JP4505300B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope having an insertion portion and an operation portion.

  In recent years, endoscopes are widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. Endoscopes used in the medical field include various types of treatment tools that are used to observe organs in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, or inserted into an insertion channel of a treatment tool as necessary. Can be treated.

  In particular, an endoscope in the medical field is used by being inserted into a body cavity for the purpose of examination and treatment, and thus needs to be washed and disinfected. The endoscope to be cleaned and disinfected is cleaned and disinfected by the hands of hospital personnel.

  When an endoscope is manually cleaned and sterilized, various parts of the endoscope are disassembled, and a lot of work steps and time are required to reliably clean and disinfect these parts. Therefore, for the worker, complicated work is involved, not only time and labor are required, but also a considerable burden is given.

Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus that automatically cleans and disinfects an endoscope.
JP 09-253029 A

  However, the endoscope must be cleaned and disinfected not only on the outer surface of the endoscope but also in the endoscope channel. Therefore, when using the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus described in Patent Document 1 and arranging the endoscope in the cleaning / disinfecting tank, the operator applies a plurality of all the pipelines in the endoscope. It is necessary to connect the cleaning tube.

  The connection of these cleaning tubes is such that one of the cleaning tubes is connected to each pipeline connection port that opens to the endoscope side, and the other of the cleaning tubes is provided corresponding to each pipeline connection port. Must be connected to the cleaning tube connector on the side of the cleaning and disinfection device. At this time, if the endoscope has a large number of conduits, it takes time to connect a plurality of cleaning tubes, and the time required for cleaning and disinfection becomes longer. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation rate of the endoscope is lowered.

  Also, since the cleaning tube connection work is manual, if the number of tubes to be connected increases, the connection work becomes more cautious in order to avoid forgetting the connection, and whether or not it is connected correctly. It also takes time to check.

  Furthermore, a predetermined connection strength is required for each connection portion of the various pipelines of the endoscope and the plurality of cleaning tubes, and the connection is left to the user.

  Therefore, an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus that does not require a plurality of cleaning tubes to be connected to various conduits of the endoscope can be considered. Until now, no consideration has been given to an endoscope corresponding to this endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus.

  Further, an endoscope in which an insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity of a patient needs to surely clean and disinfect the outer surface of the insertion portion and the endoscope passage inserted through the insertion portion.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the operator can reliably connect the outer surface of the insertion portion and the various pipelines without connecting a plurality of cleaning tubes to the various pipelines of the endoscope. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope corresponding to an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus capable of cleaning and disinfecting.

An endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope that is held and held by a holding member disposed in a cleaning tank of an endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus, and is cleaned and disinfected. An insertion portion disposed to the end, an operation portion detachably connected to the insertion portion, and the insertion portion are held by the holding member for positioning at a predetermined position in the cleaning tank. It has a guide part.

  According to the endoscope of the present invention, an operator can reliably clean and disinfect the outer surface of the insertion portion and various pipelines without connecting a plurality of cleaning tubes to the various pipelines of the endoscope. An endoscope corresponding to the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus can be realized.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described based on the drawings.
1 to 5 are views for explaining an endoscope according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a configuration of the endoscope, and FIG. 2 is an insertion portion from an operation portion of the endoscope. FIG. 3 is a front view of the proximal end surface of the insertion portion, FIG. 4 is a front view of the distal end surface of the operation portion, and FIG. 5 is a state in which the insertion portion and the operation portion are connected. It is the fragmentary sectional view cut | disconnected along the longitudinal axis of an endoscope.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes a long flexible insertion portion 1, an operation portion 37 connected to the proximal end of the insertion portion, and the operation portion 37. It has a universal cord 1c extending from the side portion and having a connector portion 39 disposed at the extended end, and is mainly configured.

