JP4147200B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope having an adhesive portion in which members are bonded and fixed using an adhesive.

  Conventionally, by inserting a long and thin insertion portion into a body cavity, the inside of a body cavity can be observed, and various medical treatments can be performed using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel as necessary. Endoscopes are widely used.

  In particular, endoscopes used in the medical field are used to observe various organs by inserting an insertion portion into a body cavity and using a treatment instrument inserted into a treatment instrument channel of an endoscope. Take action.

  For this reason, when an endoscope or treatment tool that has been used once is reused for another patient, it is necessary to prevent infection between patients via the endoscope or treatment tool. Had to clean and disinfect.

  In recent years, autoclave sterilization (high-pressure steam sterilization) that can be used immediately after sterilization without complicated work and has low running cost is becoming the mainstream of disinfection sterilization processing of endoscope devices.

  For this reason, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-56897 provides a durable endoscopic tube fixing portion in which the flexible outer tube is not damaged by contraction of the binding thread even if boil sterilization or steam sterilization is performed. Therefore, a short fiber yarn made of synthetic resin having a shrinkage ratio of 14% or less comparing the length at room temperature before being placed in steam at about 132 ° C. and the length at room temperature after being placed is used. What was there is shown.

  For example, in order to fix the flexible outer tube covering the curved portion, an adhesive is applied to the yarn of the short fiber. As this adhesive, in order to enable high-pressure steam sterilization, an adhesive having a high heat resistance temperature is used.

  In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-253168 discloses a check as a pressure adjusting member having a check valve that is a pressure adjusting means inside the endoscope in order to prevent damage to the endoscope in the sterilization process having a pressure reducing process. A valve adapter that is detachably provided on an endoscope is shown.

  By the way, since the check valve adapter shown in the endoscope internal pressure adjusting device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-253168 is detachable, there is a risk of damaging the endoscope due to forgetting to attach it during the sterilization process. there were. For this reason, there has been a demand for an endoscope apparatus that prevents forgetting to attach the pressure adjusting member during sterilization and prevents the endoscope from being damaged.

  In addition, even if the pressure adjustment member is forgotten to be attached at the time of sterilization, an endoscope device that prevents the endoscope from being damaged, or an endoscope device that can prevent forgetting to attach the pressure adjustment member and has good reprocessability. Offer was desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents the endoscope from being damaged by forgetting to attach the pressure adjusting member during sterilization. Even when the pressure adjusting member is forgotten, the endoscope is provided. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope apparatus that prevents breakage of the apparatus and improves workability in reprocessing.

An endoscope apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with an endoscope including an electrical connector portion having an electrical contact that can be connected to an endoscope control device that controls the endoscope, and the electrical connector portion. In addition, the electrical contact and the vent are sealed in a liquid-tight manner by connecting to the electrical connector portion and the vent that communicates the interior and the exterior of the endoscope, and the pressure outside the endoscope A waterproof cap having a check valve that opens when the pressure is lower than the pressure inside the endoscope and communicates with the inside and outside of the endoscope, and the inside of the endoscope provided in the waterproof cap. wherein a gas supply unit connected to the gas source for pressurizing, in a state where said gas supply and the gas supply source is connected, together to communicate the interior of the endoscope and the gas supply source so as to block the communication between the non-gas source, A fixing means for fixing the Kigyakutomeben opened, to control the state of the waterproof cap by fixing the fixing means the check valve is rotated in the circumferential direction in the open state with respect to the check valve And a control unit.

According to a second endoscope apparatus of the present invention, in the first endoscope apparatus, the check valve has a gas supply base connected to the gas supply source. The check valve is fixed in a closed state in a state where the gas supply source is connected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being damaged by forgetting to attach the pressure adjusting member during sterilization, and to prevent the endoscope from being damaged even when the pressure adjusting member is forgotten to be attached. At the same time, it is possible to provide an endoscope apparatus with improved reprocessability.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration including an adhesive portion provided at a distal end rigid portion and a bending portion. FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating the configuration of the bonding portion of the operation portion cover that constitutes the operation portion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an electronic endoscope (hereinafter referred to as an endoscope) 2 provided with an imaging unit, a light source device 3 that supplies illumination light, and an imaging unit. And a video processor 4 for processing signals obtained from the image pickup means and a monitor 5 connected to the video processor 4. Reference numeral 50 denotes a sterilization storage case which stores the endoscope 2 to be described later.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated and flexible insertion portion 10, an operation portion 11 provided continuously with a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 10, and a flexibility extending from a side of the operation portion 11. And a universal cord 12 having

  A connector 12 a detachably attached to the light source device 3 is provided at the end of the universal cord 12. By connecting the connector 12a to the light source device 3, illumination light from a lamp (not shown) provided in the light source device 3 is transmitted through a light guide (not shown) of the endoscope 2 to irradiate an observation site. ing.

  The connecting portion between the insertion portion 10 and the operation portion is provided with an insertion portion bending prevention member 7a made of an elastic member that prevents sudden bending, and the connection portion between the operation portion 11 and the universal cord 12 is the same. Further, an operation portion folding preventing member 7b is provided, and a connector portion folding preventing member 7c is similarly provided at a connecting portion between the universal cord 12 and the connector 12a.

  The elongated and flexible insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 is rigid in order from the distal end side, for example, a distal end rigid portion 13 provided with an observation window and an illumination window (not shown) on the distal end surface, and a plurality of bending pieces. A curved portion 14 that can be connected and bent, and a flexible tube portion 15 that is a flexible soft portion having delicate flexibility and elasticity are connected to each other. The bending portion 14 is bent by appropriately operating a bending operation knob 16 provided in the operation portion 11 so that the distal end surface of the distal end rigid portion 13 provided with an observation window or the like is directed in a desired direction. It has become.

  In addition to the bending operation knob 16, the operation unit 11 performs an air supply operation and a water supply operation when a cleaning liquid or gas is ejected from an air supply / water supply nozzle (not shown) provided on the distal end surface toward the observation window. A pneumatic operation button 17 and a suction operation button 18 for performing a suction operation through a suction port (not shown) provided on the distal end surface, a plurality of remote switches 19 for remotely operating the video processor 4 and an insertion portion of the endoscope 2 A treatment instrument insertion port 20 that communicates with a treatment instrument channel disposed on the instrument is provided.

  An electrical connector portion 12b is provided on the side of the connector 12a. A signal connector 6a of a signal cable 6 connected to the video processor 4 is detachably connected to the electrical connector portion 12b. By connecting the signal connector 6a to the video processor 4, the imaging means of the endoscope 2 is controlled, and a video signal is generated from the electrical signal transmitted from the imaging means, and the endoscopic observation image is converted into the above-mentioned endoscope observation image. It is displayed on the screen of the monitor 5. The electrical connector portion 12b is provided with a vent (not shown) that communicates the inside and the outside of the endoscope 2. For this reason, a waterproof cap (hereinafter abbreviated as a waterproof cap) 9a, which will be described later, provided with a pressure adjustment valve (not shown) that closes the vent is detachably attached to the electrical connector portion 12b of the endoscope 2. It is the composition.

  The connector 12a has a gas supply base 12c that is detachably connected to a gas supply source (not shown) built in the light source device 3, and a water supply tank that is detachably connected to a water supply tank 8 that is a liquid supply source. A pressure base 12d and a liquid supply base 12e, a suction base 12f connected to a suction source (not shown) for performing suction from the suction port, and an injection base 12g connected to a water supply means (not shown) for water supply are provided. ing.

  Further, when a high frequency leakage current is generated in the endoscope 2 when performing a high frequency treatment or the like, an earth terminal base 12h is provided for returning the leakage current to a high frequency treatment device (not shown).

  The endoscope 2 is configured to be capable of high-pressure steam sterilization after washing when used for observation or treatment. When the endoscope 2 is high-pressure steam sterilized, the waterproof cap 9a is used. Is attached to the electrical connector portion 12b.

  When the endoscope 2 is sterilized by high-pressure steam, the endoscope 2 is stored in the sterilization storage case 50. The sterilization storage case 50 includes a tray 51, which is a case body, and a lid member 52. The tray 51 includes parts such as an insertion portion 10, an operation portion 11, a universal cord 12, and a connector 12a of the endoscope 2. A restricting member (not shown) corresponding to the shape of the endoscope is disposed so as to fit in a predetermined position. The tray 51 and the lid member 52 are formed with a plurality of vent holes for guiding high-pressure steam.

