JP4231266B2 - Endoscope water supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an endoscope water supply apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
In general, an endoscope is provided with a water supply conduit for cleaning an objective lens provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. The water supply pipe line extends from the discharge end at the distal end of the insertion portion to the water supply end on the operation unit side (universal tube), and a water supply tube connected to the water supply tank is connected to the water supply end. The water supply tank is pressurized by an air pump, and when the water supply button of the operation unit is operated, the pressurized water is discharged from the discharge end of the water supply pipe to clean the objective lens.
[0003]
In this endoscope water supply device, since the water supply tank is pressurized, if the water supply tube is removed carelessly without stopping the air pump, the water in the water supply tank will be ejected. For this reason, conventionally, a check valve is provided on the water supply tube, but the check valve automatically closes the flow path when the water supply tube is removed (blocks the inside and outside of the water supply bottle). Therefore, there was a problem that cleaning and disinfection performed with the water supply tube removed were difficult.
[0004]
[Patent Literature]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-135808
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Based on the above awareness of the problem, the present invention prevents water from being ejected when the water supply tube is inadvertently removed from the water supply end of the water supply line in the pressurized state of the water supply pump, and at the time of cleaning and disinfection. An object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope water supply device capable of opening a water supply tube flow path.
[0006]
Summary of the Invention
An endoscope water supply device according to the present invention includes an endoscope provided with a water supply conduit having a discharge end that opens at a distal end of an insertion portion and a water supply end that opens at a connector portion; water supply of the water supply conduit of the endoscope In an endoscope water supply apparatus having a water supply tube attached to and detached from the end; and a pressurized water supply source for supplying pressurized water to the water supply tube, the water supply tube is closed and heated at room temperature. A normally closed valve made of a shape memory alloy that opens the water supply tube is provided, and an opening member that forcibly opens the normally closed valve when the water supply tube is connected is provided at the water supply end of the water supply conduit. It is a feature.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
First, based on FIGS. 1 to 3, a configuration example of an endoscope as a target of the present invention will be described. An endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a medical electronic endoscope, and includes an insertion portion 11 to be inserted into a body cavity and an operation portion 12 connected to the base side thereof. The insertion portion 11 has a distal end portion 13, a bending portion 14, and a flexible tube portion 15 in order from the distal end side, and the flexible tube portion 15 is connected to the operation portion 12 via a connecting portion 16. A universal tube 17 extends from the operation unit 12, and a connector unit 18 provided at the end of the universal tube 17 can be attached to and detached from a processor 20 separate from the endoscope body.
[0008]
Of the insertion portion 11, the flexible tube portion 15 is soft and flexible. As is well known, the bending portion 14 is bent by turning a bending operation knob provided in the operation portion 12.
[0009]
The distal end portion 13 is composed of a rigid member. The distal end portion 13 includes an objective lens 25, a light distribution lens, a treatment instrument insertion channel outlet, an auxiliary water supply channel outlet, an air supply channel 22, and a water supply channel (water supply conduit). An air / water supply nozzle 24 (see FIG. 2), which is an outlet of 23, is formed.
[0010]
The objective lens 25 is fixed in a holding hole 21 recessed in the distal end portion 13, and an observation image formed by the objective lens 25 is an image arranged from the CCD 26 to the connector portion 18 of the universal tube 17. An electronic image signal is sent to the image processing apparatus of the processor 20 through the signal transmission cable 27. The processor 20 can display an electronic image on a monitor or record it on an image recording medium. The operation unit 12 is provided with a plurality of remote operation button switches 28 for performing remote operations related to image processing.
[0011]
In addition, the light distribution lens of the distal end portion 13 is illuminated by a light source provided in the processor 20 via a light guide fiber bundle disposed from the connector portion 18 of the universal tube 17 to the distal end portion 13 of the insertion portion 11. Is given.
[0012]
The connecting portion 16 is provided with a treatment tool insertion port protrusion 29 for inserting a treatment tool such as forceps or a high-frequency cautery treatment tool, and the distal end of the treatment tool insertion port protrusion 29 toward the inside of the endoscope. A treatment instrument insertion channel (not shown) connected to the outlet formed in the portion 13 is extended. The treatment instrument insertion channel is connected to a suction tube (both not shown) having one end connected to a negative pressure source.
[0013]
In a state where the suction button 33 is not pressed, for example, a treatment tool such as forceps can be inserted from the treatment tool insertion port protrusion 29 and can be protruded from the distal end portion 13 through the treatment tool insertion channel.
