JP5520877B2 - Endoscopic air supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope air supply system, and more particularly to an endoscope air supply system for supplying a predetermined gas into a lumen of a subject via an air supply line.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a technique has been performed in which an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted into a lumen (for example, stomach, large intestine, esophagus) of a human body, and treatment is performed while observing a treatment site in the lumen. At this time, for the purpose of ensuring the field of view of the endoscope and the area for operating the treatment tool, gas is injected into the lumen through the air supply conduit of the endoscope, Is inflated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). At this time, as the gas injected into the lumen, carbon dioxide gas (hereinafter referred to as “carbon dioxide gas”) which is rapidly absorbed by the living body is preferably used in order to reduce patient's pain. Accordingly, various treatments can be performed while observing the treatment site in the lumen and confirming the treatment tool inserted through the treatment tool channel of the endoscope.

  However, in a conventional endoscope insufflation system, gas injection into a lumen is generally performed by a manual operation by an operator, and it is frequently necessary to keep the pressure in the lumen constant. Operation is required. For this reason, there exists a problem that the operation burden concerning an operator is large.

  On the other hand, in laparoscopic surgery, in order to ensure the field of view of the endoscope and the treatment space, an insufflation tool such as a pneumoperitoneal needle or a trocar is inserted into the abdomen of the patient, and the air is removed from the gastric apparatus. An insufflation device is used that automatically supplies air into the abdominal cavity while controlling the pressure in the abdominal cavity while measuring the pressure in the abdominal cavity through the abdominal insertion tool. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-288881 A JP 2003-250886 A

  However, the volume in the lumen is much smaller than the volume in the abdominal cavity (about 3 liters), for example, 80 cc of the esophagus and 1500 cc of the stomach, and the rate of volume change due to body movement due to breathing is very high. For this reason, when the air supply device used in laparoscopic surgery is used as it is, it is greatly affected by the volume change in the lumen, and stable pressure measurement cannot be performed. There is a problem that the behavior of is likely to become unstable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is intended to stabilize automatic air supply into the lumen without being affected by body movement when measuring the pressure in the lumen. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic air supply system capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope air supply system according to a first invention is an endoscope air supply system for supplying gas from a gas supply source into a lumen of a living body, wherein the gas An air supply line for supplying the gas from the supply source into the lumen of the living body, a pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the gas from the gas supply source, and the pressure side closer to the lumen than the pressure adjusting means A buffer tank provided in the air supply pipe and temporarily holding the gas flowing through the air supply pipe, a pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure in the buffer tank, and a set value of the pressure in the lumen are set. The pressure in the lumen is calculated from the measurement result by the setting means and the pressure measurement means, and is adjusted by the pressure adjustment means so that the pressure in the lumen becomes the set value set by the setting means. Pressure control means for controlling the pressure of the gas Among the air supply pipes, the first pipe resistance of the gas supply source side pipe from the buffer tank is larger than the second pipe resistance of the lumen side pipe from the buffer tank. To do.

  According to the first invention, the pressure fluctuation due to the volume change in the lumen can be effectively reduced by the buffer tank, and the pressure in the lumen can be stably and accurately measured by the pressure measuring means through the air supply line. It becomes possible to do. In particular, when the pressure in the lumen is indirectly measured by measuring the pressure in the buffer tank, the first line resistance of the air supply line closer to the gas supply source than the buffer tank is set to be higher than that of the buffer tank. By making it larger than the second duct resistance of the air supply duct on the cavity side, it becomes possible to reliably control the pressure in the lumen while suppressing the influence of the air feed. As a result, the gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure can be stably supplied into the lumen, and the operation burden on the operator can be reduced.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the endoscope air supply system according to the first aspect of the present invention, and the ratio between the first duct resistance and the second duct resistance can be varied. And determining whether or not the pressure in the lumen exceeds a predetermined threshold, and when the pressure in the lumen exceeds a predetermined threshold, the first resistance is A pipe resistance control means for controlling the pipe resistance variable means so as to be larger than the second pipe resistance is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the control is performed so that the first pipe resistance is larger than the second pipe resistance in accordance with the pressure in the lumen, so that the pressure control in the lumen is more stable. Thus, it is possible to reliably perform the operation, and it is possible to greatly reduce the operation burden on the operator.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a third invention is the endoscope air supply system according to the second invention, wherein the conduit resistance control means is configured such that the pressure in the lumen is not more than a predetermined threshold value. In some cases, the conduit resistance varying means is controlled so that the first conduit resistance is smaller than the second conduit resistance.

  According to the third invention, when the pressure in the lumen is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value (that is, in the initial stage when air supply into the lumen is started), the first pipeline resistance is the second pipeline. By making it smaller than the resistance, it is possible to improve the air supply speed into the lumen.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a fourth invention is the endoscope air supply system according to the second or third invention, wherein the pipe resistance varying means includes a plurality of pipes having different pipe resistances. A passage is connected in parallel to the air supply pipeline, and has a switching valve capable of selectively switching a pipeline communicating with the air supply pipeline from the plurality of pipelines, and the pipeline resistance control means includes: By controlling the switching valve, a desired pipeline is communicated with the air supply pipeline from the plurality of pipelines.

