JP5147340B2 - Endoscope cooling system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the endoscopic cooling equipment to be attached to the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus for observing the subject.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus having an insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject has been used so that a narrowed portion such as a duct that cannot be directly viewed by an operator (observer) can be observed. An observation member such as a fixed imaging device (CCD) is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of such an endoscope apparatus, and a subject near the distal end of the insertion portion can be observed. In addition, an illumination means is provided at the distal end of the insertion section, so that the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion section can be illuminated, and the subject can be preferably observed.

  Here, the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus is provided with an observation member such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) and illumination means on the distal end side as described above. The temperature is limited to about 80 ° C. Therefore, even when trying to observe the inside of an engine or the like having a complicated structure as an industrial endoscope, the temperature at the end of operation is at a high temperature of 200 ° C. or higher. It cannot be observed and the range of use becomes narrow. Therefore, an endoscope cooling apparatus and an endoscope apparatus that can perform observation under such a high-temperature environment have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  That is, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes an inner flexible body, an insertion portion having an outer flexible body provided by forming a space through which fluid flows between the inner flexible body, and an outer flexible body. An outer cylinder fixed to the proximal end of the flexible body and having an interior communicating with a space through which fluid flows, and a valve fixed to the outer cylinder and capable of allowing fluid to flow into the outer cylinder Yes. Then, the cooling fluid flows between the inner flexible body and the outer flexible body from the inside of the outer cylinder by connecting the valve and the supply device for supplying the cooling fluid through a supply pipe and allowing the cooling fluid to flow in. Through the tip. For this reason, it is supposed that it can be used even at high temperatures by cooling with a cooling fluid.

Moreover, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a main body tube that covers the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, an outer tube that covers the outer peripheral surface of the main body tube, and a cover member that hermetically seals the distal end portion of the outer tube. It has. Then, by supplying the cooling fluid from the fluid supply port on the proximal end side, the cooling fluid is sent to the distal end side through the clearance between the insertion portion and the main body tube. Further, the cooling fluid is folded at the distal end portion, passes through the clearance between the main body tube and the outer tube, is sent toward the proximal end side, and is discharged from the fluid discharge port on the proximal end side. For this reason, it is supposed that the insertion portion can be cooled without discharging the cooling fluid from the distal end of the insertion portion to the outside.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-46482 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-93857

  However, in the endoscope apparatuses disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the temperature of the external environment rises, or due to leakage in the path through which the cooling fluid flows for some reason, the amount of cooling fluid flowing changes. In some cases, the amount of cooling by the cooling fluid may be insufficient with respect to the amount of heat transmitted from the outside. In such a case, the temperature of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus increases, which may cause damage to the observation member and the illumination means.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and effectively cools the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus in response to a change in the temperature environment so that it can be safely and stably covered in a high-temperature environment. there is provided a endoscope cooling equipment that enable and observe the specimen.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The present invention is an endoscope cooling apparatus that circulates a cooling fluid and cools a distal end side having an observation member for observing a subject in an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus, A cooling channel through which the cooling fluid flows is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and a sheath attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion, and connected to the sheath and communicated with the cooling channel. And a fluid supply part that supplies the cooling fluid, a fluid discharge part that is connected to the sheath and communicates with the cooling channel and discharges the cooling fluid, and an outer peripheral surface of the insertion part. A plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor that is provided, a second temperature sensor provided in the cooling flow path, a third temperature sensor provided on an outer surface of the sheath, and the plurality of temperature sensors. The flow rate of the cooling fluid according to each detected temperature And controls, among the plurality of temperature sensors, and a control unit for determining an abnormality of either the temperature sensor, the control unit, the plurality of temperature each detected temperature from the plurality of temperature sensors Compared with a threshold value set in advance for each sensor, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature exceeds the corresponding threshold value, and each determination result is obtained. Based on a combination pattern of the respective determination results The presence or absence of abnormality of the plurality of temperature sensors is determined .

Further, in the endoscope cooling apparatus, the control unit, when the detected temperature of only the second temperature sensor out of the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a threshold corresponding to the temperature sensor, or More preferably, when the detected temperature of only the second temperature sensor does not exceed the threshold corresponding to the temperature sensor, it is determined that any one of the plurality of temperature sensors is abnormal. It is said that.

The endoscope cooling apparatus further includes an informing unit that informs an operator, and when the control unit determines that any of the plurality of temperature sensors is abnormal, the informing unit More preferably, the operator is informed that there is an abnormality in any of the plurality of temperature sensors .

According to the endoscopic cooling equipment of the present invention, by providing a plurality of temperature sensor control unit, and effectively cool the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus in response to a change in temperature environment, It is possible to observe the subject safely and stably in a high temperature environment.

(First reference example )
A first reference example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present reference example is of a so-called side view type, and as shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope distal end portion 5 having an illumination unit 2 and an observation member 3 is provided at the distal end. An elongated insertion portion 6 that is flexible and can be bent, an operation portion 8 provided with a joystick 7 for bending the insertion portion 6, and the vicinity of the endoscope distal end portion 5 as a separate body from the insertion portion 6 Are provided with illumination means 9 for illuminating the direction observed by the observation member 3 and an endoscope cooling device 20 for cooling the distal end side of the insertion portion 6 by circulating a cooling fluid such as air or water. In the insertion portion 6, the observation member 3 includes an observation lens 3a exposed from the endoscope distal end portion 5 and a CCU (not shown) that is built in the endoscope distal end portion 5 and captures an image enlarged by the observation lens 3a. Prepare. The illumination unit 2 is an LED or a light guide. The illuminating means 9 is disposed inside a sheath 22 of an endoscope cooling device 20 to be described later together with the insertion portion 6, and extends to the outside on the base end side, and a base of the light guide 9a. And a light guide connector 9b provided at the end.
Note that a cover 9c is externally provided in a range extending to the outside of the light guide 9a. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a main body 11 in which a display unit 10 that displays an image of a subject imaged by the CCU is disposed. Furthermore, the light source 11a is built in the main body 11, and the illumination light can be emitted from the tip 9d of the light guide 9a by connecting the light guide connector 9b of the illumination means 9 to the connector 11b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope cooling device 20 is mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion 6 by forming a cooling flow path 21 in which a cooling fluid flows between the insertion portion 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6. A sheath 22 and an apparatus main body 23 are provided. The apparatus main body 23 includes a control unit 24, an air compressor 25, a temperature sensor 26 that is a thermocouple, and a terminal 27 that is connected to the control unit 24 and has a monitor 27a and a buzzer 27b as notification means. An air hose 25a is connected between the air compressor 25 and a later-described supply port 35g of the sheath 22. The air compressor 25 includes a flow rate adjusting valve 25b that adjusts the flow rate of the compressed air to be discharged.