  The tray 51 is provided with a composite film having a porous structure that is resistant to a cleaning agent used for endoscope cleaning prior to high-pressure steam sterilization and allows water vapor to pass therethrough. The cleaning liquid may be stored in the tray for cleaning, and the cleaning liquid may be placed in the high-pressure steam sterilizer after cleaning.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a distal end portion main body 21 formed of a metal member such as SUS303 (stainless steel), which is a hard member, is disposed on the distal end rigid portion 13 of the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2. An insulating cover member 22, which is an exterior member, is bonded and fixed to the distal end side of the distal end main body 21 with an adhesive 61.

  This insulating cover member 22 has good chemical resistance such as polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymer, polyamideimide, etc. It is formed of a resin having heat resistance against a high temperature above the temperature, and polyphenylsulfone is used in this embodiment. If the heat distortion temperature, which is an index indicating heat resistance, is defined as the heat resistant temperature, one having a heat resistant temperature of about 210 ° C. is selected.

  A distal end side bending piece 23a positioned at the forefront of the plurality of bending pieces 23 constituting the bending portion 14 is connected and fixed to the proximal end side portion of the distal end portion main body 21 by screws or the like. On the other hand, the proximal-side bending piece 23e positioned at the proximal ends of the plurality of bending pieces 23 constituting the bending portion 14 is, for example, a distal-side base 24 formed of SUS303 provided at the distal end portion of the flexible tube portion 15. Are connected and fixed by screws or the like.

  The bending pieces 23 are connected to each other by a rivet 53 or the like, and a mesh tube 25 formed by braiding a thin metal wire is coated on the outside of the connected bending pieces 23. Further, a curved portion outer tube (hereinafter abbreviated as outer tube) 26 which is a member to be bonded is covered on the outside.

  The outer tube 26 is made of a resin such as fluororubber and has a heat resistant temperature of about 200 ° C. The distal end side of the outer tube 26 is covered with the proximal end portion of the distal end portion main body 21, and the distal end surface is substantially in contact with the proximal end surface of the insulating cover member 22. On the other hand, the proximal end side of the outer tube 26 is covered with the distal end side cap 24.

  The flexible tube portion 15 is a member to be bonded, and in order from the inner layer side, a spiral tube 27 formed by spirally winding a metal strip to a uniform diameter, and a thin metal wire covering the spiral tube 27 are braided. The formed mesh tube 25 and an outer skin layer 28 covering the mesh tube 25 are arranged. A resin coat layer 29 such as a fluororesin is further provided on the outer surface of the outer skin layer 28.

  The outer skin layer 28 is formed of, for example, a resin such as a styrene resin, an ester thermoplastic elastomer, an amide thermoplastic elastomer, etc. In this embodiment, an ester thermoplastic elastomer resin is used as a base material, and the heat resistance temperature is about The thing of about 160 degreeC is selected. The resin coat layer 29 is made of a fluororesin as a base material and having a heat resistant temperature of about 200 ° C. The distal end surface of the outer skin layer 28 is configured to substantially contact the proximal end surface of the outer skin tube 26 covered with the distal end side cap 24.

  The outer peripheral surface end of the outer tube 26 is tightly bound by a fixing thread 31 wound together, and is thereby pressed and fixed to the distal end body 21 and the distal end base 24 located on the inner surface side of the outer tube 26. Yes.

  On the tip side, an adhesive 62a is applied between the inner surface of the outer skin tube 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion main body 21 to firmly bond and fix them, and on the outer surface side of the fixing thread 31. In addition, an adhesive 62a is applied from the insulating cover member 22 to the outer tube 26 so as to completely cover the fixing thread 31 to provide an adhesive portion. Accordingly, the fixing thread 31 is covered and protected, while the boundary portion between the insulating cover member 22 and the outer tube 26 is sealed in a watertight manner.

  On the other hand, on the base end side, an adhesive 62 b is applied between the inner surface of the outer skin tube 26 and the outer peripheral surface of the distal end side cap 24 to firmly bond and fix them, and the outer surface of the fixing thread 31. The adhesive portion 62b is provided by applying the adhesive 62b from the resin coat layer 29 provided on the outer skin layer 28 to the outer skin tube 26 so as to completely cover the fixing thread 31 on the side. Accordingly, the fixing thread 31 is covered and protected, while the boundary portion between the flexible tube portion 15 and the outer tube 26 is sealed in a watertight manner.

  An illumination lens unit 40 is disposed on the tip body 21. The illumination lens unit 40 includes a metal pipe-shaped illumination lens frame 41 such as SUS303 and an illumination lens group 42 disposed and fixed in the illumination lens frame 41.

  The illumination lens frame 41 is inserted and disposed in the tip lens hole 21a formed in the axial direction in the tip body 21 and the cover member lens hole 22a formed in the insulating cover member 22. An adhesive 63 is applied between the illumination lens frame 41 and the tip lens hole 21a and the cover member lens hole 22a so as to be firmly bonded and fixed.

  Further, a tip channel pipe hole 21b and a cover member channel pipe hole 22b are formed in the tip body 21 and the insulating cover member 22, respectively, and a metal channel such as SUS303 is formed in each of the holes 21b and 22b. A pipe 43 is inserted and disposed, and an adhesive 63 is applied between the channel pipe 43 and the front end channel pipe hole 21b and the cover member channel pipe hole 22b to firmly bond and fix them.

  Further, the distal end portion of the pipe tube 44 which is a member to be bonded formed of a long tube body made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or the like is engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion of the channel pipe 43. Has been. The fixing thread 31 is tightly bound to the outside of the pipe tube 44, and an adhesive 64 is applied between the pipe tube 44 and the channel pipe 43 so as to be integrally bonded and fixed. In addition, the pipe tube 44 of this embodiment has selected the thing whose heat-resistant temperature is about 260 degreeC.

  On the other hand, a bending operation mechanism (not shown) for bending the bending section 14 is accommodated in the operation section 11. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation part 11 is comprised by the several operation part cover members 66, 67, and 68 which are exterior members.

  The operation unit cover members 66, 67, 68 have good chemical resistance such as polyphenylsulfone, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, liquid crystal polymer, polyamideimide, The operation portion cover members 66, 67, 68 formed of polyphenylene sulfide having a heat resistance of about 260 ° C. are formed of a resin having heat resistance against a high temperature equal to or higher than the temperature of the autoclave sterilization process. .

  The outer surface of the operation unit cover member 67 is provided with a surface treatment unit 69 that represents characters and symbols such as product names by painting or printing, for example. The surface treatment unit 69 includes the operation unit cover. A material having substantially the same heat resistance temperature as the resin material of the member 67 is used. The operation unit cover member 66 and the operation unit cover member 67 are integrally bonded and fixed by an adhesive 65.

  In the vicinity of the bonding portion between the operation unit cover member 66 and the operation unit cover member 67, a ring 70 is provided for watertightness between the operation unit cover member 67 and the operation unit cover member 68. The O-ring 70 is made of fluoro rubber and has a heat resistant temperature of about 250 ° C.

Here, the adhesives 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 will be described.
First, the adhesives 62a and 62b that adhere parts having a high frequency of decomposition will be described.

  In consideration of workability when the outer tube 26 is assembled in the present embodiment, the adhesives 62a and 62b are the same adhesive as the adhesive 62a and the adhesive 62b, that is, the adhesive 62a and the adhesive 62b are adhesives. 62, by adding various additives to the epoxy resin as the base material, the physical properties against the thermal load are changed, and the adhesive strength is lowered by applying predetermined heat to the bonded portion in the bonded state (the bonded portion is reduced). It is set so that it can be destroyed. Hereinafter, the predetermined heat for reducing the adhesive strength, that is, the heating temperature at this time, is hereinafter referred to as a thermal breakdown temperature (hereinafter abbreviated as temperature H) for convenience.

  In other words, the adhesive 62 can be easily broken by heating, and this temperature H1 is set to the maximum set temperature hmax applicable to the sterilization process of the endoscope 2 using the high-pressure steam sterilization method. On the other hand, the outer tube 26, the insulating cover member 22, the distal end main body 21, the outer skin layer 28 of the flexible tube portion 15, the resin coat layer 29, and the distal end side cap, which are members to be bonded by the adhesive 62. 24 and the pipe tube 44 that is a member disposed in the vicinity of the bonding portion, which is disposed in the vicinity of the bonding portion, and the like.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the endoscope 2 is sterilized at 138 ° C., which is the highest temperature in the sterilization step of a general high-pressure steam sterilization method. Therefore, hmax = 138 ° C., and the temperature H 1 of the adhesive 62 is set to 138 ° C. or higher.

