JP2013172773A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope where draining property is improved by reliably prevent water flow from a water supply conduit to an air/water supply pipeline in switch into air supply operation following water supply operation, and where an insertion part of a thick diameter is prevented and can be thinned.SOLUTION: An endoscope 1 includes: a nozzle 11 that supplies air and water to a surface of an observation window 9; an air supply pipeline 13 connected to an air supply source 17; a water supply conduit 14 connected to a water supply source 18; an air/water supply pipeline 12 communicated with the nozzle 11; a merging section that extends so that the air/water supply pipeline 12 is communicated therewith at its leading end, and that is fitted so that the water supply conduit 14 is communicated and merging with from the side of the air supply conduit 13 at its proximal end. In the merging section, an open surface of the water supply pipeline 14 has an inner surface of the air supply pipeline 13 and a step of a specific length.

Description

  The present invention relates to an air / water supply conduit provided for cleaning an observation window of an endoscope.

  As is well known, in an endoscope, an observation window disposed at the distal end of an insertion portion is frequently contaminated with a subject's dirt during endoscopic examination, for example, in-body sewage and body fluid in medical use. Therefore, every time the surface of the observation window of the endoscope becomes dirty, a water supply operation is performed in which water is sprayed on the surface to wash away the dirty liquid, and then an air supply operation is performed in which the water remaining on the surface is blown off with air. . In this way, in the conventional endoscope, dirt attached to the surface of the observation window is removed, and poor visibility is improved. Note that an air / water nozzle is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion of the conventional endoscope toward the surface of the observation window.

  However, if the air supply and water supply nozzles are provided separately, the air supply jetting path and the water supply jetting path do not match, so that water droplets attached to the surface of the observation window cannot be sufficiently blown away. There is. For this reason, conventional endoscopes are mainly provided with an air / water supply nozzle that ejects air and water from the same opening.

  Such a conventional endoscope is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1, and uses a confluence member formed of a bending pipe or the like, and a configuration in which an air supply conduit and a water supply conduit merge on the distal end side of the insertion portion. It has become. When the endoscope disclosed in Patent Document 1 is switched from a water supply state in which dirt on the surface of the observation window is washed away to a gas supply state in which water remaining on the surface of the observation window is blown off with air, The water can be stopped by partly flowing to the water supply pipe side.

JP-A-7-67831

  By the way, if the conventional endoscope has an insufficient water-stopping effect, water in the water supply pipe will flow into the air supply pipe even though it is in the air supply state, and will adhere to the observation window. There is a problem that water drops cannot be removed indefinitely and water drainage is poor.

  In order to solve such a problem, a conventional endoscope may be provided with a flow path switching member at a junction. However, the conventional endoscope has a drawback that the flow path switching member is provided to increase the size of the merging portion, and as a result, the insertion portion of the endoscope is increased in diameter.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to provide water from the inside of the water supply line to the air supply / water supply line when switching from the water supply operation to the air supply operation. It is possible to provide an endoscope that can be surely stopped from flowing out to improve water drainage and can be made into a thin insertion portion that prevents an increase in diameter.

  An endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes a nozzle that supplies and supplies water to the surface of an observation window, an air supply line that is connected to an air supply source, a water supply line that is connected to a water supply source, and the nozzle. So that the air / water supply conduit communicates with the air supply / water supply conduit at the distal end side, and the water supply conduit communicates from the side of the air supply conduit with the proximal end side so as to merge. And an opening surface of the water supply conduit has a step with a predetermined length from the inner surface of the air supply conduit.

  According to the present invention, when the operation is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the flow of water from the water supply conduit to the air supply / water supply conduit can be surely stopped and the water drainage is improved. In addition, an endoscope that can be a thin insertion portion that prevents the increase in diameter can be provided.

The figure which showed the whole structure of the air supply / water supply pipe line of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment Same as above, external view of endoscope tip Partial sectional view showing the structure of the portion from the vicinity of the tip of the air supply conduit and the water supply conduit to the nozzle Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a junction part Same as above, sectional view of the merging section during water supply Same as above, cross-sectional view of merging section Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of a 1st modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of a 2nd modification same as the above Section which shows composition of confluence part of the 3rd modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of 2nd Embodiment Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of a 1st modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of a 2nd modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the confluence | merging part of a 3rd modification same as the above