Further, the temperature sensor 26 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6, and more specifically, provided in the vicinity of the observation member 3. The temperature sensor 26 is connected to the terminal 24 a of the control unit 24 via the main body 11 by a wiring 26 a disposed inside the insertion unit 6. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 24 includes a temperature detection unit 24b that outputs a detection temperature as data based on a potential difference input from the temperature sensor 26, and a detection temperature T output from the temperature detection unit 24b. A temperature control unit 24c for analysis. A threshold value is set in advance in the temperature control unit 24c corresponding to the detected temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 26, and the temperature control unit 24c determines whether or not the detected temperature T exceeds the threshold value. ing. In the present reference example , the temperature controller 24c corresponds to the heat resistance of the observation member 3 in order from the highest temperature, the first threshold value S1, the second threshold value S2, and the third threshold value S3. These three threshold values are preset.
Here, when the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 26 is smaller than the smallest third threshold value S3, it indicates that the temperature environment is safest for the use of the observation member 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the air compressor 25 can send compressed air A as a cooling fluid to the cooling flow path 21 inside the sheath 22 via the air hose 25a. The air hose 25a and the supply port 35g constitute a fluid supply unit 28. Here, the flow rate adjustment valve 25b of the air compressor 25 is connected to the temperature control unit 24c, and the flow rate of the compressed air A by the air compressor 25 can be adjusted in four stages preset by the temperature control unit 24c. It has become. Details of the control by the temperature control unit 24c will be described later. Further, the compressed air A supplied to the cooling flow path 21 by the fluid supply unit 28 is discharged to the atmosphere from a discharge port 34 f described later provided in the sheath 22 as the fluid discharge unit 29.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheath 22 is a rigid type formed of a metal member in the present reference example , and the compressed air A flows between the outer end surface of the insertion portion 6 with the distal end opened. A second cooling flow path 21b through which the compressed air A flows is formed between the inner sheath 30 having a substantially circular cross section that forms the first cooling flow path 21a and the outer periphery of the inner sheath 30 with the tip closed. And an outer sheath 31 having a substantially circular cross section. The sheath 22 may be a soft type and formed of a resin material or the like. On the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31, a first opening 31a formed at a position corresponding to the observation member 3 of the insertion section 6 to be attached and a first opening formed at a position corresponding to the tip 9d of the light guide 9a. A second opening 31b. The outer sheath 31 is fitted with a glass tube 32 whose outer diameter is set substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outer sheath 31. The glass tube 32 has a distal end abutting on the distal end of the outer sheath 31 and a proximal end protruding from the proximal end of the outer sheath 31.

  A substantially disc-shaped rubber cap 33 is adhesively fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the glass tube 32, thereby restricting the compressed air A from being discharged by sealing the front end side of the glass tube 32. doing. In addition, a substantially tubular first base 34 is fitted to the proximal end of the outer sheath 31. The first base 34 has a main body portion 34 a that protrudes from the proximal end of the outer sheath 31, and a fitting portion 34 b that extends from the main body portion 34 a to the distal end side and is externally fitted to the outer sheath 31. A female screw 34 c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 34 b and is screwed into a male screw 31 c formed on the base end outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31. Further, the inner diameter of the main body 34a has a stepped portion 34d from the fitting portion 34b and is reduced in a stepped shape, and is substantially annular between the stepped portion 34d and the outer sheath 31, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. A packing 34e formed of a material is interposed. Then, by tightening the first base 34 with respect to the outer sheath 31, the packing 34 e is elastically deformed and bulges toward the inner peripheral surface side, and is externally fitted to the proximal end outer peripheral surface of the glass tube 32. As a result, the gap between the proximal end of the outer sheath 31 and each of the first base 34 and the glass tube 32 is sealed, and the discharge of the compressed air A is restricted.

  Further, the main body portion 34a of the first base 34 is provided with a discharge port 34f that protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface side and communicates with the second cooling flow path 21b on the inner peripheral surface side. The compressed air A can be discharged from the base end of the flow path 21b. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 34a of the first base 34, a male screw 34g is formed on the base end side of the discharge port 34f. In the first base 34, a substantially tubular second base 35 is fitted to the base end of the main body 34a. The second base 35 has a main body part 35 a that protrudes from the base end of the main body part 34 a of the first base 34, and a fitting that extends to the distal end side of the main body part 35 a and is externally fitted to the first base 34. Part 35b and a fixing part 35c extending to the base end side of main body part 35a and connected to fixing member 36. A female screw 35d is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 35b and is screwed into the male screw 34g of the main body portion 34a of the first base 34. The main body portion 35 a has a stepped portion 35 e from the fitting portion 35 b and has an inner diameter that is reduced in a step shape, and is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner sheath 30. The edge is inserted. A substantially annular packing 35f formed of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the step 35e of the second base 35 and the main body 34a of the first base 34. Then, by tightening the second base 35 with respect to the first base 34, the packing 35 f is elastically deformed and bulges toward the inner peripheral surface side, and is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30. It becomes. For this reason, the packing 35f fixes the base end of the inner sheath 30 to the first base 34 and the second base 35, and the base end of the first cooling flow path 21a and the second cooling flow. It seals between the base ends of the path 21b and restricts the compressed air A from communicating. Further, the packing 35f seals between the first base 34 and the second base 35 and restricts the compressed air A from being discharged.

  The main body portion 35a of the second base 35 is formed with a supply port 35g and an illumination means insertion port 35h that protrude to the outer peripheral surface side and communicate with the first cooling channel 21a on the inner peripheral surface side. An air hose 25a is connected to the supply port 35g via a connection joint 25c, whereby compressed air A from the air compressor 25 can be supplied to the base end of the first cooling flow path 21a. . Further, the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 is inserted into the illumination means insertion port 35h, and a substantially tubular packing 35i is interposed between the light guide 9a and the illumination means insertion port 35h. Is controlled to be discharged. Between the main body portion 35a and the fixed portion 35c of the second base 35, an annular convex portion 35j is formed which has an inner diameter set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6 and protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface side. Yes. An internal thread 35k is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the fixed portion 35c.

  The fixing member 36 is a substantially columnar member having a through hole 36a through which the insertion portion 6 is inserted, and a connection portion in which a male screw 36b is formed on the outer peripheral surface to be screwed into the female screw 35k of the second base 35. 36c and a gripping portion 36d projecting in a flange shape on the base end outer peripheral surface side of the connecting portion 36c. Further, inside the fixing portion 35c of the second base 35, a packing 37 made of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the annular convex portion 35j and the connecting portion 36c of the fixing member 36. . The packing 37 is substantially annular and has an outer diameter set to be approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the fixing portion 35c of the second base 35, and the inner diameter is approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6. Is set. Then, by holding the holding portion 36d of the fixing member 36 and tightening the fixing member 36 with respect to the fixing portion 35c of the second base 35, the packing 37 is elastically deformed and expands toward the inner peripheral surface side. The outer periphery of the insertion portion 6 will be externally fitted. For this reason, the packing 37 fixes the insertion portion 6 to the second base 35, seals the proximal end of the first cooling flow path 21a, and restricts the compressed air A from being discharged. doing.

