JPH0126696B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope with an improved structure of a jet nozzle that sprays cleaning fluid onto the surface of an observation window.

Generally, the observation window provided at the tip of the insertion section of an endoscope is easily soiled by dirt and the like in the body cavity when the endoscope is introduced into the body cavity, which has the drawback of hindering normal observation. Therefore, to deal with this,
A jet nozzle is provided near the observation window, and cleaning water is sprayed from the jet nozzle toward the surface of the observation window for washing. However, in order to spray cleaning water onto the surface of the observation window, it is necessary to place the jet nozzle close to the observation window and protrude to some extent.

However, when installing the jet nozzle like this,
The tip of the jet nozzle gets into the observation field of view, and this tendency is increasing, especially as the diameter of the insertion tube of recent endoscopes has become extremely thin, and wide-angle observation fields are often used. The problem has become so severe that restrictions have been imposed on the installation of jet nozzles.

The present invention has been made focusing on the above circumstances,
The purpose of this is to allow the jet nozzle to be recessed during observation and protrude to the required height during cleaning, making it possible to perform efficient cleaning without restrictions on placement, and to The object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that does not become an obstruction.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the entirety of an endoscope 1, which is composed of an operating section 2 and an insertion section 3. As shown in FIG. The insertion section 3 has a distal end section 5 attached through a curved tube section 4 at the distal end of a flexible tube section, and the curved tube section 4 can be remotely operated to bend by operating the operating section 2 . Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the distal end portion 5 has a direct view type structure in which an observation window 7, an illumination window 8, and a channel opening 9 are provided on the distal end surface 6.
Furthermore, a jet nozzle 10 whose height is adjustable is installed near the observation window 7.

That is, the jet nozzle 10 has a jet nozzle main body 12 housed in a housing hole 11 so as to be protrusive and retractable, and the jet nozzle main body 12 is formed of a cylindrical member whose tip end is closed. Further, the inside of the storage hole 11 has a relatively large inner diameter to form a cavity 13, in which an annular collar 14 formed at the inner edge of the jet nozzle body 12 can be moved. It's like this. Also,
A coil spring 15 is wound around the jet nozzle body 12 in the cavity 13.
5 constitutes a biasing member that pushes the collar 14 backward and draws the jet nozzle main body 12 into the storage hole 11. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, a positioning piece 16 is protruded from a part of the collar 14, and
By moving along a positioning groove 17 formed on the inner wall of the jet nozzle body 3, the jet nozzle main body 12 is guided only in the front-back direction while being prevented from rotating. Further, by applying the positioning pieces 16 to the front and rear end walls of the positioning groove 17, the positions of both ends of movement of the jet nozzle body 12 are regulated. That is, normally, as shown in FIG. 2, it is drawn into the storage hole 11 by the coil spring 15, and the tip of the jet nozzle body 12 is retracted to a position out of the observation field 18 of the observation window 7. There is. Also, the jet nozzle body 1
A nozzle port 19 is provided on the side of 2,
As described above, when the jet nozzle main body 12 is drawn into the storage hole 11, the nozzle opening 19 is closed by the inner wall of the storage hole 11. When the jet nozzle main body 12 protrudes, the nozzle opening 19 is opened as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
protrudes outside and faces the observation window 7.

Further, the inner end of the storage hole 11 is connected to a connecting pipe 21, and this connecting pipe 21 communicates with the inside of the jet nozzle body 12. Further, the proximal end 22 of the connecting pipe 21 is connected to the distal end of a cleaning fluid supply pipe 23, as shown in FIG. Then, the supply pipe 23 is connected to the insertion section 3
It reaches the operating section 2 through the inside and is connected to an operating valve 24 provided in the operating section 2. The operation valve 24 selectively connects the air supply pipe 25 and the water supply pipe 26 to the supply pipe 23 to selectively supply air and water to the jet nozzle 10 . That is, the operating valve 24 includes a hollow valve body 28 slidably provided inside a bottomed cylindrical valve body 27, and further, the valve body 28 has one end protruded to the outside by a coil spring 29. The outer end of the outer end of the outer end of the outer end of the outer end protrudes outward. Furthermore, a communication groove 30 is formed on the circumferential surface of the valve body 28 located within the valve body 27. The air supply pipe 25 is connected to the inner end of the valve body 27, and the water supply pipe 26 is connected to the side wall of the valve body 27 on the relatively open end side. Also,
The supply pipe 23 is connected to the side wall of the valve body 27 so as to be located between the connecting portions of both the pipes 25 and 26.