  Hereinafter, the endoscope according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the drawings based on each embodiment are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the thickness ratio of each part, and the like are different from the actual ones. It should be noted that the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an air supply / water supply conduit of an endoscope, and FIG. 2 is an external view of a distal end portion of the endoscope. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the portion from the vicinity of the tip of the air supply conduit and the water supply conduit to the nozzle, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the confluence, and FIG. 5 is the confluence of the water supply. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the merging portion at the time of air supply, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the merging portion of the first modification, and FIG. 8 is a cross-section illustrating the configuration of the merging portion of the second modification. FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 are cross-sectional views showing the configuration of the merging portion of the third modification.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment includes an operation unit 2, an insertion unit 3 inserted into a body cavity, and a universal cord unit 4 connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 3. Configured. The insertion portion 3 includes a flexible portion 5, a bending portion 6, and a tip configuration portion 7 in order from the operation portion 2 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end configuration portion 7 of the insertion portion 3 is provided with an illumination window 8, an observation window 9, and a treatment instrument outlet 10 on the distal end surface. Further, a nozzle 11 for supplying air or water toward the observation window 9 is provided on the distal end surface of the distal end configuration portion 7.

  Returning to FIG. 1, an air / water supply conduit 12 is connected to the nozzle 11. The air / water supply conduit 12 communicates with the air supply conduit 13 at the distal end side position in the soft portion 5 and is connected so that the water supply conduit 14 joins. The air supply conduit 13 and the water supply conduit 14 extend through the operation portion 2 to the connector portion 15 provided at the tip of the universal cord portion 4.

  The operation unit 2 is equipped with an air / water supply switching valve 16 that switches between three states of an air / water supply stop state, an air supply state, and a water supply state. The air / water supply switching valve 16 can be operated with a finger of a hand that holds the operation unit 2 of the endoscope 1.

  An air pump 17 as an air supply source and a water supply tank 18 as a water supply source are connected to the connector portion 15 of the universal cord portion 4. Pressurized air supplied from the air pump 17 is detachably connected to the air supply line 13 via an air pipe 19.

  A water supply tank pressure pipe 20 is connected to the air pipe 19. The tip of the water tank pressurizing pipe 20 is open on the liquid level in the water tank 18. Moreover, it arrange | positions so that the one end opening of the water supply piping 25 may be immersed under the liquid level in the water supply tank 18. The other end of the water supply pipe 25 is detachably connected to the water supply pipe 14.

  That is, when pressurized air is supplied into the water supply tank 18 through the water supply tank pressurizing pipe 20 and the inside of the water supply tank 18 is pressurized, the pressure inside the water supply tank 18 is increased and stored therein. Pressure is applied to the water so that water can be supplied to the water supply line 14 via the water supply pipe 25.

  In FIG. 3, an air / water supply tube 21 provided with an air / water supply conduit 12, an air supply tube 22 provided with an air supply conduit 13, and a water supply tube 23 provided with a water supply conduit 14 are shown, respectively. The water supply tube 23 is connected via the confluence member 24 of the confluence part 28, and is joined so that the water supply line 14 communicates with the air supply line 13. In addition, the air supply conduit 13 and the water supply conduit 14 are communicated with the air supply / water supply conduit 12 via the junction member 24.

  Note that a fluid passage 26 that is a through hole is formed in the distal end constituting portion 7 of the insertion portion 3. The base end portion of the nozzle 11 is inserted into the fluid passage 26 from the front end opening side. The fluid passage 26 has a distal end portion of the connection pipe 27 inserted from the proximal end opening side, and a distal end portion of the air / water supply tube 21 extending from the joining portion 28 is extrapolated to the proximal end portion of the connection pipe 27. It is connected.

  As described above, the endoscope 1 has a pipe line in which the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 are connected to the junction 28, and the nozzle 11 communicates with the air supply / water supply tube 21, the connection pipe 27, and the fluid passage 26. It has a configuration.

  By the way, the air / water supply tube 21 extending from the merging portion 28 to the distal end side is, for example, a tube having an inner diameter φ of 0.9 mm and an overall length of about 160 mm. In addition, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 extending from the merging portion 28 to the base end side are, for example, tubes having an inner diameter φ of 0.9 mm of the air supply line 13 and the water supply line 14 here.

Here, the configuration of the junction 28 will be described in detail below.
As shown in FIG. 4, the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 is composed of two parts, an air supply conduit member 29 and a water supply conduit member 30.
The air supply duct member 29 is a straight pipe, and an opening 31 is formed on the side surface in the middle thereof. Note that the air / water supply tube 21 is connected to the distal end side and the air supply tube 22 is connected to the proximal end side of the air supply duct member 29.