  Here, an auxiliary sheath 38 is inserted into the inner sheath 30. The insertion portion 6 is disposed inside the auxiliary sheath 38, while the light guide 9 a of the illumination unit 9 is disposed in the gap between the inner sheath 30 and the auxiliary sheath 38, separated from the insertion portion 6. Is done. The inner sheath 30 is formed with through holes 30a and 30b at positions facing the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b of the outer sheath 31, respectively. Similarly, through holes 38a and 38b are formed in the auxiliary sheath 38 at positions facing the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b of the outer sheath 31, respectively. Further, the auxiliary sheath 38 is formed with a guide hole 38c that communicates from the outer peripheral surface side to the inner peripheral surface side at a position facing the distal end side through hole 38b. The insertion portion 6 is inserted into the auxiliary sheath 38 inside the inner sheath 30 from the through hole 38a of the auxiliary sheath 38 and the through hole 30a of the inner sheath 30. The outside can be observed through one opening 31 a, and the observation window 40 is constituted by the glass tube 32 and the first opening 31 a of the outer sheath 31. The light guide 9 a disposed between the auxiliary sheath 38 and the inner sheath 30 is curved at the distal end side and disposed inside the auxiliary sheath 38 through the guide hole 38 c, and the distal end 9 d penetrates the inner sheath 30. It is located in the hole 30b and the through hole 38b of the auxiliary sheath 38. For this reason, the illumination light emitted from the tip 9d of the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 can be illuminated outside through the glass tube 32 and the second opening 31b, that is, by the glass tube 32 and the second opening 31b. The window part 41 for illumination is comprised.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 and the endoscope cooling apparatus 20 of the present reference example and details of the control by the control unit 24 will be described.
When observing a subject with the endoscope apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheath 22 of the endoscope cooling device 20 is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion 6, and in this state, in the subject. Insert it. At this time, by driving the air compressor 25, the compressed air A is supplied from the air hose 25a to the first cooling channel 21a through the supply port 35g. The flow rate of the compressed air A is set to the smallest level 1 in the initial state. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, since the base end of the first cooling channel 21a is sealed by the packing 37, the compressed air A is not discharged to the base end side, but the first end. It will distribute | circulate to the front end side of the flow path 21a for cooling. For this reason, first, the insertion part 6 will be suitably cooled by the compressed air A which distribute | circulates the 1st flow path 21a for cooling.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the compressed air A that has flowed into the distal end side of the first cooling channel 21 a is closed at the distal end side of the outer sheath 31. Through the through holes 30a and 30b of the inner sheath 30 and the through holes 38a and 38b of the auxiliary sheath 38, the inner sheath 30 flows from the inner peripheral surface side to the outer peripheral surface side and flows into the second cooling flow path 21b. Will be. Then, the compressed air A flows from the distal end side to the proximal end side in the second cooling channel 21b, and the insertion portion 6 positioned inside is cooled again. And since the base end of the 2nd cooling flow path 21b is obstruct | occluded by packing 34e, 35f, compressed air A is outside from the discharge port 34f on the base end side of the 2nd cooling flow path 21b. Will be discharged. That is, when the endoscope cooling device 20 is attached to the insertion portion 6 and inserted into the subject, the insertion portion 6 has the first cooling flow path 21a and the second cooling surface at the outer peripheral surface and the distal end surface. The air is covered and cooled by the compressed air A flowing through the cooling flow path 21b, and the outside is illuminated by the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 through the illumination window 41, and the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 is illuminated. Thus, an external subject can be preferably observed through the observation window 40. At this time, in the present reference example , the illumination unit 2 mounted on the insertion unit 6 as described above is not used, but the illumination light from the light guide 9a of the illumination unit 9 disposed at a position somewhat apart from the observation unit is used. Illuminated. For this reason, even if the illumination means 9 and the observation member 3 illuminate through the glass and perform observation, halation due to illumination light can be eliminated or reduced.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the temperature environment inside the sheath 22, particularly the temperature of the insertion portion 6, is detected by the temperature sensor 26, and is constantly monitored by the temperature control unit 24 c of the control unit 24. Accordingly, a warning is given by the monitor 27a and the buzzer 27b, and the flow rate of the compressed air by the compressor 25 is controlled. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a determination and control procedure by the temperature control unit 24c. As shown in FIG. 4, the temperature control unit 24 c sets the first threshold value S <b> 1, the second threshold value S <b> 2, and the third threshold value S <b> 3 for the detected temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 26. Judge whether each is exceeded. If it is equal to or greater than the largest first threshold value S1, the flow rate is set to the maximum level 4 because there is a possibility that the observation member 3 and other components of the insertion portion 6 may be damaged in a very dangerous state. Set and cool the insert 6. Further, the temperature control unit 24c displays the lamp display on the monitor 27a as level 3, and generates a buzzer sound from the buzzer 27b, so that the temperature state of the insertion unit 6 is the most dangerous state. To inform. Therefore, the operator can recognize that the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 is in a dangerous state by checking the lamp display on the monitor 27a or by hearing a buzzer sound. Observation can be stopped to avoid any damage.

  If the detected temperature T is smaller than the first threshold value S1 but not less than the second largest threshold value S2, the flow rate is set to a level 3 that is one step lower than the level 4 and is monitored. The lamp display is displayed as level 2 in 27a. For this reason, it is possible to warn the operator while effectively cooling the insertion portion 6 according to the situation to promote a temperature drop. Further, when the detected temperature T is smaller than the second threshold value S2 but not less than the third largest threshold value S3, the flow rate is set to a level 2 that is one step smaller than the level 3 and is monitored. The lamp display is displayed as level 1 in 27a. For this reason, it is possible to alert the operator while similarly cooling the insertion portion 6 effectively. On the other hand, when the detected temperature T is lower than the third threshold value S3, the flow rate is set to the lowest level 1. For this reason, it is possible to efficiently observe the subject while cooling the insertion portion 6 efficiently and maintaining a safe temperature state.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the flow rate of the compressed air A is controlled by the temperature control unit 24c based on the control flow as a time chart.
As shown in FIG. 5, at the start of use, the temperature T detected by the temperature sensor 26 is smaller than the third threshold S3. However, since the flow rate of the compressed air A is the smallest level 1 when the external environment temperature is above a certain level, the cooling amount per unit time by the compressed air A with respect to the heat amount per unit time transmitted from the outside Becomes smaller and the temperature rises with time. When the detected temperature T becomes equal to or higher than the third threshold value S3, the temperature control unit 24c increases the flow rate from the level 1 to the level 2 on the basis of the detection result by the temperature sensor 26, and at the level of the monitor 27a. 1 to display the lamp. For this reason, the cooling amount per unit time by the compressed air A increases, the insertion part 6 can be cooled effectively, and an operator can be ventilated with caution. Here, it is assumed that the amount of heat transferred from the outside is still larger, and thereby the temperature rise per unit time is reduced, but the temperature rises with time.

  When the detected temperature T exceeds the second threshold value S2, the temperature control unit 24c increases the flow rate from the level 2 to the level 3 based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 26, and displays the level 2 on the monitor 27a. Use to display the lamp. For this reason, the insertion portion 6 can be effectively cooled, and a warning can be given to the operator that the insertion portion 6 may be damaged if the temperature rises further. Here, by setting the flow rate of the compressed air A to level 3, it is assumed that the amount of cooling by the compressed air A becomes larger than the amount of heat transmitted from the outside, and thereby the temperature of the insertion portion 6 starts to decrease. When the detected temperature T becomes lower than the second threshold value S2, the temperature control unit 24c decreases the flow rate from the level 3 to the level 2 based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 26. If the external temperature environment is constant, the above flow rate setting change can be repeated to stabilize the temperature environment in the vicinity of the second threshold value S2.

  On the other hand, even if the external environment temperature rises and the flow rate of the compressed air A is set to level 2, if the amount of cooling of the compressed air A becomes smaller than the amount of heat transmitted from the outside, the temperature of the insertion portion 6 also rises, The detected temperature T exceeds the first threshold value S1. Therefore, the temperature control unit 24c increases the flow rate from the level 3 to the maximum level 4 based on the detection result by the temperature sensor 26, and causes the monitor 27a to display the lamp at the level 3, and from the buzzer 27b to the buzzer 27b. Generate sound. For this reason, while the insertion part 6 is cooled effectively and the state where the insertion part 6 is damaged is avoided, it can alert | report that it is a dangerous state to an operator.

