JP2013099426A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch between a non-spreading state in which fluid from an opening in the end of an insertion part of an endoscope is ejected without being impeded and a spreading state in which it is ejected while being spread within a predetermined range, without ejecting it in the shape of a tube and without increasing the diameter of the end of the insertion part.SOLUTION: A switching member 30 is arranged at the front of the end 3. The ejection area of the fluid which is ejected from a front water conveyance port 21 is switched by selectively switching the position of a spreading part 32 with respect to the front water conveyance port 21, without increasing the diameter of the end 3. When a non-spreading part 31 of the switching member 30 is arranged so that its position may match the front water conveyance port 21, the liquid supplied to a front water conveyance channel 22 is ejected from the front water conveyance port 21 in the direction of the pipe line axis of the front water conveyance channel 22 without being spread. When a spreading part 32 is arranged in the position where it obliquely covers the front water conveyance port 21, the liquid ejected from the front water conveyance port 21 is spread when it passes through the spreading part 32 and is ejected in a wide range ahead of the end 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope having an opening for ejecting fluid at a distal end portion.

  2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the like. For example, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, an organ in the body cavity is observed, and a treatment instrument insertion channel is used as necessary. Various treatments can be performed using the treatment tool inserted in the inside. A bending portion is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion, and the observation direction of the observation window at the distal end portion can be changed by operating the operation portion of the endoscope.

  When the outer surface of the objective optical system, which is an observation window of such an endoscope, is inserted into a body cavity, body fluid or the like may adhere and obstruct observation. For this reason, in general, an air supply / water supply nozzle for cleaning is provided in the vicinity of the observation window at the distal end portion of the endoscope. The outer surface of the objective optical system of the endoscope can secure an observation field of view by ejecting a cleaning liquid from an air / water feeding nozzle or blowing air.

  In addition to the air / water feeding nozzle, some endoscopes include a liquid supply unit that can eject a liquid such as a cleaning liquid toward an observation site in the body cavity. This liquid supply means, for example, supplies a liquid such as a cleaning liquid supplied from a front water supply device via a front water supply channel provided in the insertion portion, and opens an opening of the front water supply channel disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion. It is comprised so that it may inject via. Then, it is possible to wash the observation site in the body cavity that is contaminated by spraying the chemical solution from the opening of the front water supply channel to the observation site in the body cavity or by spraying the cleaning liquid from the opening of the front water supply channel channel. it can.

  In addition, when such an endoscope is configured to include a treatment instrument channel, the treatment instrument protruding from the opening of the treatment instrument channel disposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion, or observation in the vicinity of the treatment instrument. By spraying the cleaning liquid from the opening of the front water supply channel to the site, the treatment tool or the observation site in the vicinity of the treatment tool can be cleaned.

  However, in the conventional endoscope, the cleaning water injection port is only formed in a simple throttle hole shape, so it is difficult to adjust the state of the flow of the cleaning water sprayed toward the subject. Therefore, it is only possible to change the injection pressure on the side where the cleaning water is injected into the endoscope. For this reason, depending on the state of dirt attached to the subject, for example, there is a case where it is not possible to properly use diffusion spraying over a wide range and high-pressure spraying over a narrow range, and efficient cleaning cannot be performed. .

  In order to cope with this, in Patent Document 1, a movable nozzle core member is provided in the washing water injection port, and the subject of the subject is controlled by controlling the state of spreading and squeezing of the washing water jetted from the washing water injection port. A technology that makes it possible to perform efficient subject cleaning by using a wide range of diffusion jets, high-pressure jets in a narrow range, and large-flow jets by slow flow, etc. Is disclosed.

JP 2004-313283 A

  In Patent Document 1, since the movable nozzle core member is provided in the cleaning water injection port, not only the diameter of the endoscope tip is increased, but also the cleaning water injected from the injection port has a large and small injection range. Regardless, the center of the flow path is a hollow flow. For this reason, Patent Document 1 cannot be applied when the jet flow from the opening of the jet outlet is used as it is or when it is desired to reduce the diameter of the endoscope tip, and the application range is limited. End up.

