JP2011036566A - Endoscope cover - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope cover whose position to en endoscope is easily adjustable and also adjustable during observation by the endoscope in particular. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope cover 30 includes a wall surface member 32 and a holding member 36. An insertion part 20 of the endoscope is held by the holding member 36. When an engaging protrusion 36P is detached from an engaging groove 32G of the wall surface member 32 and projected from the tip surface 32S of the wall surface member 32, the holding member 36 holding the insertion part 20 becomes rotatable. The tip surface 32S is provided with a plurality of engaging grooves including the engaging groove 32G. Consequently, after the holding member 36 is detached from the wall surface member 32 and rotated, the engaging protrusion 36P is engaged with an engaging groove different from the engaging groove 32G with which the engaging protrusion 36P is engaged before detachment, thus adjusting the rotating position of the holding member 36 to the wall surface member 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cover attached to an endoscope.

  An endoscope cover that is attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope is known. Such an endoscope cover is usually provided with a forceps channel through which a treatment tool such as forceps passes, and an air supply / water supply tube. An endoscope cover is known that is attached so that the position of the forceps channel is different between the distal end side and the proximal side by rotating in the middle of the attachment operation to the endoscope (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-68714

  When the endoscope cover is attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope, the positions of both members are fixed. And since an endoscope cover covers the surface of a long tubular endoscope, once attached, the position with respect to an endoscope cannot be adjusted easily. This is the same even when the endoscope cover is attached to the endoscope so that the position of the forceps channel is different between the distal end side and the proximal side.

  In particular, since the position of the endoscope cover cannot be changed while continuing the endoscopic observation, the operability may be reduced. For example, when it is desirable to use a plurality of treatment tools for the affected part under observation, it is difficult to adjust the positions of the forceps channel provided on the endoscope cover and the forceps channel on the endoscope side. is there. Therefore, in this case, it may be necessary to perform a complicated operation such as extracting the endoscope once out of the body cavity, adjusting the position of the endoscope cover with respect to the endoscope, and then inserting the endoscope into the body cavity again.

  An object of the present invention is to realize an endoscope cover in which the position with respect to the endoscope can be easily adjusted, and in particular, the position can be adjusted even during endoscopic observation.

  An endoscope cover according to the present invention is an endoscope cover attached to an endoscope, and includes a wall surface member that covers a side surface of the endoscope, a distal end of the endoscope, and a holder that is freely detachable from the wall surface member. And a member. The holding member that holds the distal end of the endoscope can rotate about the axis of the endoscope in a state where the holding member is detached from the wall surface member.

  In the endoscope cover, it is preferable that the position of the holding member with respect to the wall surface member is adjustable by engaging the holding member with the wall surface member after rotation. Moreover, it is preferable that the endoscope cover further includes a biasing member that biases the holding member detached from the wall surface member toward the engagement position that engages with the wall surface member.

  It is preferable that the holding member has an engaging protrusion that protrudes toward the wall surface member, and a groove that engages with the engaging protrusion is formed in the wall surface member. The holding member has, for example, a cylindrical shape, and in this case, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the distal end portion is smaller than the inner diameter of the proximal end portion provided with an opening for fitting the endoscope.

  In the endoscope cover, it is preferable that the holding member is rotatable in a state where the tip of the holding member protrudes from the tip surface of the wall member. The holding member is slidable along the wall surface member, for example. Moreover, it is preferable that the wall surface member is provided with a conduit for the treatment instrument.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily adjust the position with respect to the endoscope, and in particular, it is possible to realize an endoscope cover that can adjust the position even during endoscopic observation.

It is a side view showing an endoscope apparatus in the state where an endoscope cover of a 1st embodiment was attached. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the endoscope cover in the state in which the holding member does not protrude in 1st Embodiment along the longitudinal direction. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the endoscope cover in the state which the holding member protruded in 1st Embodiment along the longitudinal direction. It is a front view which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state where the holding member does not protrude. It is a front view which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state where the holding member protruded. It is sectional drawing which cut | disconnected the endoscope cover in the state in which the holding member does not protrude in 2nd Embodiment along the longitudinal direction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the endoscope apparatus in a state in which the endoscope cover according to the first embodiment is attached.

  The endoscope device 60 includes the endoscope 10 and the endoscope cover 30. The endoscope 10 is connected to the processor 16 via a light guide flexible tube 14 extending laterally from the operation unit 12. The insertion portion 20 extends from the oledome portion 25 and is inserted into the body cavity. The endoscope cover 30 is detachably attached to the insertion portion 20 of the endoscope 10.

  The endoscope cover 30 is formed of a polymer material having appropriate stretchability and biocompatibility. For example, silicon rubber, natural rubber, polyurethane and the like. In FIG. 1, only the endoscope cover 30 is shown in cross section for convenience of explanation.

