JP3851821B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus including a sheath provided so as to cover an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in an endoscope, an objective lens is installed on a distal end body of an insertion portion, and the inside of a body cavity is observed through the objective lens. The outer surface of the objective lens is easily soiled. For this reason, many nozzles for cleaning the objective lens are fixed to the tip body. Since the nozzle needs to spray the cleaning medium toward the outer surface of the objective lens, the nozzle port is directed toward the outer surface of the objective lens. For this reason, the nozzle pipe line is formed so as to draw a curve rapidly. Moreover, since the nozzle pipe has a small inner diameter, there is a problem that the brushing work is complicated and difficult when brushing the inside of the nozzle after using the endoscope.
[0003]
Therefore, in the prior art (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-143708), a cleaning nozzle is constituted by a flange portion provided at the distal end portion of the sheath externally attached to the endoscope insertion portion, and when this nozzle portion is cleaned, the endoscope is By removing the sheath from the mirror insertion part, the nozzle part can be brushed and cleaned reliably and easily.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the nozzle of the prior art type is formed by the flange portion extending from the sheath, the cleaning liquid tends to remain in the corner portion around the flange portion due to surface tension. Since the flange part that forms the nozzle extends from the sheath and continues to the corner part, during use, when air is supplied from the nozzle to remove water droplets adhering to the surface of the objective lens, residual water at the corner part is removed. Was sucked out and flowed to the surface of the objective lens together with the pressurized air, which deteriorated the drainage of the cleaning liquid.
[0005]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to clean the lens after the use of the endoscope, and to improve the cutting performance of the cleaning medium in use. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope apparatus with a nozzle.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention according to claim 1 includes an endoscope insertion portion, a conduit provided in the endoscope insertion portion, and a sheath provided so as to cover at least the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. In the endoscope apparatus, a nozzle member that is formed at the distal end portion of the sheath and extends to a position that covers the distal end side opening of the conduit , and a plurality of nozzle members that are provided in the nozzle member and communicate with the distal end opening of the conduit. comprising a flow path, the at least one flow path to form a cleaning nozzle that is open toward the objective lens provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, the other of the at least one flow path the washing The endoscope apparatus is characterized in that it opens on the outer surface of the nozzle member toward a corner portion formed near the base portion of the nozzle member extending from the distal end portion of the sheath while avoiding the nozzle for use.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the flow path is formed between a groove formed on a surface of the nozzle member facing the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion and a surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope apparatus is formed as follows.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
(Constitution)
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope according to the present embodiment. The endoscope 1 includes an insertion portion 2 to be inserted into the body, an operation portion 3 connected to a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 2, a universal cord 4 extending from the operation portion 3, and the universal cord 4 A light guide connector 5 connected to the base end portion, a camera cable snake tube 6 extending from a side surface of the light guide connector 5, and a camera connector 7 provided at the end of the camera cable snake tube 6 are provided. Here, the operation part 3 is connected to the base end of the insertion part 2, and the distal end of the universal cord 4 is connected to the rear end of the operation part 3, which are coaxially connected. A camera cable serpentine tube 6 branches and extends from a side surface portion of the light guide connector 5 provided at the other end of the universal cord 4. The light guide connector 5 is connected to a base of a light source device (not shown). The camera connector 7 of the camera cable serpentine tube 6 is connected to a video processor (not shown).
[0011]
The insertion portion 2 is provided with a distal end hard portion 8, a bending portion 9, and a rigid insertion 10 in order from the distal end side. A water supply conduit 11 and an air supply conduit 12 are disposed inside the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 3, the universal cord 4, and the light guide connector 5. The water supply pipe 11 joins the air supply pipe 12 in the rigid insertion portion 10 to form a pipe 31, and the tip of the pipe 31 is open at the distal end surface of the distal hard portion 8. The rear end of the water supply conduit 11 is connected to a water supply base 13 provided on the side surface of the light guide connector 5. The water supply base 13 is connected to a water supply source through a tube or the like (not shown). The rear end of the air supply conduit 12 is connected to an air supply cap 14 provided on the side surface of the light guide connector 5. The air supply base 14 is connected to an air supply source through a tube or the like (not shown).