As described above, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present reference example includes the endoscope cooling device 20, and the temperature of the insertion unit 6 is determined by the temperature control unit 24 c of the control unit 24 based on the detection result of the temperature sensor 26. It is possible to accurately grasp the change in state. Then, the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 can be kept stable by adjusting the flow rate of the compressed air A based on the determination result by the temperature control unit 24c, and the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 is notified to the operator. can do. Further, in this reference example , the temperature sensor 26 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6, so that the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 can be accurately grasped, and particularly provided near the observation member 3. Therefore, the temperature state of the observation member 3 can be accurately grasped, and based on this, the flow rate of the compressed air A can be changed to effectively cool the observation member 3.

In this reference example , the temperature sensor 26 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6. However, the temperature sensor 26 is not limited to this and is provided on the inner sheath 30 and the outer sheath 31 inside the sheath 22. Or may be provided on the outer surface of the outer sheath 31. The former has the advantage that the temperature state of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path 21 can be suitably detected, and the latter has an advantage of the external environment serving as a heat source for raising the temperature of the insertion portion 6. There is an advantage that the temperature can be suitably detected. In the present reference example , three threshold values S1, S2, and S3 corresponding to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26 are set in the temperature control unit 24c in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By determining whether or not one threshold value is exceeded, the temperature state can be grasped.

(Implementation form)
Next, a description will be given implementation of the invention. FIGS. 6-9, there is shown an implementation of the invention. In this embodiment, the same members as those used in the reference example described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, in the endoscope apparatus 50 of this embodiment, the endoscope cooling apparatus 51 includes a first temperature sensor 52, a second temperature sensor 53, and a third temperature. A sensor 54 and three temperature sensors are provided. In the endoscope apparatus 50, the endoscope main body section 55 to which the insertion section 6 and the illumination means 9 are connected, the cooling apparatus main body section 56 of the endoscope cooling apparatus 51, and the air compressor 25 are integrated. A configured main body 57 is provided. The endoscope main body 55 is provided with a display unit 10 and a buzzer 55a, which constitute notification means for the endoscope cooling device 51. Further, the endoscope main body 55 incorporates a CCU driving portion 55b and a main body control portion 55c for driving a CCU (not shown) of the observation member 3.

Similar to the first reference example , the first temperature sensor 52 is provided in the vicinity of the observation member 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6, and is connected to the wiring 52 a disposed inside the insertion portion 6. ing. The wiring 52 a is taken out from the operation unit 8 and connected to the cooling device main body 56. The second temperature sensor 53 is provided in the second cooling flow path 21b. More specifically, the second temperature sensor 53 is provided between the first opening 31a and the discharge port 34f in the central axis direction. It is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 32 at a position close to the opening 31a. The second temperature sensor 53 is disposed in the second cooling channel 21b and is connected to the wiring 53a taken out from the discharge port 34f. Further, the third temperature sensor 54 is provided on the outer surface of the outer sheath 31 so as to be exposed to the outside. The third temperature sensor 54 is disposed in the second cooling channel 21b and is connected to the wiring 54a taken out from the discharge port 34f. It is connected. The wiring 53a of the second temperature sensor 53 and the wiring 54a of the third temperature sensor 54 are each connected to the cooling device main body 56.

The cooling device main body 56 of the endoscope cooling device 51 includes a wiring 52a of the first temperature sensor 52, a wiring 53a of the second temperature sensor 53, and a wiring 54a of the third temperature sensor 54, respectively. A first temperature detection unit 56a, a second temperature detection unit 56b, a third temperature detection unit 56c, and a temperature control unit 56d that are connected and output the detected temperature as data are provided. In the present embodiment, the temperature control unit 56d includes a first threshold value S52 corresponding to the detection temperature T52 detected by the first temperature sensor 52 and a second threshold value S53 corresponding to the detection temperature T53 detected by the second temperature sensor 53. And a third threshold value S54 corresponding to the temperature T54 detected by the third temperature sensor 54, and three threshold values are preset. Then, the temperature control unit 24c, whether or not the detected temperature T52 by the first temperature sensor 52 exceeds the first threshold value S 52, the detected temperature T53 by the second temperature sensor 53 is a second threshold value S 53 It is determined whether or not the temperature T54 detected by the third temperature sensor 54 exceeds the third threshold value S54 .

The determination result by the temperature control unit 56d is output to the main body control unit 55c.
The main body control unit 55c is preset with a table M shown in FIG. 9 in which three judgment result patterns 1 to 8 based on the detected temperatures T52, T53, and T54 and control contents corresponding to the patterns 1 to 8 are described. ing. In FIG. 9, the detected temperatures T52, T53, and T54 detected by the first temperature sensor 52, the second temperature sensor 53, or the third temperature sensor 54 are the corresponding first threshold value S52, second threshold value S53, or first value. When it is smaller than the third threshold value S54, it is described as “◯”, and when it is equal to or more than each threshold value, it is described as “X”. The main body control unit 55c can control each component with reference to the detected temperatures T52, T53, T54 and the table M, that is, controlled by the main body control unit 55c and the temperature control unit 56d. A portion 59 is configured.

Next, the operation of the endoscope device 50 and the endoscope cooling device 51 of the present embodiment and details of the control by the control unit 59 will be described.
As in the first reference example, as the insertion section 6 is inserted into the subject, the compressed air A is supplied to the cooling flow path 21 by the air compressor 25, and the first temperature control section 56d performs the first operation. The detected temperatures T52, 53, 54 detected by the temperature sensor 52, the second temperature sensor 53, and the third temperature sensor 54 exceed the corresponding first threshold value S52, second threshold value S53, or third threshold value S54. And output to the main body control unit 55c. Then, the main body control unit 55c refers to the table M shown in FIG. 9 to determine which pattern is the determination result, and performs control corresponding to the pattern.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 9, when the judgment result is pattern 1 and all the detected temperatures T52, T53, T54 are smaller than the corresponding threshold values, that is, the external environment temperature is a usable temperature, the sheath 22 If the internal temperature environment is also appropriate, it is determined to be safe and the flow rate of the compressed air A remains constant. On the other hand, when the determination result is pattern 2 and only the detected temperature T54 detected by the third temperature sensor 54 is equal to or higher than the corresponding third threshold value S54, the sheath 22 can be used although the external environment temperature is not suitable for use. The main body control unit 55c displays “Caution” on the display unit 10 and alerts the operator, assuming that the inside is cooled and is at an appropriate temperature at this stage.

  When the determination result is pattern 3 and only the detected temperature T53 detected by the first temperature sensor 52 is smaller than the corresponding first threshold value S11, the compression that flows through the cooling flow path 21 in accordance with the change in the external environment temperature. Although the temperature of the air A is also increasing, it is determined that the insertion portion 6 is still at an appropriate temperature. Then, the main body control unit 55c causes the display unit 10 to display “danger” and stops the driving of the light source 11a in order to forcibly stop the illumination by the illumination unit 9 that may cause a temperature rise.

