JP3930634B2 - Endoscope air / water supply system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope air / water supply device, and more particularly to an air supply pipe disposed in an endoscope and a configuration of flow control and flow rate control of air / water supply by the water supply pipe.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Endoscopes have conventionally been equipped with air pipes, water pipes, etc., and these pipes are configured to allow air supply and water supply (liquid supply) to the tip, and observation provided at the tip The window (lens surface) is washed, water droplets are removed, etc., and air is led out of the body to be observed to inflate the body cavity such as the stomach. Furthermore, when the endoscope is completely used, the water pipe is drained when cleaning and storing.
[0003]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration on the electromagnetic valve unit side in a conventional endoscope, and the water supply pipe 2A and the air supply pipe 3A on the endoscope side are connected to the illustrated electromagnetic valve unit 1. The electromagnetic valve unit 1 is provided with a water supply pipe 2B, an electromagnetic valve V11 that controls opening and closing of the pipe 2B, an air supply pipe 3B and an electromagnetic valve V12 that controls opening and closing of the pipe 3B, and the water supply pipe 2B is a water supply pipe 2C. It is connected to the water supply tank 4 via
[0004]
In addition, an air / water pump 5 is disposed in the electromagnetic valve unit 1, and the pump 5 is connected to the air supply pipe 3B and a water supply pipe (air supply pipe) 3C. It is connected to the water supply tank 4 through a pipe 3D. Further, an atmospheric release pipe 6 is connected to the pump 5, and an electromagnetic valve V 13 is attached to the atmospheric release pipe 6. The air / water supply operation switch is disposed, for example, in the endoscope operation unit.
[0005]
According to the above configuration, when the air / water supply switch is not operated, only the electromagnetic valve V13 is opened, and the air sent from the pump 5 is released from the atmosphere release pipe 6 to the atmosphere. When the water supply operation is performed by the air supply / water supply switch, the electromagnetic valve V11 is opened and the electromagnetic valves V12, V13 are closed, whereby the water in the water supply tank 4 is supplied through the water supply pipes 2C, 2B, 2A. Supplied to the endoscope side. On the other hand, when an air supply operation is performed, the electromagnetic valve V12 is opened and the other electromagnetic valves V11 and V13 are closed, so that air is sent through the air supply pipes 3B and 3A.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional endoscope air / water feeding device, the flow rate per unit time cannot be variably adjusted, and the current situation is that only whether air feeding or water feeding is performed is controlled. It was not possible to optimally supply air or water (liquid) according to the conditions. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the flow rate of air supply and water supply can be adjusted by changing the air supply pressure (capacity) of the pump 5 itself. However, the supply pressure of the pump 5 can be changed to adjust the air supply amount. If this is the case, the amount of water supplied will also change, and there is a problem that air supply and water supply cannot be controlled at different flow rates.
[0007]
For example, when water is supplied for cleaning the observation window, it is better to inject water at a relatively high flow rate (with a high flow rate per unit time), but the flow rate is not so strong for the subsequent air supply for draining water. When the air is jetted at, drainage is better without any small water droplets remaining on the observation window lens surface. In addition, when an endoscope is applied to a body cavity such as the stomach, air supply is performed to inflate the body cavity. At this time, the air supply may be terminated in a short time with a relatively high flow rate value. desirable.
[0008]
Further, after the endoscope is used, water is drained from the water pipe 2A. Even in this water drainage, the strength of the air feed is determined by the supply capacity of the pump 5, and optimal water drainage is executed. There is inconvenience that we cannot do it.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to be able to variably control the air supply amount and the water supply amount independently, and to enable the air supply and water supply according to the purpose. The object is to provide a mirror air / water supply device.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to performing the above-described air supply in an endoscope air / water supply apparatus that supplies and supplies water to the distal end via an air supply line and a water supply line. An air supply pump, a water supply pump for performing the water supply separately from the air supply pump, a first connection pipe for connecting the air supply pipe line and the water supply pipe line, and the first connection A first connecting pipe on- off valve for controlling the opening and closing of the pipe, and an endoscope leading end side of a connection point to which the first connecting pipe of the air supply pipe is connected. An air supply pipe opening / closing valve is provided to perform air supply so that air can be supplied only from the air supply pump to the water supply pipe line .
