JP3911158B2 - Endoscopy cleaning brush - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning brush.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Inside the endoscope, for example, a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps, a suction channel for sucking and discharging bodily fluids that obstruct observation, a water supply channel, an air supply channel, etc. A pipeline is provided. In order to clean the inside of the pipe line (removal of dirt, dust, etc.) after use of the endoscope, an endoscope cleaning brush is used.
[0003]
A conventional endoscope cleaning brush has a configuration in which a brush portion is provided on the distal end side of a flexible elongated main body portion and a grip portion (handle) is provided on a proximal end side. This endoscope cleaning brush is inserted into the endoscope pipe line from the brush part side, the brush part is inserted to the other end of the pipe line, and then pulled out of the pipe line by pulling the grip part. use.
[0004]
However, as an operation for inserting the endoscope cleaning brush into the pipeline, the brush portion having a relatively large sliding resistance is advanced in the pipeline by the pushing force applied to the base end side of the main body portion. For this reason, it is not easy to insert the endoscope cleaning brush over the entire length of the long and narrow pipe. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and labor to clean the inside of the pipe.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The objective of this invention is providing the cleaning brush for endoscopes which can clean the inside of the pipe line of an endoscope easily.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Such an object is achieved by the present inventions (1) to (8) below.
[0007]
(1) An endoscope cleaning brush for cleaning the inside of a duct formed inside an endoscope,
An elongated body portion having flexibility;
At least one brush portion provided on the base end side of the main body portion;
A guide portion provided on a distal end side of the main body portion and having a lower bending rigidity than the main body portion;
By inserting the guide part and the main body part into the pipe line from one end opening of the pipe line from the guide part side and pulling out from the other end opening of the pipe line, the brush part passes through the pipe line. An endoscope cleaning brush characterized by being used.
[0008]
Thereby, the endoscope cleaning brush which can clean easily the inside of the pipe line of an endoscope can be provided.
[0009]
(2) The length of the said guide part is a cleaning brush for endoscopes as described in said (1) which is 20-100 mm.
[0010]
Thereby, a guide part and a main-body part can be inserted more smoothly in a pipe line.
[0011]
(3) The endoscope cleaning brush according to (1) or (2), wherein the plurality of brush portions are installed at intervals along the longitudinal direction.
Thereby, the cleaning effect can be improved more.
[0012]
(4) The brush portion has a configuration in which the base portion of a large number of linear bodies is supported by a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of fine metal wires, and the interval along the longitudinal direction of the stranded wire. The endoscope cleaning brush according to the above (3), wherein a plurality of the brush portions are installed in a space.
[0013]
Thereby, a some brush part can be formed easily and manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0014]
(5) The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the main body portion is mainly formed of a tube member made of a synthetic resin.
[0015]
Thereby, moderate bending rigidity and torsional rigidity can be obtained in the main body, and sliding resistance with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the pipe line can be reduced.
[0016]
(6) The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the guide portion is a solid member mainly made of a synthetic resin.
[0017]
Thereby, the structure of a guide part can be simplified and manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0018]
(7) The main body portion is mainly composed of a tube member made of a synthetic resin, the guide portion is mainly made of a solid member made of a synthetic resin, and the guide portion is formed in a distal end portion lumen of the main body portion. The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of the above (1) to (6), in which both are joined in a state in which the proximal end portion is inserted.
[0019]
Thereby, the lumen | bore of a main-body part can be sealed and it can prevent that refuse, a liquid, etc. penetrate | invade into the lumen | bore of a main-body part.
[0020]
(8) The endoscope cleaning brush according to (7), wherein an inner diameter of the main body portion and an outer diameter of the guide portion are substantially the same.
[0021]
Thereby, the bending rigidity of a guide part can be made small moderately with respect to the bending rigidity of a main-body part.
[0022]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the endoscope cleaning brush of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0023]
FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of an endoscope cleaning brush according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows a main body portion and a guide portion in the endoscope cleaning brush shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the distal end portion of the endoscope cleaning brush shown in FIG. 1 passes through a bent portion of a conduit.
[0024]
The endoscope cleaning brush 1 shown in FIG. 1 cleans pipelines such as a treatment instrument insertion channel, a suction channel, a water supply channel, and an air supply channel (dirt, dust, etc.) inside the endoscope after use of the endoscope. Etc.).
