JP2606720Y2 - Endoscope insertion unit cover package - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope insertion cover for covering an outer surface of an insertion portion of an electronic endoscope, which is inserted into a body cavity and used for endoscopic observation of the body cavity. The present invention relates to a package for an endoscope insertion section cover that is compact and properly stored.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity plays a large role in discovering various diseases, treating affected parts, and the like. Since this endoscope is used by inserting its insertion portion into a body cavity, it is necessary to wash and sterilize the same endoscope before using it for another subject. However, sufficient cleaning and sterilization of the endoscope requires a lot of hand clearance and a long time, so that there have been many problems in the efficiency of using the endoscope in a medical site. Therefore, in recent years, an endoscope equipped with an air supply pipe, a water supply pipe, a suction pipe, a forceps channel, and the like necessary for endoscope observation, and a cover that is sufficiently sterilized is provided with an optical element only. It has been proposed to use it by attaching it to a computer. Since this cover is disposable, there is no need to consider the hygiene of the endoscope itself.

[0003] In order to use the above-mentioned endoscope cover in an appropriate state, sufficient consideration must be given to its storage and storage methods. To this end, as means proposed so far, for example, US Pat.
084 is disclosed. This relates to a method of packing the endoscope cover, and is a bag that can be stored with the cover being straightened by a holding portion having a diameter larger than the diameter of the endoscope cover.

[0004]

However, the conventional packing method described above has various disadvantages. That is, since the endoscope cover is configured by combining a long pipe and a plurality of tube members due to its configuration, at the time of storage, if the pipe is stored while maintaining the cross-sectional shape at the time of use, There is a problem that the package becomes large. In addition, since the endoscope cover is disposable in principle,
In a large hospital, a laboratory, or the like where many subjects are to be examined, it is necessary to prepare many endoscope covers. Then, when the package is large, there is a problem that a large storage space is required even when the packages are stacked and stored.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above problem, a method of winding the long insertion portion cover multiple times and storing it in a package is conceivable. However, if the insertion portion cover is wound in this way, the insertion portion may be wound. There is a problem in that the cover has a bending tendency, and when used in combination with an endoscope, it hinders the insertion of the insertion portion cover into the body cavity or the bending operation within the body cavity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is proposed to solve the above-mentioned problem. The bending habit attached to the insertion portion cover of the endoscope is appropriately and compactly accommodated in a direction as little as possible to hinder the use of the endoscope. An object of the present invention is to provide a package of an endoscope insertion unit cover that can be downsized.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a device according to the first aspect of the present invention is directed to a device which is orthogonal to an insertion direction.
The endoscope insertion part cover part which stores the endoscope insertion part cover part which covers the insertion part outer surface of the endoscope having the function of bending in the direction and stores it when the endoscope is not used. Forming a spiral groove for accommodating the endoscope insertion portion cover portion, and at least inserting the endoscope insertion portion cover portion into the end portion in the insertion direction when accommodating the endoscope insertion portion cover portion in the package. In the endoscope insertion portion cover portion, such that the two-directional surfaces of the portion, which are frequently curved by the endoscope when covering the endoscope, are in contact with the side wall of the spiral groove. At least the tip in the insertion direction is housed in the groove.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, at least the distal end portion in the insertion direction of the endoscope insertion portion cover portion is housed so that the frequently curved two-side surface is in contact with the side wall of the groove. The distal end in the insertion direction has a bending tendency in the two directions that are frequently bent, but when the insertion part of the endoscope having the function of bending in the four directions is inserted and actually used,
Generally, the endoscope is always operated in four directions during operation, so that the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion cover in the insertion direction has a tendency to bend in two directions that are frequently bent. It is easily corrected and does not hinder the operation of the endoscope in actual use.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a cart 1 which is an overall perspective view of an endoscope device equipped with an endoscope cover with a channel (hereinafter abbreviated as a cover) has a light source device. 2. Video processor 3, fluid control device 4, endoscope cover expander with channel (hereinafter abbreviated as expander)
5, peripheral devices such as a monitor 6 are stored. The light source device 2 is connected to an endoscope with a channel endoscope cover (hereinafter, simply referred to as a cover endoscope) 7. The cover endoscope 7 has a function of bending the insertion section in four directions, up, down, left, and right, and converts a signal output from an image pickup device (not shown) provided near the distal end of the insertion section into a video signal. A cable 8 for inputting to the processor 3 is connected.