On the other hand, when the treatment instrument insertion channel is used as a suction conduit, the suction button 33 is pressed. Then, the negative pressure of the negative pressure source reaches the treatment instrument insertion channel via the suction tube. Therefore, fluid such as body fluid can be sucked from the outlet of the treatment instrument insertion channel at the distal end portion 13.
[0014]
In addition, a sub-water supply inlet 37 for injecting sub-water is provided at the rear end of the operation unit 12. The auxiliary water supply inlet 37 is connected to a rear end portion of an auxiliary water supply channel (not shown) penetrating the inside of the electronic endoscope 10. A tube extending from a non-illustrated auxiliary water supply source can be connected to the auxiliary water supply inlet 37. Therefore, the auxiliary water can be sent to the tip portion 13 through the auxiliary water supply channel. The auxiliary water supply is a liquid ejected from the distal end portion 13 toward the observation target, separately from the water supply by the water supply channel 23 described later, and is used for cleaning and staining the observation target.
[0015]
The electronic endoscope 10 further includes an air / water supply mechanism described below, and the air / water supply mechanism operates in cooperation with the processor 20 and a water supply bottle (pressurized water supply source) 40 containing cleaning water. Accordingly, air is supplied to the objective lens 25 provided at the distal end portion 13 and air / water supply provided at the distal end portion 13 is removed from the surface of the objective lens 25 to remove water droplets such as cleaning water and body fluid. Air or water can be supplied to the nozzle 24.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply bottle 40 is attached to the case 20 a via a holder (not shown) fixed to the case 20 a of the processor 20, and passes through the cap 41 from the inside of the water supply bottle 40 to universal. A water supply tube (water supply conduit) 42 extends into the tube 17. The inlet portion of the water supply tube 42 in the water supply bottle 40 is located substantially near the bottom surface of the water supply bottle 40.
As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, a cylindrical mounting bracket 42b is fixed to the tip of the outlet portion 42a of the water supply tube 42, and a fixing nut 42c is rotatable on the outer peripheral surface of the mounting bracket 42b. It is installed. Further, a screw groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical base (opening member) 18a projecting from the surface of the connector portion 18, and a fixing nut 42c is screwed into this screw groove, thereby supplying water. The tube 42 is connected to the base 18a.
[0017]
On the other hand, the end of the air supply tube 45 is opened near the inlet of the water supply bottle 40. The air supply tube 45 passes through the cap 41 in the vertical direction and opens into the water supply bottle 40, and at the same time passes through the cap 41 in the horizontal direction and is connected to an air supply pump (pressurized water supply source) 46 in the processor 20. Yes.
In the section from the water supply bottle 40 to the vicinity of the connector portion 18, the air supply tube 45 is a double-structure tube covering the periphery of the water supply tube 42, and from this, in the section on the connector portion 18 side, the air supply tube 45. Is branched from the water supply tube 42 and connected to the connector portion 18 by a base 47.
In the universal tube 17, the air supply tube 45 and the water supply tube 42 are each an independent tube. Inside the electronic endoscope 10, an air / water supply cylinder (under the air / water supply button 43) (Not shown). Further, the air supply channel 22 and the water supply channel 23 are connected to the air / water supply cylinder, respectively.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 11, a normally closed valve 50 is provided inside the water supply tube 42. The normally closed valve 50 includes a base 51 fixed to the inner surface of the end of the water supply tube 42 on the connector portion 18 side, a straight portion 53 connected to the base 51, and an elliptical valve body continuous with the tip of the straight portion 53. 55. The straight portion 53 and the valve body 55 are made of a shape memory alloy that changes into a shape as described later when the temperature in the water supply tube 42 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the normally closed valve 50 completely closes the water supply tube 42 when the water supply tube 42 is not connected to the base 18 a, but as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In addition, when the water supply tube 42 is connected to the base 18a, the base 18a presses the straight portion 53, the valve body 55 opens the inside of the water supply tube 42, and washing water flows from the water supply bottle 40 side to the electronic endoscope 10 side. Allow to flow.
[0019]
When compressed air is sent out by the air supply pump 46 in a state where cleaning water is accumulated in the water supply bottle 40, the air supply pump 46 communicates with the air supply tube 45, so that a positive pressure is generated inside the air supply tube 45. It takes. At the same time, since the compressed air also applies pressure to the cleaning water in the water supply bottle 40, the cleaning water flows into the water supply tube 42 and is sent to the air / water supply cylinder side. That is, when the air supply pump 46 is operated, air supply and water supply are performed with respect to the air supply tube 45 and the water supply tube 42.
