JP2719376B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus capable of selectively performing air supply and gas supply.

[Related Art] When an intestinal site is treated with an electric scalpel, a laser, or the like using an endoscope, if a combustible gas is generated in the intestine, the gas is ignited and explodes. May occur.

Therefore, measures have been taken to prevent non-combustible gas such as carbon dioxide gas from being introduced into the intestine before the treatment, and to replace the combustible gas to prevent explosion.

Such countermeasures are extremely effective. For this reason, conventional endoscopes have a built-in conduit means for feeding nonflammable gas into the endoscope body (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-12 / 1987).
No. 5501). That is, in this conventional endoscope, the air supply line and the gas line are used as a common line, and the air supply or the air supply is performed by replacing a valve body (piston) in a switching operation valve provided in an operation unit. The state can be changed to a gas supply switching state. As described above, the method of replacing the valve element for air / water supply and the valve element for gas / water supply according to the intended use can use the conventional air supply line as it is as the gas supply line. Since it is not necessary to newly provide a system, there is an advantage that the endoscope can be compact and good operability of the endoscope can be maintained as it is.

The connection between the air supply pump and the gas cylinder with respect to the common conduit is made by connecting the gas supply and air supply switching valve provided at the connector at the extension end of the universal cord of the endoscope to one of them. ing. That is, when the gas tube on the gas cylinder side is connected, the switching valve switches,
The gas tube communicates with the common conduit. When the gas tube is removed, the connection port side is closed, and the air supply pipe communicates with the pipe on the connection port side connecting the air supply tube. That is, the gas supply switching valve controls closing and communication of the gas supply side pipeline by attaching and detaching the gas tube connector.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In this conventional system, the supply tube on the gas cylinder side is connected to the air supply line of the endoscope to perform gas supply, and then the supply tube for gas supply is connected. When the connector is removed, the gas supply switching valve shuts off the gas tube side.
At the same time, the air supply base side is opened, and the air supply line of the endoscope is communicated with the air supply pump side.

By the way, since the pressure of the gas supply source (gas cylinder) is higher than the pressure of the general air supply source (air supply pump), after the gas is supplied, the common air supply line of the endoscope has a high pressure. Maintained in state. Therefore, when the common conduit of the endoscope communicates with the air supply pump by removing the connector of the gas supply tube, the high-pressure gas flows into the air supply pump. For this reason, the air supply pump may be damaged by the high pressure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to connect an air supply source and a high-pressure fluid source to the same pipeline to selectively switch between air supply and gas supply. In an endoscope apparatus, safety is ensured by preventing high-pressure fluid remaining in a common pipeline from flowing into an air supply pump.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an air supply pipe provided in an endoscope and a first fluid provided in the air supply pipe. A first fluid source for supplying a second fluid to the air supply line at a pressure higher than the air supply pressure of the first fluid source; and a second fluid source for supplying a second fluid to the air supply line at a pressure higher than the air supply pressure of the first fluid source. The first fluid source and the second fluid are switched by switching between a first state in which the fluid source communicates with the first fluid source and a second state in which the air supply conduit communicates with the second fluid source. A connection line switching means for selectively connecting a source to the air supply line, wherein the connection line switching means switches from the second state to the first state. Before the replacement, a leak path for opening the air supply pipe to the atmosphere is formed.

Therefore, before the connection line switching means switches from the second state to the first state, the air supply line is opened to the atmosphere by the leak path. The fluid does not flow into the first fluid source having a low air supply pressure, so that its safety can be ensured.

Embodiment FIG. 1 to FIG. 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 schematically shows the configuration of the entire endoscope apparatus. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope (fiberscope). The endoscope 1 is connected to an operation section 2, an insertion section 3 connected to the front side of the operation section 2, and a side section of the operation section 2. The endoscope 1 has a main body side.

An image guide fiber 5 is inserted into the insertion section 3 and the operation section 2. This image guide fiber 5
Is optically connected to an observation objective lens system 7 provided at the distal end of the insertion section 3, and the rear end is optically connected to an eyepiece 8 provided at the proximal end of the operation section 2. Are linked together. Then, it is possible to observe the front visual field seen from the objective lens system 7 through the eyepiece unit 8.

The following various pipes are provided in the insertion section 3, the operation section 2, and the universal cord 4 of the endoscope 1. The piping includes a suction line 9, an air supply line 10, and a water supply line 11.

Further, the distal ends of the air supply pipe 10 and the water supply pipe 11 are inserted into the insertion section 3.
At the tip of the insertion portion 3
It is connected to two ejection nozzles 12. Further, the rear ends of the air supply line 10 and the water supply line 11 together with the rear end of the suction line 9 correspond to the connector 13 attached to the extension end of the universal cord 3 as described later. It is designed to be connected to each base provided. That is, the connector
13 shows an air supply pump built into the light source device (not shown)
A thin air supply mouthpiece 15 to which an air supply tube 14 leading to P1 is connected, a water supply mouth 16 protruding from the side of the connector 13 and connected to the water supply tank T, and a connector 13 alongside the water supply mouth 16
And a suction base 19 protruding from a side surface of the connector 13 opposite to the gas supply base 17 and connected to a suction tube 18 of a suction pump P2.

