JP3310762B2 - Endoscope cleaning 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 cleaning apparatus for cleaning an insertion portion of an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, an endoscope includes a body and a flexible insertion portion extending from the body.
The insertion section is inserted into a body cavity and observed. After the use of the endoscope, the inserted portion and the like inserted into the body must be washed and disinfected in order to prevent bacterial infection or the like to the next patient, but since this portion is elongated, it is difficult to perform sufficient washing. In the past, disinfecting methods such as wiping with alcohol cotton were used every time, but if you continue wiping with alcohol for a long period of time, problems such as deterioration of the coating of the insertion part and loss of smoothness occur, There has been a demand for a cleaning apparatus that can effectively clean an endoscope in a short time.

As this kind of endoscope cleaning apparatus, for example, “Oto-nasal clinic” (84:11; 1615 to 1623, 19)
91), an apparatus as shown in FIG. 12 has already been proposed. The endoscope 1 includes a body 2, an eyepiece 3 formed at one end of the body 2, and an insertion portion 4 extending from the other end of the body 1.
And a distal tip 5 attached to the distal end of the insertion portion 4. In this case, it is the insertion portion 4 and the distal tip 5 that need to be carefully washed in the body. Note that an illumination window and an observation window are formed on the tip chip 5 as is well known.

[0004] The endoscope cleaning apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned document is provided with a cleaning pipe 100 long enough to accommodate the entire length of the insertion section 4. The cleaning pipe 100 has a straight pipe 101, a connecting cylinder 102 connected to the upper end of the pipe 101 coaxially with the pipe 101, and an elbow pipe 103 provided at the lower end of the pipe 101. The elbow tube 103 is
3a is fixed to the pipe 101, and the horizontal portion 103b extends perpendicular to the pipe 101. The pipe 101 and the connection tube 102 are provided as straight pipes of the washing pipe 100, and the horizontal part 103b of the elbow pipe is provided as a discharge pipe. One end of a water pipe 110 orthogonal to the connection tube 102 is connected to the connection tube 102. The water pipe 110 is connected to a washing water supply source, for example, a tap of a tap, through a water supply pipe 111.

[0005] The endoscope cleaning apparatus comprises the cleaning tube 100.
12 for supporting the water pipe 110 and the endoscope 1
0 is provided. The support 120 is a plate 121
It has. A pair of supports 122 that are vertically separated from each other are attached to the front surface of the plate 120. The connecting pipe 102 of the cleaning pipe 100 is supported by the arc portion 122 a of the support 122, and the water pipe 110 is sandwiched between the supports 122 to support the cleaning pipe 100 and the water pipe 110. In this support state, the pipe 101 extends in the vertical direction. Further, the plate 121 is provided with another pair of supports 123 separated to the left and right. These support 1
23 has an interval narrowing downward. When the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the washing tube 100, the body 2 of the endoscope is locked by the support 123. In this locked state, the tip of the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 1, that is, the tip 5
Are disposed near the corners of the elbow tube 103.

When the endoscope 1 and the washing tube 100 are supported and the washing water, for example, tap water, flows from the hose 111 and the water conduit 110 to the connecting tube 102 of the washing tube 100 at a constant flow rate, most of the washing water Flows downward while washing the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 4, and is refracted in the horizontal direction by the elbow tube 103 to flow out in the horizontal direction. At this time, turbulence occurs due to refraction inside the elbow tube 103,
The cleaning effect of the tip 5 at the tip of the insertion portion 4 is enhanced. On the other hand, a part of the flowing washing water
00 spills out from the upper end of the insertion portion 4 so that a good cleaning effect can be obtained up to near the upper end of the insertion portion 4.

[0007]