For example, in Endoscopic Submucosal Dssection (ESD), when the peripheral part of treatment symmetry is incised and the liquid is ejected toward the incision hole, the submucosal layer is bulged. As described above, a jet flow having a hollow channel center cannot be effectively injected into the submucosa, and a local and sufficient swelling effect cannot be obtained. That is, when it is desired to eject the liquid locally at a specific location of the observation site, the hollow jet flow as in Patent Document 1 is not suitable.
Further, for example, even when dirt such as dirt attached to the surface of a treatment instrument, which is one of the observation sites of an endoscope, and particularly firmly attached dirt is washed away by jetting of fluid, a hollow like Patent Document 1 is used. Is not suitable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. A non-diffusion state in which the fluid from the opening at the distal end of the insertion portion is ejected without obstruction and a diffusion state in which the fluid is diffused and ejected in a predetermined range are ejected in a hollow shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope that can be switched without causing an increase in diameter of the distal end of the insertion portion.

  An endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope in which an opening for ejecting a fluid toward an observation site is disposed at a distal end of an insertion portion, and the fluid ejected from the opening is in a predetermined range. And a switching mechanism that selectively switches the position of the diffusing member relative to the opening between the front surface and the non-front surface of the flow path of the fluid ejected from the opening.

  According to the present invention, when the fluid is ejected from the opening at the distal end of the insertion portion, a non-diffusion state in which the fluid from the opening is ejected without obstructing, and a diffusion state in which the fluid is ejected by being diffused to a predetermined range, It can be switched without injecting into a hollow shape and without causing the diameter of the distal end of the insertion portion to increase, and switching between diffusion / non-diffusion according to the situation of the case to shorten the case time, improve the cleaning performance, etc. The scope of application can be expanded.

1 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Same as above, explanatory view showing the distal end portion of the endoscope Same as above, explanatory diagram of fluid ejection range switching mechanism Same as above, explanatory diagram showing fluid diffusion state The perspective view which shows the modification of a fluid ejection range switching mechanism same as the above. Same as above, explanatory diagram showing fluid diffusion state Same as above, illustration of endoscope hood capable of recognizing the direction of gravity Explanatory drawing which shows the front-end | tip part of an endoscope according to the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Same as above, sectional view showing fluid ejection range switching mechanism Same as above, enlarged view showing the connection state of the operation wire and the bevel gear Same as above, explanatory diagram of switching member with changed mesh roughness Explanatory drawing of the fluid ejection range switching mechanism concerning the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Same as above, explanatory diagram showing fluid diffusion state Explanatory drawing of the fluid ejection range switching mechanism concerning the 4th Embodiment of this invention. Same as above, explanatory diagram showing fluid non-diffusion state

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope system to which an endoscope 2 according to the present invention is applied. The endoscope system 1 includes an endoscope 2, a light source device 10, a video processor 12, a monitor 13, an air / water supply device 14, a suction device 15, and a front water supply device 16. Has been.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 6 that is inserted into the body of a subject, an operation portion 7 that is connected to the proximal end of the insertion portion 6, a universal cord 8 that extends from the operation portion 7, and a universal cord. 8 and a connector portion 9 provided at the tip end. The insertion portion 6 includes a distal end portion 3 having a hard portion on the distal end side, a bending portion 4 provided continuously with the distal end portion 3, and a flexible tube portion 5 provided continuously with the bending portion 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, two illumination windows 17a and 17b, an observation window 18, a treatment instrument channel opening 19, and an air / water supply nozzle 20 are provided on the distal end surface 3_1 of the distal end 3 viewed from the direction of arrow A. ing. In addition, a front water supply port 21 is opened in a flat surface portion 3_2 that is slightly recessed from the front end surface 3_1, and an elongated switching member 30 is disposed to face the front water supply port 21. The switching member 30 is a main member that constitutes a fluid ejection range switching mechanism that is remotely operated by the operation lever 7a disposed in the operation unit 7 and switches the ejection range of the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21. It will be described later.

  The observation window 18 of the distal end portion 3 is provided with an objective optical system that takes in reflected light from the observation site, and a solid-state image sensor is disposed at the imaging position of the objective optical system. In addition, the bending portion 4 provided continuously with the distal end portion 3 is provided with a plurality of bending pieces, and is bent vertically and horizontally by a bending wire extending from a bending operation knob (not shown) provided in the operation portion 7. The flexible tube portion 5 connected to the curved portion 4 is formed in a long shape by a flexible member.