  The water supply pipe member 30 has a substantially L-shaped water supply path provided with a tip opening 32 that protrudes from the side surface by a predetermined length and opens upward in the drawing. . And the front-end | tip opening part 32 of the water supply pipe line member 30 is fitted by the opening part 31 formed in the side of the air supply pipe line member 29. FIG.

  A water supply tube 23 is connected to the proximal end side of the water supply conduit member 30. Thus, the merging member 24 is constituted by the two parts of the air supply pipe member 29 and the water supply pipe member 30.

  In this way, the merging member 24 provided in the merging portion 28 in the state in which the air supply conduit member 29 and the water supply conduit member 30 are assembled is such that the distal end opening surface 33 of the distal end opening portion 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 is the air supply conduit. The path member 29 protrudes from the inner surface of the conduit so as to have a step by a predetermined length L1 in the inner diameter direction. Here, the protrusion amount (protrusion length) of the tip opening surface 33 is set to 0.1 mm or less (L1 ≦ 0.1 mm), for example.

  The air supply pipe member 29 and the water supply pipe member 30 constituting the merging member 24 may be fixed by bonding, press-fitting, soldering, brazing, or a combination thereof, regardless of the fixing method. In addition, the air / water supply tube 21 and the air / air supply tube 22 connected to the distal end side and the proximal end side of the air supply duct member 29 are fixed by adhesion or welding. Similarly, the water supply pipe member 30 has a water supply tube 23 connected to the base end side fixed thereto by adhesion or welding.

  In addition, although the tube material of the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 is not ask | required, it is preferable to use a fluorine tube in consideration of fluidity | liquidity, the slipperiness with the other built-in thing outside a tube, etc.

  The endoscope 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above supplies air when the insertion portion 3 is inserted into a body cavity and dirt such as body fluid adheres to the surface of the observation window 9 during examination / diagnosis. By operating the water supply switching valve 16, first, wash water is ejected from the nozzle 11 toward the observation window 9. Thus, the endoscope 1 is configured such that the dirt attached to the observation window 9 is washed away.

  From this state, the air / water supply switching valve 16 is switched to the air supply state. Then, the pressurized air from the air pump 17 supplied into the air supply pipe 13 of the air supply tube 22 is connected to the air supply pipe member 29 of the confluence member 24, the air supply / water supply pipe 12 of the air supply / water supply tube 21, and the connection. The air is sent to the nozzle 11 through the pipe 27 and the fluid passage 26. The pressurized air is ejected from the nozzle 11 toward the surface of the observation window 9 to remove residual water adhering to the surface of the observation window 9.

  Since the surface of the observation window 9 is frequently cleaned during the inspection by such a water supply operation and an air supply operation, it is of course important to remove the residual water adhering to the surface of the observation window 9 immediately after the water supply. However, it is important that the remaining water that comes out of the nozzle 11 is as small as possible and that it be stopped reliably in a short time.

  Therefore, in the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, the structure of the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 is configured such that the distal end opening surface 33 of the water supply conduit member 30 protrudes to the inside of the conduit of the air supply conduit member 29 to stop water. It is configured to improve the effect.

  Specifically, immediately after the water supply to wash away the filth adhering to the surface of the observation window 9, as shown in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 5, the leading end portion of the air supply line 13 of the air supply tube 22, the air supply / water supply tube 21. The air / water supply conduit 12 and the water supply conduit 14 of the water supply tube 23 are filled with water. When the state shown in FIG. 5 is switched to the air supply state, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment projects the distal end opening surface 33 of the water supply pipe member 30 to the inside of the pipe of the air supply pipe member 29. 6, the turbulent flow is likely to occur from the position where the tip opening 32 protrudes in the pipe of the air supply pipe member 29 to the tip side. It becomes difficult for pressurized air to flow.

  That is, the pressurized air from the air supply tube 22 easily flows into the water supply conduit 14 due to the turbulent flow generated in the confluence member 24 of the confluence portion 28. The pressurized air that has flowed into the water supply pipe 14 of the water supply tube 23 pushes the water in the water supply pipe 14 toward the proximal end, that is, the water supply tank 18, so the air supply / water supply pipe of the air supply / water supply tube 21. It becomes difficult for extra water to flow into the road 12. Thus, the endoscope 1 improves the water stop effect in the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28.

