JP5944239B2 - Endoscope spray adapter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides water supply by arbitrarily interposing and connecting to a connection portion between an air supply / water supply pipe extending from a water supply bottle arranged outside the endoscope and an air supply / water supply pipe piped in the endoscope. The present invention relates to an endoscope spray adapter capable of providing a spray function for operation.

  In the body cavity, mucus, filth, etc. may adhere to the surface of the observation window of the endoscope, and the endoscopic observation may be hindered. Therefore, an endoscope is generally provided with a water supply function for washing the surface of the observation window with water, and a water supply bottle for storing the water is provided outside the endoscope.

  The endoscope is also equipped with an air supply function to inflate the organs in the body cavity so that it can be easily observed, and to blow off water droplets remaining on the surface of the observation window. An external air pump is provided.

  The pressurized air sent out from such an external air supply pump is sent into the water supply bottle, and the stored water in the water supply bottle is pressurized. And the stored water in a water supply bottle is sent out through a water pipe by the pressure, and one external air supply pump is also a drive source of the water supply apparatus.

  In addition, if mucus, dirt, or the like adheres strongly to the observation window, it may not be easily washed away by simply spraying water from the water supply nozzle. Therefore, there is also one that improves the cleaning power to wash away mucus etc. by joining the water supply pipe and air supply pipe in the middle to mix pressurized air into the water supply pipe and spraying it on the observation window in a sprayed state (for example, patents) Literature 1, 2, 3).

JP 2003-52621 A JP-A-3-215241 JP-A-9-294715

  When the compressed air is mixed into the water pipe at an appropriate mixing ratio with respect to water and the sprayed state is sprayed onto the observation window, it is possible to wash away mucus or the like strongly adhered to the observation window. However, in the conventional device that enabled spraying, the water supply pipe and the air supply pipe were joined in the middle, so when the air supply operation was performed after the spraying operation, it remained in the air supply pipe closer to the tip than the junction. The water that had been left and the water that remained in the vicinity of the junction would be blown out toward the observation window.

  Therefore, in such conventional endoscopes, every time immediately after the surgeon performs the spraying operation and immediately after the air feeding operation, water droplets are sprayed on the observation window against the intention of the operator, thereby obstructing the observation. Thus, there arises a problem that the rhythm of the endoscope operation is disturbed.

  In addition, in the “spray” state, pressurized air is sent into the body cavity along with the operation of washing mucus and the like adhering to the observation window. May be sent into the body cavity and cause pain to the subject.

  For this reason, general endoscopes do not employ the function of spraying water during a water supply operation, and incorporate only a simple water supply function that sprays only water toward the surface of the observation window. Not. As a result, when a large amount of soiled mucus or the like is present in a portion to be subjected to endoscopy, it may take time to clean the observation window, and endoscopic observation may not be performed smoothly.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and even if it is a general endoscope that does not employ a function of being in a spray state during a water supply operation, a spray function is arbitrarily provided as necessary. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope spray adapter that can wash away mucus or the like strongly adhered to an observation window.

  In order to achieve the above object, the spray adapter for an endoscope according to the present invention has an air supply tube and a water supply tube piped inside the endoscope, and sprays on the observation window of the endoscope outside the endoscope. For this purpose, a water supply bottle in which water supplied to the water supply pipe is stored and an external air supply pump for pressurizing the inside of the water supply bottle and sending out pressurized air supplied to the air supply pipe are arranged from the water supply bottle. An air supply / water supply connector provided at the distal end of the supply air pipe and the water supply pipe is detachably connected to an air supply / water supply connector receiver provided at the proximal end of the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe. Endoscope that is detachably inserted between an air supply / water supply connector and an air supply / water supply connector receiver for an air supply / water supply device of an endoscope having a configuration in which a water supply pipe and a water supply pipe are connected to each other. Of the compressed air sent through the air supply pipe, By flowing into the connection between the water pipe and the water supply pipe, a spraying air passage is provided for mixing with the water that has passed through the water supply pipe and feeding it into the water supply pipe, so that the water blown to the observation window is mixed with air. It is designed to be in a sprayed state.

