JP3276206B2 - 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 a conduit switching device for an endoscope, which switches a communication state between a plurality of fluid transmission conduits by an operation of moving a switching member within a cylinder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of conventional endoscope conduit switching device, a cylinder body into which a switching member is inserted is generally fixed in an endoscope operating section so that a liquid or gas can pass therethrough. Are connected to the cylinder body.

[0003]

In order to prevent patient-to-patient infection through an endoscope, which has recently been required to be strict,
After each use of the endoscope, it is necessary to completely clean the inside of the pipeline switching device and the fluid transmission pipeline. For this purpose, it is desirable to brush the entire length of the fluid passage.

However, if the cylinder body to which the fluid passage is connected as described above is fixed in the operation section, even if the switching member is removed from the cylinder, the cylinder is inserted into the fluid passage along the cylinder. It was difficult to insert the cleaning brush, and the pipes could not be completely cleaned.

Therefore, there is an apparatus in which a suction switching device and a suction pipe (fluid transmission pipe) are detachable from an operation unit as an integrated unit. However, in such a case, since the suction tube is exposed outside the operation unit, there is a drawback that the operation unit is extremely difficult to handle.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to insert a cleaning brush from the cylinder side into the fluid passage after the endoscope is used, and to reliably clean the inside of the conduit by brushing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope conduit switching device with good performance.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a pipe line switching device for an endoscope according to the present invention operates a plurality of fluid communication pipes which are piped in an operation section of the endoscope. A pipe switching device for an endoscope which is connected to a cylinder body disposed in the section, and which switches a communication state between the fluid transmission pipes by moving a pipe switching member in the cylinder. It is characterized in that the cylinder body is configured to be detachable from the operation section and the fluid passage.

The fluid passage is opened on the operation part side of the attachment / detachment part between the cylinder body and the operation part, and the connection opening connected to the fluid passage opening is connected to the fluid passage. It may be formed on the cylinder body side in alignment with the pipe opening.

It is preferable to provide an attaching / detaching means for attaching / detaching the cylinder body to / from the operating portion by moving in the same direction as connecting / disconnecting the two openings. One of the two openings is formed in a projecting shape. Then, it may be fitted inside the other.

[0010]

An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 shows an electronic endoscope to which the present invention is applied, 2 is an operation section, 3 is an insertion section made of a flexible tube, and a distal end body 4 having a built-in objective optical system and the like at the distal end of the insertion section 3. Are connected.

The operation unit 2 is provided with an air supply / water supply operation valve 20 and a suction operation valve 40 above the grip unit 5, and a remote control switch 6 such as a video controller is disposed above the air / water supply operation valve 20.

A connector 10 that can be detachably connected to a light source (not shown) (also a video processor) is attached to the distal end of the connection flexible tube 9 connected to the operation unit 2.

The connector 10 is connected to a light guide connecting rod 11 for inserting the incident end of the light guide fiber bundle for illumination into the light source device, a suction base 12 for connecting a suction device, and an air / water supply device. For example, an air supply / water supply base 13 is provided.

Although not shown in FIG. 3, the suction pipe and the air / water supply pipe which open outward in the distal end main body 4 from the inside of the connecting flexible pipe 9 to the inside of the insertion section 3 through the operation section 2. And has been inserted.

The suction tube is connected at its base end to the suction base 12 of the connector 10 so that the suction operation valve 40
The air / water supply pipe is connected at its base end to the air / water supply base 13 of the connector 10, and the air / water supply operation valve 2 is connected halfway.
Connected to 0.

FIG. 1 shows an air supply / water supply operation valve 20.
The main body of the air supply / water supply operation valve 20 is a cylinder body 22 and a piston-like switching valve body 23 slidably fitted therein, and the plastic cylinder body 22 is opened outwardly. The bottom is closed.

A pair of projections 24 are elastically deformed and fitted into a pair of engagement holes 7 formed on the side surface of the operation unit 2 at intervals on the side surface of the cylinder body 22. The cylinder body 22 can be fixed to the operation unit 2 or can be removed from the operation unit 2 by fitting the 24 into the engagement hole 7 or pulling out the engagement hole 7 from the engagement hole 7. With such a configuration, the cylinder body 22 is detachable from the operation unit 2.

