JPH0532089Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] This invention relates to an improvement of an endoscopic cell collection device that is inserted into a body cavity through a treatment tool insertion channel of an endoscope to collect cells.

[Prior Art] In general, endoscopes have a configuration in which a brush is inserted into a biological cavity through the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, and cells are collected by rubbing the brush against the surface of the biological cavity. Cell collection tools are known. This brush is normally housed in a tube and inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope.

By the way, when the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into a living body cavity, mucus such as body fluid adheres to the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion channel. Therefore, after inserting the insertion section of the endoscope into the body cavity, when the brush inside the tube is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of the endoscope, mucus adheres to the inner surface of the insertion channel. Since there is a risk that the mucus etc. may enter the tube, there is a problem that when the brush is pushed out from inside the tube during cell collection, the brush may be contaminated by adhesion to the brush. If the brush becomes contaminated with mucus or the like, there is a risk that the brush may be contaminated with unnecessary cells from areas other than the sampled area, and bacteria may enter the brush during cell testing, making it impossible to perform accurate testing.

Therefore, U.S. Patent No. 4,235,244 specifies the first
As shown in Figure 2, a stopper b made of a substance that is dissolved and absorbed within the body cavity is fitted to the tip of the outer tube a.
The plug b prevents mucus etc. from entering the outer tube a except when collecting cells, and when collecting cells, the plug b is pushed down inside the body cavity by the inner tube c and the brush d is pushed out. Accordingly, there has been proposed a structure that prevents the brush d from being contaminated with mucus or the like from adhering to the brush d when the brush d is pushed out.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 13, Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-29693 discloses that a disc-shaped opening/closing lid f is formed at the tip of the outer tube e and extends integrally with the outer tube e, so that the outer tube e can be elastically restored. The distal opening g of the outer tube e is closed by force, and the opening/closing lid f prevents mucus etc. from entering the outer tube e except when collecting cells, and also prevents mucus etc. from entering the body cavity when collecting cells. By pushing this opening/closing lid f open using the inner tube h to open the tip opening g, and in this state, pushing out the brush i,
A structure has been proposed that prevents the brush i from being contaminated by unnecessary mucus or the like from other parts than the sampling site when the brush i is pushed out to the outside.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] With the configuration as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,235,244, there is a problem that the plug b made of a substance that is dissolved and absorbed within the body cavity is easily left in the body cavity and becomes a foreign object. It was hot.

Furthermore, in the structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-29693, the peripheral edge of the opening/closing lid f seems to be biased so as to tightly fit into the outer edge of the outer tube e.
Because the outer tube e has a substantially slit-shaped opening in a part of the outer edge, it is not completely sealed, so it can be inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel of an extremely curved endoscope. When the cell collection device was moved back and forth, there was a risk that the opening/closing lid f would be opened unnecessarily, as shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, mucus, etc. adhering to the inner surface of the insertion channel enters the outer tube e through the gap j between the unnecessarily opened opening/closing lid f and the tip opening g of the outer tube e, and the brush i There was a problem that this mucus etc. adhered to the surface and became contaminated. Further, since the opening/closing lid f closes the distal end opening g of the outer tube e by its own elastic restoring force, there is a problem in that it is difficult to manufacture the opening/closing lid f.

This idea was developed with attention to the above circumstances, and it is possible to reliably collect only the cells from the target site without contaminating the cells in the body cavity with germs from other areas during cell collection. I can,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic cell collection device that allows accurate cell testing and is easy to manufacture.

[Means for solving the problem] This invention uses a closure membrane formed from the material of the outer tube itself that can be broken by abutment from inside the outer tube when using a cell collection tool, on the distal end surface of the outer tube. It was established.

[Function] When the cell collection tool is not in use, the closure membrane on the distal end of the outer tube closes the inside of the outer tube to prevent mucus, etc. from entering the outer tube, and prevents use of the cell collection tool. Sometimes, the closing membrane is ruptured by abutment from within the outer tube, and the cell collection tool is pushed out to prevent cells in the body cavity from being contaminated with germs from areas other than the intended collection site. This ensures that only the cells from the target site are collected and that accurate cell testing is performed. Furthermore, the closure membrane on the distal end surface of the outer tube is formed from the material of the outer tube itself, thereby facilitating manufacturing.