  Note that the spraying air passage may be a hole formed in the tube wall of the pipe connecting the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe. By doing so, the configuration can be extremely simplified. Or the groove | channel formed in the outer surface of the pipe wall of the pipe | tube which connects a water supply pipe and a water supply pipe may be sufficient as the ventilation path for spraying.

  Further, an air passage control means that can open and close the air passage for spraying from the outside may be provided, and the air passage control means can adjust the minimum channel cross-sectional area of the air passage for spraying. It may be. By doing in this way, generation | occurrence | production of the excess air supply in a body cavity by spraying operation can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, the spray adapter that is detachably inserted between the air supply / water supply connector extending from the water supply bottle and the air supply / water supply connector receiver on the endoscope side is sent through the air supply pipe. By supplying the pressurized air that has been introduced into the connection between the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe, a spraying air passage for mixing with the water that has passed through the water supply pipe and feeding it into the water supply pipe is provided for observation. Since the water sprayed on the window can be made into a spray state mixed with air, even if it is a general endoscope that does not adopt the function to become a spray state during water supply operation, it is necessary by attaching a spray adapter Accordingly, it is possible to arbitrarily give a spray function and wash away mucus or the like strongly adhered to the observation window.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of an endoscope air / water feeding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter (before connection) of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is the III-III sectional view in Drawing 2 of the spray adapter of the endoscope concerning the 1st example of the present invention. It is IV-IV sectional drawing in FIG. 2 of the spray adapter of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter (after connection) of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is VII-VII sectional drawing in FIG. 6 of the spray adapter of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter (single unit) of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter (sprayed state) of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the spray adapter (water supply state) of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an overall configuration of an air / water feeding device of an endoscope. An operation unit 3 is connected to the proximal end of the insertion unit 2 of the endoscope 1. A connector portion 5 connected to a video processor / light source device (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the connecting flexible tube 4 extending from the operation portion 3.

  An observation window and an illumination window are arranged on the most distal surface 7 of the insertion portion 2, an air supply nozzle 8 that blows air toward the surface of the observation window, and a water supply that blows water toward the surface of the observation window Nozzle 9 etc. are arranged.

  An air supply pipe 11 whose tip is connected to the air supply nozzle 8 and a water supply pipe 12 connected to the water supply nozzle 9 are both disposed in the endoscope 1, and from the insertion section 2 to the operation section 3 and A proximal end is connected to an air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 disposed on the side surface of the connector portion 5 through the inside of the connecting flexible tube 4.

  Reference numeral 23 denotes an external air supply pump disposed outside the endoscope 1. A water supply bottle 24 stores water for washing the surface of the observation window, and is also provided outside the endoscope 1. Reference numeral 25 denotes stored water in the water supply bottle 24.

  Pressurized air pressurized by the external air pump 23 and sent to the pressurization pipe 26 is introduced into the water supply bottle 24, and the stored water 25 in the water supply bottle 24 is pressurized. An air supply pipe 21 extends from the upper end of the water supply bottle 24, and a water supply pipe 22 extends from the stored water 25.

  Although the air supply pipe 21 and the water supply pipe 22 are illustrated in a state where they are separated into two in FIG. 1, in actuality, the water supply pipe 22 has a double pipe structure loosely inserted into the air supply pipe 21. A space between the outer periphery of the water supply pipe 22 and the inner periphery of the air supply pipe 21 is a flow path for pressurized air. An air supply / water supply connector 20 that is detachably connected to the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 of the endoscope 1 is attached to the distal ends of the air supply pipe 21 and the water supply pipe 22.

  In the endoscope 1, the air supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 are arranged so as not to cross each other over the entire length, and the operation unit 3 is operated to switch the air supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 to the shut-off / open state respectively. A known air / water operation valve 6 which can be used is arranged.

  In the standby state, the air / water operation valve 6 shuts off both the air supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 in the middle, and is sent from the external air supply pump 23 through the air supply pipe 21 and the air supply pipe 11. Pressurized air is continuously discharged from the air / water supply operation valve 6 to the outside. When an operation to bring the air / water supply operation valve 6 to the air supply state is performed, the water supply pipe 12 remains open, the air supply pipe 11 is opened, and pressurized air is released from the air supply nozzle 8.

