JP5289166B2 - Endoscope cover and endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cover and an endoscope apparatus including the endoscope cover, and more particularly to an endoscope cover that can protrude from the distal end of the endoscope.

  It is known to fix an endoscope cover having a tip hood at a predetermined position of an insertion portion of an endoscope in order to enable air supply and water supply and facilitate treatment of a body tissue (Patent Document) 1).

  Also, it is known that the length of an insertion assisting tool that moves along the endoscope is adjusted in advance before insertion in order to facilitate the insertion operation of the endoscope into the body cavity (patent) Reference 2). In such an insertion assisting tool, the length of the tube member is kept constant by engaging the pin of one tube member with the groove in the other tube member and fixing both tube members by the fixing member.

Japanese Patent No. 3859491 JP 2001-321328 A

  In the endoscope cover fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the endoscope, when the protruding length of the tip hood from the endoscope cannot be adjusted, flexible endoscopic observation according to the shape of the target part is performed. Have difficulty. For example, when an affected part with an unexpected position and size is found during endoscopic observation, it is necessary to replace the endoscope cover with a new tip hood suitable for the treatment, which is an efficient endoscope. Observation is hindered.

  Moreover, even if the length of the insertion assisting tool that moves along the endoscope is adjustable, it cannot be attached to the distal end of the endoscope and used as a distal end hood. Further, when the insertion assisting tool is kept at a predetermined length by operating the fixing member, a complicated operation can reduce the efficiency of endoscopic observation. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned insertion assisting tool, it is necessary to adjust the length in advance, and it is impossible to change the length according to the observation target during endoscopic observation.

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cover that forms a tip hood that can be adjusted by a simple operation with a protruding length from the tip of the endoscope during endoscopic observation, and an endoscope apparatus including the endoscope cover. The purpose is realization.

  The endoscope cover according to the present invention is an endoscope cover that is attached to the distal end of the endoscope, and includes an inner cover that covers a side surface of the endoscope and an outer cover that is overlaid on the inner cover. The endoscope cover has a tip whose length can be adjusted by the protruding portion of the outer cover by relatively moving the inner cover and the outer cover so that the tip of the outer cover protrudes from the tip of the endoscope. A hood is formed.

  It is preferable that the endoscope cover further includes a positioning mechanism that determines a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover. Preferably, the positioning mechanism has a protrusion and an engagement groove with which the protrusion engages, the protrusion is provided on one of the inner cover and the outer cover, and the engagement groove is provided on the other.

  More preferably, the protrusion is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cover, and the engaging groove is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover. In order to selectively position the inner cover and the outer cover at any of a plurality of relative positions, it is preferable that a plurality of engagement grooves are provided. In this case, among the plurality of engagement grooves, the groove width of the engagement groove with which the protrusion engages when the inner cover and the outer cover are in a predetermined relative position is larger than the groove width of the other engagement grooves. Is preferably smaller.

  In the endoscope cover, it is preferable that protrusions extending over the entire circumference of the endoscope cover engage with an engagement groove extending along the moving direction of the endoscope cover. The engaging groove preferably includes a first region extending in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover and a second region extending in a direction other than the longitudinal direction. Further, the engagement groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the endoscope cover, for example. In the engagement groove, it is preferable that the groove bottom of the region where the protrusion is engaged when the inner cover and the outer cover are in a predetermined relative position is high.

  The positioning mechanism is preferably provided in the vicinity of the proximal end portion of the endoscope cover. Further, in the endoscope cover, it is preferable that a positioning index indicating a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover is attached. The positioning index indicates, for example, a position where the distal end of the outer cover and the distal end of the endoscope coincide with each other, or a position where the outer cover protrudes to the maximum extent from the distal end of the endoscope.

  For example, the inner cover is detachable from the endoscope. For example, the inner cover is fixed at a position where the tip of the inner cover and the tip of the endoscope coincide. In the endoscope cover, it is preferable that a lubricant is applied to a gap between the inner cover and the outer cover.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes an endoscope and the above-described endoscope cover.

  According to the present invention, during endoscope observation, an endoscope cover that forms a tip hood whose protrusion length from the tip of the endoscope can be adjusted by a simple operation, and an endoscope including the endoscope cover A device can be realized.