[0025]
First, an example of an endoscope will be described based on FIG.
An endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an electronic endoscope, and is provided on a long insertion portion flexible tube 11 having flexibility and a proximal end side of the insertion portion flexible tube 11. Is operated at the distal end side of the insertion portion flexible tube 11 and can be remotely operated from the operation portion 12, and a light source processor ( The light source insertion part 14 for connecting to a not-shown) and the connection part flexible tube 15 which connects the operation part 12 and the light source insertion part 14 are provided. Inside the endoscope 10, built-in objects (not shown) such as a light guide using an optical fiber bundle, an image signal cable, cables, and tubes are arranged and inserted.
[0026]
When the endoscope 10 is used, light emitted from a light source in the light source processor device passes through the light guide and is irradiated from the distal end portion of the bending portion 13 to illuminate.
[0027]
An imaging element (CCD) (not shown) that captures a subject image at the observation site is provided at the distal end of the bending portion 13, and an image signal corresponding to the subject image captured by the imaging element is the image signal cable. After being transmitted to the light source processor device through a predetermined process, it is input to a monitor device (not shown). In the monitor device, an image (electronic image) captured by the image sensor, that is, an endoscope monitor image of a moving image is displayed.
[0028]
In the endoscope 10, for example, a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps, a suction channel for sucking and discharging a body fluid that disturbs observation, a water supply channel, an air supply channel, etc. Various types of pipes are formed. The endoscope cleaning brush 1 of the present invention can be used for cleaning these various pipes, but in the present embodiment, the suction channel 16 will be described as a representative.
[0029]
The suction channel 16 has a tube 161 continuously disposed in the bending portion 13, the insertion portion flexible tube 11, and the operation portion 12, and the operation portion 12, the light source insertion portion 14, and the connection portion flexible tube 15. The tube 162 is continuously arranged, a cylindrical cylinder portion 163 installed in the operation unit 12, and a suction base 164 installed in the light source insertion unit 14.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tube 161 is connected to the lower end portion of the cylinder portion 163 in the operation portion 12, and the tube 162 is connected to the side portion of the cylinder portion 163. That is, the lumen of the tube 161 and the lumen of the tube 162 communicate with each other via the lumen of the cylinder portion 163.
[0031]
When the endoscope 10 is used, a suction pump (not shown) is connected to the suction base 164, and suction can be performed from the distal end of the bending portion 13 through the tube 161, the cylinder portion 163, and the tube 162.
[0032]
The cylinder portion 163 is provided with a suction operation valve (not shown) for operating on / off of suction when the endoscope 10 is used. When cleaning the suction channel 16, if this suction operation valve is removed, the upper end portion (opening 165) of the cylinder portion 163 in FIG. 3 opens to the outside.
[0033]
Needless to say, the endoscope cleaning brush 1 according to the present invention can be used not only for an electronic endoscope such as the endoscope 10 but also for various endoscopes such as a fiber endoscope. Yes.
[0034]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the endoscope cleaning brush 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cleaning brush 1 includes a flexible elongated main body 2, brush portions 31, 32, and 33 provided on the base end side of the main body 2, and a main body 2. The guide part 4 provided in the front end side is provided.
[0035]
The main body 2 is flexible so that it can be inserted into a curved or bent conduit. Moreover, the main-body part 2 has moderate bending rigidity and torsional rigidity. As a result, the pushing force or torsional force applied on the proximal end side can be efficiently transmitted to the distal end portion and can be easily advanced in the pipeline.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, the main body 2 is made of a long tube member (hollow member) made of synthetic resin. As a result, moderate bending rigidity and torsional rigidity are obtained, and sliding resistance with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the pipe line is small, so that more excellent insertion operability can be obtained.
[0037]
Although it does not specifically limit as a synthetic resin material which comprises this main-body part 2, For example, a polypropylene (PP), polyethylene, especially a high density polyethylene, a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyester elastomer etc. Is preferred.
[0038]
Moreover, the main-body part 2 may be comprised by the laminated body of the several layer from which conditions, such as a constituent material and rigidity differ. The main body 2 may be provided with a reinforcing material (core material) made of various metal materials, relatively hard resin, or the like.
