JP4766986B2 - Endoscope, filter unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter unit including a part of a suction conduit, and an endoscope configured so that a part of the suction conduit is detachable.

  In recent years, endoscopes that can optically observe a region to be inspected by inserting an insertion portion have been widely used in the medical field and the like.

  In the medical field, an endoscope inserts an insertion part into a body cavity, and optically observes a site to be examined such as an affected part by an illumination optical system and an observation optical system provided at the distal end of the insertion part. Used for endoscopy.

  Some of these endoscopes include a suction pipe for sucking body fluid, washing liquid, air in a body cavity, and the like, and this suction pipe is connected to a suction pump. .

  Furthermore, the suction conduit may be used also as a treatment instrument insertion path for inserting a treatment instrument such as forceps. In this case, since a part is branched and connected to the forceps port serving as the treatment instrument insertion port, there is a branch portion of the duct. Such a branched portion has a complicated structure, so that it takes time to clean. In view of these points, techniques for improving the cleaning properties have been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-262901 discloses a branch adapter that constitutes a part of a joint of a hand operation unit and is formed with a branch path of a forceps port, a treatment instrument insertion channel, and a suction conduit. The structure which was made detachable with respect to the part is described. In such a configuration, in order to clean the branch path, the branch adapter is removed from the local operation unit, and thus the branch path can be focused and cleaned.

  As described above, in endoscopy, treatment may be performed by inserting a treatment tool into a channel (pipe) as necessary. At this time, the tissue at the site to be examined may be excised using a treatment tool, and the excised tissue may be collected outside the body for pathological examination.

  When recovering the excised tissue outside the body, a method of extracting the tissue outside the body while holding the tissue with a treatment tool such as a grasping forceps, a method of collecting the suction using the suction conduit of the scope, There is. Among these methods, the former method has an advantage that a relatively large size tissue can be recovered. However, since re-insertion is necessary when the endoscopy is continuously performed thereafter, the operation is troublesome. It will take time. Therefore, it is desirable to collect the tissue by suction if it is a small tissue that is not limited by the channel size of the suction conduit.

  As an example of the installation position of the polyp trap for capturing the tissue, an example in which the polyp trap is installed in the middle of the suction tube connecting the suction base of the endoscope connector portion and the suction pump can be given.

  As another example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-74804 discloses an insertion portion, a hand operation portion having a forceps insertion port, a suction button, and the like, and a hand operation portion connected at the other end to the control unit. In an endoscope provided with a connecting portion and a suction passage that is open at the distal end of the insertion portion and is continuously formed in the insertion portion, the hand operation portion, and the connection portion, an inner portion having a filter interposed in the suction passage. An endoscope is described. More specifically, a tissue collection filter (mesh) is disposed at a connection portion between the treatment instrument insertion port of the endoscope and the suction conduit. When suction is performed by a suction pump, a tissue such as a polyp passing through the pipe line is captured by the filter portion. The outside of the filter is covered with a cap for closing the opening of the connecting portion, and the filter can be attached and detached by removing the cap.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-54853 describes a technique in which a holder capable of mounting a filter for collecting tissue is provided in the middle of a tube connecting an endoscope and a suction source (suction pump). Yes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-262901 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-74804 JP-A-6-54853

  In the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-262901, the suction conduit is detachable with respect to the endoscope body, and the detachable suction conduit has a function of collecting tissue. is not.

  Moreover, since the technique described in the Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-74804 is configured to place a filter inside the forceps insertion port itself, the filter is used when the treatment tool is used. May interfere with operation.

  Furthermore, in the technique described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-54853, the filter is provided at a position away from the endoscope main body, and is naturally separate from the forceps plug. The process of removing the lens from the endoscope body must be performed separately, which is troublesome when trying to perform cleaning. Also, with this configuration, it is not easy for the surgeon to visually recognize and grasp immediately whether tissue has been collected in the filter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope and a filter unit in which a filter portion can be easily attached and detached together with a part of a suction conduit.

In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to a first aspect of the present invention is a suction pipe configured such that one end opens at the distal end of the insertion portion and communicates with a suction switching valve for controlling a suction operation. A detachable conduit member that forms a part of the suction conduit when attached, and a suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member A filter part for recovering the tissue of the subject, which is configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the attachable / detachable conduit member. The insertion portion side suction conduit that becomes the distal end side portion of the insertion portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the double passage serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage, and the detachable conduit member is inserted into the insertion portion when attached. A treatment instrument insertion conduit that communicates with the side suction conduit, and an opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit. Passing possible and is configured to have a valve unit which closes the substantially airtight, the one in which also serves as a forceps plug.

An endoscope according to a second aspect of the invention is the endoscope according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the operation portion side suction conduit that is the proximal portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the detachable conduit member is: The detachable conduit member further includes a connecting conduit for branching from the treatment instrument insertion conduit and connecting to the operating portion side suction conduit. The filter portion is provided on the pipe line of the connection pipe line.

Furthermore, the endoscope according to the third invention is detachably mounted in the middle of a suction conduit configured to open at the distal end of the insertion portion and communicate with a suction switching valve for controlling a suction operation. A detachable pipe member constituting a part of the suction pipe line when mounted, and the detachable pipe in the middle of the suction pipe line formed in the detachable pipe member. And a filter unit configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the path member for recovering the tissue of the subject, and the suction tube divided by the removable line member The insertion portion side suction conduit that becomes the distal end side portion of the insertion portion and the operation portion side suction conduit that becomes the proximal portion of the passage are at least in the vicinity of the portion where the attachment / detachment conduit member is mounted. The distance between the shafts of the insertion part side suction pipe axis and the operation part side suction pipe axis is And it is configured so as to spread the.