  On the other hand, the temperature H1 of the adhesive 62 is attached to the tip body 21 and the tip-side base 24 formed of SUS303, that is, the heat resistant temperature of the outer tube 26 having a heat resistant temperature lower than that of SUS303 is about 200 ° C. or less. Alternatively, the heat resistance temperature of the insulating cover member 22 is 210 ° C. or lower, the heat resistance temperature of the pipe tube 44 is 260 ° C. or lower, the heat resistance temperature of the outer skin layer 28 of the flexible tube portion 15 is about 160 ° C. or lower, or the heat resistance temperature of the resin coat layer 29 It is 200 degrees C or less. For this reason, the temperature H1 is set to 160 [deg.] Or less in order to reliably prevent any member to be bonded from being destroyed by heating. As a result, the temperature H is in the range of 138 ° C. <H 1 <160 ° C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the temperature H of the adhesive 62 is set to H 1 ≈145 ° C.

  The adhesives 61, 63, 64 other than the adhesives 62a, 62b have a relatively low frequency of decomposition compared to the parts using the adhesives 62a, 62b. Therefore, the temperature H2 of the adhesives 61, 63, 64 is set to H2≈160 ° C., which is higher than the temperature H1 (H≈145 ° C.) of the adhesives 62a, 62b.

  On the other hand, the temperature H3 of the adhesive 65 is not less than the maximum set temperature 138 ° C. applicable to the sterilization process by the high-pressure steam sterilization method of the endoscope 2, and the operation unit cover members 66, 67, 68 and the surface treatment unit. The heat-resistant temperature of 69 is 260 ° C. or lower, or the heat-resistant temperature of the O-ring 70 is 250 ° C. or lower. Therefore, the temperature H3 is set to 250 ° or less in order to reliably prevent any member to be bonded from being destroyed by heating. As a result, the temperature H falls within the range of 138 ° C. <H <250 ° C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the temperature H 3 of the adhesive 65 is set to H 3 ≈170 ° C.

Here, typical conditions for autoclaving the endoscope 2 will be described.
As typical conditions, the American Standards Association approved and the American Standard ANSI / AAMI ST37-1992 issued by the Medical Device Development Association, the pre-vacuum type sterilization process at 132 ° C for 4 minutes and the gravity type sterilization process at 132 ° C. 10 minutes.

  The temperature condition during the sterilization process of high-pressure steam sterilization varies depending on the type of the high-pressure steam sterilization apparatus and the time of the sterilization process, but is generally set in the range of about 115 ° C to 138 ° C. Some sterilizers can be set to around 142 ° C.

  About time conditions, it changes with temperature conditions of a sterilization process. Generally, it is set to about 3 to 60 minutes. Some types of sterilizers can be set to about 100 minutes.

  The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this step is generally set to about +0.2 MPa with respect to atmospheric pressure.

  Next, the high-pressure steam sterilization process of an endoscope in a general pre-vacuum type will be briefly described.

  In a general pre-vacuum type high-pressure steam sterilization process, a pre-vacuum process in which the sterilization chamber containing the equipment to be sterilized is depressurized before the sterilization process, and then high-pressure high-temperature steam is sent into the sterilization chamber for sterilization. A sterilization step is included.

  In addition, this pre-vacuum process is a process for infiltrating vapor | steam to the detail of the sterilization object apparatus at the time of a sterilization process, and a high pressure, high temperature steam will spread over the whole sterilization object apparatus by depressurizing the sterilization chamber. . The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this pre-vacuum process is generally set to about -0.07 to -0.09 MPa with respect to atmospheric pressure.

  In order to dry the sterilization target equipment after sterilization, there is a type of apparatus that performs drying (drying process) after the sterilization process is completed and the sterilization chamber is again decompressed. In this case, in this drying step, the interior of the sterilization chamber is depressurized to remove steam from the sterilization chamber to promote drying of the sterilization target device in the sterilization chamber. The pressure in the sterilization chamber in this drying step is generally set to about -0.07 MPa to -0.09 MPa with respect to atmospheric pressure. In addition, the said drying process is arbitrarily performed as needed.

  As described above, the inside and the outside of the insertion portion 10 of the endoscope 2 are exposed to high-pressure steam during the sterilization process, but the temperatures H of the adhesive 62 and the adhesives 61, 63, 64, and 65 are 145 ° C. and 160 ° C., respectively. Since the temperature is set to 0 ° C. and 170 ° C., the bonded portion formed by applying the adhesives 61, 62, 63, 64, and 65 is not deteriorated by the high-pressure steam.

  On the other hand, the outer tube 26 of the bending portion 14 is an exterior member of the endoscope 2 and is a portion that is more likely to be damaged due to perforation or the like than other members. For this reason, when the outer tube 26 has a hole, for example, it needs to be replaced, and this replacement step will be described.

  First, when the outer tube 26 is perforated, the outer tube 26 is heated by a heating means such as a heat gun in order to destroy the bonded portions formed by the adhesives 62a and 62b at both ends. The heating temperature at this time is slightly higher than about 145 ° C. which is the temperature H1 of the adhesives 62a and 62b, and the outer tube 26, the distal end body 21, the insulating cover member 22, the distal end side cap 24, and the outer skin layer 28. The temperature is about 155 ° C., which is lower than the heat resistance temperature of the resin coat layer 29 and the pipe tube 44.

  And the adhesion part by the said adhesive agents 62a and 62b is heated at 155 degreeC, and this adhesion part is destroyed. That is, when the bonded portions by the adhesives 62a and 62b are heated, the heat applied to the outer tube 26, the distal end main body 21, the insulating cover member 22, the distal end side cap 24, the outer skin layer 28, and the resin coat layer 29 is transferred to these members. Since the heat is lower than the heat-resistant temperature, only the bonded portion is destroyed without causing damage such as melting or carbonization of these members, and the outer tube 26 can be easily removed. Further, the insulating cover member 22 and the flexible tube portion 15 which are not adversely affected by melting or carbonization due to heat can be used again.

  When the adhesive 62a on the distal end side of the outer tube 26 is heated, the pipe tube 44 disposed in the vicinity of the heated portion is also heated to substantially the same temperature, but the temperature at this time is the pipe tube 44. Since the pipe tube 44 is not damaged by this heating, it can be reused.

  Moreover, since the temperature which heats the adhesion part by adhesive agent 62a, 62b is set lower than the heat-resistant temperature of the adhesive agents 61, 63, 64 near this adhesion part, the adhesion part of adhesive agents 61, 63, 64 Is not destroyed by this heating. That is, when the adhesives 62a and 62b are destroyed by heating, there is no need to re-adhere the adhesive portions of the adhesives 61, 63, and 64.

  Further, when repairing or replacing the illumination lens unit 55 or the imaging optical unit (not shown) built in the bending portion 14 or the distal end portion main body 21, the outer tube 26 is first removed. At this time, since the outer tube 26 and the surrounding exterior members of the outer tube 26 are not damaged by heat, the outer tube 26 and the surrounding exterior members can be reused after repairing or replacing the target portion. It is.

  Further, as described above, not only repair and replacement, but also in the manufacturing process of the endoscope 2, in the event that a hole is made in the outer tube 26, or when the outer tube 26 becomes slack, the outer tube 26 is again formed. Even when the assembly needs to be performed, the outer tube 26 can be replaced, corrected, or the like, as in the case of repairing or replacing the target member described above.

  When the insulating cover member 22 is damaged and replaced, the insulating cover member 22 is heated at a temperature slightly higher than about 160 ° C. which is the heat resistant temperature of the adhesive 61 and lower than the heat resistant temperature 210 ° C. of the insulating cover member 22, for example, 165 ° C. . At this time, since the heat applied to the insulating cover member 22 is lower than the heat-resistant temperature, the insulating cover member 22 can be easily removed from the tip end body 21 because there is no damage such as melting or carbonization due to heat. It does not affect the surrounding parts.

  In addition, the pipe tube 44 disposed in the vicinity of the heating portion is also heated to substantially the same temperature, but since this heating temperature is lower than the heat-resistant temperature of the pipe tube 44, the pipe tube 44 is not damaged. Of course, it can be reused.

  Further, when the insulating cover member 22 to be replaced is destroyed by heat, the temperature H of the adhesive is set to the insulating cover member if it does not affect the detachability of the insulating cover member 22 and does not affect other parts. The heat resistance temperature of 22 may be set higher than 210 ° C. In this case, the heat resistant temperature of the pipe tube 44 is lower than 260 ° C., that is, the range of the temperature H is 210 ° C. <H <260 ° C., for example, 220 ° C.

  As a result, when the adhesive 61 is destroyed by heating, the insulating cover member 22 as a member to be replaced is damaged, but the duct tube 44 is not damaged and can be reused.

  In addition, in the case where a plurality of adhesive portions are provided close to each other, for example, a portion having a high repair frequency or a high frequency of decomposition may be used to prevent the other adhesive portion from being destroyed when the one adhesive portion is disassembled. The temperature H of the adhesive used in the above is set lower than that of the adhesive having a lower frequency of decomposition. As a result, when a portion having a high decomposition frequency is disassembled, it is possible to reliably prevent the bonded portion at a portion having a low decomposition frequency from being broken.

