JPH0420401Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the idea] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a ventable watertight endoscope.

[Conventional technology]

Currently, endoscopes used for observation and treatment inside body cavities are cleaned and disinfected after use before being used for the next time. Therefore, the entire endoscope has a watertight structure to prevent cleaning water from entering the endoscope during cleaning.

Furthermore, disinfection is performed using ethylene oxide gas (hereinafter referred to as EOG), and this EOG is performed in an atmosphere at approximately 55°C.

[Problem that the invention attempts to solve]

According to the conventional techniques described above, the endoscope has a watertight structure. For this reason, approximately
When heated to 55°C, the flexible jacket of the flexible tube, especially the angle part, expands like a balloon, and in severe cases may burst, and even if it does not, this expansion repeats every time it is disinfected. There is a problem in that durability becomes extremely low due to elastic fatigue.

In addition, some models have a hole in the guide tube that communicates between the inside of the endoscope and the outside air, and air is forced in through this hole to test watertightness.This hole is used during heating and disinfection. Some models are designed to equalize the pressure between the inside of the endoscope and the outside air to prevent expansion, but in this case, water and humidity can enter the endoscope and pollute the inside of the endoscope, and there is also electrical wiring. There is a risk of electrical leakage.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides a watertight endoscope consisting of a flexible tube section, a handle section, and a guide tube section, each of which has a watertight structure, and each connecting section thereof has a watertight structure. It is characterized in that a water-blocking filter is disposed, and an opening is provided in the guide tube section to connect the inside of the endoscope and the outside air.

[Effect]

According to the above configuration, the inside of the endoscope is always in communication with the outside air, and by providing a filter in the end of the guide tube, water does not enter the endoscope during cleaning, and furthermore, the EOG is used to prevent water from entering the endoscope. During thermal disinfection, the pressure inside the endoscope and the outside air become equal, thereby preventing expansion of the flexible tube section.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of the endoscope, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main parts. It consists of a rigid part 2 having a water spout etc., followed by an angle part 3 for changing the observation direction of the observation window, and further followed by a flexible tube 4. In general, an image guide, a light guide, an air and water supply tube, a suction tube, a forceps introduction tube, an angle operation wire, etc. are passed through the flexible tube section 1.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a handle portion, which includes an eyepiece portion 6, an angle operation dial 7, a forceps introduction port 8, and the like.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a guide tube section, which guides the light guide, air, water supply tubes, etc. as a single guide, or guides them divided into a plurality of guide tubes, and in this embodiment, one guide tube is shown. Reference numeral 10 denotes a connection plug, which can be connected to a light source device (not shown) or the like.

Each of the flexible tube section 1, the handle section 5, and the guide tube section 9 and each connection section have a watertight and airtight structure, and constitute the endoscope 11 as a whole.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an opening provided in the guide tube section 9, which communicates the inside of the endoscope 11 with the outside air. 13 is a stopper attached to this opening 12, and has a cap 14.

A filter 15 is provided inside the end of the guide tube portion 9, and is made of a material such as Gore-Tex (registered trademark) that allows air to pass through but not moisture. Placed in close contact with the surface,
A light guide, air and water supply pipes, as well as a suction pipe, etc., are passed through the guide tube part 9 in close contact with each other, and air is allowed to pass through the endoscope through this filter 15, but moisture and moisture are not allowed to pass through. become.

In addition, by arranging such a filter 15 in the rear end of the flexible tube section 1 as necessary, it is possible to prevent the watertight structure at the connection point between the flexible tube section 1 and the handle section 5 from breaking. For example, it is possible to prevent bodily fluids during observation and washing water from entering the flexible tube section 1 during cleaning.

According to the above structure, the cap 14 is normally fitted to the stopper 13 and used for observation work, etc., and by closing the stopper 13 with the cap 14, it is possible to prevent dirt from entering the opening 12. It's getting old.

Next, after using it for observation, it is cleaned and disinfected.
The cleaning is performed with the cap 14 attached to the stopper 13.

Therefore, when disinfecting, remove cap 14 and use stopper 1.
3 is opened to communicate the inside of the endoscope with the outside air. Since this communication state is achieved through the filter 15, the air within the endoscope is communicated, but no water or moisture enters the endoscope. In this state, the EOG is heated and sterilized, but the pressure inside the flexible tube of the endoscope is equal to that of the outside air.
Disinfection can be performed without expanding due to heating.

After the disinfection is completed, the cap 14 is fitted onto the stopper 13 to return it to its original state.

Although the stopper 13 and the cap 14 are not necessarily necessary in the above configuration, by providing the cap 14 to the stopper 13, dirt, etc. can be kept away from the opening 1 during cleaning, etc.
2, and in this case, the opening 12 is always open. A net or a plate with small holes may be attached to the opening 12 in order to prevent such infiltration of dirt and the like.

[Effect of idea]

According to the present invention as described above, in an endoscope having a watertight structure, a breathable and water-blocking filter is built in at least the rear end of the guide tube, and air is allowed to enter through the opening provided in the guide tube. By preventing water and humidity from entering, the inside of the endoscope can be communicated with the outside air and have equal pressure during heating disinfection using EOG, which eliminates the expansion of the flexible tube of the endoscope that previously occurred. It has the effect of preventing water and moisture from entering the endoscope, improving the durability of the endoscope, and preventing electrical leakage due to water intrusion when there is a built-in electric wire. It will be possible to prevent this.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of the endoscope, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the main part. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Flexible tube part, 5... Handle part, 9... Guide tube part, 12... Opening, 15... Filter.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] In a watertight endoscope consisting of a flexible tube section, a handle section, and a guide tube section, each of which and each connecting section thereof has a watertight structure, at least the rear part of the guide tube section. A watertight endoscope, characterized in that a breathable and water-blocking filter is disposed within the end, and an opening is provided in the guide tube section on the rear end side of the location where the filter is disposed, allowing communication between the inside of the endoscope and the outside air. .