JPH03258233A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enhance drainage properties by making the liquid feed resistance of a liquid feed pipeline feeding a liquid such as water higher than the air feed resistance of an air feed pipeline performing the air feed of an endoscope. CONSTITUTION:When the connector part of an endoscope 1 is connected to operate the air feed pump in a light source apparatus and a leak orifice 49 is closed by a finger from the standby state of the an air and water feed change-over apparatus 31 of an operation part 2, air is fed in the pipeline 15b on the downstream side. When an operating button 39 is pushed down while the leak orifice 49 is closed, pipelines 15a, 15b are sealed to bring only the pipelines 16a, 16b on a water feed side to a communication state and, when the button 39 is further pushed down, a water feed pipeline 16 becomes a full- open state to make it possible to feed water but, since the pipeline resistance of the water feed pipeline is higher than that of an air feed pipeline 15, water is compressed into the pipeline 15A on the upstream side and a water feed tank 26. When the feed of water is stopped in this state and air is fed, the pressure enhanced in the tank 26 is released at a stroke. As a result, the waterdrops remaining on the outer surface of an observation window 8 after the feed of water can be sufficiently blown off.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having improved air and fluid delivery lines.

[Prior Art] Generally, endoscopes have functions for cleaning the observation window and for supplying air, water, and liquid to prevent the inside of the body cavity from swelling. The air and water supply functions are controlled by mechanical switching means provided in the endoscope operating section or electrical switching means such as a solenoid valve built into the light source, etc., and both are controlled by air supply pipes provided within the endoscope. Alternatively, air and water (liquid) are sent to the end of the endoscope via a water (liquid) pipe.

However, this air and water supply function requires -
Water builds up on the observation window, causing problems such as poor drainage, which obstructs the field of view.

In order to solve this water drainage problem, a conventional example using an electrical switching means, disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-220833, automatically controls air supply after water supply. In addition, even in the case of a mechanical switching means such as the conventional example shown in Utility Model Application No. 62-125501, the operator pulls back the button one step while keeping the leak hole closed.
We are trying to deal with problems with water drainage by manually supplying air after supplying water.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, pumps for supplying air or cleaning water through the air supply pipe and water supply pipe of an endoscope have been designed to prevent the inside of the body cavity from being destroyed due to an unexpected accident. For this purpose, a pump with a low shutoff pressure is used to slowly inflate the body cavity.

Therefore, even if such a pump was used to supply air immediately after water supply as in the conventional example described above, it was not possible to ensure sufficient discharge pressure to blow away the water on the observation window.

For this reason, in the conventional example described above, it was difficult to improve the drainage problem.

The present invention was made in view of the above points, and even when using a safe pump with relatively low shut-off pressure,
To provide an endoscope that can sufficiently blow away water droplets on an observation window by supplying air after supplying water, thereby improving water drainage performance.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] In the present invention, the liquid feeding resistance of the liquid feeding pipe line that sends liquid such as water is made larger than the air feeding resistance of the air feeding line that sends air to the endoscope. During liquid feeding, the gas is compressed in the pipe from the air pump to the switching valve that controls air and water feeding to increase the discharge pressure, and after the liquid feeding has stopped, the increased discharge pressure can be jetted out at once. , water droplets remaining on the observation window are blown away by liquid feeding, improving water drainage.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

Figures 1 to 6 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing the nozzle facing the observation window; FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the composition of the air/water switching device; and FIG. Figure 4(a) is a sectional view showing the air/water switching device in a state where the water pipe side is in communication, and Figure 4(b) is a sectional view of the air/water switching device with the water pipe fully open. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment.
The figure is an explanatory view showing the air and water supply pipes on the distal end side of the insertion section during water supply.

As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 of the first embodiment includes a large operating section 2, an elongated insertion section 3 whose rear end is connected to the front end of the operating section 2, and the operating section 2. It consists of a universal cord 4 connected to the side of the universal cord 4, and a connector section 5 provided at the tip of the universal cord 4.By connecting this connector section 5 to a light source device (not shown), the light guide 6 can be illuminated. Light is provided. This light guide 6 is composed of a fiber bundle, transmits illumination light supplied from a light source device to one end surface, and targets the subject in front from the other end surface (not shown) fixed to the distal end 7 of the insertion section 3. Emits illumination light to the side.

The illuminated object is focused by an objective lens system 9 disposed behind the observation window 8 of the tip 7 onto a solid-state image device (hereinafter abbreviated as SID) 11 disposed at its focal plane. imaged. By this STD, the optical image is photoelectrically converted into an electrical signal, which is guided to the electrical contact 13 of the connector section 5 via the electrical cable 12.

