JP4648784B2 - Endoscope internal pressure adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an internal pressure adjusting device provided in an endoscope that may be sterilized by an autoclave, ethylene oxide gas (EOG), or the like.

  In order to perform ethylene oxide gas, autoclave, etc. to sterilize the endoscope, it is necessary to depressurize the sterilization chamber containing the endoscope once, and the endoscope has a structure that can withstand such a low pressure environment. There is a need to.

  The problem here is that the most flexible part of the endoscope's exterior, for example, a tube covering a curved part, which is generally formed of rubber, may swell and burst during decompression. It is.

  Therefore, a check valve that prevents gas from passing from the inside of the endoscope to the outside and does not pass gas from the outside to the inside of the endoscope is provided. Further, steam, gas, washing water or the like is prevented from entering the endoscope during sterilization or cleaning.

  However, with such a structure, the endoscope's internal pressure remains lower than the atmospheric pressure even after the endoscope has been sterilized. There is a possibility that it may be in a state of being caught between the members and causing a failure.

Therefore, during the sterilization process, a valve opening adapter that is detachable with respect to the check valve is attached to the check valve, and after the sterilization process, the check valve is moved by the cam mechanism while the valve opening adapter is being removed from the check valve. The endoscope is forcibly opened so that the inside and outside of the endoscope communicate with each other (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 10-328132 A

  In the check valve as described above, the valve body is disposed in the adapter receiving cylinder for mounting the valve opening adapter, and the valve opening adapter is engaged when the valve opening adapter is attached to the adapter receiving cylinder. A valve drive unit is formed at the protruding end portion of the valve body, and when the valve body is rotated around the axis by the valve opening adapter, the check valve is thereby opened.

  In addition, in the conventional endoscope internal pressure adjusting device, the protruding end of the valve body in which the valve drive portion formed with such a valve drive part needs to be easily engaged with and disengaged from the valve opening adapter. It is comprised so that it may become the same surface as the tip end face of the receiving tube.

  However, when the tip end position of the check valve valve body is flush with the tip end face of the adapter barrel, after the endoscope is used, disinfection by chemical immersion is performed without using a valve opening adapter, for example. Occasionally, when the tip of the valve element touches the outside, the valve element rotates around the axis and the valve opens, and there is a possibility that a chemical solution flows into the endoscope and causes a serious failure.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an internal pressure adjusting device for an endoscope in which the check valve does not open unintentionally when the endoscope is disinfected by chemical immersion without using a valve opening adapter. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope internal pressure adjustment device according to the present invention opens the valve to a check valve provided on the outer wall portion of the endoscope in which the outer wall partitioning from the outside is all hermetically configured. When the adapter is detachably attached and the valve opening adapter is attached to the check valve, the check valve is closed when the internal pressure of the endoscope is lower than the external pressure. The internal pressure of an endoscope configured to force the check valve to open during the process of removing the valve opening adapter from the check valve when the check valve is open. An adjustment device, wherein the check valve is provided with an adapter receiving cylinder for mounting the valve opening adapter, and a valve body movably disposed in the axial direction within the adapter receiving cylinder, and the protruding end of the valve body When the valve opening adapter is attached to the adapter receptacle In an internal pressure adjusting device for an endoscope, in which a valve driving unit that engages with a valve opening adapter is formed, and when the valve body is rotated around the axis by the valve opening adapter, the check valve is opened. Is arranged at a position retracted into the adapter receiving cylinder from the base end surface of the adapter receiving cylinder.

  According to the present invention, by arranging the protruding end of the valve body at a position retracted into the adapter receiving tube from the base end surface of the adapter receiving tube, the endoscope can be immersed in a chemical solution without using a valve opening adapter. In the case of disinfection or the like, a phenomenon in which the valve body touches an external object to be in the valve open state does not occur, so that no chemical solution or the like enters the endoscope.

  The check valve includes an adapter receiving cylinder for mounting a valve opening adapter, and a valve body that is movably disposed in the axial direction in the adapter receiving cylinder. A valve drive is formed that engages the valve opening adapter when the adapter is attached to the adapter receptacle, and when the valve body is rotated about the axis by the valve opening adapter, the check valve is thereby opened. In the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope, the protruding end of the valve body is disposed at a position retracted into the adapter receiving cylinder from the base surface of the protruding end of the adapter receiving cylinder.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. A bending portion that can be bent by a remote operation by an operation lever 3 provided on the operation portion 1 is provided at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 connected to the operation portion 1. 4 is provided. The curved portion 4 is covered with a flexible rubber tube.

  A light guide connector 7 detachably connected to a light source device (not shown) is attached to the distal end of the flexible connecting tube 6 extending from the operation unit 1. Reference numeral 5 denotes an eyepiece, which is unnecessary in the case of an electronic endoscope.