  When the operation for bringing the air / water supply operation valve 6 to the water supply state is performed, the air supply pipe 11 is closed and the water supply pipe 12 is opened. Then, the water pressurized in the water supply bottle 24 passes through the water supply pipe 22 and the water supply pipe 12 and is sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to the surface of the observation window.

  However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the spray adapter 30 is provided so as to be detachably inserted between the air supply / water supply connector 20 and the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10. When the spray adapter 30 is not used, the air supply / water supply connector 20 is directly connected to the air supply / water supply connector receptacle 10.

  When the spray adapter 30 is inserted and connected between the air supply / water supply connector 20 and the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10, the pressurized air sent through the air supply pipe 21 is supplied to the water supply pipe 22. By flowing into the connection portion with the water pipe 12, the water mixed with the water that has passed through the water supply pipe 22 and fed into the water feed pipe 12 is sprayed into the observation window.

  FIG. 2 shows such a spray adapter 30, and a water supply side connection pipe 31 connected to a water supply connection pipe 20W on the air supply / water supply connector 20 side and a water supply reception pipe 10W on the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 side, respectively. And the water supply side connecting pipe 32 are arranged in straight communication with each other, and the space inside thereof is a water supply path. The water supply side connection pipe 31 and the water supply side connection pipe 32 may be originally formed as one part, but are formed separately into two parts for reasons of processing and assembly.

  Further, the air supply connector ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 respectively connected to the air supply connector 20A on the air supply / water supply connector 20 side and the connector receiving ring 10A on the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 side communicate with each other in a straight line. Are arranged.

  The air supply side connector receiving ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 are arranged with a gap in the radial direction with respect to the water supply side connection pipe 31 and the water supply side connection pipe 32, and the water supply side connection pipe 31 and the water supply side connection pipe are arranged. A space between the outer periphery of 32 and the inner periphery of the air supply side connector receiving ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 is an air supply path.

  As shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the III-III cross section and FIG. 4 illustrating the IV-IV cross section, the water supply side connection pipe 31, the water supply side connection pipe 32, the air supply side connector receiving ring 33, and the air supply connector 34 are shown. A plurality of ventilation holes 35 and 36 are formed in each of the structural members that connect the two to each other in order to secure a ventilation path. Further, a C-ring 37 for making a click engagement with the connector receiving ring 10 </ b> A on the endoscope 1 side is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the air supply connector 34.

  In the intermediate portion of the water supply side connection pipe 32 of the spray adapter 30 configured as described above, the pressurized air that has been sent through the air supply pipe 21 is caused to flow into the water supply side connection pipe 32 to be supplied to the water supply pipe 22. A spraying vent 39 is formed for mixing with the water sent through. The spray vent 39 in this embodiment is a simple hole that is formed in the cylindrical wall portion of the water supply side connecting pipe 32 perpendicularly to the axis.

  FIG. 5 shows a state where the spray adapter 30 is inserted and connected between the air supply / water supply connector 20 and the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10. Of the cross sections of the members, only the cross sections of the members forming the air supply path and the water supply path in the spray adapter 30 are hatched.

  When the spray adapter 30 is inserted and connected between the air supply / water supply connector 20 and the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 in this way, the air supply pipe 21 on the air supply / water supply connector 20 side and the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 side are supplied. The air pipe 11, the water supply pipe 22 on the air supply / water supply connector 20 side, and the water supply pipe 12 on the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 side are connected to each other via the members of the spray adapter 30. Are sealed without leakage by the O-ring or the like.

  Specifically, the air supply connector 20 </ b> A of the air supply / water supply connector 20 is connected to the air supply side connector receiving ring 33 of the spray adapter 30, and the water supply connection pipe 20 </ b> W is connected to the water supply side connection pipe 31. Further, the connector receiving ring 10 </ b> A of the air supply / water supply connector receiver 10 is connected to the air supply connector 34 of the spray adapter 30, and the water supply receiving pipe 10 </ b> W is connected to the water supply side connection pipe 32.