Further, inside the insertion section 3, there is a suction conduit 14 for performing suction,
An air supply pipe 15 for supplying air and a water supply pipe 16 for supplying water are provided.

The water supply pipe 16 is formed of a tube material having an inner diameter smaller than that of the air supply pipe 15, so that the water supply resistance is greater than the air supply resistance.

The distal ends of the air supply pipe line 15 and the water supply pipe line 16 merge near the distal end of the insertion section 3 to form one common pipe line 17,
Gas or water (such as cleaning water) supplied through the injection nozzle 18 provided at the tip of this common pipe line 17
This allows liquid to be sprayed onto the outer surface of the observation window 8.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The mouth end portion 18a is made concave to prevent the nozzle 18 from being seen within the field of view.

The rear ends of the air supply pipe line 15 and water supply pipe line 16 are opened at a connector part 5 formed at the east end of the universal cord 4 extending from the operating part 2. By connecting this connector portion 5 to the light source device 4, the thin tube-shaped air supply cap 21 protruding from the connector portion 5 is connected to an air supply pump (not shown) inside the light source device. Furthermore, a suction mouthpiece 23 to which a thin tube-shaped air/water supply mouthpiece 22 and a rear end of the suction pipe line 14 are connected is protruded from the connector portion 5 .

The air/water supply mouthpiece 22 has a double-tube structure having an inner lumen in the center through which cleaning water passes, and an outer lumen on the outer peripheral side of the inner lumen through which gas passes. However, the air and water supply cap 2
The rear end of the water supply pipe 16 is connected to the inner lumen at the center of the air supply pipe 1
The rear end of 5 is connected. Further, the rear end side of the air supply pipe line 15 is branched and connected to the air supply mouthpiece 21 as well. Thus, air supplied from an air pump (not shown) in the light source device is guided to the air pipe line 15 side or the air/water supply fitting 22 side via the air supply cap 21.

A water tank 26 can be connected to the air/water supply cap 22 via a connector 25.

When this connector 25 is connected, the inner pipe line is connected to the water supply tube 27 extending to the washing water, and the outer pipe line is connected to the air supply tube 28 for pressurizing the air in the water supply tank 26.

By the way, in the operation unit 2, an air/water supply switching VRffi 31 and a suction switching device 32 are arranged in parallel. This air and water supply switching device 31 is interposed between the air supply pipe line 15 and the water supply pipe line 16, and by operating this air and water supply switching device 31, air supply and water supply operations can be switched. be. Further, a suction switching device 32 is interposed in the middle of the suction conduit 14, and the suction switching device 32 can switch the suction.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the air/water supply switching device 3
The structure of No. 1 will be explained.

The valve seat body 34 has a substantially bottomed cylindrical shape, and the opening side is connected to the large diameter cylindrical portion 34.
A with a small diameter cylindrical portion 34b on the bottom side is used. In order to attach the valve seat body 34, in addition to disposing the bottom side inside the operating part 2, an attachment point 36 is attached to the outer wall 35 with the open end protruding outward from the outer wall 35 of the operating part 2.
A structure is used in which the downstream pipe line 1 of the air supply pipe line 15 is fixed to the upper stage of the peripheral wall of the valve seat body 34.
5b, and the upstream pipe line 1 of the air supply pipe line 15 is also connected to the middle stage.
5a, and the upstream pipe line 1 of the water supply pipe line 16 is also connected to the lower stage.
6a, the downstream pipe line 16b of the water supply pipe line 16 is connected on the peripheral wall of the valve seat body 34 between the upstream pipe line 15a and the upstream pipe line 16a. Note that 36a is a mounting flange formed at the upper part of the mounting point 36.