  Further, when the determination result is pattern 4 and all of the detected temperatures T52, T53, and T54 are equal to or higher than the corresponding threshold values, it is determined that the insertion portion 6 may be damaged as the temperature rises. Then, the main body control unit 55c displays a “warning” on the display unit 10 and changes the background color to give a warning to the operator that the state is dangerous. Further, similarly to the pattern 3, the driving of the light source 11a is stopped, the flow rate of the compressed air A is increased, the cooling of the insertion portion 6 is promoted, and the insertion portion 6 is prevented from being damaged due to the temperature rise.

  On the other hand, when the determination result is pattern 5 and only the detected temperature T52 detected by the first temperature sensor 52 is equal to or higher than the corresponding first threshold value S52, the insertion portion 6 is short-circuited in the internal structure regardless of the external environment. It is determined that the endoscope is abnormal because the temperature has increased. In this case, the main body control unit 55c provisionally increases the flow rate of the compressed air A to promote the cooling of the insertion unit 6, and the abnormal portion of the insertion unit 6 is further damaged due to the temperature rise. Prevent damage.

  If the determination result is pattern 6 and the detected temperatures T52 and T53 detected by the first temperature sensor 52 and the second temperature sensor 53 are equal to or higher than the corresponding threshold values, the external environment is in a usable temperature state. Nevertheless, it is determined that the temperature of the insertion portion 6 has risen due to the fact that the compressed air A is not properly distributed for some reason, and that the flow rate is abnormal. For this reason, the main body control unit 55c increases the flow rate of the compressed air A so that the compressed air A is forced to flow to prevent the insertion unit 6 from being damaged due to a temperature rise.

When the determination result is pattern 7 and only the detected temperature T53 detected by the second temperature sensor 53 is equal to or higher than the corresponding second threshold value S53, the first temperature sensor 52, the second temperature sensor 53, or the third temperature sensor 53 is used. It is determined that any one of the temperature sensors 54 is abnormal. For this reason, the main body control unit 55c causes the display unit 10 to display “sensor abnormality” and notifies the operator to that effect.
Further, in the determination result pattern 8, and only the detection temperature T5 3 by the second temperature sensor 53 is similarly when it becomes less than the second threshold value S 53 corresponding is any temperature sensor abnormality determination Then, the main body control unit 55c displays “sensor abnormality” on the display unit 10 and notifies the operator of that fact.

  As described above, in the endoscope apparatus 50 of the present embodiment, the endoscope cooling apparatus 51 includes the first temperature sensor 52, the second temperature sensor 53, the third temperature sensor 54, and a plurality of temperatures. By providing the sensor and detecting the temperature at different positions, the temperature state in the sheath 22 and in the vicinity of the outer surface can be grasped in more detail. Then, by combining the determination results for the detected temperatures T52, T53, and T54, the degree of temperature rise and the cause of the abnormality can be specified based on the difference in the determination results. In the present embodiment, one threshold value is set for each detected temperature of each temperature sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and more detailed settings can be made by setting a plurality of threshold values. The temperature state can be grasped.

( Second reference example )
Next, a second reference example of the present invention will be described. 10 to 13 show a second reference example of the present invention. In this reference example , members that are the same as those used in the first reference example and the embodiment described above are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the endoscope apparatus 60 of this reference example , the endoscope cooling apparatus 61 is either compressed air A that is a gas or cooling water W that is a liquid as a cooling fluid. And a fluid supply unit 62 that communicates with and supplies the cooling flow channel 21 and a fluid discharge unit 63 that communicates with the cooling flow channel 21 and discharges any one of the cooling fluids.

  More specifically, the fluid supply unit 62 includes a first supply unit 64 that can supply the compressed air A, a second supply unit 65 that can supply the cooling water W, and a cooling supply that supplies the cooling flow path 21. A supply side switching valve 66 that is a first switching unit (switching unit) that switches the fluid to either compressed air A or cooling water W, and a supply port 35g into which the cooling fluid selected by the supply side switching valve 66 flows. With. The first supply unit 64 includes an air compressor 64b with a built-in flow rate adjustment valve 64a and a compressor control unit 64c that controls the air compressor 64b. The air compressor 64b is connected to a supply side switching valve by a pipe 64d. 66. The second supply unit 65 includes a tank 65a in which the cooling water W is stored, a pump 65b for supplying the cooling water W in the tank 65a, and a pump control unit 65c for controlling the pump 65b. The pump 65b is connected to the supply side switching valve 66 by a pipe 65d. The supply side switching valve 66 is connected to a supply port 35g by a pipe 66a and is connected to a valve control unit 74 described later, and the compressed air A or the cooling water W is controlled under the control of the valve control unit 74. Any one of the above can be selected, and the selected cooling fluid can be supplied to the cooling flow path 21 via the pipe 66a and the supply port 35g.

  The fluid discharge unit 63 includes a discharge port 34f, a discharge side switching valve 67 which is a second switching unit connected to the discharge port 34f by a pipe 67a, and a first discharge pipe connected to the discharge side switching valve 67, respectively. 68 and a second discharge pipe 69. The first discharge pipe 68 is open at the other end opposite to one end connected to the discharge side switching valve 67 and communicates with the outside. Further, the second discharge pipe 69 has the other end opposite to the one end connected to the discharge side switching valve 67 communicating with the inside of the tank 65 a of the second supply unit 65. Further, the discharge side switching valve 67 is connected to a valve control unit 74 described later, and when the cooling fluid is compressed air A under the control of the valve control unit 74, the first discharge pipe 68 is connected. It is possible to select and discharge the compressed air A discharged from the cooling flow path 21 to the outside. Further, when the cooling fluid is the cooling water W, the second discharge pipe 69 is selected, and the cooling water W discharged from the cooling flow path 21 is converted into the tank 65a in which the cooling water W is stored. It is possible to recover again.

  The endoscope cooling device 61 includes a control unit 70 that performs various controls, and a temperature sensor 71 that is provided on the inner surface of the outer sheath 31 and is a thermocouple that detects the temperature of the cooling fluid. The control unit 70 controls the respective states of the temperature control unit 72 connected to the temperature sensor 71, the compressed air A by the first supply unit 64 of the fluid supply unit 62, and the cooling water W by the second supply unit 65. And a valve control unit 74 connected to the supply-side switching valve 66 and the discharge-side switching valve 67. The temperature sensor 71 is connected to the wiring 71a disposed from the second cooling channel 21b to the outside through the outlet 34h provided in the first base 34. The wiring 71a is connected to the temperature detection unit 72a built in the temperature control unit 72 via the temperature detection unit 71b.

  The temperature control unit 72 has a first threshold value S71, a second threshold value S72, and two threshold values set in advance in descending order, and the detected temperature T71 by the temperature sensor 71 is the first threshold value S71 or the second threshold value. It is determined whether or not the second threshold value S72 is exceeded. The fluid control unit 73 selects and drives either the air compressor 64b of the first supply unit 64 or the pump 65b of the second supply unit 65 based on the determination result by the temperature control unit 72. . Further, the valve control unit 74 supplies either the compressed air A from the first supply unit 64 or the cooling water W from the second supply unit 65 to the supply port 35g based on the determination result by the temperature control unit 72. The supply side switching valve 66 can be supplied to the cooling flow path 21 via the discharge port 34f, and the cooling fluid can be discharged from either the first discharge pipe 68 or the second discharge pipe 69 via the discharge port 34f. In addition, the discharge side switching valve 67 can be driven.

