JP5046981B2 - Endoscope attachment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention includes both a first observation member for normal observation and a second observation member for performing special observation such as confocal observation, and can be implemented while switching between normal observation and special observation. The present invention relates to an attachment attached to an endoscope.

  In recent years, confocal endoscopes for performing confocal observation are being used. The confocal endoscope can observe a subject at a high magnification of several hundred times to 1000 times or more, and can obtain a slice image having a depth of about several tens to several hundreds μm from the surface of the subject. It has the feature that it can.

On the other hand, the observation image by confocal observation is an extremely narrow area magnified at a high magnification, and when performing confocal observation, in order to determine the area for confocal observation by observing the overview of the subject, It is necessary to use a low-magnification endoscope for normal observation. For this reason, an endoscope having both a first observation member for normal observation and a second observation member for confocal observation at the tip has been proposed as in Patent Document 1.
JP-A-2005-640

  Since normal observation is to observe the rough shape of the subject, normal observation cannot be performed unless the first observation member is separated from the subject to some extent. In addition, when performing special observation such as confocal observation, the second observation member needs to be in close contact with the subject due to its structure. For this reason, in the endoscope of Patent Document 1, a projection is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope so that the special observation can be performed while confirming a minute region in which special observation is performed in normal observation. A second observation member is housed in the part. And the 1st observation member is accommodated in the part in which the protrusion part is not provided in the endoscope front-end | tip part. Therefore, when the projection is pressed against the surface of the subject and the special observation is performed, the first observation member is disposed at a position slightly away from the subject, so that the special observation and the normal observation are performed simultaneously. Can do.

  As described above, when special observation is performed with an endoscope as in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to press the protruding portion against the subject. For this reason, there has been a problem that biological tissue such as the mucous membrane of the subject adheres to the cover glass of the second observation member and the cover glass becomes dirty, resulting in deterioration of the image quality of the observation image due to special observation.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an attachment for an endoscope that can clean the cover glass of the second observation member while observing the subject with the endoscope.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope attachment according to the present invention is a cover portion that covers at least a part of a distal end portion end surface of a projection portion of an endoscope distal end portion, and is a first portion for performing special observation. 2 When the endoscope attachment is attached to the distal end of the endoscope having an opening window for exposing the cover glass of the observation member, the gap between the endoscope attachment and the protruding portion And a flow path is formed between the opening end of the cleaning channel.

  The endoscope is provided with a cleaning channel for cleaning a subject or the like by sending a fluid such as cleaning water to the distal end of the endoscope for discharge. By attaching the endoscope attachment of the present invention to the endoscope, the fluid released from the cleaning channel can be sent to the cover glass of the second observation member to clean the cover glass. Moreover, since the attachment for endoscopes of this invention attaches to the front-end | tip part of an endoscope so that attachment or detachment is possible, this attachment for endoscopes is attached to the existing endoscope which has a channel for washing | cleaning and a protrusion part. As a result, the cover glass of the second observation member can be cleaned.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an attachment for an endoscope that can clean the cover glass of the second observation member while observing the subject with the endoscope is realized.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a confocal endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The confocal endoscope system 1 is connected to the electronic endoscope 100, the normal observation processor 200 connected to the electronic endoscope 100, the confocal observation processor 300, and the processors 200, 300, respectively. A normal observation monitor 402 and a confocal observation monitor 403.

  The electronic endoscope 100 has a structure in which an insertion tube 140, a first cable 161, and a second cable 162 are extended from a handle portion 150 held by an operator of the confocal endoscope system 1. The insertion tube 140 has flexibility and is inserted into a body cavity. The distal end 130 has a normal observation unit 110 for obtaining a normal observation image and a confocal for performing confocal observation. An observation unit 120 is provided. The distal end of the first cable 161 is a connector portion 161 a connected to the normal observation processor 200. Similarly, the tip of the second cable 162 is a connector portion 162 a connected to the confocal observation processor 300.