  Thereby, in the air / water supply pipeline system of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, unnecessary water from the water supply pipeline 14 passes through the merging member 24 when switching from the water supply operation to the air supply operation. As a result, it becomes difficult to flow into the air / water supply conduit 12, and the water drainage is significantly improved as compared with the conventional case. That is, the endoscope 1 is configured to be able to instantaneously stop water droplets coming out of the nozzle 11 which is one of the factors that reduce the water drainage on the surface of the observation window 9 when air is supplied immediately after water supply.

  From the above description, when the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the air supply / water supply conduit of the air supply / water supply tube 21 from the water supply conduit 14 of the water supply tube 23 is used. Since the flow of water to 12 is stopped instantaneously and only air is ejected from the nozzle 11, the surface of the observation window 9 is improved in water drainage. Furthermore, the endoscope 1 is inserted by providing the merging member 24 of the present embodiment that can be miniaturized as a very simple configuration without providing the merging portion 28 with a mechanical configuration such as a flow path switching member. The diameter of the portion 3 can be prevented from being increased, and as a result, the insertion portion 3 can be reduced in diameter.

  Note that the merging portion 28 of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment described above may be configured as described in the following modification.

(First modification)
The confluence member 24 of the confluence portion 28 shown in FIG. 7 is composed of two parts, an air supply conduit member 29 and a water supply conduit member 30 as described above. And the front-end | tip opening part 32 of the water supply line member 30 is fitted by the opening part 31 formed in the side of the air supply line member 29. As shown in FIG.

  In the present modification, the distal end opening surface 33 of the distal end opening portion 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 protrudes from the inner surface of the conduit of the air supply conduit member 29 by a predetermined length L1 in the inner diameter direction. 13 is cut out obliquely at a predetermined angle θ toward the base end direction. Other configurations in this modification are the same as those described above.

  In the endoscope 1 of this modification configured as described above, turbulent flow is generated in the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 as described above, and the pressurized air from the air feeding tube 22 is supplied to the water feeding line 14. It becomes easy to flow in, and it becomes difficult for extra water to flow into the air / water supply conduit 12 of the air / water supply tube 21. As described above, also in the endoscope 1 according to the present modification, when the operation is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the air supply / water supply conduit 12 of the air supply / water supply tube 21 from the water supply conduit 14 of the water supply tube 23 is switched. Water is immediately stopped from flowing into the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 and the water stopping effect is improved. The endoscope 1 has a configuration in which water drainage on the surface of the observation window 9 is improved because only air is ejected from the nozzle 11 during the air supply operation.

(Second modification)
The confluence member 24 of the confluence portion 28 shown in FIG.
In the present modification, the distal end opening portion 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 is fitted into the tube side surface opening portion 35 formed on the side surface of the air supply tube 22. Note that the distal end opening surface 33 of the distal end opening 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 protrudes from the inner surface of the conduit of the air supply tube 22 by a predetermined length L1. Here, the water supply conduit member 30 is bonded or welded to the side surface of the air supply tube 22. Other configurations in this modification are the same as those described above.

  The endoscope 1 in this modification configured as described above is also the same as described above, and when the turbulent flow is generated in the merging portion 28, the nozzle 1 is switched to the air supply operation subsequently from the water supply operation. 11 has a configuration in which only air is ejected, and has the same effects as described above.

(Third Modification)
The joining portion 28 shown in FIG. 9 does not have the joining member 24.
In this modification, the tube tip opening 36 of the water supply tube 23 is fitted in the tube side opening 35 formed on the side of the air supply tube 22. Furthermore, the distal end opening surface 33 of the tube distal end opening 36 of the water supply tube 23 protrudes from the inner surface of the air supply conduit 13 by a predetermined length L1 in the inner diameter direction. Here, the tube tip opening 36 of the water supply tube 23 is bonded or welded to the side surface of the air supply tube 22. Other configurations in this modification are the same as those described above.

  The endoscope 1 in this modification configured as described above is also the same as described above, and when the turbulent flow is generated in the merging portion 28, the nozzle 1 is switched to the air supply operation subsequently from the water supply operation. 11 has a configuration in which only air is ejected, and has the same effects as described above.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. 10 to 13 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the merge portion, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the merge portion of the first modification, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the merging portion of the second modification, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the merging portion of the third modification.