[0039]
In addition, in this invention, the main-body part 2 is not restricted to a structure like illustration, For example, a long solid member, a coil-shaped (spiral) member, and the some linear body were bundled (twisting together) It may be a member, a member such as a combination thereof, or the like. Further, the constituent material is not limited to the synthetic resin, and may be various metal materials such as stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium alloy, copper or copper alloy.
[0040]
The length L2 of the main body ₂ is appropriately set according to the length of the pipe line of the endoscope to be applied, but is usually preferably about 800 to 2500 mm. The length L ₂ of the main body portion 2 is substantially equal to the length of the conduit of the endoscope, or than this for longer is preferred.
[0041]
Brush portions 31, 32, and 33 are provided on the base end side (one end side) of the main body portion 2. Each of the brush portions 31, 32, and 33 has a configuration in which a base portion of a large number of linear bodies (brush hairs) is supported by a stranded wire 34 formed by twisting a plurality of fine metal wires. Examples of the constituent material of the stranded wire 34 include various metal materials as described above.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the three brush portions 31, 32, and 33 are installed at intervals along the longitudinal direction from the distal end side. By providing a plurality of brush portions in this way, by inserting the endoscope cleaning brush 1 into the conduit once, the same effect as having been repeatedly inserted a plurality of times is obtained. The number of insertions can be reduced, and the labor required for the cleaning work can be reduced. For example, when there is only one brush part, in order to remove dirt, dust, etc. in the conduit without remaining, it is usually necessary to repeatedly insert about three times. With the mirror cleaning brush 1, it can be completed by one insertion.
[0043]
The installation interval of the brush portions 31, 32, and 33 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 2 to 8 cm, for example.
[0044]
The brush portions 31, 32 and 33 may be the same as each other, but may have different conditions. Examples of the conditions include the diameter of the brush portion, the length of the brush portion, the material of the linear body (brush hair), the thickness of the linear body, the number of linear bodies (density), and the like.
[0045]
In the present invention, the number of installed brush portions is not particularly limited, and may be 1, 2, or 4 or more (for example, about 4 to 10).
[0046]
In the present embodiment, brush portions 31, 32, and 33 are respectively installed on one stranded wire 34. Thereby, the three brush parts 31, 32, and 33 can be produced by one twist, so that the production process can be simplified and the production cost can be reduced.
[0047]
The distal end portion of the stranded wire 34 is joined (connected) to the main body portion 2 with, for example, an adhesive or the like in a state of being inserted into the proximal end portion lumen of the main body portion 2. Thereby, while being able to connect firmly with respect to the main-body part 2, the base end part lumen | bore of the main-body part 2 can be sealed, and it prevents that a dust, a liquid, etc. penetrate | invade into the lumen | bore of the main-body part 2. can do.
[0048]
A cap (protective member) 35 is attached to the proximal end portion of the stranded wire 34. Thereby, the inner peripheral surface of a pipe line can be protected and it can prevent damaging this.
[0049]
On the distal end side (the other end side) of the main body portion 2, a guide portion 4 having a lower bending rigidity than the main body portion 2 (higher flexibility in bending deformation than the main body portion 2) is provided. This guide part 4 functions as a guide at the time of inserting the main-body part 2 in a pipe line.
[0050]
In this embodiment, the guide part 4 is comprised with the solid member comprised with the synthetic resin.
[0051]
The base end portion of the guide portion 4 is inserted into the distal end portion lumen of the main body portion 2, and for example, adhesion (adhesion with an adhesive or a solvent), fusion (heat fusion, high frequency fusion, ultrasonic fusion, etc.) It is joined (connected) to the main body 2 by such a method. Thereby, while being able to connect firmly with respect to the main-body part 2, the cavity of the front-end | tip part of the main-body part 2 can be sealed, and it prevents that a dust, a liquid, etc. penetrate | invade into the lumen | bore of the main-body part 2. be able to.
[0052]
The front end 41 of the guide portion 4 is rounded, thereby protecting the inner peripheral surface of the pipeline and preventing it from being damaged.
[0053]
The outer diameter of the guide portion 4 (the outer diameter of the base end portion) is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the main body portion 2. Thereby, while being able to connect with the main-body part 2 easily in a manufacturing process, the bending rigidity of the guide part 4 can be made small moderately with respect to the bending rigidity of the main-body part 2. FIG.