It is a side view showing an endoscope apparatus in the state where an endoscope cover in a 1st embodiment was attached. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover does not protrude in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover protruded in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the outer side cover in 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the inner side cover in 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover does not protrude in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the front-end | tip of the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover protruded in 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the inner side cover in 2nd Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the outer side cover in 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in the state in which the outer side cover does not protrude in 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover protruded in 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view which shows the positioning mark provided on the outer peripheral surface of an inner side cover. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in the state in which the outer side cover does not protrude in 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in the state which the outer side cover protruded in 4th Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope cover in a 1st modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in a 1st modification. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope cover in a 2nd modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the endoscope cover in a 2nd modification. It is a perspective view which shows the inner side cover in a 3rd modification. It is sectional drawing which shows the outer side cover in a 3rd modification. It is a perspective view which shows the endoscope cover in a 4th modification. It is sectional drawing of the endoscope cover cut | disconnected by the surface parallel to a longitudinal direction.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an endoscope apparatus with an endoscope cover attached according to the first embodiment.

  The endoscope device 60 includes an endoscope 10 and an endoscope cover 30. The endoscope 10 is connected to the processor 16 via a light guide flexible tube 14 extending laterally from the operation unit 12. The insertion portion 20 is a distal end portion of the endoscope 10 extending from the oledome portion 25 and is inserted into the human body.

  Illumination light from a light source (not shown) of the processor 16 is emitted from the distal end of the insertion unit 20 to a body organ to be observed. Reflected light from the internal organs and image signals generated by the endoscope 10 are sent to the processor 16. The image signal is transmitted to an image display device (not shown) after predetermined processing in the processor 16. As a result, the internal organs are observed and photographed.

  When observing and photographing the internal organs, the operation unit 12 of the endoscope 10 is operated. For example, when the operation knobs 13 and 15 of the operation unit 12 are rotated, the distal end of the insertion unit 20 is bent vertically and horizontally. Further, if necessary, a treatment tool (not shown) can be inserted from the forceps port 17 and protrude from the distal end of the insertion portion 20 to treat the affected area.

  An endoscope cover 30 is detachably attached to the insertion portion 20 of the endoscope 10. The endoscope cover 30 is made of a polymer material having appropriate stretchability and biocompatibility, and is made of, for example, silicon rubber, natural rubber, polyurethane, or the like. The endoscope cover 30 includes an inner cover 32 that covers the side surface 20 </ b> S of the insertion unit 20, and an outer cover 34 that is superimposed on the inner cover 32 outside the inner cover 32. Both the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 are cylindrical tubes. In FIG. 1, only the endoscope cover 30 is shown in cross section for convenience of explanation.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 does not protrude in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 with the outer cover 34 protruding in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the outer cover 34 in the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the inner cover 32 in the first embodiment. 2 and 3 and subsequent sectional views, the endoscope cover 30 is cut along the longitudinal direction.

  In the endoscope cover 30, the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 are relatively movable. That is, the inner cover 32 can be slid in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the outer cover 34 can be slid in the direction indicated by the arrow B.

  Therefore, the outer cover 34 can be protruded from the state shown in FIG. 2 where the distal end of the outer cover 34 and the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20 coincide (hereinafter referred to as the initial state). Note that a lubricant (not shown) is applied between the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 to facilitate the sliding operation.

  In a state where the outer cover 34 is protruded from the distal end surface 20T and the inner cover 32 (hereinafter referred to as a protruding state, see FIG. 3), the protruding portion 36 can be used as a distal end hood. For example, the affected part is held by the protrusion 36 and a treatment tool (not shown) is protruded from the forceps channel 22 for treatment. The length L of the protrusion 36 as the tip hood can be adjusted by moving the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34.

  Here, since the endoscope cover 30 extends to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 20 on the oledome portion 25 side (see FIG. 1), the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 are slid on the proximal end portion side. The length L of the protrusion 36 can be adjusted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the length L of the protruding portion 36 is variable even when the insertion portion 20 is inserted into the body cavity, that is, during endoscopic observation. For this reason, a tip hood having an appropriate length L can be used according to the shape and size of the affected area.