  According to the fourth invention, it is possible to easily vary the pipe resistance by switching a plurality of pipes.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a fifth invention is the endoscope air supply system according to the second or third invention, wherein the pipe resistance variable means is a pipe cross-sectional area of the air supply pipe The conduit resistance control means controls the control valve so that the conduit resistance of the air supply conduit becomes a desired value.

  According to the fifth invention, it is possible to vary the pipe resistance by changing the pipe cross-sectional area of the control valve, and it is possible to save space compared to the case where the pipe resistance is switched using a plurality of pipes. Can be achieved.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a sixth invention is the endoscope air supply system according to any one of the second to fifth inventions, wherein the conduit resistance varying means is the air supply tube. It is characterized by being provided in a gas supply source side pipe line from the buffer tank among the paths.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a seventh invention is the endoscope air supply system according to any one of the second to fifth inventions, wherein the conduit resistance varying means is the air supply tube. It is characterized by being provided in a lumen side conduit from the buffer tank.

  As in the sixth and seventh aspects, the conduit resistance varying means may be disposed in the air supply line on the gas supply source side of the buffer tank, or the air supply line on the lumen side of the buffer tank. May be arranged. In any case, it is possible to change the ratio of the first pipe resistance and the second pipe resistance, and it is possible to realize stable pressure control.

  An endoscope air supply system according to an eighth invention is the endoscope air supply system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the pressure adjusting means is provided in the air supply conduit. It is provided.

  According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to adjust the pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source through the air supply line.

  An endoscope air supply system according to a ninth invention is the endoscope air supply system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the buffer tank is more than in the lumen. It has a large capacity.

  According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to improve the skin effect of the pressure fluctuation caused by the volume change in the lumen by the buffer tank.

  According to the present invention, the pressure fluctuation due to the volume change in the lumen can be effectively reduced by the buffer tank, and the pressure in the lumen can be stably and accurately measured by the pressure measuring means through the air supply line. Is possible. In particular, when the pressure in the lumen is indirectly measured by measuring the pressure in the buffer tank, the first line resistance of the air supply line closer to the gas supply source than the buffer tank is set to be higher than that of the buffer tank. By making it larger than the second duct resistance of the air supply duct on the cavity side, it becomes possible to reliably control the pressure in the lumen while suppressing the influence of the air feed. As a result, the gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure can be stably supplied into the lumen, and the operation burden on the operator can be reduced.

Schematic which showed the structure of the endoscope air supply system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope shown in FIG. Side sectional view showing the configuration of the insertion aid shown in FIG. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of the air_supply apparatus shown in FIG. Schematic showing a first configuration example of a variable capacity buffer tank Schematic showing a second configuration example of the variable capacity buffer tank Schematic showing a third configuration example of the variable capacity buffer tank Schematic which showed the structure of the endoscope air supply system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the front-end | tip part of the insertion part of the endoscope shown in FIG. Schematic which showed the structure of the endoscope air supply system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Conceptual diagram showing the difference in effect when the pipe resistance is varied Schematic which showed the other structure of the endoscope air supply system which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope air supply system according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted into the lumen orally or transanally in a state where the insertion portion 12 is inserted through the insertion assisting tool (overtube) 60. A predetermined gas (for example, carbon dioxide gas) supplied from the endoscope air supply system 100 is injected into the lumen. Here, as an example, the insertion part 12 and the insertion assisting tool 60 are shown inserted into the stomach from the patient's mouth via the esophagus, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the patient's mouth or anus It may be inserted into the lumen of the esophagus, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum), large intestine (cecum, colon, rectum).

  The endoscope 10 includes a hand operation unit 14 and an insertion unit 12 that is connected to the hand operation unit 14 and is inserted into a lumen of a human body. A universal cable 16 is connected to the hand operation unit 14, and an LG connector 18 is provided at the tip of the universal cable 16. The LG connector 18 is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown), whereby illumination light is sent to an illumination optical system 54 (see FIG. 2) described later. In addition, an electrical connector is connected to the LG connector 18, and this electrical connector is detachably coupled to a processor that performs image signal processing and the like.

  The hand operation unit 14 is provided with an air / water supply button 28, a suction button 30, and a shutter button 32, and a pair of angle knobs 36 and 36.

  The insertion portion 12 is configured in the order of the soft portion 40, the bending portion 42, and the distal end portion 44 in this order from the hand operation portion 14, and the bending portion 42 is formed by rotating the angle knobs 36, 36 of the hand operation portion 14. The bending operation is performed remotely. Thereby, the front-end | tip part 44 can be turned to a desired direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an observation optical system 52, illumination optical systems 54 and 54, an air / water supply nozzle 56, and a forceps port 58 are provided on the distal end surface 45 of the distal end portion 44. A CCD (not shown) is disposed behind the observation optical system 52, and a signal cable (not shown) is connected to a substrate that supports the CCD. The signal cable is inserted into the insertion portion 12, the hand operating portion 14, the universal cable 16 and the like of FIG. 1 and extends to the electrical connector, and is connected to the processor. Therefore, the observation image captured by the observation optical system 52 is formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD and converted into an electric signal, and this electric signal is output to the processor via the signal cable and converted into a video signal. The As a result, the observation image is displayed on the monitor connected to the processor.