  The normal observation unit 110 (corresponding to “first observation member” in the claims) of the electronic endoscope 100 includes a CCD 111, an imaging optical system 112, and a cover glass 113. The cover glass 113 is disposed on the end surface 131 of the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope 100 and transmits light into the normal observation unit 110 and protects the normal observation unit 110 from mixing body fluids and the like. The light transmitted through the cover glass 113 forms an image on the light receiving surface of the CCD 111 by the imaging optical system 112. That is, an image of the biological tissue S in the body cavity near the distal end portion 130 of the electronic endoscope 100 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 111.

  The CCD 111 photoelectrically converts the image on the light receiving surface at a constant timing (for example, every 1/30 seconds) to generate a video signal. This video signal is sent to the image processing unit of the normal observation processor 200 via the video signal wire 114 provided in the insertion tube 140, the handle 150, and the first cable 161 of the electronic endoscope. Sent to.

  The normal observation processor 200 processes a video signal from the normal observation unit 110 and displays it as a video on the normal observation monitor 402, and illuminates the periphery of the distal end portion 130 of the electronic endoscope 100. A function as a light source for generating illumination light, a function as an air / water supply pump for supplying water and supplying air from the tip portion 130, and a function as a suction pump for sucking a living tissue around the tip portion 130 .

  The normal observation processor 200 functions as a video processor when the controller 210 of the normal observation processor 200 controls the image processing unit 220. As a result, an image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD 111 is displayed on the normal observation monitor 402.

  Next, the function of the normal observation processor 200 as a light source will be described. A light guide 171 such as an optical fiber bundle is provided in the insertion tube 140 of the electronic endoscope, the handle portion 150, and the first cable 161. One end 171 a of the light guide 171 is disposed on the distal end portion end surface 131 of the distal end portion 130 of the electronic endoscope 100. The other end 171 b of the light guide 171 is connected to a light source unit 230 built in the normal observation processor 200 when the first cable 161 is connected to the normal observation processor 200. The light source unit 230 includes a light source lamp such as a xenon lamp, a condensing lens that causes light generated by the light source lamp to enter the other end 171 b of the light guide 171, and a condensing lens and the other end 171 b of the light guide 171. And an aperture stop disposed. The light incident on the other end 171 b of the light guide 171 is emitted from the one end 171 a through the light guide 171 and irradiates the surface S of the body cavity near the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope 100. The aperture of the light source unit 230 is controlled by the controller 210 of the normal observation processor 200. Specifically, the controller 210 determines whether the normal observation image is blacked out or white out based on the level of the video signal sent from the CCD 111 of the electronic endoscope 100, and the blackout occurs. When it is determined that the aperture is open, the aperture of the aperture is increased, and when whiteout occurs, the aperture of the aperture is decreased and dimming is performed.

  Next, the function of the normal observation processor 200 as an air / water pump will be described. A water supply channel 172 and an air supply channel 173 are provided in the insertion tube 140, the handle portion 150, and the first cable 161 of the electronic endoscope 100. One end 172 a of the water supply channel 172 and one end 173 a of the air supply channel 173 are both open ends arranged on the end surface 131 of the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope 100. The observation processor 200 has a water absorption tank 250 in which water, which is one of cleaning fluids, is stored. The other end 172 b side of the water supply channel 172 is inserted into the water absorption tank 250, and the other end 172 b is located at a position sufficiently lower than the water surface 251 of the water absorption tank 250. The normal observation processor 200 includes an air pump 240 connected to the water absorption tank 250 and the other end of the air supply middle portion 173. A first valve body 152 is provided in the middle of the water supply channel 172 and the air supply channel 173 (inside the handle portion 150). The first valve body 152 is “a first state in which the opening end 172a and the other end 172b of the water supply channel 172 communicate with each other and the opening end 173a and the other end 173b of the air supply channel 173 do not communicate with each other”. The second state in which the opening end 172a and the other end 172b of the water supply channel 172 do not communicate with each other and the opening end 173a and the other end 173b of the air supply channel 173 communicate with each other "" the opening end 172a of the water supply channel 172 and others It is possible to switch between the three states “the third state in which the end 172b and the open end 173a and the other end 173b of the air supply channel 173 are not in communication with each other”.