  The inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 are provided with positioning mechanisms for determining the relative positions of each other. The positioning mechanism includes a protrusion 32P provided on the outer peripheral surface 32O of the inner cover 32 and an engagement groove 34G provided on the inner peripheral surface 34I of the outer cover 34. When the protrusion 32P engages with the engagement groove 34G, the relative movement between the inner and outer covers 32, 34 is limited, and the relative position between the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 is determined.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a plurality of engagement grooves 34 </ b> G are provided along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 20 and the endoscope cover 30, that is, the direction in which the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 move. . This is because the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 can be selectively positioned at any of a plurality of relative positions so that the length L of the protrusion 36 can be adjusted.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 and the like, the protrusion 32P is a single member. For this reason, the frictional resistance when sliding the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 to each other is reduced. Further, in order to reduce the frictional resistance, a protrusion having a shorter circumferential length may be provided instead of the protrusion 32P over the entire circumference of the inner cover 32. On the contrary, a plurality of protrusions 32P may be provided.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the length of the protruding portion 36 serving as the tip hood can be obtained by a simple operation of sliding the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 with each other even during endoscopic observation. L can be adjusted. For this reason, an appropriate treatment according to the viewing angle, the size, shape, etc. of the affected part can be easily performed.

  Furthermore, when it is preferable to maintain the position of the outer cover 34, such as when the endoscope cover 30 is close to the body cavity, only the insertion portion 20 and the inner cover 32 are placed on the proximal end side (arrow A in FIG. 2). The length L of the projecting portion 36 can be adjusted. Therefore, efficient endoscopic observation is possible while ensuring safety.

  Since the endoscope cover 30 is detachable with respect to the insertion portion 20, the endoscope cover 30 can be used not only for the endoscope 10 but also for a plurality of endoscopes having substantially the same diameter. . However, the inner cover 32 may be fixed to the insertion portion 20 so that the distal end of the inner cover 32 coincides with the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20. In this case, it is possible to prevent a space in which dirt or the like is accumulated between the outer cover 34 and the insertion portion 20 by moving the inner cover 32 toward the proximal end side from the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20.

  Further, the width of some of the engaging grooves 34G may be narrowed to give the user a click feeling when the protrusion 32P is engaged. In this case, it is possible to reliably notify the user who operates the endoscope cover 30 without directly observing during endoscope observation that the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 are in a predetermined relative position.

For example, when the width of the first engagement groove 34G ₁ (see FIG. 4) at the forefront of the outer cover 34 is narrowed, the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 are relatively positioned in the initial state (see FIG. 2) (hereinafter referred to as “the first engagement groove 34G _1” ). It is possible to make the user recognize that it is in the initial position. Similarly, narrowed the width of the engaging groove 34G ₂ in the most proximal end side, the relative positions when the outer cover 34 is most projected from the distal end surface 20T (hereinafter referred to as protruding position) causes the user to recognize be able to.

  Next, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 does not protrude in the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the distal end of the endoscope cover 30 with the outer cover 34 protruding in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a side view showing the inner cover 32 in the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a side view showing the outer cover 34 in the second embodiment.

  In the endoscope cover 30 of the present embodiment, the positioning mechanism is different from that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, an engagement groove 32G is provided on the inner cover 32 side, and a protrusion 34P is provided on the outer cover 34 side. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, a plurality of engagement grooves 32G are formed on the outer peripheral surface 32O of the inner cover 32, and the inner peripheral surface 34I of the outer cover 34 as shown in FIGS. A protrusion 34P is provided on the surface.

  Thus, the endoscope cover 30 of the present embodiment in which the engaging grooves 32G and the protrusions 34P are provided on members different from those of the first embodiment can be easily manufactured as compared with the first embodiment. . The process of forming the plurality of grooves 32G on the outer peripheral surface 32O that is the exposed surface of the inner cover 32 (see FIG. 8) is the process of forming on the inner peripheral surface 34I of the outer cover 34 that is not exposed (see FIG. 4). It is also easy. Furthermore, the process of providing the protrusions 34P on the unexposed inner peripheral surface 34I (see FIG. 9) is not as easy as the process of the first embodiment (see FIG. 5) of providing the protrusions 32P on the exposed outer peripheral surface 32O. This is because it is sufficient to form only one protrusion 34P.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when the inner and outer covers 32, 34 are in the protruding position shown in FIG. 7, unlike the first embodiment (see FIG. 3), the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion 36, that is, The tip region of the inner peripheral surface 34I is flat. For this reason, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the subject image due to the uneven region of the outer cover 34 being included in the viewing angle of the imaging optical system including the objective lens 23 and the imaging element 24.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the endoscope cover 30 capable of performing better endoscopic observation than the first embodiment can be manufactured by a simpler method.