An endoscope according to a fourth invention is the endoscope according to the third invention, wherein the insertion portion side suction conduit also serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage, and the detachable conduit member is mounted A treatment instrument insertion conduit that communicates with the insertion portion side suction conduit, a valve portion that allows the treatment instrument to be inserted through the opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit, and closes the treatment instrument substantially airtightly; A connection pipe for branching from the passage and connecting to the operation part side suction pipe, and also serving as a forceps plug, and further, the filter section is provided on the pipe of the connection pipe The treatment instrument inserted from the valve part is configured to be separated from the filter part as the distance between the axes gradually increases.

An endoscope according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the endoscope according to the first or third aspect, wherein at least one of the filter portions when the detachable conduit member is attached in the middle of the suction conduit. The part is configured so as to be exposed to the outside so as to be visible, and at least a part of the filter part exposed so as to be visible to the outside is formed of a light-transmitting material.

A filter unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is detachably attached in the middle of the suction pipe line of the endoscope, and constitutes a part of the suction pipe line when attached. A subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the detachable conduit member and the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. An insertion portion side suction conduit that serves as a distal end portion of the insertion portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the removable conduit member also serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage. The detachable conduit member is provided with a treatment instrument insertion conduit that is adapted to communicate with the insertion portion side suction conduit when mounted, and an opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit is disposed in the treatment instrument. And a valve portion that is substantially airtightly closed, and also serves as a forceps plug.

The filter unit according to the seventh invention is detachably mounted in the middle of the suction conduit of the endoscope, and constitutes a part of the suction conduit when mounted. A subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the detachable conduit member and the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. And a filter part for collecting the tissue of the insertion part side suction pipe line serving as a distal end part of the insertion part and a hand side part of the suction pipe line divided by the detachable pipe member The operation part side suction pipe is at least in the vicinity of the portion where the detachable pipe member is mounted, and toward the detachable pipe member, the shaft of the insertion part side suction line and the operation part side suction pipe The distance between the axes is gradually increased.

  According to the endoscope and the filter unit of the present invention, the filter portion can be easily attached and detached together with a part of the suction pipe.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes an electronic endoscope (an endoscope body, hereinafter simply abbreviated as an endoscope) 2 according to a first embodiment including an imaging unit, and the endoscope. A light source device 3 that supplies illumination light to the mirror 2, a signal processing device 4 that performs signal processing on an imaging signal output from the endoscope 2, and a video signal output from the signal processing device 4 is displayed on the screen. The color monitor 5 and a suction device 6 having a suction pump 6a for performing a suction operation are provided.

  The endoscope 2 is provided with an elongated insertion portion 7, an operation portion 8 having a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion 7, and extending from a side portion of the operation portion 8. And a universal cable 9. A connector 10 is provided at the end of the universal cable 9, and this connector 10 is detachably connected to the light source device 3.

  Further, the connector 10 is provided with a suction connector (suction cap) 10a which is a proximal end of a suction side pipe line (operation part side suction pipe line) 32, which will be described later, inserted into the universal cable 9. The suction connector 10a is connected to the suction device 6 through a suction tube 6b.

  The insertion portion 7 is formed at a hard distal end portion 11 provided on the most distal side, a bendable bending portion 12 formed at the rear end of the distal end portion 11, and a rear end of the bending portion 12. And a flexible portion (flexible portion) 13 that is long and flexible. Further, the rear end of the soft portion 13 is connected to the front end of the operation portion 8. On the outer periphery of the rear end of the soft portion 13, a bend preventing portion 14 formed in a tapered shape is provided.

  A light guide 15 comprising a fiber bundle having flexibility and a function of transmitting illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 7, the operation portion 8, and the universal cable 9. By connecting to the light source device 3, illumination light from a lamp (not shown) in the light source device 3 is supplied to the end face of the light guide connector.

  The illumination light transmitted by the light guide 15 is emitted forward from the distal end surface fixed to the illumination window of the distal end portion 11 to illuminate a subject such as an affected area. The illuminated image of the subject is formed as an optical image at an image formation position by an objective lens 16 attached to an observation window provided at the tip 11 adjacent to the illumination window. At this imaging position, a charge coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 17 is arranged as an imaging device having a function of photoelectric conversion, and converts an optical image into an electrical signal.

  The CCD 17 is connected to one end of the signal cable 18. This signal cable 18 is inserted through the insertion portion 7 and the like, and its rear end is connected to the electrical connector 19 of the connector 10. The electrical connector 19 is connected to the signal processing device 4 via the external cable 20.

  A drive circuit 21 is provided in the signal processing device 4, and a CCD drive signal output from the drive circuit 21 is applied to the CCD 17. When the CCD drive signal is applied, the CCD 17 outputs a photoelectrically converted image signal, and this image signal is input to the signal processing circuit 22 in the signal processing device 4. The image signal is processed by the signal processing circuit 22 and converted into a standard video signal. This standard video signal is input to the color monitor 5. Then, the color monitor 5 displays in color the endoscopic image captured by the CCD 17 in the endoscopic image display area 5a.