  Illumination light from a light source (not shown) of the processor 16 is emitted from the distal end surface 20T of the insertion unit 20 to a body organ to be observed. Reflected light from the internal organs and image signals generated by the endoscope 10 are sent to the processor 16. The image signal is transmitted to an image display device (not shown) after predetermined processing in the processor 16. As a result, the internal organs are observed and photographed.

  When observing and photographing the internal organs, the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10 is operated. For example, when the operation knobs 13 and 15 of the operation unit 12 are rotated, the distal end of the insertion unit 20 is bent vertically and horizontally. Further, if necessary, a treatment tool (not shown) can be inserted from the forceps port 18 and protrude from the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20 to treat the affected area.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the holding member does not protrude in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope cover 30 with the holding member protruding along the longitudinal direction.

  The endoscope cover 30 includes a wall surface member 32 that covers the side surface 20 </ b> S while being attached to the insertion portion 20, and a holding member 36 that holds the distal end of the insertion portion 20. The holding member 36 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is disposed at the center of the distal end portion of the endoscope cover 30. The wall surface member 32 has a tip end portion 32A and a side wall portion 32B. The tip portion 32A is a relatively hard member having an appropriate strength, and the side wall portion 32B is a more flexible member. The tip 32A and the side wall 32B are fixed to each other.

  The side wall portion 32B is parallel to the central axis 20C and the side surface 20S of the insertion portion 20 held by the holding member 36. In the side wall 32B, a forceps channel 32C (pipe) for passing a treatment tool (not shown) such as forceps is formed.

  An opening 36 </ b> M is provided in the base end surface 36 </ b> B of the holding member 36. The distal end portion including the distal end surface 20T in the insertion portion 20 is fitted and held in the holding member 36 through the opening 36M. The holding member 36 is detachable with respect to the wall surface member 32 in a state where the distal end of the insertion portion 20 is held as illustrated.

  The holding member 36 has an engaging protrusion 36P that protrudes toward the tip end portion 32A of the wall surface member 32. The distal end portion 32A is provided with an engagement groove 32G that engages with the engagement protrusion 36P. When the holding member 36 is in the illustrated engagement position, that is, when the engagement protrusion 36P is engaged with the engagement groove 32G, the holding member 36 is held by the wall surface member 32 and the holding member 36 is displaced. Is prevented. At this time, the front end surface 36S of the engagement protrusion 36P is flush with the front end surface 32S of the wall surface member 32.

  When the wall surface member 32 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow A with respect to the insertion portion 20, the holding member 36 holding the insertion portion 20 slides along the side wall portion 32B in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The movement of the holding member 36 is caused, for example, by an operation of pulling the proximal end side of the wall surface member 32, that is, the region on the oledome 25 (see FIG. 1) side, by a user who is observing the endoscope.

  Thus, when the holding member 36 slides along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 20 and the wall surface member 32 in a direction parallel to the central axis 20C, the engaging protrusion 36P is detached from the engaging groove 32G ( (See FIG. 3). At this time, the engaging protrusion 36 </ b> P at the tip of the holding member 36 protrudes from the tip surface 32 </ b> S of the wall surface member 32. In this way, the holding member 36 that is detached from the wall surface member 32 and is in the removal position shown in FIG. 3 can rotate around the central axis 20C of the insertion portion 20 as described later.

  A spring 40 (biasing member) is provided between the wall surface member 32 and the holding member 36. One end of the spring 40 is fixed to the distal end portion 32 </ b> A, and the other end is in contact with a region near the proximal end surface 36 </ b> B of the holding member 36. When the holding member 36 is in the detached position, the spring 40 biases the holding member 36 toward the coupling position (see FIG. 2). For this reason, it is prevented that the holding member 36 detached from the wall surface member 32 comes into contact with the tip portion 32A and is held by the tip portion 32A, and the holding member 36 is kept in a rotatable state.

  FIG. 4 is a front view showing the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 in the state shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 in the state shown in FIG.

  A plurality of engagement grooves 32 </ b> G are provided on the front end surface 32 </ b> S of the wall surface member 32. When the holding member 36 is in the engagement position (see FIGS. 2 and 4), the engagement protrusion 36P is engaged with any one of the engagement grooves 32G. When the engaging protrusion 36P is separated from the distal end surface 32S and the holding member 36 is in the disengaged position (see FIGS. 3 and 5), the holding member 36 can rotate as indicated by an arrow C. At this time, contact between the holding member 36 that holds the distal end of the insertion portion 20 and the distal end portion 32A of the wall surface member 32 is prevented by the spring 40 (see FIG. 3). When the side is rotated, the distal end portion of the inserted insertion portion 20 can be easily rotated.