  Next, the third embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 does not protrude in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 protrudes in the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing positioning marks provided on the outer peripheral surface 32O of the inner cover 32. As shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 32P of the inner cover 32 and the engagement groove 34G of the outer cover 34 are provided in the vicinity of the proximal end portion of the endoscope cover 30. Therefore, when the endoscope cover 30 is attached so as to cover from the distal end of the insertion portion 20 to the vicinity of the oledome portion 25, the projection 32P and the engaging groove 34G are located in the vicinity of the oledome portion 25 as shown in the figure. Placed in.

  In general, the user of the endoscope 10 often performs operations such as insertion of the insertion unit 20 while holding the oleod portion 25 having a diameter larger than that of the insertion unit 20. For this reason, in this embodiment, the operation | movement which adjusts the length L of the protrusion part 36 (refer FIG. 11) as a front-end | tip hood is easier. This is because the engagement position between the protrusion 32P and the engagement groove 34G can be shifted as indicated by the arrows A and B while the oledome portion 25 is held.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, first and second positioning marks M ₁ and M ₂ (positioning indices) are provided on the base end side of the outer peripheral surface 32O. The first and second positioning marks M ₁ and M ₂ indicate the relative positions of the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34.

Specifically, the first positioning mark M _1, when the base end portion of the outer cover 34 is in the first on the positioning marks M _1, inner, outer cover 32, 34 are not formed of the projections 36 It shows that it exists in an initial position (refer FIG. 10). In addition, the second positioning mark M ₂ has the maximum length L of the protruding portion 36 when the proximal end portion of the outer cover 34 is on the second positioning mark M _2. It shows that it exists in the protrusion position (refer FIG. 11) which becomes.

The first and second positioning marks M ₁ and M ₂ allow the user to determine how much the outer cover 34 protrudes from the distal end surface 20T of the insertion portion 20 by using the proximal end portion of the endoscope cover 30. Easy to grasp while operating. Therefore, it is easy to return the protruding outer cover 34 to the initial position, and it is possible to reliably prevent the outer cover 34 from being accidentally protruded from the protruding position. More improved.

Note first positioning marks M ₁ is, for example, easily colored in red or the like segment conspicuous, than the second positioning mark M _2, for example, readily visible when overlapping the edge of the outer cover 34 It is a thick line segment. Further, a recess may be provided on the inner cover 32 instead of the positioning marks M ₁ and M ₂ .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operability of the endoscope apparatus 60 can be further improved. Further, in order to further facilitate the operation of shifting the engaging position between the protrusion 32P and the engaging groove 34G, a hard ring made of metal or the like is fitted on the base end side of the outer cover 34, or the base end of the outer cover 34 is inserted. The region on the part side may be hard. Thereby, even when the base end portion of the outer cover 34 is strongly gripped, a constant inner diameter can be maintained, and the operation of shifting the engagement position between the protrusion 32P and the engagement groove 34G becomes easy.

  Next, the fourth embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the previous embodiments. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 does not protrude in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the endoscope cover 30 in a state where the outer cover 34 protrudes in the fourth embodiment.

  Similar to the second embodiment, this embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that an engagement groove 32G is provided on the inner cover 32 side and a protrusion 34P is provided on the outer cover 34 side. For this reason, according to this embodiment, the endoscope cover 30 can be manufactured by a simpler method than in the third embodiment (see paragraph [0037]).

  Next, a modified example of the endoscope cover 30 in which the protrusions 32P and 34P and the engagement grooves 32G and 34G have different shapes will be described. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the endoscope cover 30 in the first modification. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the endoscope cover 30 in the first modification. In the perspective view of FIG. 15 and subsequent figures, for convenience of explanation, a part of the outer cover 34 is notched as necessary.

  In the first modification, the outer cover 34 is provided with a single engaging groove 34G extending along the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30, that is, the moving direction of the inner and outer covers 32, 34. Thus, the protrusion 32P provided over the entire circumference of the inner cover 32 engages with the engagement groove 34G wider than the previous embodiments.