  The bending portion 12 provided adjacent to the distal end portion 11 is configured to connect a large number of ring-shaped bending pieces 24 to the adjacent bending pieces 24 with rivets or the like at positions corresponding to the top, bottom, left and right. It is configured. A bending wire 25 is fixed to the most advanced bending piece 24 or the distal end portion 11 among the plurality of bending pieces 24. The rear end of the bending wire 25 is connected to a sprocket 26 in the operation unit 8. The sprocket 26 is configured to be rotatable, and a bending operation knob 27 for performing a bending operation is integrally attached to the sprocket 26 (note that the bending including the bending operation knob 27 is included). There are two mechanisms, one for performing bending in the vertical direction and one for performing bending in the left-right direction. In FIG. 1, for simplicity, only one of these is provided. Is shown schematically).

  Then, by performing an operation of rotating the bending operation knob 27, one of the pair of bending wires 25 arranged in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction is pulled and the other is relaxed, and the pulled bending wire 25 is pulled. The bending portion 12 is bent to the side.

  The operation unit 8 is provided with a gripping portion 28 on the front side from the position where the bending operation knob 27 is provided, and the operator holds the gripping portion 28 with one hand (a thumb that is not used for gripping). The bending operation knob 27 can be operated with a finger).

  In addition, the treatment instrument side pipe (insertion section side suction pipe that also serves as a treatment instrument insertion path) 30 provided in the insertion section 7 is inserted in the vicinity of the front end of the grasping section 28. In the part 31, the pipe line which is disposed substantially parallel to the distal end side of the suction side pipe line 32 extending from the universal cable 9 side through the operation part 8 to the front side and in which both open ends are separated (divided) A separation portion 33 is formed.

  The treatment instrument insertion section 31 formed with the pipe line separation section 33 is capable of inserting various treatment instruments such as forceps, and has a function of a forceps plug that is held in a closed state when not inserted. A filter unit 34 having a filter function for collecting the tissue of the subject is detachably mounted.

  Thus, in the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, the treatment instrument side conduit 30 for inserting the treatment instrument is formed in the insertion portion 7, and the treatment instrument side duct 30 is inserted into the insertion section 7. In the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the section 7, the treatment tool insertion base 31 extends obliquely rearward, and the rear end thereof is a (treatment instrument side base) opening 35a (FIG. 2, FIG. 2). 5) and so on. The treatment instrument side conduit 30 does not include a branch portion inside the endoscope 2 and is configured to improve the insertion performance of the treatment instrument and the cleaning performance by the insertion of the brush.

  The opening 35a of the treatment instrument side cap 35 is an operation section side opening of the insertion section side suction conduit, and a treatment instrument plug section (abbreviated as forceps plug section) 41 in the filter unit 34 (FIGS. 4 and 4). 5) is mounted. A treatment instrument such as a forceps is inserted from the rear end side of the forceps plug portion 41.

  Further, the distal end side portion of the suction side conduit 32 extending from the operation portion 8 side is disposed in the conduit separation portion 33 substantially parallel to the rear end side of the treatment instrument side conduit 30 and is adjacent to the treatment instrument side cap 35. Then, the (suction side base) opening 36a (see FIGS. 3, 5, etc.) of the suction side base 36 at the tip is opened.

  A filter portion 42 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) serving as a tissue collection means in the filter unit 34 is attached to the opening 36 a of the suction side base 36.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of the pipe line separation unit 33 and the filter unit 34. In FIG. 1, the treatment instrument side base 35 and the suction side base 36 are shown adjacent to each other in the drawing. Actually, it is formed adjacent to the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 (see FIG. 4).

  A suction switching valve 37 is provided on the side surface of the operation unit 8. The suction switching valve 37 is disposed in the middle of the suction side pipe 32 inserted into the operation portion 8 and is in a state of not sucking (abbreviated as suction OFF) and a suction state (abbreviated as suction ON). It is configured so that it can be switched.

  The suction switching valve 37 is formed by slidably placing an inner cylinder 38 in a cylinder provided on the side surface of the operation unit 8. The opening of the bottom surface of the cylindrical body is connected to the distal end of the suction side conduit 32 extending from the side of the universal cable 9 connected to the suction device 6, and a treatment instrument is inserted into the opening of the side surface of the cylindrical body. A suction side conduit 32 extending rearward from the portion 31 side is connected.

  Further, the inner cylinder 38 communicates with the suction side conduit 32 extending from the universal cable 9 side in the inner portion thereof, and when the suction switching valve 37 is not operated, the inner cylinder 38 is in the upper end side. It communicates with the outside through an opening 38a provided on the side of the.

  Therefore, when the suction switching valve 37 is in the OFF state, the suction pump 6a set to the suction operation state only takes in air from the opening 38a, and the suction side pipe line on the distal end side from the suction switching valve 37. No suction operation through 32 is performed.

  When the user performs an operation of pressing the suction switching valve 37 against the elastic force of a spring (not shown) and pushing the suction switching valve 37 to the bottom side of the cylindrical body, the opening 38a is treated from the state of communicating with the outside. The state is switched to the state of communication with the suction side conduit 32 extending from the insertion portion 31 side.