  An exit end of a light guide (not shown) is disposed behind the illumination optical systems 54 and 54 in FIG. The light guide is inserted through the insertion portion 12, the hand operating portion 14, and the universal cable 16 of FIG. 1, and an incident end is disposed in the LG connector 18. Therefore, by connecting the LG connector 18 to the light source device, the illumination light emitted from the light source device is transmitted to the illumination optical systems 54 and 54 via the light guide, and is irradiated forward from the illumination optical systems 54 and 54. .

  The air / water supply nozzle 56 in FIG. 2 is connected to a valve (not shown) operated by the air / water supply button 28 in FIG. 1, and this valve is also connected to the air / water supply connector provided in the LG connector 18. (Not shown). An air / water supply means (not shown) is connected to the air / water supply connector to supply air and water. Therefore, by operating the air / water supply button 28, air or water can be ejected from the air / water supply nozzle 56 toward the observation optical system 52.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the LG connector 18 of the present embodiment is provided with a carbon dioxide gas supply port 20 supplied from an air supply device 102 described later. An air supply / water supply means (not shown) connected to the LG connector 18 uses the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the air supply device 102 via the supply port 20 to supply an air / water supply pipe (not shown) of the endoscope 10. Air or water is selectively supplied to the air supply / injection nozzle 56 and air or water is injected from the air / water supply nozzle 56. Since the configuration of the air / water supply means is known (see, for example, JP2009-153641A and JP2009-022444A), detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The forceps port 58 in FIG. 2 is communicated with the forceps insertion portion 46 in FIG. 1 via a forceps channel (not shown). Therefore, by inserting a treatment tool such as a forceps from the forceps insertion portion 46, the treatment tool can be led out from the forceps port 58. The forceps port 58 communicates with a valve (not shown) operated by the suction button 30, and this valve is further connected to a suction connector (not shown) of the LG connector 18. Therefore, by connecting a suction means (not shown) to the suction connector and operating the valve with the suction button 30, a lesioned part or the like can be sucked from the forceps opening 58.

  On the other hand, the insertion assisting tool 60 shown in FIG. 1 includes a gripping part 62 and a tube main body 64 as shown in FIG. The tube main body 64 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 12 so that the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 can be inserted. The tube body 64 is a molded product of a flexible urethane resin, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is covered with a lubrication coat, and the inner peripheral surface is also covered with a lubrication coat. A rigid gripping portion 62 shown in FIG. 1 is fitted to the tube main body 64 in a watertight manner, and the gripping portion 62 is detachably connected to the tube main body 64. The insertion portion 12 is inserted into the tube main body 64 from the proximal end side opening portion of the grip portion 62.

  A supply port 66 for injecting carbon dioxide gas is provided on the proximal end side of the insertion assisting tool 60. The supply port 66 is open on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion assisting tool 60 and communicates with an insertion passage 68 formed inside the insertion assisting tool 60. Further, an annular groove portion 70 formed along the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion passage 68 is formed on the base end side from the supply port 66. An O-ring 72 is provided as an airtight means for preventing the supplied gas from flowing out. Thereby, the gas supplied from the air supply device 102 to be described later is supplied from the supply port 66 to the insertion passage 68 of the insertion assisting tool 60, and does not flow out from the proximal end side, but the distal end opening 68a of the insertion assisting tool 60. From this, gas is introduced into the lumen, and the inside of the lumen can be inflated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the insertion passage 68 formed in the insertion assisting tool 60 (specifically, a gap formed between the inner wall surface of the insertion passage 68 and the insertion portion 12) is an air supply device. It functions as a part of an air supply conduit for automatically supplying the gas supplied from 102 into the lumen.

  Next, the configuration of the endoscope air supply system 100 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope air supply system 100 mainly includes an air supply device 102 that is a gas supply device, a carbon dioxide gas cylinder 104 in which carbon dioxide gas is liquefied and stored, and a buffer tank 106. Configured.

  The air supply device 102 reduces the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 104 to a predetermined pressure while carbonating into the lumen through the air supply conduit provided in the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 or the insertion assisting tool 60. This is a device for supplying gas. The air supply device 102 has a high-pressure connector 108 for inputting carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 104, and first and second for outputting carbon dioxide gas adjusted to a predetermined pressure by the air supply device 102. Air supply connectors 110 and 112 are provided.

  One end of a high-pressure gas tube 114 is connected to the high-pressure connector 108, and the other end of the high-pressure gas tube 114 is connected to the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 104. The liquid carbon dioxide gas stored in the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 104 is guided into the air supply device 102 through the high-pressure gas tube 114 and the high-pressure connector 108 in a vaporized state. Although the internal configuration of the air supply device 102 will be described later, the carbon dioxide gas input from the high-pressure connector 108 is output from the first and second air supply connectors 110 and 112 after being subjected to various processes.