However, in the above device,
In order to receive the washing water flowing out of the horizontal portion 103b of the elbow tube 103 and the upper end of the washing tube 100 in total, the endoscope washing device must be fixed in a sink (sink) and used separately from the sink. There was a problem that it was not possible to respond to the desire to install it near a consultation table. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope cleaning apparatus that can be easily installed in a place without a sink.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an endoscope cleaning apparatus in which an insertion portion extending from a body of an endoscope is inserted and housed through an upper end opening, and a cleaning water is supplied. A washing pipe having a straight pipe section for washing the lever insertion portion, a discharge pipe section extending at a lower end of the straight pipe section in a direction intersecting with the straight pipe section, and one end at an intermediate portion of the straight pipe section of the washing pipe; Is connected, the other end is connectable to a cleaning water supply source, a water supply pipe that supplies cleaning water to a straight pipe portion of the cleaning pipe,
An endoscope cleaning device comprising: a bottomed cylindrical container further containing the cleaning tube and having a drain port disposed substantially coaxially away from the discharge pipe portion; and a discharge port of the container. And a drain pipe connected to the drain pipe. In the apparatus according to claim 2, the straight pipe portion of the washing pipe is formed with an overflow for overflowing a part of the washing water between an upper end thereof and a connection point of the water pipe, Faces the inside of the container, and at least a part of the container is transparent. In the device of claim 3,
The endoscope support further includes an endoscope support attached to an upper end of the container, and the endoscope support includes an i) base portion, and ii) an end of an insertion portion of the endoscope inserted into the washing tube. A knob locking portion for locking an operation knob provided on the body of the endoscope so as to be located at or near the intersection of the straight pipe portion and the discharge pipe portion; and iii) raising and lowering the knob locking portion. An adjusting mechanism attached to the base part so as to be adjustable in a direction,
It is characterized by having. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the water pipe extends perpendicular to the straight pipe portion of the washing pipe and penetrates the peripheral wall of the container. In the apparatus according to claim 5, a slit extending downward from an upper end of the container is formed in the peripheral wall of the container, and the water guide pipe passes through the slit. A slit closing plate for closing the slit is fixed.

[0009]

In the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, when the cleaning water is supplied from the water guide pipe into the cleaning pipe, the cleaning water flows downward, is bent at the lower end of the cleaning pipe, and is discharged from the discharge pipe section. The water spouted from the discharge pipe portion is received by the container and further discharged from the drain port to the outside through the drain pipe, so that the washing water does not scatter around the apparatus. Therefore, the endoscope cleaning device can be installed in a place where there is no sink. The water flowing in the cleaning pipe cleans the insertion portion of the endoscope accommodated in the cleaning pipe, and the water flow is refracted at the intersection of the straight pipe and the discharge pipe to generate turbulent flow. The tip shakes, and the shaking and turbulence enhances the cleaning effect of the insertion portion, particularly in the vicinity of the tip. The flow resistance of the washing water can be reduced by once ejecting the water flow from the discharge pipe portion into the container at substantially atmospheric pressure and toward the drain port coaxial with the discharge pipe portion. As a result, the stall of the flow of the cleaning water can be prevented, and the above cleaning effect can be maintained. In the apparatus according to the second aspect, since a part of the washing water from the water pipe rises and flows out from the overflow of the cleaning pipe, the insertion of the endoscope arranged between the water pipe connection part and the overflow is performed. The part can be washed well. In addition, the overflowing washing water can be received in the container and does not leak out. Furthermore, since at least a part of the container was made transparent, it was possible to see the state of overflow of the wash water from this overflow, to understand the flow rate of the wash water, and to be able to wash at an appropriate flow rate. Become. In the device according to the third aspect, since the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope is positioned by locking the operation knob of the endoscope, the support of the endoscope is simple. Moreover, the position of the knob locking portion can be adjusted in the vertical direction by the adjusting mechanism, so that even if the length of the insertion portion of the endoscope is different, the tip of the insertion portion can be surely connected to the straight pipe portion and the discharge pipe portion. Can be arranged in the vicinity of the crossover portion, and a good cleaning effect can be secured. In the device according to the fourth aspect, since the water pipe penetrates the peripheral wall of the container, the shape of the water pipe can be simplified. In the device of claim 5,
When the cleaning device is disassembled and cleaned by passing the water conduit through a slit formed in the peripheral wall of the container, the water conduit can be removed from the container while the cleaning tube and the water conduit are connected, which facilitates removal. In addition, since the slit is closed by the slit closing plate provided in the water pipe, water leakage from the slit can be prevented.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. Generally, the cleaning device is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), the endoscope 1 has a washing tube 10 into which the insertion section 4 can be inserted. The washing pipe 10 is supplied with washing water from a water pipe 20. The washing tube 10
Is housed in a transparent container 30 having a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the water pipe 20 penetrates a peripheral wall of the container 30.