  In this state, the suction pump 6a set to the suction state is in a state of performing a suction operation through the suction side pipe line 32 on the tip side of the suction switching valve 37. Thus, by operating the suction switching valve 37, ON / OFF of suction can be switched.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, the configuration of the peripheral portion of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 and the configuration of the filter unit 34 that is detachably attached to the opening end of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 in this embodiment will be described. This will be described in detail.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal structure of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 by a longitudinal section along the treatment instrument side cap 35, and FIG. 3 shows an internal structure of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 by a longitudinal section along the suction side cap 36. 4 shows a peripheral portion of the filter unit 34 as viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional structure of the peripheral portion of the treatment instrument side base 35 and the suction side base 36 by the BB cross section of FIG. 6 shows the filter unit 34 in an assembled state, and FIG. 7 shows the filter unit 34 in an exploded state. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the vicinity of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 in the endoscope.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rear end of the treatment instrument insertion tube 44 that extends from the insertion section 7 into the grasping section 28 and forms the treatment instrument side conduit 30 is bent through a connection cap 45. The tip end of the component side pipe 46 is connected in a watertight and airtight manner.

  The rear end side of the treatment instrument side pipe 46 is fixed by a fixing member 49 in the vicinity of the opening provided on the upper surface of the frame 48 provided in the exterior member 47 of the operation unit 8. The distal end portion of the fixing member 49 is fixed to the frame 48 with screws 50, and the rear end of the treatment instrument side pipe 46 is fixed in a cylindrical portion 49a formed on the rear end side of the fixing member 49. Has been.

  The distal end of the treatment instrument side base 35 disposed in a straight tube shape in the exterior member 31a of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 is made of rubber, in the cylindrical portion 49a to which the rear end of the treatment instrument side pipe 46 is fixed. Are connected in a watertight and airtight manner.

  The treatment instrument side base 35 is disposed obliquely rearward from the axial direction of the insertion portion 7, and a watertight and airtight O-ring 54 is disposed in a concave portion on the outer periphery of the rear end of the treatment instrument side base 35. It is fixed to the exterior member 31a through a fixing resin member 52 disposed between the exterior member 31a and the exterior member 31a.

  The resin member 52 is fitted to the inner surface of the exterior member 31 a, and a water-tight and air-tight O-ring 53 is disposed in a concave portion on the outer periphery of the resin member 52. And it fixes in watertight and airtight with the nut 55 screwed together in the external thread part of the rear-end outer peripheral surface of the treatment tool side nozzle | cap | die 35. FIG. The upper end surface of the nut 55 is covered with a rubber cover 56.

  The rear end portion of the treatment instrument side cap 35 slightly protrudes from an end surface that protrudes obliquely rearward of the exterior member 31a of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31, and opens at the treatment instrument side cap opening 35a at the rear end.

  In the upward direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the treatment instrument side base 35 shown in FIG. 2, the distal end side of the suction side pipe line 32 is inserted into the treatment instrument adjacent to the treatment instrument side base 35 as shown in FIGS. It is provided in the part 31.

  The suction side pipe tube constituting the suction side pipe line 32 on the operation unit 8 side is connected to the rear end of the bent suction side pipe 61 in a watertight and airtight manner via a connection base 62.

  The bent distal end of the suction side pipe 61 is fitted and fixed in a cylindrical part 59 a formed on the rear end side of the fixing member 59.

  In addition, in the cylindrical portion 59a to which the tip of the suction side pipe 61 is fixed, the rear end of the suction side base 36 disposed in the exterior member 31a of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 has a rubber packing 64 interposed therebetween. It is connected in a watertight and airtight manner.

  The front end side of the suction side base 36 is fixed to the exterior member 31a via the resin member 52 described above. A water-tight and air-tight O-ring 65 is disposed in a recess provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tip side portion of the suction side base 36. The outer peripheral surface of the resin member 52 is kept watertight and airtight by the O-ring 53 described above.

  A male screw portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the suction side base 36 on the front end side, and a nut 66 is screwed into the male screw portion. By this screwing of the nut 66, the nut 66 presses the stepped portion of the resin member 52, and the suction side base 36 is fixed to the exterior member 31a. The upper end surface of the nut 66 is covered with a rubber cover 67.

  The inner peripheral surface on the distal end side of the suction side base 36 is formed with a diameter-enlarged portion that is enlarged in a stepped shape, and this enlarged-diameter portion has a small diameter at the base end of the filter case 68 in the filter unit 34. The cylindrical portion 68a is inserted and detachably attached.

  A circumferential groove is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the small-diameter cylindrical portion 68a, and a packing 69 made of, for example, black rubber is accommodated in the circumferential groove.

  Next, the structure of the filter unit 34 and the configuration near the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 when the filter unit 34 is mounted will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an opening 35 a of the treatment instrument side cap 35 protruding from the rear end surface of the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 has a substantially cylindrical forceps plug main body 71 constituting the forceps plug 41 of the filter unit 34. A base end mounting portion is detachably mounted.

  The forceps plug main body 71 is provided with a small-diameter opening 71a that opens small in the vicinity of the rear end, and a forceps plug 72 is detachably attached to the rear end.

  The forceps plug 72 is provided with a treatment tool insertion port 72a for inserting a treatment tool by providing a hemispherical recess, and a notch 72b is provided at the center of a thin portion covering the hemispherical recess. The treatment instrument insertion port 72a provided with the cut 72b is normally a closed state and is a valve portion that functions as a check valve that opens when the treatment instrument is inserted so as to be pressed from the outside. Yes. This notch 72b constitutes the operation portion side opening of the insertion portion side suction pipe.

  In addition, a through-hole penetrating in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction is provided in the vicinity of the center in the axial direction of the cylindrical forceps plug portion main body 71, and from one side to the side in the filter case 68. The extended cylindrical part 68b is inserted, and this cylindrical part 68b part is mounted in the through hole.