The structure of the water supply mouthpiece 16 is, for example, a double tube structure in which a first lumen through which the washing water W flows is formed in a central portion thereof, and a second lumen through which gas flows around the first lumen. It is composed of Then, the rear end of the water supply pipe 11 is connected to the central first lumen portion of the water supply cap 16, and the second end on the outer peripheral side of the water supply cap 16 is connected.
The rear end of the air supply duct 10 communicates with the lumen portion of the air supply duct.

Further, the rear end side of the air supply line 10 is selectively connected to the air supply line 15 and the gas supply base 17 via a line switching valve 20 described later provided in the connector 13. Further, a connector 21 described later is detachably attached to the gas supply mouthpiece 17, and a gas supply tube 22 as a supply tube is connected thereto. An on-off valve 23 and a pressure gauge 24 are interposed in the middle of a gas transmission line composed of the gas transmission tube 22, and a regulator 25 is inserted immediately near the discharge port of the gas cylinder B.

On the other hand, the operation unit 2 is provided with an air / water switching valve 26 inserted in the middle of the air supply line 10 and the water supply line 11 and a suction switching valve 27 inserted in the middle of the suction line 9. The distal end side portion of the suction channel 9 is formed also as a treatment instrument insertion channel 28 arranged in the insertion section 3. Then, the distal end opening of the processing tool insertion channel 28 is used to perform suction into the body cavity. However, the base end of the treatment instrument insertion channel 28 is opened to the outside in the operation unit 2, and a forceps plug 30 is removably loaded in an insertion opening 29 formed by the opening.

Here, the water supply tank T will be described. In addition to connecting the air supply tube 51 and the water supply tube 52 to the closed container 50 filled with the washing water W, each of the tubes 51, 52
A connecting tool 53 having a double cylindrical structure (having a lumen through which cleaning water flows and a gas flows around the outer periphery) that can be connected to the water supply mouth ring 16 is connected to the tip of the connecting pipe 53. And the air supply tube 51
The rear end opens to the air layer above the liquid layer, and the rear end of the water supply tube 52 opens to the liquid. And this connection tool
53 is connected to the water supply base 16 and used.

On the other hand, the air / water switching valve 26 has a structure capable of performing a gas / water switching operation in addition to a gas / water switching operation by replacing its valve body. Specifically, when air supply and water supply are performed using two types of valve bodies, namely, a first valve body 56 for exchangeable air supply and water supply switching and a second valve body 57 for gas supply and water supply switching. Is the valve seat of the air / water switching valve 26.
Attached to 58, the air supply cap 15 is connected to an air supply pump P1 incorporated in a light source device or the like. At this time,
Nothing is connected to the gas feed port 17. In addition, when performing gas supply and water supply, a second valve body 57 is attached instead of the first valve body 56, and the gas supply base 17 is connected to the connector 21 of the gas tube 22. In each case, the water supply cap 16
Is connected to a water supply tank T.

FIG. 4 shows an assembly configuration of the air / water switching valve 26 when the air / water switching operation is performed. 5 and 6 show the assembled structure of the air / water switching valve 26 in the case of performing the gas / water switching operation.

The valve seat body 58 to which either the first valve body 56 or the second valve body 57 is mounted is configured as shown in FIGS. That is, the valve seat body 58 is formed in a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and the opening side portion is a large-diameter cylindrical portion 58a, and the bottom side portion is a small-diameter cylindrical portion 58b. The mounting structure of the valve seat body 58 has a bottom side portion disposed inside the operation unit 2 and
The opening end side portion protrudes out of the operation unit 2, and the opening end is screwed and fixed to a mounting ring 63 attached to the outer wall 2a. The upstream pipe 10b of the air supply pipe 10 is connected to the upper part of the peripheral wall of the valve seat body 58, and the upstream pipe 10b of the air supply pipe 10 is connected to the middle part of the peripheral wall of the valve seat 58 similarly. Further, the upstream pipe 11a of the water supply pipe 11 is connected to a lower portion of the peripheral wall of the valve seat body 58. Further, on the peripheral wall of the valve seat body 58, a downstream pipe of the water supply pipe 11 is provided between the upstream pipe 11a and the upstream pipe 10a.
11b is connected. The diameter of the base portion 63a of the mounting ring 63 is set slightly larger than that of the conventional one, and a structure is used in which the mounting flange 63b is formed on the upper part.