Next, the above components will be described in more detail. The washing tube 10 extends in the vertical direction as shown in FIG.
The configuration is similar to that of the cleaning tube 100 shown in FIG. More specifically, the cleaning pipe 10 includes a straight pipe 11, a first connection pipe 12 connected to the upper end of the pipe 11 coaxially with the pipe 11, and a pipe 11 connected to the upper end of the first connection pipe 12. Coaxial second connection tube 13
And an elbow pipe 14 provided at a lower end of the pipe 11. A vertical portion 14a of the elbow pipe 14 is fixed to the pipe 11, and a horizontal portion 14b extends perpendicular to the pipe 11. The straight pipe portion 15 of the washing pipe 10 is constituted by the pipe 11 and the connection tubes 12 and 13. The horizontal part 14b of the elbow pipe 14 is provided as a discharge pipe part. At an intermediate portion of the second connection tube 13, an overflow 13a for overflowing the washing water is formed.

A tubular joint 12a is formed at the center of the first connection tube 12 of the washing pipe 10, and one end of a water guide pipe 20 is connected to the joint 12a horizontally.
The other end of the water guide pipe 20 can be connected to a washing water supply source such as a water tap via a joint 21 and a water supply pipe 22.

The container 30 has a transparent cylinder 31 and a bottom plate 32 for closing the lower end opening of the cylinder 31. Cylinder 3
1 surrounds the washing tube 10 with its axis parallel to the washing tube 10. In the center of the bottom plate 32, a step hole 32a is provided.
Are formed in the small diameter portion of the step hole 32a. A closing plate 33 for closing the step hole 32a is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom plate 32. Bottom plate 3
A pedestal plate 34 having a diameter larger than that of the base plate 2 is detachably attached to the lower surface of the second unit 2 by a screw 35 screwed into the step hole 32a.

Near the lower end of the cylinder 31 of the container 30, one end of a short pipe 36 is fixed horizontally. The short tube 36 is arranged at a distance from the horizontal portion 14b of the elbow tube 14, and is coaxial or substantially coaxial with the horizontal portion 14b. The inside of the short pipe 36 is provided as a drain port 36a. The diameter of the drain 36a is equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the horizontal portion 14b. One end of a drain pipe 38 is connected to the short pipe 36 via a joint 37.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cylinder 31 is formed with a slit 31a extending downward from the upper end, and the water conduit 20 passes through the slit 31a. The lower end of the slit closing plate 26 is fixed to the water pipe 20 via a ring 25. The slit closing plate 26 has a cross section that is curved at the same curvature as the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 31 and extends in the same direction as the slit 31a, and closes the slit 31a by being in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 31, The washing water is prevented from leaking from the slit 31a.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper end opening of the cylinder 31 is closed by a lid 40. This lid 40
Is attached to the cylinder 31 via an attachment ring 41. More specifically, the mounting ring 41 is fixed to the upper end of the cylinder 31 by screws 41x penetrating the peripheral wall. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mounting ring 41 has a substantially C-shaped planar shape, and a gap 41 is provided between both ends thereof.
a is formed. A collar 41 is provided on the inner periphery of the mounting ring 41.
b are formed, and notches 41c and 41d are formed in the flange 41b.
Are formed respectively. These gaps 41a and notches 4
1c and 41d are formed in order to avoid interference with the assembly when the assembly is pulled out as described later.

A cover 40 is provided on the flange 41a of the mounting ring 41.
Are formed in two screw holes 41e. The lid 40 has a disk shape as shown in FIG. 6, and a through hole 40 e that matches the screw hole 41 e of the mounting ring 41 is formed at two positions on the peripheral edge. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the lid 40 is mounted on the flange 41 b of the mounting ring 41 and the screw 42 having the knob 42 a is
By being inserted into the through hole 40e and screwed into the screw hole 41e, it is detachably fixed to the mounting ring 41.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG.
0, an endoscope insertion hole 40a for inserting the endoscope 1
And a pair of holes 4 for inserting a finger and picking up the lid 40.
0b is formed. In addition, various components are connected to the lid 33 to form an integrated assembly. The details will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of the second connection tube 13 of the washing tube 10 is fixed to the lower surface of the lid 40 so as to coincide with the endoscope insertion hole 40a. This fixing is performed by inserting the screw 43 into the through hole 40c (FIG. 6) around the endoscope insertion hole 40a and screwing it into the upper end surface of the second connection cylinder 13.

As shown in FIG. 1, an upper end of the slit closing plate 26 is fixed to a peripheral portion of the lid 40.
This fixing is performed by inserting screws 44 into three through holes 40 d (FIG. 6) in the peripheral portion of the lid 40 and screwing the screws 44 into the upper end surface of the slit closing plate 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plate-shaped endoscope support 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the lid 40 near the endoscope insertion hole 40a. The endoscope support 50 stands upright and has a notch 50a (knob locking portion) formed at the upper end thereof as shown in FIG. The endoscope 1 is supported at a predetermined position by hooking the shaft 6a of the operation knob 6 provided on the body 2 of the endoscope 1 into the notch 50a. The fixing of the endoscope support 50 to the lid 40 is also performed by screws passing through two through holes 40f (FIG. 6) near the endoscope insertion hole 40a.