  A light guide, a signal cable, a treatment instrument channel, a water supply / air supply channel, and a front water supply channel 22 (see FIG. 3) (not shown) are provided at the distal end portion 3, the bending portion 4, and the flexible tube portion 5 constituting the insertion portion 6. Is provided. The tip of the light guide is disposed in the illumination windows 17a and 17b of the tip 3. The distal end of the signal cable is connected to a solid-state image sensor provided in the observation window 18 of the distal end portion 3. The distal end of the treatment instrument channel is disposed in the treatment instrument channel opening 19 of the distal end portion 3. The tip of the water / air supply channel is arranged at the opening of the air / water supply nozzle 20 at the tip 3. The front end of the front water supply channel 22 is disposed at the front water supply port 21 of the front end portion 3.

  On the other hand, the proximal end of the light guide is connected to the light source device 10 from the operation unit 7 via the universal cord 8 and the connector unit 9. The base end of the signal cable is connected to the video processor 12 from the operation unit 7 via the universal cord 8, the connector unit 9, and the connector cable 11. The proximal end of the treatment instrument channel 19 is connected to a treatment instrument insertion port (not shown) provided in the operation unit 7. The proximal end of the water / air supply channel is connected to a water / air supply channel base provided in the operation unit 7, and is divided into an air supply channel tube and a water supply channel tube from the water / air supply channel base. These air supply channel tube and water supply channel tube are both connected to the air / water supply device 14 from the operation unit 7 via the universal cord 8 and the connector unit 9. Then, water is supplied and supplied by operating a water supply / air supply switch provided in the water supply / air supply channel base of the operation unit 7. The proximal end of the forward water supply channel 22 is connected to the forward water supply device 16 from the operation unit 7 via the universal cord 8 and the connector unit 9.

  The light source device 10 includes a light source unit 10 a such as an illumination lamp and a light source control unit 10 b that is a lighting control circuit for the light source unit 10 a, and projects illumination light on the base end of the light guide of the connector unit 9. Thereby, the illumination light of the light source part 10a can be guided to the two illumination windows 17a and 17b.

  As the illumination lamp of the light source unit 10a, for example, a halogen or xenon lamp is used, and the light amount and wavelength of light emitted from the light source unit 10a are adjusted by the light source control unit 10b. The light source control unit 10b adjusts the voltage applied to the light source unit 10a or a filter, for example. These operations can be performed with a front panel (not shown), a keyboard (not shown), or the like of the light source device 10.

  The video processor 12 includes a signal processing unit 12a and a processor control unit 12b that controls the signal processing unit 12a. The video processor 12 drives the solid-state imaging device provided at the tip 3 and is obtained by the solid-state imaging device. The imaging signal of the observed site is captured, and the signal processing unit 12a performs predetermined signal processing on the imaging signal to generate a video signal. The monitor 13 displays an endoscopic image based on the video signal generated by the signal processing unit 12a of the video processor 12.

  In the video processor 12, the video signal acquisition, luminance value processing, and the like are controlled by the processor control unit 12b. These operations can be performed with the switch button of the operation unit 7, the keyboard, the front panel of the video processor 12, or the like.

  The air / water supply device 14 supplies air to the water supply / air supply channel cap provided in the operation unit 7 through the air supply channel tube and liquid via the water supply channel tube. Then, by operating a water / air supply switch provided in the water / air supply channel base, liquid or air is selectively supplied to the water / air supply channel.

  The liquid or air supplied to the water / air supply channel is injected from the injection port of the air / water supply nozzle 20 at the tip 3. In addition, since the injection port of the air / water supply nozzle 20 is directed substantially in the direction of the observation window 18, the surface of the observation window 18 is contaminated by injecting liquid or air from the injection port of the air / water supply nozzle 20. Can be dropped.

  The suction device 15 is connected to a treatment instrument channel tube that forms a treatment instrument channel in the operation section 7 via the connector section 9 and the universal cord 8. The treatment instrument channel tube is bifurcated in the operation unit 7, and one treatment instrument channel tube is connected to a treatment instrument insertion port provided in the operation unit 7, and the treatment instrument is inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port. The treatment instrument can be operated by projecting from the treatment instrument channel opening 19. The other treatment instrument channel tube branched into two branches is connected to the suction device 15 from the connector portion 9 and can suck, for example, a patient's body fluid or air from the treatment tool channel opening 19.

