JP3381322B2 - Endoscope heating liquid supply 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 heating liquid supply device for supplying a heating liquid into a body cavity in an ultrasonic endoscope or other endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the examination and diagnosis of a body cavity using an endoscope, for example, water is supplied to wash the body cavity and, in the case of an ultrasonic endoscope, It is necessary to supply water or other liquid into the body cavity in order to improve the propagation of sound waves. The endoscope is provided with a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting forceps and other treatment instruments, and water is supplied using this treatment instrument insertion channel. For this purpose, a water supply tank is provided, and from this water supply tank The pipe is removably connected to the treatment instrument insertion channel, and a pump or the like is provided in this pipe to pump water from the water supply tank toward the treatment instrument insertion channel.

[0003]

By the way, the water supply tank is arranged on the floor of the examination room, etc. Therefore, when the ambient temperature is low, the water temperature in the water supply tank is low. . On the other hand, the temperature inside the body cavity is considerably higher than the outside air temperature, so that there may be a significant difference between the water temperature in the water supply tank and the temperature inside the body cavity. Therefore, when cold water is suddenly supplied to the body cavity of the patient, the patient is strongly stimulated, which causes significant discomfort or distress.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to such an extent that a liquid supplied to a body cavity is not stimulated to a patient so much without using a special heat source. It is to be able to heat.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a supply tank for supplying the liquid to through the liquid passage provided in the endoscope in a body cavity, the endoscope The mirror
Installed on the hot air exhaust side of the connected light source device fan.
Between the heat exchanger and the feed tank and the heat exchanger
And a liquid circulation passage provided in the liquid circulation passage.
Inside the liquid supply tank and the heat exchanger through the liquid circulation passage of
A pump that circulates liquid between the
Temperature detector that detects when the liquid temperature of the liquid reaches the set temperature
And the liquid supply based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector
Liquid temperature control to keep the liquid temperature in the tank at the set optimal temperature
It is characterized by having a control mechanism .

[0006]

Since the inside of the body cavity to be inspected by the endoscope is a dark place, the observation target portion is illuminated.
For this purpose, the endoscope is connected to the light source device, and the illumination light is transmitted from the light source device through the light guide. As the illumination lamp provided in the light source device, a high-intensity illumination lamp is used to increase the brightness. As described above, the illumination lamp with high brightness is naturally a heat source that generates a large amount of heat. Further, in the electronic endoscope, a processor is attached to the light source device, and this processor is also a heat source.

Therefore, a heat source such as an illumination lamp of the light source device is used, and a heat exchanger is installed so as to come into contact with the heat discharged from the heat source, so that liquid is supplied from the liquid supply tank to the heat exchanger. Supply and exchange heat. As described above, the liquid heated by the heat exchange is directly supplied into the body cavity or is recirculated to the liquid supply tank to heat the entire liquid in the liquid supply tank. Here, since the temperature inside the body cavity is usually about 37 ° C., it is preferable to heat the liquid to a temperature close to the temperature inside the body cavity, for example, about 36 ° C. Then, when this warming liquid is supplied into the body cavity of the patient, there is no particular irritation or discomfort. Moreover, since the heat discharged from the heat source is used to heat the liquid, it is not necessary to separately provide a heat source for heating the liquid.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic endoscope is configured to be capable of observing an optical image inside the body cavity and observing the state of the tissue inside the body cavity as an ultrasonic image. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic endoscope, and the ultrasonic endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2 into a body cavity, a main body operation portion 3 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2 and the main body. It is composed of a universal cord 4 connected to the operation unit 3. Here, in the ultrasonic endoscope 1, as shown in FIG. 2, an illumination window 5 and an observation window 6 are formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 2 and in order to lead out a treatment tool such as forceps. The treatment instrument lead-out port 7 and the like are formed, and the ultrasonic transducer 8 is provided closer to the tip side than the portion where the illumination window 5, the observation window 6 and the like are formed.

The tip of the universal cord 4 in the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is composed of a light guide insertion portion 41, a power cable portion 42 and an ultrasonic cable portion 43. The light guide insertion part 41 is connected to the light source device 10, the power cable 42 is connected to the processor 11, and the ultrasonic cable part 43 is connected to the ultrasonic observation device 12. In addition, an image inside the body cavity is displayed on the monitor device 13 based on the signal processed by the processor 11, and an ultrasonic wave is displayed on the ultrasonic monitor device 12b based on the ultrasonic signal processed by the signal processing unit 12a of the ultrasonic observation device 12. A sound wave image is displayed. In the drawings, the light source device 10 and the processor 11 are provided in the same housing, the upper portion is the light source device 10 and the processor 11 is disposed below. In addition, the light source device 10 and the processor 11
It is also possible to provide it in a housing separate from.