  A ring 74 connected to the forceps plug 72 is loosely fitted on the outer periphery of the cylinder portion 68b, and the cylinder portion is also removed by the ring 74 even when the forceps plug 72 is removed from the forceps plug body 71. It can be held around 68b.

  In addition, the cylindrical portion 75a on the proximal end side of the pipeline switching knob 75, which is a pipeline switching member, is rotatably mounted in the through hole while being fitted inside the cylindrical body 68b. Is done. The pipe switching knob 75 has a rib 75f formed at a position near the entrance where it is inserted into the forceps plug body 71. Thereby, when the pipe line switching knob 75 is inserted into the forceps plug main body 71, it is sealed in a watertight and airtight manner.

  The pipe switching knob 75 is provided with a through hole in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction at a position near the rear end of the cylindrical body part 75a. In the mounted state shown in FIG. It has a function of a treatment instrument insertion conduit 75b which is an insertion hole for communicating between the treatment instrument insertion port 72a and the treatment instrument side mouth opening 35a.

  When the pipe switching knob 75 is rotated 90 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 5, the treatment instrument insertion pipe 75 b through the through hole of the pipe switching knob 75 is blocked by the inner wall surface of the forceps plug body 71. Is done. As a result, the treatment instrument side mouth opening 35a is blocked by the rotated pipe line switching knob 75 from the treatment instrument insertion opening 72a and the filter side pipe line 75e described below.

  In the state of communication as shown in FIG. 5, by inserting a treatment tool (not shown) from the treatment tool insertion port 72a, the treatment tool insertion conduit 75b, the treatment tool side base 35, and the treatment tool side pipe through this through hole. 46, the distal end side of the treatment instrument can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion tube 44 side.

  Further, in this communicated state, the treatment instrument side cap 35 communicates with the filter side pipe line 75e which is a connection line formed by the inside of the cylindrical body part 75a via the treatment tool insertion pipe line 75b. It also communicates with the suction side cap 36 side through the filter portion 42 communicating with the filter side pipe line 75e.

  A filter main body 77, which is a filter member provided with a filter 77a, is rotatably and detachably attached to the filter case 68 of the filter portion 42 from the rear end side opening. The filter 77a provided integrally with the filter main body 77 is a member in which small openings are formed in, for example, a square lattice shape (mesh shape), and allows a liquid or gas to pass therethrough and a tissue such as a polyp piece having a predetermined size or more. Can be recovered.

  The filter surface of the filter 77a is disposed parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical filter case 68, and is disposed so as to face the filter side opening 75c at the end of the filter side pipe line 75e. Further, a substantially disc-shaped bottom surface 77 b is provided at the bottom of the filter 77 a, and a tissue storage chamber (tissue recovery chamber) 68 c for storing the recovered tissue is formed in the filter case 68. The filter surface is provided at a position deviated from the central axis of the cylindrical filter case 68, and a large space tissue storage chamber 68c is formed at the rotational position shown in FIG. That is, in the state shown in FIG. 5, the filter unit 42 in the filter unit 34 is set to a rotational position where tissue recovery is performed.

  In this state, the volume of the tissue storage chamber 68c facing the filter side pipe line 75e is increased.

  The filter case 68 of the filter unit 42 is formed of a transparent member so that the internal filter 77a and the collected (stored) tissue can be easily seen from the outside, and the filter 77a is also distinguished from the normal color of the body tissue. For example, it is colored in a blue color.

  Further, when the filter case 68 is cleaned in a cleaning liquid or the like, a colored portion other than colorless is formed on a part thereof or a colored member is provided (for example, a small diameter) so that it can be easily recognized that the filter case 68 is in the cleaning liquid. The packing 69 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 68a may be black or the like).

  The filter body 77 is provided with a circumferential groove on the outer peripheral surface on the rear end side from the position where the filter 77a is provided, and a sealing O-ring 78 is accommodated in the circumferential groove. Further, a filter position switching knob 77c provided at the rear end of the filter body 77 protrudes from the opening end of the filter case 68 to facilitate the attaching / detaching operation and the rotating operation.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in a communicating state, a part of the peripheral edge of the filter side opening 75c (the lower end in FIG. 5) at the end of the filter side pipe 75e protrudes into the filter case 68. Thus, a retaining end portion 75d that restricts the filter body 77 from being removed from the filter case 68 is formed.

  By rotating the pipe switching knob 75 from this state by 90 degrees, the retaining end portion 75d is moved from the state protruding from the filter case 68 to the state retracted into the cylindrical portion 68b, and from the filter case 68 to the filter body 77. Can be removed.

  In the embodiment, the filter position switching knob 77c is rotated about 90 degrees from the filter position in the communication state shown in FIG. 5 and set to a position where the tissue is not collected as shown in FIG. 77a can be sucked without passing through.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the position of the triangular mark 68d provided on the filter main body 77 is aligned with the position of the triangular mark 68d provided on the filter case 68 and set to the OFF position where the tissue is not collected. 7, the notch 77d (L-shaped) shown on the substantially disc-shaped bottom surface 77b is positioned close to the filter side pipe line 75e.

  In the suction state, the body fluid or the like sucked through the notch 77d can be guided to the suction side base 36 without passing through the filter 77a.