On the other hand, the first valve body 56 for switching the air supply / water supply is the fourth valve body.
It is configured as shown in the figure. That is, the large-diameter cylindrical portion 58a
And a shaft corresponding to the small-diameter cylindrical portion 58b.
The piston 65 comprises a piston 65, and an operation button 66 is connected to the shaft 65a via a connection pipe 67. Further, an abutment flange portion 68 is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 65a, and a mounting seat 69 is provided between the abutment flange portion 68 and the operation button 66 so as to be fitted to the mounting flange 63b. I have. A compression spring 70 is interposed between the mounting seat 69 and the operation button 66, and the mounting seat 69 is fitted into the mounting flange 63b while the piston 65 is inserted into the valve seat body 58 as shown in FIG. By attaching, the first valve body 56 can be detachably attached to the valve seat body 58.

A sealing ring 71 having a substantially U-shaped cross section is fitted on the first valve body 56 and is located on the outer periphery of the distal end portion on the insertion side of the shaft portion 65b. Further, a valve seat body is provided around the middle portion of the first valve body 56.
A check valve 72 is provided corresponding to the tapered portion at the boundary between the large-diameter cylindrical portion 58a and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 58b. Note that a sealing ring 73 is also provided on the outer periphery of the distal end of the shaft portion 65a. And
When the sealing rings 71 and 73 and the check valve 72 are in the standby state of A shown on the left side of FIG.
The gas flowing from the upstream pipe 10a leaks to the outside through an opening 74 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 65a, a leak hole 75 also provided on the shaft center, and a leak hole 76 provided on the operation button 66. Is set to a proper arrangement. Also, leave the leak hole in this state.
When the finger is closed, the gas introduced from the upstream pipe 10a is set to be guided to the downstream pipe 10b through the check valve 72 and the space between the check valve 72 and the sealing ring 73. It has become.

Further, the first valve body 56 is pressed by pressing the operation button 66 against the elastic force of the compression spring 70 while closing the leak hole 76 with a finger, to be in a state indicated by B on the right side of FIG. That is, the upstream pipe 11a and the downstream pipe 11b are
Are arranged so that the inflow from the upstream pipeline 10a is blocked by the check valve 72 and the sealing action of the sealing ring 71, whereby the first valve body 56 It becomes a structure that can supply air and water by mounting. In the standby state, the upstream side pipeline 11 is connected by the sealing ring 71.
a and the downstream side pipeline 11b are shut off.

On the other hand, the second valve body 57 for switching the gas supply and water supply has the following structure. That is,
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there is provided a water supply switching piston 80 having an outer shape following the inner diameter of the valve seat body 58. The piston 80 is provided with a gas supply switching piston 81. Built-in. The piston 80 has a sealing ring 82 having a U-shaped cross section similar to that of the first valve body 56 at the front end thereof, and a first piston portion 80 having a valve chamber 83 at a portion extending from the center to the rear end.
a and a cylindrical second piston portion 80c having a valve seat 80b formed at the distal end. In addition, piston part 80c
A connecting pipe 80d is connected to the rear end of the connecting pipe 80. A hollow operation button 84 is connected to the connecting pipe 80d. A mounting seat 86 having the same shape as the mounting seat 69 is provided between the abutment step 85 formed at the boundary between the connecting conduit 80d and the piston 80c, and the operation button 84. In addition, a compression spring 87 is interposed between the mounting seat 86 and the operation button 84.
By fitting the mounting seat 86 to the mounting flange 63b, the entire second valve body 57 can be mounted on the valve seat body 58 as in the case of the first valve body 56. I have.
The mounting seat 86 pushed down by the compression spring 87 is formed with a step portion that comes into contact with the contact step portion 85, and thereby the movement is regulated.

In such a configuration, since the diameter of the base portion 63a is different from the conventional one, no valve body other than the first valve body 56 and the second valve body 57 is attached. Therefore, it is not erroneously used as the conventional air supply / water supply.

Further, the gas supply switching piston 81 has a valve portion 88 (corresponding to a normally closed on-off valve) on the outer periphery of the distal end portion on the insertion side. The shaft portion of the piston 81 is inserted into the second piston portion 80c through the operation button 84 so as to be able to advance and retreat, so that the valve portion 88 is stored in the valve chamber 83. A hollow button 89 is connected to the upper end of the piston 81. A compression spring 90 for lifting the piston 81 is wound between the lower end of the operation button 89 and a spring seat formed in the connecting pipe portion immediately below the operation button 89. Then, by lifting the piston 81, the valve portion 88 abuts against the valve seat 80b, and the port of the valve seat 80b is always closed. By pressing the button 89, the port of the valve seat 88 can be opened.

Note that stoppers 91a and 91b are provided between the piston 80 and the piston 81 to prevent the valve portion 88 from being unnecessarily crushed when high-pressure gas is fed.