  The insertion portion 1 includes a first insertion portion 1a that serves as a bend preventing portion and a second insertion portion 1b that is inserted into a body cavity. A hook 51 serving as a locking portion is disposed on the outer side portion on the proximal end side of the first insertion portion 1a. The second curved portion 1b includes an LED 48 as an illumination member on the distal end surface, an imaging element 47 such as a CCD as an imaging means inside the distal end portion, and an operation unit 37 to be described later on the outer peripheral side of the distal end portion. An angle member 46 made of EPAM (electroactive polymer) for bending the distal end portion of the second insertion portion 1b in accordance with the operation of the trackball 43 is disposed.

  The insertion portion 1 is provided with a plurality of endoscope channels 59 that are inserted from the distal end to the proximal end. These endoscope channels 59 include a treatment instrument channel 59a through which a treatment instrument and the like are inserted, an air / water supply channel 59b for air supply and water supply, and a suction channel 59c for suction.

  Also in the operation section 37, various endoscope channels 69, which are a treatment instrument channel 69a, an air / water supply channel 69b, and a suction channel 69c, are disposed. One end of the treatment instrument channel 69 a is open at the proximal end of the operation unit 37. The air / water supply channel 69b and the suction channel 69c pass through the universal cord 1c or along the outer side, and one end of each connector portion 39 is opened.

  On the other hand, the other end of each of the various endoscope channels 69 opens at the distal end surface of the operation unit 37. These various endoscope channels 69 can be easily detached from the operation unit 37 and the universal cord 1c, and are disposed of every time the endoscope 1A is used.

  The connection between the various endoscope channels 59 on the insertion unit 1 side and the various endoscope channels 69 on the operation unit 37 will be described later.

  The operation unit 37 is provided with a cap 45 for stoppering the opening of the treatment instrument channel 69a on the base end surface, and various buttons 44 operated on the base end side for air supply, water supply, suction, and the like. ing.

  The connector part 39 of the universal cord 1c is connected to a control unit (not shown). This control unit is an external device that has functions for suction, air supply, and water supply in accordance with the operation of the various buttons 44 of the operation unit 37, and performs various types of power supply.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the insertion portion 1, the proximal end portion of the first insertion portion 1 a is detachable from the distal end portion of the operation portion 37. The insertion portion 1 is connected to the operation portion 37 by a claw portion at a tip portion of the hook 51 being locked in a hook hole 50 which is a locked portion formed on the outer peripheral portion of the operation portion 37.

Next, the proximal end surface of the insertion portion 1 and the distal end surface of the operation portion 37 will be described based on FIGS. 3 and 4.
As shown in FIG. 3, the distal end surface of the insertion portion 1 has protrusions of the treatment instrument channel 59a, the air / water supply channel 59b, and the suction channel 59c, and the electric power from the operation portion 37 is shown in FIG. An insertion portion side transmission / reception coil 49a supplied without contact by the operation portion side transmission / reception coil 49b is disposed inside the distal end surface.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a treatment instrument channel 69 a, an air supply / water supply channel 69 b that engages with various channels 59 a to 59 c disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 1, and the distal end surface of the operation portion 37. The protruding portion of the suction channel 69c is provided, and the aforementioned operation unit side transmitting / receiving coil 49b is disposed.

  O-rings 63a to 64c are disposed on the outer circumferences of the treatment instrument channel 69a, the air / water supply channel 69b, and the suction channel 69c disposed on the distal end surface of the operation unit 37, respectively. Further, a concave portion 37a, which is a hole into which the proximal end of the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 is engaged, is formed at the distal end portion of the operation portion 37. A packing 37b is provided around the inner wall. In addition, the recessed part 37a of the operation part 37 has a hole diameter substantially equivalent to the outer diameter of the 1st insertion part 1a.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first insertion portion 1 a is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the operation portion 37 where the outer peripheral portion of the proximal end portion forms the recess 37 a by the packing 37 b of the operation portion 37. Connected airtight.

  The protrusions on the distal end surfaces of the various channels 69a to 69c having openings protrude from the base end surface of the operation unit 37 so as to correspond to the various channels 59a to 59c of the first insertion portion 1a, and It has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the various channels 59a to 59c of one insertion portion 1a.