  6 and 7, the filter body 77 is provided with a guide ON for setting the filter 77a at the collection position and a label indicating the rotation direction thereof. The filter position switching knob 77c is rotated in a direction along the ON label to a position where the rotation is restricted, so that the filter position for tissue recovery shown in FIG. 5 can be set. Yes.

  In the present embodiment having such a configuration, a tissue recovery filter unit 34 is detachably provided in the middle of the tube on the distal end side of the suction switching valve 37 of the operation unit 8 of the endoscope 2. Is a feature.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the tissue collection filter unit 34 is attached and the tissue can be sucked by the suction operation, the retaining end 75d at the tip of the pipe switching knob 75 is used. The filter body 77 is restricted from being removed.

  Then, by rotating the conduit switching knob 75 by 90 degrees from this state, the conduit on the distal end side relative to the tissue storage chamber 68c, specifically, the opening 35a at the rear end of the treatment instrument side cap 35 is closed. Further, the removal restriction is released so that the filter main body 77 can be removed.

  In addition, the treatment instrument side conduit (insertion portion side suction conduit) 30 serving as the distal end portion of the insertion portion and the suction side serving as the proximal portion of the suction conduit divided by the filter unit 34 serving as the detachable conduit member The pipe line (operation part side suction pipe line) 32 is at least in the vicinity of the treatment tool insertion part 31 to which the filter unit 34 is attached, and toward the filter unit 34, the axis of the treatment tool side pipe line 30 and the suction side. A feature is that the distance between the axis of the pipe line 32 and the axis of the pipe line 32 gradually increases. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, these are configured such that the distance between the axes increases with an angle of θ toward the hand side. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a forceps plug portion 41 is provided at a position corresponding to the right side when viewed from the operator, and a tissue recovery portion is provided at a position corresponding to the left side. As a result, it is possible to operate a treatment instrument that requires complex operation with the right hand without being obstructed by the filter unit 42 side, and to operate with higher operability for an operator who is considered to be right-handed. It becomes possible.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper end of the filter position switching knob 77c is characterized by being higher than the upper end of the forceps plug 72 by a height H on the operator's hand side. Thereby, the detachability of the filter main body 77 can be improved. At this time, since the filter position switching knob 77 c is formed in a substantially plate shape, the filter body 77 can be attached and detached without the operator's finger interfering with the forceps plug body 71.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the treatment instrument insertion conduit 75 b of the conduit switching knob 75 is configured to be linear with the conduit in the treatment instrument side cap 35 in the communication state, and the forceps plug 72. It is characterized by being configured to form a straight line with the notch 72b. As a result, the treatment instrument can be inserted and removed along a straight line, and damage to the treatment instrument can be prevented.

  In addition, the conduit switching knob 75 is characterized in that it is arranged at a branching portion between the treatment instrument side conduit 30 and the suction side conduit 32. Thereby, it is possible to easily switch between the insertion and the blocking of the suction pipe by a simple operation of rotating the pipe switching knob 75 without complicating the configuration. At this time, more specifically, a pipe switching knob 75 which is a member for closing the pipe to the suction side cap 36 when removing the filter body 77 connects the forceps plug section 41 and the filter section 42. It is comprised so that it may arrange | position to the cylinder part 68b which is a connection pipe line. As a result, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for ensuring the blocking property when removing the filter main body 77, and it is possible to reduce the size of the filter portion 42 for collecting tissue.

  Furthermore, the diameter K of the treatment instrument insertion conduit 75b of the conduit switching knob 75 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 is set to be larger than the minimum value of the diameter of the treatment instrument side conduit 30. As an example, the diameter K of the treatment instrument insertion conduit 75b is larger than the diameter M of the conduit portion of the treatment instrument side pipe 46 shown in FIG. Thereby, even if the pipe line switching knob 75 is provided, it is possible to ensure the insertion / removal property of the treatment instrument as in a conventional endoscope in which the pipe line switching knob 75 is not provided. .

  The operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a filter unit 34 is attached to the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 of the endoscope 2, and the operator inserts the endoscope 2 into the body cavity of the patient.

  Then, the surgeon puts the inspection target site such as the affected part in the observation visual field by the imaging means provided at the distal end portion 11 of the insertion portion 7 and sets the captured image in a state where it can be observed by the color monitor 5.

  Then, when the surgeon intends to collect a tissue such as a polyp of the affected area and perform a pathological examination, the operator inserts the distal end side of the treatment tool for excision from the treatment tool insertion port 72a in the filter unit 34. Then, a tissue such as a polyp is excised.

  When the examination or the like by the endoscope 2 is terminated after the excised tissue is collected, the endoscope 2 may be removed from the body while holding the tissue with the treatment tool.

  On the other hand, when the inspection or the like by the endoscope 2 is continuously performed thereafter, the treatment instrument is first removed from the treatment instrument side conduit 30. Then, the filter 77a of the filter main body 77 is set to a position for tissue recovery as shown in FIG. 5, and the suction switching valve 37 is operated to make the suction state.

  Then, the excised tissue is aspirated into the treatment instrument side conduit 30 from the distal end opening of the treatment instrument side conduit 30 (which is located at the distal end of the insertion portion 7).

  The sucked tissue passes through the treatment instrument side conduit 30 and is stored in the tissue storage chamber 68c of the filter unit 42. At this time, the body fluid, the tissue having a predetermined size or less passes through the small hole of the filter 77a, and is guided to the suction pump 6a side. And it accommodates in the suction trap container etc. which are provided in the suction device 6 (not shown).