FIG. 3 shows the internal structure of the light source device 10 to which the light guide insertion portion 4a of the universal cord 4 is detachably connected. In the figure, 20 is a light source device 1.
The main body housing 20 is provided with a socket 21 to which the light source connector 41a at the tip of the light guide insertion portion 41 is detachably connected. The inside of the main body housing 20 is divided into a lamp house 22 and a mechanism portion 23, and the lamp house 22 has a built-in illumination lamp 24 including a high-intensity lamp such as a halogen lamp or a xenon lamp. There is. On the other hand, the mechanism unit 23 is provided with a lighting device 25, an igniter 26, a noise filter 27, a transformer 28, a control circuit board 29, an air pump 30, a relay circuit 31, and the like. Ventilation louvers 20a and 20b are formed on the left and right side walls of the main body housing 20, and a fan 32 is provided on the inner surface of the louver 20b at a position close to the illumination lamp 24. 32
As a result, an air flow is formed in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure.

In the ultrasonic endoscope 1, when the ultrasonic transducer 8 is actuated, an ultrasonic pulse is injected into the body cavity, and the reflected echo signal is received, an ultrasonic examination is performed. In order to prevent the attenuation of ultrasonic waves, it is necessary to supply, for example, water as an ultrasonic wave propagation medium into the body cavity. Although it is possible to form an independent water supply passage in the ultrasonic endoscope 1, it is directed from the treatment instrument outlet port 7 into the body cavity through the treatment instrument insertion channel formed in the ultrasonic endoscope 1. It is possible to send water.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, a water supply tank 50 for storing water for water supply is provided. One end of a water supply pipe 51 is inserted into the water supply tank 50, and the other end of the water supply pipe 51 is detachably connected to a treatment instrument insertion channel or an extension thereof via a main pipe 55 described later. It has become. A water supply pump 52 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 51.

Since the water supply tank 50 is installed on, for example, the floor of a medical office, the water in the water supply tank 50 has the same temperature as the temperature of the outside air. Of course, an air conditioner is provided in the examination room to control the temperature, but it is generally maintained at a temperature of about 15 ° C to 25 ° C. On the other hand, the temperature inside the body cavity is around 37 ° C, and there is a temperature difference of about 10 ° C to 20 ° C between the water supply temperature and the temperature inside the body cavity. Therefore, the water supplied from the water supply tank 50 is heated and supplied to such an extent that the patient does not feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable.
As a mechanism for heating this water, the heat discharged from the heat source of the entire system of the endoscope is used.

In the entire endoscope system, the most heat generating portion is the illumination lamp 24 incorporated in the light source device 10. Especially in endoscopes, high-intensity lamps have come to be used in order to spread the illumination light over the entire observation target part because of the inspection of deep parts such as body cavity tubes. Because of this, the amount of heat generated is large. Since the louvers 20a and 20b are provided on the side wall of the main body housing 20 of the light source device 10 so that ventilation is performed by the fan 32, the louver 20 on the exhaust side is provided.
At b, a considerable amount of hot air is discharged. Therefore, the heat exchanger 53 is detachably attached to the exhaust side louver 20b from the outside. This heat exchanger 53 is
As is clear from FIG. 5, a rectangular frame-shaped frame 53a is provided, and a plurality of support bones 53b are attached to the frame 53a in the vertical direction, and the pipe portion 53c is arranged in a meandering state on the support bones 53b. It is fixed so that it can be routed around. A magnet is fixedly provided on the frame 53a, and the heat exchanger 53 is detachably attached to the main body housing 20 by the magnet.

A switching valve 54 is provided on the downstream side of the connection portion of the water supply pump 52 in the water supply pipe 51. A main pipe 55 and a branch pipe 56 are connected to the changeover valve 54 to connect the water supply pipe 51. Is connected to the main pipe 55 and to the branch pipe 56. The main pipe 55 is detachably connected to a treatment instrument insertion channel provided in the insertion portion 2 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1, or a liquid passage is connected to the treatment instrument insertion channel, and the liquid passage is connected to the universal cord 4 The light guide insertion portion 41 of the universal cord 4 is provided with a connection port and is detachably connected to the connection port. On the other hand, the branch pipe 56 is connected to one end side of the pipe portion 53c of the heat exchanger 53, and the return pipe 57 is connected to the other end side of the branch pipe 56, and the return pipe 57 is connected to the water supply tank 50. It is connected.