  On the other hand, when repairing a bending operation mechanism (not shown) inside the operation unit, the operation unit cover member 66 and the operation unit cover member 67 are heated to 180 ° C. in order to destroy the bonding portion by the adhesive 64 that bonds and fixes the operation unit cover member 67. As a result, the bonded portion can be destroyed to repair the operation portion cover member 66 and the operation portion cover member 67 separately. At this time, the heat applied to the operation portion cover members 66, 67, 68 and the surface treatment portion 69 of the operation portion cover member 67 and the O-ring 70 is lower than the heat-resistant temperature of each member. There is no damage or deterioration of painting or printing. For this reason, it is possible to assemble and use again after repairing a bending operation mechanism.

  In the present embodiment, since it can be easily disassembled by heating at a predetermined temperature, a mechanical load is applied to the bonded member or a member disposed in the vicinity of the bonded portion, which is in the vicinity of the bonded portion, Damage due to can be prevented and reliable work can be done.

  As described above, the thermal destruction temperature of the adhesive applied when the adhesive is fixed is set to be equal to or higher than the maximum set temperature applicable to the sterilization process of the high-pressure steam sterilization of the endoscope. By setting the temperature within a range lower than the heat resistance temperature of each member and each member disposed in the vicinity of the bonded portion, it is ensured that the bonded portion will deteriorate due to exposure to high pressure steam during high pressure steam sterilization. Can be prevented.

  In addition, when a problem occurs in the bonded member and it is replaced or repaired, the bonded part is heated at a predetermined temperature, so that the defective part or its vicinity can be repaired without being damaged by heat. It can be carried out. As a result, a member having a surface treatment layer having a relatively low heat resistance or a member formed of a resin is not damaged during repair or the like, and repair or the like can be performed at low cost by reusing portions other than the defective portion.

  Furthermore, by setting the heat destruction temperature of the adhesive used for bonding of the parts with high decomposition frequency lower than the heat destruction temperature of the adhesive used for bonding of the parts with low decomposition frequency, the repair frequency and the decomposition frequency are high. Other parts are not damaged when the outer skin of the curved portion is disassembled, and correction and repair can be performed easily and inexpensively. In addition, it is easy to disassemble at the time of disassembly, and expensive parts having a surface treatment layer such as painting, printing, metal surface treatment, and optical coating are not damaged, and correction and repair can be performed easily and inexpensively. Furthermore, the range of selection of the material and surface treatment of the members to be bonded and the members disposed in the vicinity of the bonding portion is widened.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, when repairing or replacing a defective part, the defective part, a part bonded to this part, a part disposed in the vicinity of this bonded part, etc. are not damaged by heat, and other than the defective part. The parts can be reused.

  In addition, exterior parts that are frequently disassembled when repairing or replacing internal parts are not damaged by the heat during disassembly, so they can be easily repaired and repaired at low cost. An endoscope can be provided.

  When setting the heat-resistant temperature of the adhesive, the temperature to be compared is not limited to the heat-resistant temperature of the material itself, for example, metal parts such as oxalic acid alumite, sulfuric acid alumite, and chromate that are surface treatments applied to aluminum materials, etc. The heat resistance temperature of the surface treatment such as the metal surface treatment applied to the surface or the coating and printing performed on the metal or resin material, the optical coating performed on the surface of the optical member such as the illumination lens group 42 is also taken into consideration.

  Moreover, if the thermal destruction temperature of the adhesive is made substantially the same as the temperature adapted to the sterilization process of high-pressure steam sterilization, the heat resistance temperature of the member to be bonded and the member provided in the vicinity of the bonded portion is lowered. As a result, the degree of freedom in selecting the material of the member is widened, and an inexpensive material or a material excellent in function can be selected. For example, in the case of the endoscope 2 intended to correspond to a general temperature of autoclave sterilization, the thermal destruction temperature of the adhesive is set to about 140 ° C to 150 ° C with respect to the temperature 138 ° C of autoclave. .

  Furthermore, when a ceramic adhesive is used as the material of the adhesive, the heat resistance is good, but since the heat resistant temperature is very high, it is difficult to have the characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, if the epoxy resin is used as a base as in the above-described embodiment, the characteristics of the present invention can be provided, the adhesive strength is high, the chemical resistance is excellent, the cost is low, and the assembly workability is good. Become.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is provided in any casing of an endoscope, such as a casing member that covers an internal mechanism of a connector portion that is a connecting portion with an external device, for example, an adhesive portion of an endoscope. It may be adapted to a pipe tube 44, that is, a frequently repaired tube or the like, such as a water supply pipe, a liquid supply pipe, etc. for transferring the fluid, and particularly exposed to the surface of the endoscope, It is more effective in bonding parts that are easily damaged by external force or chemicals, parts that are disassembled when repairing a component built into the endoscope, and exterior members that are frequently disassembled.

  In addition, since the time for high-pressure steam sterilization can generally be shortened as the temperature rises, the time can be shortened by setting the heat-resistant temperature of the adhesive to 132 ° C. or higher. The sterilization time can be shortened.

  By the way, since the check valve adapter shown in the endoscope internal pressure adjusting device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-253168 is detachable, there is a risk of damaging the endoscope due to forgetting to attach it during the sterilization process. there were. For this reason, there has been a demand for an endoscope apparatus that prevents forgetting to attach the pressure adjusting member during sterilization and prevents the endoscope from being damaged.

  In addition, even if the pressure adjustment member is forgotten to be attached at the time of sterilization, an endoscope device that prevents the endoscope from being damaged, or an endoscope device that can prevent forgetting to attach the pressure adjustment member and has good reprocessability. Offer was desired.

  A configuration example of the waterproof cap 9a will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIGS. 4 to 7 relate to one configuration example of the waterproof cap. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the waterproof cap vent and the leak inspection cap attached to the vent cap. FIG. FIG. 6 is a developed view of the vicinity of FIG. 4 and FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the waterproof cap 9 a is detachably connected to an electrical connector portion 12 b having a vent (not shown) that communicates the inside and the outside of the endoscope 2. When the waterproof cap 9a is connected to the electrical connector portion 12b, the electrical connector portion 12b including the vent is sealed in a watertight manner by a seal member (not shown).

  A vent hole 71 is provided as a pressure adjusting means on the side of the waterproof cap 9a as a pressure adjusting member. The vent 71 has a substantially cylindrical shape in cross section and has a storage cylinder 72 having a through-hole 72a communicating the first space 71a and the second space 71b inside, and is slidable in the storage cylinder 72. And a check valve 73 having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion, and an inclined surface 73a connecting the large diameter portion and the thin diameter portion of the check valve 73 at a predetermined position. An O-ring 74 facing the slope 71c formed in the first space 71a and a compression coil spring 75 that biases the slope 73a of the check valve 73 toward the slope 71c of the first space 71a. It is configured. The compression coil spring 75 is provided at a predetermined position by a spring receiver 76 disposed at the end of the check valve 73, and the O-ring 74 is in close contact with the inclined surface 71c in this disposed state.

  A female screw portion is formed on the side of the large diameter portion of the check valve 73, and a first hole inserted into a long hole 77 formed on the small diameter portion side of the storage cylinder 72 is formed on the female screw portion. The pin 78 is screwed and fixed. Note that the head of the first pin 78 is positioned in the elongated hole 77 and restricts the check valve 73 from rotating in the storage cylinder 72.

  On the other hand, a second pin 79 projects from the outer peripheral surface of the large diameter end portion of the storage cylinder 72. The second pin 79 is screwed into a female screw portion formed in a through hole communicating with the second space portion 71b.

  A leak inspection base 80 as a control unit for controlling the vent base 71 is attached to the vent base 71, and a base end side space portion of the leak inspection base 80 has the storage cylinder 72. An O-ring 81 that is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion is provided at a predetermined position. The leak inspection cap 80 is provided at the end of a tube 82 which is a gas supply unit connected to a gas supply source such as a pump (not shown).

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a substantially L-shaped guide groove 83 into which the second pin 79 is engaged and the first pin 78 on the inner peripheral surface of the internal space portion of the leak inspection base 80. Is formed with a cam groove 84 that also serves as a fixing means for switching the position of the check valve 73.

  When the leak inspection base 80 is attached to the vent base 71, the first pin 78 and the second pin 79 are located at the positions shown in FIGS. At this time, since the check valve 73 is biased by the compression coil spring 75, the O-ring 74 is in close contact with the inclined surface 71c, that is, the check valve 73 is closed.

