JP2014097093A - Endoscope distal end cover - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope distal end cover capable of removing contamination of a lens without removing an endoscope from a digestive tract lumen.SOLUTION: An endoscope distal end cover 1 to be mounted on an endoscope includes a sheet-like cover part 2 to be disposed at a distal end face of the endoscope; and a peeling part 3 connected to the cover part 2. The cover part 2 is formed in such a shape that, when the cover part is disposed at the distal end face of the endoscope so as to cover the lens of the endoscope, a forceps port of the endoscope becomes a non-covered state. The peeling part 3, one end of which is connected to the cover part 2, is a string-like member. When the cover part 2 is disposed on the distal end face of the endoscope, even if fat or the like is stuck thereto, the endoscope can restore the visibility so as to reduce the number of times of removing the endoscope, thereby shortening an operation time and reducing a burden of a patient.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope tip cover. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endoscope front end cover that is used by being attached to the distal end of an endoscope at the time of examination or surgery using a flexible endoscope.

  In recent years, many examinations and treatments using an oral endoscope (so-called stomach or colon camera, hereinafter referred to as a flexible endoscope) have been performed. In such examinations and treatments, a flexible endoscope is inserted into the digestive tract cavity such as the stomach or large intestine from the mouth or anus, and the inside of the stomach or large intestine is confirmed by a camera provided at the distal end of the flexible endoscope. .

  In recent years, with the improvement of endoscopic technology and the development of related equipment, the scope of treatment with flexible endoscopes includes endoscopic hemostasis for gastric and duodenal ulcers, closure for gastrointestinal perforation, early gastric cancer, There are a wide variety of cases such as resection of malignant masses of the digestive tract such as early colon cancer.

  Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer and colorectal cancer, among others, is the most advanced and difficult technique that enables the removal of lesions in a lump using a flexible endoscope. Although it is a technology, it has major advantages such as reducing the burden on patients, and is widely used nationwide.

  By the way, in endoscopic treatment such as endoscopic hemostasis and ESD as described above, it is extremely important to secure a clear field of view in order to perform endoscopic treatment safely and reliably.

  However, in the case of endoscopic treatment as described above, blood such as blood that has bleed from the affected area during treatment, fat in the digestive tract cavity, food and fecal masses in the digestive tract cavity are soft, The field of view deteriorates by adhering to the tip of the endoscope, that is, the lens of the camera.

  As long as a small amount of blood or the like is attached, it is easy to recover the field of view because the water attached to the lens can be washed away by spraying washing water on the lens by the water feeding function of the flexible endoscope. .

  On the other hand, when fat or stool sticks, the washing water supplied by the water feeding function may not be sufficiently washed. In this case, an operation is performed in which the flexible endoscope is once removed from the body, the lens surface is cleaned and washed with a lens cleaner, and the flexible endoscope is inserted into the body again. By performing this operation, the lens surface can be surely cleaned, so that the field of view can be reliably recovered.

  However, in cancer resection of the deep large intestine (cecum and ascending colon), it takes an average of about 2 hours to complete the procedure / surgery. When the submucosal layer is incised with an electric scalpel, it often happens that a piece of meat or fat adheres to the lens, resulting in poor visibility. Then, if the lens surface is washed each time the field of view becomes poor, the insertion / extraction of the colonoscope must be repeated multiple times even after one cancer resection, which can reduce the burden and pain on the patient. Many.

  Moreover, since the insertion of the large intestine endoscope itself requires an advanced endoscopic technique, it takes 10 to 20 minutes even for an experienced endoscopist to insert the large intestine endoscope into the deep large intestine. Then, if the insertion / extraction of the large intestine endoscope increases, the operation time becomes very long, and the burden on the patient is further increased.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, there is a need for a technique that can restore the visual field without inserting or removing the endoscope when fat, stool, or the like that cannot be removed by washing water adheres.

At present, various techniques for cleaning the lens surface of an endoscope have been developed.
This Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a wiper member that slides on the surface of a lens is provided on a hood attached to the distal end of an endoscope. If such a wiper member is provided, it is possible to apply a force directly to the deposit, so that the deposit removal effect is expected to be higher than that of the washing water.

JP 58-61723 A JP 2012-50510 A JP 2012-50512 A JP 2011-36581 A

However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 requires a configuration for driving the wiper member, the structure of the hood is complicated.
Further, since the wiper member is always present at the distal end of the endoscope, there is a problem that the wiper member interferes with the treatment.
Furthermore, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the wiper member is driven by deformation due to heat generation, the driving force of the wiper member cannot be increased so much. Since fat and the like are firmly attached to the lens surface, it is substantially impossible to remove fat and the like from the lens surface even if the wiper member is driven with a driving force of a degree of deformation due to heat generation.

In order to prevent fat or the like from adhering to the lens itself, it is conceivable to cover the lens with another member.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose a technique in which the lens itself is covered with a hood. However, this technique only provides a hood that covers the lens in order to place a filter that cuts light of a specific wavelength on the front surface of the lens. It is merely provided, and is not a technique for preventing fat or the like from adhering to the lens itself. Moreover, in hoods such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 3, if fat or the like adheres to the surface of the hood, the field of view deteriorates eventually.