Further, the following switching structure is used for the second valve body 57. That is, on the peripheral wall of the first piston portion 80a, the portion corresponding to the lowermost stage of the valve chamber 83 is
A first hole 92 communicating between the inside and the outside of the 83 is provided, and a second hole 93 communicating with the inner cavity of the second piston 80c is provided on the peripheral wall of the second piston 80c. The inside and outside of the first and second piston portions 80a and 80c are communicated via the port of the seat 80b. And the first and second piston portions
On 80a and 80c, sealing rings 94 and 95 are provided directly above the first hole 92 and directly above the second hole 93, respectively, and the boundary between the large-diameter cylindrical portion 58a and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 58b is formed. A sealing ring 96 is provided at a position corresponding to the tapered portion so that the gas supply and the water supply can be switched.

Next, regarding this, the sealing rings 82, 95, 96
In the standby state of C shown on the left side of FIG. 5 from the above arrangement (the state in which the pistons 80 and 81 are pushed up until they are restricted by the stoppers 91a and 91b and the abutment step 85), both are valve seats. The valve seat 58 and the piston are in close contact with the inner surface of the body 58.
Valve chambers 97, 98, and 99 (gas supply and water supply passages) are formed between the valve chambers 80 and 80, respectively. Then, using this arrangement, in the standby state, the seal between the sealing ring 82 and the sealing ring 96, and further, by closing the valve portion 88, shut off the connection between the upstream pipe 10a and the downstream pipe 10b, At the same time, the seal between the upstream pipe 11a and the upstream pipe 11b is shut off by the seal of the sealing ring 82. Further, when the button 89 is pushed in from this state as shown on the right side of FIG. 5 (state D), the port of the valve seat 80b is opened and the upstream through the first and second holes 92 and 93. The side pipe 10a and the downstream pipe 10b communicate with each other. Further, when the operation button 84 is pushed in as shown in FIG. 6 after that, the second valve body 57 disconnects the upstream pipe 11a and the downstream pipe 11b from the internal connection through the valve chamber 97. At the same time as the communication, the inflow of the upstream pipe 10a is cut off by the seal of the contact sealing ring 94 and the sealing ring 96 by the inscribing of the sealing ring 94. I have.

Such a second valve body 57 is provided with a leak path. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a leak hole 100 is formed in the piston 81 along the axial direction from the portion immediately above the valve portion 88 to the hole of the button portion 89 as shown in FIGS. Become. In addition, a structure is used in which a hole 101 that connects the leak hole 100 and the space between the two pistons 80 and 81 is provided on the peripheral wall on the bottom side portion of the leak hole 100. Thus, a structure is provided in which the downstream portion of the valve portion 88 and the downstream portion of the sealing ring 96 that secures a flow path through which gas is supplied communicate with the atmosphere. That is, the gas supply leaking beyond the valve portion 88 and the sealing ring 96 can be released to the outside. However, the opening of the leak hole 100 is closed with a finger when gas is supplied.

5 and 6, reference numeral 102 denotes a sealing ring for sealing the sliding surface portion above the hole 101, and in FIG. 5, reference numeral 103 denotes an insertion portion 3 of the endoscope 1; The light guide fiber is inserted through the portion 2 and the universal cord 4.

Next, the gas supply base 17 and the gas cylinder connector 21 connected thereto will be described. First, the gas supply mouthpiece 17 is a cylindrical mouthpiece member 3 protruding from the outer wall 13a of the connector 13.
The base member 31 has a cylinder 3 at its inner end.
Connect 2 An opening 10c is provided at the center of the inner bottom of the cylinder 32 at the upstream side of the air supply line 10, that is, at the air supply base 15 side. In addition, an opening communicating with the downstream side of the air supply line 10 is provided on a slope portion on the inner bottom side of the cylinder 32.
15a is provided. That is, the air supply line 10 and the air supply base 1
5 communicates through its cylinder 32. This communication state is interrupted or communicated by a piston 33 movably provided in the cylinder 32 in the axial direction. That is, a rubber seal member 34 is attached to the inner end portion of the piston 33, and the seal member 34 is disposed to face the valve seat 35 formed on the inner surface of the cylinder 32, and pushes the piston 33. At that time, they hit each other and cut off their communication.

A spring receiving ring 36 is mounted around the outer end of the piston 33, and a flange 37 is integrally formed on the inner surface of the base member 31 so as to face the spring receiving ring 36.
Further, the seal member 34 is provided with a flange 37 of the base member 31.
And an abutting projection 34a protruding from the facing surface. Spring receiving ring 36 and flange 3
A compression coil spring 38 is interposed between the compression coil spring 7 and the compression coil spring. Thus, the piston 33 is urged by the compression coil spring 38, so that the seal member 34 normally retracts from the valve seat 35 and waits as shown in a state A shown on the right side of FIG. 32
By opening a, the mouth 10c and the mouth 15a communicate with each other. That is, the air supply line 10 and the air supply base 15 are in communication. At this time, the sealing member 34 abuts the abutting projection 34a against the inner surface of the flange 37 to hermetically shut off the space therebetween.