  The position of the first insertion portion 1 a is adjusted and connected to the operation portion 37 so that the hook 51 of the first insertion portion 1 a can be engaged with the hook hole 50 of the operation portion 37. Accordingly, the hooks 51 of the first insertion portion 1a are inserted so that the protruding portions of the various channels 69a to 69c of the operation portion 37 are engaged with the corresponding openings of the various channels 59a to 59c of the first insertion portion 1a. The hook hole 50 of the operation unit 37 is positioned in a predetermined manner.

  As a result, connection errors between the various channels 59a to 59c of the insertion unit 1 and the various channels 69a to 69c of the operation unit 37 are prevented. That is, the treatment instrument channel 59a of the insertion section 1 is securely connected to the treatment instrument channel 69a of the operation section 37, and the air / water supply channel 59b of the insertion section 1 is reliably connected to the air / water supply channel 69b of the operation section 37. The suction channel 59c of the insertion unit 1 is securely connected to the suction channel 69c of the operation unit 37.

  Further, in a state where the first insertion portion 1a is connected to the operation portion 37, the protruding portions of the various channels 69a to 69c of the operation portion 37 are engaged with the openings of the various channels 59a to 59c of the first insertion portion 1a. When inserted, the O-rings 63a to 63c disposed on the outer periphery are connected in an airtight manner.

  The hook 51 has a claw portion 51a that is partially chamfered at a distal end portion thereof, and has a stagnation portion 51b that is cut out at an acute angle with respect to a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at a proximal end portion. Yes. When a downward force is applied to the hook portion 51b of the base end portion toward the paper surface of FIG. 5, the hook 51 has the claw portion 51a of the tip portion as a fulcrum with the joint portion with the first insertion portion 1a as a fulcrum. 5 can be moved upward toward the paper surface.

  Accordingly, in the first insertion portion 1a, a downward force is applied to the kneading portion 51b of the hook 51 toward the paper surface of FIG. 5, and the claw portion 51a moves upward toward the paper surface of FIG. Thus, it is detached from the operation portion 37 by being removed from the hook hole 50 of the operation portion 37 and being pulled out from the operation portion 37.

  On the other hand, the first insertion portion 1a is fitted into the operation portion 37 with the claw portion 51a moving upward toward the paper surface of FIG. When the downward force is removed toward the paper surface of FIG. 5, the claw portion 51 a moves downward toward the paper surface of FIG. 5 and is engaged with the hook hole 50 of the operation portion 37. Thus, the operation unit 37 is connected.

  In the present embodiment, the hook 51 that is a locking portion is provided in the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, and the hook hole 50 that is a locked portion is provided in the operation portion 37. Alternatively, a hook hole may be provided in the first insertion portion 1 a and a hook may be provided in the operation portion 37.

  Further, the insertion portion side transmitting / receiving coil 49a incorporated in the proximal end portion of the first insertion portion 1a is incorporated in the distal end portion of the operation portion when the first insertion portion 1a is connected to the operation portion 37. It is disposed at a position corresponding to the operation unit side transmitting / receiving coil 49b.

  Further, a magnet is provided on each of the proximal end surface side of the first insertion portion 1a and the distal end surface side of the operation portion 37, and the coupling force between the first insertion portion 1a and the operation portion 37 is enhanced by the magnetic force of these magnets. Also good.

  In addition, the angle member 46 for bending the distal end portion of the second insertion portion 1b has a first transmission antenna (not shown) in which an operation signal generated by the operation of the trackball 43 of the operation portion 37 is incorporated in the operation portion 37. It is supplied by a receiving antenna (not shown) built in the insertion portion 1a.

The insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1A of the present embodiment configured as described above is detached from the operation portion 37 and cleaned and sterilized by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus.
Here, based on FIGS. 6 to 10, the configuration of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 for cleaning and disinfecting the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1A of the present embodiment and the cleaning and disinfection of the insertion portion 1 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance in which an endoscope insertion portion is installed in a cleaning tank of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus; FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining the pipe joint part of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are the first insertion of the connecting part and the insertion part of the pipe joint part of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection of a part.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 includes a tank (hereinafter referred to as a cleaning tank) 2 for cleaning or disinfecting the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1 </ b> A and an upper part of the cleaning tank 2. The top cover 3 is provided.