  In this endoscope, the partition walls that are partitioned from the outside are all hermetically configured by packing, O-rings, and the like, and the insides are in communication with each other. The light guide connector 7 is provided with a check valve 10 for adjusting the pressure inside the endoscope at the time of sterilization with ethylene oxide gas, autoclave or the like, and is detachably attached to the check valve 10. An open adapter 50 is provided.

  When the valve opening adapter 50 is attached, the check valve 10 opens when the pressure inside the endoscope becomes higher than the outside and allows gas to pass from the inside to the outside. When the pressure inside the endoscope is lower than the outside Is closed and does not allow gas to pass from the outside to the inside.

  FIGS. 1 and 4 show a state where the valve opening adapter 50 is not attached to the check valve 10 and a state where the check valve 10 is attached. The check valve 10 is externally attached from the outer wall of the light guide connector 7 that partitions the exterior and interior of the endoscope. In the vicinity of the outer end of the substantially cylindrical valve seat forming member 14 provided so as to protrude in the direction, a valve seat 14a having a shape that tapers outward is formed. Reference numeral 13 denotes an O-ring for sealing.

  Engagement for engaging with a guide groove 53 of a valve opening adapter 50, which will be described later, on the outer wall surface of the substantially cylindrical adapter receiving tube 11 fitted on the outer periphery of the valve seat forming member 14 and fixed by screws. The pin 12 protrudes toward the side.

  The valve body 15 is disposed in the valve seat forming member 14 so as to be movable in the axial direction and rotatable around the axis, and is provided in an O-ring 16 in a circular groove formed in a tapered surface portion facing the valve seat 14a. Is installed.

  Accordingly, when the O-ring 16 is pressed against the valve seat 14a, a closed state is created in which the inside and the outside of the endoscope are closed, and conversely, the valve body 15 is outward (that is, the adapter barrel). When the O-ring 16 moves away from the valve seat 14a (in the direction of the protrusion 11), the inside and outside of the endoscope communicate with each other through the gap.

  A valve drive groove 15a (valve drive portion) for rotating a valve body 15 around an axis by engaging a valve opening adapter 50 described later on the protruding end portion of the valve body 15 located outside the valve seat 14a. It is also formed as a vent opening that opens to the outer surface.

  The valve body 15 is urged by a compression coil spring 17 in a direction in which the O-ring 16 is pressed against the valve seat 14 a and the check valve 10 is closed, and the valve body 15 resists the urging force of the compression coil spring 17. A drive pin 19 for pushing up the body 15 to forcibly open the check valve 10 from the outside is provided on the side surface near the inner end of the valve body 15.

  A spring receiving cylinder 18 that receives one end of the compression coil spring 17 is connected and fixed to the inner end portion of the valve body 15 by a drive pin 19. The spring receiving cylinder 18 is loosely fitted in the valve seat forming member 14, but can be moved forward and backward in the axial direction integrally with the valve body 15, and a plurality of ventilation grooves are formed in the outer peripheral portion in the direction parallel to the axial line. 18a is formed.

  A cam groove 22 for driving the drive pin 19 is formed on the side wall of the cylindrical portion of the valve seat forming member 14. As shown in the development view of FIG. 2, the cam groove 22 is formed with a chevron cam surface on the lower surface against which the drive pin 19 is pressed by the urging force of the compression coil spring 17.

  The cam groove 22 is an angle cam so that the movement of the drive pin 19 ″ accompanying the opening / closing operation of the valve body 15 is not restricted when the valve opening adapter 50 is attached to the check valve 10. It is formed in a shape opened upward from the bottom of the surface, and 22a is that portion.

  The intermediate portion of the cam surface of the chevron of the cam groove 22 pushes up the drive pin 19 ′ that has come to that position against the urging force of the compression coil spring 17 so as to force the valve body 15 to open. To work.

  When the valve opening adapter 50 is rotated to a predetermined maximum rotation angle θ in a direction in which the valve opening adapter 50 is detached from the check valve 10, the drive pin 19 is placed at a position where the drive pin 19 is engaged. A circumferential groove positioned in the valve closed state is formed short.

  In the check valve 10 configured as described above, when the valve opening adapter 50 is attached, the O-ring 16 of the valve body 15 is pressed against the valve seat 14a by the urging force of the compression coil spring 17 and is closed. When the pressure outside the endoscope drops more than a certain level from the internal pressure, the valve body 15 is pushed outward by the differential pressure, resulting in a valve open state in which a gap is formed between the valve seat 14a and the O-ring 16. Become.

  At a position where the valve body 15 is being rotated to the maximum rotation angle θ in the direction in which the valve opening adapter 50 is removed, the drive pin 19 ′ at that position is pushed up by the chevron-shaped cam surface of the cam groove 22. The ring 16 is separated from the valve seat 14a, the check valve 10 is forcibly opened, and a forced open state is established in which the inside and outside of the endoscope communicate with each other.

