JP3238595B2 - Endoscope conduit switching device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope conduit switching device in which a fluid conduit for passing a fluid is also used as a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, in an endoscope, a suction pipe for sucking waste liquid or the like from a suction port opened at a distal end of an insertion portion is also used as a treatment tool insertion channel for inserting treatment tools. I have.

Therefore, at the base end side of the suction tube (also serving as a treatment instrument insertion channel) located at the operation section, there is provided a cylinder in which the suction operation valve is operated forward and backward, and a treatment instrument insertion tube for inserting treatment tools. It is connected.

[0004]

Once the endoscope has been used, the conduit in the endoscope must be completely cleaned in order to prevent infection between patients and the like. It is necessary to brush the inside over the entire length.

[0005] Therefore, in order to remove the operating valve from the cylinder and to easily insert the cleaning brush into the pipe from the opening of the cylinder, the suction pipe should be as straight as possible to the cylinder and parallel to the axis of the cylinder. The device is designed to be connected in a close direction.

However, even if the cleaning brush is inserted into the suction tube from the cylinder, the brush cannot be brushed inside the treatment tool insertion tube. Therefore, in order to brush the inside of the suction tube and the inside of the treatment tool insertion tube, each of them must be brushed. It was necessary to re-install the brush, and cleaning was very troublesome.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an endoscope conduit switching device in which a fluid conduit is also used as a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument, for inserting a treatment instrument into the fluid conduit. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope conduit switching device that can easily brush the inside of the treatment instrument insertion path with a single operation.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a pipe line switching device for an endoscope according to the present invention has a fluid pipe opening at the distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope, through which treatment tools are inserted. The fluid conduit is connected to a cylinder provided in the operating section, and the piston-like operating valve fitted in the cylinder is advanced and retracted in the axial direction. In a conduit switching device for an endoscope in which the connection state between the conduit and another conduit is switched, a treatment instrument insertion path for inserting a treatment instrument into the fluid conduit and the fluid conduit, The treatment valve is connected to the cylinder so as to open oppositely, and a treatment tool passage for passing the treatment tool from the treatment tool insertion passage to the fluid conduit in a standby state is formed in the operation valve. It is characterized by.

It is preferable that a forceps plug, which is normally closed and is pushed and opened by the treatment tool when the treatment tool is inserted into the treatment tool insertion path, is provided in the treatment tool passage of the operation valve.

[0010]

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
For example, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the present invention is applied to an endoscope that does not require much suction operation, such as an endoscope for otolaryngology.

At the distal end 1 of the insertion portion of the endoscope, a distal end of a fluid conduit 2 for sucking filth or the like in the body or sending air into the body is opened. The fluid conduit 2 is formed of a flexible synthetic resin tube 2a in the insertion portion. 4 is a pipe for connecting the tube 2a.

The operation unit 3 to which the base end of the insertion unit is connected includes:
Cylindrical hole 5 (hereinafter simply referred to as "cylinder 5")
The piston 5 is formed so as to penetrate the operating portion 3 back and forth, and a piston-like operating valve 6 made of plastic is inserted into the cylinder 5 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction.

A front end portion of the operation valve 6 projects forward (left side in FIG. 1) from the cylinder 5, and a rubber cap 7 seals a mouth of the cylinder 5 and simultaneously urges the operation valve 6 forward. are doing.

One end of the cap 7 is fitted and fixed in a groove 6 a formed in the front end of the operation valve 6, and the other end of the cap 7 is formed in a flange 8 protruding from the mouth of the cylinder 5.
Are removably engaged with.

A notch 8a is formed in the flange portion 8, and a projection formed on the cap 7 side engages with the notch 8a to stop the rotation of the cap 7. Therefore, the operation valve 6 does not rotate around the axis in the cylinder 5.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operation valve 6, and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view of the rear end portion, the rear end portion of the operation valve 6 is cut out by a large cross-shaped slit.

The projecting pieces 6b remaining at the four locations have spring properties and can be elastically deformed and bent. And
The protruding end of the protruding piece 6b has a large outer diameter,
Similarly, it is engaged with the rear end portion of the cylinder 5 formed in a thick hole.

Therefore, in the standby state shown in FIG. 1, the operating valve 6 is urged forward by the cap 7, and the rear end protruding piece 6b serves as its stopper. Positioned. When the operation valve 6 is strongly pulled forward, the protruding piece 6 b is elastically deformed, and the operation valve 6 can be pulled out of the cylinder 5.

A treatment instrument insertion path 11 for inserting treatment instruments into the fluid conduit 2 is connected to the operation valve 6 from above in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the operation valve 6. From below, the proximal end of the fluid conduit 2 is connected to and connected in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the operation valve 6. Therefore, the treatment instrument insertion passage 11 and the fluid conduit 2 are connected to the cylinder 5 so as to face each other and open.