  The cleaning tank 2 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 includes a first insertion portion holding member 4 and a plurality of second insertion portions 1a for holding the first insertion portion 1a and the second insertion portion 1b at predetermined positions. An insertion portion holding member 5 is disposed.

  The first insertion portion holding member 4 includes a sensor (not shown) that detects that the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 is set, for example, an optical sensor or a contact sensor.

  A water level detection sensor 6 for detecting the level of the circulating fluid circulating inside the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device 40 and a nozzle 18 serving as an inlet for the circulating fluid are provided on one wall surface inside the cleaning tank 2. ing.

  The water level detection sensor 6 detects that the liquid level of the circulating fluid stored in the cleaning tank 2 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 has reached at least two levels which are different heights from the inner bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2. For this purpose, it has two liquid level detectors. One liquid level detection part is provided so that the predetermined water level of circulating fluid can be detected in the bottom face side of the washing tank 2 rather than the other liquid level detection part. The second liquid level detection unit is provided so that the insertion unit 1 set in the washing tub 2 can detect a predetermined water level of the circulating fluid that is sufficiently submerged.

  A faucet 16 for supplying tap water as a diluting circulating liquid outside the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 is communicated with a nozzle 18 provided on the inner wall surface on the upper side of the cleaning tank 2 and a water supply line 15. To be connected. In the middle of the water supply line 15, a water supply valve 17 of an electromagnetic valve for supplying and stopping tap water and the like in order from the faucet 16 side, a water supply filter 10 for filtering tap water, and a backflow of circulating fluid are prevented. A check valve 11 is interposed.

  In order to supply and stop the tap water, the water supply valve 17 is supplied with a control signal from the control circuit 200, and the internal valve opens and closes. The nozzle 18 is also in communication with a disinfectant injection line 33 connected at one end to the water supply system line 15. Further, the other end of the disinfectant injection line 33 is connected to communicate with a disinfectant tank 32 in which the disinfectant is stored.

  An amount of disinfecting liquid that can sufficiently immerse the insertion portion 1 set in the cleaning tank 2 is stored in the disinfecting liquid tank 32. Further, the number of effective uses of the disinfecting process is determined, and the disinfectant is replaced after the number of effective uses.

  An injection pump 34 and a check valve 12 are interposed in the disinfecting liquid injection pipe 33 in order from the disinfecting liquid tank 32 side. The disinfecting liquid tank 32 is also connected to the chemical liquid recovery line 23. This chemical solution recovery line 23 is connected to communicate with a drain port 14 provided on the bottom surface of the washing tub 2, and a switching valve 13 is provided between the disinfectant tank 32 and the drain port 14. The switching valve 13 is also connected to the drain line 35.

  The switching valve 13 can connect the washing tub 2 and the drainage pipe 35 or the washing tank 2 and the chemical solution recovery pipe 23 by switching the internal valve. Moreover, the switching valve 13 can also close an internal valve so that both the drainage pipe line 35 and the chemical | medical solution collection pipe line 23 may not be connected with the washing tank 2 simultaneously.

  The drain pump 28 sucks the circulating fluid in the washing tub 2 from the drain line 35 side and sends it out to the drain hose 42 (see FIG. 7) side. Thus, the circulating fluid stored in the cleaning tank 2 is discharged to the outside of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device 40.

  The injection pump 34, the switching valve 13 and the drainage pump 28 are also electrically connected to the control circuit 200 described above. The switching valve 13 and the drainage pump 28 are opened, closed, started and stopped by the control circuit 200. Etc. are controlled.