  Further, although a technique in which a transparent film is provided on the surface of the capsule endoscope is disclosed in Patent Document 4, a camera lens is present at the tip of the shaft, and a forceps port or the like is provided at the tip of the shaft. It cannot be applied to a flexible endoscope having a nozzle or the like.

  As described above, at present, no technology has been developed to improve the deterioration of the visibility of the endoscope due to lens dirt that cannot be removed by washing water such as fat, and the development of such a technology is required. .

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope distal end cover that can remove dirt on a lens without removing the endoscope from the digestive tract cavity.

An endoscope tip cover according to a first aspect of the invention is an endoscope tip cover attached to an endoscope, and is connected to the sheet-like cover portion disposed on the tip surface of the endoscope and the cover portion. A peeling portion, and the cover portion is formed in a shape in which the forceps port of the endoscope is in an uncovered state when disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope so as to cover the lens of the endoscope. The peeling part is a string-like member having one end connected to the cover part.
An endoscope tip cover according to a second aspect of the present invention is such that, in the first aspect, the one end portion of the peeling portion can be moved in the axial direction, but the movement of the cover portion in the circumferential direction is limited. And one end of the peeling portion is between the holding portion in the cover portion in the radial direction of the endoscope in a state where the cover portion is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope. The lens is connected to a position sandwiching the lens.
The endoscope tip cover according to a third aspect of the present invention is the endoscope according to the second aspect, wherein a portion of the peeling portion located between one end thereof and a portion held by the holding portion is along the surface of the cover portion. It is characterized by being arranged.
The endoscope tip cover according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope tip cover according to the second or third aspect, wherein the cover portion includes a lens covering portion that covers the lens of the endoscope in the cover portion and a portion other than the lens covering portion. The cover portion is provided with a separation mechanism for releasably connecting the lens covering portion and a portion other than the lens covering portion, and the holding portion is provided with the separation mechanism. It is provided in the position which pinches | interposes the said lens coating | coated part between, and the one end of the said peeling part is being fixed to the isolation | separation mechanism in the said lens coating | coated part.
The endoscope tip cover according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the fourth aspect of the invention, a core portion is provided at a boundary between the lens covering portion and the separation mechanism.
An endoscope distal end cover according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes the substantially annular or substantially cylindrical attachment portion attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the cover portion is The outer edge is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion or one end edge of the mounting portion, and the connecting portion between the cover portion and the mounting portion is provided with a separating portion that connects the two in a separable manner. It is characterized by.
The endoscope tip cover according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the endoscope tip cover according to the sixth aspect, wherein the cover portion is provided so as to close the opening of the attachment portion, and the position corresponding to the forceps opening of the endoscope in the cover portion. A through hole is formed on the surface.
An endoscope tip cover according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope front cover according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein a plurality of release sheets are laminated on the surface of the cover part so as to be peelable from each other. It is characterized in that the peeling strings are connected to each other.
An endoscope distal end cover according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to eighth aspects, the cover portion includes a lens accommodating recess for accommodating the lens of the endoscope.
The endoscope tip cover according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the light-transmitting, water-repellent, oil-repellent and antifouling treatment applied to the surface of the cover part and / or the release sheet in any one of the first to ninth aspects. It is characterized by.