Further, a cylindrical abutting member 39 is screwed and engaged with the inner surface of the base member 31. Vent hole 33 in piston 33
a is formed coaxially, and a pair of lateral holes 33b and 33c communicating with the ventilation hole 33a are provided offset in the axial direction with the flange 37 interposed therebetween. And this ventilation hole 33
The a and one of the horizontal holes 33c form a gas supply path 40 which is communicated with a gas transmission system including the gas transmission tube 22. As described above, in the cylinder 32, the line switching valve 20 for selectively connecting the air supply base 15 or the gas supply base 17 to the air supply line 10 is configured.

Note that the spring receiving ring 36 of the piston 33 is provided with a leak hole 36a formed by partially notching.

On the other hand, a gas delivery metal pipe incorporating this pipeline switching valve 20
The connection tool 21 of the gas supply tube 22 connected to 17 is configured as follows. That is, the connecting tool 21 has a connecting pipe 41 inserted into the abutting member 39 of the gas feeding base 17, and the connecting pipe 41 is connected to the gas feeding tube 22 through the connecting pipe 42.
Is hermetically connected to the tip of the. A mounting ring 43 is fitted around the outer circumference of the connection pipe 41 and mounted. On the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the mounting ring 43, a male screw portion 45 to be screwed into the screw portion 44 to be formed on the inner surface of the outer end portion of the base member 31 is formed. Furthermore, flanges formed on both the connection pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42 are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the mounting ring 43.
It is attached to and rotatable between 41a and 42a. A leak notch 46 is formed in the outer peripheral edge of the mounting ring 43, and a leak hole 47 is formed in the middle of the mounting ring 43. Further, a rubber seal member 48 is mounted on the outer periphery of the middle part of the connection pipe 41. Also,
An abutting projection is provided on the end surface of the distal end of the sealing member 48.
48a is protruding. Then, connect the fitting 21 to the gas feeder 1
When attached to 7, the seal member 48 is configured to hermetically abut the end surface on the side of the abutting projection 48a against the distal end surface of the abutting member 39. 32a is a sealing adhesive.

On the other hand, a female thread 51 is formed on the inner surface of the distal end of the mounting ring 43 so as to be compatible with a different gas supply mouthpiece 17a of a type shown in FIG. The outer periphery is formed on a standard tapered surface 52 used for a syringe or the like.

By the way, the gas supply mouthpiece 17a of the type shown in FIG. 8 is used exclusively for gas supply used in the conventional endoscope, and the inner surface of the connection tube 111 has a tapered surface 112 adapted to the tapered surface 52.
It is formed as. Further, a projection 113 is formed on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the connection cylinder 55. Therefore, by using the projection 113, this can be screwed into the internal female thread 51 on the inner surface of the mounting ring 43 and can be engaged. That is, the connector 21 of the gas supply tube 22 can be connected to a gas supply dedicated device used for a conventional endoscope and used as it is.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which the gas supply mouthpiece 17 having the above-mentioned configuration and the connecting tool 21 connected thereto are connected in comparison with the configuration shown in FIG.

Next, an operation when the endoscope apparatus having the above configuration is used will be described. First, when performing normal use of air / water supply, a first valve body 56 is attached to the valve seat 58 of the air / water switching valve 26 as shown in FIG. This installation inserts the piston 65 into the valve seat 58 and
This is performed by fitting 69 to the mounting flange 63b. In addition, a connector 62 is inserted into the water supply base 16 of the endoscope 1 to connect the water supply tank T to the water supply pipe 11, and the air supply pump 15 is connected to the air supply base 15 of the endoscope 1. The air tube 14 is connected. On the other hand, the connecting tool 21 of the gas cylinder B is not connected to the gas feeding base 17. As a result, the line switching valve 20 in the gas supply mouthpiece 17 shuts off the gas supply mouthpiece 17 side, and connects the air supply mouthpiece 15 side to the air supply duct 10. The air discharged from the air supply pump P1 is supplied from the air supply base 15 to the line switching valve.
Through 20, it enters the upstream pipeline 10 a of the air supply pipeline 10 of the endoscope 1. The upstream pipe 10a is connected to the air / water switching valve 26 by
It communicates with the downstream pipe 10b through the check valve 72 and also with the outside through the leak hole 75. Therefore, due to the difference between the two pipe resistances, the air / water switching valve 26 in the standby state A shown on the left side of FIG.
a, leak to the outside through the leak hole 75; Therefore, air supply to the tip side is not performed.

If the opening of the leak hole 76 of the operation button 66 is closed with a finger from the standby state, the leak hole 76 is closed, so that the leak is shut off and normal air supply is performed.