  The washing tank 2 also has a circulating fluid suction port 20 on the bottom surface and a circulating fluid outlet 7 on one wall surface. The circulating fluid suction port 20 and the circulating fluid outlet 7 are connected to communicate with each other through a circulating fluid cleaning / disinfecting conduit 9. A circulating fluid cleaning / disinfecting pump 8 is provided in the circulating fluid cleaning / disinfecting conduit 9. One end of an in-pipe cleaning line 19 is connected to the circulating liquid cleaning / disinfecting conduit 9 between the circulating fluid cleaning / disinfecting pump 8 and the circulating fluid suction port 20.

  The other end of the in-pipe cleaning pipe 19 is connected so as to communicate with the air supply pipe 30. Further, the in-pipe cleaning pipe 19 is provided with an in-pipe cleaning pump 21 and a check valve 36 in order from the side connected to the circulating liquid cleaning / disinfecting pipe line 9.

  One end of the air supply conduit 30 is connected to the compressor 31, and the other end is connected to the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 25. The air supply line 30 is provided with a check valve 29 between the compressor 31 and a connection part connected to the in-pipe washing line 19.

  The electromagnetic on-off valve 25 is also connected to a branch pipe 27 that branches in three directions. The branch ends where these branch pipes 27 branch in three directions are connected to three electromagnetic opening / closing valves 24a, 24b, 24c each having a flow rate sensor.

  These three electromagnetic on-off valves are respectively connected to three liquid feeding tubes 58 communicating with a pipe cleaning nozzle 54 (see FIG. 8) described later of the pipe joint portion 22.

  The pipe joint part 22 is inserted through a hole provided in the side wall of the washing tub 2. The pipe joint portion 22 is moved forward by the drive mechanism 26 toward the inside of the washing tub 2 or retracted away from the inside.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 includes an operation panel 41 including various switches and a display panel for starting or stopping each process on one side surface of the exterior member. The operation panel 41 is electrically connected to the control circuit 200 inside the apparatus, and supplies various instruction signals to the control circuit 200.

  The control circuit 200 also supplies control signals to various pumps and various electromagnetic valves of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40. Further, a drainage hose 42 for draining the internal circulating fluid to the outside extends from the main body of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40.

  A hole is provided in one inner wall surface of the cleaning tub 2 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40, and the first joint portion of the insertion portion 1 in which the pipe joint portion 22 is installed in the cleaning tub 2 from the hole. It extends toward 1a. A sealing member 55 (see FIG. 8), which will be described later, is provided in the hole of the washing tub 2.

  The insertion portion 1 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with the second insertion portion 1b so as to be engaged with a plurality of second insertion portion holding members 5 provided in the washing tub 2 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40. Is done. Further, the first insertion portion 1a is installed on the first insertion portion holding member 4 so as to be positioned at a predetermined position. The pipe joint part 22 is connected to the first insertion part 1a of the insertion part 1, and a plurality of endoscope pipe lines 59 of the insertion part 1 and a plurality of pipe washing nozzles of the pipe joint part 22 described later. 54 communicates. As described above, the first insertion portion holding member 4 is provided with an optical sensor that detects that the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 is set in a predetermined manner.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the pipe joint portion 22 has a pipe shape through which the liquid feeding tube 58 is inserted from the base end side. This pipe joint part 22 has the connection part 22a connected with the 1st insertion part 1a of the insertion part 1 so that attachment or detachment is possible at the front end side.

  The pipe joint portion 22 is limited by a driving mechanism 26 for a predetermined moving distance to move forward or backward toward the insertion portion 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, three liquid feeding tubes 58 are inserted into the pipe joint portion 22. The pipe joint portion 22 is inserted into a ring-shaped seal member 55 made of an elastic body provided in a hole in the side wall of the washing tub 2. Since the seal member 55 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the pipe joint portion 22 due to its elastic deformation, the inner side of the washing tub 2 even if the pipe joint portion 22 slides in a direction substantially orthogonal to the wall surface of the washing tub 2. And the outside can keep watertight.