According to the first aspect of the invention, if the cover portion is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope, the lens of the endoscope can be covered by the cover portion. In addition, since the forceps opening can be uncovered, it is possible to perform treatment with forceps while the cover portion is attached. Moreover, since one end of the peeling part which is a string-like member is connected with the cover part, if the other end of the peeling part is pulled, the cover part can be pulled. Then, the cover part can be removed from the distal end surface of the endoscope. Therefore, if a cover part is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope, fat or the like can be prevented from directly attaching to the lens, although fat or the like adheres to the surface of the cover part. If the field of view deteriorates due to the dirt on the surface of the cover part, the lens part that is not dirty can be exposed by pulling the other end of the peeling part and removing the cover part from the distal end surface of the endoscope. That is, the field of view can be restored. Therefore, if the cover part is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope, the field of view can be recovered even if fat or the like adheres, so the number of times the endoscope is removed can be reduced, and the operation time can be reduced. It can be shortened and the burden on the patient can be reduced. Endoscope removal and reinsertion, especially in endoscopic procedures at sites that are anatomically located, sites that are difficult to operate, and emergency endoscopy that does not allow temporal prediction Since the time extension can be suppressed, the operation time can be significantly shortened compared to the conventional case, and the burden on the patient can be greatly reduced.
According to the second aspect of the invention, since the holding portion serves as a fulcrum and the force pulling the other end of the peeling portion can be converted into a force in the direction of peeling the cover portion from the distal end surface of the endoscope, the cover portion is removed. It becomes easy to do.
According to the third invention, when the other end of the peeling portion is pulled, a force in the direction of peeling the cover portion from the distal end surface of the endoscope is easily generated, and thus the cover portion is easily removed.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, if the other end of the peeling portion is pulled, the lens covering portion and the other portion can be separated at the position of the separation mechanism, so that only the lens covering portion is removed from the distal end surface of the endoscope. be able to. Then, the contact area between the cover portion and the distal end surface of the endoscope is increased, and the portion covering the lens is easily removed while the cover portion is stably disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope. be able to.
According to the fifth aspect, since the core portion is provided, it becomes easy to separate the lens covering portion and the other portion in the separation mechanism.
According to the sixth invention, the cover portion can be firmly fixed to the distal end of the endoscope by the mounting portion attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover portion from being detached during the treatment by the endoscope. In addition, since the separation portion is provided at the connection portion between the cover portion and the attachment portion, the cover portion can be separated from the attachment portion by pulling the peeling portion from one end to the other end. That is, the cover part can be removed from the distal end surface of the endoscope.
According to the seventh aspect, since the cover portion is provided so as to close the one end surface of the attachment portion, the operation of attaching the cover portion to the distal end portion of the endoscope becomes easy.
According to the eighth invention, since the plurality of release sheets are laminated on the surface of the cover portion so as to be peelable from each other, visibility can be secured by removing the release sheet located on the outermost surface. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the endoscope until all the sheets are removed and the lens is dirty, so that the number of times of removing and inserting the endoscope can be further reduced.
According to the ninth aspect of the invention, if the cover portion is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope so that the lens of the endoscope is accommodated in the lens accommodating recess, the cover portion is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope. It can be positioned and placed firmly. In addition, since the lens housing recess and the lens interfere with each other, it is possible to prevent the cover portion from being displaced even if the cover portion comes into contact with forceps or the like during the treatment.
According to the tenth aspect of the invention, oil or the like hardly adheres to the surface of the cover part and / or the release sheet, and the surface of the cover part becomes difficult to get dirty.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the state which attached the endoscope front-end | tip cover 1 of this embodiment to the front-end | tip of the shaft S, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a perspective fragmentary sectional view. It is a single-unit schematic explanatory drawing of the endoscope front end cover 1 of this embodiment, (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a top view. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the state which attached the endoscope front-end | tip cover 1 of this embodiment to the front-end | tip of the shaft S, (A) is a top view, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the condition which attaches the endoscope front-end | tip cover 1 of this embodiment to the front-end | tip of the shaft S. FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the condition which removes the lens coating | coated part 3f. It is the single-unit schematic explanatory drawing of the endoscope front end cover 1 of other embodiment, Comprising: (A) is a perspective view, (B) is a top view. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the state which attached endoscope tip cover 1 of other embodiments to the tip of shaft S, (A) is a top view and (B) is a longitudinal section. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the structure which piled up the several peeling sheet 3s on the surface of the lens coating | coated part 3f, (A) is a perspective view.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The endoscope tip cover of the present invention is an instrument used in an operation using a flexible endoscope (for example, endoscopics ubmucosal dissection: ESD) or examination using a flexible endoscope. In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the field of view of the camera equipped in the flexible endoscope can be restored.
In particular, a flexible endoscope (for example, large intestine endoscopy) is used during surgery where there is a high possibility that fats in the gastrointestinal tract such as the stomach and large intestine, and substances such as food and stool in the gastrointestinal tract will adhere. It is suitable as an instrument that is attached to the tip of a mirror and restores the field of view of a flexible endoscope camera.

  The endoscope tip cover of the present invention is mainly used by being attached to a flexible endoscope, but can also be used by being attached to the tip of a rigid endoscope (laparoscope).

(Flexible endoscope)
First, before describing the endoscope front end cover of the present invention, the shape of the flexible endoscope to which the endoscope front end cover of the present invention is attached will be briefly described.
The flexible endoscope includes a shaft S that is inserted into the digestive tract of a living body, an operation unit that operates the shaft S, a portion that is connected to a light source body that supplies light to the tip of the shaft S, and the like. The diameter of the shaft S of this flexible endoscope is about 5 to 15 mm, and about 10 mm for a general flexible endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S (hereinafter simply referred to as the shaft S) of the flexible endoscope is provided with a through-hole opening (so-called forceps opening K) penetrating the shaft S, or in front of the distal end surface Sa. A lens R of a camera for photographing a light source L, a light source L for supplying light for photographing, a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid to the lens, a nozzle for spraying a gas to the lens, a gastrointestinal tract A suction / air supply port for discharging gas from a space in the cavity or the like is provided.
In the drawings of the present application, components other than the lens R, the light source L, and the forceps opening K are omitted as appropriate.

(Endoscope tip cover 1)
Next, the endoscope front end cover 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the endoscope tip cover 1 of the present embodiment includes an attachment portion 2 attached to the tip of the shaft S, a cover portion 3 provided on the attachment portion 2, and the cover portion 3. And a peeling portion 4 connected to each other.

(Description of mounting part 2)
The attachment portion 2 is formed of a material having a certain degree of flexibility (for example, vinyl chloride, rubber, polyethylene, etc.).
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the attachment portion 2 is formed in a substantially annular shape or a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a hollow space 2 h therein.
And the attachment part 2 is attached in the state which made the cylindrical inner peripheral surface closely_contact | adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip of the shaft S, if the front-end | tip part of the shaft S is inserted in the space 2h from opening (opening 2b in FIG. 1). It is formed so that it can be.