When the operation button 66 is pushed in while closing the leak hole 76 with a finger as shown in a state B on the right side of FIG. 4, the opening of the upstream pipe 10a is sealed by the sealing ring 71 and the check valve 72. At the same time, the upstream pipe 11a and the downstream pipe 11b communicate with each other through the sealing ring 71, and normal water supply is performed. That is, the processed air from the air supply pump P1 pressurizes the cleaning liquid W in the water supply tank T through the air supply base 15, the line switching valve 20, the air supply line 10, and the air supply tube 51, and the cleaning water W The water is supplied to the water supply pipe 11 of the endoscope 1 through the water supply tube 52.

On the other hand, in the case of performing gas supply and water supply instead of such gas supply and water supply, the first valve body of the gas supply / water supply switching valve 26
In place of 56, a second gas supply / water supply
Is mounted in the same manner as when the first valve body 56 was previously mounted. Next, the gas cylinder fitting 21 is inserted into the gas feed base 17, and the gas cylinder T is connected to the endoscope 1.
To the air supply line 10 of the air conditioner.

When the fitting 21 is not attached to the gas supply mouthpiece 17, the pipeline switching valve 20 opens its valve chamber 32a as shown in the state of the right part A in FIG. 1 to open the mouth 10c and the mouth 15a. And the air supply line 10 is opened as described above. In addition, the seal member 34 hits the flange 37, shuts off the flange 37, and closes the gas feed base 17 side.

Then, from this state, the gas cylinder connector 21 is attached to the gas supply mouthpiece 17 in the following procedure. That is, by inserting the mounting ring 43 of the connecting tool 21 into the base member 31 of the gas feed base 17, its female screw 44 and male screw 45
Screw. When the mounting ring 43 is screwed in this way, the adhesive tube 41 moves forward as shown in a state B in the left half of FIG. 1 to push the piston 33 abutting on this tip with the elasticity of the compression coil spring 38. Push against the power. Then, the seal member 34 attached to the piston 33 is pressed against the valve seat 35, and the space therebetween is shut off. Thus, as shown in the state B in the left part of FIG.
The passage between the mouth portion 10c and the mouth portion 15a that have been communicated through 32a is shut off. Further, in this state B, the sealing member 34
Is separated from the flange 37 of the base member 31 to open the gas supply path 40. For this reason, the gas supply tube 22 is
It communicates with the air supply line 10 through 40. Then, on-off valve 23
, A non-combustible gas such as carbon dioxide gas can be supplied from the gas cylinder B to the air supply pipe 10 side.

Therefore, by operating the air / water switching valve 26 in the same manner as described above, the gas sending and the water sending action can be selected. That is,
Air / water switching valve as shown in state C shown in the left half of FIG.
When 26 is in the standby state, the upstream line 10 of the air supply line 10
Since the space between a and the downstream pipe 10b is shut off by the valve seat 80b, carbon dioxide gas (noncombustible gas) does not flow out. In addition, since the space between the upstream pipe 11a and the downstream pipe 11b of the water supply pipe 11 is also blocked by the sealing ring 82, no washing water flows out.

Then, from this standby state, while closing the leak hole 100 with a finger and pressing the button part 89, the piston 81 descends as shown in a state D in the right half of FIG. 1, and opens the port of the valve seat 80b. The valve chamber 83 communicates with the valve chamber 104 immediately above the valve seat 80b. Thus, carbon dioxide gas flows from the upstream pipe 10 a of the air supply pipe 10 through the first hole 92, the valve chamber 83, the valve seat 80 b, the valve chamber 104, and the second hole 93. The gas is sent to the downstream pipe 10b, whereby gas is sent. At this time, since the opening of the leak hole 100 is closed by the operating finger, the carbon dioxide gas does not leak to the atmosphere (outside) through the second valve body 57.

On the other hand, if the operation button 84 is pushed in while closing the opening of the leak hole 100 with a finger, the air supply line is opened as shown in FIG.
At the same time, the opening of the distal end of the upstream pipe 10a of 10 is blocked by the sealing rings 94 and 96, and at the same time, the inscribing of the sealing ring 82 is released and the upstream pipe 11a and the downstream pipe 11b of the water supply pipe 11 are connected. To communicate.
As a result, the cleaning water W in the water supply tank 14 is pressurized, and the pressurized cleaning water W is supplied through the water supply pipe 11 in the same manner as in the case of the air supply / water supply operation.
It is supplied to 12, and the water supply action is performed.

Here, in the standby state C shown in the left half of FIG.
If the gas supply pressure of the gas cylinder B is higher than usual and the gas supply pressure exceeds the shut-off capacity of the sealing ring 96, or if the sealing ring 96 and the valve unit 88 are deteriorated or damaged, or for some reason, From the occurrence of a trouble in which the valve portion 88 does not return completely, to the problem of causing over-feeding gas, according to the above configuration, even if such a trouble occurs, the valve portion 88 and the sealing Since the leak path is formed on the downstream side, the gas flowing into the valve chamber 99 and the valve chamber 104 hardly flows into the patient side (downstream pipe 10b) and flows from the leak hole 100 to the atmosphere (outside).
Will leak out. Needless to say, this is because the pipe resistance of the downstream pipe 10b is much larger than the resistance of the leak part. Therefore, the treatment can always be performed safely.