  In the first state, the water surface 251 of the water absorption tank 250 is pushed down by the high-pressure air sent from the air pump 240 to the water absorption tank 250, and water is radiated from the opening end 172a of the water supply channel 172. In the second state, high-pressure air from the air pump 240 is injected from the opening end 173a through the air supply channel 173. In the third state, water is not emitted from the open end 172a of the water supply channel 172, and high-pressure air is not injected from the open end 173a of the air supply channel 173. The state of the valve body 152 can be switched by operating a first operation button 151 provided on the handle portion 150. Accordingly, the operator of the confocal endoscope system 1 can radiate water from the distal end 130 of the endoscope 100 and eject high-pressure air by operating the first operation button 151.

  Next, the function of the normal observation processor 200 as a suction pump will be described. A suction channel 174 is provided in the insertion tube 140, the handle portion 150, and the first cable 161 of the electronic endoscope 100. One end 174 a of the suction channel 174 is an open end disposed on the end surface 131 of the distal end portion of the electronic endoscope 100. The normal observation processor 200 includes a suction pump 260, and the other end 174 b of the suction channel 174 is connected to the suction pump 260. A second valve body 154 is provided in the middle of the suction channel 174 (in the handle portion 150). The second valve body 154 has “a first state in which the opening end 174a and the other end 174b of the suction channel 174 communicate with each other” and “an opening end 174a and the other end 174b in the suction channel 174 communicate with each other. The second state can be switched. In the first state, a negative pressure is applied to the opening end 174a side of the suction channel 174 so that the liquid in the body cavity, the living tissue, etc. can be sucked into the suction channel 174 and removed. It has become. The first state and the second state can be switched by operating a second operation button 153 provided on the handle portion 150. Therefore, the operator of the confocal endoscope system 1 can perform the above suction by operating the second operation button 153.

  Next, the configuration of the confocal observation processor 300 will be described. A confocal observation unit 120 (corresponding to “second observation member” in the claims) is provided at the distal end portion 130 of the electronic endoscope 100. An optical fiber 175 is provided over the insertion tube 140, the handle portion 150, and the second cable 162 of the electronic endoscope 100. One end of the optical fiber 175 is accommodated in the confocal observation unit 120, and the other end 175a of the optical fiber 175 is disposed in the connector unit 162a.

  The confocal processor 300 includes a laser light source unit 310 that generates laser light. The laser light source unit 310 generates laser light and makes it incident on the other end 175 a of the optical fiber 175. The laser light generated by the laser light source unit 310 once enters the other end 175a of the optical fiber 175 after passing through the pinhole 311 once.

  The laser light incident on the other end 175 a of the optical fiber 175 passes through the optical fiber 175 and is emitted from one end thereof. The emitted laser light is condensed by an optical system in the confocal observation unit 120 so as to be focused at a predetermined position outside the electronic endoscope. When there is a living tissue near the condensing position, the laser light is reflected or scattered by the living tissue, and the return light enters one end of the optical fiber 175 via the optical system in the confocal observation unit 120. Then, the return light is returned to the other end 175 a of the optical fiber 175. The return light is bent by bending means 330 (such as a prism) disposed between the laser light source unit 310 and the other end 175 a of the optical fiber 175.

  The confocal processor 300 includes a light receiving unit 320, and the return light bent by the bending unit 330 is incident on the light receiving unit 320. The light receiving unit 320 can detect the amount of incident return light. A pinhole 321 is disposed between the bending means 330 and the light receiving unit 320. The optical path length from the pinhole 311 on the laser light source unit 310 side to the bending means 330 is equal to the optical path length from the bending means 330 to the pinhole 321. Therefore, only the return light reflected or scattered at the condensing position where the laser light is collected by the optical system in the confocal observation unit 120 passes through the pinhole 321 and enters the light receiving unit 320. Therefore, the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 320 reflects the characteristics (reflectance, transmittance, etc.) of the living tissue at the condensing position.