[0012]
An air / water supply cylinder 15 is built in the operation unit 3. On the side surface portion of the air / water supply cylinder 15, the upstream side pipe 11 a and the downstream side pipe 11 b of the water supply pipe 11 and the upstream side pipe 12 a and the downstream side pipe 12 b of the air supply pipe 12 are provided. Each is connected. An air / water button 16 is detachably fitted in the air / water supply cylinder 15. Then, by appropriately pressing the air / water supply button 16, the downstream line 11b of the water supply line 11 and the downstream line 12b of the air supply line 12 are switched, and the water supply line 11 and Air supply / water supply operations from nozzles described later are controlled through the air supply conduit 12.
[0013]
A sheath 17 is detachably attached to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 in a fitted state. As shown in FIG. 1, a distal end portion of the sheath 17 is provided with a substantially cylindrical distal end frame 18 made of a rigid member, and a curved tube 19 made of a soft member is provided at the rear end portion of the distal end frame 18. . A rigid portion 20 made of a rigid pipe is provided at the rear end portion of the bending tube 19. Further, a sheath body 21 is provided at the proximal end of the rigid portion 20.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows the distal end portion of the endoscope 1 with the sheath 17 attached to the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1. The distal end frame 18 of the sheath 17 and the distal end rigid portion 8 of the endoscope 1 are provided with flat portions 18a and 8a that are joined to each other, and when the sheath 17 is attached to the insertion portion 2, the endoscope 1 and the sheath 17 positioning is performed. FIG. 2 shows the positioning and mounting state.
[0015]
An objective cover glass 22 and a pair of left and right light guide cover glasses 23 are provided on the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 8 of the endoscope 1. The pair of left and right light guide cover glasses 23 are arranged symmetrically about a line passing through the objective cover glass 22. Further, a light guide fiber (not shown) is provided on the inner side of the light guide cover glass 23 so as to come into contact therewith. The light guide fiber is guided to the connection tube 24 of the light guide connector 5 through the insertion portion 2, the operation portion 3, and the universal cord 4.
[0016]
A nozzle member 25 extending in a flange shape is provided at the distal end of the distal end frame 18 of the sheath 17 so as to cover the distal end opening portion of the conduit 31 where the water supply conduit 11 has joined. The nozzle member 25 is formed so as to extend in the shape of a tongue toward the intermediate portion of the pair of right and left light guide cover glasses 23 toward the objective cover glass 22. The inner surface of the nozzle member 25 is flat and is formed so as to be closely joined to the flat front end surface of the hard tip portion 8.
[0017]
Further, grooves 26 and 27 are formed on the flat inner surface of the nozzle member 25 so as to cover the opening at the tip of the pipe 31. These groove portions 26 and 27 serve as gas and fluid passages when air and water are supplied. The first groove portion 26 has a portion that takes in the distal end opening of the conduit 31 as a base end portion of the groove, and is formed in a shape that gradually widens from side to side toward the objective cover glass 22 side. It is the same throughout. The first groove portion 26 forms a cleaning nozzle 28 that opens toward the objective cover glass 22.
[0018]
The second groove 27 passes through the base of the first groove 26, penetrates left and right, and opens sideways on the left and right side surfaces of the nozzle member 25. The second groove portion 27 is narrower and lower in height than the first groove portion 26. For this reason, a narrow channel smaller than the channel of the washing nozzle 28 is formed.
[0019]
The middle part of the flow path formed by the second groove part 27 communicates with the opening of the pipe 31 via the first groove part 26. That is, the second groove portion 27 forms a flow path that branches from the flow path of the cleaning nozzle 28, and at the time of air / water supply, a part of the gas or fluid sent through the water supply conduit 11 and the air supply conduit 12 is removed. A distribution channel 30 is formed for receiving and flowing it. The branch channel 30 opens toward the left and right side surfaces of the nozzle member 25 and opens toward the corner portion 29 formed between the distal end hard portion 8.