As shown in FIG. 1, the operating valve 6 is provided between the treatment instrument insertion passage 11 and the fluid conduit 2 at a position between the openings of the treatment instrument insertion passage 11 and the fluid conduit 2 in a standby state. A treatment instrument passage 12 for allowing the treatment instrument to pass therethrough is largely bored, and a forceps plug 13 is fitted therein. FIG.
Is a sectional view of that portion.

The forceps stopper 13 is formed by two elastic pieces 13a and 13b made of, for example, a closed-cell sponge, and the two pieces 13a and 13b are connected to the central axis of the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the fluid. The pipe 2 is pressed against a surface connecting the central axes of the pipes 2.

Therefore, in a normal state, the space between the treatment instrument insertion passage 11 and the fluid conduit 2 (ie, the treatment instrument passage 12) is closed by the forceps plug 13, and the pressure in the fluid conduit 2 is slightly reduced. It does not open even if it gets high.

When a treatment tool is inserted into the treatment tool insertion path 11 from above, the treatment tool pushes and opens the contact surface between the two pieces 13a and 13b of the forceps plug 13 while opening the operation valve 6.
Is inserted vertically into the fluid line 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
One end communicates with the treatment instrument insertion path 11 in the standby state, and the other end thereof is formed with a vent hole 14 that opens to the rear end of the operation valve 6.

Therefore, if the connection pipe 19 for performing suction or air supply is connected to the upper end opening of the treatment instrument insertion path 11,
In the standby state, the inside of the connection pipe 19 communicates with the atmosphere from the rear end side of the operation valve 6 through the ventilation hole 14. As a result, the atmosphere is sucked into the connection pipe 19 or the air is sent from the connection pipe 19 to the atmosphere.

In the operation valve 6, a communication hole 15 is formed at a position on the front side of the forceps plug 13, in a direction parallel to a line connecting the pipe axis of the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the pipe axis of the fluid pipe 2. Has been established.
Reference numeral 16 denotes an O-ring for sealing.

Therefore, when the operating valve 6 is pushed into the cylinder 5, as shown in FIG. 5, the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the fluid line 2 communicate with each other through the communication hole 15 of the operating valve 6.
If the connection pipe 19 is connected to the suction device, suction is performed from the insertion section distal end 1 through the fluid pipe 2. Air is supplied from outside.

In the embodiment apparatus constructed as described above, if the operating valve 6 is pulled forward and comes out of the cylinder 5, the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the fluid pipe 2 are substantially straight with the cylinder 5 interposed therebetween. Since the openings are opened in a positional relationship, the brush inside the fluid conduit 2 can also be brushed and cleaned simply by pushing the cleaning brush (not shown) inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path 11 to the back as it is.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a connecting pipe 19 is connected to the rear end of the cylinder 5 and a vent hole 14 is formed so as to penetrate the operating valve 6 in the axial direction. The communication hole 15 is formed only below the ventilation hole 14. Other parts are the same as those of the first embodiment.

With this configuration, in the standby state, as shown in FIG. 6, the connection pipe 19 communicates with the atmosphere at the front end side of the operation valve 6 through the vent hole 14, and the connection pipe 19 The air is sucked into the inside, or is sent into the atmosphere from inside the connection pipe 19. The forceps stopper 13 is in a closed state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the treatment tool 100 is inserted into the treatment tool insertion path 11, the treatment tool 100 is inserted into the two pieces 1 of the forceps plug 13 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
While pushing out the contact surface between 3a and 13b, it penetrates through the operation valve 6 and is inserted into the fluid conduit 2, and its tip protrudes from the tip opening of the insertion portion tip 1.

As described above, in the second embodiment, there is no need to remove the connection pipe 19 when using the treatment tool 100, so that the connection pipe 19 can be kept connected at all times.

As shown in FIG. 8, the ventilation holes 14 are
When the operation valve 6 is pushed into the cylinder 5 in a state in which the distal end opening is closed, the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the fluid pipe 2 are connected to the vent hole 1.
4 through a communication hole 15.

As a result, similarly to the first embodiment, if the connection pipe 19 is connected to the suction device, suction is performed from the insertion portion distal end 1 through the fluid pipe 2, and the connection pipe 19 is connected to the air supply pump. If connected, the insertion portion tip 1 through the fluid line 2
Air is supplied from outside.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the ventilation hole 14 is bent upward and penetrated in front of the operation valve 6 without penetrating the operation valve 6, and a standby state is provided. It is configured to communicate with the treatment instrument insertion path 11 in the state. In this embodiment, suction or air supply during the standby state is performed via the treatment instrument insertion path 11, and other than that is the same as the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is necessary to constantly supply air or water from the opening of the fluid conduit 2 at the distal end 1 of the insertion portion, and to perform suction as needed. This is an example in which the present invention is applied to a certain cystoscope or cholangioscope.

In this embodiment, the air (or water) pipe 21
Not only is connected to the rear end of the cylinder 5, but also a suction pipe 22 is connected to a branch pipe 20 that branches off from the middle of the treatment instrument insertion path 11.