  The confocal observation unit 120 of the electronic endoscope 100 includes a driving unit (for example, a piezoelectric actuator) for moving the condensing position of the laser light in a biaxial direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the laser light. For this reason, the condensing position of the laser beam is scanned in the biaxial direction by the driving means, the light amount of the return light at that time is detected by the light receiving unit, and this detection value is displayed on the screen according to the coordinates of the condensing position. By mapping to, an image of a biological tissue on one plane (confocal observation image) can be obtained. The obtained image is processed by the image processing unit 340 and sent to the confocal observation monitor 403. In this way, the confocal observation image is displayed on the confocal observation monitor 403. Since the confocal observation image is an image obtained by manipulating the laser light focused on an extremely minute spot, an image with a high resolution (magnification ratio) can be usually obtained. It should be noted that the processing of the detection value of the light amount obtained from the light receiving unit 320, the control of the image processing unit 340, the control of the driving means of the confocal observation unit 120, and the like are performed by the controller 350 of the confocal observation processor 300.

  As described above, according to the confocal endoscope system 1 of the present embodiment, normal observation and confocal observation can be performed. Confocal observation is capable of observing a very small region at a high magnification. However, due to its structure, the confocal observation unit 120 needs to be close to a living tissue to be observed. On the other hand, normal observation is for observing a relatively wide area, and the normal observation unit 110 needs to be separated from the biological tissue to be observed to some extent. For this reason, in the electronic endoscope 100 of the present embodiment, the tip of the confocal observation unit 120 protrudes from the tip end surface 131.

  Here, the structure of the distal end portion 130 of the electronic endoscope 100 will be described. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the distal end portion 130 as viewed from the distal end side, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the distal end portion 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the confocal observation unit 120 projects in the axial direction of the insertion tube 140 from the corner of the distal end surface 131 of the distal end portion 130. A cover glass 121 is provided at the tip of the confocal observation unit 120. A part of the distal end portion 130 is a protruding portion 132 that protrudes so as to cover the side surface of the confocal observation portion 120. The opening end 172 a of the water supply channel 172, the opening end 173 a of the air supply channel 173, and the opening end 174 a of the suction tube 174 are disposed near the protruding portion 132.

  In the present embodiment, confocal observation is performed with the cover glass 121 of the confocal observation unit 120 pressed against the living tissue in a state in which the living body tissue is close to the living tissue as described above. Do. For this reason, if confocal observation is performed once, the cover glass 121 will become dirty. Therefore, in the present embodiment, water discharged from the water supply channel 172 is guided to the cover glass, and the cover glass 121 is washed with this water.

  For this purpose, in this embodiment, the endoscope attachment 500 (FIG. 1) is attached to the distal end portion 130. Next, the shape and function of the endoscope attachment 500 will be described. 3A is a front view of the endoscope attachment 500 as viewed from the endoscope distal end side, and FIG. 3B is a rear view of the endoscope attachment 500 as viewed from the endoscope proximal end side. (C) is the perspective view which looked at the attachment 500 for endoscopes from the endoscope proximal end side. FIG. 4A is a front view of the endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130 as viewed from the endoscope distal end side, and the endoscope attachment 500 is also shown. FIG. 4B shows perspective views of the endoscope distal end portion 130 to which is attached. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the endoscope attachment 500 includes an annular portion 501 attached to the side surface 133 (FIG. 2) of the endoscope distal end portion 130, and a distal end end surface 132 b of the protruding portion 132 of the distal end portion 130. The cover 502 covering (FIG. 2), the side wall 503 covering the side surface 132a of the projecting portion 132, and the opening end 172a (FIG. 2) of the water supply channel 172 when the attachment 500 is attached to the tip portion 130. The flow path block 510 is a member formed integrally. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusion 132 has a substantially triangular prism shape. As shown in FIG. 3, a part of the annular portion 501, the side wall portion 503, and the side surfaces of the flow path block 510 are shaped so as to abut on the three side surfaces (132 a) of the protruding portion 132. Therefore, the endoscope attachment 500 is positioned with respect to the distal end portion 130 by fitting the protruding portion 132 into a concave portion formed of a part of the annular portion 501, the side wall portion 503, and the flow path block 510.