  One end of the first air supply tube 116 is connected to the first air supply connector 110, and the other end of the first air supply tube 116 is connected to the supply port 20 of the LG connector 18. The carbon dioxide gas reduced to a predetermined pressure by the air supply device 102 is guided to the LG connector 18 through the first air supply connector 110, the first air supply tube 116, and the supply port 20. Then, carbon dioxide gas is supplied to an air / water supply means (not shown) connected to the LG connector 18, and an air / water supply nozzle of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 according to the operation of the air / water supply button 28. Air or water is injected from 56.

  One end of a second air supply tube 118 is connected to the second air supply connector 112, and the other end of the second air supply tube 118 is connected to a supply port 66 provided on the proximal end side of the insertion assisting tool 60. Yes. The carbon dioxide gas reduced to a predetermined pressure by the air supply device 102 is supplied to the insertion passage 68 in the insertion aid 60 through the second air supply connector 112, the second air supply tube 118, and the supply port 66, and this insertion is performed. Carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the lumen from the distal end opening 68a of the insertion aid 60 through the passage 68.

  In the present embodiment, the second air supply tube 118 includes an upstream side (air supply device 102 side) air supply tube 118A and a downstream side (lumen side) air supply tube 118B, between which the buffer tank 106 is provided. Is placed. The buffer tank 106 is provided with an air supply pipe 120 serving as an air supply path, an exhaust pipe 122 serving as an exhaust path, and a lid member 124 that closes the upper opening of the buffer tank 106. The volume of the buffer tank 106 (the volume of the space closed by the lid member 124 in the buffer tank 106) is configured to be larger than the volume in the lumen, and plays a role of relaxing pressure fluctuation due to the volume change in the lumen. Yes.

  One end of the upstream air supply tube 118A is connected to the second air supply connector 112, and the other end of the upstream air supply tube 118A is connected to the upper end of the air supply pipe 120 of the buffer tank 106. The air supply pipe 120 is disposed so as to penetrate the lid member 124 of the buffer tank 106, and the lower end of the air supply pipe 120 is disposed inside the buffer tank 106 and away from the bottom surface of the buffer tank 106. Yes. Thereby, the gas (that is, carbon dioxide) supplied from the air supply device 102 through the upstream air supply tube 118 </ b> A is temporarily held (stored) in the buffer tank 106.

  Like the air supply pipe 120, the exhaust pipe 122 is disposed through the lid member 124, and the lower end thereof is disposed inside the buffer tank 106 and separated from the bottom surface of the buffer tank 106. . One end of the downstream air supply tube 118B is connected to the upper end of the exhaust pipe 122, and the other end of the downstream air supply tube 118B is connected to the supply port 66 of the insertion assisting tool 60. As a result, the gas temporarily held in the buffer tank 106 is sent to the downstream air supply tube 118B through the exhaust pipe 122, and is piped through the supply port 66 and the insertion passage 68 in the insertion aid 60. It is introduced into the cavity.

  Here, the internal structure of the air supply device 102 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the air supply device 102 includes first and second pressure adjusting units 126 and 128, first and second electromagnetic valves 130 and 132, a flow sensor 134, a pressure sensor 136, a control unit 138, and an operation unit. 140 and a display unit 142.

  The first and second pressure regulators 126 and 128 are connected to the high-pressure connector 108 via an internal conduit 144 branched into two systems. The first and second pressure adjusting sections 126 and 128 adjust the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas input from the high-pressure connector 108 through the internal conduit 144, respectively, and respectively adjust the pressure in the internal conduits 146 and 148 on the output side. Send carbon dioxide.

  In the present embodiment, the first and second pressure adjustment units 126 and 128 are pressure control valves that can be electrically pressure controlled, and the pressure adjustment of carbon dioxide gas is performed based on a control signal from the control unit 138.

  The internal conduit 146 is a conduit for guiding the carbon dioxide gas sent from the first pressure adjusting unit 126 to the first air supply connector 110. A first electromagnetic valve 130 for selectively supplying / stopping carbon dioxide gas is provided in the middle of the internal conduit 146. The first solenoid valve 130 is an on-off valve that can electrically open and close a pipe line (that is, the internal pipe line 146), and is switched to an open state or a closed state based on a control signal from the control unit 138.

  The internal conduit 148 is a conduit for guiding the carbon dioxide gas sent from the second pressure adjusting unit 128 to the second air supply connector 112. A second electromagnetic valve 132 for selectively supplying / stopping carbon dioxide gas is provided in the middle of the internal pipe line 148. The second solenoid valve 132 is an open / close valve that can electrically open and close the pipe line (that is, the internal pipe line 148) similarly to the first solenoid valve 130, and is in an open state based on a control signal from the control unit 138. It can be switched to the closed state.

  The flow rate sensor 134 is a sensor that detects the flow rate of carbon dioxide flowing through the internal conduit 148, and the detection result is output to the control unit 138.