An intermediate portion between the air supply pipe 14 and the water supply pipe 15 is connected to the cylinder body 22. The cylinder body 22 is connected to the air supply / water supply base 13 from the side near the mouth of the cylinder body 22. Each pipe is a cylinder in the order of the upstream water pipe 15a, the downstream water pipe 15b and the downstream air pipe 14b connected to the tip body 4, and the upstream air pipe 14a connected to the air water supply base 13. The body 22 is connected with its position shifted in the axial direction.

The air supply pipes 14a and 14b and the water supply pipe 15
The middle opening ends of the operating portions 2 a and 15 b are aligned with the engaging holes 7.
It is arranged to protrude. The wall 22a between the pair of projections 24 of the cylinder body 22 is formed by a rubber material having about half the thickness thereof, and the air supply pipes 14a and 14b and the water supply pipes 15a and 15b are fitted therein. Connection openings 38a, 38b, 39a, 39b to be formed are formed so as to be aligned with the air supply pipes 14a, 14b and the water supply pipes 15a, 15b. Also, the connection openings 38a, 38b, 39
Holes larger than a and 39b are drilled through.

With such a configuration, each connection opening 38
a, 38b, 39a, 39b.
By fitting the water supply pipes 15a, 15b with the pipes 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b, the pipes 14a, 14b, 15a, 15b are airtightly connected to the cylinder body 22, and the projection 24 and the engagement hole 7 are simultaneously connected and disconnected by the connection and separation operations. Separated.

The shaft of the switching valve body 23 is provided with a vent hole 25 extending through the entire length thereof. The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion is connected to the upper and lower water supply pipes 15a and 15b in a water supply state. Are formed in a circumferential shape.
However, in the standby state shown in FIG.
6 merely communicates with the upstream water pipe 15a.

The communication groove 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the switching valve body 23.
The first and second sealing O-rings 27 and 28 are mounted on both sides of the first O-ring 27 in the vicinity of the first O-ring 27.
Thus, the communication between the communication groove 26 and the outside air is blocked by the second O-ring 28.
b. Further, the space between the downstream water pipe 15b and the downstream air pipe 14b is closed by a third sealing O-ring 29 mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the switching valve body 23.

The upper and lower air supply pipes 14a and 14b communicate directly with each other in the cylinder body 22, but the flow passage area to the downstream air supply pipe 14b is reduced by the flange 31 formed at the end of the switching valve body 23. Thus, the flow path resistance is increased.

At the protruding end of the switching valve element 23, a push button 33 having a leak hole 32 formed at the center thereof is provided with a connecting cylinder 34.
And is constantly urged outward by a compression coil spring 35.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a cover cylinder which is locked to the mouth of the cylinder body 22 so as to surround the compression coil spring 35, and plays a role of attaching and detaching the switching valve body 23 and the push button 33 to and from the cylinder body 22. I have.

The air supply / water supply operation valve 20 configured as described above
Is in the standby state shown in FIG.
b, 15a, 15b are assumed to be connected to the cylinder body 22), the opening of the upstream water pipe 15a is closed by the first and second O-rings 27, 28.

The air sent from the upstream air supply pipe 14a into the cylinder body 22 passes through the ventilation hole 25 at the center of the switching valve body and the leak hole 32 at the center of the push button 33.
Released into the open air. In the downstream air supply pipe 14b, a flange 3 is provided.
Air supply does not enter due to flow path resistance in one part and the downstream air supply pipe 14b.

At the time of air supply, by closing the leak hole 32 at the center of the push button 33 with the fingertip, all the air sent from the upstream air supply pipe 14a into the cylinder body 22 is supplied to the downstream air supply pipe 1
4b.

At the time of water supply, the switching button 23 is moved inward by pushing the push button 33 with a fingertip. Then, the opening of the downstream side air supply pipe 14b is completely closed by the second and third O-rings 28, 29, the upper and lower water supply pipes 15a, 15b communicate with each other through the communication groove 26, and the inside of the downstream side water supply pipe 15b. Water is sent.