  As a result, when the air / water operation valve 6 provided in the operation unit 3 is operated to supply water, the water supplied from the water supply bottle 24 is supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the water supply side connection pipe 31 and the water supply side of the spray adapter 30. It is sent to the water supply pipe 12 of the endoscope 1 via the connection pipe 32.

  At the same time, the pressurized air reaching the spray adapter 30 through the air supply pipe 21 is sent into the water supply side connection pipe 32 through the spray vent hole 39 and sent through the water supply pipe 22. It joins with the water which has been joined at the junction M in the water supply side connecting pipe 32.

  The water pressure in the water supply side connection pipe 32 is lower than the pressure of the pressurized air in the water supply bottle 24 by the reduced pressure in the water supply pipe 22. Therefore, the water in the water supply side connection pipe 32 is not pushed out to the air supply path side outside the water supply side connection pipe 32 through the spraying vent hole 39.

  As a result, the pressurized air and water merged at the merging portion M in the water supply side connection pipe 32 are mixed and sent to the water supply pipe 12, and the water sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to the observation window is in a spray state mixed with air. Even if mucus or the like is strongly attached to the observation window, it can be washed out in a short time.

  However, in order for the water sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to be in an appropriate sprayed state, the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area P of the spraying vent 39 is a water supply channel upstream of the spraying vent 39 (the water supply pipe 22, the water supply side connection). It is necessary that the ratio is appropriate for the minimum flow path cross-sectional area Q of the pipe 31 and the water supply side connecting pipe 32). According to the results of the experiment, P / Q is preferably in the range of 1/20 to 1/10, and at least in the range of 1/40 to 1/5.

  In the present invention, the air supply pipe 11 and the water supply pipe 12 in the endoscope 1 are arranged separately without crossing over the entire length, so that the water on the water supply pipe 12 side is completely mixed in the air supply pipe 11. Therefore, when the air supply operation is performed after the air supply / water supply operation valve 6 is supplied with water, only the air is ejected from the air supply nozzle 8 and the rhythm of the endoscope operation of the surgeon is not disturbed.

  In this way, in the present invention, even in a general endoscope that does not employ the function of being in a spray state at the time of water supply operation, the spray function can be added only by attaching the spray adapter 30 as necessary. The mucus etc. which adhered strongly to the observation window can be washed away.

  FIG. 6 shows a state where the spray adapter 130 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the air supply / water supply connector 20. In addition, only the cross section of the water supply side connection pipe 31 of the spray adapter 130 is hatched.

  In this embodiment, instead of the spray vent hole 39 of the first embodiment, a spray vent groove 139 (spray vent path) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply side connecting pipe 31 in a direction parallel to the axis. . No holes are formed in the wall portion of the water supply side connecting pipe 32. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7 illustrating the VII-VII cross section, the spraying ventilation groove 139 is inserted into and connected to the water supply connection pipe 20 </ b> W on the outer peripheral surface of the water supply side connection pipe 31. It is formed to the range which reaches to the upstream edge part.

  As a result, when the air supply / water supply operation valve 6 of the operation unit 3 is operated to supply water, the pressurized air sent through the air supply pipe 21 is sent into the water supply connection pipe 20W through the spraying ventilation groove 139. The water that is fed from the water supply bottle 24 and passes through the water supply side connection pipe 31 from the water supply connection pipe 20W of the air supply / water supply connector 20 joins at the junction M, and the water sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to the observation window is air. It becomes a mixed spray state. As described above, even when the spraying ventilation groove 139 is formed instead of the spraying ventilation hole 39 of the first embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 shows a spray adapter 230 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, only the cross section of the water supply side connection pipe 31 and the packing 40 attached to the end part is hatched here.

  In this embodiment, the insertion portion of the water supply side connection pipe 31 inserted into the water supply connection pipe 20W of the air supply / water supply connector 20 has an appropriate gap for forming a spraying air passage with respect to the inner diameter of the water supply connection pipe 20W. An elastic packing 40 is attached to the protruding end portion, which is formed so thin as to occur.