  The confluence member 24 of the confluence portion 28 in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is composed of two parts, an air supply conduit member 29 and a water supply conduit member 30, as in the first example. Again, the opening 31 formed on the side of the air supply pipe member 29 in the confluence member 24 is fitted with the tip opening 32 of the water supply pipe member 30, and in this embodiment, the water supply pipe The distal end opening surface 33 of the distal end opening 32 of the path member 30 has a predetermined length L2 in the thick portion of the air supply duct member 29 on the water supply duct 14 side, in other words, in the outer diameter direction of the air supply duct member 29. It is immersed and retracted so that a recess is formed with a step. In addition, the predetermined length L2 of this level | step difference is 0.1 mm or less (L2 <= 0.1mm), for example.

  Even with such a configuration, when the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the water supply conduit member is formed in the recess formed on the inner surface of the air supply conduit member 29. Since the front end opening 32 of 30 is located, the turbulent flow is generated in the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28, so that the pressurized air is easily supplied to the water supply pipe member 30. Therefore, at the time of the air supply operation, the endoscope 1 has difficulty in flowing unnecessary water from the water supply pipe line 14 into the air supply / water supply pipe line 12 via the merging member 24, and the water drainage performance is much higher than that of the conventional one. To improve. Accordingly, even in the endoscope 1 here, when the operation is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the water from the water supply pipe 14 of the water supply tube 23 to the air supply / water supply pipe 12 of the air supply / water supply tube 21 is changed. Since the air flow is stopped instantaneously and only air is ejected from the nozzle 11, the water drainage of the surface of the observation window 9 is improved. Furthermore, the endoscope 1 does not need to be provided with a mechanical configuration such as a flow path switching member at the merging portion 28, and can prevent the insertion portion 3 from becoming thicker. The diameter can be small.

  Note that the merging portion 28 of the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment described above may be configured as described in the following modification.

(First modification)
As shown in FIG. 11, the confluence member 24 of the confluence portion 28 here is also composed of two parts, an air supply conduit member 29 and a water supply conduit member 30, as in the first embodiment.
At least a part of the tip opening 32 of the water supply pipe member 30 is fitted in the opening 31 formed on the side of the air supply pipe member 29. Furthermore, the distal end opening surface 33 of the distal end opening portion 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 is in the thick portion of the air supply conduit member 29 toward the proximal direction of the air supply conduit 13, that is, in the outer diameter direction of the air supply conduit member 29. Is cut off at an angle with a predetermined angle θ, and the most proximal end is immersed so that a step having a predetermined length L2 is formed on the water supply conduit 14 side (retracted). ) Other configurations in this modification are the same as those described above.

  Also in the endoscope 1 of this modification configured as described above, the turbulent flow is generated in the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 as in the above, so that the pressurized air from the air feeding tube 22 is supplied to the water feeding pipe. It becomes easy to flow into the passage 14, and it becomes difficult for excess water to flow into the air / water supply conduit 12 of the air / water supply tube 21. As described above, also in the endoscope 1 according to the present modification, when the operation is switched from the water supply operation to the air supply operation, the air supply / water supply conduit 12 of the air supply / water supply tube 21 from the water supply conduit 14 of the water supply tube 23 is switched. Water is immediately stopped from flowing into the merging member 24 of the merging portion 28 and the water stopping effect is improved. The endoscope 1 has a configuration in which water drainage on the surface of the observation window 9 is improved because only air is ejected from the nozzle 11 during the air supply operation.

(Second modification)
As shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b), the confluence member 24 of the confluence 28 of the present modification is composed of two parts, an air supply conduit member 29 and a water supply conduit member 30, as in the first embodiment. It is configured.
Here, the front end opening 32 of the water supply pipe member 30 is fitted in the opening 31 formed on the side of the air supply pipe member 29 in the confluence member 24, and the front end opening of the water supply pipe member 30 is fitted. The front end opening surface 33 of 32 has a predetermined length L2 within the thick portion of the air supply conduit member 29 on the water supply conduit 14 side, in other words, has a step in the outer diameter direction of the air supply conduit member 29 and has a recess. Immersion (retracted) to be formed and connected.

  In this modification, the thickness of the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 closer to the proximal end than the merging portion 28 is increased with respect to the above-described embodiment in order to improve durability. More specifically, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 are connected in close contact with each other in the XII-XII cross section close to the junction 28.

  At this time, since the thicknesses of the tubes 22 and 23 vary, a clearance 37 is formed between the air supply line member 29 and the water supply line member 30 when the tubes 22 and 23 are brought into close contact with each other. . The clearance 37 is filled with an adhesive 38 or the like, and the air supply line member 29 and the water supply line member 30 are fixed.