  The pressure sensor 136 is a sensor that detects the pressure in the internal pipe line 148, and the detection result is output to the control unit 138.

  The pressure sensor 136 is originally installed for the purpose of measuring the pressure in the lumen, but a general-purpose pressure sensor is installed in the lumen to directly control the pressure inside the lumen. It cannot be measured. For this reason, the pressure sensor 136 causes the lumen to pass through an air supply line (that is, the internal line 148, the second air supply tube 118, and the insertion path 68) for automatically supplying gas from the air supply device 102 into the lumen. The pressure inside is indirectly measured. When the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 136 (that is, the pressure in the internal pipe line 148) is P1, the pressure in the lumen is P2, and the pressure loss in the air supply line between them is ΔP, the pressure P2 in the lumen is P1. It is obtained as -ΔP. At this time, the pressure loss ΔP is obtained in advance for each combination of the endoscope 10, the insertion aid 60, and the air supply tube that are actually used, and these are converted into a data table and stored as pressure loss data (not shown). In this way, it is possible to easily determine the pressure P2 in the lumen from the pressure P1 of the internal conduit 148 measured by the pressure sensor 136.

  In the present embodiment, the pressure of the internal conduit 148 in the air supply device 102 is indirectly measured by the pressure sensor 136, but the position where the pressure in the lumen is indirectly measured is within the lumen. For example, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure inside the buffer tank 106 is provided, and the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the air supply device 102 according to the detection result of the pressure sensor is provided. The pressure may be controlled.

  The control unit 138 executes various controls based on an operation signal from the operation unit 140 described later and detection signals from the flow sensor 134 and the pressure sensor 136. In particular, in the present embodiment, the first and second electromagnetic valves 130 and 132 are controlled based on the operation signal from the operation unit 140, and the inside of the lumen is controlled based on the detection signals from the flow sensor 134 and the pressure sensor 136. The pressure of the carbon dioxide gas adjusted by the second pressure adjustment unit 128 is controlled so that the pressure becomes a set value.

  The operation unit 140 includes operation buttons for performing various settings of the air supply device 102. In particular, in this embodiment, an operation button (carbon dioxide gas delivery / stop button) for instructing delivery / stop of carbon dioxide gas from the first and second air supply connectors 110 and 112 and a set pressure in the lumen are set. And an operation button (pressure setting button). When an operation button is operated by an operator or the like, an operation signal corresponding to the operation content of the operation button is output to the control unit 138.

  The display unit 142 displays a setting / operation state relating to the air supply device 102, and based on a control signal from the control unit 138, the carbon dioxide gas delivery state from the first and second air supply connectors 110 and 112. (Sending / Stopping), setting pressure in the lumen, and current pressure in the lumen are displayed.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope air supply system 100 of this embodiment will be described.

  First, when the power supply of the air supply device 102 is turned on, the control unit 138 performs operation check and initial setting of each unit. When an operation button for instructing start of manual air supply and automatic air supply is pressed, the first or second electromagnetic valve 130, 132 is opened according to the operation content of the operation button. Specifically, when manual air supply is selected, the first electromagnetic valve 130 is opened, and gas can be sent out from the first air supply connector 110. When automatic air supply is selected, the second electromagnetic valve 132 is opened, and gas can be sent out from the second air supply connector 112. When both manual air supply and automatic air supply are selected, the first and second electromagnetic valves 130 and 132 are opened, and gas can be delivered from the first and second air supply connectors 110 and 112. It becomes.

  The carbon dioxide gas supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 104 to the air supply device 102 via the high-pressure gas tube 114 and the high-pressure connector 108 is branched into two systems by the internal conduit 144, one of which is adjusted to the first pressure through the branch conduit 144a. The other is input to the second pressure adjusting unit 128 through the branch pipe 144b.

  In the first pressure adjusting unit 126, the carbon dioxide gas input through the branch pipe 144a of the internal pipe 144 is reduced to a predetermined pressure. At this time, the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas after depressurization may be adjusted according to a control signal from the control unit 138. The carbon dioxide gas reduced to a predetermined pressure by the first pressure adjusting unit 126 is output to the internal conduit 146, and the carbon dioxide gas is sent out from the first air supply connector 110. When the first electromagnetic valve 130 is in the closed state, the carbon dioxide gas is not sent from the first air supply connector 110.

  The carbon dioxide gas sent from the first air supply connector 110 is guided to the LG connector 18 through the first air supply tube 116 and the supply port 20. Then, carbon dioxide gas is supplied to an air / water supply means (not shown) connected to the LG connector 18, and an air / water supply nozzle of the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 according to the operation of the air / water supply button 28. Carbon dioxide gas is introduced from 56 into the lumen.