[0020]
On the upper surface of the air / water supply button 43, an escape hole (not shown) that penetrates the air / water supply button 43 in the longitudinal direction is formed.
Therefore, if the air is being supplied to the air supply tube 45 and the surgeon closes the escape hole with his / her hand without pressing the air / water supply button 43, the air supply tube 45 and the air supply channel 22 are supplied. Air is injected from the air / water supply nozzle 24 in communication with the inside of the air / water supply cylinder. On the other hand, if the surgeon does not block the escape hole, the pressurized air in the air supply tube 45 is discharged from the escape hole to the outside of the electronic endoscope 10, and air is injected from the air supply / water supply nozzle 24. There is nothing.
[0021]
When the air / water supply button 43 is pressed, the water supply tube 42 and the water supply channel 23 communicate with each other inside the air / water supply cylinder, and the washing water in the water supply tube 42 flows toward the water supply channel 23, and the air / water supply nozzle Wash water is sprayed from 24 toward the outer surface of the objective lens 25.
[0022]
When the water supply tube 42 is removed from the base 18a after the fixing nut 18b is loosened, the valve body 55 completely closes the water supply tube 42 as shown in FIG. 8, so that the air supply pump 46 is not inadvertently stopped. Even if the water supply tube 42 is extracted from the base 18a, there is no possibility that the washing water remaining in the water supply tube 42 flows out from the outlet end.
[0023]
Further, when the water supply tube 42 is removed from the water supply bottle 40 and the connector part 18 and then a high-temperature fluid having a cleaning action and a sterilization action is passed through the water supply tube 42, the linear part 53 and the valve element 55 made of a shape memory alloy are flown. Is deformed as shown in FIG. 12, and the inside of the water supply tube 42 is opened. Therefore, since this high-temperature fluid can freely flow in the water supply tube 42, cleaning and sterilization in the water supply tube 42 can be easily performed.
[0024]
Thus, in this embodiment, even if the water supply tube 42 is carelessly removed from the base 18a while the air supply pump 46 is pressurized, the washing water does not spout from the outlet end of the water supply tube 42. In addition, after removing the water supply tube 42 from the water supply bottle 40 and the base 18a, when a high-temperature fluid having cleaning and sterilizing action is passed through the water supply tube 42, the normally closed valve 50 is deformed and the inside of the water supply tube 42 is opened. Therefore, cleaning and sterilization in the water supply tube 42 can be easily performed.
[0025]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0026]
In the vicinity of the outlet end portion of the water supply tube 42 of this embodiment, a square portion 42b having a square cross section is formed, and a cylindrical portion 42e connected to the base 18a is projected from the square portion 42d. . A base 61 of a normally closed valve 60 is fixed to the inner wall of the cylindrical portion 42e. Further, a valve body 63 having a square shape in front view is connected to the base 61, and the tip of the valve body 63 is a bent piece. 63a.
The valve body 63 is made of a shape memory alloy that changes into a shape as described later when the temperature in the water supply tube 42 becomes higher than a predetermined temperature.
[0027]
As shown in the solid line of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the normally closed valve 60 is configured such that when the water supply tube 42 is not connected to the base 18 a, both side surfaces of the valve body 63 are in close contact with the inner surface of the rectangular portion 42 d. The bent piece 63a is in close contact with the bottom surface of the square portion 42d, thereby completely closing the inside of the water supply tube 42. On the other hand, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 13, when the water supply tube 42 is connected to the base 18a, the base 18a presses the base part of the valve body 63, and the bent piece 63a is separated from the bottom surface of the rectangular part 42d. Since 63 opens the inside of the water supply tube 42, the cleaning water flows from the water supply bottle 40 side to the electronic endoscope 10 side.
[0028]
Furthermore, after removing the water supply tube 42 from the water supply bottle 40 and the connector portion 18, when a high-temperature fluid having a cleaning action and a sterilizing action is passed through the water supply tube 42, the valve body 63 made of a shape memory alloy is shown in FIG. 13. Since it is deformed as shown by the phantom line and the inside of the rectangular portion 42d is opened, this high-temperature fluid can freely flow in the water supply tube 42 and can be easily cleaned and sterilized in the water supply tube 42. .