  As described above, in the configuration of this modification, the air supply conduit has a structure in which the distal end opening 32 of the water supply conduit member 30 is fitted in the opening 31 formed on the side of the air supply conduit member 29. The fitting position between the member 29 and the water supply pipe member 30 can be adjusted. Therefore, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 on the proximal end side connected to the merging portion 28 are in close contact with each other even if their wall thickness varies somewhat. The joining portion 28 can be formed by fixing 30.

  Thereby, the length X2 in the short direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the joining member 24 as the joining portion 28 is equal to or less than the total length X1 in the radial direction in which the air feeding tube 22 and the water feeding tube 23 are closely attached. The air supply conduit member 29 and the water supply conduit member 30 can be assembled by X1 <X2). Other configurations and operational effects are the same as described above.

(Third Modification)
As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 on the proximal end side with respect to the merging portion 28 here have large diameters up to the operation portion 2 side in order to improve the flow rate. It has become.

  In the XIII-XIII cross section close to the junction 28, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 are in close contact. Other configurations are the same as those of the second modification described above. Even in such a configuration, the above-described functions and effects are provided.

  The configuration of the endoscope 1 is not limited to the above-described embodiments or their modifications. For example, the air supply tube 22 and the water supply tube 23 on the operation unit 2 side from the merging unit 28 are provided. A multi-lumen tube in which two channels are formed over almost the entire length may be used.

  As described above, in the endoscope 1 of the present invention, the air supply pipe line is formed so that the front end opening surface 33 of the water supply pipe line 14 protrudes or sinks with respect to the inner surface of the air supply pipe line 13 at the junction 28. Since the step is formed with respect to the inner surface of 13, the turbulent flow is generated at the step portion when air is supplied immediately after the water supply, so that the pressurized air easily flows to the water supply pipe 14 side. As a result, it is possible to stop the flow of water from the inside of the water supply pipe 14, which is one of the phenomena of poor water drainage, instantly when air is supplied, and pressurized air without leaving water droplets on the surface of the observation window. As a configuration that can be blown away, a clear endoscopic observation image can be obtained quickly.

  The invention described in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the embodiment and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the described requirements can be deleted if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained. The configuration can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Operation part 3 ... Insertion part 4 ... Universal code | cord | chord part 5 ... Soft part 6 ... Curved part 7 ... Tip structure part 8 ... Illumination window 9 ... Observation window 10 ... Treatment instrument outlet 11 ... Nozzle 12 ... Air supply / water supply line 13 ... Air supply line 14 ... Water supply line 15 ... Connector 16 ... Air supply / water supply switching valve 17 ... Air pump 18 ... Water supply tank 19 ... Air pipe 20 ... Water supply tank pressurization pipe 21 ... Air supply / water supply Tube 22 ... Air supply tube 23 ... Water supply tube 24 ... Confluence member 25 ... Water supply pipe 26 ... Fluid passage 27 ... Connection pipe 28 ... Confluence portion 29 ... Air supply conduit member 30 ... Water supply conduit member 31 ... Opening portion 32 ... Tip opening Portion 33 ... End opening 35 ... Tube side opening 36 ... Tube tip opening 37 ... Clearance 38 ... Adhesive

Claims (5)

A nozzle for supplying and supplying water to the surface of the observation window;
An air line connected to the air source;
A water pipe connected to a water source;
An air / water supply line communicating with the nozzle;
A merging portion that extends so that the air / water supply pipe line communicates at the distal end side, and is fitted so that the water supply pipe line communicates from the side of the air supply pipe line at the proximal end side;
With
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an opening surface of the water supply pipe has a step with a predetermined length from an inner surface of the air supply pipe in the junction.   2. The water supply conduit is connected to the air supply conduit so that the opening surface protrudes from the inner surface in the inner diameter direction of the air supply conduit and the step is formed. Endoscope.   2. The water supply conduit is connected to the air supply conduit so that the opening surface is immersed in the outer diameter direction of the air supply conduit from the inner surface and the step is formed. The endoscope according to 1.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening surface is cut obliquely at a predetermined angle toward the proximal direction. An air supply / water supply tube and an air supply line member to which the air supply tube is connected;
A water supply line member connected to a side of the air supply line member, to which a water supply tube is connected, and
The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a merging member that constitutes the merging portion including the merging portion.

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