Next, based on FIG.9 and FIG.10, the connection part 22a of the pipe joint part 22 is demonstrated in detail.
The connecting portion 22a of the pipe joint portion 22 has a substantially cylindrical shape with one end closed by an end face member 22b. The connecting portion 22a has an inner peripheral surface shape substantially the same as the outer peripheral surface shape of the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, and has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first insertion portion 1a.

  The connecting portion 22 a has a hook hole 52 that is a long hole for hooking a claw portion of the hook 51 in the first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1, and a plurality of small holes 53. The length of the hook hole 52 in the longitudinal direction is longer than the length of the claw portion in the longitudinal direction of the hook 51 by a predetermined amount.

  Further, the connecting portion 22a has a plate member 22c that closes the pipe line closer to the base end side than the positions of the hook hole 52 and the small hole 53, and the connecting portion 22a is circulated through the plate member 22c. It has three pipe cleaning nozzles 54 that are liquid supply pipes.

  Each of these pipe cleaning nozzles 54 also penetrates the end face member 22b of the connecting portion 22a, is supported at two points by the plate member 22c and the end face member 22b, and is fixed to them. Further, the pipe washing nozzle 54 is a pipe having both ends of a substantially conical shape, and the base end thereof is connected to the liquid feeding tube 58 inserted through the pipe joint of the pipe joint portion 22, and an O-ring 60 is provided at the tip portion. have.

  Next, the operation | movement at the time of use of the endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus 40 concerning this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, the operator removes the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1A from the operation portion 37. At this time, the operator can easily remove the insertion portion 1 from the operation portion 37 by the hook 51 of the first insertion portion 1a. In addition, when the endoscope part 69 which is inserted in the inside of the operation part 37 and the universal cord 1c from which the insertion part 1 is detached or runs parallel to the outside is a disposable type, the operation part 37 and the universal cord 1c. It is extracted from or removed from the product and is disposed of in a predetermined manner. In addition, the operation unit 37 and the universal cord 1c from which the various endoscope channels 69 have been removed are cleaned and disinfected about once or twice a day depending on the degree of contamination.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the operator opens the top cover 3 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40, and inserts the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 1 </ b> A that is the object to be cleaned / disinfected into the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus. Set in 40 washing tub 2.

  At that time, the operator makes the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 face the first insertion portion holding member 4 in the washing tub 2, and the end face of the first insertion portion 1a faces the pipe joint portion 22. Set to. In addition, the operator can set the hook 51 of the first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1 so that the hook hole 52 of the connection portion 22 a of the pipeline joint portion 22 is linear in the longitudinal direction of the pipeline joint portion 22. The first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1 is installed on the first insertion portion holding member 4.

  Furthermore, the 2nd insertion part 1b of the insertion part 1 is set, selecting the some 2nd insertion part holding member 5 arbitrarily. When setting the second insertion portion 1b of the insertion portion 1 to the second insertion portion holding member 5, the operator preferably sets the curvature of the second insertion portion 1b so as to draw a smooth curve. .

  A detection sensor of the first insertion portion holding member 4, here an optical sensor, detects that the first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1 is set in a predetermined direction, and supplies a detection signal to the control circuit 200. To do. Upon receiving this detection signal, the control circuit 200 supplies a drive signal to the drive mechanism 26, and the pipe joint portion 22 moves forward toward the first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the pipe joint portion 22 is fitted into the proximal end portion of the first insertion portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1, the distal end of the connection portion 22 a is chamfered on the surface where the hook portion of the hook 51 is chamfered. The parts come into contact with each other and push the claw part of the hook 51 upward toward the paper surface of FIG. Further, the pipe joint portion 22 moves forward toward the first insertion portion 1a, so that the claw portion of the hook 51 is fitted into the hook hole of the connecting portion 22a. As shown in FIG. 5, the pipe joint portion 22 has a first end to the position where the tip of the pipe washing nozzle 54 is inserted into the opening of various endoscope pipes 59 that pass through the insertion portion 1. Advance toward the insertion portion 1a side.