The first valve body 37 also has an operation button 39 on the shaft 38a side of the piston 38, which is composed of a shaft portion 38a corresponding to the large diameter cylindrical portion 34a and a shaft portion 38b corresponding to the small diameter portion 34b. In addition to being connected via a connecting pipe 40 protruding from the lower surface, a mounting layer 42 that can be freely fitted to the mounting flange 36a is provided between the abutting flange portion 41 formed on the outer peripheral side of the shaft portion 38a and the operation button 39. Installed so that it can be moved freely. And the mounting layer 4
A structure is used in which a compression spring 43 is interposed between the valve seat 2 and the operation button 39, and the mounting layer 42 is fitted to the mounting flange 36a while the piston 38 is inserted into the valve seat body 34 as shown in FIG. This allows the first valve body 37 to be detachably attached to the valve seat body 34. Also, the first valve body 3
7 is provided with a first sealing ring 44 having a substantially U-shaped cross section and located on the outer periphery of the tip of the shaft portion 38b. A check valve 45 is provided at the middle outer periphery corresponding to the tapered portion of the boundary, and a second sealing ring 46 is further provided at the outer periphery of the tip end of the shaft portion 38a. When the rings 46, 44 and the check valve 45 are in the standby state of △ shown on the left side of FIG.
It is arranged and set so that the gas flowing in from 5a leaks to the outside through an opening 47 provided on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 38b, a leak hole 48 also provided on the shaft center, and further a leak hole 49 provided on the operation button 39, In addition, by blocking the leak hole 49 with your finger in this state, the gas flowing in from the upstream pipe line 15a is removed from the check valve 45, the check valve 45, and the second sealing ring 46.
It is set so as to lead to the downstream pipe line 15b through the space between them. Further, the first valve body 37 is connected to the leak hole 4
9 with your finger, press the operation button 39 with the compression spring 43.
By pushing against the elasticity of
1b through the space of the first sealing ring 44. If you push it further, as shown by 8 on the right side of Figure 3, the inflow from the upstream pipe 15a can be blocked by the check valve 45 and the first sealing ring 44. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the water supply pipe 16 is fully opened and the stroke stops.

Note that in the standby state, the first sealing ring 44 blocks the upstream pipe line 16a and the downstream pipe line 16b.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the operation button 3
When the leak hole 49 of No. 9 is closed with a finger and pushed in, the stroke L1 for air supply is changed to the stroke L1 for water supply [
It is longer than 2. In this example, the stroke L
The pushing stroke L2 is started just before the end of the pushing stroke L2.

The operation of the first embodiment configured in this way will be described below.

The connector portion 5 of the endoscope 1 is connected to a light source H (not shown), and the air pump in the light source device is activated.

When the air/water supply switching device 31 of the operation unit 2 is in the standby state,
The air discharged from the air pump enters the endoscope 1 through the air supply cap 21, and leaks to the outside through the upstream pipe line 158 and the leak hole 49, as shown in the left side of FIG. go.

Then, when the leak hole 49 is closed with a finger from this standby state, normal air supply is performed. However, due to the blockage of the leak hole 49, the flow path leading to the outside is blocked, and the leak hole 49 is blocked.
The air that reaches this point is sent into the downstream pipe line 15b.

Also, while blocking the leak hole 49, press the operation button 39 to the third position.
When pushed in as shown in B in the figure, the state shown in FIG. Previously, the state in which the upstream pipe line 16a and the downstream pipe line 16b communicated through the space of the first sealing ring 44) was changed, and these pipe lines 15a and 15b were sealed and the air supply side was cut off. Only the pipes 16a and 16b on the water supply side are in communication with each other. Furthermore, push it in from this state, as shown in Figure 4 (
In the state shown in b), the water supply pipe 16 is fully opened and normal water supply can be performed.

In other words, with the air from the water pump, the air and water supply mouthpiece 30,
Through the connection tool 25 and the air supply chicob 28, the air supply tank 26
The liquid layer is pressurized and the cleaning water is sent into the water pipe 16 through the water pipe 27, the connector 25, the air and water mouthpiece 22.

Here, the water supply pipe line 16 has a smaller inner diameter than the air supply pipe line 15, and has a larger pipe resistance. In other words, since the water supply resistance is greater than the air supply resistance, when water is supplied, the amount of air sent from the air supply pump becomes difficult to push out. It will be compressed into 26.

When supplying air after water supply, by pulling up the first valve body 37 one step while keeping the leak hole 49 blocked, the upstream pipe line 16a and the downstream pipe line 16b are cut off, and the upstream pipe line 16a and the downstream pipe line 16b are cut off. Road 1
5a and the downstream pipe line 15b are in communication with each other, and the air compressed during water supply (in a state raised slightly higher than the state shown in FIG. 4(a)) is supplied at once after the water supply.

Therefore, the pressure inside the tank from the start of water supply to the stop of water supply and after air supply is as shown by the solid line in FIG. In addition, the dashed-dotted line shows the conventional example when the pressure of air supply and the pressure of water supply are equal.

In other words, since the pipe resistance of the water supply pipe 16 is large, it becomes difficult to supply water. Then, the pressure inside the water tank 26 increases rapidly. When water supply is stopped and air is supplied in this state, the increased pressure in the tank 26 is suddenly ejected (the pressure difference is indicated by ΔP), so the same effect as when using an h-pressure pump can be obtained. As a result, water droplets remaining on the outer surface of the observation window 8 after water supply can be sufficiently blown away.