  Here, the leak inspection base 80 is rotated with respect to the vent base 71. Then, the second pin 79 moves along the guide groove 83 until it contacts the contact portion 83a. On the other hand, since the rotation of the first pin 78 is restricted by the elongated hole 77, the first pin 78 is moved upward from below the elongated hole 77 by the cam groove 84. That is, the check valve 73 is gradually pushed upward in the axial direction within the storage cylinder 72. Then, when the first pin 78 reaches the position of the end portion 84a, the check valve 73 is opened as shown in FIG.

  The outer surface of the waterproof cap 9a is provided with a display portion (not shown) such as “attached at the time of water leak inspection, washing, chemical immersion, high-pressure steam sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization”.

The operation of the vent cap 71 of this embodiment will be described.
For example, before washing after completion of the endoscopy, in order to confirm whether the endoscope 2 has been perforated or the like and watertightness has been destroyed, the inside of the endoscope 2 is pressurized and a leak test is performed. . Therefore, the waterproof cap 9a is attached to the electric connector part 12b, and the endoscope 2 is sealed watertight.

  Next, the leak inspection base 80 is connected to the vent base 71 of the waterproof cap 9a. At this time, the second pin 79 of the storage cylinder 72 is engaged with the guide groove 83 of the leak inspection base 80, and the first pin 78 of the check valve 73 is engaged with the cam groove 84 and moved in the longitudinal direction. The leak inspection base 80 is fitted on the storage cylinder 72 of the waterproof cap 9a so as to be mounted.

  Next, the leak inspection base 80 is rotated with respect to the storage cylinder 72. Then, the second pin 79 comes into contact with the contact portion 83 a of the guide groove 83. As a result, the first pin 78 of the check valve 73 disposed in the cam groove 84 and whose rotation is restricted is forcibly pushed up in the axial direction, and as shown in FIG. The check valve 73 is opened with a gap formed between it and 71c. In this state, a leak test is performed by supplying air from the gas supply source (not shown) to the inside of the endoscope 2 through the vent hole 71 and the vent hole of the electric connector portion 12b.

  Here, when it is confirmed that there is no abnormality in the watertight state, the leak inspection base 80 is continuously rotated to the opposite side to the position of the first pin 78 and the second pin 79 in the mounted state. After returning to the position, the leak inspection base 80 is removed from the vent base 71. As a result, the check valve 73 is closed, so that the endoscope 2 is sealed in a watertight manner, and washing is performed with a washing solution or the like.

  When cleaning is completed, in order to confirm whether or not the endoscope 2 has been damaged by the cleaning operation, the leak test cap 80 is attached and a leak test is performed in the same manner as described above.

  Next, if it is confirmed that there is no abnormality in the watertight state, high pressure steam sterilization is performed with the waterproof cap 9a attached to the electrical connector portion 12b. In this state, the vent hole is blocked by the waterproof cap 9a, so that the interior of the endoscope 2 is sealed in a watertight manner.

  In the case of a sterilization method having a pre-vacuum process, a pressure difference is generated such that the pressure in the sterilization chamber is reduced in this pre-vacuum process and the pressure is lower in the exterior than in the endoscope 2. The check valve 73 is moved against the urging force to open. Then, the inside and outside of the endoscope 2 communicate with each other through the vent hole, and a large pressure difference between the inside of the endoscope 2 and the pressure in the sterilization chamber is prevented. Thereby, the endoscope 2 is not damaged by the pressure difference between the inside and the outside.

  Further, in the sterilization process, a pressure difference is generated such that the inside of the sterilization chamber is pressurized and the pressure is higher outside the endoscope 2, and the check valve 73 is closed by the urging force of the compression coil spring 75. . As a result, high-pressure steam does not enter the endoscope 2 through the waterproof cap 9a and the vent hole. Thereby, the internal components of the endoscope 2 are prevented from being damaged by high-pressure and high-temperature steam. However, the high-pressure steam is formed of fluoro rubber, silicon rubber, or the like which is a sealing means provided in the outer tube 15c of the flexible tube 15 formed of a polymer material or a connecting portion of the exterior body of the endoscope 2. The light penetrates through the O-ring and the like and gradually enters the endoscope.

  At this time, the exterior body of the endoscope 2 is in a state in which pressure from the outside to the inside is generated by adding the pressure decompressed in the pre-vacuum process and the pressure pressurized in the sterilization process.

  Further, in the case of a method including a decompression step in the drying step after the sterilization step, the pressure in the sterilization chamber decreases in the decompression step, and a pressure difference is generated such that the pressure is lower outside the endoscope 2 than inside. . Then, the check valve 73 opens against the urging force of the compression coil spring 75, and the inside and outside of the endoscope 2 communicate with each other via the vent hole, so that the pressure inside the endoscope 2 and the inside of the sterilization chamber are increased. The endoscope 2 is prevented from being damaged due to the pressure difference between the inside and the outside. When the internal pressure of the endoscope 2 and the external pressure become substantially equal, the check valve 73 is closed by the urging force of the compression coil spring 75.

  When the drying process is completed and all the processes of high-pressure steam sterilization are completed, the inside of the endoscope 2 remains in a state of being decompressed in the decompression process of the drying process.

  When the high-pressure steam sterilization is completed, in order to check whether the endoscope 2 is damaged by the sterilization operation, the leak inspection base 80 is attached to the vent base 71 in the same manner as described above. Pressurize the inside to perform a leak test. When the leak test is completed and the pressurization is stopped, the inside of the endoscope 2 communicates with the atmosphere and becomes an atmospheric pressure state.

  Finally, the leak inspection base 80 is removed from the vent base 71, and the waterproof cap 9a is removed from the electrical connector portion 12b.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when autoclaving, it is necessary to attach a necessary waterproof cap to the endoscope in the cleaning and leak test work necessary for the pre-process of autoclaving. Thus, it is possible to surely prevent the waterproof cap from being forgotten during high-pressure steam sterilization. This prevents the endoscope from being damaged during autoclaving.

  In addition, since it is not necessary to attach and detach the waterproof cap during the entire process of washing, leak test and sterilization, workability is greatly improved.

  Furthermore, even if the waterproof cap has been removed after washing, since a leak test is performed after washing, it can be notified that the waterproof cap has been forgotten.

  In addition, after the autoclave sterilization, the inside of the endoscope is in a decompressed state, but since the leak test is performed using a waterproof cap after sterilization, workability is good and the leak test may be forgotten after the autoclave sterilization is completed. Since it disappears, it is possible to reliably detect the breakage of the endoscope.

  In addition, since the decompressed state generated inside the endoscope is reliably released, durability is improved without damaging the endoscope.

  In this embodiment, the vent is provided in the electrical connector portion, and the waterproof cap with pressure regulating valve is configured to be attached to the electrical connector portion. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the vent port and the electrical connector portion are separately provided, Can be reliably prevented from being forgotten, and the workability of reprocessing is greatly improved and the cost is reduced.

  In addition, even if you forget the leak test after sterilization, it is necessary to remove the waterproof cap from the electrical connector part to connect the electrical connector part and the signal connector 6a at the time of inspection. Thus, the endoscope is not damaged and the durability is improved.

  As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent the user from forgetting to attach the waterproof cap during autoclave sterilization, improve workability in reprocessing operations such as washing, autoclave sterilization, and leak test, and greatly improve the durability of the endoscope. improves.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to another configuration example of the pressure adjusting member. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the vent base and the leak inspection base mounted on the vent base. FIG. It is a figure explaining an effect | action.

  In the above embodiment, the vent is provided in the electrical connector portion 12b. In the present embodiment, the vent 90a is provided in the communication base 90 protruding from the connector 12a as shown in FIG. Note that the communication base 90 may be provided in the operation unit 11, for example.

  An adapter 92 (hereinafter abbreviated as “adapter”), which is a pressure adjusting member having a check valve 91, is detachably attached to the communication base 90, and the adapter 92 is connected to the communication base 90. By attaching to the waterproof cap 9a, it has substantially the same function as the vent cap 71 of the waterproof cap 9a.

  The communication base 90 is provided with a cylindrical member 93 provided with a tapered sealing surface 93b in an internal space 93a communicating with the vent 90a, and is slidably disposed within the cylindrical member 93. The opening / closing valve 96 is biased by the compression coil spring 95 on the surface 93b. An abutment surface 96a of the on-off valve 96 that abuts on the seal surface 93b is provided with an O-ring 97 that is in close contact with the seal surface 93b and ensures watertightness.

  Reference numeral 98 denotes an engaging pin protruding from the end side surface of the cylindrical member 93, and reference numeral 99 denotes an engaging member such as a C-ring provided on the end side surface and having a diameter reduced by elastic deformation.