The cover endoscope 7 is covered with a cover 9 that covers the cover endoscope 7. This cover 9
Is constituted by an insertion portion cover portion 10, an operation portion cover 11, and a universal cover 12. The cover 9 is provided via a cover holder 13 that holds the cover 9.
The insertion section cover 10 is attached to the cover endoscope 7. The dilator 5 is provided with an expansion tube 14.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insertion portion cover 10. An endoscope insertion channel 15 into which the insertion portion of the cover endoscope is inserted, a forceps channel 16, and an air / water supply channel 17 are formed in the insertion portion cover 10. Further, in the insertion portion cover portion 10, a hand side suction tube 18 communicating with the forceps channel 16, the air supply / water supply line 1
Air supply tube 19 and water supply tube 20 communicating with 7
Is connected. The hand-side suction tube 18, the air supply tube 19, and the water supply tube 20 are connected to a suction device, an air supply source, and a water supply source (not shown) via the fluid control device 4 as shown in FIG. I have.

On the hand side of the insertion portion cover portion 10,
An endoscope operation unit fixing mouth 21 for fixing the insertion unit cover unit 10 to an operation unit of a cover endoscope (not shown) is provided. A treatment tool insertion port 22 branched from the forceps channel 16 of the insertion section cover 10 is formed integrally with the endoscope operation section fixing port 21. In the present embodiment, the endoscope operating section fixing mouth section 21 and the treatment instrument insertion opening section 22 are formed of resin instead of metal.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the insertion portion cover 10 housed in the package 23. As shown in FIG. The package 23 has a base member 24 made of a recyclable plastic material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene) or paper, a lid member 25, and a bag 31 made of a similar material. Note that the base member 24 and the lid member 25 of the package 23 may be made of a polymer material or paper having at least a part of air permeability but having an air hole of 0.2 μm or less that does not allow bacteria to pass through. The insertion portion cover portion 10 is fixed so as to fit into the spiral fixing groove 26 formed in the base member 24 with the tip portion 27 facing outward. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3, and shows a storage state of the insertion unit cover unit 10 in the package 23. As shown in the figure, the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion cover portion is fixed so that the vertical bending surface when combined with the cover endoscope is in contact with the left and right side walls 26a and 26b of the groove 26.

The insertion portion cover 10 has an endoscope insertion channel 28 into which an insertion portion of a cover endoscope having a function of bending the tip in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a forceps for inserting the forceps. A forceps channel 29 and an air / water supply channel 30 are formed.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing a state in which the insertion portion cover is fixed to the base member, the cover member is put on, the cover member is put in the bag 31, and the fastener 32 is closed and sealed. The bag 31 is a film-shaped member having a vent hole of 0.2 μm or less, and has a fastener 32 which can be opened and closed at an insertion opening. The surface of the bag is provided with a symbol 33 indicating the material. As shown in FIG.
4. The same symbols are given to the lid member 25.

After the insertion section cover 10 is fixed in the package 23 in this way, it is gas-sterilized and transported to the user. Usually, the packaged insert cover 10 is packaged in a cardboard box or the like and transported as a set of ten pieces. Needless to say, displaying the information is convenient for the user and the like. When a plurality of packages 23 are put in a cardboard box or the like, gas sterilization can be performed in that state.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the insertion portion cover 10 of the cover 9 is spirally wound and housed compactly, so that the size of the package 23 can be reduced. In addition, the insertion portion cover portion 10 wound spirally has a bending tendency of the distal end portion 27 only in the vertical bending direction, and does not have a bending tendency in the left-right direction. Therefore, in general, the cover endoscope is always operated with the vertical operation knob at the time of use, so even if there is a slight bending habit in the vertical direction, it can be easily corrected, and there is no adverse effect on the operability. Does not occur.

In the case of gas sterilizing the insertion portion cover 10 containing the package 23, the insertion opening of the zipper bag 31 is opened, and when the sterilization is completed, the insertion opening is closed to maintain the sterilization state of the package 23. Can be maintained.
When the insertion portion cover 10 is used, the base member 24 in a sterilized state can be opened by opening the insertion opening of the zipper bag 31.
Since the insertion portion cover 10 can be easily taken out from between the cover member 25 and the cover member 25, the package 23 does not have to be disposable each time. In addition, the base member 24, the lid member 25
It is needless to say that the use of a biodegradable material or a flammable material contributes to environmental protection, and the use of a recyclable material contributes to resource protection.

Further, by forming at least a part of the base member 24 and the lid member 25 of the package 23 from a polymer material or paper which is air permeable but does not allow bacteria to pass through,
It can be easily sterilized by gas sterilization and sterilization efficiency is good. Furthermore, since the base member 24 and the lid member 25 are covered with a bag 31 made of a film-like member that allows gas to pass but does not allow bacteria to pass through without any gaps, gas sterilization is possible with the package 23, and the sterilization state is maintained until the package 23 is opened. It is possible,
The insertion part cover 10 can be properly stored.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which parts corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals (the same applies to the following embodiments). Also in the present embodiment, a groove 26 for fixing the insertion portion cover portion 10 is formed in the base member 24 of the package 23, and the insertion portion cover portion 10 is formed in the groove 26.
Is set so as to be fitted. The insertion portion cover portion 10 is provided with an endoscope insertion channel 28 into which an insertion portion 34 (a portion indicated by a broken line) of a cover endoscope having a function of bending the distal end portion 27 only in the vertical direction, and through which forceps are inserted. A forceps channel 29 for causing the forceps is formed.