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a second connection pipe for connecting the water supply pump to the water supply pipe for air supply, and a second connection pipe on- off valve for controlling opening and closing of the second connection pipe. It is characterized in that air can be supplied by two pumps to the water supply line without supplying air to the air supply line by the air supply pipe opening / closing valve .
[0011]
According to said structure, since the pump for air supply and the pump for water supply are arrange | positioned independently, the pump of the capability according to the objective of air supply and water supply can be used. In addition, the means for controlling the flow rate can be separately provided for air supply and water supply, whereby the air supply amount and the water supply amount per unit time can be set according to various purposes. The first connecting pipe, its open / close valve , and air supply pipe open / close valve allow air to be supplied only to the inside of the water supply pipe by the air supply pump, and air supply with the optimum strength for draining can be performed.
[0012]
Further, according to the configuration of the second aspect, the two pumps can be combined to supply air into, for example, the water supply pipe. In this case, the strength of the air supply according to the situation at the time of draining, etc. There is an advantage that the range to select is widened.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the configuration of an endoscope air / water supply apparatus according to a first example of the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope (electronic endoscope) 10 is shown. In this case, a water supply pipe 12A, an air supply pipe 13A, and a suction pipe 14A are disposed from the distal end portion 10A to the operation portion 10B. A detachable cap 15 is attached to the distal end of the endoscope distal end portion 10A, and a nozzle or the like for supplying / feeding air to / from the observation window (lens surface of the objective optical system) is provided on the cap 15. It is done.
[0014]
As shown in the figure, the operation unit 10B is provided with an air / water switch 16, a suction switch 17, and a photographing button 18 which are two-stage switches. The operation control signals of these switches 16 and 17 are as follows. It supplies to the solenoid valve unit 20 of FIG. Further, a water supply pipe 12B and an air supply pipe 13B are provided in the cable so as to connect the operation unit 10B and the electromagnetic valve unit 20. A pipe unit 10C is detachably provided on the rear side of the operation unit 10B, and the water supply pipes 12A and 12B and the air supply pipe 13A are connected by a folded part formed when the pipe unit 10C is connected. 13B is connected.
[0015]
A suction tube 14B extending to the electromagnetic valve unit 20 is attached to the conduit unit 10C, and a forceps port 21 is provided in the suction tube 14B so as to be separated from the middle. The member 19 shown in the drawing is a lens surface flash port for supplying air / water by attaching a syringe or the like when the observation window lens surface is highly dirty, and whether or not this flash port is arranged. Is optional.
[0016]
2, an electromagnetic valve unit 20 is provided with a water supply pipe 12C connected to the water supply pipe 12B and an electromagnetic valve V1 which is an on-off valve. The water supply pipe 12C is connected to a water supply tank 22 via a water supply pipe 12D. Is done. In addition, a water supply pump 23 is disposed in the electromagnetic valve unit 20, and the water supply tank 22 is connected to the water supply pump 23 via pipes (air supply pipes) 24A and 24B. This pump 23 is provided with atmospheric open pipes 25A and 25B and solenoid valves V2 and V3 which branch into two branches from the middle of the pipe line, and the water supply amount is different in two stages by opening and closing control of the solenoid valves V2 and V3. The amount (High, Low) can be variably adjusted. That is, the air supply pressure by the pump 23 changes when both the solenoid valves V2 and V3 are closed and when one of them is closed. Therefore, if the solenoid valve to be closed is selected, the flow rate of air supply (per unit time) can be changed. .
[0017]
On the other hand, an air supply tube 13C connected to the endoscope-side air supply tube 13B and an electromagnetic valve V4 are provided, and an air supply pump 27 is connected to the air supply tube 13C. In this example, an air supply pump 27 having an air supply capacity (air supply pressure) different from that of the water supply pump 23 is used, but the same capacity may be used. This pump 27 is also provided with air release pipes 28A, 28B and solenoid valves V5, V6 that branch into the fork from the middle of the pipe as flow rate control means, and air is supplied by controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valves V5, V6. The amount can be variably adjusted to two different amounts (High, Low).
[0018]
The first connection pipe 30 is inserted from the air supply pipe 13C at the output of the air supply pump 27 to the water supply pipe 12C, and an electromagnetic valve V7 is attached to the first connection pipe 30. By the pipe 30 and the electromagnetic valve V7, air supply for draining water can be performed on the water supply pipes 12B and 12A. A check valve 31 is attached to each of the air supply pipes 13C, 24A, 30, and the check valve 31 prevents water or the like from flowing back to the air supply pipes 13C, 24A, 30.