As described above, the washing pipe 1 is attached to the upper lid 40.
0, the slit closing plate 26, and the endoscope support body 50 are fixed, and the water pipe 20 is connected to the washing tube 10 and the slit closing plate 26.
An integrated assembly A is configured. Lid 40
Grab the large-diameter knob 42a protruding from the upper surface of the
By loosening the screw 42, the lid 40 is attached to the mounting ring 41.
From the container 10, and thus the assembly A is detached from the container 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of C-ring-shaped pipe support jigs 60 are fixed outward on the upper surface of the mounting ring 41. As shown, the endoscope holding pipe 65 is
0, and is vertically and detachably supported along the outer peripheral surface. The endoscope holding pipe 65 is used for the endoscope 1.
For temporary storage, and may be used without closing the bottom, or as shown in FIG. 1, the lower end opening is closed with a rubber stopper 66 to form a storage container,
An endoscope 1 after or before washing may be immersed in the disinfecting solution or water. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, endoscope supports 70 are vertically fixed to the pipe support jig 60, and the notches 70a of the endoscope 1 By hooking the shaft portion 6a of the operation knob 6, the endoscope holding pipe 6
The endoscope 1 can be supported in a state where the endoscope 1 is inserted into the endoscope 1.

In order to use the endoscope cleaning apparatus having the above configuration, first, the insertion section 4 of the endoscope 1 is inserted from the upper end of the cleaning tube 10 through the endoscope insertion hole 40a of the lid 40. The endoscope 1 is supported by the support 50. As a result, the tip 5 at the tip of the insertion section 4 is disposed near the corner of the elbow tube 14. Next, when the washing water is supplied from the water pipe 20, a part of the washing water rises in the washing pipe 10, flows out from the overflow 13a and falls into the container 10, while the rest of the washing water flows downward. It flows out from the horizontal portion 14b of the elbow pipe 14.

In this process, the insertion portion 4 is washed over its entire length by the water flow flowing through the cleaning tube 10 and the water flow is refracted at the corners of the elbow tube 14 to generate turbulent flow. The tip 5 at the tip of the part 4 swings due to turbulence,
The cleaning effect on the chip and its vicinity is enhanced.
In addition, the washing water is discharged from the horizontal portion 14b of the elbow pipe 14 into the container 30 which is substantially at atmospheric pressure, and since the drainage port 36a is arranged in the discharging direction, the flow resistance is small, and the washing time is reduced. The flow of the cleaning water in the inside can be maintained at a high speed, and the above-described good cleaning effect can be maintained.

In the above-described endoscope cleaning apparatus, all of the cleaning water flowing out of the cleaning pipe 10 is received by the container 20 and discharged through the discharge port 36a and the drain pipe 38, so that the cleaning water may scatter around the apparatus. There is no. Therefore, it can be installed in a place where there is no sink.

A lid 40 is attached to the upper end of the container 10 with a screw 42 which can be operated by hand so as to be easily detached. Therefore, an assembly A including the lid 40, the washing pipe 10, the water pipe 20, and the slit closing plate 26 is provided.
Can be easily removed from the container 10, and inspection, cleaning, and disinfecting of the above-described portions, and further, cleaning and disinfecting of the inner surface of the container 10 can be easily performed. At the time of removing the assembly A, the water pipe 20 can be extracted through the slit 31a of the container 30, and the washing pipe 10 can be attached to the mounting ring 41.
Can be extracted through the notch 41c, and the slit closing plate 26 can be extracted by removing the notch 41d of the mounting ring 41.

The endoscope cleaning device of the present invention can be used not only as a placement type but also as a hanging type. For example, FIG. 9 shows that the pedestal plate 34 of the device of the above embodiment is removed, and instead, an L-shaped hanging stay 90 having a hook at the upper end is attached with a screw 35 so as to be attached to a wall surface or a panel. 9 shows a modification in which the endoscope cleaning device can be hung. 10 and 11 show an endoscope support 150 according to another embodiment. The endoscope support 150 has a plate-shaped base portion 151 fixed to the lid 40 and standing upright, and a plate-shaped knob locking portion 152 having a notch 152a. This knob locking portion 152
Is attached to the base 151 so as to be vertically adjustable by an adjusting mechanism 155. This adjustment mechanism 155
Is a pair of screw holes 151x formed in the base 151.
And a pair of vertically elongated holes 152x formed in the knob locking portion 152, and a screw hole 151x passing through the elongated hole 152x.
And a thumbscrew 153 screwed into the housing. Container 30
May be partially transparent.