[0054]
The synthetic resin material constituting the guide portion 4 is not particularly limited. For example, polyethylene, particularly medium or low density polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), polyacetal (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polytetrafluoro Ethylene (PTFE), polyamide (PA), polyester elastomer and the like are preferable.
[0055]
Moreover, the guide part 4 may be comprised with the laminated body of the several layer from which conditions, such as a constituent material and rigidity differ.
[0056]
Further, the guide portion 4 is not limited to one having a constant bending rigidity (flexibility) over the entire length thereof, and for example, the bending rigidity decreases (increases flexibility) stepwise or continuously toward the distal direction. It may be a thing. As a specific configuration for achieving such a configuration, for example, a configuration in which the outer diameter of the guide portion 4 is gradually reduced stepwise or continuously toward the tip direction, or a constituent material of the guide portion 4 is changed in the longitudinal direction. A configuration that switches to a more flexible one in the middle of this, a configuration that combines these, and the like can be given.
[0057]
In the present invention, the guide portion 4 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, and may be, for example, a hollow tube member, a coiled (spiral) member, or the like as long as the guide portion 4 has a lower bending rigidity than the main body portion 2. It may also be a metal wire (particularly, a surface whose surface is coated with a resin).
[0058]
The length _{L 1} of the guide portion 4 is not particularly limited, it is preferably about 20 to 100 mm, more preferably about 40-60 mm.
[0059]
By the length L ₁ of the guide portion 4 is in the range of the guide effect of the guide part 4 to be described later can be more remarkably exhibited.
[0060]
Such an endoscope cleaning brush 1 has a guide part 4 and a main body part 2 inserted into one end opening of the pipe line of the endoscope 10 from the guide part 4 side and pulled out from the other end opening. The brush portions 31, 32 and 33 are passed through and used.
[0061]
For example, the case of cleaning the suction channel 16 of the endoscope 10 will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide portion 4 and the main body portion 2 are inserted from the opening 165 in the cylinder portion 163, and the distal end of the bending portion 13 is inserted. The guide part 4 is projected (exposed) from the opening 166 in the part. Note that the length of the main body 2 and the guide 4 is longer than the length from the opening 165 to the opening 166. From this state, when the guide part 4 or the tip part of the main body part 2 is grasped and pulled out, the brush parts 31, 32 and 33 are sequentially inserted into the tube 161 from the opening 165, pass through this, and removed from the opening 166. Is done. Thereby, the inside of the tube 161 and the inside of the cylinder part 163 can be cleaned.
[0062]
Similarly, the guide part 4 and the main body part 2 are inserted from the suction cap 164 (opening), the guide part 4 is projected (exposed) from the opening 165, and the guide part 4 or the tip part of the main body part 2 is gripped and pulled out. Thus, the inside of the tube 162 and the inside of the cylinder part 163 can be cleaned.
[0063]
As described above, in the present invention, the guide part 4 and the main body part 2 which are parts where the brush part is not provided are inserted and used over the entire length of the pipe line. Also, the insertion operation is easy. Further, since the brush parts 31, 32, and 33 are passed through the conduit of the endoscope 10 by a force that pulls the main body part 2, there is no problem of buckling of the main body part 2 and the sliding of the brush part. Even if the resistance is relatively large, the operability is not impaired. Therefore, even if it is a case where the some brush parts 31, 32, and 33 are provided like this embodiment, the outstanding operativity is obtained and it can clean easily.
[0064]
Further, since the brush portions 31, 32, and 33 are one-way through the pipeline, dirt, dust, etc. once removed by the brush portions 31, 32, and 33 are separated from the brush portions 31, 32, and 33, and the inside of the pipeline. Therefore, the cleaning effect is excellent.
[0065]
On the other hand, when using a conventional endoscope cleaning brush provided with a brush portion on the distal end side, a brush portion having a relatively large sliding resistance was added to the proximal end side of the long main body portion. Since it must be moved forward by the pushing force, the main body is likely to buckle (bend back), the insertion operation is difficult, and the work requires a lot of time and labor. Further, when a plurality of brush portions are provided, the insertion operability is further deteriorated.