  It is also possible to manually supply water from the treatment instrument channel opening 19 by supplying water from the treatment instrument insertion port of the operation section 7 with a syringe or the like.

  The front water supply device 16 operates a front water supply button (not shown) of the operation unit 7 to supply a fluid such as a cleaning liquid or a chemical solution to the front water supply channel 22 at a predetermined pressure, and the front water supply port of the distal end portion 3. The fluid is ejected in a non-diffusion or diffusion state according to the operation position of the switching member 30 arranged at 21.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the switching member 30 is formed in an elongated substantially oval shape, and the non-diffusing portion 31 that allows the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 to pass through without diffusing, and ejected from the front water supply port 21. A diffusing section 32 that diffuses the fluid to be discharged into a predetermined discharge range. The non-diffusion part 31 is formed as an opening part by a circular hole, a notch, etc., for example. The non-diffusing portion 31 is basically an opening hole having a diameter that is the same as or slightly larger than that of the front water supply port 21 so as not to hinder the jet flow from the front water supply port 21. It is also possible to use an orifice shape for narrowing down. Further, the diffusion part 32 is configured by a diffusion member made of, for example, a mesh-like member having a rectangular or honeycomb-shaped opening, or a thin plate material having a plurality of opening holes such as punching metal.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, at the end of the switching member 30 on the non-diffusion part 31 side, the small-diameter rotating shaft 33 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the switching member 30, that is, the front water supply channel 22. It is inserted in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pipe axis direction. The switching member 30 is pivotally supported on the distal end portion 3 via the rotation shaft 33 so as to rotate in the pipe axis direction of the front water supply channel 22, and the non-diffusing portion 31 is connected to the front water supply port 21 as shown in FIG. 3. Rotating operation to a position facing (matching) and a position where the diffusion section 32 covers the front water supply port 21 diagonally by rotating so as to protrude diagonally from the distal end surface 3_1 of the distal end portion 3 as shown in FIG. Is done.

  The rotation operation of the switching member 30 is performed via an operation wire 34 fixed to the end portion on the diffusing portion 32 side, and the position of the non-diffusing portion 31 or the diffusing portion 32 is ejected from the front water supply port 21. Are selectively switched between the front side and the non-front side of the channel. The operation wire 34 is inserted through the insertion portion 6 and connected to the operation lever 7 a of the operation portion 7. The operation lever 7a and the operation wire 34 are connected via a link mechanism, a rack and pinion mechanism, and the like. The operation wire 34 is moved forward and backward by the operation lever 7a, so that the operation lever 7a is pivotally supported by the rotating shaft 33. The switching member 30 is rotated between the operation position (non-diffusion position) shown in FIG. 3 and the operation position (diffusion position) shown in FIG.

  That is, in the non-diffusion position shown in FIG. 3, the operation wire 34 is indexed to the hand side, the switching member 30 is held in a state substantially parallel to the tip surface 3_1 of the tip part 3, and the position of the non-diffusion part 31 is the front water supply port. 21. Further, at the diffusion position shown in FIG. 4, the operation wire 34 is pushed forward, the switching member 30 is rotated so as to protrude obliquely from the distal end surface 3_1 of the distal end portion 3, and the diffusion portion 32 opens the front water supply port 21. It will be in the state which covers diagonally.

  The operation wire 34 has flexibility to follow the bending operation of the bending portion 4, while it has rigidity that does not cause local bending in the advance / retreat direction with respect to the advance / retreat operation by the operation lever 7 a. A plurality of metal strands are twisted together.

  In the present embodiment, the fluid ejection that switches the ejection range of the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 by the switching member 30, the rotating shaft 33, the operation wire 34, and the coupling mechanism between the operation wire 34 and the operation lever 7a. A range switching mechanism is configured. In this fluid ejection range switching mechanism, the switching member 30 is disposed on the front surface of the distal end portion 3, and the position of the diffusion portion 31 with respect to the front water supply port 21 is selectively switched, so that the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is changed. Since the jetting range is switched, jetting is not carried out in a hollow shape, and the diameter of the tip is not increased.