  When the valve body 15 is further rotated to the maximum rotation angle θ in the removal direction of the valve opening adapter 50, the drive pin 19 descends the slope of the angled cam surface, and the valve body 15 gradually approaches the valve seat 14a. The O-ring 16 of the valve body 15 is pressed against the valve seat 14a by the urging force of the compression coil spring 17, and the check valve 10 returns to the closed state.

  FIG. 5 shows the valve opening adapter 50 alone, in order to guide the engaging pin 12 of the check valve 10 to the outer wall portion of the adapter main body cylinder 51 fitted to the adapter receiving cylinder 11 of the check valve 10. The guide groove 53 is formed, and a drive piece 54 that engages with the valve drive groove 15a of the valve body 15 projects from the head. Reference numeral 55 denotes a vent hole.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the valve opening adapter 50 is being attached to and detached from the check valve 10, and the adapter body cylinder 51 of the valve opening adapter 50 is fitted on the adapter receiving cylinder 11 of the check valve 10. The valve opening adapter 50 is attached to and detached from the check valve 10 by guiding the engagement pin 12 of the check valve 10 into the guide groove 53 of the valve opening adapter 50, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive piece 54 of the valve opening adapter 50 engages with the valve driving groove 15 a of the check valve 10, so that the valve body 15 rotates about the axis together with the valve opening adapter 50.

  8, the guide groove 53 is bent at a right angle in the circumferential direction following the guide groove 53a through which the engagement pin 12 is guided in the axial direction, and the end rotated by the maximum rotation angle θ therefrom. A crank portion 53c is formed at an intermediate portion reaching the portion 53b. Such a crank portion 53 c moves the valve opening adapter 50 in the axial direction with respect to the check valve 10, but does not affect the opening / closing operation of the check valve 10.

  Thus, since the crank part 53c is formed in the intermediate part and the engaging pin 12 cannot pass therethrough at a stretch, the valve opening adapter 50 is illustrated in FIG. 6 when being removed from the check valve 10. The time for the forced open state is ensured for a certain time or more, and the inside of the endoscope can be made equal to the external atmospheric pressure by reliably introducing the outside air into the endoscope in the decompressed state.

  In the endoscope internal pressure adjusting device configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the valve body 15 is a protruding end of the valve body 15 in a normal valve closed state in which the valve opening adapter 50 is not attached. The surface 15b is configured to be located in a state where it is retracted into the adapter receiving cylinder 11 from the protruding end base surface 11a of the adapter receiving cylinder 11. The retraction amount e is, for example, about 0.5 to 1.5 mm.

  Therefore, when the endoscope is disinfected by immersion in a chemical solution without using the valve opening adapter 50, the valve body 15 rotates around the axis line to be in the valve open state when the valve body 15 touches an external object. The phenomenon does not occur, and there is no possibility that a chemical solution or the like enters the endoscope.

It is side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the valve opening adapter is not attached to the check valve of the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is an expanded view of the cam groove of the non-return valve of the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is an external view which shows the whole structure of the endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the valve opening adapter was attached to the non-return valve of the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is a side half sectional view of a valve opening adapter of an internal pressure adjusting device of an endoscope of an example of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the non-return valve is a forced open state in the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope of the Example of this invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 6 of the endoscope internal pressure adjusting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is an expanded view of the guide groove of the valve opening adapter of the internal pressure adjusting device of the endoscope of the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Check valve 11 Adapter receptacle 11a Protrusion end face 15 Valve body 15a Valve drive groove (valve drive part)
15b End face 50 Valve opening adapter

Claims (1)

A valve opening adapter is detachably attached to a check valve provided on the outer wall of an endoscope in which the outer wall that partitions the exterior is completely airtight, and the valve opening adapter is attached to the check valve. In this state, the check valve is closed when the inside of the endoscope is at a lower pressure than the outside, and when the inside of the endoscope is at a higher pressure than the outside, the check valve is opened and the valve is opened. In the process of removing the adapter from the check valve, an internal pressure adjusting device for an endoscope configured to forcibly open the check valve,
The check valve includes an adapter receiving cylinder for mounting the valve opening adapter, and a valve body that is movably disposed in the axial direction in the adapter receiving cylinder, and is disposed at a protruding end portion of the valve body. Is formed when the valve opening adapter is engaged with the valve opening adapter when the valve opening adapter is attached to the adapter receptacle, and the valve body is rotated around the axis by the valve opening adapter. In the endoscope internal pressure adjusting device in which the check valve is opened by
An endoscopic pressure adjusting device for an endoscope, wherein the protruding end of the valve body is arranged at a position retracted into the adapter receiving tube from a protruding end opening base surface of the adapter receiving tube.

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