  For example, when the attachment portion 2 is formed of a material such as elastic rubber, the inner diameter D of the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the attachment portion 2 is slightly smaller than the diameter DS of the shaft S (for example, 1 to 2 mm smaller). Then, if the tip end portion of the shaft S is inserted into the space 2h from the opening 2b, the inner peripheral surface of the attachment portion 2 is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft S tip portion. Therefore, the attachment portion 2 (that is, the endoscope front end cover 1) can be firmly fixed to the front end portion of the shaft S. Can be prevented from coming off.

  The thickness of the attachment portion 2 is not particularly limited, but if the thickness is about 1 to 2 mm or less, the hood F can be attached to cover the endoscope distal end cover 1 of the present embodiment (FIG. 1 and FIG. 3).

(Description of cover part 3)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a cover portion 3 is provided at one end of the attachment portion 2 in the axial direction. The cover 3 is provided so that the inner surface 3a thereof can be brought into close contact with the tip surface Sa of the shaft S when the tip of the shaft S is inserted into the space 2h from the opening 2b. That is, the cover portion 3 is provided so that the inner surface 3 a thereof is substantially orthogonal to the axial direction of the mounting portion 2.

  This cover part 3 is formed of a material having transparency. For example, it is formed of a material such as a plastic such as acrylic or vinyl chloride that can be seen through the other side through a sheet made of these materials.

  For this reason, even when the inner surface 3a of the cover 3 is in close contact with the front end surface Sa of the shaft S, the situation in front of the front end surface Sa of the shaft S can be visually recognized by the camera through the cover unit 3. .

  In addition, in order to improve the visibility of the situation ahead by a camera, the cover part 3 should have a small thickness. For example, if the material of the cover part 3 is vinyl chloride, silicone rubber, polyethylene or the like, a clear image can be taken by the camera if the thickness is about 1 to 2 mm or less.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a lens housing recess 3 g for housing a lens R provided on the tip surface Sa of the shaft S is formed on the inner surface 3 a of the cover portion 3. The lens R slightly protrudes from the front end surface Sa of the shaft S, but the depth of the lens receiving recess 3g is formed to be approximately equal to the protruding amount of the lens R. Then, if the endoscope distal end cover 1 is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft S so that the lens R is accommodated in the lens accommodating recess 3g, the surface of the cover portion 3 can be made substantially flat. In addition, the cover 3 can be firmly positioned and arranged at the tip of the shaft S. Since the lens housing recess 3g and the lens R interfere with each other, the position of the cover 3 can be prevented from shifting even when the cover 3 comes into contact with forceps or the like during the treatment.

  In addition, since the protrusion amount of the lens R from the front end surface Sa of the shaft S is not so large, the lens housing recess 3g may not be provided even when the unevenness on the surface of the cover 3 is not a problem.

  Further, the cover 3 is formed in a shape in which the forceps port K is not covered, that is, the forceps port K is exposed when the inner surface 3a thereof is in close contact with the tip surface Sa of the shaft S. ing. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover portion 3 is provided with a through hole 3 h having a diameter larger than that of the forceps opening K. And if the position of the cover part 3 is adjusted so that the lens R is covered with the cover part 3, the through hole 3h is formed so that the through hole 3h is arranged at the position of the forceps opening K. (See FIG. 3).

  Then, even if the cover part 3 is provided, the forceps can be freely inserted and removed from the forceps port K, and the sheet part is only present on the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S. Therefore, the cover part 3 is provided. In the same manner as when there is not, it is possible to perform operations such as excision and collection of tissue by operating forceps. That is, even if the cover part 3 is provided, the cover part 3 can be prevented from interfering with the treatment.

(Separation part 2d and separation mechanism 3d)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover portion 3 is provided with a separation mechanism 3 d that passes through the substantial center of the cover portion 3 and crosses the cover portion 3. The separation mechanism 3d is provided to separate the cover portion 3 into a lens covering portion 3f that covers the lens R and a portion 3x other than the lens covering portion 3f.

  Moreover, in the lens covering portion 3f, a core portion 3c is provided along the separation mechanism 3d at the boundary with the separation mechanism 3d. The core portion 3c is embedded in the lens covering portion 3f or fixed to the surface of the lens covering portion 3f by bonding or the like. The core 3c is formed of a material that is less likely to extend than the lens cover 3f and has a high tensile strength.

  A separation portion 2 d is provided between the lens covering portion 3 f and the edge of the opening 2 a of the attachment portion 2. The separation portion 2d is provided to disconnect the lens covering portion 3f from the mounting portion 2 by cutting the connection between the lens covering portion 3f and the edge of the opening 2a of the mounting portion 2.

If the separating mechanism 3d is provided as described above, the lens covering portion 3f can be separated from the portion 3x at the position of the separating mechanism 3d by applying a force to separate the lens covering portion 3f from the portion 3x. Similarly, when the separating portion 2d is provided as described above, if a force is applied so that the lens covering portion 3f is separated from the edge of the opening 2a of the mounting portion 2, the lens covering portion 3f is located at the position of the separating portion 2d. Can be separated from the mounting portion 2.
Therefore, the attachment portion 2 is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft S so that the inner surface 3a of the cover portion 3 is in close contact with the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S, and the lens covering portion 3f is separated from the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S. If force is applied in this way, only the lens covering portion 3f can be separated from the endoscope distal end cover 1. Then, even when the attachment portion 2 is attached to the tip portion of the shaft S, the portion where the lens covering portion 3f is provided, that is, the lens R can be exposed.