Next, the operation of the endoscope 2 having the above fluid ejection range switching mechanism will be described.
When the insertion portion 6 of the endoscope 2 is inserted into a body cavity of a patient and a target site in the body cavity is observed or treated, a fluid (liquid) such as a cleaning liquid or a chemical solution is ejected from the front water supply port 21 of the distal end portion 3. In order to clean the target part, inject chemicals, etc., the user operates a forward water supply button (not shown) of the operation unit 7 to drive the forward water supply device 16. Then, the forward water feeding device 16 supplies liquid at a predetermined pressure from the connector portion 9 to the forward water feeding channel 22 in the insertion portion 6 through the universal cord 8.

  At this time, when the liquid is ejected from the front water supply port 21 without being diffused, the operation lever 7a of the operation unit 7 is set to the non-diffusion operation position. In this operation state, the operation wire 34 is indexed, and the position of the non-diffusion part 31 of the switching member 30 coincides with the front water supply port 21 as shown in FIG. As a result, the liquid supplied to the front water supply channel 22 is ejected in the direction of the pipe axis of the front water supply channel 22 without being diffused from the front water supply port 21.

  On the other hand, when the fluid is diffused and ejected from the front water supply port 21, the operation lever 7a of the operation unit 7 is operated to the diffusion position. By operating the operating lever 7a to the diffusing position, the operating wire 34 is pushed out to the front side of the tip portion 3 and the switching member 30 is rotated. As shown in FIG. It becomes a position that covers diagonally. In the operation position of FIG. 4, the liquid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is diffused when passing through the diffusion portion 32, and spreads in a substantially conical shape within a predetermined range along the pipe axis direction of the front water supply channel 22. Injected in a wide range in front of the tip 3.

  Thereby, for example, when the submucosal layer of the target site is bulged in, for example, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), the switching member 30 is operated to the non-diffusion position, so that the front water supply port The substantially cylindrical jet flow from 21 can be effectively injected into the submucosa, and a local and sufficient swelling effect can be obtained. In addition, for example, when a postoperative residue is washed away, or when a bleeding point is searched for by observing a lesion, a wide range can be efficiently washed away. Therefore, the diffusion / non-diffusion of the fluid can be switched depending on the situation of the case, and the case time can be shortened.

  When cleaning is performed by diffusing the liquid by the switching member 30, it is possible to eject the fluid in a wide range toward both the optical axis direction of the observation window 18 and the pipe axis direction of the treatment instrument channel opening 19. Therefore, it is possible to improve the cleaning performance. For example, even in an endoscope with a deep observation depth, the forward water supply range is widened in the optical axis direction, so that the observation site should be thoroughly washed even if the distance between the observation site and the endoscope tip changes slightly. Is possible.

  Further, when a treatment is performed by inserting the treatment tool through the treatment tool channel, the treatment tool can be sufficiently cleaned even if the amount of protrusion of the treatment tool from the treatment tool channel opening 19 changes slightly. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to simultaneously clean the observation site in the imaging field of the observation window 18 and the treatment tool protruding from the treatment tool channel opening 19.

  In the fluid ejection range switching mechanism described above, the switching mechanism including the switching member 30 and the operation wire 34 is built in the endoscope. However, this switching mechanism may be an external mechanism that is separate from the endoscope. Here, a modified example in which the fluid ejection range switching mechanism is externally attached to the endoscope will be described.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 5, the switching member 30 is pivotally supported on a hood 40 attached to the distal end portion 3A of the endoscope. For this reason, the switching member 30 is pivotally supported by the side wall 40a which protrudes from the front-end | tip part 3A of the hood 40 via the rotating shaft 33 extended to the side. The operation wire 34 fixed to the end of the switching member 30 on the diffusing portion 32 side is inserted and supported in a tubular guide portion 40b provided on the outer peripheral side of the hood 40, and the outer wall of the insertion portion 6A. Is extended to the hand side.

  The end of the operation wire 34 on the hand side is connected to an operation lever (not shown), and the operation wire 34 is advanced and retracted through the operation lever. When the operation wire 34 is pushed forward from the state of FIG. 5 in which the fluid is ejected in a non-diffusing state through the non-diffusing portion 31, the diffusing portion 32 causes the front water supply port 21 to be inclined as shown in FIG. The switching member 30 rotates to such a position as to cover, and the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is diffused within a predetermined range.

  Such a switching mechanism separate from the endoscope can be applied to general endoscopes that do not have a mechanism for switching non-diffusion / diffusion of forward water supply, and can be applied to a wide range more flexibly. Cost reduction can be achieved.

