projection 33c are pressed against the support cylinder 31, and the support cylinder 31 is elastically deformed. This pressing force prevents the rotation operation member 33 from freely rotating. Then, if a rotational force larger than the pressing force is applied, the rotational operation member 33 can be rotationally operated.

  The forceps plug 20 configured as described above is provided in the treatment instrument introduction unit 22 as a unit by incorporating the support cylinder 31, the rotation operation member 33 to which the flexible cylinder 32 is attached, and the coil 34. Mounted on the base 25. Since the support cylinder 31 is made of an elastic member, the forceps plug 20 is stably fixed to the treatment instrument introducing portion 22 by fitting the locking groove 31a to the large diameter portion 25c of the base 25. .

  In the state shown in FIG. 4, the forceps plug 20 thus mounted has the communication passage 32 a of the flexible tube 32 that forms the entrance portion of the treatment instrument passage 23 opened. Accordingly, when the treatment instrument is inserted, the treatment instrument is guided from the communication path 32 a to the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 via the treatment instrument passage 23 in the treatment instrument introduction section 22 and guided to the treatment instrument. Derived from the outlet 12. Here, the communication path 32a of the flexible tube 32 does not need to be wider than the narrowest path portion of the treatment instrument insertion path from the treatment instrument path 23 to the treatment instrument outlet 12, but the treatment instrument insertion operation is performed. From the viewpoint of operability, it is desirable to make the passage as wide as possible.

  When the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is used as a passage for suction, the negative pressure suction force acting on the suction passage 24 branched from the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is prevented from leaking, and suction dirt is removed. In order to prevent the forceps plug 30 from overflowing, the forceps plug 30 is fully closed. For this purpose, the rotation operation member 33 is rotated. As a result, the coil 34 is tightened and its inner diameter is reduced. However, since the flexible cylinder 32 is disposed inside the coil 34, the flexible cylinder 32 is narrowed down. The coil 34 is composed of several turns and has a predetermined length in the axial direction. Therefore, the coil 34 is squeezed and exhibits a squeezing function. As a result, the inner surface of the flexible cylinder 32 protrudes inward in a spiral shape. Since the peripheral barrel portion of the flexible cylinder 32 is composed of a flexible member having a predetermined thickness, as shown in FIG. 5, the communication path 32a is hermetically sealed so that the flexible cylinder 32 overlaps spirally. The When the communication path 32a is in a fully closed state, the coil 34 is in the most contracted diameter state, so that the rotation operation member 33 cannot be further rotated.

  Thus, by making the communication path 32a of the flexible cylinder 32 fully closed, and even if some gaps are generated, the gaps are scattered in a spiral shape of a predetermined length, In addition, since the labyrinth structure in which the size of the gap also changes is obtained, the sealing performance of the treatment instrument introduction portion 22 is increased, and the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 is completely removed except for the treatment instrument outlet 12 provided at the distal end of the insertion section 3. Since it is in a sealed state, it is possible not only to prevent the backflow from the treatment instrument introducing portion 22 but also to prevent the negative pressure suction force from being lowered when performing a suction operation. Therefore, the suction capability at the treatment instrument outlet 12 at the distal end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 20 can be enhanced.

  When the treatment or inspection performed using the treatment instrument is completed and the treatment instrument insertion path is opened, the rotation operation member 33 is rotated in the opposite direction to the above. As a result, the coil 34 is rewound and its inner diameter is increased. When the flexible cylinder 32 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, the flexible cylinder 32 is elastically restored, so that the communication path 32a is immediately formed. On the other hand, when the flexible cylinder 32 is made of a soft synthetic resin, the communication path 32a is not necessarily formed even when the coil 34 is separated, but the communication path 32a is not opened. Since it is for inserting a tool, it can also be made to advance by extending the flexible cylinder 32 with a treatment tool. In particular, if the flexible tube 32 is formed of a resin material having good slippage, the operation instrument insertion operation may be changed to be smooth. Then, when the rotation operation member 33 is rotated and the flexible cylinder 32 reaches the maximum diameter, the coil 34 comes into contact with the inner wall of the through hole 33a of the rotation operation portion 33, so that the rotation operation member 33 is further rotated. Can not be.

  Although the forceps plug 30 can be washed and used repeatedly, it is desirable to discard it for each case and attach a new forceps plug 30. When the endoscope 1 is used and then cleaned and disinfected, the forceps plug 30 is removed. This operation can be easily performed by separating the locking groove 31 a of the support cylinder 31 from the large diameter portion 25 c of the base 25. Further, when the forceps plug 30 is removed, the entire treatment instrument insertion passage used as the suction passage can be easily washed.

  Next, FIG.8 and FIG.9 shows 2nd Embodiment of the forceps stopper by this invention. First, in FIG. 8, 40 is a forceps plug, and this forceps plug 40 has a flexible cylinder 41, and this flexible cylinder 41 is formed of a long member of an elastic member such as rubber. Has a concave-convex shape in which a threaded portion 41 is formed, and an inner peripheral surface is smooth and a communication passage 41b penetrating in the length direction is formed. The flexible cylinder 41 is fixed by being fitted to the large-diameter portion 25c of the base 25. For this purpose, the end portion on the connection side to the base 25 is a disc portion 41c. A locking groove 41d that engages with the large-diameter portion 25c of the base 25 is formed in the portion 41c.

  The flexible tube 41 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and in a state where the disc portion 41c is connected to the large diameter portion 25c of the base 25, the shape is held by itself, that is, in a self-supporting state. It is secured. The communication passage 41b provided in the flexible tube 41 communicates with the treatment instrument passage 23 of the treatment instrument introduction portion 22 and constitutes a part of the treatment instrument insertion passage. Here, the threaded portion 41a of the flexible tube 41 has a taper shape whose outer diameter increases as it goes toward the disc portion 41c. Moreover, the deep groove region 42 is formed by deepening the groove bottom for several pitches of the screw part 41a at positions close to the disk part 41c. Therefore, in the deep groove region 42, the thickness of the groove bottom portion is thinner than other portions. However, also in the deep groove region 42, the groove bottom portion has a thickness enough to ensure a self-supporting state.