[0066]
Further, in the conventional endoscope cleaning brush, since the brush part reciprocates in the pipe line, dirt, dust, etc. removed in the forward path by the brush part are detached from the brush part in the return path and reattached in the pipe line. In some cases, the cleaning effect is inferior.
[0067]
Further, in the present invention, since the guide portion 4 is provided, the operation of inserting the main body portion 2 into the conduit is further facilitated even when the conduit has a bent portion or a curved portion. It has become a thing. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when passing a bent part such as a connection part between the tube 162 and the cylinder part 163, the guide part 4 having relatively small bending rigidity is flexibly bent along the bent part. Since the main body 2 can move forward so as to follow the guide 4, it can pass through the bent portion easily (smoothly).
[0068]
Similarly, the curved portions indicated by A, B and C in FIG. 2 can also pass easily (smoothly).
[0069]
On the other hand, when the guide part 4 is not provided, the following inconvenience occurs. That is, since the main body 2 has a reasonably large bending rigidity as described above, for example, when passing through a bent portion such as a connection portion between the tube 162 and the cylinder 163, the front end of the main body 2 However, there is a case where it does not curve along the bent portion, and it takes time for the tip of the main body portion 2 to abut against the inner wall of the cylinder portion 163 and pass through the bent portion.
[0070]
As described above, the endoscope cleaning brush of the present invention has been described with respect to the illustrated embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to this, and each part constituting the endoscope cleaning brush has the same function. It can be replaced with any configuration that can be exhibited.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the insertion operation of the endoscope into the pipeline is easy, the operability is excellent, and the cleaning operation in the pipeline can be performed easily and quickly.
[0072]
In particular, the provision of the guide portion allows smooth insertion even if the pipe has a bent part or a curved part.
[0073]
In addition, it is possible to prevent reattachment of dirt and dust removed by the brush portion, and the cleaning effect is also high.
[0074]
Further, when a plurality of brush portions are provided, the cleaning effect can be further enhanced, cleaning can be completed with a small number of insertions, and the labor required for the cleaning work can be further reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an embodiment of an endoscope cleaning brush according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state where a main body part and a guide part in the endoscope cleaning brush shown in FIG. 1 are inserted into a pipe line of the endoscope.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a distal end portion of the endoscope cleaning brush shown in FIG. 1 passes through a bent portion of a conduit. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope cleaning brush 2 Main body part 31, 32, 33 Brush part 34 Strand 35 Cap 4 Guide part 41 Tip 10 Endoscope 11 Insertion part Flexible tube 12 Operation part 13 Bending part 14 Light source insertion part 15 Connection Flexible tube 16 Suction channel 161, 162 Tube 163 Cylinder 164 Suction cap 165, 166 Opening A, B, C Curved part

Claims (8)

An endoscope cleaning brush for cleaning the inside of a conduit formed inside an endoscope,
An elongated body portion having flexibility;
At least one brush portion provided on the base end side of the main body portion;
A guide portion provided on a distal end side of the main body portion and having a lower bending rigidity than the main body portion;
By inserting the guide part and the main body part into the pipe line from one end opening of the pipe line from the guide part side and pulling out from the other end opening of the pipe line, the brush part passes through the pipe line. An endoscope cleaning brush characterized by being used. The endoscope cleaning brush according to claim 1, wherein a length of the guide portion is 20 to 100 mm. The endoscope cleaning brush according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of brush portions are disposed at intervals along the longitudinal direction. The brush part has a configuration in which the base part of a large number of linear bodies is supported by a stranded wire formed by twisting a plurality of fine metal wires, and a plurality of the brush parts are spaced along the longitudinal direction of the stranded wire. The endoscope cleaning brush according to claim 3, wherein the brush portion is installed. The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body portion is made of a tube member mainly made of a synthetic resin. The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide portion is made of a solid member mainly made of synthetic resin. The main body part is made of a tube member mainly made of synthetic resin, the guide part is made of a solid member mainly made of synthetic resin, and the base end part of the guide part is formed in the distal end portion lumen of the main body part. The endoscope cleaning brush according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the two are joined in a state where the is inserted. The endoscope cleaning brush according to claim 7, wherein an inner diameter of the main body portion and an outer diameter of the guide portion are substantially the same.

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