The air supply / water supply operation valve 20 configured as described above
By pressing the projection 24 on the side surface of the cylinder body 22 into the engagement hole 7 of the operation unit 2 and fitting it into the engagement hole 7,
4a, 14b and water pipes 15a, 15b
Connection openings 38a, 38b, 39a, and 39b.

Then, the projection 24 is pulled out from the engagement hole 7 by the reverse operation, whereby the cylinder body 22 is detached from the operation unit 2, and the air supply pipes 14a, 14b and the water supply pipe 15 are removed.
The openings (intermediate openings) a and 15b are exposed on the surface of the operation unit 2 as shown in FIGS.

Therefore, after using the endoscope, the air / water supply operation valve 20 is detached from the operation section 2 so that a cleaning brush (not shown) is formed in each of the air supply pipes 14a, 14b and the water supply pipes 15a, 15b from the respective openings. ) Can be inserted to brush the entire length of each tube.

FIG. 2 shows the suction operation valve 40. On the side surface of the cylinder body 42 of the suction operation valve 40, a pair of projections 41 are protruded similarly to the air / water operation valve 20, and an engagement hole 8 that engages with the projection 41 is formed on the operation unit 2 side. The cylinder body 42 is detachable from the operation unit 2.

An inwardly protruding throttle portion 43 is formed in an intermediate portion of the cylinder body 42. An intermediate portion of the suction pipe 16 is opened to the cylinder body 42 on both front and rear sides of the throttle portion 43. Connected.

That is, the downstream suction pipe 16 a communicating with the suction base 12 of the connector 10 is opened and connected to the cylinder body 42 on the mouth side of the throttle 43, and the upstream suction pipe 16 b communicating with the distal end body 5 is The opening is connected to the cylinder body 42 on the back side of the throttle unit 43.

The downstream and upstream suction pipes 16a, 16b
The intermediate opening end of the first projection is arranged to protrude from the operation unit 2 along with the engagement hole 8. Then, a pair of projections 41 of the cylinder body 42
The intermediate wall 42a is formed of a rubber material having about half its thickness, and the suction pipe 16a, 1
The connection openings 58a and 58b into which 6b are fitted are formed through the suction pipes 16a and 16b in alignment with each other.
Further, a hole larger than each of the connection openings 58a and 58b penetrates the wall of the cylinder body 42 inside thereof.

With such a configuration, each connection opening 58
The suction tubes 16a and 16b are fitted in the cylinder body 42 in an airtight manner by fitting the suction tubes 16a and 16b into the cylinders 42a and 58b. Separated.

The switching valve body 44 is made of elastic rubber and is formed integrally with the push button portion 45. The pedestal portion of the push button portion 45 is formed in a double umbrella shape, and the edge of the umbrella-shaped portion 46 is brought into close contact with the outer surface in a concave portion formed annularly around the mouth of the cylinder 42. It is fitted so that.

At the end of the switching valve body 44, a thick annular seal portion 47 is formed at the back side of the throttle portion 43 of the cylinder body 42 so as to be in contact with the throttle portion 43. ing.

Then, from the seal portion 47 to the cylinder 42
A communication groove 48 is formed on the outer periphery of the switching valve body 44 so that a large gap is formed between the cylinder body 42 and the intermediate portion up to the mouth of the cylinder body 42. Is slidably fitted to

However, a ventilation groove 49 for communicating the communication groove 48 with the inner space of the umbrella-shaped portion 46 is formed at the fitting portion, and the umbrella-shaped portion 46 communicates the inner space with the outside air. A leak hole 50 is formed to allow the leak to occur.

The suction operation valve 40 thus formed is
The standby state shown in FIG. 2 (however, the suction pipes 16a, 16b
Is connected to the cylinder body 42).
6a and 16b are closed, and the communication groove 48 and the ventilation groove 49 are formed.
The outside air is sucked into the downstream suction pipe 16a through the leak hole 50.