  On the other hand, in the second pressure adjustment unit 128, the carbon dioxide gas input through the branch conduit 144 a of the internal conduit 144 is decompressed to a predetermined pressure, and the decompressed carbon dioxide gas is output to the internal conduit 148. At this time, the pressure in the internal conduit 148 is detected by the pressure sensor 136, and the detection result is output to the control unit 138. The control unit 138 calculates the pressure in the lumen from the detection result given from the pressure sensor 136, and causes the second pressure adjustment unit 128 to adjust the pressure in the lumen to the set pressure set by the operation unit 140. Send control signal. The second pressure adjustment unit 128 adjusts the opening degree of the pressure control valve based on the control signal given from the control unit 138. The carbon dioxide gas output from the second pressure adjustment unit 128 to the internal pipe 148 in this way is adjusted to a predetermined pressure while being feedback-controlled according to the detection result of the pressure sensor 136, and the second air supply Carbon dioxide gas is sent out from the connector 112. When the second electromagnetic valve 132 is in the closed state, the carbon dioxide gas is not sent from the second air supply connector 112.

  The carbon dioxide gas delivered from the second air supply connector 112 is guided to the insertion passage 68 in the insertion aid 60 through the second air supply tube 118 and the supply port 66. Then, carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the lumen from the distal end opening 68 a of the insertion assisting tool 60.

  Here, in this embodiment, as described above, the second air supply tube 118 is provided with the buffer tank 106 having a volume larger than the volume in the lumen, and is sent from the second air supply connector 112. The carbon dioxide gas is temporarily held in the buffer tank 106 through the upstream side air supply tube 118A and the air supply pipe 120, and in the exhaust pipe 122, the downstream side air supply tube 118B, the supply port 66, and the insertion aid 60. It is guided into the lumen through the insertion passage 68.

  Thus, by providing the buffer tank 106 in the air supply line (that is, the second air supply tube 118) for automatically supplying carbon dioxide gas from the air supply device 102 into the lumen, the pressure due to the volume change in the lumen is obtained. The fluctuation can be mitigated by the buffer tank 106, and stable pressure measurement can be performed by the pressure sensor 136 provided in the air supply device 102. As a result, automatic air supply from the air supply device 102 into the lumen can be performed in a more stable state.

  In addition, the buffer tank 106 of the present embodiment has a trap structure (that is, a structure capable of gas-liquid separation) that can be captured by the buffer tank 106 even when lumen contents (for example, filth and residue) flow backward through the air supply conduit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent contents from entering the air supply device 102. Further, the volume of the buffer tank 106 (the volume of the space closed by the lid member 124 in the buffer tank 106) is configured to be larger than the lumen volume, and the pressure fluctuation due to the change in the lumen volume is alleviated and accurate pressure measurement is performed. Air supply based on can be performed.

  In addition, pressure measurement can be performed without being influenced by the backflowed content by feeding the downstream side (lumen side) air-feed line integral from the buffer tank 106 and then performing pressure measurement. Become.

  In the present embodiment, the buffer tank 106 is preferably a variable capacity buffer tank whose capacity increases or decreases according to the capacity in the lumen. Here, the structural example of a capacity | capacitance variable buffer tank is shown in FIGS. 5-7, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member which is common or similar to FIG. 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The capacity variable buffer tank 106 </ b> A shown in FIG. 5 is configured such that the lid member 124 can be moved up and down by the driving means 150. When the lid member 124 moves upward, the capacity of the variable capacity buffer tank 106A increases. Conversely, when the cover member 124 moves downward, the capacity of the variable capacity buffer tank 106A decreases.

  The capacity variable buffer tank 106B shown in FIG. 6 is partitioned into two spaces 156 and 158 by an elastic film 154 that can elastically deform the inside of the sealed container 152. Of these spaces 156, 158, the lower ends of the pipes 120, 122 are connected to the first space 156, and temporarily hold the gas supplied from the air supply device 102 (see FIG. 1). Functions as a buffer tank. On the other hand, a pump 160 is connected to the second space 158, and the elastic film 154 is deformed by changing the pressure in the second space 158 according to the driving of the pump 160. Thereby, the volume of the 1st space part 156 increases / decreases. Note that the second space 158 is filled with gas, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be filled with liquid.

  The variable capacity buffer tank 106 </ b> C shown in FIG. 7 is provided with a bag-like member 164 that can be elastically deformed in an airtight container 162. The lower ends of the pipes 120 and 122 communicate with the space 166 in the bag-like member 164, and function as a buffer tank that temporarily holds the gas supplied from the air supply device 102 (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, a pump 169 is connected to the space 168 inside the sealed container 162 and outside the bag-shaped member 164, and the bag-shaped member is changed by changing the pressure of the space 168 according to the driving of the pump 169. The volume of the space part 166 in 164 increases or decreases. In addition, although the space part 168 is filled with gas, it is not restricted to this, You may be filled with the liquid.