[0020]
(Function)
During use, the water supply liquid supplied from the water supply source to the water supply base 13 passes through the upstream side pipe 11 a of the water supply pipe 11 and flows into the air / water supply cylinder 15. Usually, since the flow path is closed by the air / water supply button 16 in the air / water supply cylinder 15, the water supply liquid does not flow into the downstream line 11 b of the water supply line 11. Further, the gas supplied from the air supply source to the air supply base 14 passes through the air supply conduit 12 and similarly flows into the air supply / water supply cylinder 15. Normally, since the flow path is closed by the air / water supply button 16 in the air / water supply cylinder 15, the gas does not flow into the downstream line 12 b of the air supply line 12.
[0021]
Next, when the objective cover glass 22 becomes dirty, the air / water supply button 16 is pushed in. By pushing the air / water supply button 16, the flow path closed by the air / water supply button 16 is opened, and the water supply liquid flows into the downstream line 11 b of the water supply line 11. The tip of the downstream pipe 11b of the water supply pipe 11 joins the tip of the downstream pipe 12b of the air supply pipe 12, and the water supply liquid flows from the tip opening of the pipe 31 to the washing nozzle 28. It erupts through the road. Since the direction of the flow path of the cleaning nozzle 28 is changed from the front end opening of the pipe line 31 to a substantially right angle direction, the water feeding liquid is ejected toward the objective cover glass 22 by the cleaning nozzle 28.
[0022]
A part of the water feeding liquid fed from the pipe 31 flows out through the branch channel 30, but the second groove part 27 forming the branch channel 30 is smaller than the channel of the first groove part 26 forming the cleaning nozzle 28. Therefore, a large amount of water feeding liquid flows toward the cleaning nozzle 28 formed by the first groove portion 26 having a small channel resistance, and the outer surface of the objective cover glass 22 is intensively cleaned.
[0023]
On the other hand, after washing the surface of the objective cover glass 22, the remaining water supply liquid is lightly pressed by the air supply / water supply button 16, thereby opening the air supply side flow path closed by the air supply / water supply button 16, The gas supplied from the air supply source flows into the downstream pipe line 12b of the gas supply pipe line 12, and is ejected from the opening of the pipe line 31 through the cleaning nozzle 28 toward the objective cover glass 22, and the pressure that flows out. The water supply liquid remaining on the objective cover glass 22 is blown off by air. A part of the pressurized air is also ejected from the left and right side surfaces of the nozzle member 25 through the diversion channel 30 formed by the second groove portion 26 of the nozzle member 25. The pressurized air ejected from the left and right side surfaces of the nozzle member 25 blows away the liquid remaining on the nozzle member 25 and the corner portion 29 formed by the distal end surface of the distal end hard portion 8 or the distal end edge portion of the distal end frame 18, Remove.
[0024]
After using the endoscope 1, the sheath 17 is removed from the endoscope 1, the inside of the water supply conduit 11, the inside of the air supply conduit 12 and the inner peripheral surface of the sheath 17 are brushed, and the nozzle member 25 is exposed. The groove portions 26 and 27 and other outer surface portions are cleaned. When the sheath 17 is removed from the endoscope 1, the nozzle member 25 is removed from the distal end side of the water supply conduit 11 and the air supply conduit 12, so that a brush is applied to the water supply conduit 11 and the air supply conduit 12 during brushing. The brushes are easy to move forward and backward, and they are easy to wash.
[0025]
(effect)
According to this embodiment, even if the objective cover glass 22 becomes dirty, the dirt on the objective cover glass 22 can be removed without removing the endoscope 1 from the cavity, and the operation time is shortened.
[0026]
When the sheath 17 is removed from the endoscope 1, the nozzle member 25 is removed from the distal ends of the water supply conduit 11 and the air supply conduit 12, so that the brushing of the water supply conduit 11 and the air supply conduit 12 is performed. Work becomes easy.