[0035]
Finally, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0036]
In the present embodiment, a detachable connecting cylinder 90 is attached to the outlet end of the water supply tube 42, and the normally closed valve 100 is fixed to the inner surface of the connecting cylinder 90. The connecting cylinder portion 90 is a member that can be attached to and detached from the base 18 a of the connector portion 18, and the normally closed valve 100 is made of a shape memory alloy, and its base portion 102 is the inner surface of the connecting cylinder portion 90. It is fixed to.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 19, when the connecting cylinder portion 90 is cut off from the base 18 a, the valve body 104 closes the inside of the water supply tube 42.
On the other hand, when the base 18a (not shown) is connected to the connecting cylinder portion 90 and the base 18a is brought into contact with the valve body 104, the valve body 104 is deformed by the base 18a (not shown), and the valve body 104 becomes the water supply tube. 42 is opened.
Further, after removing the water supply tube 42 from the water supply bottle 40 and the connector portion 18, if a high-temperature fluid having a cleaning action or a sterilizing action is passed through the water supply tube 42, the valve body 104 made of a shape memory alloy is deformed. (Not shown) Since the inside of the water supply tube 42 is opened, this high-temperature fluid can freely flow in the water supply tube 42, and the water supply tube 42 can be easily cleaned and sterilized.
[0038]
When the normally closed valve 100 is repeatedly used for a long time, the normally closed valve 100 is damaged or the shape memory function of the normally closed valve 100 is impaired. As shown in FIG. The normally closed valve 100 can be easily replaced by disconnecting 90 from the water supply tube 42 and attaching a new connecting cylinder 90 (not shown) to the water supply tube 42.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, water is not spouted when the water supply tube is carelessly removed from the water supply end of the water supply line in the pressurized state of the water supply pump, and water is supplied during cleaning and disinfection. An endoscope water supply device capable of opening a tube flow path can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an electronic endoscope.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view showing a connection relationship between a connector portion of an electronic endoscope, a processor, and a water supply bottle.
4 is an enlarged vertical side view of a VI part in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of a connector portion and a water supply tube of the electronic endoscope.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a normally closed valve made of a shape memory alloy.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the normally closed valve.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical side view showing a state where the normally closed valve closes the pipe line by removing the water supply tube from the base at room temperature.
9 is an enlarged longitudinal front view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical side view showing a state in which a normally closed valve opens a pipe line by connecting a water supply tube to a base.
11 is an enlarged longitudinal front view taken along line XI-XI in FIG.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view showing a state where the normally closed valve opens the pipe when the water supply tube is removed from the base and a high-temperature fluid is allowed to flow in the pipe.
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal side view showing a connection state between a base and a water supply tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG.
FIG. 15 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view showing a connection state of a water supply tube and a connecting cylinder part according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional side view showing a state where the connecting cylinder portion is removed from the water supply tube.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic endoscope 11 Insertion part 12 Operation part 13 Tip part 14 Bending part 15 Flexible pipe part 16 Connection part 17 Universal tube 18 Connector part 18a Base (opening member)
18b Fixing nut 20 Processor 20a Case 22 Air supply channel 23 Water supply channel (water supply line)
24 Air / Water Nozzle 25 Objective Lens 26 CCD
27 Image signal transmission cable 28 Remote operation button switch 29 Treatment instrument insertion port protrusion 33 Suction button 37 Sub-water supply inlet 40 Water supply bottle (pressurized water supply source)
41 Cap 42 Water supply tube (water supply line)
42a Outlet portion 42b Square portion 42c Cylindrical portion 43 Air / water supply button 45 Air supply tube 46 Air supply pump (pressurized water supply source)
47 Base 50 Normally Closed Valve 51 Base 53 Straight Line 55 Valve Element 60 Normally Closed Valve 61 Base 63 Valve Element 63a Bending Piece
90 Connecting cylinder 100 Normally closed valve 102 Base 104 Valve body S Compression spring

Claims (1)

An endoscope provided with a water supply conduit having a discharge end opening at the distal end of the insertion portion and a water supply end opening at the connector portion;
A water supply tube attached to and detached from the water supply end of the water supply pipe line of the endoscope; and a pressurized water supply source for supplying pressurized water to the water supply tube;
In an endoscope water supply device having
The water supply tube is provided with a normally closed valve made of a shape memory alloy that closes the water supply tube at room temperature and opens the water supply tube when heated,
An endoscope water supply apparatus, characterized in that an opening member is provided at the water supply end of the water supply pipe line to forcibly open the normally closed valve when the water supply tube is connected.

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