  Next, under the control of the control circuit 200, the pipe joint portion 22 advances toward the insertion portion 1 up to the position shown in FIG. 10 to a position where the distal end of the coupling portion 22a contacts the end surface of the first insertion portion 1a. Then stopped.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the O-ring 60 provided at the distal end portion of the pipe cleaning nozzle 54 comes into contact with the opening of the endoscope pipe 59 so that the pipe cleaning nozzle 54 and the endoscope pipe 59 communicates with water tightness.

  Next, the operator injects a predetermined amount of detergent into the washing tank 2 so as not to directly touch the insertion portion 1. Thereafter, the operator closes the top cover 3 and presses a start switch on the operation panel 41 of the endoscope cleaning and disinfecting apparatus 40 shown in FIG. The disinfection process and the alcohol flush process are started.

  During each of these steps, the pipe joint portion 22 moves forward or backwards at least one reciprocation toward the first insertion portion 1a. That is, the pipe joint part 22 is a position where the distal end portion of the pipe washing nozzle 54 of the connecting part 22a is inserted into the openings of the various endoscope pipes 59 of the first insertion part 1a shown in FIG. 9 and at a position where the tube cleaning nozzle 54 of the connecting portion 22a is separated from the opening of the endoscope channel 59 at least once during each step of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40. Move back and forth.

  That is, the pipe joint part 22 is moved in two directions of forward and backward toward the first insertion part 1a. The movement distance in these two directions is, for example, about 2 mm, and the interval between the two convex portions on the proximal end side of the pipe joint portion 22 is also set at an interval of 2 mm in accordance with the movement distance.

  Note that the length of the hook hole 52 in the connecting portion 22a in the longitudinal direction is the length of the claw portion in the longitudinal direction of the hook 51 of the insertion portion 1 so that the pipe joint portion 22 can move sufficiently in two directions. That is, it has a length of the portion to be inserted plus 2 mm or more.

  Further, in the position of the pipe joint portion 22 shown in FIG. 9, that is, in the state where the endoscope pipe 59 of the insertion section 1 and the pipe washing nozzle 54 of the pipe joint section 22 are separated from each other, The flow of various fluids ejected to the end face of the first insertion portion 1a flows through the endoscope channel 59 of the insertion portion 1 and flows out from the tip of the second insertion portion 1b to the washing tub 2. It is divided into a flow that flows out from the small hole 53 of the connecting portion 22a into the washing tub 2.

  At the position of the pipe joint part 22 shown in FIG. 10, the O-ring 60 of the pipe washing nozzle 54 of the connecting part 22a contacts the opening end of the endoscope pipe line 59 of the insertion part 1, so The flow flows out from the distal end of the second insertion portion 1b to the cleaning tank 2 through the endoscope channel 59 of the insertion portion 1. At this time, a sensor for measuring the flow rate or the flow rate may be provided in the pipe washing nozzle 54 in order to confirm whether various flowing liquids are surely flowing in the various endoscope pipes 59 of the insertion portion 1.

  Accordingly, various flowing fluids circulating in the first path are inserted through the inside of the insertion portion 1 by two-way movement of moving forward or backward toward the first insertion portion 1a of the pipe joint portion 22. Cleaning and disinfection of the mirror line 59 and the end face side of the first insertion portion 1a of the insertion portion 1 are mainly cleaned and disinfected.

  Moreover, the outer surface of the insertion part 1 is washed and disinfected by ejecting various flowing liquids from the circulating fluid outlet 7 disposed on the wall surface of the washing tank 2.

  As a result, in the endoscope 1A of the present embodiment, the insertion unit 1 is detached from the operation unit 37, and the insertion unit 1 can be easily placed in the cleaning tank 2 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40, and a plurality of cleanings can be performed. It is not necessary to connect the tube to the various pipes 59a to 59c in the insertion portion 1.