  The cover portion 502 is provided with an opening 502a. As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 502 a is formed at a position corresponding to the cover glass 121 of the confocal observation unit 120. Further, the flow path block 510 includes a first contact surface 511 that comes into contact with the end surface 131 of the endoscope when the endoscope attachment 500 is attached to the endoscope front end portion 130, and an endoscope. When the attachment 500 is attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130, a second contact surface 512 that comes into contact with the side surface 132 a of the protruding portion 132 of the distal end portion 130, and the second contact surface from the first contact surface 511. And a recess 513 formed over the surface 512 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 5, the recess 513 is provided at a position corresponding to the opening end 172 a of the water supply channel 172. Further, a groove 502b extending from the edge of the opening 502a toward the recess 513 is formed on the back surface of the cover portion 502 of the attachment 500 (FIG. 3). For this reason, when the endoscope attachment 500 is attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130, as shown in FIG. 5, a cavity is formed by the side surface 132 a of the protruding portion 132 of the distal end portion 130 and the concave portion 513. The hollow portion and the groove 502b form a flow path from the opening end 172a of the water supply channel 172 to the edge of the opening 502a of the attachment 500. Accordingly, when water is supplied from the water supply channel 172, the water is radiated from the edge of the opening 502a through this flow path. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, this flow path is bent in a Γ shape, and the flow is in the direction along the cover glass 121 in the vicinity of the edge of the opening 502 a. For this reason, water is radiated in the direction along the surface of the cover glass 121 and the cover glass 121 is washed.

  As described above, the endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment is for forming a flow path for cleaning the cover glass 121 of the confocal observation unit 120, but the present invention is the present embodiment. The present invention is not limited to this configuration, and various modifications are possible. The endoscope attachment according to the second embodiment of the present invention described below forms a flow path for cleaning the cover glass 121 of the confocal observation unit 120 and sucks the living tissue during confocal observation. Thus, the living tissue can be brought into close contact with the cover glass 121.

  FIG. 6A is a front view of the endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment as viewed from the endoscope front end side, and FIG. 6B is a view of the endoscope attachment 500 from the endoscope proximal end side. It is a rear view, (c) is the perspective view which looked at the attachment 500 for endoscopes from the endoscope proximal end side. Further, FIG. 7A is a front view of the endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130 as viewed from the endoscope distal end side, and the endoscope attachment 500 is also shown. FIG. 7B shows perspective views of the endoscope distal end portion 130 to which is attached. The difference between the first embodiment and the present embodiment is only the shape of the endoscope attachment 500, and the configurations of the electronic endoscope 100 and the processors 200 and 300 are the same. In the following description, portions having the same or similar functions as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment extends to a position where the flow path block 510 covers the open end 174 a of the suction channel 174 (see FIG. 7), and A through hole 514 (corresponding to a “suction guide path” in the claims) is formed at a position corresponding to the opening end 174a of the suction channel 174. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one end of the through hole 514 is disposed on the cover portion 502. Therefore, when the endoscope attachment 500 is attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130, the through hole 514 and the suction channel 174 communicate with each other. When the suction operation is performed in a state where the cover portion 502 of the endoscope attachment 500 is pressed against the living tissue, the living tissue near the suction channel 174 is sucked and the living tissue is brought into close contact with the cover glass 121. it can. As described above, confocal observation forms a single image by scanning in biaxial directions, and it takes a certain amount of time to complete scanning of one image. For this reason, for example, even when observing a pulsating or vibrating biological tissue like a biological tissue near an artery, the biological tissue can be fixed to the cover glass 121, and the pulsating or vibrating A confocal observation image without disturbance due to is obtained.