In addition, in this first embodiment, the water supply pipe 16 is opened before the air supply pipe 15 is closed, so that when water supply starts, the air supply pipe 15 is still pressurized by air supply. It is continuing. This prevents water from flowing back toward the air supply pipe 15 at the confluence of the air supply pipe 15 and water supply pipe 16 in the insertion section 3. 6(a) in the air supply pipe line 15.
), since there is little residual water due to backflow (for comparison, the same figure (b) shows the case of the conventional example. The same components are given the same reference numerals). It can also eliminate or reduce the problem of water flowing out.

7 and 8 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a pipeline diagram of the air and water supply device, and FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and six valves. . In the pipeline diagram shown in FIG. 7, a first air supply pipe 52 is connected to the air supply pump 51, and a second air supply pipe 52 is connected to the first air supply pipe 52 via a first solenoid valve (Vl) 53. It is connected to the air supply line 54 of. Furthermore, an air supply pipe 55 for water supply is branched and connected to the middle of the first air supply pipe 52, and a water supply tank 56
is connected to. A first water supply pipe line 57 is further connected to the water supply tank 56, and a second solenoid valve (V2
A second water supply pipe 59 is connected via the pipe 58. The first air supply pipe line 52 and the second water supply pipe line 59 are a water supply pipe water removal pipe line 62 having a third electromagnetic valve (V3) 61.
It communicates with

This third electromagnetic valve 61 is provided near the branching point between the second water supply pipe 59 and the water removal pipe 62. A first gas pipe line 6 is connected to the gas cylinder 63 into which nonflammable gas is injected.
4 is connected, and further connected via a fourth electromagnetic valve (V4) 65 to a second gas pipe line 66 which also serves as an air supply line for feeding gas and air. The second gas line 66 and the first air supply line 52 are connected to a fifth solenoid valve (Vs) 6.
The gas pipe and water removal air supply pipe 68 having a water removal pipe 68 are connected to each other. Further, the second gas pipe line 66 and the first water supply pipe line 57 are communicated through a gas pipe (also an air supply pipe) cleaning pipe line 71 having a sixth solenoid valve (Vs) 69. In addition, in order to ensure water removal, the gas pipe water removal air supply pipe 68 is connected to the second gas pipe 6 on the side closer to the gas cylinder 63 than the gas pipe cleaning pipe 71.
It is connected to 6.

Furthermore, a leak pipe 72 is provided in the second gas pipe 66 to allow leakage to the atmosphere via a seventh solenoid valve (V7) 73. Furthermore, joints 74, 75, and 76 are attached to the ends of the second air supply pipe line 54, the second gas pipe line 66, and the second water supply pipe line 59, respectively, and the joints 74, 75, and 76 are attached to the ends of the second air supply pipe line 54, the second gas pipe line 66, and the second water supply pipe line 59, respectively. It is connected to a tracheal line 77, a gas line 78, and a water supply line 79. The air supply pipe line 77 communicates with a button 81 provided on the operating section 2 midway inside the endoscope, and opens into a leak hole 82 provided at the upper part of the button 81. A switch (SWI) 83 is provided which turns on when the button 81 is pressed. or,
A check valve 84 is provided in the air supply pipe line 77 at a position closer to the insertion section than the button 81 provided on the operating section 2 .
A gas pipe line 78 is connected further to the distal end side of the insertion portion.

Furthermore, the air supply pipe line 77 and the water supply pipe line 79 join together on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion to form an air and water supply pipe line 85.

and the first to seventh solenoid valves 53,58,61,6
5, 67, 69, and 73 are electrically connected to the control unit 86, respectively. On the other hand, this control section 86 includes a switch (SWI) 83 provided in the operation section 2 of the endoscope, (SW2>87
, and switches (SW3) 88, (SW4.) 89, (SW5) 9 provided on the exterior of the video processor (not shown).
0, (SW6) 91 are connected.

The water supply pipe 79 is formed with approximately the same inner diameter as the air supply pipe 77 and the gas pipe 78, but the water supply pipe 79 is made of a material that has a higher coefficient of wear against water or cleaning water than the other pipes. is used.

In such a configuration, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 8, normal air and water supply is performed by operating the button 81 and switch 83 provided on the operating section 2. In other words, the air supply is performed by blocking the leak hole 82 provided in the button 81 with a finger while only the first solenoid valve 53 is open in the standby state, and the pressure of the air supply pump 51 is increased. opens the check valve 84,
Sensing air to the tip of the insertion tube. On the other hand, water supply is performed by turning on the switch 83, and when the switch 83 is turned on,
The control unit 86 detects the signal, closes the first solenoid valve 53, and simultaneously opens the second solenoid valve 58. Thereby, the cleaning water is sent to the water supply pipe 79 and water supply is performed.