  As described above, by using the variable capacity buffer tanks 106A to 106C whose capacity increases or decreases in accordance with the capacity in the lumen, it is possible to effectively suppress the pressure fluctuation due to the capacity change in the lumen.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the pressure sensor 136 in the air supply device 102 indirectly measures the pressure in the lumen through the air supply line for automatic air supply, Automatic air supply (constant pressure air supply) is always performed into the lumen while performing pressure control so that the pressure becomes the set pressure. At this time, since the air supply conduit is provided with a buffer tank 106 having a volume larger than the volume in the lumen, pressure fluctuation due to a volume change in the lumen can be relaxed by the buffer tank 106. . Therefore, automatic air supply into the lumen can be stably performed, and the operation burden on the operator can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the carbon dioxide gas supplied from the air supply device 102 is manually supplied into the lumen through the air supply / water supply conduit (not shown) of the endoscope 10 according to the operation of the operator. be able to. As a result, the inside of the lumen can be finely adjusted to a desired pressure according to the procedure, and the inside of the lumen can always be maintained in an appropriate state by using it in combination with automatic air supply.

  In this embodiment, the insertion passage 68 formed inside the insertion assisting tool 60 is used as a part of the air supply conduit for automatic air supply. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the insertion assisting tool 60 is used. In addition to the insertion passage 68, an automatic air supply conduit may be provided integrally or as a separate body.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, description of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and description will be made focusing on characteristic parts of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope air supply system according to the second embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, the insertion assisting tool 60 and the insertion part 12 are inserted into the lumen in a state where the insertion assisting tool 60 is inserted through the insertion part 12 of the endoscope 10. In the form, as shown in FIG. 8, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted alone into the lumen.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 has an air supply conduit (automatic air supply tube) for automatically supplying air into the lumen while indirectly measuring the pressure in the lumen. Road) 170 is provided. An opening (automatic air supply opening) 172 communicating with the automatic air supply conduit 170 is formed on the distal end surface 45 of the insertion portion 12. The automatic air supply conduit 170 extends from the insertion portion 12 to the hand operation portion 14, the universal cable 16, and the LG connector 18, and communicates with the supply port 174 of the LG connector 18. The supply port 174 is connected to the second air supply connector 112 of the air supply device 102 via the second air supply tube 118. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second air supply tube 118 includes an upstream air supply tube 118A and a downstream air supply tube 118B, and the buffer tank 106 is disposed between them. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  According to the second embodiment, the insertion portion 12 of the endoscope 10 is provided with the automatic air supply conduit 170 and the automatic air supply opening 172, so that the insertion as in the first embodiment is performed. Without using the auxiliary tool 60 (see FIG. 1), it is possible to guide the gas (that is, carbon dioxide) that is automatically supplied from the air supply device 102 into the lumen.

  In addition, since a buffer tank 106 is provided in an air supply conduit for automatically supplying air from the air supply device 102 into the lumen, the pressure sensor 136 (see FIG. 4) in the air supply device 102 causes the lumen. It is possible to measure the pressure in the lumen without being affected by the pressure fluctuation due to the volume change in the inside, and it is possible to stably and reliably perform the automatic air supply into the lumen.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Hereinafter, description of parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted, and description will be made focusing on characteristic parts of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope system according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 10, the same reference numerals are given to components common or similar to those in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the pressure sensor 136 detects the pressure inside the buffer tank 106, and the detection result is output to the control unit 138 (see FIG. 4) of the air supply device 102. The

  In addition, a plurality (three in this example) of conduits 176A to 176C having different conduit resistances are connected in parallel to the upstream air supply tube 118A of the second air supply tube 118, and these conduits 176A. A switching valve 178 is provided at the upstream branch portion of ˜176C. The switching valve 178 is an electrically switchable electromagnetic valve (four-way valve), and selectively selects a conduit that communicates with the upstream air supply tube 118A in accordance with a control signal supplied from the control unit 138 of the air supply device 102. It is possible to switch to. In FIG. 10, the pipes 176A to 176C are simply illustrated due to the limitations of the drawing, but actually, the shape and size (length) of the pipes are set so that each pipe resistance has a desired value. Thickness and thickness) are determined. About another structure, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment.

  According to the third embodiment, while the pressure in the buffer tank 106 is measured by the pressure sensor 136, automatic air supply to the lumen is always performed while performing pressure control so that the pressure in the lumen becomes the set pressure. Is done. At this time, pressure control is performed in consideration of pressure loss between the buffer tank 106 and the inside of the lumen.

  In addition, a plurality of pipelines 176A to 176C having different pipeline resistances are connected in parallel to the upstream side air feed tube 118A that constitutes a part of the air feed pipeline for automatically feeding air into the lumen. The switching valve 178 selectively switches the pipe line communicating with the internal pipe line 148 from the pipe lines 176A to 176C. For this reason, it becomes possible to change the ratio of the line resistance A between the buffer tank 106 and the air supply device 102 and the line resistance B between the buffer tank 106 and the inside of the lumen. Thereby, in the normal state after the pressure in the lumen reaches the set pressure, the influence of the air supply from the air supply device 102 is reduced by making the pipe resistance A larger than the pipe resistance B. It is possible to reliably perform pressure control for automatic air supply in a more stable state.