  As described above, the holding member 36 is rotated around the central axis 20C, and the engaging protrusion 36P is engaged with the engaging groove 32G different from the engaging groove 32G with which the engaging protrusion 36P was engaged before being detached. As a result, the rotational position of the holding member 36 with respect to the wall surface member 32 is changed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the relative position between the insertion portion 20 and the endoscope cover 30 can be easily adjusted by making the holding member 36 holding the insertion portion 20 rotatable. In particular, even during endoscopic observation, since the position of the holding member 36 with respect to the endoscope 10 can be easily adjusted, efficient endoscopic observation is possible.

  For example, in the case where a treatment instrument such as a forceps protruding from the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20 and a treatment instrument (none of which are shown) protruding from the distal end surface 32S through the forceps channel 32C are used together, This is because the positional relationship can be easily adjusted. Further, for example, the operation of adjusting the position of the forceps channel 32C with respect to the objective lens or the like provided on the distal end surface 20T and removing the treatment tool passing through the forceps channel 32C from the imaging range is also easy.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope cover 30 in a state in which the holding member 36 of the second embodiment does not protrude, and corresponds to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the holding member 36 is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, the holding member 36 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape in which the inner diameter of the proximal end surface 36B provided with the opening 36M into which the insertion portion 20 is fitted is large, and the inner diameter is smaller toward the distal end surface 36S side. By using the holding member 36 having such a shape, the endoscope cover 30 can be used for various types of endoscopes 10 having different diameters of the insertion portion 20.

  Also in this embodiment, the outer wall surface 36C of the holding member 36 is parallel to the side wall portion 32B, and the spring 40 is disposed along a direction parallel to the central axis 20C. However, in the present embodiment, a tapered holding member 36 tapered as a whole member may be used. In this case, unlike the illustrated holding member 36 including a region having a small thickness, it is possible to provide a holding member with a good balance with an equal thickness while inclining the inner wall surface 36D.

  In the present embodiment using the holding member 36 having the inner wall surface 36D inclined with respect to the central axis 20C, only the vicinity of the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20 is held by the holding member 36. Thus, since the contact surface of the holding member 36 and the insertion part 20 becomes narrow, it is preferable to make the holding member 36 a relatively soft member and hold the insertion part 20 firmly while appropriately deforming.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the scope of application of the endoscope cover 30 can be expanded and applied to a plurality of endoscopes.

  The shape, material, and the like of members included in the endoscope cover 30 are not limited to any embodiment. For example, the holding member 36 may be formed in a ring shape without providing the spring 40. Further, the wall surface member may be formed of a uniform material without using the wall surface member 32 in which the tip portion 32A and the side wall portion 32B are fixed.

  Instead of providing the plurality of engaging grooves 32G (see FIGS. 4, 5 and the like), or together with the engaging grooves 32G, engaging grooves extending along the outer periphery of the distal end surface 36S of the holding member 36 may be provided. For example, the engagement position of the engagement protrusion 36P may be arbitrarily selected by providing an annular engagement groove around the distal end surface 36S.

10 Endoscope 30 Endoscope cover 32 Wall member 32C Forceps channel (pipe)
32S Front end surface 32G Engaging groove 36 Holding member 36M Opening 36P Engaging projection 40 Spring (biasing member)

Claims (8)

An endoscope cover attached to an endoscope,
A wall member covering a side surface of the endoscope;
A holding member that holds the distal end of the endoscope and is detachable from the wall surface member;
The endoscope cover according to claim 1, wherein the holding member that holds the distal end of the endoscope is rotatable around an axis of the endoscope in a state where the holding member is detached from the wall surface member.   The endoscope cover according to claim 1, wherein the position of the holding member with respect to the wall surface member can be adjusted by engaging the holding member with the wall surface member after rotation.   The endoscope cover according to claim 1, further comprising an urging member that urges the holding member detached from the wall surface member toward an engagement position that engages with the wall surface member.   2. The inner surface according to claim 1, wherein the holding member has an engaging protrusion protruding toward the wall surface member, and a groove is formed in the wall surface member to engage the engaging protrusion. Endoscopic cover.   2. The inner portion according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is cylindrical, and an inner diameter of a distal end portion is smaller than an inner diameter of a proximal end portion provided with an opening for fitting the endoscope. Endoscopic cover.   The endoscope cover according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is rotatable in a state in which a front end of the holding member protrudes from a front end surface of the wall surface member.   The endoscope cover according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is slidable along the wall surface member.   The endoscope cover according to claim 1, wherein a pipe line for a treatment instrument is provided in the wall surface member.

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