  In this case, a hood 45 as shown in FIG. 7 may be used. The hood 45 is an endoscope hood capable of recognizing the direction of gravity, and an annular pipe 45a is provided at a portion that becomes the visual field outer periphery of the observation optical system 18A of the endoscope. A direction identification member 46 for identifying the direction is provided.

  The direction identification member 46 is formed of, for example, a sphere or a bubble, is configured to be freely movable in the circumferential direction in the pipe 45a, and is colored so as to be easily visible. When the endoscope distal end is moved in an arbitrary direction and stopped, the direction identification member 46 of the hood 45 moves in the pipe 45a and stops at a position above or below the gravity direction. Thereby, the direction of gravity can be easily recognized on the endoscopic image, and the strategy of the procedure can be easily established.

  In the present embodiment, when the diffusion portion 32 is formed of a mesh-like member, the roughness of the mesh is constant, but the angle at which the diffusion portion 32 of the switching member 30 covers the front water supply port 21 is adjusted. Accordingly, the density of the mesh can be equivalently changed with respect to the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 along the pipe axis direction of the front water supply channel 22, and the diffusion range can be finely adjusted. is there. Furthermore, it is also possible to positively change the diffusion range by configuring the diffusion unit 32 so that the roughness of the mesh changes stepwise, for example.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the switching member 30 is provided with the non-diffusing portion 31 and the diffusing portion 32. However, the switching member 30 does not necessarily need to be provided with the non-diffusing portion 31, and at least the diffusing portion. 32 may be provided. That is, since the non-diffusion part 31 should just be normally comprised as an opening part which allows the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 to pass through as it is, it is a switching member to the angle which becomes substantially parallel to the pipe line axial direction of the front water supply channel 22. By allowing 30 to rotate, the fluid can be ejected from the front water supply port 21 in a non-diffusion state.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 8, the switching member 50 disposed at the distal end portion 3 </ b> B of the endoscope according to the second embodiment is on the opening surface of the front water supply port 21 and in the pipe axial direction of the front water supply channel 22. Is switched between non-diffusion and diffusion by rotating the switching member 50 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the above. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  The switching member 50 in the second embodiment is formed in an elongated substantially oval shape, and includes a diffusing portion 51 similar to the diffusing portion 32 of the switching member 30 in the first embodiment. The non-diffusion part corresponding to the part 31 is not particularly provided. That is, the switching member 50 has one end portion as a base end side of the diffusing portion 51, and this base end side is pivotally supported by a rotating shaft 52 erected on the tip end portion 3B, and the tip end surface 3B_1 (front side) of the tip end portion 3B is supported. It is rotatably disposed on the opening surface of the water supply port 21.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the switching member 50 is rotated to a position disengaged from the front water supply port 21, the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is ejected without being diffused. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the switching member 50 is rotated to a position where the diffusing portion 51 covers the front water supply port 21, the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is within a predetermined discharge range. Diffused.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the switching of the fluid ejection range by the rotation of the switching member 50 on the distal end surface 3B_1 is performed by a rotation mechanism mainly composed of two bevel gears 54A and 54B disposed in the distal end portion 3B. Done. One bevel gear 54 </ b> A is fixed to a rotary shaft 52 that extends from the back surface side of the switching member 50 into the distal end portion 3 </ b> B. Further, the other bevel gear 54B meshed with the bevel gear 54A is pivotally supported by a rotation shaft 55 that is set up perpendicularly to the rotation shaft 52 and in the distal end portion 3B, and is further connected to the operation wire 57 via a link mechanism. It is connected.

  That is, one end of the elongated plate 56 constituting the link mechanism is rotatably supported on the back side of the other bevel gear 54B, and one end of the operation wire 57 is rotatably supported on the other end of the plate 56. Has been. As with the operation wire 34 in the first embodiment, the operation wire 57 is connected to the operation lever on the hand side, and the bevel gear 54B is configured to rotate in response to the advance / retreat movement of the operation wire 57. Yes.

  In such a rotating mechanism, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the plate 56 and the operation wire 57 are arranged substantially in a straight line with respect to the axial center of the bevel gear 54B, FIG. ), The switching member 50 is disposed at the operation position deviated from the front water supply port 21. Therefore, in this operation position, the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is discharged forward without being diffused.