  In the first modification, unlike the case where a plurality of engagement grooves 34G (32G) are provided, the relative position between the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 can be continuously changed. In the first modification, the engagement groove in the first embodiment is increased by increasing the resistance at the time of contacting the protrusion 32P by raising the groove bottom 34B in a part of the engagement groove 34G, for example, both ends. The same effect as when the width of 34G is narrowed is obtained (see paragraphs [0033] and [0034]). That is, the user can be surely recognized that the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 are at the initial position or the protruding position.

  FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an endoscope cover 30 in the second modification. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing an endoscope cover 30 in the second modification.

In the second modification, the engagement groove 34G has a first engagement region 34g ₁ (first region) extending along the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30 and a circumferential direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. And a second engagement region 34g ₂ (second region). In FIGS. 17 and 18, the first engagement region 34 g ₁ is disposed along the upper cut surface of the outer cover 34.

The protrusion 32P is, for example, a small dome shape so as to be able to engage with both the first and second engaging regions 34g ₁ and 34g ₂ which are elongated and perpendicular to each other. The protrusion 32P when in the illustrated engaged position to engage the first engagement region 34g _1, is movable along the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30. As a result, as indicated by arrows A and B, the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 can slide.

On the other hand, as shown by the arrow C, disengaged position in which the inner cover 32 and outer cover 34 is relatively rotated, protrusion 32P engages only the second engagement region 34g ₂ away from the engagement position The inner and outer covers 32, 34 cannot slide along the longitudinal direction. The partition wall 34W separating the second between the engagement region 34g ₂ adjacent to each other, the protrusions 32P is, is can not be moved in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30.

  In this way, by making the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 slidable in the longitudinal direction only when they are in a predetermined rotational position, an unexpected displacement between the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 and its position It is possible to reliably prevent the change in the length L of the protruding portion 36 due to the deviation. When a user who has appropriately protruded the outer cover 34 rotates the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 to move the protrusion 32 to the non-engagement position, the inner and outer covers 32 and 34 are not moved back to the engagement position. This is because it does not slide in the longitudinal direction.

  FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the inner cover 32 in the third modification. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the outer cover 34 in the third modification.

  In the present modification, the same protrusions and engagement grooves as those in the second modification are provided in a cover member different from that in the second modification. That is, the engagement groove 32G is provided on the outer peripheral surface 32O of the inner cover 32, and the protrusion 34P is provided on the inner peripheral surface 34I of the outer cover 34.

Also in the third modified example, similarly to the second modified example, it is possible to reliably prevent the length L of the protruding portion 36 from being changed against the user's intention. The engagement groove 32G includes a first engagement region 32g ₁ (first region) parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30 and a second engagement region 32g ₂ (second region) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This is because the protrusion 34P has the same shape as the above-described protrusion 32P.

Furthermore, in the present modification, since the engaging groove 32G having a complicated shape is provided on the exposed outer peripheral surface 32O of the inner cover 32, the endoscope cover 30 can be easily manufactured. In the present embodiment, since the provided a pair of protrusions 34P, the first engagement regions 32 g ₁ also including those not shown in FIG. 19 are provided a pair, as in the second modified example 1 One by one.

  FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing an endoscope cover 30 according to a fourth modification. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope cover 30 taken along a plane that passes through the protrusion 32P of FIG. 21 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30.

  In the present modification, an engagement groove 34G extending a small protrusion 32P having substantially the same shape as the second and third modifications in a direction inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the endoscope cover 30. Is engaged. Also in this modification, it is possible to prevent the length L of the protrusion 36 from being changed due to an unexpected displacement between the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34.

  This is because even if an unexpected force is applied in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover 30, the movement of the projection 32 </ b> P in the longitudinal direction is hindered by the inclined engagement groove 34. In particular, this effect can be increased by inclining the engagement groove 34 by about 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the endoscope cover 30 or by making it spiral.