[0019]
Further, the electromagnetic valve unit 20 is provided with a suction pipe 14C connected to the suction pipe 14B and an electromagnetic valve V8, and a suction tank 33 connected to a suction pump (not shown) is connected to the suction pipe 14C. An air release pipe 34 and an electromagnetic valve V9 are connected to the suction pipe 14C. In addition, a control unit 36, a power source unit 37, and the like for opening / closing the electromagnetic valves V1 to V9 are disposed.
[0020]
On the other hand, a flow rate adjustment switch for adjusting the flow rate per unit time is provided on the operation panel of the solenoid valve unit 20, and in this example, the air supply amount for controlling the air supply amount between High and Low. An adjustment switch 38 and a water supply amount adjustment switch 39 for controlling the water supply amount to High and Low are provided. A drain switch 40 is disposed on the operation panel .
[0021]
In addition, said flow volume adjustment can also be performed with the operation switch provided in the said operation part 10B. For example, air supply and water supply operation switches may be arranged separately, and the air supply operation switch and the water supply operation switch may be a two-stage switch, or an operation switch capable of performing stepwise control by detecting the operation pressing force. It may be a body.
[0022]
For example, this operation switch body includes a pressure-sensitive diode, a piezo-type micromachine silicon element, or the like as a pressure sensor, and is configured to be pushed by an operation body (push button unit) that moves up and down (or an operation stroke amount). May be detected). According to this, the air supply amount or the water supply amount can be variably adjusted by controlling the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valves V2, V3 or V5, V6 in accordance with the stepwise pressing force of the operating body.
[0023]
This example is configured as described above, and when performing air supply or water supply, the air supply / water supply adjustment switches 38 and 39 and the air supply / water supply switch 16 of the endoscope operation unit 10B are operated. Actually, the opening and closing operations of the solenoid valves V1 to V7 at this time are shown in FIG. That is, when the electromagnetic valve unit 20 is turned on, the water supply pump 23 and the air supply pump 27 are operated, and as shown in FIG. 3A, for example, the electromagnetic valves V2 and V3 are opened (OPEN) [ Only one side may be opened], the solenoid valves V5 and V6 are opened, and the air from the pumps 23 and 27 is discharged to the atmosphere (V9 is opened on the suction side).
[0024]
When the first stage of the air / water supply switch 16 is pushed with the air supply amount adjustment switch 38 set to High, the electromagnetic valve V4 of the air supply pipe 13C is opened as shown in FIG. Solenoid valves V5 and V6 for flow adjustment are closed (CLOSE). According to this, since both the atmosphere open pipes 28A and 28B are closed, air is supplied through the air supply pipes 13C to 13A at a high flow rate value (in a state where the flow rate per unit time is large). For example, this operation can send air into a body cavity such as the stomach in a short time.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the second stage of the air supply / water supply switch 16 is pushed with the water supply amount adjustment switch 39 set to High, the electromagnetic valve V1 of the water supply pipe 12C is opened, as shown in FIG. Both adjusting solenoid valves V2 and V3 are closed. Also in this case, since both the atmosphere open pipes 25A and 25B are closed, water is supplied through the water supply pipes 12C to 12A at a high flow rate value. For example, it is possible to remove dirt adhered to the observation window by this operation, and it is possible to perform good washing with relatively strong (high flow rate) water supply.
[0026]
Next, when the first stage of the air / water switch 16 is pushed with the air amount adjustment switch 38 set to Low, the electromagnetic valve V4 of the air pipe 13C is turned on as shown in FIG. Only one solenoid valve V6 for opening and adjusting the flow rate is closed. According to this, since only one atmosphere open pipe 28B is closed, air is supplied at a low flow rate value (a state where the flow rate per unit time is small). For example, the draining after the water washing can be performed by this operation, and the draining can be performed satisfactorily with a relatively weak (low flow rate) air supply.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the water supply amount adjustment switch 39 is switched to Low and the second stage of the air / water supply switch 16 is pressed, the electromagnetic valve V1 of the water supply pipe 12C is opened, as shown in FIG. Only the adjusting solenoid valve V2 is closed. Also in this case, since only one atmosphere release pipe 25A is closed, water is supplied at a low flow rate value.