  A tube portion 515 that protrudes toward the proximal end side is provided at the proximal end portion of the through hole 514. That is, when the endoscope attachment 500 is attached to the endoscope distal end portion 130, the tube portion 515 is inserted into the suction channel 174. Here, since the outer diameter of the tube portion 515 is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the opening end 174a of the suction channel 174, the through-hole 514 and the suction channel 174 leak when the tube portion 515 is inserted into the suction channel 174. It is connected without. Further, the engagement between the tube portion 515 and the suction channel 174 also functions as positioning of the endoscope attachment 500 with respect to the endoscope distal end portion 130.

  The endoscope attachment 500 of the present embodiment is formed by molding an elastic material, particularly silicone rubber having a high surface friction coefficient. However, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration, and the endoscope attachment 500 may be formed of a highly rigid plastic or the like. However, if at least the cover portion 502 is made of an elastic material, it can be said that the cover portion 502, particularly the groove 502b portion is deformed by water pressure when water is supplied, and more water can be sent to the cover glass 121.

  In the present embodiment, the second observation member is a member for performing confocal observation, but other observation members (for example, using a lens with an extremely small focal length) that perform observation while being in close contact with the subject. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the second observation member is a magnification observation member for performing magnification observation.

  In the present embodiment, the water flow from the water supply channel is guided to the cover glass side of the second observation member to clean the cover glass. However, the air from the air supply channel is covered with the cover of the second observation member. A configuration that guides to the glass side and blows away the deposit on the cover glass by air is also within the scope of the present invention.

1 shows a configuration of a confocal endoscope system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 shows a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The shape of the attachment for endoscopes of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is shown. The state when the attachment for endoscopes of the 1st Embodiment of this invention is attached to an endoscope is shown. It is II sectional drawing of FIG. The shape of the attachment for endoscopes of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is shown. The state when the attachment for endoscopes of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is attached to an endoscope is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Confocal endoscope system 100 Electronic endoscope 110 Normal observation part 120 Confocal observation part 130 Endoscope tip part 131 End part end surface 132 Projection part 172 Water supply channel 173 Air supply channel 174 Suction channel 200 Normal observation Processor 300 confocal observation processor 402 normal observation monitor 403 confocal observation monitor 500 endoscope attachment 501 annular portion 502 cover portion 502a opening 502b groove 510 channel block 513 recess 514 through-hole 515 tube portion

Claims (7)

An insertion tube to be inserted into the body cavity, a projection provided to project from the end surface of the distal end of the insertion tube, a first observation member disposed in a region other than the projection of the end surface of the distal end of the insertion tube, A second observation member provided in the protruding portion and a cleaning channel having an opening end formed in a region other than the protruding portion on the end surface of the insertion tube so that a cleaning fluid is discharged from the opening end. And an endoscope attachment that is detachably provided at a distal end portion of the endoscope having:
A cover part covering at least a part of the end face of the tip part of the projecting part, comprising an opening window for exposing the cover glass of the second observation member;
When the attachment for endoscope is attached to the distal end portion of the endoscope, a flow path is formed between the gap between the attachment for endoscope and the protrusion and the opening end of the cleaning channel. An endoscope attachment characterized by the above.   The flow path is bent so that the flow in the flow path is in the direction along the surface of the cover glass in the vicinity of the gap between the cover portion and the protrusion. The endoscope attachment according to 1. The endoscope attachment has an aspiration channel in which an open end is formed in a region other than the protruding portion on the end face of the insertion tube, and a living tissue around the open end is sucked from the open end. It can be attached to an endoscope,
The internal attachment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the endoscope attachment further includes a suction guide path having one end connected to the suction channel and the other end exposed to the cover part side. Attachment for endoscope.   A tubular portion is formed at a proximal end portion of the suction guide path, and the suction guide path and the suction channel are connected by inserting the tubular portion into an opening end of the suction channel. The attachment for endoscopes according to claim 3 characterized by things.   The endoscope attachment according to claim 4, wherein an outer diameter of the tubular portion is substantially equal to an inner diameter of an opening end of the suction channel.   The endoscope attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover portion is made of an elastic material.   The endoscope attachment according to claim 6, wherein the elastic body material is silicone rubber.

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