In the present embodiment, the surface of the insertion portion cover 10 perpendicular to the vertical bending direction axis of the distal end portion 27 is in contact with the left and right side walls 26a, 26b of the groove 26 and is fixed in the groove 26. Also in this embodiment, after the insertion portion cover 10 is fixed to the base member 24 and the cover member is covered, the insertion portion cover portion 10 is put into the bag 31 and the fastener 32 is closed and closed. The bag 31 is made of a polymer material that is at least partially permeable but not permeable to bacteria. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

Since the second embodiment is constructed as described above, the bending tendency of the distal end portion 27 of the insertion portion cover 10 is only in the direction orthogonal to the vertical bending direction, and does not stick in the vertical direction. Therefore, the bending portion of the cover endoscope having a function of bending only in the vertical direction does not bend in the horizontal direction even when an external force is applied.
When used in combination, the bending habit attached to the insertion portion cover 10 is naturally corrected, and good operability is obtained. In addition, since the base member 24 and the like are housed in the bag 31 formed of a polymer material that is at least partially breathable but does not allow bacteria to pass, gas sterilization can be performed while the fastener 32 of the bag 31 is closed, Sterilization work can be performed easily. Other effects are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 7 and 8 (sectional views taken along the line AA in FIG. 7).
Shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the package 23 is capable of accommodating the one having a different size such as the length of the insertion portion cover 10 or the one having a different size of the endoscope insertion channel.
FIG. 7 shows a state in the package 23 in which the short insertion portion cover 10 is stored. In this case, a surplus portion 26c is formed in a part of the groove 26. As described above, since the various insertion section covers 10 are stored, a symbol indicating the model name of a cover endoscope using the stored insertion section cover 10 is displayed on the surface of the bag 31. 33 is attached. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the packages 23 of the same form can be used in common because of the configuration described above, so that the packages 23 can be easily arranged and the packages 23 themselves can be mass-produced. So it can be produced cheaply. Although the package 23 has the same configuration, information such as the model of the cover endoscope to be used and the type of the insertion unit cover 10 is displayed on the surface of the package 23. Such a situation can be prevented. Other effects are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment.

Note that an endoscope for a cover having a function of bending in two directions in the vertical direction, particularly one having a thin insertion portion, may be inserted when the insertion portion cover has a bending tendency in the left-right direction. Even if a part is inserted, straightening may not be possible.
Therefore, in the case of such an insertion portion cover, as in the first embodiment, the insertion portion is housed so as to be bent in the vertical direction so as not to hinder the operation of the endoscope.

[0026]

[Effect of the invention] As described above, in the invention according to the first aspect,
Since the insertion portion cover used in combination with the endoscope having the four-direction bending function is housed in the spiral groove so as to bend in two directions that are frequently bent,
In addition to being compactly housed, the bending operation of the distal end portion and the insertion operation of the insertion portion can be performed properly without being affected by the bending habit during actual use. That is, in the invention according to the first aspect, the insertion cover is positively given a bending habit in a specific direction that does not hinder the bending operation and the insertion operation of the endoscope insertion portion, so that the insertion of the endoscope can be performed. The bending operation and the insertion operation of the part can be performed properly.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an entire endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an insertion portion cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside of the package, showing a state in which an insertion portion cover is housed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the insertion unit cover is stored and put in a bag. .

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the inside of a package according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the inside of a package according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Insert part cover part 11 Operation part cover 23 Package 24 Base member 25 Lid member 26 Groove 27 Tip part 31 Bag 31 Space 33 Symbol

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Suzuki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Minoru Yamazaki 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) The creator Osamu Mizuta 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside the Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Ichiro Nakamura 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Judicial Chief Judge Hidehiro Sumita Judge Kunio Matsumoto Judge Jikaru Abe (56) References JP-A-2-57228 (JP, A) JP-A-1-214332 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 57-152116 (JP, U) Japanese Utility Model Application Showa 61-73116 (JP, U) International Publication No. 92/22238 (WO, A1)

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] An endoscope insertion section cover for covering an outer surface of an insertion section of an endoscope having a function of bending in four directions perpendicular to the insertion direction is stored and stored when the endoscope is not used. In the package of the endoscope insertion portion cover portion to be formed, a spiral groove for storing the endoscope insertion portion cover portion is formed, and when inserting the endoscope insertion portion cover portion into the package, At least the distal end portion in the insertion direction of the endoscope insertion portion cover portion, the two-direction surface that is frequently bent by the endoscope when covering the endoscope, comes into contact with the side wall of the spiral groove. A package for an endoscope insertion portion cover, wherein at least the distal end in the insertion direction of the endoscope insertion portion cover is housed in the groove.