[0027]
Since the sheath 17 is put on the endoscope 1, the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 can be protected by the sheath 17. In particular, it is possible to prevent a sharp object from hitting the curved portion 9 of the insertion portion 2 and opening a hole or the like.
[0028]
Further, when removing water droplets on the lens surface of the objective cover glass 22, water remaining in the corner portion 29 between the nozzle member 25 and the distal end surface of the endoscope 1 can be removed at the same time. Will improve.
[0029]
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, It can apply also to another form.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the sheath 17 has been described as a form that covers the entire insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1, but at least the tip opening of the conduit 31 can be covered with the nozzle member 25. That's fine. That is, the sheath 17 may be configured to be mounted so as to cover only the distal end hard portion 8 of the endoscope 1 or to be mounted so as to cover the hard portion 8 and the bending portion 9.
[0030]
Moreover, you may provide the flow path which opens toward the light guide cover glass 23 as an illumination window among several flow paths provided in the nozzle member 25 further. According to such a structure, in addition to the effects described in the above-described embodiment, even if the light guide cover glass 23 becomes dirty, the light guide cover glass 23 is not pulled out from the cavity. As a result, the operation time can be shortened.
[0031]
According to the embodiment described above, the following items can be obtained.
[Appendix]
(Additional Item 1) An endoscope apparatus having an endoscope insertion portion, a conduit provided in the endoscope insertion portion, and a sheath provided so as to cover at least the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. In
A nozzle member extending to a position covering the distal end opening of the conduit is formed at the distal end of the sheath, and a plurality of flow paths leading to the distal end opening of the conduit are provided in the nozzle member. One flow path forms a cleaning nozzle that opens toward the objective lens provided on the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion, and the other flow path avoids the cleaning nozzle and opens to the outer surface of the nozzle member. An endoscope apparatus characterized by being provided.
[0032]
(Additional Item 2) The endoscope apparatus according to Additional Item 1, wherein the flow path is formed by a groove formed in a surface facing the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion.
(Additional Item 3) Additional Item 1 or Additional Item, wherein at least one of the plurality of flow paths opens toward a corner portion formed in the vicinity of the base portion of the nozzle member extending from the distal end portion of the sheath. Item 5. The endoscope apparatus according to Item 2.
(Additional Item 4) Of the plurality of flow paths, at least one flow path is provided to open toward a light guide cover glass provided at a distal end of the endoscope insertion portion. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 3.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the cleaning operation after using the endoscope is easy, and the cutting performance of the cleaning medium during use of the endoscope can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an entire endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B show a distal end portion of an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a front view of the distal end portion, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the distal end portion.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 3 ... Operation part 8 ... Hard tip part 9 ... Bending part 10 ... Insertion serpentine part 11 ... Pipe for water supply 12 ... Pipe line for air supply 13 ... Base for water supply 14 ... For air supply Base 15 ... Air / water supply cylinder 16 ... Air / water supply button 17 ... Sheath 18 ... Tip frame 19 ... Curved tube 20 ... Hard part 21 ... Sheath body 22 ... Objective cover glass 25 ... Nozzle member 26 ... Groove part 27 ... Groove part 28 ... Cleaning Nozzle 29 ... Corner part 30 ... Split flow path

Claims (2)

In an endoscope apparatus having an endoscope insertion portion, a conduit provided in the endoscope insertion portion, and a sheath provided so as to cover at least a distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion,
A nozzle member formed at the distal end portion of the sheath and extending to a position covering the distal end side opening of the conduit ;
A plurality of flow paths provided in the nozzle member and leading to the opening on the distal end side of the pipe;
Comprising
At least one flow path forms a cleaning nozzle that opens toward the objective lens provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and at least one other flow path avoids the cleaning nozzle and avoids the sheath. An endoscope apparatus, wherein an opening is formed on an outer surface of the nozzle member toward a corner portion formed near a base portion of the nozzle member extending from a distal end portion . The flow path is formed between a groove formed on a surface of the nozzle member facing the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion and a surface of the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1.

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