Therefore, the water supply pipe 5 is controlled by the switching valve 54.
1 and the branch pipe 56 are not connected, and the light source device 1
When the water supply pump 52 is operated while the illumination lamp 24 of 0 is turned on and the fan 32 is operated, the water sent from the water supply tank 50 to the water supply pipe 51 is branched from the branch pipe 56 to the pipe part of the heat exchanger 53. The water supplied to the inside 53c is contacted with the heat discharged from the illumination lamp 24 at this time to perform heat exchange, thereby heating the water flowing in the pipe portion 53c, and the heated water is supplied from the return pipe 57 to the water tank. Fifty
The entire water in the water supply tank 50 is heated by being refluxed. By the way, if the temperature of the water in the water supply tank 50 is raised to the temperature in the body cavity or higher, the patient will still feel discomfort and pain.

Therefore, in order to keep the water in the water supply tank 50 at an appropriate temperature , a water temperature control mechanism is provided as a liquid temperature control mechanism . The water temperature control mechanism has a temperature sensitive member 58 provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 51, and an operating rod 59 is connected to the temperature sensitive member 58. And the branch pipe 5
Between the 6 and the return pipe 57, a bypass pipe 60 for returning water to the water supply tank 50 without the heat exchanger 53 is connected, and in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the branch pipe 56 and the bypass pipe 60. The branch pipe 56 is provided with a flow passage switching valve 61 for switching the flow passage through the heat exchanger 53 and the flow passage to the bypass pipe 60. This flow path switching valve 6
Reference numeral 1 denotes a switching operation by an operating rod 59 connected to the temperature-sensitive member 58.
1. The operating rod 59 expands and contracts due to the volume change of the temperature-sensitive member 58 to displace the valve body 61a of the flow path switching valve 61 to cause the flow. The road is switched.

Normally, the valve body 61a is provided with the return spring 6a.
By the action of 1b, the flow path on the side of the branch pipe 56 connected to the heat exchanger 53 is open, and when the water temperature in the water supply pipe 51 reaches 36 ° C., the temperature sensitive member 58 swells and deforms, The operating rod 59 extends and the valve body 61a of the flow path switching valve 61 is expanded.
Is switched to a state in which the branch pipe 56 is connected to the bypass pipe 60 against the return spring 61b. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 62 denotes an atmosphere communication hole provided in the water supply tank 50, and a filter for preventing dust and the like from entering from the outside is attached to the atmosphere communication hole 62.

With the above-described structure, when the insertion portion 2 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted into the body cavity, the illumination lamp 24 in the light source device 10 is always kept in a lit state. Therefore, the heat generated by the illumination lamp 24 is discharged to the outside from the louver 20b by the action of the fan 32. Therefore, the heat exchanger 53 is attached to the louver 20b.
The frame 53a is mounted, the switching valve 54 is brought into a state where the water supply pipe 51 and the branch pipe 56 are connected, and the water supply pump 52 is operated. As a result, the water tank 5
Water is sucked into the water supply pipe 51 from 0, and the branch pipe 5
It flows in the piping part 53c of the heat exchanger 53 via 6, and is returned to the water tank 50 from the return piping 57. As a result,
The water in the water supply tank 50 is gradually heated. However, when the temperature exceeds the set temperature, the flow passage switching valve 61 causes the water supply pipe 51
Since the water from the water is directly returned to the water supply tank 50 without passing through the heat exchanger 53, the water temperature in the water supply tank 50 is maintained at the set temperature.

Therefore, when the tissue state in the body cavity is to be inspected while the insertion portion 2 of the ultrasonic endoscope 1 is inserted in the body cavity, the ultrasonic transducer 8 is operated.
Prior to this, the switching valve 54 is operated to operate the water supply pipe 51.
Is connected to the main pipe 55. As a result, the insertion part 2 at the site to be examined in the body cavity
Water, which serves as an ultrasonic wave propagation medium, can be supplied between the tip portion of the and the inner wall of the body cavity. Here, since the water supplied to the body cavity is warm water that has been heated to the set temperature, by setting this warm water equal to or slightly lower than the temperature inside the body cavity, The irritation is relieved when water is delivered, and the patient does not feel discomfort or discomfort.