  The adapter 92 includes a first space portion 92a and a second space portion 92b that is a substantially convex concave portion in which the cylindrical member 93 is disposed, and the first space portion 92a has the same action as the inclined surface 71c. A storage cylinder 101 having an inclined surface 92c having a check surface, a check valve 91 having a contact surface 91a that contacts the inclined surface 92c, a compression coil spring 102 that urges the check valve 91, and the contact surface 91a. The O-ring 103, the first pin 78, the elongated hole 77, and the second pin 79 are provided in close contact with the inclined surface 92c, and the engagement pin 98 of the communication base 90 is inserted into the communication base 90. The rotation prevention groove 104 for preventing rotation with respect to the engagement groove 105, the engagement groove 105 with which the engagement member 99 is engaged, the O-ring 106 for sealing between the storage cylinder 101 and the cylinder member 93, and the opening / closing valve 96 are pushed down by a predetermined amount. In Protrusions 109 which applies a plurality of communication holes 110 for communicating is provided with the first space portion 92a and a second space portion 92b, the leakage test cap 80 is adapted to be mounted detachably.

  Although not shown in the figure, the adapter 92 is provided with a display portion such as “attached at the time of water leakage inspection, washing, chemical immersion, high-pressure steam sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization”.

  Reference numeral 111 denotes a ring-shaped coil spring housing member that is screwed into the first space portion 92a and houses and arranges the compression coil spring 102. The coil spring housing member 111 includes a first space portion 92a and an external portion. A plurality of through holes 111a communicating with each other are formed.

The operation of the communication cap 90 and the adapter 92 configured as described above will be described.
Before performing a leak test by pressurizing the inside of the endoscope 2 before cleaning, first engage the engaging pin 98 of the communication base 90 into the rotation preventing groove 104 of the adapter 92 and push it in as shown in FIG. . Then, the engagement pin 98 is engaged and arranged in the rotation prevention groove 104 to prevent rotation, and the engagement member 99 is arranged in the engagement groove 105 so that the adapter 92 is engaged with the communication base 90. It becomes a state.

  When this state is reached by pushing, the convex portion 109 presses the upper surface of the on-off valve 96 downward in the drawing. As a result, the on-off valve 96 is pushed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 95, and the O-ring 97 that is in close contact with the seal surface 93b is separated from the seal surface 93b. The space 93a and the communication hole 110 of the adapter 92 are in a communication state.

  Next, the leak inspection base 80 is connected to the adapter 92 in substantially the same manner as described above. Then, the check valve 91 is forcibly moved to the open position, and the O-ring 103 that is in close contact with the inclined surface 92c is separated from the inclined surface 92c, so that the communication hole 110 and the first space portion are disposed. 92a communicates. That is, the tube 82 and the vent 90a communicate with each other so that a leak test can be performed.

  After the leak test, the leak inspection base 80 is removed from the adapter 92. Then, the check valve 91 is closed as shown in FIG. 8 by the urging force of the compression coil spring 102, and the air vent 90a becomes the same as the watertightly sealed state, so that washing can be performed. When cleaning is completed, the leak test cap 80 is connected to the adapter 92 again to perform a leak test.

  Next, high-pressure steam sterilization is performed with the adapter 92 attached to the communication base 90. At this time, since the vent 90a is closed by the adapter 92, the inside of the endoscope 2 is in a watertight state. The operation in this high-pressure steam sterilization step is the same as that in the above-described embodiment.

  When the high-pressure steam sterilization is completed, it is confirmed whether or not the endoscope 2 is damaged by the sterilization operation. At this time, the leak inspection base 80 is attached to the adapter 92 in the same manner as described above, and the inside of the endoscope 2 is pressurized to perform a leak test. When the pressurization is stopped after the end of the leak test, the inside of the endoscope 2 communicates with the atmosphere and becomes atmospheric pressure.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the adapter and the leak test are pre-processed in the washing and leak test so that the adapter must be attached. It is possible to reliably prevent forgetting and damaging the endoscope.

  In addition, since the leak test is performed using an adapter after sterilization, the workability is good, and it is possible to reliably prevent forgetting to perform the leak test after completion of high-pressure steam sterilization, and to detect damage to the endoscope. In addition, the decompressed state inside the endoscope can be reliably released. This prevents the endoscope from being damaged.

Furthermore, even if the adapter is forgotten to be attached at the time of washing, since the vent is closed by the on-off valve, the liquid can be prevented from invading and being reliably prevented from being damaged. In this case, it is possible to prevent the endoscope from being damaged by noticing that the adapter is forgotten to be attached when the leak test is to be performed after washing.
Although there is a slight problem in workability, a configuration may be adopted in which an adapter is not attached during cleaning. In this case, the adapter check valve does not adhere to the adapter due to the washing liquid or the like, and the durability of the adapter is improved.

  In view of the above, by providing the endoscope with a communication base having an open / close valve arranged on the cylindrical member, in addition to the operation and effect of the configuration examples shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the pressure adjusting member is attached at the time of washing. An endoscope that can be reliably waterproofed without being damaged even if it is forgotten can be provided.

  10 and 11 relate to another configuration example of the waterproof cap, FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the waterproof cap, and FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a leak inspection cap is mounted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the waterproof cap 9b of the present embodiment has a vent cap 121 having a pressure adjustment mechanism configured in substantially the same manner as the vent cap 71 having the check valve 73 shown in FIG. A gas supply base 122 configured in substantially the same manner as the communication base 90 having the open / close valve 96 is provided.

  The configuration different from the vent base 71 of the vent base 121 is that the first pin 78, the long hole 77, and the second pin 79 are not provided, and the other configurations are the same as the configuration of the vent base 71. is there. On the other hand, the configuration of the gas supply base 122 different from the communication base 90 is that the locking member 99 is not provided, and the other configuration is the same as the configuration of the communication base 90.

  On the other hand, the leak inspection base 80a used in the present embodiment is provided with a guide groove 83 similar to the leak inspection base 80 shown in FIG. 5, and the side portion is provided at a predetermined position on the side peripheral surface. A stopper 123 protruding in a fixed amount is provided, and a partition member 124 having a convex portion 109 and a communication hole 110 is disposed in the concave portion 80b of the leak inspection base 80a.

The operation of this embodiment will be described.
At the time of leak inspection, the waterproof cap 9b is attached to the electrical connector portion 12b of the endoscope 2, and then the engagement pin 98 of the gas supply base 122 is inserted into the guide groove 83 of the leak inspection base 80a. 80 a is placed in the gas supply base 122. Here, the leak inspection base 80a is rotated until the engaging pin 98 contacts the contact portion 83a. Then, when the engaging pin 98 contacts the contact portion 83 a, the leak inspection base 80 a is fixedly disposed on the gas supply base 122, and the stopper 123 moves to check the check valve 73 of the vent base 121. It is arranged at a predetermined position above.

  At this time, the on-off valve 96 is pressed by the convex portion 109 and pressed down against the urging force of the compression coil spring 95 to be in an open state. On the other hand, since the check valve 73 is restricted from moving in the axial direction by the stopper 123, when the pressurization is performed through the leak inspection base 80a, the check valve 73 remains closed. The inside of the waterproof cap 9a and the endoscope 2 is pressurized and leak inspection can be performed.

  On the other hand, when the leak inspection is completed, the leak inspection cap 80a is removed. Washing and high-pressure steam sterilization are performed with the waterproof cap 9b attached to the electrical connector portion 12b. Thus, the same operation and effect as the configuration example of FIG. 4 can be obtained.

  Note that the pressure adjusting member is not limited to the above embodiment, and is provided on a pressure adjusting member such as a waterproof cap 9a, a waterproof cap 9b, an adapter 92, and the like necessary for high-pressure steam sterilization that can be attached to and detached from the endoscope. Any form may be used as long as it is a pressure adjusting member that switches the communication state between the inside and the outside of the endoscope. In addition, in the leak test of the pressure adjusting member, any means may be used for communicating the inside of the endoscope with the gas supply source while the gas supply source is connected, and blocking communication with the outside. Good.

  By the way, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-253168 discloses a check valve adapter that is a pressure adjusting member inside an endoscope for preventing the endoscope from being damaged in a sterilization process having a decompression process. What is provided is disclosed.

  A pressure adjusting means such as a check valve adapter is provided in a waterproof cap that can be attached to and detached from an electrical connector part of an electronic endoscope, for example, a connection part with an external device such as a video processor, and an electrical connector part vent hole When installing, a waterproof cap used for endoscopes that do not support high-pressure steam sterilization among endoscopes of the same system that share the same video processor, etc., that is, that do not require an internal pressure adjustment member (no internal pressure adjustment member) If it is attached by mistake, there is a risk of damaging the endoscope in the decompression step of the sterilization step.

  For this reason, there has been a demand for an endoscope system that prevents the endoscope from being damaged by preventing a mistake in attaching a waterproof cap during autoclaving. In addition, there has been a demand for an endoscope system that has good reprocessing workability, can use the same video processor, and has good workability during inspection. Furthermore, an endoscope system that can use the same gas supply source and has good workability for water leakage inspection has been desired.