As long as a projection is provided on one of the inner cover 32 and the outer cover 34 and an engagement groove is provided on the other, the shape, arrangement, material, etc. of the members included in the endoscope cover 30 may be any implementation. The form is not limited. For example, a positioning mechanism for the endoscope cover 30 may be provided at an intermediate position of the endoscope cover 30. Moreover, you may combine the above-mentioned embodiment and a modification suitably. For example, the positioning marks M ₁ and M ₂ may be used in embodiments other than the third embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 30 Endoscope cover 32 Inner cover 32G Engagement groove | channel 32g ₁ 1st engagement area | region (1st area | region)
32g ₂ second engagement area (second area)
32O Outer peripheral surface 32P Projection 34 Outer cover 34G Engagement groove 34g ₁ First engagement region (first region)
34g ₂ 2nd engagement area | region (2nd area | region)
34I Inner peripheral surface 34P Protrusion 36 Protruding portion 60 Endoscope device M ₁ First positioning mark (positioning index)
M2 _second positioning mark (positioning index)

Claims (14)

An endoscope cover attached to the distal end of the endoscope, an inner cover that covers a side surface of the endoscope, an outer cover that is overlaid on the inner cover ,
A positioning mechanism for determining a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover ;
The positioning mechanism includes a protrusion and an engagement groove with which the protrusion engages, and the protrusion is provided in one of the inner cover and the outer cover, and the engagement groove is provided in the other. ,
Further, in order to selectively position the inner cover and the outer cover at any one of a plurality of relative positions, a plurality of the engagement grooves are provided,
Of the plurality of engagement grooves, the groove width of the engagement groove with which the protrusion engages when the inner cover and the outer cover are at a predetermined relative position is the groove width of the other engagement groove. Smaller than
A tip hood whose length can be adjusted by the protruding portion of the outer cover by relatively moving the inner cover and the outer cover so that the tip of the outer cover protrudes from the tip of the endoscope. An endoscope cover characterized by being formed. An endoscope cover attached to the distal end of the endoscope, an inner cover that covers a side surface of the endoscope, an outer cover that is overlaid on the inner cover ,
A positioning mechanism for determining a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover ;
The positioning mechanism includes a protrusion and an engagement groove with which the protrusion engages, and the protrusion is provided in one of the inner cover and the outer cover, and the engagement groove is provided in the other. ,
Furthermore, the engagement groove includes a first region extending in a longitudinal direction of the endoscope cover, and a second region extending in a direction other than the longitudinal direction,
A tip hood whose length can be adjusted by the protruding portion of the outer cover by relatively moving the inner cover and the outer cover so that the tip of the outer cover protrudes from the tip of the endoscope. An endoscope cover characterized by being formed. An endoscope cover attached to the distal end of the endoscope, an inner cover that covers a side surface of the endoscope, an outer cover that is overlaid on the inner cover ,
A positioning mechanism for determining a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover ;
The positioning mechanism includes a protrusion and an engagement groove with which the protrusion engages, and the protrusion is provided in one of the inner cover and the outer cover, and the engagement groove is provided in the other. ,
Further, the engagement groove extends in a direction inclined with respect to both the longitudinal direction and the circumferential direction of the endoscope cover,
A tip hood whose length can be adjusted by the protruding portion of the outer cover by relatively moving the inner cover and the outer cover so that the tip of the outer cover protrudes from the tip of the endoscope. An endoscope cover characterized by being formed. The projection is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cover, the endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging groove is equal to or provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cover Mirror cover. The projection over the entire circumference of the inner cover, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the engaging said engagement groove extending along the direction of movement of the endoscope cover Endoscope cover. In the engagement groove, any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protrusion when the inner cover and said outer cover is in a predetermined relative position is equal to or higher groove bottom region which engages The endoscope cover described in 1. The endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the positioning mechanism is provided in the vicinity of a proximal end portion of the endoscope cover. The endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a positioning index indicating a relative position between the inner cover and the outer cover is attached to the endoscope cover. The endoscope cover according to claim 8 , wherein the positioning index indicates a position where a distal end of the outer cover and a distal end of the endoscope coincide with each other. The endoscope cover according to claim 8 , wherein the positioning index indicates a position where the outer cover protrudes from the distal end of the endoscope to the maximum extent. The endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner cover is detachable from the endoscope. The endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the inner cover is fixed at a position where a distal end of the inner cover and a distal end of the endoscope coincide with each other . The endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a lubricant is applied to a gap between the inner cover and the outer cover. An endoscope apparatus comprising: an endoscope; and the endoscope cover according to any one of claims 1 to 3 .

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