In a normal state, the valve body 28 is raised as shown in FIG. It communicates with the outside through the bottom space of the supply pipe 23 and the hollow part 31 in the valve body 28 . Therefore, even if air is supplied from the air supply pipe 25, the hollow portion 31 of the valve body 28
Air escapes to the outside through the air and cannot be sent to the supply pipe 23 side. However, if the hollow portion 31 is closed by placing a finger on the outer end surface of the valve body 28, air can be supplied to the supply pipe 23.

Furthermore, when the valve body 28 is pushed in, the communication groove 30 of the valve body 28 is located between the connection portion of the water supply pipe 26 and the supply pipe 23, and connects the water supply pipe 26 to the supply pipe 23, and also connects the water supply pipe 26 to the supply pipe 23. 25
cut off.

That is, the operation valve 24 can freely switch between air supply, water supply, and stop state.

On the other hand, a check valve 32 is inserted in the middle of the supply pipe 23. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, this check valve 32 has an elastic valve 34 provided inside a valve body 33, and allows only flow toward the jet nozzle 10, and blocks flow in the opposite direction. There is.

As shown in FIG. 2, an objective lens 36 is installed inside the cover lens 35 of the observation window 7, and this lens system transmits a light image in the observation field to an optical fiber bundle 37 for image transmission. The image is formed on the distal end surface 38 of. The optical image is then transmitted to the eyepiece section 39 of the operation section 2 through the image transmission optical fiber bundle 37.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained. First, when the operating valve 24 is not operated at all, the state shown in FIG. Escape to the outside, supply pipe 23
will not be sent to.

Therefore, in order to send water, the valve body 28 of the operating valve 24 is pushed in with a finger, and the communication groove 30 of the valve body 28 is positioned across both the connection portions of the water pipe 26 and the supply pipe 23. As a result, the air supply pipe 25 is cut off, and the water supply pipe 26 is connected to the supply pipe 23.
Since it communicates with the supply pipe 23, water can be supplied to the supply pipe 23.

When water is supplied to the jet nozzle 10 through the supply pipe 23, the jet nozzle main body 12 is pushed out by the water pressure and protrudes as shown by the dotted line in FIG. That is, the nozzle opening 19 protrudes to the outside and faces the observation window 7. Then, water is ejected from the nozzle port 19 toward the observation window 7. After the ejection continues for a predetermined time in this manner, the finger is released from the valve body 28 of the operation valve 24, and the restoring force of the coil spring 29 causes the valve body 28 to return to its original position. Next, without pushing in the valve body 28, the hollow part 31 of the valve body 28 is closed with a fingertip, the air supply pipe 25 is communicated with the supply pipe 23, and air is supplied to the jet nozzle 10. Due to this feeding pressure, the jet nozzle main body 12 protrudes in the same manner as described above, directs the nozzle port 19 toward the surface of the observation window 7, and blows air onto the observation window 7. With this, observation window 7
Any water remaining on the surface is blown away and dried.

Then, when the finger is released from the valve body 28 of the operation valve 24, the air escapes directly to the outside as described above, and the air is not sent to the supply pipe 23. Therefore, the jet nozzle body 12 is automatically retracted by the coil spring 15, as shown by the solid line in FIG. That is, the tip of the jet nozzle body 12 is located in the observation field 1.
8 and does not interfere with observation through the observation window 7. Of course, when supplying air or water, the observation window 7 can be sufficiently cleaned because it protrudes to ensure the necessary height.

In addition, when supplying air and water, the supply pipe 2
3, even if a backflow occurs, it can be immediately shut off because the check valve 32 is provided.

In the above embodiment, the ejection nozzle main body is made to protrude using the cleaning fluid, but the means for protruding and retracting the ejection nozzle main body is not limited thereto. Examples of this modification will be listed below.