Next, the operation of the endoscope device 60 and the endoscope cooling device 61 of this reference example and details of control by the control unit 70 will be described.
When observing a subject with the endoscope apparatus 60, the fluid control unit 73 first drives the air compressor 64b by the compressor control unit 64c to send out the compressed air A. In addition, the valve control unit 74 drives the supply side switching valve 66 so that the compressed air A can be supplied, and also drives the discharge side switching valve 66 to flow the compressed air A flowing through the cooling flow path 21. Can be discharged from the first discharge pipe 68 to the outside. As a result, the compressed air A flows through the cooling flow path 21 at a flow rate adjusted by the flow rate adjustment valve 64a, and the insertion portion 6 is cooled.

  The temperature state inside the sheath 22, particularly the temperature of the compressed air A, which is a circulating cooling fluid, is detected by the temperature sensor 71. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the temperature control unit 72 determines whether or not the detected temperature T71 by the temperature sensor 71 exceeds the first threshold value S71 and the second threshold value S72 that are set in advance. When the temperature control unit 72 determines that the detected temperature T71 is lower than the smaller second threshold value S72, the fluid control unit 73 effectively cools with the compressed air A based on the determination result. Therefore, it is determined that the temperature of the insertion portion 6 is in a safe state. Thereby, the fluid control unit 73 continues the cooling with the compressed air A without changing the flow rate, and the temperature control unit 72 continues to monitor the detected temperature by the temperature sensor 71.

  On the other hand, when the temperature control unit 72 determines that the detected temperature T71 is lower than the first threshold value S71, which is larger, but is equal to or higher than the second threshold value S72, the fluid control unit 73 sets the determination result as follows. Based on this, it is necessary to further cool with the compressed air A, and the flow rate adjusting valve 64a is driven to increase the flow rate of the compressed air A. When the temperature control unit 72 determines that the detected temperature T71 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value S72, the temperature control unit 72 outputs the determination result to the valve control unit 74 together with the fluid control unit 73. . As a result, even if the flow rate is increased depending on the compressed air A, the fluid control unit 73 and the valve control unit 74 switch to cooling with the cooling water W, assuming that the temperature of the external environment is high and the cooling amount is insufficient. That is, first, the fluid control unit 73 stops driving the air compressor 64b. Next, the valve control unit 74 switches the supply side switching valve 66 to a state in which the cooling water W can be supplied. Further, the discharge side switching valve 67 is switched to a state where it can be discharged to the second discharge pipe 69. Then, the fluid control unit 73 drives the pump 65b so that the cooling water W stored in the tank 65a is cooled by the pump 65b through the pipe 65d, the supply side switching valve 66, the pipe 66a, and the supply port 35g. It will be supplied to the working channel 21. And the cooling water W which distribute | circulated the flow path 21 for cooling will be discharged | emitted from the discharge port 34f, and will be collect | recovered by the tank 65a via the discharge side switching valve 67 and the 2nd discharge piping 69, and pump 65b As a result, it is supplied again to the cooling flow path 21.

FIG. 13 is a time chart illustrating an example in which the state of the cooling fluid is controlled based on the control flow.
As shown in FIG. 13, at the start of use, the detected temperature T71 by the temperature sensor 71 is smaller than the second threshold value S72. For this reason, the fluid control unit 73 supplies the compressed air A from the air compressor 64b with the flow rate constant at level 1 based on the determination result by the temperature control unit 72, and always maintains the cooled state.

  On the other hand, when the external environment temperature is a certain level or more, the cooling amount per unit time by the compressed air A is smaller than the heat amount per unit time transmitted from the outside, and the temperature rises with time. When the temperature control unit 72 determines that the detected temperature T71 exceeds the second threshold value S72, the temperature control unit 72 outputs the determination result to the fluid control unit 73, and the fluid control unit 73 changes the flow rate of the compressed air A from level 1. Increase to level 2. For this reason, the cooling amount per unit time by the compressed air A increases, and the insertion part 6 can be cooled effectively. Here, it is assumed that the amount of heat transferred from the outside is still larger, and thereby the temperature rise per unit time is reduced, but the temperature rises with time. When the temperature control unit 72 determines that the detected temperature T71 exceeds the second threshold value S72, the temperature control unit 72 outputs the determination result to the fluid control unit 73 and the valve control unit 74, whereby the cooling water is supplied to the cooling flow path 21. W will be supplied. For this reason, the insertion part 6 is effectively cooled by the cooling water W, and the temperature T71 detected by the temperature sensor 71 can be made smaller than the first threshold value S71.

As described above, in the endoscope device 60 of the present reference example , the endoscope cooling device 61 can be cooled by the compressed air A and the cooling water W, and both can be switched. In normal times, while cooling with the compressed air A, when the detected temperature T becomes high, the cooling water W can be effectively cooled, and the insertion portion 6 is further observed in a safe state. It becomes possible to do. Here, when the subject is observed by the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 in a state where the cooling fluid is circulated through the cooling flow path 21, the observation is performed via the circulating cooling fluid. In this reference example , since the compressed air A is normally used as described above, a change in an image when observed through the cooling water W, for example, deformation due to the refractive index of water, Eliminates the difficulty of viewing due to the generated bubbles, and improves the cooling effect by adopting a water-cooling method as an emergency response. And in this reference example , when cooling the insertion part 6 with the cooling water W, the cooling water W which distribute | circulates the cooling flow path 21 and is discharged | emitted from the discharge port 34f is collect | recovered by the tank 65a, and again by the pump 65b. It becomes possible to supply to the cooling channel 21. That is, the cooling water W can be circulated between the cooling flow path 21 and the tank 65a to cool the insertion portion 6, and the insertion portion 6 can be cooled economically and effectively.

  In the above description, the case where the flow rate of the compressed air A by the first supply unit 64 is changed and the compressed air A by the first supply unit 64 is switched to the cooling water W by the second supply unit 65 has been described. However, it is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, after the cooling fluid is switched from the compressed air A to the cooling water W, the flow rate of the cooling water W may be changed when the detected temperature T71 further increases. good. Further, according to the temperature state detected by the temperature sensor 71, the cooling water W by the second supply unit 65 may be switched to the supply of the compressed air A by the first supply unit 64.

Further, in this reference example , the normal air cooling is switched to the water cooling as necessary, but the normal water cooling may be air cooling as necessary. In other words, when the cooling water W evaporates and decreases due to water cooling for a long time and the cooling capacity cannot be exhibited, the air cooling may be performed urgently.