(Description of peeling part 4)
As shown in FIG. 3, the peeling part 4 is formed of a string-like member. One end of the peeling portion 4 is fixed to the cover portion 3. Specifically, one end of the peeling part 4 is connected to the core part 3c.

On the other hand, between the lens covering portion 3f and the edge of the opening 2a of the attachment portion 2 (that is, the position where the separation portion 2d is provided), a through-hole communicating between the surface of the cover portion 3 and the space 2h. 2f is provided. That is, the through hole 2f is formed so that the lens covering portion 3f is positioned between the through hole 2f and the separation mechanism 3d.
In other words, in the radial direction of the endoscope in a state where the cover portion 3 is disposed on the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S, the lens covering portion 3f is positioned so as to be positioned between the through hole 2f and one end of the peeling portion 4. A hole 2f is formed.

  The peeling portion 4 is inserted into the through hole 2 f, and a portion of the peeling portion 4 between one end thereof and the through hole 2 f is disposed on the surface of the cover portion 3. In addition, this through-hole 2f is equivalent to the holding | maintenance part said to a claim.

Since the peeling portion 4 is arranged as described above, when the endoscope front end cover 1 is attached to the front end portion of the shaft S, the peeling portion 4 is located at the position of the through hole 2f. It is in a state of being bent so as to be parallel to the surface. For this reason, when the other end of the peeling part 4 is pulled, one end of the peeling part 4, that is, the core part 3 c is pulled parallel to the surface of the cover part 3. Then, a force is applied so as to separate the lens covering portion 3f from the portion 3x, so that the lens covering portion 3f is separated from the portion 3x at the position of the separation mechanism 3d.
Further, if the peeling portion 4 is pulled even after the lens covering portion 3f is separated from the portion 3x, the end portion connected to the separation mechanism 3d of the lens covering portion 3f is pulled toward the through hole 2f. That is, the end portion of the lens covering portion 3 f that is connected to the separation mechanism 3 d is pulled toward the edge of the opening 2 a of the attachment portion 2. Then, a force is applied to the outer edge of the lens covering portion 3f in the vicinity of the separation mechanism 3d so as to be separated from the edge of the opening 2a of the mounting portion 2, so that the lens covering portion 3f is attached to the mounting portion 2 at the position of the separating portion 2d. It is separated from the edge of the opening 2a.
If the other end of the peeling portion 4 is pulled until the lens covering portion 3f is completely separated from the edge of the opening 2a of the attachment portion 2, the lens covering portion 3f is completely attached to the attachment portion 2, that is, the endoscope front end cover. It can be separated from 1.

(How to use the endoscope end cover 1)
Since the endoscope front end cover 1 of the present embodiment has the structure and function as described above, when the endoscope front end cover 1 is attached to the front end portion of the shaft S, the following operational effects are obtained.

First, the distal end portion of the shaft S is inserted from the opening 2b of the attachment portion 2 of the endoscope distal end cover 1 (see FIG. 4), and the distal end portion of the shaft S is attached to the attachment portion 2 of the endoscope distal end cover 1. At this time, if the shaft S is pushed into the inner surface 3a of the cover portion 3 so as to be in close contact with the front end surface Sa of the shaft S, there is no gap between the front end surface Sa of the shaft S and the inner surface 3a of the cover portion 3. It can be.
In addition, the peeling part 4 is provided so that it may be provided along the shaft S, and the other end may be located in the hand of the practitioner who operates an endoscope.

  The shaft S to which the endoscope distal end cover 1 is attached is inserted into a patient's digestive tract cavity, and examination and treatment are performed. In addition, you may attach the general food | hood F so that it may cover the endoscope front-end | tip cover 1 as needed (refer FIG. 3, FIG. 4).

When the endoscope distal end cover 1 is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft S, the lens R is covered with the cover portion 3. However, since the cover portion 3 is a transparent material, the shaft S passes through the cover portion 3. It is possible to check the situation in front of the tip surface Sa of the camera with the camera. That is, the situation in the digestive tract where the tip surface Sa of the shaft S is disposed can be visually confirmed.
In addition, if the through-hole 3h is arranged at the position of the forceps opening K, the forceps opening K is in an uncovered state, so that the operation with the forceps can be performed even with the endoscope front end cover 1 attached. it can.
That is, even when the endoscope front end cover 1 is attached, examinations and treatments can be performed in a state substantially equivalent to the case where the endoscope front end cover 1 is not attached.

  Here, when the shaft S is inserted into the digestive tract cavity or when a treatment is performed with forceps, fat or the like comes into contact with the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S. If the endoscope front end cover 1 is attached, fat or the like can be prevented from coming into direct contact with the surface of the lens R, but since the fat or the like adheres to the surface of the cover portion 3, the field of view eventually deteriorates. .