In the one shown in FIG. 6, the jet nozzle main body 40 is pre-biased in the projecting direction by a coil spring 41, and is stored in the storage hole 11 by being pulled by an operating wire 42. . Note that the operation wire 42 is connected to the endoscope 1.
It is guided to the operating section 2 through the insertion section 3 of the device, and is pulled and operated by a pulling operation mechanism (not shown). Further, the jet nozzle main body 40 of this embodiment has a length that penetrates the tip portion 5,
A supply pipe 23 is directly connected to its base end.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the jet nozzle is connected to the supply pipe 23 through a connecting pipe 43, as in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. The other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a magnetic body 45 is attached to the base end of the jet nozzle main body 44, and the jet nozzle main body 44 is biased in a protruding direction by a coil spring 46, while an electromagnet 47 The ejection nozzle main body 44 is pulled in by magnetic attraction, and is kept in a retracted state on standby. That is, normally, when cleaning the observation window 7 by exciting the electromagnet 47 and retracting the jet nozzle body 44 against the restoring force of the coil spring 46, by demagnetizing the electromagnet 47, the jet nozzle body 44 is pulled in against the restoring force of the coil spring 46. This is for protruding the jet nozzle body 44.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a permanent magnet 49 is attached to the base end of the jet nozzle body 48, and by attracting it to a connecting pipe 50 made of a magnetic material, the jet nozzle body 48 is pulled in and put on standby. Furthermore, an electromagnetic coil 51 is installed around the connecting pipe 50 to constitute an electromagnet 52, and when cleaning the observation window 7, the permanent magnet 49 is excited in a direction to repel it. .

As explained above, according to the present invention, the jet nozzle is installed near the observation window, and even though an effective height is obtained during cleaning, the jet nozzle is retracted and retreated from the observation field during observation. Can be done. That is, the observation field of view is not obstructed by the jet nozzle. Therefore, even with a particularly thin endoscope or a wide-angle endoscope, there are no restrictions on the installation of the jet nozzle, and good observation can be made.

Furthermore, by remotely operating the jet nozzle body using an operating wire, the jet nozzle can be reliably operated.

Moreover, if the jet nozzle main body is pushed out by the pressure of the cleaning fluid, there is no particular need for operating the main body, and the configuration of the operating mechanism of the jet nozzle section can be greatly simplified.

In addition, if you operate the jet nozzle body magnetically,
A relatively large operating force can be obtained, the jet nozzle can be operated reliably, and the configuration of the operating section can be simplified.

Moreover, if the ejection nozzle is closed when the ejection nozzle main body is retracted, it is possible to prevent the inflow into the ejection nozzle portion.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of an endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the distal end of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a distal end surface of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the nozzle part of the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a conventional check valve, and FIGS. 6 to 9 show other different embodiments. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the distal end of the endoscope. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Endoscope, 2...Operation part, 3...Insertion part, 4...Curved tube part, 5...Distal end part, 6...Distal end surface, 7...Observation window,
8... Illumination window, 9... Channel, 10... Ejection nozzle, 11... Storage hole, 12... Ejection nozzle body, 13
...Cavity, 14...Brim, 15...Coil spring, 16...
Positioning piece, 17... Positioning groove, 18... Observation field, 19... Nozzle port, 21... Connecting pipe, 22... Base end, 23... Supply pipe, 24... Operation valve, 25... Air supply pipe, 26... Water supply pipe, 27... Valve body, 2
8... Valve body, 29... Coil spring, 30... Communication groove,
31...Hollow part, 32...Check valve, 33...Valve body, 3
4... Elastic valve, 35... Cover lens, 36... Objective lens, 37... Optical fiber bundle, 38... Tip surface, 39...
Eyepiece part, 40... Ejection nozzle body, 41... Coil spring, 42... Operation wire, 43... Connecting pipe, 44...
Ejection nozzle body, 45... Magnetic material, 46... Coil spring, 47... Electromagnet, 48... Ejection nozzle main body, 49
...Permanent magnet, 50...Connecting pipe, 51...Electromagnetic coil,
52...Electromagnet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An insertion section of an endoscope with a built-in cleaning fluid supply pipe, an observation window provided at the tip of the insertion section of the endoscope, and the above-mentioned device located near the observation window. A jet nozzle body is provided on the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope so as to be protrusive and retractable, and is connected to the supply pipe, and a jet nozzle body is formed on the jet nozzle body and is exposed to the outside when the jet nozzle body is protruded. It is characterized by comprising a nozzle opening that opens toward the window and that sinks into the distal end portion of the insertion portion to be shielded when the ejection nozzle body is retracted, and a protrusion/retraction operation mechanism that protrudes and retracts the ejection nozzle body. endoscope. 2. The ejecting/retracting operation mechanism is connected to a supply pipe and has an ejecting nozzle body that protrudes due to the fluid pressure of the cleaning fluid, and elastically biases this ejecting nozzle body in the retracting direction, so that when the cleaning fluid is not supplied, The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing member that causes the ejection nozzle main body to be retracted. 3. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the ejecting/retracting operation mechanism magnetically attracts and immerses the ejection nozzle body during observation using an electromagnet, and causes it to protrude by magnetically demagnetizing it during cleaning. mirror.