JP4761653B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to prevent infection between patients via the endoscope, the endoscope is cleaned by a cleaning device every time it is used, and the endoscope after cleaning is hung on a hanger until the next use. It is normal.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such an endoscope hanger, an unwashed endoscope after use may be hung, so whether the currently suspended endoscope has been washed or not washed. There is a risk that an uncleaned endoscope may be used as it is.
[0004]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that can accurately determine whether the endoscope has been cleaned by the endoscope cleaning apparatus or has not been cleaned, and can be reused without being cleaned. To do.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope of the present invention has a signal input terminal connected to a signal output terminal of the endoscope cleaning device when being cleaned by the endoscope cleaning device, and an input from the signal input terminal. Cleaning means for storing “cleaned” and a display means for displaying “cleaned” at a position visible from the outside when the received signal means “cleaning completed” Are provided.
[0006]
A connector that is detachable from the external light source device is provided, and the connector is connected to the external light source device, so that “cleaned” is erased from the cleaned storage means and the display means. You may be made to do.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows an endoscope 10 and a light source device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an operation unit 12 is connected to a proximal end of a flexible tubular insertion unit 11 of the endoscope 10. A connector portion 14 that is detachably connected to the light source device 20 is attached to the distal end of the flexible connecting tube 13 that extends from the operation portion 12.
[0008]
A light guide connector 15 and an electric signal connector 16 are attached to the side surface of the connector portion 14 so that a display 19 made of, for example, a liquid crystal display or a light emitting diode can be seen from the outside.
[0009]
In addition to the light source lamp 21, the light source device 20 includes a control unit 22 including an MPU (microprocessor) and the like. When the connector unit 14 is connected to the light source device 20, illumination emitted from the light source lamp 21. Light enters the light guide connector 15, and the control unit 22 is connected to a circuit on the endoscope 10 side through an interface (not shown) and the electrical signal connector 16.
[0010]
FIG. 3 shows an endoscope cleaning device 30, and a cleaning unit 31 for storing and cleaning the endoscope 10 is disposed at the upper end portion of the endoscope cleaning device 30. 32 is attached.
[0011]
Reference numeral 33 denotes a waterproof cap that is detachably placed on the electrical signal connector 16 so that the cleaning water does not enter the electrical signal connector 16 of the endoscope 10, and is a waterproof cap that extends from the endoscope cleaning device 30. The electric signal cord 34 is attached to the tip.
[0012]
FIG. 4 shows a state in which such a waterproof cap 33 is positioned to face the electrical signal connector 16. The waterproof cap 33 and the electrical signal connector 16 each have a large number of connection terminals (signal output terminals and signal). Input terminal).
[0013]
When the waterproof cap 33 is attached to the electrical signal connector 16 when the endoscope 10 is cleaned by the endoscope cleaning device 30, the signal output terminal on the waterproof cap 33 side and the signal input terminal of the electrical signal connector 16 Is connected.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a wiring block diagram in a state where a waterproof cap 33 of an endoscope cleaning device 30 is attached to an electrical signal connector 16 of the endoscope 10. An MPU (microprocessor) is connected to the connector portion 14 of the endoscope 10. ) And the like, and a non-volatile memory 18 and a display 19 are connected to the microcomputer 17 in the connector section 14. The display 19 displays the contents stored in the memory 18.
[0015]
It should be noted that a backup power source (not shown) such as a battery is provided so that the microcomputer 17, the display 19 and the like can be operated even if the endoscope 10 is not connected to the light source device 20 or the endoscope cleaning device 30. Is disposed in the connector portion 14.
[0016]
With such a configuration, when the waterproof cap 33 is attached to the electrical signal connector 16, a signal such as “cleaning completed” output from the system controller 35 built in the endoscope cleaning device 30 is output from the endoscope 10. The microcomputer 17 is ready to be read.
[0017]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 which is a flowchart showing the contents of software of the microcomputer 17 on the endoscope 10 side. S in FIG. 5 indicates a step.
[0018]
It is detected that cleaning of the endoscope 10 by the endoscope cleaning apparatus 30 has been started (S1), and a signal indicating “end of cleaning” output from the system controller 35 is a microcomputer 17 on the endoscope 10 side. (S2), it is stored in the memory 18 of the endoscope 10 at the same time, and at the same time, the display 19 is "cleaned" by characters or light (for example, a blue light). It is displayed (S3).
[0019]
And even if the waterproof cap 33 is removed from the electrical signal connector 16 of the connector part 14, the stored contents of the memory 18 and the display of the display 19 do not change (S 4), and the connector part 14 is connected to the light source device 20. The microcomputer 17 detects that the circuit on the endoscope 10 side is connected to the control unit 22 through the signal input terminal of the electrical signal connector 16, and both the memory 18 and the display 19 are reset. Is completed (S5).
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when a signal signifying “cleaning is completed” is sent from the endoscope cleaning device to the endoscope, it is displayed on the display unit on the endoscope side as “cleaned”. Whether the endoscope has been cleaned by the cleaning device or not yet cleaned can be always grasped without error, and the possibility of reuse without being cleaned can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a wiring block diagram showing a state in which an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to an endoscope cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope and a light source device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the endoscope cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a connection portion between an electrical signal connector and a waterproof cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of software of a microcomputer on the endoscope side of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Endoscope 14 Connector 16 Electrical signal connector (signal input terminal)
17 Microcomputer 18 Memory (cleaned storage means)
19 Display (display means)
30 Endoscope cleaning device 33 Waterproof cap 34 Waterproof electric signal cord

Claims (2)

The electric signal input terminal connected to the electric signal output terminal of the endoscope cleaning apparatus when being cleaned by the endoscope cleaning apparatus, and the electric signal input from the electric signal input terminal means “end of cleaning” A non-volatile memory for storing “cleaned”, a display for displaying the stored contents of the memory in a position visible from the outside , and a backup power source for operating the display And an endoscope. A connector that can be attached to and detached from the external light source device is provided, and the connector is connected to the external light source device, so that it is “cleaned” from the nonvolatile memory and the display . The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein is erased.

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