  However, if the other end of the peeling portion 4 located at the practitioner's hand is pulled, the portion of the cover portion 3 covering the lens R, that is, the lens covering portion 3f is separated from the endoscope distal end cover 1. Can do. Then, the lens R covered with the lens covering portion 3f is exposed (see FIG. 5). Since no fat or the like is attached to the lens R, the field of view can be restored to a state close to the state before the shaft S is inserted into the digestive tract cavity. That is, the visual field can be recovered to a state equivalent to the case where the shaft S is removed once and cleaned by simply pulling the other end of the peeling portion 4.

  Depending on the conditions, there is a possibility that a better field of view can be obtained at the place where the treatment is performed than when the shaft S is removed once and cleaned. This is because the lens R may become dirty when the tip of the shaft S is returned to the original position, but in the case of the endoscope tip cover 1 of the present embodiment, a state close to the state of being cleaned at the place where the treatment is performed. This is because no contamination occurs during insertion.

  As described above, if the endoscope tip cover 1 of the present embodiment is attached to the tip portion of the shaft S, even if fat or the like adheres to the tip surface Sa of the shaft S, the lens covering portion 3f can be removed from the endoscope. The field of view can be restored only by separating from the tip cover 1.

  Then, after the lens covering portion 3f is removed, the treatment can be continued without removing the endoscope until the lens R becomes dirty and the field of view deteriorates. Then, since the frequency | count of extracting an endoscope can be reduced, an operation time can be shortened and a patient's burden can be eased.

  Endoscope removal and reinsertion, especially in endoscopic procedures at sites that are anatomically located, sites that are difficult to operate, and emergency endoscopy that does not allow temporal prediction Since the time extension can be suppressed, the operation time can be significantly shortened compared to the conventional case, and the burden on the patient can be greatly reduced.

(About cover 3)
The cover part 3 should just be connected so that the lens coating | coated part 3f is separable, and the position to connect is not limited to a position as mentioned above. For example, you may connect the cover part 3 in the middle between the both ends of the axial direction of the attaching part 2. FIG. However, as described above, if the outer edge of the cover portion 3 is connected to the edge of the opening of the mounting portion 2, there is almost no portion protruding forward from the surface of the cover portion 3. The mirror tip cover 1 does not interfere with inspection or treatment. In addition, the inner surface 3a of the cover portion 3 can be brought into close contact with the distal end surface Sa of the shaft S simply by pushing the cover portion 3 inward, so that the cover portion 3 (that is, the endoscope distal end cover 1) is attached to the distal end portion of the shaft S. ) Is easy to install.

  Further, the cover 3 may be provided with a through-hole not only at a position corresponding to the forceps opening K but also at a position corresponding to a nozzle that ejects cleaning water or air. In this case, the surface of the cover part 3 can be washed with washing water or air, and therefore, if blood or the like adheres, the field of view can be secured without removing the lens covering part 3f. Can do.

  If the surface of the cover part 3 is coated with water or oil repellency, the surface of the cover part 3 is less likely to adhere to oil and the surface of the cover part 3 is less likely to become dirty. It becomes possible to do. For example, by using the techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-247699, 2012-31323, 2012-219249, and 2012-220898, the surface of the cover part 3 is made transparent. If the water / oil repellent / antifouling treatment is applied, the field of view can be secured for a longer period of time.

  In the above-described example, the case where the cover portion 3 is formed in a shape that covers the opening of the attachment portion 2 and the through hole is formed at a position corresponding to the forceps port K or the like has been described. That is, the case where the cover portion 3 is formed so as to cover almost the front surface of the front end surface Sa of the shaft S has been described. However, the cover part 3 does not necessarily have to be provided so as to cover almost the entire front end surface Sa of the shaft S, and may be formed so as to cover the lens R.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover portion 3 is formed so as to cover almost half of the front end surface Sa of the shaft S, that is, the lens R and the light source L, and the remaining portion is formed as an opening 3p. It may be made to become. Then, the alignment of the cover part 3 with respect to the front end surface Sa of the shaft S becomes easy. Further, when the cover portion 3 is formed in such a shape, the entire cover portion 3 may be removed from the tip end surface Sa of the shaft S. That is, the cover 3 itself may be the lens cover 3f described above.

  Of course, the cover part 3 may be formed in a shape that covers the opening of the attachment part 2 so that the entire cover part 3 is removed. That is, the cover part 3 may be shaped to cover the opening of the attachment part 2 and the entire cover part 3 may be the lens covering part 3f. In this case, if the peeling portion 4 is disposed so as to cross the cover portion 3, the cover portion 3 can be easily peeled when the other end of the peeling portion 4 is pulled.

  In the above example, the configuration in which the cover portion 3 is connected to the attachment portion 2 has been described. However, the attachment portion 2 is not necessarily provided. For example, if the cover portion 3 and the tip surface Sa of the shaft S are fixed with an adhesive or the like, the attachment portion 2 may not be provided. Of course, you may fix the cover part 3 and the front end surface Sa of the shaft S with an adhesive agent etc., providing the attaching part 2. FIG.

(Multiple sheets)
Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the cover part 3 may have a structure in which a plurality of release sheets 3s are stacked on the surface of the lens covering part 3f. In this case, the visibility can be secured by removing the release sheet 3s located on the outermost surface. Then, all the release sheets 3s are removed, the lens covering portion 3f is peeled off, and it is not necessary to remove the endoscope until the lens R becomes dirty. Therefore, the number of times of removing and inserting the endoscope can be further reduced. it can.