When the switch 83 is turned off, the second solenoid valve 58 is closed, the first solenoid valve 53 is opened, and at the same time, the seventh solenoid valve 73 is momentarily opened, thereby ending water supply.

The pipe cleaning is performed by momentarily turning on the switch 89. That is, when this switch 89 is turned on, the control section 86 detects this and automatically performs the following control. First, the first solenoid valve 53 is closed from the standby state. At the same time, the sixth solenoid valve 69 is opened, and after cleaning the gas pipe 7B and the air supply pipe 77 on the light source side of the check valve 84 for a certain period of time, the sixth solenoid valve 69 is closed. This completes the cleaning of the gas pipe line 78. At the same time as the sixth solenoid valve 69 is closed, the second solenoid valve 58 is opened.

As a result, the water supply pipe 79 is cleaned for a certain period of time and the second electromagnetic valve 58 is closed. When the second solenoid valve 58 is closed, the fifth
The solenoid valve 67 opens to remove water from the gas pipe, and closes after a certain period of time. When the fifth solenoid valve 67 is closed,
The third electromagnetic valve 61 is opened to remove water from the water supply pipe 79, and the water is removed.

Then, at the same time as the third solenoid valve 61 closes, the first solenoid valve 5 closes.
3 is open and returns to standby state.

Next, automatic air supply after water supply is performed as follows.

First, switch 88 is turned on. In this state, when the button 81 is pressed and the switch 83 is turned on, the first solenoid valve 53 is closed and the second solenoid valve 58 is opened. When the switch 83 is turned OFF, the second solenoid valve 58 closes, and at the same time, the fifth solenoid valve 67 momentarily opens, and then
Closed. This means that automatic air supply was performed after water supply.

Also in this second embodiment, since the water supply pipe 79 is made of a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the air supply pipe 77 and the gas 78, the water supply resistance is higher than the air supply resistance. The air in the first air supply pipe line 52, the water supply air pipe line 55, and the water supply tank 56 is compressed by the air sent from the air supply pump 51, and after the compressed air is supplied with water, - air gas pipe The water is sent to the observation window via the passage 78, and water droplets remaining on the observation window can be sufficiently blown away.

Note that means for increasing the water supply resistance more than the air supply resistance are not limited to the first and second embodiments, but include means such as providing vents, reportholes, orifices in the water supply pipes, A conduit having an inner surface rougher than that of the air supply conduit may be used as the conduit, and there are no particular limitations on the means or method for realizing this.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, it is clear that the present invention is also effective for a two-nozzle endoscope 95 in which the air inlet nozzle 93 and the water inlet nozzle 94 are provided separately. In Fig. 9, the same components as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the resistance of the liquid supply pipe during liquid transfer is made larger than the resistance during air supply of the air supply pipe, so that relatively low closing pressure can be achieved. Even if a highly safe pump is used, the air supply pressure can be increased when air is supplied after the liquid is supplied, and the ability to blow away water droplets remaining on the observation window can be increased, making it possible to realize an endoscope that drains water well.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 6 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing the nozzle facing the observation window; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the air/water switching device; and FIG. Figure 4(a) is a sectional view showing the air/water switching device in a state where the water pipe side is in communication, and Figure 4(b) is a sectional view of the air/water switching device with the water pipe fully open. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment, and Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the first embodiment.
The figure is an explanatory diagram showing the air and water supply pipes on the distal end side of the insertion section during water supply, Figures 7 and 8 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 shows the pipes of the air and water supply device. 8 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an endoscope of a third embodiment in which an air inlet nozzle and a water inlet nozzle are separated. 1... Endoscope 2... Operation unit 3...
Insertion part 5...Connector part 8...Observation window 9...Objective lens system 15...Air supply pipe line 16...Water supply pipe line 18...Nozzle 26...Water supply tank Figure 8 Figure (T: 0.1sec ~ lsec) Procedural Amendment (Mouse) Figure 7

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pipe switching device selects gas discharged from an air pump and liquid via a liquid sending tank to a nozzle that opens toward an observation window provided on the distal end side of the insertion section. An endoscope having an air supply pipe and a liquid supply pipe, characterized in that the resistance of the liquid supply pipe when the liquid is delivered is greater than the resistance of the air supply pipe when the air is delivered. Endoscope.