In addition, the connection between the gas supply mouthpiece 17 and the connector 21 automatically switches between gas supply and gas supply, so that the handling is easy.

Further, a gas feed tube is connected from the gas feed port 17 of the endoscope 1 to the gas feed tube.
When the connector 21 of the 22 is removed, the inside of the air supply line 10 is once opened to the atmosphere (outside), as described below, and acts to reduce the pressure in the air supply line 10. Therefore, high-pressure gas remains in the air supply line 10 and this is prevented from flowing into the air supply pump P1 connected to the air supply base 15 and damaging the air supply pump P1. I have.

In other words, when the fitting 21 of the gas supply tube 22 is detached from the gas supply base 17 of the endoscope 1 and the mounting ring 43 is detached from the base member 31, the connection pipe 41 of the connection tool 21 is changed as shown in FIG. Retreat accordingly as shown. The piston 33 abutting on the distal end of the connection pipe 41 is also retracted by the elastic biasing force of the compression coil spring. Therefore, the seal member 34 attached to the piston 33 moves away from the valve seat 35, but does not open at this initial stage as shown in FIG. Then, in this initial stage, the seal member 48 in the connecting pipe 41 of the connecting tool 21 is separated from the abutting member 39 which has hitherto abutted, and forms a passage s therebetween.

Thus, the vent hole of the piston 33 in the pipeline switching valve 20
The gas is discharged from the leak hole 47 of the mounting ring 43 or the cut-out portion supply passage 40 to the outside through the passage s from the 33a and the horizontal hole 33b. Therefore, the inside of the air supply line 10 of the endoscope 1 is opened to the atmosphere (outside), and the pressure in the air supply line 10 decreases instantaneously. That is, the high-pressure gas does not remain in the air supply pipe 10 and the air supply tube 14 communicating with the air supply base 15.

After an initial stage where such a leak action is performed,
Furthermore, when the connection tool 21 of the gas feed tube 22 is removed,
With the retreat of the piston 33, the end surface of the seal member 34 on the piston 33 side of the abutting projection 34a
The compression coil spring 38 collides with the first flange 37 and is airtightly shut off. That is, the state becomes the state A shown in the right half of FIG. 1, and the gas supply mouthpiece 17 is automatically closed.

As described above, the switching of the pipeline switching valve 20 is automatically performed depending on whether or not the fitting 21 of the gas supply tube 22 is mounted from the gas supply base 17. Therefore, the surgeon does not need to perform any special operation. When the connector 21 is removed, the inside of the air supply line 10 is once opened to the atmosphere (outside), and the pressure in the air supply line 10 is reduced. This can be prevented from remaining in the tube 14 and flowing into the air supply pump P1 connected to the air supply base 15 to damage the air supply pump P1.

Further, even if the gas tube 22 is detached from the gas supply mouthpiece 17 and the air supply pump P1 is stopped, a situation in which water is supplied can be prevented.

FIG. 9 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, means for leaking the gas inside the air supply line 10 of the endoscope 1 into the atmosphere is incorporated in the light source device 120 for the endoscope. That is, the main body 121 of the endoscope light source device 120 is provided with a mounting port 122 for detachably mounting the connection tool 21 of the gas tube 22, and the mounting port 122 is connected to a conduit communicating with the gas tube 22 to be mounted. Section 123, and the pipe section 1
Reference numeral 23 communicates with the light source device side air supply conduit 124 which is connected to the air supply base 15 of the endoscope 1. In addition, this pipe section 123
And the part to which this pipe part 123 is connected and the air supply pump P
Valves 125a and 125b are respectively provided in the conduit portions of the light source device side air supply conduit 124 between them. In addition, mounting mouth 1
22 is provided with a sensor 126 for detecting a mounted state of the connecting tool 21 mounted on the connector 22. The control circuit 127 that receives the mounting signal detected by the sensor 126 controls the opening and closing operations of the valves 125a and 125b as described later. Note that the valve 125a is configured to be able to select a position that opens to the atmosphere.

Further, in the endoscope 1 in this embodiment, separate valves are provided at respective intermediate portions of the air supply line 10 and the water supply line 11.
The valves 128a and 128b are interposed. The opening and closing operations of the valves 128a and 128b are performed by a control circuit 129 provided in the main body 121 of the endoscope light source device 120 as described later. The control circuit 129 receives an operation command from a switching operation button 130 provided on the operation unit 2 of the endoscope 1. Note that the switching operation button 130 is a two-stage push-in type switch, and the first stage is air supply or gas supply,
The second stage commands water supply. The rest of the configuration is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

In this endoscope apparatus, when performing the gas supply and air supply operation, when the connector 21 of the gas tube 22 is mounted on the mounting port 122, this is detected by the sensor 126, and the detection signal is received. The control circuit 127 opens the valve 125a and closes the valve 125b. Therefore, the gas from the gas cylinder B is sent from the light source device side air supply line 124 to the endoscope side air supply line 10 communicating therewith. Further, the cleaning water W is also supplied into the water supply tank T and pressurizes the cleaning water W therein.