  The method for providing the plurality of release sheets 3s is not particularly limited, but the release sheets 3s having the same shape as the lens covering portion 3f can be laminated so as to be peelable with an adhesive or the like. Moreover, in order to peel each peeling sheet 3s independently, it is preferable to connect the peeling string 4s to each peeling sheet 3s.

  For example, a plurality of release sheets 3s having the same shape as the lens cover 3f are laminated on the surface of the lens cover 3f so as to be peelable. Then, the release string 4s is connected to each release sheet 3s by a method substantially similar to the method in which the release portion 4 is connected to the lens covering portion 3f. That is, each release string 4s is passed through a through-hole penetrating the cover portion 3 and is made to fold along the surface of the release sheet 3s, and one end thereof is connected to the release string 4s. Then, if it pulls in order from the peeling string 4s connected with the peeling sheet 3s of the outermost layer, the peeling sheet 3s can be removed sequentially.

  In addition, a bulge is formed in the part provided with the peeling part 4 and the peeling string 4s. In particular, when the peeling portion 4 and the peeling string 4s are arranged at the same position in plan view, the bulge in the outermost layer may become very large. Therefore, in order to suppress such swelling, a groove that can accommodate the peeling portion 4 and the peeling string 4s may be provided on the back surface of each peeling sheet 3s (the surface located on the tip surface Sa side of the shaft S). Then, the swelling can be reduced by the depth of the groove. Of course, the position of the peeling part 4 and each peeling string 4s may be shifted in plan view, and in this case, the bulge in the outermost layer should not be so great even if a groove is not provided. Can do.

  Moreover, although the peeling string 4s may be passed through the through hole 2f described above, it is preferable that the peeling string 4s is passed through different through holes in order to prevent interference between the peeling portion 4 and the peeling string 4s.

  Furthermore, since it is necessary to peel the release sheet 3s sequentially from the outermost layer, a tag indicating the order of release is provided at the other end of the release string 4s or the release part 4 in order to prevent the release order from being mistaken. It is preferable to provide it.

  Furthermore, although the case where it was set as the structure which piled up the several peeling sheet 3s on the surface of the lens coating | coated part 3f of the cover part 3 was laminated | stacked, the cover part 3 whole is laminated | stacked and the lens coating | coated part of each cover part 3 is demonstrated. It goes without saying that 3f may be peeled off sequentially.

  Further, similarly to the surface of the cover part 3, it is more preferable to apply a water-repellent or oil-repellent coating to the surface of each release sheet 3s because the number of times of removing the release sheet 3s can be reduced. The coating of the release sheet 3s is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-247699, 2012-31323, 2012-219249, and 2012-220898 as well as the surface of the cover portion 3. Technology can be used.

(About mounting part 2)
In the above example, the case where the attachment portion 2 is formed of a material having a certain degree of flexibility has been described. However, the attachment portion 2 may be formed of a resin that does not have flexibility. Even in this case, if the internal space 2h is formed to have a diameter that allows the tip of the shaft S to be inserted, the space 2h inserts the tip of the shaft S, and the attachment portion 2 is attached to the tip of the shaft S with tape or the like. What is necessary is just to fix to a part.

  However, if the attachment portion 2 is formed in the material and shape as described above, the attachment portion 2 can be firmly fixed to the tip portion of the shaft S without using a tape or the like. Then, the operation of attaching the endoscope front end cover 1 to the front end portion of the shaft S can be quickly performed.

(Connection of mounting part 2 and cover part 3)
As described above, when the mounting portion 2 is provided and the cover portion 3 is connected to the mounting portion 2, the mounting portion 2 and the cover portion 3 are formed separately, and the two are connected later. Alternatively, both may be integrally formed by a method such as injection molding.
In the case where they are formed separately, the method for connecting the mounting portion 2 and the cover portion 3 is not particularly limited. For example, if both the attachment part 2 and the cover part 3 are materials that can be heat-sealed, they can be connected by heating them in a state where they are in contact with each other. Moreover, the method of making it mechanically connect with a pin etc. is also employable.

(Separation part 2d and separation mechanism 3d)
The separation part 2d and the separation mechanism 3d are not particularly limited as long as the attachment part 2 and the cover part 3 and the lens covering part 3f and the other part 3x can be separated from each other.

  For example, a perforation structure may be employed as the separation unit 2d and the separation mechanism 3d. Further, a thin groove may be formed, and the groove may be used as the separation portion 2d and the separation mechanism 3d. Furthermore, the separation part 2d may be formed by connecting only the inner surface of the mounting part 2 and some of the outer edges of the cover part 3 and not connecting most of them (that is, there is a gap between them). Similarly, the separation mechanism 3d may be formed such that only a few portions of the lens covering portion 3f and the other portion 3x are connected and most of them are not connected.