  On the other hand, when the operation wire 57 is pushed forward from the non-diffusion operation position, the bevel gear 54B rotates as shown in FIG. 10B (in the figure, as viewed from the back side of the bevel gear 54B). Rotate clockwise). As a result, the switching member 50 rotates via the bevel gear 54A that meshes with the bevel gear 54B, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the diffusion portion 51 of the switching member 50 becomes an operation position that covers the front water supply port 21. . In this operation position, the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is diffused when passing through the diffusion portion 51 and is discharged within a predetermined diffusion range.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the switching member 50 may be a switching member 50A in which a plurality of diffusion members 51A and 51B having different mesh roughness are arranged in the rotation direction. By using the switching member 50A, the fluid diffusion range can be clearly varied.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a non-diffusion state in which the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is ejected without obstructing, and a diffusion state in which the fluid is diffused and ejected within a predetermined range, Switching can be performed without causing an increase in the diameter of the distal end portion of the endoscope, and switching between diffusion / non-diffusion according to the situation of the case can shorten the case time and improve the cleaning performance.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism mainly composed of the two bevel gears 54A and 54B is disposed in the distal end portion 3B. However, it is not necessarily disposed in the distal end portion 3B. You may provide in the operation part 7. FIG. In this case, the rotating shaft 52 is configured by a flexible wire having a torsional rigidity inserted through the insertion portion 6 so as to connect the switching member 50 of the distal end portion 3B and the bevel gear 54A. Thereby, the rotational torque of the bevel gear 54 </ b> A in the operation unit 7 is transmitted to the switching member 50, and the rotational position of the switching member 50 can be operated.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The fluid ejection range switching mechanism in the third embodiment diffuses fluid by inserting a stretchable net-like member into the flow path of fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the operation wire 60 is housed in the distal end portion 3C of the endoscope, protrudes from the distal end surface of the distal end portion 3C, and is located in the vicinity of the front water supply port 21 in the front water supply port 21. An elbow-shaped guide tube 61 that is opened toward the flow path of the fluid ejected from is disposed substantially parallel to the front water supply channel 22. The operation wire 60 is joined to a distal end side of a diffusion member 62 that is inserted into a flow path of fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 and diffuses the fluid, and is connected to an operation lever (not shown) on the hand side.

  The diffusing member 62 is formed of a stretchable net-like member. When the operation wire 60 is pulled, as shown in FIG. 12, the diffusing member 62 is contracted and retracted to the distal end side of the guide tube 61 as a diffusing member accommodating conduit. Has been. In a state where the diffusing member 62 is stored in the guide tube 61, the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is discharged forward without being diffused.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the operation wire 60 is pushed out, the diffusion member 62 joined to the tip of the operation wire 60 is expanded and developed into a net-like substantially spherical shape. Arranged forward. As a result, the fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 is diffused when passing through the net-like diffusion member 62 and is released within a predetermined diffusion range.

  Note that the diffusing member 62 is not limited to being expanded in a spherical shape, and for example, the distal end portion of the guide tube 61 can be developed into a flat plate shape with a rectangular cross section.

  Also in the third embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments described above, a non-diffusion state in which the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is ejected without being obstructed, and a predetermined range is diffused and ejected. The diffusion state can be switched without causing an increase in the diameter of the distal end of the endoscope. Switching between diffusion / non-diffusion according to the situation of the case can shorten the case time and improve the cleaning performance. it can. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, cost can be reduced with a simple configuration.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The fluid ejection range switching mechanism in the fourth embodiment switches non-diffusion / diffusion using the fluid ejection pressure as a drive source.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the switching member 70 in the fourth embodiment is provided with a diffusion portion 71 that diffuses the fluid from the front water supply port 21 and the diffusion portion 71, and the diffusion portion 71 is connected to the diffusion portion 71. And a curved portion 72 that is curved by the fluid pressure received. The bending portion 72 is fixed by being joined to the distal end portion 3D of the endoscope, for example, by bonding or the like with the end portion 72a on the opposite side of the diffusing portion 71 as a base portion.

  Specifically, the diffusing portion 71 is a diffusing member made of a thin plate material having a plurality of opening holes such as a mesh-like member or punching metal, like the diffusing portion 32 of the switching member 30 in the first embodiment. Is formed. The curved portion 72 is formed of a soft elastic body such as silicon rubber or a hard elastic body such as a metal spring material, and is formed in a flat plate shape or a wire shape.