  Referring to FIG. 12, the electric connector portion 12b and the waterproof cap 9a of the endoscope 2 share the same video processor 4, signal connector 6a, and light source device 3 as the endoscope 2, but are compatible with high-pressure steam sterilization. The configuration of each connection of the electrical connector portion of the second endoscope not shown, the waterproof cap detachably connected to the electrical connector portion, and the signal connector 6a will be described.

  As shown in the drawing for explaining the configuration of the electrical connector portion of FIG. 12A, the outer peripheral surface of the connector-side base 130 of the electrical connector portion 12b has three convex portions 131, 132, 133 projecting outward. Is provided.

  As shown in the figure for explaining the structure of the waterproof cap in FIG. 12B, the cylindrical portion 135 constituting the waterproof cap 9a has three cam grooves 136, respectively, at positions facing the convex portions 131, 132, 133, respectively. 137 and 138 are provided. The cylindrical portion 135 is fitted to the outside of the connector side base 130.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12C, which illustrates the configuration of the electrical connector portion of the second endoscope, the electrical connector is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector-side base 141 of the electrical connector portion 140 of the second endoscope. Two convex portions 131 and 132 projecting outward are provided, similar to those provided in the portion 12b.

  A waterproof cap 9c to be mounted on the electrical connector portion 140 of the second endoscope is configured as shown in the drawing for explaining the configuration of the waterproof cap for the electrical connector portion of the second endoscope in FIG. 12 (d). The cylindrical portion 145 is provided with two cam grooves 136 and 137 similar to those provided on the waterproof cap 9a facing the convex portions 131 and 132, respectively. That is, the waterproof cap 9c is provided with a contact portion 139 that serves as a connection preventing means without forming a cam groove at a position corresponding to the cam groove 138 of the waterproof cap 9a.

  As shown in FIG. 12 (e), which is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the signal connector, the cam groove 136 is located at a position facing the convex portions 131, 132, 133 in the cylindrical portion 161 of the signal connector 6a of the signal cable 6. , 137, and 138, cam grooves 162, 163, and 164 are provided.

  These cam grooves 136, 137, 138, 162, 163, and 164 are engaged with the respective convex portions 131, 132, and 133, and the cam portions 136, 145, and 161 are rotated in predetermined directions, respectively. , 137, 138, 162, 163, and 164, the connector side caps 130 and 141 are pulled in the axial direction toward the cylindrical portions 135, 145, and 161 to be connected and fixed.

  That is, the waterproof cap 9a is attached to both the electrical connector portion 12b of the endoscope 2 and the electrical connector portion 140 of the second endoscope by the engagement between the convex portions 131, 132, and 133 and the cam grooves 136, 137, and 138. It can be detachably connected. Further, since the signal connector 6a of the signal cable 6 is provided with cam grooves 162, 163 and 164 similar to the waterproof cap 9a, it can be detachably connected to both of the electrical connector portions 12b and 140.

  On the other hand, since the waterproof cap 9c is provided only with cam grooves 136 and 137 engaged with the convex portions 131 and 132, it can be smoothly attached to and detached from the electrical connector portion 140 of the second endoscope. The projection 133 is brought into contact with the contact portion 139 and cannot be connected to the electrical connector portion 12 b of the endoscope 2.

  Thus, while providing a predetermined convex portion in the electrical connector portion of the endoscope to be sterilized under high pressure steam, a smaller convex portion is provided in the electrical connector portion of the endoscope that does not need to be sterilized under high pressure steam, By forming the number of cam grooves corresponding to the electrical connector part of each endoscope in the waterproof cap, the waterproof cap for attaching to the electrical connector part of the endoscope that does not require high-pressure steam sterilization is mistaken. Thus, it can be surely prevented from being attached to the electrical connector portion of the endoscope to be sterilized under high pressure steam. This prevents the endoscope from being damaged during the sterilization process.

  In addition, since the waterproof cap compatible with high-pressure steam sterilization can be attached to the electrical connector part of both endoscopes, when the waterproof cap is attached to the second endoscope that does not require high-pressure steam sterilization. Since there is no need to select a waterproof cap, workability in reprocessing is good.

  Furthermore, since the signal cable signal connector is attached to both endoscopes, the setting workability before inspection is good.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of a waterproof cap, For example, you may make it apply to the structure of the communication cap shown in FIG. 8, and an adapter.

  For example, the adapter 92 is attached to a first endoscope that supports high-pressure steam sterilization, and the above-mentioned check is used instead of the adapter 92 in a second endoscope that does not support high-pressure steam sterilization. This is a case where there is no pressure adjusting member such as the valve 91, and an EOG adapter having a function of simply opening the on-off valve 96 when attached is used.

  In this case, the anti-rotation groove 104 is eliminated from the EOG adapter so that the engagement pin 98 of the communication base 90 cannot be fitted and the engagement pin 98 is not provided on the communication base 90 of the second endoscope.

  An adapter for opening the on-off valve 96 when the leak inspection base connected to the gas supply source is formed according to the shape of the cylindrical member 93 of the communication base 90 so that it can be directly connected to the communication base 90 In addition to providing the convex portion 109 of 92, an anti-rotation groove similar to the anti-rotation groove 104 of the adapter 92 into which the engagement pin 98 of the communication base 90 can be fitted is provided. As a result, the EOG adapter is not attached to the communication cap 90 of the first endoscope, and both the adapter 92 and the EOG adapter are attached to the communication cap 90 of the second endoscope, and the leak inspection cap is the first endoscope. It can be attached to both the mirror and the second endoscope.

  Therefore, the EOG adapter can be prevented from being mistakenly attached to the first endoscope capable of high-pressure steam sterilization, and the leak inspection base can be shared, so that the workability of the water leakage inspection is improved.

  In addition, since the parts can be shared between the communication caps 90 of both the endoscopes, the adapter with the pressure adjusting valve, and the EOG adapter, it is possible to reduce the cost and provide an inexpensive endoscope.

  Furthermore, since the structure is a simple structure with convex portions and grooves, it can be constructed at low cost.

  In addition, although it was set as the structure which provided the convex part in the electrical connector part of the said endoscope, and provided the contact part in the waterproof cap of the 2nd endoscope, conversely on the waterproof cap side for the 2nd endoscope A convex portion is provided, a concave portion capable of accommodating the convex portion is provided in the electric connector portion of the second endoscope, and a contact portion where the convex portion cannot be fitted to the electric connector portion of the endoscope capable of high-pressure steam sterilization is provided. The structure to provide may be sufficient. The waterproof cap 9a can be attached to and detached from the endoscope 2 and the second endoscope, but the waterproof cap 9a is attached to the second endoscope after ensuring compatibility with the signal cable 6. There may be no configuration.

  FIG. 13 is a view for explaining a modified example of the waterproof cap capable of reducing the load on the endoscope exterior and the invasion of the steam inside the endoscope due to external pressurization in the sterilization process at the time of high-pressure steam sterilization in FIG. In addition, instead of the waterproof cap 9a, a waterproof cap with volume changing means (hereinafter abbreviated as volume changing cap) 160 having volume changing means inside may be provided.

  The volume change cap 160 includes a vent base 71 containing a check valve 73 similar to the waterproof cap 9a, a cylinder portion 161 having a cylindrical shape and having an opening portion 161a, and can be moved back and forth inside the cylinder portion 161. A piston 162 fitted to the piston 162, a seal member 163 arranged on the outer peripheral side of the piston 162 to seal the inner surface of the cylinder portion 161, and a compression coil spring 164 for constantly biasing the piston 162 toward the opening portion 161a. It is mainly composed by.

  The endoscope 2 is disposed in the sterilization chamber 170 of the high-pressure steam sterilizer with the volume change cap 160 connected to the electrical connector portion 12b during high-pressure steam sterilization.

  During the pre-vacuum process, the piston 162 is at the position A in the figure, and the endoscope 2 and the sterilization chamber 170 are communicated with each other through the vent 71 so that the inside of the endoscope 2 and the sterilization chamber 170 are isobaric. To.

On the other hand, in the sterilization process, the inside of the sterilization chamber 170 is pressurized. Then, the check valve 73 is closed and the inside of the endoscope 2 and the sterilization chamber 170 are shut off.
In addition, the piston 162 moves to the position B in the figure according to the external pressure by pressurization from the opening 161a, and the pressure difference between the inside of the endoscope 2 and the sterilization chamber 170 is reduced. As a result, high-pressure steam is formed from fluorine rubber, silicon rubber, or the like, which is a sealing means provided at the outer skin of the flexible tube 15 formed of a polymer material or the connecting portion of the exterior body of the endoscope 2. ○ Prevent gradual intrusion from the ring.