  Furthermore, a string or a tape (hereinafter referred to as a separation string) having a function equivalent to that of the opening tape may be provided as the separation unit 2d and the separation mechanism 3d. In this case, the separation string is embedded in the attachment part 2 and the cover part 3 and the attachment part 2 and the cover part 3 are broken when the separation string is pulled. In this case, if one end of the peeling part 4 is connected to the separation string, the separation string is pulled when the other end of the peeling part 4 is pulled, so that the attachment part 2 and the cover part 3 are torn, and the lens covering part. 3f can be separated and removed. In particular, if a separation string is provided so as to surround the periphery of the lens covering portion 3f, the lens covering portion 3f can be reliably removed when the other end of the peeling portion 4 is pulled.

(About the core 3c)
In the above example, the case where the core portion 3c is provided in the vicinity of the separation mechanism 3d has been described, but the core portion 3c is not necessarily provided. Simply, one end of the peeling portion 4 may be directly connected to the vicinity of the separation mechanism 3d in the lens covering portion 3f. Even in this case, if the lens covering portion 3f and the portion 3x are easily separated in the separation mechanism 3d, they can be easily separated when the other end of the peeling portion 4 is pulled.

  However, if the core portion 3c is provided, the force applied from one end of the peeling portion 4 can be easily transmitted to the separation mechanism 3d, so that the lens covering portion 3f and the portion 3x can be easily separated. In particular, when the perforation structure is adopted as the separation mechanism 3d, it is preferable to provide the core portion 3c because the perforation is easily broken.

  Of course, in the lens covering portion 3f, a structure similar to the core portion 3c may be provided in the vicinity of the separation portion 2d. Also in this case, when the perforation structure is adopted as the separation portion 2d, the perforation is easily broken.

(Other examples of holding part)
In the above example, the through hole 2f corresponds to the holding portion referred to in the claims, but the structure of the holding portion is not particularly limited. If the peeling part 4 can be hold | maintained at the attachment part 2 or the cover part 3 so that it may not move to the circumferential direction of the cover part 3, the structure will not be specifically limited. For example, a ring-shaped part may be formed in the attachment part 2 or the cover part 3 and the peeling part 4 may be passed therethrough. Alternatively, a groove may be simply formed in the attachment portion 2 or the cover portion 3, and the peeling portion 4 may be disposed in the groove.
Of course, when the other end of the peeling portion 4 is pulled, the holding portion is not necessarily provided as long as a force can be applied in the direction of peeling the lens covering portion 3f without providing the holding portion.

  The endoscope front end cover of the present invention is attached to the distal end of the endoscope to recover the field of view of the endoscope camera at the time of treatment or inspection by an endoscope, particularly treatment or inspection by a large intestine endoscope. Suitable as an instrument.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope front cover 2 Attachment part 2a Holding part 3 Cover part 3c Core part 3d Separation mechanism 3g Lens accommodation recessed part 3f Lens coating | coated part 3x Parts other than the lens coating | coated part 3f 4 Peeling part S Shaft Sa Tip surface R Lens K Forceps Mouth L light source

Claims (10)

An endoscope tip cover attached to the endoscope,
A sheet-like cover portion disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope;
A peeling portion connected to the cover portion,
The cover part is
When placed on the distal end surface of the endoscope so as to cover the lens of the endoscope, the forceps port of the endoscope is formed in a shape that is uncovered,
The peeling portion is
An endoscope distal end cover, wherein one end is a string-like member connected to the cover portion. A holding portion that holds one end of the peeling portion so as to be movable in the axial direction of the peeling portion but restricts movement of the cover portion in the circumferential direction;
One end of the peeling portion is
The endoscope is characterized in that, in the radial direction of the endoscope in a state where the cover part is disposed on the distal end surface of the endoscope, the cover part is connected to a position where the lens is sandwiched between the cover part and the holding part. The endoscope tip cover according to Item 1. The peeling portion is
The endoscope distal end cover according to claim 2, wherein a portion located between one end of the cover portion and a portion held by the holding portion is disposed along the surface of the cover portion. The cover part is
The cover portion has a lens covering portion that covers the lens of the endoscope, and a portion other than the lens covering portion,
The cover part has
A separation mechanism is provided at the boundary between the lens covering portion and the portion other than the lens covering portion so as to connect the two in a separable manner.
The holding part is
It is provided at a position sandwiching the lens covering portion between the separation mechanism,
The endoscope tip cover according to claim 2 or 3, wherein one end of the peeling portion is fixed in the vicinity of a separation mechanism in the lens covering portion. The endoscope distal end cover according to claim 4, wherein a core portion is provided at a boundary between the lens covering portion and the separation mechanism. It has a substantially annular or substantially cylindrical mounting part that is attached to the distal end of the endoscope,
The cover part is
The outer edge is connected to the inner peripheral surface of the mounting part or one end edge of the mounting part,
The endoscope distal end cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a separation portion that detachably couples the cover portion and the attachment portion is provided. The cover portion is provided so as to close the opening of the attachment portion,
The endoscope tip cover according to claim 6, wherein a through-hole is formed in the cover portion at a position corresponding to the forceps opening of the endoscope. A plurality of release sheets are laminated on the surface of the cover part so as to be peelable from each other,
The endoscope distal end cover according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a release string is connected to each release sheet. The cover part is
The endoscope front end cover according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a lens housing recess for housing the lens of the endoscope. The endoscope tip cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a light-transmitting, water-repellent, oil-repellent and antifouling treatment is applied to a surface of the cover part and / or the release sheet.

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