[0029]

As described above, in the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, all of the cleaning water flowing out of the cleaning pipe is received by the container and discharged collectively from the discharge pipe. Since there is no splattering on the surface, it can be installed even in a place where there is no sink, and there is an advantage that the degree of freedom of the installation place can be increased. In addition, since the drain port provided in the container is disposed coaxially with and away from the discharge pipe portion of the cleaning pipe, the flow resistance in the cleaning pipe can be reduced, and as a result, the flow of the cleaning water can be increased. In addition, a turbulent flow at the lower end of the washing tube can be satisfactorily generated, and a high washing ability can be maintained. According to the device of the second aspect, the insertion portion of the endoscope located above the water pipe can be cleaned well. Moreover, since the washing water is dropped into the container from the overflow port, it does not leak to the outside. Further, the flow of the washing water can be grasped from the state of the overflow of the washing water from the overflow, and the washing can be performed at an appropriate flow rate. In the device of claim 3,
The support of the endoscope is simple. In addition, the position of the knob locking portion can be adjusted in the up-down direction according to the length of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the endoscope can be appropriately arranged to ensure a good cleaning effect. In the device according to the fourth aspect, the shape of the water pipe can be simplified. In the apparatus according to the fifth aspect, when the cleaning device is disassembled and cleaned, it can be removed from the container while the cleaning pipe and the water pipe are connected, and the removal becomes easy. In addition, it is possible to prevent water leakage from the slit formed for removing the water guide pipe.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing one embodiment of an endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an upper part of the container of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a mounting ring of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the lid of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a fixing structure of a mounting ring and a lid according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a structure around an endoscope holding pipe of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a modified example of the embodiment in which a hanging type is used.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the endoscope support.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the endoscope support.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a conventional endoscope cleaning apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 4 Insertion part 6 Operation knob 6a Shaft part of operation knob 10 Cleaning pipe 13a Overflow port 14b Discharge pipe part (horizontal part of elbow pipe) 15 Straight pipe part 20 Water pipe 26 Slit obstruction plate 30 Container 31a Slit 36a Drainage Mouth 38 Drainage pipe 40 Lid 50 Endoscope support 50a Knob locking part (notch) 150 Endoscope support 151 Base part 152 Knob locking part 152a Notch 155 Adjustment mechanism

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A straight pipe portion for receiving an insertion portion extending from a body of an endoscope by being inserted from an upper end opening and washing the insertion portion by flowing a washing water, and a straight pipe portion at a lower end of the straight pipe portion. A washing pipe having a discharge pipe part extending in a direction intersecting with the washing pipe, one end of which is connected to an intermediate part of the straight pipe part of the washing pipe, and the other end of which can be connected to a washing water supply source; An endoscope cleaning device, comprising: a water supply pipe that supplies cleaning water to the section; and a bottomed bottom having a drain port that accommodates the cleaning pipe and is disposed substantially coaxially with the discharge pipe section. An endoscope cleaning device comprising: a cylindrical container; and a drain pipe connected to an outlet of the container. 2. A straight pipe portion of the washing pipe is formed with an overflow for overflowing a part of the washing water between an upper end thereof and a connecting portion of the water pipe. The endoscope cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope cleaning device faces the inside of the container, and at least a part of the container is transparent. 3. An endoscope support attached to an upper end of the container, the endoscope support comprising: i) a base portion; and ii) insertion of an endoscope inserted into the washing tube. A knob locking portion for locking an operation knob provided on the body of the endoscope such that a tip of the portion is located at or near an intersection between the straight pipe portion and the discharge pipe portion; and iii) the knob The endoscope cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising: an adjusting mechanism that attaches the locking portion to the base portion so as to be adjustable in a vertical direction. 4. The endoscope cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water pipe extends perpendicular to a straight pipe portion of the cleaning pipe and penetrates a peripheral wall of the container. 5. A peripheral wall of the container is formed with a slit extending downward from an upper end thereof, and the water conduit is passed through the slit. The water conduit is formed in contact with the peripheral wall of the container. The endoscope cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein a slit closing plate for closing is fixed.