  When the pressure inside the sterilization chamber 170 is reduced in the drying process, the piston 162 is urged by the compression coil spring 164 and returns to the position A.

  Thus, by providing the piston that moves according to the change in pressure, it is possible to reduce the pressure load on the exterior body of the endoscope in the sterilization process, and to prevent high-pressure steam from entering the endoscope. Can be prevented.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Appendix]
According to the embodiment of the present invention as described above in detail, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an endoscope having an adhesive portion in which members are bonded and fixed using an adhesive,
The thermal destruction temperature of the adhesive is not less than the maximum temperature in the high-pressure steam sterilization process and not more than the heat resistance temperature of the bonded member to be bonded and fixed with this adhesive or the non-adhered member disposed in the vicinity of the bonded portion. Endoscope set within range.

(2) When at least one of the member to be bonded or the member disposed in the vicinity of the bonded portion is a member that is reused after disassembly and repair, the heat resistant temperature of the adhesive is set to be equal to or lower than the heat resistant temperature of the member that is reused after use. The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1.

(3) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least one of the adherend members is an exterior member that forms an outer surface of the endoscope.

(4) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the adhesive part is a part having a high decomposition frequency.

(5) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the member to be bonded and the member in the vicinity of the bonding portion are either a member having a surface treatment layer or a member formed of a resin.

(6) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the surface treatment layer is any one of painting, printing, metal surface treatment, and optical coating.

(7) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the adhesive is based on an epoxy resin.

(8) The endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein at least one of the exterior members is a bending portion outer tube that covers a bendable bending portion provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope.

(9) The endoscope according to appendix 3, wherein at least one of the exterior members is a flexible tube portion having flexibility that constitutes an insertion portion of the endoscope.

(10) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least one of the adherend members is a casing member that covers an internal mechanism of a connector portion that is a connection portion with an operation portion of an endoscope or an external device.

(11) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least one of the adherend members is a resin insulating cover member provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

(12) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein at least one of the adherend members is a duct tube for transferring a fluid provided inside the endoscope.

(13) An endoscope having an endoscope and a pressure adjusting member that is detachably connected to the endoscope and includes a pressure adjusting member that switches a communication state between the inside and outside of the endoscope according to an external pressure. In the mirror device,
A gas supply unit connected to a gas supply source for pressurizing the inside of the endoscope provided in the pressure adjusting member;
In a state where the gas supply unit and the gas supply source are connected, a control unit that controls the pressure adjusting member so that the gas supply source communicates with the inside of the endoscope and the communication with other than the gas supply source is blocked. The pressure adjusting member is a check valve that opens when the pressure outside the endoscope is lower than the internal pressure and communicates with the inside and outside of the endoscope. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 13, further comprising a fixing means for fixing the check valve in a state where the source is connected.

(15) A vent provided in the endoscope and communicating with the inside and outside of the endoscope;
A pressure adjusting member having a check valve that opens when the pressure outside the endoscope is lower than the pressure inside and communicates with the inside and outside of the endoscope;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising means for fixing the check valve in an open state in a state where a gas supply source is connected to the supply unit.

(16) A vent provided in the endoscope and communicating between the inside and outside of the endoscope;
A pressure adjusting member having a check valve that opens when the pressure outside the endoscope is lower than the internal pressure and communicates with the inside and outside of the endoscope and a gas supply base connected to a gas supply source;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising means for fixing the check valve in a closed state in a state where a gas supply source is connected to the gas supply base.

(17) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 15, further comprising an open / close valve that is provided in the endoscope and opens the vent only when the pressure adjusting member is connected to the endoscope.

(18) The air vent is provided in an electrical contact connector portion having a contact for performing signal exchange with an external device, and the pressure adjusting member is a waterproof cap that covers the electrical contact connector portion in a watertight manner. The endoscope apparatus described.

(19) A first ventilation port provided in the first endoscope and a detachable connection to the first ventilation port to switch the communication state between the inside and outside of the endoscope according to the external pressure. A first endoscope device having a first connecting member having a pressure adjusting member, a second vent hole provided in the second endoscope, and the second vent hole are detachably connected. A second endoscope device having a second connecting member that opens and closes the communication of the second ventilation port, the first ventilation port of the first endoscope device, and the second endoscope. An endoscope system having at least one external device each connectable to a second vent of the device;
An endoscope system provided with a connection blocking means for blocking the connection between the first ventilation port of the first endoscope and the second connection member.

(20) The endoscope system according to appendix 19, further comprising connection means to which the second ventilation port of the second endoscope and the first connection member can be connected.

(21) The first ventilation port and the second ventilation port are provided in an electrical contact connector part for performing signal exchange that can be connected to a processor side connector part provided in a video processor,
The endoscope system according to appendix 19 or appendix 20, wherein the first connection member and the second connection member are waterproof caps that seal the electrical contact connector portion in a watertight manner.

(22) The first vent and the second vent are leak test caps that can be connected to a common source side cap provided in a gas supply source for pressurizing the inside of the endoscope. The endoscope system according to appendix 19.

(23) The endoscope system according to appendix 19, wherein the pressure adjusting member has a check valve that opens only when the pressure outside the endoscope is lower than the internal pressure and communicates the inside and outside of the endoscope.

(24) The endoscope system according to appendix 19, wherein a convex portion is provided in the first vent hole, and a contact portion that cannot be fitted to the convex portion is provided in the second connection member.

(25) The endoscope system according to appendix 24, wherein the first connecting member is provided with a concave portion capable of accommodating the convex portion.

(26) The endoscope system according to appendix 19, wherein a convex portion is provided on the second connection member, and a contact portion that cannot be fitted to the convex portion is provided on the first vent.

(27) The endoscope apparatus according to appendix 26, wherein the second ventilation hole is provided with a concave portion that can accommodate the convex portion.

(28) a first endoscope having a vent;
A second endoscope having a vent;
A pressure adjusting member having a first connection part detachably connected to the vent of the first endoscope, and switching a communication state between the inside and the outside of the endoscope according to an external pressure;
A vent opening / closing member that has a second connecting portion that is detachably connected to the vent of the second endoscope, and that opens and closes the vent;
An endoscope system having a vent hole of the first endoscope and at least one external device connectable to the vent hole of the second endoscope,
An endoscope system in which a connection blocking means for blocking connection with the second connection portion of the vent opening / closing member is provided in the vent hole of the first endoscope.

1 to 3 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus. The figure explaining the structure containing the adhesion part provided in the front-end | tip hard part and the curved part. The figure explaining the structure of the adhesion part of the operation part cover which comprises an operation part. FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 relate to one configuration example of the waterproof cap, and FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the vent cap of the waterproof cap and the leak inspection cap attached to the vent cap. FIG. FIG. The figure explaining the effect | action of this embodiment FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to another configuration example of the pressure adjusting member, and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the vent base and the leak inspection base attached to the vent base. The figure explaining the effect | action of this embodiment 10 and 11 relate to another configuration example of the waterproof cap, and FIG. 10 illustrates another configuration of the waterproof cap. The figure which shows the state which installed the base for leak inspection The figure explaining the composition of an electric connector part The figure explaining the modification of the waterproof cap which can reduce the load to the endoscope exterior by the external pressurization in the sterilization process at the time of high-pressure steam sterilization, and the penetration | invasion of the vapor | steam inside an endoscope

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Endoscope 10 ... Insertion part
13 ... Hard end of tip
14: Curved part
15 ... Flexible tube 26 ... Outer tube
21 ... Tip body 22 ... Insulating cover member 44 ... Pipe tube
61, 62a, 62b, 63, 64 ... adhesive
Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (2)

An endoscope provided with an electrical connector portion having electrical contacts connectable to an endoscope control device for controlling the endoscope;
A vent provided in the electrical connector portion to communicate the inside and outside of the endoscope;
By connecting to the electrical connector portion, the electrical contact and the vent are sealed in a liquid-tight manner, and when the external pressure of the endoscope is lower than the internal pressure of the endoscope, the internal contacts are opened. A waterproof cap having a check valve communicating with the inside and outside of the endoscope;
A gas supply unit provided in the waterproof cap and connected to a gas supply source for pressurizing the inside of the endoscope;
In the state where the gas supply unit and the gas supply source are connected , the check is made so that the gas supply source communicates with the inside of the endoscope and communication with other than the gas supply source is blocked. Fixing means for fixing the valve in an open state;
A control unit for controlling the state of the waterproof cap by fixing the fixing means the check valve is rotated in the circumferential direction in the open state with respect to the check valve,
An endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising: The check valve has a gas supply base connected to the gas supply source,
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the check valve is fixed in a closed state in a state where the gas supply source is connected to the gas supply base .

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