( Third reference example )
Next, a third reference example of the present invention will be described. 14 to 18 show a third reference example of the present invention. In this reference example , the same reference numerals are given to the same members as those used in the first and second reference examples and embodiments described above, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 14, in the endoscope apparatus 80 of this reference example, an endoscope cooling apparatus 81 includes an apparatus main body 83 in which a temperature control unit 82 as a control unit is built, and a cooling fluid as a cooling fluid. The fluid supply part 84 which supplies the cooling water W to a flow path, the fluid discharge part 85 which discharges the cooling water W from the flow path for cooling, and the cooling means 86 which cools the cooling water W are provided. The fluid supply unit 84 includes a tank 65a, a pump 65b, a pump control unit 65c built in the apparatus main body 83, a supply port 35g, and a pipe 84a that connects the supply port 35g and the pump 65b. Moreover, the fluid discharge part 85 is comprised by the piping 85a which connects the discharge port 34f and the discharge port 34f, and the tank 65a.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the cooling means 86 connects the substantially cylindrical syringe 87 filled with other cooling water W different from the cooling water W stored in the tank 65a, and the syringe 87 and the tank 65a. And a water injection part 89 that pumps the cooling water W of the syringe 87 to the pipe 88. The pipe 88 is connected to a water injection port 87 a formed at the tip of the syringe 87, and a check valve 87 b is provided so that the internal cooling water W does not flow back into the syringe 87. In addition, the water injection unit 89 is disposed in the syringe 87 by being connected to the piston 90, which is in close contact with the inside of the syringe 87, the rod 91 connected to the proximal end of the piston 90, and the rod 91. And a drive unit 93 that is provided on the proximal end side of the syringe 87 and can move the piston 90 forward and backward through the slider 92 disposed in the syringe 87. The drive unit 93 includes a frame 93a fixed to the base end of the syringe 87, a motor 93b fixed to the frame 93a, a ball screw 93c that is disposed coaxially with the syringe 87 and can be rotated around the axis by the motor 93b, A gear 93d is fixed to the frame 93a so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction of the ball screw 93c, and is engaged with the ball screw 93c and to which the base end of the slider 92 is connected. The motor 93b is connected to the temperature control unit 82. Then, by driving the motor 93b under the control of the temperature controller 82, the ball screw 93c can be rotated, whereby the gear 93d can be advanced to the tip side. The piston 93 can be advanced to the distal end side through the slider 92 and the rod 91 by the advancement of the gear 93d, whereby the cooling water W in the syringe 87 is pushed into the pipe 88, and new cooling water is supplied to the tank 65a. It is possible to supply W.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, the endoscope cooling device 81 can detect the temperature of the cooling water W provided on the inner surface of the outer sheath 31 and flowing through the second cooling channel 21b. A first temperature sensor 95 and a second temperature sensor 96 provided inside the tank 65a and capable of detecting the temperature of the cooling water W stored are provided. The first temperature sensor 95 is connected to the wiring 95a disposed on the pipe 85a from the second cooling channel 21b through the discharge port 34f. The wiring 95a is drawn into the tank 65a from the pipe 85a, is further taken out from the tank 65a, and is connected to a first temperature detection unit 82a built in the apparatus main body 83. The second temperature sensor 96 is connected to a second temperature detection unit 82b built in the apparatus main body 83 by a wiring 96a. The first temperature detection unit 82a and the second temperature detection unit 82b output the detected temperatures T95 and T96 from the corresponding first temperature sensor 95 and second temperature sensor 96 to the temperature control unit 82, respectively. ing.

  The temperature controller 82 includes a first threshold value S95 corresponding to the detected temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95, a detected temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95, and a detected temperature T96 detected by the second temperature sensor 96. A difference ΔT and a corresponding second threshold S96 are set in advance. Then, the temperature control unit 82 adjusts the flow rate of the cooling water W based on whether or not the detected temperature T95 exceeds the first threshold value S95 and whether or not the difference ΔT exceeds the second threshold value S96. In addition, cooling by the cooling means 86 can be performed. The apparatus main body 83 includes a power switch 83a for turning on / off the power, a monitor 83b for displaying the detected temperatures T95 and T96, an emergency switch 83c for manually performing cooling by the cooling means 86, and temperature control. A buzzer 83d capable of outputting a buzzer sound as notification means based on the determination result by the unit 82 is provided.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 80 and the endoscope cooling apparatus 81 of this reference example and the details of the control by the temperature control unit 82 will be described.
When observing a subject with the endoscope apparatus 80, first, the pump 65b is driven by the pump controller 65c, and the cooling water W of the tank 65a is supplied to the cooling flow path 21 via the pipe 84a and the supply port 35g. Supply. As a result, the cooling water W flows through the cooling flow path 21 and the insertion portion 6 is cooled. The cooling water W that has flowed through the cooling flow path 21 is recovered from the discharge port 34f to the tank 65a via the pipe 85a. Here, since the cooling water W in the tank 65a is circulated and used, the cooling water W is gradually warmed in the course of circulation and the temperature rises, and in some cases decreases due to evaporation or the like. May decrease. However, in the endoscope apparatus 80, the temperature rise of the cooling water W is suppressed and the cooling capacity is maintained as follows.

  That is, the temperature of the cooling water W flowing through the cooling flow path 21 is detected by the first temperature sensor 95, and discharged from the cooling flow path 21 by the second temperature sensor 96 and collected in the tank 65a. The temperature of the cooling water W is detected. The temperature controller 82 calculates the difference ΔT from the detected temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95 and the detected temperature T96 detected by the second temperature sensor 96. As shown in FIG. 17, the temperature control unit 82 first determines whether or not the detected temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95 exceeds a preset first threshold value S95. When it is determined that the detected temperature T95 is lower than the first threshold value S95, it is determined that the temperature of the insertion portion 6 is in a safe state because it is effectively cooled by the cooling water W, and the next step Migrate to On the other hand, if it is determined that the detected temperature T95 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value S95, it is necessary to further cool with the cooling water W, and the pump control unit 65c increases the output of the pump 65b to increase the cooling water W. After increasing the flow rate, the process proceeds to the next step.

Next, it is determined whether or not the calculated difference ΔT exceeds the second threshold value S96. When it is determined that the difference ΔT is larger than the second threshold value S96, the temperature of the cooling water W recovered and stored in the tank 65a is also stable, and the first temperature sensor 95 and the first temperature sensor 95 Monitoring of the detected temperatures T95 and T96 by the second temperature sensor 96 is repeated. Further, when it is determined that the difference ΔT is equal to or smaller than the second threshold value S96, it is assumed that the temperature of the cooling water W collected and stored in the tank 65a has increased with the cooling of the insertion portion 6, and the tank The cooling water W in 65a is cooled. That is, the drive part 93 of the cooling means 86 is driven, and the cooling water W in the syringe 87 is poured into the tank 65 a through the pipe 88. Thereby, the cooling water W in the tank 65a is cooled by the newly injected cooling water W. Further, the temperature control unit 82 cools the cooling water W in the tank 65a and generates a buzzer sound from the buzzer 83d to notify that the temperature of the cooling water W in the tank 65a is rising. In the case of this reference example , the apparatus main body 83 is provided with an emergency switch 83c. For this reason, even if the operator visually confirms the inside of the tank 65a and the temperature rise of the cooling water W is recognized, the cooling water W is injected from the cooling means 86 by inputting the emergency switch 83c, The cooling water W in the tank 65a can be cooled.

FIG. 18 shows an example in which the state of the cooling water is controlled based on the control flow as a time chart.
As shown in FIG. 18, at the start of use, the detected temperature T95 by the first temperature sensor 95 is smaller than the first threshold value S95. For this reason, the temperature controller 82 maintains the cooled state by always supplying the cooling water W from the pump 65b with the flow rate being constant at the level 1 by the pump controller 65c.