The vent 14 is used for the operation valve 6 in the standby state.
Is formed in an L-shape so as to communicate the rear end with the fluid pipeline 2. Therefore, the air (or water) sent from the air supply pipe 21 is always sent to the fluid pipe 2 side through the ventilation hole 14, and the air (or water) is supplied into the body cavity from the opening of the fluid pipe 2 at the insertion portion distal end 1. ) Is done.

The communication hole 15 is formed in a circumferential groove shape in this embodiment, and when the operating valve 6 is pushed into the cylinder 5, the treatment instrument insertion path 11 and the fluid pipe 2 form the communication hole 15. Then, suction is performed from the opening of the fluid conduit 2 at the distal end 1 of the insertion portion to the suction pipe 22.

However, if the operation valve 6 is stopped while being pushed to the middle, both air supply and suction from the insertion portion distal end 1 can be stopped. The communication hole 15 may be formed in a straight hole shape.

A rubber cap 23 is removably attached to the upper end opening of the treatment instrument insertion path 11, and if the rubber cap 23 is removed in a standby state and a treatment instrument is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path 11, the above-described treatment is performed. The treatment tool can be made to protrude from the opening of the fluid conduit 2 at the distal end 1 of the insertion portion in the same manner as in each embodiment.

By forming a linear slit in the rubber cap 23 through which the treatment tool can pass, the rubber cap 23
The treatment tool can be inserted into the treatment tool insertion path 11 without removing the treatment tool.

FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which an air supply pipe 21 is connected to a branch pipe 20 and a vent hole 14 is provided.
Is formed so that the front end side of the operation valve 6 and the treatment instrument insertion path 11 communicate with each other without opening to the rear end side of the operation valve 6.

With such a configuration, in the standby state, the air sent from the air supply pipe 21 passes through the ventilation hole 14 and is blown into the atmosphere from the front end side of the operation valve 6, and the ventilation hole 14 at the front end of the operation valve 6 Is closed with a finger, the forceps plug 1
The contact surface between the two pieces 13a and 13b is pushed open and air is supplied into the fluid conduit 2.

In each of the above-described embodiments, similarly to the first embodiment, if the operation valve 6 is pulled forward and comes out of the cylinder 5, the treatment instrument insertion passage 11 and the fluid conduit 2 are opened in a substantially straight positional relationship with the cylinder 5 interposed therebetween, and the brush inside the fluid conduit 2 can be easily brushed and cleaned simply by pushing the cleaning brush inserted into the treatment instrument insertion path 11 as it is. it can.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the forceps stopper 13 is formed as a single component without being divided into two components, and a slit penetrating the center thereof is formed. Is also good.

[0047]

According to the present invention, the treatment instrument insertion passage for inserting treatment tools into the fluid conduit and the fluid conduit are opposed to each other and open and connected to the cylinder. Since the treatment tool passage for allowing the treatment tool to pass through the conduit is formed in the operation valve, the inside of the fluid conduit can also be brushed by simply pushing the cleaning brush inserted into the treatment tool insertion passage as it is. The brushing and cleaning of the inside of the fluid conduit and the inside of the treatment instrument insertion passage can be easily performed by one operation.

By providing a forceps stopper, which is normally closed and pushed open by the treatment tool, in the treatment tool passage of the operation valve, the ejection of fluid from the fluid conduit side can be effectively prevented at the operation valve portion. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a standby state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the operation valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear sectional view of a rear end portion of the operation valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a forceps stopper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a state where the operation valve according to the first embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a standby state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a treatment tool inserted state according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing a state where an operation valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention is pressed.

FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a standby state according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a standby state according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a standby state according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 fluid conduit 5 cylinder 6 operating valve 11 treatment tool insertion path 12 treatment tool passage 13 forceps plug

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A fluid conduit opening at the distal end of an insertion section of an endoscope is also used as a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting treatment instruments, and a base end thereof is connected to a cylinder provided on an operation section, In a pipeline switching device for an endoscope, a connection state between the fluid pipeline and another pipeline is switched by operating a piston-like operation valve fitted in the cylinder in an axial direction. The treatment instrument insertion path for inserting treatment instruments into the fluid conduit and the fluid conduit are connected to the cylinder so as to open facing each other, and from the treatment instrument insertion path in a standby state. A treatment instrument passage for passing the treatment instrument through the fluid conduit is formed in the operation valve, and is normally closed, and is a forceps stopper which is pushed and opened by the treatment instrument when the treatment instrument is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion passage. Is the operation valve In the stand-by state, the opening of the fluid conduit to the cylinder is closed by the forceps plug, and the opening of the fluid conduit to the cylinder is the forceps stopper in the standby state. A conduit for communicating between outside air and the other conduit through the cylinder when the conduit is closed by the forceps plug, the conduit switching device for an endoscope; .