  An operation ring 43 made of a nut having a thread groove 43a formed on the inner peripheral surface is screwed onto the threaded portion 41a of the flexible tube 41. The operation ring 43 is made of a hard member, and the thread groove 43a formed on the inner surface of the operation ring 43, which is a hard member, is a spiral portion, and the deep groove region of the screw portion 41 of the flexible tube 41 made of an elastic member. A helical part that expands or contracts the inner diameter of the communication path 41b of the flexible cylinder 41 is formed by screwing with the part 42. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the operation ring 42 can be manually rotated. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface constitutes an operation portion, and these constitute a passage variable means. In the figure, reference numeral 41e denotes a stopper for preventing the operation ring 42 provided at the tip of the flexible cylinder 41.

  In the plug member 40, in order to open the treatment instrument insertion path, the operation ring 43 is disposed on the stopper 41e side. At this time, there is a gap between the top of the threaded portion 41a of the flexible cylinder 41 and the groove bottom of the threaded groove 43a of the operating ring 43, and the flexible cylinder 41 is not substantially pressed and deformed. As a result, the communication passage 41b is fully opened, and is maintained at a uniform inner diameter over the entire length so that a large treatment instrument can be inserted.

  To close the communication path 41b from this state, the operation ring 43 is screwed and operated so as to move toward the disc portion 41c side of the flexible tube 41. Since the thread portion 41a of the flexible cylinder 41 has a higher thread height as it goes toward the disk portion 41c, and the operation ring 43 is formed of a hard member, the flexible groove 41a is formed by the thread groove 43a. A pressing force toward the axial direction of the communication path 41c acts on the thread portion 41a of 41.

  The flexible cylinder 41 is made of an elastic member, and the bottom of the groove is thin. Further, the thread groove 43a of the operation ring 43 restricts the direction in which the thread portion is elastically deformed. Therefore, the thread of the screw part 41a is elastically deformed inward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the thin portion at the groove bottom between the threads is deformed, and the portion of the threads is pressed inward. As a result, the portion of the communication path 41a in the deep groove region 42 is hermetically sealed so that the inner surface of the flexible cylinder 41 overlaps spirally.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope to which a forceps plug of the present invention is attached. FIG. It is a front view which shows the front end surface of the insertion part in the endoscope of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a main body operation unit of the endoscope of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the forceps stopper of this invention, Comprising: It is the figure hold | maintained at the fully open state of a channel | path. It is sectional drawing similar to FIG. 4 which shows the fully closed state of the channel | path of a forceps stopper. It is a disassembled perspective view of a forceps stopper. It is sectional drawing of the AA position of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of the forceps stopper of this invention. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of FIG. 8 when it is set as the fully closed state of a channel | path.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Main body operation part 3 Insertion part 3c Tip hard part 12 Treatment tool outlet 20 Treatment tool insertion channel 21 Passage branch member 22 Treatment tool introduction part 23 Treatment tool introduction path 24 Suction passage 25 Base 30, 40 Forceps plug 31 Support cylinder 32 Rotation operation part 33a Through hole 34 Coil 41 Flexible cylinder 41a Screw part 41b Communication path 42 Deep groove region 43 Operation ring 43a Screw groove

Claims (5)

Provided in the main body operation part of the endoscope, one end is opened to the outside, and the other end is attached to the treatment instrument introduction part provided with a passage communicating with the treatment instrument insertion channel. In the forceps plug to change,
A flexible tube having a communication passage communicating with the passage and having an inner peripheral surface that can be expanded and contracted;
The inner diameter of the flexible cylinder is changed by changing the contact state between the spiral part disposed on the outer peripheral part of the flexible cylinder and having a plurality of pitches, and the spiral part and the outer peripheral part of the flexible cylinder. A forceps plug, comprising: a passage variable means having an operation portion that changes from a fully open state to the fully closed state. The flexible cylinder is provided with one end fixed to a support cylinder detachably provided at the treatment instrument introduction part, and the spiral part is provided with one end fixed to the support cylinder. It is composed of an elastic coil mounted so as to surround the cylinder, and the operation portion is rotatably connected to the support cylinder, and the coil has one end fixed to the support cylinder, The endoscopic forceps plug according to claim 1, wherein an end is fixed to the operation portion. The operation unit includes a resistance generation unit that generates a resistance in a direction in which the coil rewinds every time the operation unit is rotated by a predetermined angle and prevents the operation unit from freely rotating. 2. The endoscopic forceps plug according to 2. The flexible tube has a threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface, and is made of an elastic member in which the communication path is formed so as to penetrate in the axial direction, and is detachably connected to the treatment instrument introducing portion. And the passage variable means is formed as a spiral portion by forming a screw groove whose inner peripheral surface is screwed into the screw portion, and the outer peripheral surface is a hard portion that becomes the operation portion that can be screwed. An operation ring of the member is formed, and at least one of the thread groove on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible tube or the thread groove on the inner peripheral surface of the hard ring is tapered, and the operation ring is moved along the flexible tube. 2. The endoscopic forceps plug according to claim 1, wherein the flexible tube is pressed and deformed to close the through passage. The flexible tube has a tapered shape that increases in diameter toward the connection side to the treatment instrument introducing portion, and the groove bottom portion of the screw portion is thinned by a predetermined pitch from the maximum diameter side. The endoscopic forceps plug according to claim 4.

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