  On the other hand, when the external environment temperature is a certain level or more, the cooling amount per unit time by the cooling water W becomes smaller than the heat amount per unit time transmitted from the outside, and the temperature rises with time. At this time, the temperature of the cooling water W collected in the tank 65a, that is, the temperature T96 detected by the second temperature sensor 96 also rises with a delay. And if the temperature control part 82 judges that detection temperature T95 by the 1st temperature sensor 95 became more than 1st threshold value S95, the flow volume of the cooling water W will be increased from the level 1 to the level 2 by the pump control part 65c. . For this reason, the cooling amount per unit time by the cooling water W increases, and the insertion part 6 can be cooled effectively. Here, it is assumed that the amount of heat transmitted from the outside is still larger, and thereby the temperature rise per unit time is reduced, but the temperature rises with time. As time passes, the temperature difference between the cooling water W flowing through the cooling flow path and the cooling water W in the tank 65a, that is, the difference ΔT also decreases. And if the temperature control part 82 judges that difference (DELTA) T became below 2nd threshold value S96, the cooling means 86 will be driven and new cooling water W will be inject | poured into the tank 65a. For this reason, the temperature of the cooling water W in the tank 65a is lowered, and thereby the temperature of the cooling water W flowing through the cooling flow path is also lowered.

As described above, in the endoscope apparatus 80 of the present reference example , the flow rate of the cooling water W is controlled based on the detection temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95, and the detection temperature T95 detected by the first temperature sensor 95 is By controlling the temperature of the cooling water W in the tank 65a based on the difference ΔT from the temperature T96 detected by the second temperature sensor 96, the insertion portion 6 can be more suitably cooled. In this reference example , the cooling means 86 is driven based on the difference ΔT, but the present invention is not limited to this. The cooling means 86 may be driven based on the temperature detected by either the first temperature sensor 95 or the second temperature sensor 96. Furthermore, the flow rate of the cooling water W may be controlled based only on the detected temperature T96 of the second temperature sensor 96. As shown in FIG. 18, the temperature of the cooling water W in the tank 65a changes following the temperature of the cooling water W in the cooling flow path, so the temperature state in the sheath 22 is also changed by the detected temperature T96. Accurate evaluation is possible. In this reference example , the flow rate and temperature of the cooling water W are controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the insertion portion 6 can be stably cooled even if only the temperature of the cooling water W is controlled. be able to. Further, in this reference example , a means for injecting new cooling water W is exemplified as the cooling means, but the invention is not limited to this, and a means for cooling using a refrigerant may be used.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

Note that the implementation form described above, in the first to third reference example, the adjustment of the state of the cooling fluid, the control unit determines on the basis of the detection results of the temperature sensors, and shall automatically performed It is not limited to this. That is, it is good also as a structure which makes an operator notify the determination result by a control part by an alerting | reporting means, and an operator can adjust the state of the cooling fluid manually by this. Further, as described above, the notification means is not limited to the one that displays a danger on the display unit based on a certain threshold value, or that generates a buzzer sound by a buzzer. Correspondingly, the color of the temperature display displayed on the display unit may change stepwise or continuously.

Moreover, implementation form, the first to third reference example, the sheath 22 has been a two-layer structure of the inner sheath 30 and outer sheath 31, it is not limited to this, a single-layer structure of the outer sheath only It is also good. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the auxiliary sheath 38 which covers the insertion part 6. FIG. The insertion portion 6 is a side view type in which the observation lens 3a of the observation member 3 is provided on the outer peripheral surface, but is not limited thereto, and may be a direct view type in which the observation lens 3a is provided on the distal end surface. . In this case, the observation window may be provided on the distal end surface of the outer sheath 31. Moreover, implementation form, the first to third reference examples, outside the subject lighting has been assumed by the different illumination unit 9 and the lighting unit 2 of the insertion portion 6, not limited thereto, itself The illumination unit 2 may be used, or illumination may be performed from the observation window unit.
However, the illumination light is reflected by the observation window or the illumination window and directly enters the observation member by using another illumination by the illumination means 9 and illumination from an illumination window different from the observation window. This can be prevented more reliably, which is preferable.

It is a whole view showing the external composition of the endoscope apparatus of the 1st reference example of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st reference example of this invention, it is sectional drawing which looked at the sheath of the cooling device for endoscopes side. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st reference example of the present invention, it is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of an endoscope cooling device. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st reference example of this invention, it is a flowchart which shows the control procedure by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes. It is a time chart figure which shows an example of control by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 1st reference example of this invention. Is an overall view showing the external configuration of the endoscope apparatus of implementation of the invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the implementation form of the present invention, it is an exploded view of the sheath of the endoscope cooling device. In the endoscope apparatus of the implementation form of the present invention, it is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the endoscope cooling device. In the endoscope apparatus of the implementation form of the present invention, it is a table showing an example of a table stored in the control unit of the endoscope cooling device. It is a general view which shows the external structure of the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd reference example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd reference example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd reference example of this invention. It is a time chart figure which shows an example of control by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd reference example of this invention. It is a general view which shows the external structure of the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd reference example of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the cooling means of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd reference example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd reference example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd reference example of this invention. It is a time chart figure which shows an example of control by the control part of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd reference example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 50, 60, 80 Endoscopic device 3 Observation member 6 Insertion section 10 Display section (notification means)
20, 51, 61, 81 Endoscope cooling device 21 Cooling flow path 22 Sheath 24, 59, 70 Control unit 26, 71 Temperature sensor 27a, 83b Monitor (notification means)
27b, 55b, 83d Buzzer (notification means)
28, 62 Fluid supply unit 29, 63 Fluid discharge unit 52, 95 First temperature sensor (temperature sensor)
53, 96 Second temperature sensor (temperature sensor)
54 Third temperature sensor (temperature sensor)
64 1st supply part 65 2nd supply part 82 Temperature control part (control part)
86 Cooling means A Compressed air (cooling fluid)
W Cooling water (cooling fluid)

Claims (3)

An endoscope cooling apparatus that circulates a cooling fluid and cools a distal end side having an observation member for observing a subject in an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus,
A sheath mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion by forming a cooling flow path through which the cooling fluid flows between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion;
A fluid supply unit connected to the sheath and communicating with the cooling flow path to supply the cooling fluid;
A fluid discharge portion connected to the sheath and communicating with the cooling flow path to discharge the cooling fluid;
A plurality of temperature sensors including a first temperature sensor provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion, a second temperature sensor provided in the cooling flow path, and a third temperature sensor provided on the outer surface of the sheath. When,
A control unit that controls the flow rate of the cooling fluid according to each detected temperature from the plurality of temperature sensors, and that determines an abnormality of any one of the plurality of temperature sensors;
Equipped with a,
The control unit compares each detected temperature from the plurality of temperature sensors with a threshold set in advance for each of the plurality of temperature sensors, and determines whether the detected temperature exceeds the corresponding threshold. An endoscope cooling apparatus characterized by determining and obtaining each determination result and determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the plurality of temperature sensors based on a combination pattern of the respective determination results . The control unit is configured such that, when the detected temperature of only the second temperature sensor of the plurality of temperature sensors exceeds a threshold corresponding to the temperature sensor, or the detected temperature of only the second temperature sensor is if such does not exceed the threshold value corresponding to the temperature sensor, the plurality of temperature sensors, cooling endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that determining that there is an abnormality in either the temperature sensor apparatus. Further comprising notifying means for notifying the operator,
The controller, when determining that any of the plurality of temperature sensors is abnormal, causes the notification means to notify the operator that there is an abnormality in any of the plurality of temperature sensors. The endoscope cooling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .

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