  Whether or not the tissue is stored in the tissue storage chamber 68c can be immediately confirmed by the operator himself via the transparent filter case 68. When the tissue is stored in the tissue storage chamber 68c in this way, the suction switching valve 37 is operated to turn off the suction.

  Then, by turning the pipe switching knob 75 by 90 degrees from the state shown in FIG. 5 to close the opening 35a of the treatment instrument base 35, the filter body 77 is taken out from the filter case 68, The tissue stored in the tissue storage chamber 68c can be collected. The tissue thus collected is used for pathological examination and the like as described above.

  On the other hand, when performing an examination or the like by the endoscope 2 without collecting the tissue, the position of the triangular mark 77f provided on the filter position switching knob 77c of the filter body 77 is set to an OFF position where the tissue is not collected. Set it. As a result, the sucked material such as the body fluid that has been sucked can be discharged to the suction pump 6a side through the suction side pipe line 32 and the suction connector 10a without passing through the filter 77a.

  The filter unit 34 described above can be regarded as a tissue collection filter having a forceps plug function, but can also be regarded as a forceps plug having a tissue collection filter function.

  The filter unit 34 is a part of the suction pipe in the endoscope that is detachable (detachable pipe member), and the suction pipe (that is, the insertion portion) divided by the filter unit 34 itself. This is a member provided with a branch of a side suction pipe and an operation unit side suction pipe. Therefore, since the filter unit 34 is detachable, it can be said that the detachable conduit member, the filter portion, and the forceps plug can be integrally attached and detached.

  According to the first embodiment, since the branch between the insertion portion side suction conduit and the operation portion side suction conduit is provided on the forceps plug side, there is no branch of the suction conduit on the endoscope body side, The cleaning property of the endoscope body can be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the filter unit 34 having a function as a forceps plug includes a forceps plug main body 71, a forceps plug 72, a conduit switching knob 75, a filter case 68, and a filter main body 77. Therefore, it is possible to insert the brush into the pipe connected to the opening of each component in parallel with the axis of the pipe, thereby improving the cleaning performance.

  In addition, since the function as a forceps plug and the function as a tissue recovery filter are integrated as a filter unit, it can be attached and detached as a unit from the endoscope body. Can be reduced.

  Since the filter portion 42 is disposed near the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 on the distal end side with respect to the suction switching valve 37, the sucked tissue is affected by the stenosis portion and the bent portion near the suction switching valve 37. Can be eliminated. That is, it is possible to eliminate the need for time for collection due to the decrease in tissue permeability near the suction switching valve 37, and it is also possible to eliminate the deformation and damage of the tissue.

  Further, when the pipe switching knob 75 is in the suction state, the filter main body 77 is prevented from being inserted and removed, so that leakage of body fluids and the like due to careless removal of the filter main body 77 is prevented. can do. Since the filter main body 77 can be removed only when the conduit switching knob 75 is in the closed state, it is possible to prevent the pressure in the body cavity from decreasing even if the filter main body 77 is removed. .

  Furthermore, since the filter case 68 is formed of a light-transmitting material, it is possible for the operator himself to easily confirm whether or not the tissue can be recovered at the hand of the operation unit. It becomes. At this time, since the treatment instrument insertion portion 31 is mounted with the filter unit 34, an operator or an assistant can easily visually recognize the filter unit 34 as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the tissue can be collected more easily than when the tissue is collected in the middle of the universal cable 9 or in the vicinity of the suction device 6.

  In addition, since the suction side conduit 32 which is the operation portion side suction conduit is provided inside the operation portion 8 and is not arranged outside the operation portion 8, the operator holding the operation portion 8. It won't get in the way.

  In addition, as shown in the Example mentioned above, at least one part of the forceps plug part is comprised with the elastic body.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the Example mentioned above, Of course, a various deformation | transformation and application are possible within the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be suitably used for a filter unit including a part of a suction conduit and an endoscope configured so that a part of the suction conduit is detachable.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system including an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure along the treatment tool side nozzle | cap | die of the treatment tool insertion part in the endoscope of the said Example 1. FIG. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the internal structure along the suction side nozzle | cap | die in the treatment tool insertion part of the said Example 1. FIG. The figure which shows the peripheral part of the filter unit seen from the A arrow direction of the said FIG. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of a treatment tool side nozzle | cap | die and the suction | inhalation side nozzle periphery part by the BB cross section of the said FIG. In the said Example 1, the perspective view which shows the filter unit of the assembled state. In the said Example 1, the perspective view which shows the filter unit of the state decomposed | disassembled. In the said Example 1, the perspective view which shows the vicinity of the treatment tool insertion part in an endoscope.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Endoscope 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 3 ... Light source apparatus 4 ... Signal processing apparatus 5 ... Color monitor 6 ... Suction apparatus 6a ... Suction pump 7 ... Insertion part 8 ... Operation part 9 ... Universal cable 10 ... Connector 11 ... Tip 12 ... Bending part 13 ... Soft part 14 ... Anti-bending part 15 ... Light guide 16 ... Objective lens 17 ... CCD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Signal cable 21 ... Drive circuit 22 ... Signal processing circuit 24 ... Bending piece 25 ... Bending wire 26 ... Sprocket 27 ... Bending operation knob 28 ... Gripping part 30 ... Treatment instrument side pipe line 31 ... Treatment instrument insertion part 31a ... Exterior member 32 ... Suction side pipe 33 ... Pipe line separation part 34 ... Filter unit 35 ... Treatment instrument side base 35a ... (treatment instrument side base) opening 36 ... Suction side base 36a ... (Suction side base) opening 37 ... Suction switching Valve 38 ... Inner cylinder 41 ... Forceps plug part 42 ... Filter part 44 ... Treatment instrument insertion tube 45 ... Connection cap 46 ... Treatment instrument side pipe 47 ... Exterior member 48 ... Frame 49 ... Fixing member 49a ... Cylindrical body part 51 ... Packing 52 ... Resin member 53, 54 ... O-ring 55 ... Nut 56 ... Rubber cover 59 ... Fixing member 59a ... Cylinder body 61 ... Suction side pipe 62 ... Connecting cap 64 ... Seal 65 ... O-ring 66 ... Nut 67 ... Rubber cover 68 ... Filter case 68a ... Cylindrical part 68b ... Cylindrical part 68c ... Tissue storage chamber 68d ... Mark 69 ... Packing 71 ... Forceps plug part main body 71a ... Small diameter opening 72 ... Forceps Stopper 72a ... Treatment instrument insertion port 72b ... Notch 74 ... Ring 75 ... Pipe line switching knob 75a ... Cylindrical body part 75b ... Treatment tool insertion pipe line 75c ... Filter side opening part 75d ... Retaining end part 75e ... Filter side pipe line 75f ... rib 77 ... filter body 77a ... filter 77b ... bottom face 77c ... filter position switching knob 77d ... notch 77f ... mark 77g ... lid part 78 ... O-ring
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (7)