  Therefore, the time required for connecting the cleaning tube can be eliminated, the operator forgets to connect the cleaning tube, and the time for checking whether the cleaning tube is correctly connected is not required. The rate is improved.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the first insertion portion 1 a is positioned on the outer periphery thereof substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and held by the first insertion portion holding member 4 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40. A guide groove 1e, which is a guide groove, may be formed. As shown in FIG. 12, a guide groove 1e 'may be formed only on the side portion of the first insertion portion 1a.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a guide hole which is a guide portion for inserting and holding the first insertion portion holding member 4 of the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 40 in the side portion of the first insertion portion 1 a. 1d may be provided.

  As a result, the first insertion portion 1a is provided with the guide grooves 1e and 1e 'and the guide hole 1d shown in FIGS. The position held by the insertion portion holding member 4 is determined. Therefore, the insertion part 1 is reliably arrange | positioned in the predetermined position in the washing tank 2 of the endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus 40.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the first insertion portion 1a includes a light emitting diode (LED) 84 which is a notification means inside, an illumination window 83 for irradiating the light of the LED 84 to the outside, and here, A reed switch 85 that is disposed in the vicinity of the guide hole 1d and that reacts with the magnet 4a that is built into the first insertion portion holding member 4 of the endoscope tip sterilizer 40 may be incorporated.

  Accordingly, when the first insertion portion 1a is correctly arranged in the washing tub 2 of the endoscope tip sterilizer 40, the reed switch 85 is turned on in response to the magnet 4a of the first insertion portion holding member 4. LED 84 lights up. Thereby, the operator can confirm easily that the 1st insertion part 1a was installed in the correct position of the washing tank 2. FIG.

  Moreover, the 1st insertion part 1a may be provided with alerting | reporting means, such as a buzzer, instead of LED84 with lighting of LED84.

It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of an endoscope. It is a partial perspective view in the state where the insertion part was removed from the operation part of the endoscope. It is a front view of the base end surface of an insertion part. It is a front view of the front end surface of an operation part. It is the fragmentary sectional view cut | disconnected along the longitudinal axis of the endoscope of the state in which the insertion part and the operation part were connected. It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of an endoscope cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance by which the insertion part of the endoscope is installed in the washing tank of the endoscope washing / disinfecting apparatus. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the pipe line joint part of an endoscope cleaning disinfection apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection of the connection part of the pipe joint part of an endoscope washing and disinfection apparatus, and the operation part of an endoscope. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the connection of the connection part of the pipe joint part of an endoscope washing and disinfection apparatus, and the operation part of an endoscope. It is a figure for demonstrating the guide groove formed in the outer periphery of an insertion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the guide groove formed in the outer periphery of an insertion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the guide hole formed in the outer periphery of an insertion part. It is a figure for demonstrating the alerting | reporting means arrange | positioned at an insertion part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1c ... Universal cord, 1A ... Endoscope, 1 ... Insertion part, 1a ... 1st insertion part, 1b ... 2nd insertion part, 37 ... Operation part, 39 ... Connector part, 43 ... Track ball, 44 ... Various buttons, 45 ... Cap, 46 ... Angle member, 47 ... Image sensor, 49a ... Transmitting coil on insertion side 49b ... transmission / reception coil on the operation unit side, 50 ... hook hole, 51 ... hook, 51a ... claw part, 51b ... hole part, 59,69 ... endoscopic channel, 59a, 69a ... treatment instrument channel, 59c, 69c ... suction channel, 59b, 69b ... air supply / water supply channel,
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (4)

An endoscope which is held by a holding member disposed in a cleaning tank of an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus and is cleaned and disinfected,
An insertion section in which an endoscope duct is disposed from the distal end to the proximal end;
An operation unit detachably coupled to the insertion unit;
The endoscope, wherein the insertion portion has a guide portion held by the holding member for positioning at a predetermined position in the cleaning tank . The said insertion part has the latching | locking part latched by the said operation part, or the to-be-latched part latched by the said operation part, It is detachable with respect to the said operation part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. The endoscope according to 1. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the locking portion or the locked portion is detachably locked with a locking means provided in the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus . The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion unit further includes notification means for notifying that the insertion member is held by the holding member .

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