Therefore, the switching operation button 130 on the operation unit 2 of the endoscope 1
When operated to send gas, the valve on the
Only 128a is open and gas can be sent through the air supply line 10. When the switching operation button 130 is operated to supply water, only the valve 128b on the water supply pipe 11 side is opened, and the pressurized cleaning water W of the water supply tank T can be supplied through the gas supply pipe 11. it can.

On the other hand, in this endoscope apparatus, when the water supply / air supply operation is performed, the connection tool 21 of the gas tube 22 is connected to the mounting port 12.
Remove from 2 This state is detected by the sensor 126, and upon receiving this detection signal, the control circuit 127
a is closed and the valve 125b is opened. Therefore, the supply of gas from the gas cylinder B is shut off, and the air from the air supply pump P1 can be sent from the light source device side air supply line 124 to the endoscope side air supply line 10 communicating therewith. Become like The pressurized air is also supplied into the water supply tank T, and pressurizes the cleaning water W therein.

Therefore, the switching operation button 130 on the operation unit 2 of the endoscope 1
When the air supply is operated, the valve 12 on the air supply line 10 side is operated.
Only 8a is open and air can be sent through the air supply line 10. When the switching operation button 130 is operated to supply water, only the valve 128b on the water supply pipe 11 side is opened, and the pressurized cleaning water W of the water supply tank T can be supplied through the gas supply pipe 11. it can.

By the way, the connecting member 21 of the gas tube 22 is connected to the light source device 120.
When the sensor 126 is removed from the side mounting port 122, the sensor 126 detects the initial operation, and the control circuit 127 opens the valve 125a for a short period of time, for example, one second, based on the detection signal, to open to the atmosphere. Therefore, the high-pressure gas remaining in the light source device-side air supply line 124 and the endoscope-side air supply line 10 that communicates with the gas supply line 124 is released to the atmosphere. Thereafter, the valve 125a closes and the valve 125b opens. Then, this leak operation is automatically performed in accordance with the operation of removing the connection tool 21.

In the second embodiment, since the pipeline switching valve 20 is provided on the light source device side, the connector 13 is smaller and lighter than when it is provided on the connector 13 of the endoscope 1, and handling becomes easier. .

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has the same basic configuration as that of the second embodiment. In particular, a valve 128b for opening and closing the water supply tank T and the air supply line 10 is provided in the main body 121 of the endoscope light source device 120. It has been incorporated. Further, the air supply pump P1 is connected to the water supply tank T. Therefore, regardless of the switching operation between the gas supply and the gas supply, the water supply operation is performed by the gas supply pressure of the gas supply pump P1. Other operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that performs gas supply and gas supply using an air supply source and a high-pressure fluid source by using the same conduit of an endoscope, and in which the connection conduit switching is performed. The means forms a leak path for opening the sending / disconnecting pipe to the atmosphere before switching from the second state to the first state, so that the connection pipe switching means can switch the second pipe from the second state to the first pipe. Before switching to the state of, the air duct is opened to the atmosphere by the leak path,
The high-pressure second fluid remaining in the air supply line does not flow into the first fluid source having a low air supply pressure, so that damage to the first fluid source can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1 to 8 show a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views each showing a configuration of a pipe switching valve and a gas tube connector at a gas sending base. , Third
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope apparatus, and FIG.
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the operation switching valve at the time of air / water supply of the endoscope, FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of the operation switching valve at the time of gas / water supply of the endoscope, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where a connecting tool is connected to a gas mouthpiece dedicated to gas supply, and FIG. 9 is an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the device,
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 1 endoscope, 10 air supply line, 11 water supply line, 15
… Air supply base, 17… Gas base, 20 …… Line switching valve, B…
... gas cylinder, P1 ... air supply pump, T ... water tank.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An air supply line provided in an endoscope, a first fluid source for supplying a first fluid to the air supply line, and a pressure higher than the air supply pressure of the first fluid source. A second fluid source that supplies a second fluid to the air supply line; a first state in which the air supply line communicates with the first fluid source; the air supply line and the second fluid A connection line switching means for selectively connecting the first fluid source and the second fluid source to the air supply line by switching between a second state in which the source is in communication with the second state. In the endoscope apparatus, the connection conduit switching unit forms a leak passage that opens the air supply conduit to the atmosphere before switching from the second state to the first state. Endoscope device.