One end opens at the distal end of the insertion portion, and is detachably mounted in the middle of a suction conduit configured to communicate with a suction switching valve for controlling the suction operation. Is a detachable pipe member constituting a part of the suction pipe;
In order to recover the tissue of the subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. The filter part of
Comprising
The insertion portion side suction conduit that is the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the detachable conduit member also serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage,
The detachable conduit member is a treatment instrument insertion conduit configured to communicate with the insertion portion side suction conduit when mounted, and an opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit can be inserted through the treatment instrument and is substantially airtight. It closed a valve unit which is configured to have, endoscope you characterized in that which also serves as a forceps plug into. The operation portion side suction conduit that becomes the proximal side portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the detachable conduit member is provided inside the endoscope body,
The detachable pipe member further has a connection pipe for branching from the treatment instrument insertion pipe and connecting to the operation part side suction pipe, and the filter section is provided on the pipe of the connection pipe The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is provided. One end opens at the distal end of the insertion portion, and is detachably mounted in the middle of a suction conduit configured to communicate with a suction switching valve for controlling the suction operation. Is a detachable pipe member constituting a part of the suction pipe;
In order to recover the tissue of the subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. The filter part of
Comprising
At least the detachable pipe member includes an insertion part side suction pipe that becomes the distal end part of the insertion part and an operation part side suction pipe that becomes the proximal side part of the suction pipe divided by the detachable pipe member. In the vicinity of the portion where the mounting portion is mounted, the distance between the shaft of the insertion portion side suction conduit and the shaft of the operation portion side suction conduit gradually increases toward the detachable conduit member. endoscope shall be the features that you are. The insertion portion side suction pipe also serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage,
The detachable conduit member is a treatment instrument insertion conduit configured to communicate with the insertion portion side suction conduit when mounted, and an opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit can be inserted through the treatment instrument and is substantially airtight. A valve portion that is closed, and a connection conduit that branches from the treatment instrument insertion conduit and connects to the operation portion-side suction conduit, and also serves as a forceps plug, The filter part is provided on the pipe line of this connection pipe line,
The endoscope according to claim 3 , wherein the treatment instrument inserted from the valve unit is configured to be separated from the filter unit as the distance between the axes gradually increases. When the detachable conduit member is mounted in the middle of the suction conduit, it is configured so that at least a part of the filter portion is exposed to the outside and is visible to the outside. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 3 , wherein at least a part of the exposed filter portion is made of a light-transmitting material. A removable pipe member that is detachably mounted in the middle of the suction pipe line of the endoscope, and is configured to constitute a part of the suction pipe line when mounted;
In order to recover the tissue of the subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. The filter part of
Equipped with,
The insertion portion side suction conduit that is the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the suction conduit that is divided by the detachable conduit member also serves as a treatment instrument insertion passage,
The detachable conduit member is a treatment instrument insertion conduit configured to communicate with the insertion portion side suction conduit when mounted, and an opening of the treatment instrument insertion conduit can be inserted through the treatment instrument and is substantially airtight. And a valve unit that is closed, and also serves as a forceps plug . A removable pipe member that is detachably mounted in the middle of the suction pipe line of the endoscope, and is configured to constitute a part of the suction pipe line when mounted;
In order to recover the tissue of the subject configured to be attached to and detached from the endoscope integrally with the detachable conduit member in the middle of the suction conduit configured in the detachable conduit member. The filter part of
Equipped with,
At least the detachable pipe member includes an insertion part side suction pipe that becomes the distal end part of the insertion part and an operation part side suction pipe that becomes the proximal side part of the suction pipe divided by the detachable pipe member. In the vicinity of the portion where the mounting portion is mounted, the distance between the shaft of the insertion portion side suction conduit and the shaft of the operation portion side suction conduit gradually increases toward the detachable conduit member. filter unit, characterized in that there.

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