  In such an initial state in which no fluid is ejected from the front water supply port 21, such a switching member 70 is disposed at a position where the diffusion unit 71 covers the front water supply port 21, and fluid is ejected from the front water supply port 21 to the diffusion unit 71. When the fluid pressure becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, the bending portion 72 is bent and the diffusion portion 71 is displaced outside the flow path. The prescribed pressure for bending the bending portion 72 is set in advance from the flow channel area, the flow channel resistance of the diffusion portion 71, the rigidity of the bending portion 72, and the like.

  Therefore, when the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is diffused, the pressure of the fluid supplied to the front water supply channel 22 is regulated by a changeover switch that switches the water supply pressure in conjunction with the water supply button of the front water supply device 16. Make it lower. In a state where the fluid pressure applied to the diffusing portion 71 is lower than the specified pressure, the bending portion 72 of the switching member 70 hardly bends and stops at the position where the diffusing portion 71 covers the front water supply port 21 as shown in FIG. The fluid ejected from the front water supply port 21 passes through the diffusion part 71 and is diffused to a predetermined range.

  On the other hand, when the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is discharged forward without diffusing, the pressure of the fluid supplied to the front water supply channel 22 is made higher than a specified pressure. In a state where the fluid pressure applied to the diffusing portion 71 is higher than the specified pressure, as shown in FIG. 15, the curved portion 72 of the switching member 70 is curved and the diffusing portion 71 flows from the front water supply port 21. The fluid displaced outside the road and ejected from the front water supply port 21 is discharged in the direction of the pipe axis of the front water supply channel 22 without being diffused.

  Also in the fourth embodiment, as in each of the above-described embodiments, a non-diffusion state in which the fluid from the front water supply port 21 is ejected without obstructing, and a diffusion state in which the fluid is diffused and ejected within a predetermined range, Switching can be performed without causing an increase in the diameter of the distal end portion of the endoscope, and switching between diffusion / non-diffusion according to the situation of the case can shorten the case time and improve the cleaning performance. Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, an operation wire for operating the switching member 70 to the diffusion / non-diffusion position is not required, and the cost can be reduced with a simple configuration. There is no inconvenience.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications. For example, any of the fluid ejection range switching mechanisms described above may be a hood attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope shown in FIG. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 2 Endoscope 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D Tip part 6, 6A Insertion part 7 Operation part 7a Operation lever 16 Front water supply device 21 Front water supply port 22 Front water supply channel 30, 50, 50A, 70 Switching member 31 Non-diffusion part 32, 51, 51A, 51B, 62, 71 Diffusion part (diffusion member)
34, 57, 60 Operation wire 61 Guide tube

Claims (9)

An endoscope in which an opening for ejecting a fluid toward an observation site is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion,
A diffusion member that diffuses the fluid ejected from the opening to a predetermined range;
An endoscope comprising: a switching mechanism that selectively switches a position of the diffusion member with respect to the opening between a front surface and a non-front surface of a flow path of fluid ejected from the opening. The diffusing member is provided as a diffusing portion in a switching member having a non-diffusing portion that allows the fluid ejected from the opening to pass through without diffusing,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the switching member is rotated to selectively arrange the non-diffusing portion and the diffusing portion in front of the flow path.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the non-diffusing portion is formed as an opening hole having a diameter equal to or larger than that of the opening.   The position of the diffusion member is selectively switched between the front surface and the non-front surface of the flow path by rotating the diffusion member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pipe axis direction of the opening by the switching mechanism. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that:   The position of the diffusing member is selectively switched between the front surface and the non-front surface of the flow path by rotating the diffusing member along a rotation axis substantially orthogonal to the pipe axis direction of the opening by the switching mechanism. The endoscope according to claim 1. A diffusion member storage conduit provided in the vicinity of the opening, having an opening toward the opening, and capable of storing the diffusion member made of a contractible mesh member;
The position of the diffusing member is adjusted by pushing and pulling the diffusing member between the storing state of the diffusing member storing pipe and the state protruding from the opening of the diffusing member storing pipe by the switching mechanism. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is selectively switched between a front surface and a non-front surface.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diffusing member is formed of a mesh-like member.   The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the mesh member has a plurality of stages of mesh roughness.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the diffusing member and the switching mechanism are provided in a hood detachable from a distal end of the insertion portion.

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