  Further, at the initial pressurization time before the pressure in the lumen reaches the set pressure, the air flow rate is increased by making the pipe resistance A smaller than the pipe resistance B, and after reaching the set pressure, the pipe resistance It is preferable to perform stable pressure control by making A larger than the line resistance B.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a difference in effect when the ratio of the pipe resistances A and B is changed. FIG. 11A shows the state of the pipe resistance A ≦ the pipe resistance B from the initial stage of pressurization. (B) shows the case where the line resistance A> the line resistance B at the initial stage of pressurization, and the line resistance A ≦ the line resistance B is switched when the pressure reaches the set pressure. This shows the case where control is performed. As can be seen from these, the speed at which the pressure reaches the set pressure is faster in FIG. 11B than in FIG. 11A, and stable pressure control can be reliably performed.

  In the third embodiment, a plurality of pipelines 176A to 176C having different pipeline resistances are provided as the pipeline resistance varying means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. A mode in which the valve resistance (variable orifice) 180 is provided in the upstream side air supply tube 118 </ b> A and the opening resistance of the flow control valve 180 is changed to vary the pipe resistance is also preferable. According to this aspect, space saving can be achieved as compared with an aspect using a plurality of ducts 176A to 176C, and the endoscope air supply system 100 can be reduced in size.

  Further, the variable line resistance means may be provided not only in the upstream side air supply tube 118A but also in the downstream side air supply tube 118B, and the same effect can be obtained.

  The endoscope air supply system according to the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is also good.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Endoscope, 12 ... Insertion part, 14 ... Hand operation part, 16 ... Universal cable, 18 ... LG connector, 20 ... Supply port, 28 ... Air supply / water supply button, 60 ... Insertion aid, 62 ... Gripping part 64 ... Tube body, 66 ... Supply port, 68 ... Insertion passage, 100 ... Endoscopic air supply system, 102 ... Air supply device, 104 ... Carbon dioxide cylinder, 106 ... Buffer tank, 108 ... High pressure connector, 110 ... First Air supply connector, 112 ... Second air supply connector, 114 ... High pressure gas tube, 116 ... First air supply tube, 118 ... Second air supply tube, 118A ... Upstream side air supply tube, 118B ... Downstream side air supply tube , 126 ... 1st pressure adjustment part, 128 ... 2nd pressure adjustment part, 130 ... 1st solenoid valve, 132 ... 2nd solenoid valve, 134 ... Flow sensor, 136 ... Pressure sensor, 138 ... Control part, 1 0 ... the operation unit, 142 ... display unit

Claims (9)

An endoscope air supply system for supplying gas from a gas supply source into a lumen of a living body,
An air supply line for supplying the gas from the gas supply source into the lumen of the living body;
Pressure adjusting means for adjusting the pressure of the gas from the gas supply source;
A buffer tank that is provided in the air supply line closer to the lumen than the pressure adjusting means, and temporarily holds the gas flowing through the air supply line;
Pressure measuring means for measuring the pressure in the buffer tank;
Setting means for setting a set value of pressure in the lumen;
The pressure of the gas adjusted by the pressure adjusting means so that the pressure in the lumen is calculated from the measurement result by the pressure measuring means, and the pressure in the lumen becomes the set value set by the setting means. Pressure control means for controlling
Among the air supply pipes, the first pipe resistance of the gas supply source side pipe from the buffer tank is larger than the second pipe resistance of the lumen side pipe from the buffer tank. Endoscope air supply system. A pipe resistance variable means capable of changing a ratio between the first pipe resistance and the second pipe resistance;
It is determined whether or not the pressure in the lumen exceeds a predetermined threshold, and when the pressure in the lumen exceeds a predetermined threshold, the first duct resistance is greater than the second duct resistance. 2. The endoscope air supply system according to claim 1, further comprising a pipe resistance control means for controlling the pipe resistance variable means so as to increase.   The pipe resistance control means is configured to change the pipe resistance so that the first pipe resistance is smaller than the second pipe resistance when the pressure in the lumen is not more than a predetermined threshold. The endoscope air supply system according to claim 2, wherein the endoscope air supply system is controlled. The conduit resistance varying means is configured to selectively connect a plurality of conduits having different conduit resistances connected in parallel to the air supply conduit and to communicate with the air supply conduit from the plurality of conduits. Has a switchable valve,
The said pipe line resistance control means makes a desired pipe line communicate with the said air supply pipe line from among the said several pipe lines by controlling the said switching valve, The said air supply pipe line is characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscopic air supply system. The conduit resistance varying means comprises a control valve capable of varying the sectional area of the air supply conduit,
4. The endoscope air supply system according to claim 2, wherein the pipe resistance control unit controls the control valve so that a pipe resistance of the air supply pipe becomes a desired value. 5.   The said pipe line resistance variable means is provided in the gas supply source side pipe line rather than the said buffer tank among the said air supply pipe lines, The inside of any one of Claims 2-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. Endoscopic air supply system.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the conduit resistance varying means is provided in a lumen side conduit from the buffer tank in the air supply conduit. Mirror air supply system.   The endoscope air supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pressure adjusting means is provided in the air supply conduit.   The endoscope air supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the buffer tank has a larger capacity than the inside of the lumen.

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