Moreover, since the heat discharged from the light source device 10 is used to heat the water in the water supply tank 50 in this way, it is not necessary to provide a heat source for heating, and the constitution is It is simplified. Further, since the heat exchanger 53 is detachably attached to the light source device 10, it may be removed from the light source device 10 when heating water is not needed. Moreover, if the main pipe 55 is removed from the electronic endoscope 1, the water supply mechanism itself is
It can be separated from the light source device 10 that is a heat source, and storage and the like are facilitated.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the water heating mechanism according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the same or equivalent members as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. A water supply pump 52 is attached to the water supply pipe 51 'from the water supply tank 50, and a branch pipe is not connected to the water supply pipe 51'. A heating pipe 70 independent of the water supply pipe 51 'is connected to the water supply tank 50, and a water circulation pump 71 is connected to the heating pipe 70 on the way. The light source device 10 is provided at the other end of the heating pipe 70.
Is connected to the pipe portion 53c of the heat exchanger 53 attached to, the circulation flow return pipe 72 is connected to the other end of the pipe portion 53c, and the other end of the circulation flow return pipe 72 is connected to the water supply tank 50. There is. The water temperature control mechanism in this embodiment is formed by a temperature sensor 73 provided in the water supply tank 50, and the temperature sensor 73 constantly supplies the water supply tank 5 with the temperature sensor 73.
When the water temperature in 0 is detected and reaches the set temperature, the operation of the water circulation pump 71 is controlled based on the signal from the temperature sensor 73. With this configuration as well, as in the first embodiment described above, it is possible to supply heated water to the inside of the body cavity without causing irritation to the patient.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the ultrasonic endoscope is designed to supply the ultrasonic wave propagating medium into the body cavity, but other than this, for example, an endoscope having no ultrasonic mechanism is used. Also in the mirror, when water or other liquid is supplied in order to clean the inside of the body cavity, the supply liquid may be heated. Further, although the light source device is used as the heat source, the processor is also a heat source in addition to this, and it is also possible to use the processor or the like as the heat source to heat the liquid in the tank.

[0024]

As described above, the hot air exhaust side by the fan provided in the light source device to which the endoscope is connected serves as the heat source.
Wearing the heat exchanger, since the liquid supplied from the supply tank configured to warm to a predetermined temperature by the heat exchanger without providing an additional heating device or the like, light
The illumination lamp in the source device is used as a heat source to heat the liquid supplied from the liquid supply tank into the body cavity so that it can be supplied into the body cavity, minimizing the irritation to the patient and making the patient feel uncomfortable during liquid transfer. The effect of eliminating the occurrence of discomfort and the like is achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a structural explanatory view of a distal end portion of an ultrasonic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of a light source device.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of a water supply mechanism showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an external view of a heat exchanger used in the water supply mechanism of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a structural explanatory view of a water supply mechanism showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Ultrasound endoscope 2 Insert 5 lighting windows 6 Observation window 7 Treatment tool outlet 8 Ultrasonic transducer 10 Light source device 20 body case 20a, 20b louver 24 lighting lamp 32 fans 50 water tank 51,51 'water supply pipe 52 Water pump 53 heat exchanger 54 Switching valve 55 Main piping 56 branch piping 57 Return piping 58 Temperature Sensitive Material 60 bypass piping 61 Flow path switching valve 70 Heating pipe 71 Water circulation pump 72 Circulation flow return pipe

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A liquid supply tank for supplying a liquid into a body cavity through a liquid passage provided in an endoscope, and hot air exhaust by a fan of a light source device to which the endoscope is connected.
A heat exchanger mounted on the outlet side and a liquid circulation passage provided between the liquid supply tank and the heat exchanger.
And a liquid circulation passage provided through the liquid circulation passage.
Circulate the liquid between the liquid tank and the heat exchanger.
That the pump and the liquid temperature in the liquid supply tank have reached the set temperature
Temperature detector for controlling the liquid supply tank based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.
Liquid temperature controller that keeps the liquid temperature inside the chamber at the set optimum temperature
A heating liquid supply device for an endoscope, which is characterized in that it has a structure . 2. A water supply pipe is provided in the liquid supply tank.
Install the pump in the middle of this water supply pipe, and
A switching valve is provided on the downstream side of the pump connection, and this switching
A state in which the water supply pipe is communicated with the liquid passage by a valve,
The heating liquid supply device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be switchable to a state in which the liquid circulation passage is communicated .