When the push button portion 45 on the head of the switching valve body 44 is pushed in with a fingertip, the annular seal piece 51 formed in the umbrella-shaped portion 46 comes into close contact with the mouth of the cylinder body 42 and the leak hole 50 is formed. Is prevented.

Since the seal portion 47 at the end of the switching valve body 44 moves to the back side of the throttle portion 43 of the cylinder body 42, the upper and lower suction pipes 16a and 16b communicate with each other through the communication groove 48, and the upstream suction pipe 16b is the downstream suction pipe 1
It is sucked into 6a.

The suction operation valve 40 thus configured is
By pushing the projection 41 on the side surface of the cylinder body 42 into the engagement hole 8 of the operation unit 2 and fitting it, the suction tube 16
a, 16b are connection openings 58a, 58b of the cylinder body 42
Connected to.

Then, by pulling out the projection 41 from the engagement hole 8 by the reverse operation, the cylinder body 42 is detached from the operation part 2, and the openings (intermediate openings) of the suction pipes 16a and 16b are set in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, it is exposed on the surface of the operation unit 2.

Therefore, after the use of the endoscope, the suction operation valve 40 is detached from the operation section 2 so that the suction tube 1 is removed.
An operation brush (not shown) can be inserted into each of the openings 6a and 16b from each opening to brush the entire length of each pipe.

[0048]

The pipe line switching device for an endoscope according to the present invention is applied to an endoscope in which a fluid passage is inserted into the operation section of the endoscope, so that the operation section has good maneuverability. In addition, since the cylinder body is configured to be detachable from the operation unit and the fluid transmission line, after the endoscope is used, the cylinder body is removed from the operation unit, so that the detached portion is inserted into the fluid transmission line. By inserting a cleaning brush, it is possible to easily and reliably brush the entire length of the inside of the pipe.

In this case, the cleaning brush can be easily inserted into the pipe from the fluid transmission pipe opening on the operation section side after the cylinder body is removed. In addition, since the cylinder body is attached to and detached from the operation unit by movement in the same direction as connecting and disconnecting the fluid passage pipe opening and the connection opening on the cylinder body side, the attachment and detachment operation can be performed very easily and reliably. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an air / water supply operation valve.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a suction operation valve.

FIG. 3 is an external side view of the endoscope.

FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the operation unit with a cylinder body removed.

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of the operation unit with a cylinder body removed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 operation part 14 air supply pipe 15 water supply pipe 16 suction pipe 20 air supply / water supply operation valve 22 cylinder body 23 switching valve body 40 suction operation valve 42 cylinder body 44 switching valve body

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Katsura 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiki Ito 2-36, Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Inside Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Matsuno 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Optical Industry Co., Ltd. (56) References Real Opening Sho 59-140702 (JP, U) ( 58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for connecting a plurality of fluid transmission pipes arranged in an operation section of an endoscope to a side surface of a cylinder disposed in the operation section, and moving a pipe switching member in the cylinder. removably in the tube-path switching device of an endoscope which is adapted to switch the communication state between the plurality of fluid Okudori conduit, the cylinder body with respect to the upper Symbol operation unit and the plurality of fluid Okudori conduit by And the cylinder body is
When removed from the working part, the side of the cylinder body faces
The plurality of fluid transmission conduits are opened at the part where
Insert a cleaning brush into each of the above fluid passages from the opening
Mukoto conduit switching apparatus of an endoscope, characterized in that has to be. 2. The fluid communication pipe is opened on the operation section side of the attachment / detachment section between the cylinder body and the operation section, and the connection opening connected to the fluid communication pipe opening is provided with the fluid communication pipe. 2. The conduit switching device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the conduit switching device is formed on the cylinder body side so as to be aligned with a conduit opening. 3. An endoscope conduit switching device according to claim 2, further comprising: detachable means for attaching and detaching said cylinder body to and from said operating portion by movement in the same direction as connecting and disconnecting said openings. . 4. The conduit switching device for an endoscope according to claim 3, wherein one of the two openings is formed in a projecting shape and fitted into the other.