  Further, the air supply side connector receiving ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 are screwed together by a screw engaging portion 41 so as to be relatively screwable. As a result, the air supply side connector receiving ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 are relatively moved in the axial direction by rotating in the direction around the axis, and are supported on the air supply connector 34 side. The positions of the water supply side connecting pipe 31 and the packing 40 at the tip thereof move in the axial direction with respect to the air supply side connector receiving ring 33.

  9 and 10 show a state in which the air supply / water supply connector 20 and the spray adapter 230 are connected. As shown in FIG. 9, when the air / water supply operation valve 6 of the operation unit 3 is supplied with water while the packing 40 is separated from the inner wall surface of the water supply connection pipe 20 </ b> W, the same operation as in the second embodiment is performed. A gap between the water supply side connection pipe 31 and the water supply connection pipe 20W is supplied to the water that is sent out from the water supply bottle 24 and passes through the water supply side connection pipe 31 from the water supply connection pipe 20W of the air supply / water supply connector 20. The water that passes through the spraying air passage 239 and joins at the joining portion M in the water supply connecting pipe 20 </ b> W and is sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to the observation window is in a sprayed state mixed with air.

  Then, when the air supply side connector ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 are relatively rotated to bring the packing 40 into close contact with the inner wall surface of the water supply connecting pipe 20W as shown in FIG. Since the path 239 is closed by the packing 40, a simple water supply state in which only water is sprayed from the water supply nozzle 9 to the observation window.

  Further, if the air supply side connector ring 33 and the air supply connector 34 are relatively appropriately rotated in the direction around the axis line, the minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of the spray air passage 239 changes, so that in the spray state. The amount of pressurized air mixed with water is controlled, and the spray state can be adjusted to a desired state desired by the operator.

  As described above, the packing 40 and the screw engaging portion 41 can open and close the spraying air passage 239 from the outside, and adjust the spray state by adjusting the minimum flow path cross-sectional area of the spraying air passage 239. It is the ventilation path control means which can also.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The various embodiment which is not specifically described in detailed description of invention is included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 6 Air supply / water supply operation valve 8 Air supply nozzle 9 Water supply nozzle 10 Air supply / water supply connector receptacle 11 Air supply pipe 12 Water supply pipe 20 Air supply / water supply connector 21 Air supply pipe 22 Water supply pipe 23 External air supply pump 24 Water supply bottle 30 Spray Adapter 31 Water supply side connection tube 32 Water supply side connection tube 33 Air supply side connector ring 34 Air supply connector 39 Ventilation hole for spraying 40 Packing (air flow path control means)
41 Screw engaging portion (air passage control means)
139 Ventilation groove for spraying 239 Ventilation passage for spraying M Confluence

Claims (5)

An air supply pipe and a water supply pipe are provided in the endoscope, and outside the endoscope, a water supply bottle in which water supplied to the water supply pipe is stored in order to spray the observation window of the endoscope. And an external air supply pump for pressurizing the inside of the water supply bottle and sending out pressurized air supplied to the air supply pipe, and is provided at the air supply pipe extending from the water supply bottle and the tip of the water supply pipe An air supply / water supply connector is detachably connected to an air supply / water supply connector receiver provided at a base end of the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe, and the air supply pipe, the air supply pipe, the water supply pipe, and the water supply pipe are respectively An endoscope spray adapter that is detachably inserted between the air supply / water supply connector and the air supply / water supply connector receptacle for an endoscope air / water supply device having a connected structure. And
Pressurized air sent through the air supply pipe flows into the connection portion between the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe, and is mixed with the water passed through the water supply pipe and sent to the water supply pipe. A spray adapter for an endoscope, characterized in that a spray air passage is provided to allow the water sprayed to the observation window to be in a spray state mixed with air.   The endoscope spray adapter according to claim 1, wherein the spraying air passage is a hole formed in a tube wall of a pipe connecting the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe.   The spray adapter for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the spray air passage is a groove formed on an outer surface of a tube wall of a pipe connecting the water supply pipe and the water supply pipe.   The spray adapter for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a vent path control means capable of opening and closing the spray vent path from outside.   The spray adapter for an endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a minimum flow passage cross-sectional area of the spraying air passage can be adjusted by the air passage control means.

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