[0028]
When the drain switch 40 of the solenoid valve unit 20 is pushed after the use of the endoscope is finished, the solenoid valve V7 of the first connecting pipe 30 is opened and the flow rate is changed as shown in F of FIG. Adjusting solenoid valves V5 and V6 are closed. As a result, the air from the air supply pump 27 is sent to the tip through the water supply pipes 12C, 12B, and 12A, thereby draining and cleaning the pipe. In this way, it is possible to independently control air supply and water supply at a flow rate or flow rate according to the purpose.
[0029]
When the suction switch 17 shown in FIG. 1 is pressed, the electromagnetic valve V8 is opened and the electromagnetic valve V9 is closed, and suction is performed through the suction pipes 14C to 14A, so that the filth sucked from the tip portion 10A, etc. Is discharged to the suction tank 30.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the air / water supply device of the second example of the embodiment. In the second example, the water supply pipe 12 is drained by using two pumps. . This second example is substantially the same as the first example, but in the solenoid valve unit 41, the second connecting pipe 42 is connected from the pipe 24A connected to the water supply pump 23 to the outlet side of the first connecting pipe 30. In addition, the electromagnetic valve V10 is attached to the second connecting pipe 42.
[0031]
According to the second example, when the drain switch 40 of the solenoid valve unit 41 is pressed, the solenoid valve V7 of the first connection pipe 30 and the solenoid valve V10 of the second connection pipe 42 are opened, and the flow rate adjustment is performed. Solenoid valves V5, V6, V2 and V3 are closed. These solenoid valves V2, V3, V5 and V6 can be opened to reduce the flow rate. According to this, it is possible to drain water inside the water supply pipes 12C, 12B and 12A by supplying air from both the air supply pump 27 and the water supply pump 23. Compared with the first example, it has a high power. It is possible to drain water by supplying air.
[0032]
In the above embodiment, the flow rate is adjusted in two steps, but the number of controls can be set arbitrarily. In addition, the first and second connection pipes 30 and 42 are arranged to supply air to the water supply pipe 12, but may be arranged to supply water to the air supply pipe 13.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the air supply pump and the water supply pump are arranged independently, and the air supply pipe line and the water supply pipe line are connected by the first connection pipe, and the first connection pipe is provided. Since the air supply pump can be supplied only to the water supply line by closing the air supply pipe on / off valve , air supply and water supply can be performed at a flow rate or flow rate according to the purpose. For example, the water pipe can be drained.
[0034]
According to the invention of claim 2, since the two pumps can be used for one pipe line by the second connecting pipe and the on-off valve, for example, the air can be supplied into the water pipe with the two pumps. In this case, there is an advantage that the range for selecting the strength of air supply for draining is widened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope air / water supply device according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention on an endoscope side.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration on the side of an electromagnetic valve unit connected to the endoscope of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of a solenoid valve during an air supply or water supply operation.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration on a solenoid valve unit side of a device of a second example of an embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration on the electromagnetic valve unit side of a conventional endoscope.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 20, 41 ... Solenoid valve unit,
2,12 ... water pipe, 3,13 ... air pipe,
10… Endoscope,
16 ... air / water switch,
23… water pump,
25 (A, B), 28 (A, B), 34 ... open air pipe,
27 ... Air pump,
30 ... 1st connecting pipe,
36 ... control unit,
38 ... Air supply adjustment switch,
39 ... Water supply amount adjustment switch,
40 ... Drain switch,
42 ... second connecting pipe,
V1 to V13 ... Solenoid valves.

Claims (2)

In an endoscope air / water supply device that supplies air and water to the tip through an air supply line and a water supply line,
An air supply pump for performing the above air supply;
A water supply pump for performing the above water supply separately from the air supply pump,
A first connection pipe connecting the air supply pipe line and the water supply pipe line;
A first connecting pipe on- off valve for controlling opening and closing of the first connecting pipe ;
An air supply pipe opening / closing valve for controlling the opening / closing of the air supply pipe, which is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope with respect to the connection point to which the first connection pipe of the air supply pipe is connected ;
An endoscopic air / water supply device characterized in that air can be supplied only from the air supply pump to the water supply conduit . A second connection pipe for connecting the water pump to the water pipe for air supply;
A second connecting pipe opening / closing valve for controlling the opening and closing of the second connecting pipe ;
Feeding of the endoscope 請 Motomeko 1 wherein you characterized in that as to the water supply channel in a state where no air into the feed conduit can be performed air at two pumps by the flue-off valve Pneumatic water supply device.

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