[Example] Hereinafter, a first example of this invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

Figure 1 shows the channel 2 for inserting the treatment instrument of the endoscope 1.
2 shows a schematic configuration of an endoscopic cell collection device inserted into the cell. For example, this endoscopic cell collection device uses FEP (fluorinated ethylene-propylene copolymer).
A flexible outer tube 3 made of a synthetic resin material such as the like is provided. An operating wire 4 is inserted into the outer tube 3 so as to be freely advanced and retracted. A brush (cell collection tool) 5 is provided at the tip of the operating wire 4 and can be pulled into the outer tube 3 and stored therein, and a tip 6 is fixed to the tip of the brush 5.

Further, an operating knob 7 is provided at the proximal end of the outer tube 3. Further, an operating ring 8 is provided at the proximal end of the operating wire 4. The operating knob 7 and the operating ring 8 form an operating mechanism 9 that can move the operating wire 4 forward and backward with respect to the outer tube 3.

On the other hand, the distal end surface of the outer tube 3 is provided with a closing membrane 3a formed of the material of the outer tube 3 itself, which can be broken by abutment from within the outer tube 3 when the brush 5 is in use. This closing membrane 3a protects the tip of the outer tube 3 from the melting point (250°C to 280°C) of its material, FEP.
It is heated at a temperature above and melted to form a thin film with a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, the endoscopic cell collection device is used normally (before use).
As shown in FIG. 1, the brush 5 is drawn into the outer tube 3 and stored, and the distal end surface of the outer tube 3 is held closed by the closing membrane 3a.
Then, the endoscopic cell collection device in this state is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1, which has been inserted into the biological cavity in advance, and introduced into the biological cavity. 3a is brought close to the desired cell collection position 10 such as the inner wall of the body cavity. In this state, the operation ring 8
When pushed toward the distal end, the operating wire 4 moves forward with respect to the outer tube 3, and the distal tip 6 abuts against the closing membrane 3a on the distal end surface of the outer tube 3. When the operating ring 8 is pushed further toward the distal end from this position, the obturator membrane 3a at the distal end of the outer tube 3 is pierced by the distal tip 6, and the brush 5 protrudes forward of the outer tube 3, as shown in FIG. be done. In this state, the brush 5 is moved back and forth while being pressed against the target internal wall of the biological cavity at the cell collection position 10 to scrape the internal wall of the biological cavity and collect cells.

Furthermore, after cell collection, the operating ring 8 is pulled toward the user's hand, and the brush 5 is pulled into the outer tube 3 and stored. Then, in this state, the endoscopic cell collection tool is removed from the treatment tool insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1.

Therefore, in the case of the above-mentioned structure, the distal end surface of the outer tube 3 is connected to the closing membrane 3 until the tip of the outer tube 3 of the endoscopic cell collection device reaches the cell collection position 10 in the biological cavity.
Since the brush 5 can be held in a closed state by the endoscope 1 and the inner side of the outer tube 3 can be held in a state where it is reliably isolated from the outside side, the brush 5 can be held in a closed state by the endoscope 1. It is possible to prevent the inner surface of the treatment instrument insertion channel 2 from being contaminated by mucus or the like adhering to it. Therefore, it is possible to reliably collect only the cells from the target site, so that accurate cell testing can be performed and the reliability of the testing can be increased. In addition, the obturator membrane 3 of the outer tube 3
In a, the tip of the outer tube 3 is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point of its material, FEP, and melted to a thickness of 0.1 mm.
Since the film is formed into a relatively thin film, manufacturing can be facilitated.

Further, FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of this invention.

In this case, the closing membrane 3a of the outer tube 3 is formed into a substantially hemispherical shape. In this case, it is possible to improve the slippage between the obturator membrane 3a of the outer tube 3 and the inner wall surface of the living body cavity, thereby preventing the tip of the outer tube 3 from getting caught on the inner wall surface of the living body cavity. The specular cell collection device can be easily inserted into the treatment tool insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1, and the efficiency of cell collection work can be improved.

Furthermore, Figures 4 and 5 show the third part of this invention.
This is an example of the following.

In this case, a thin slit 3b is formed in the center portion of the closing membrane 3a of the outer tube 3 of the first embodiment (inner portion of the tube wall of the outer tube 3). In this case, when the operating ring 8 is pushed toward the distal end and the distal tip 6 butts against the closing membrane 3a on the distal end surface of the outer tube 3,
The tip 6 can easily break through the obturator membrane 3a at the tip of the outer tube 3, and the brush 5 can be inserted into the outer tube 3.
It can be made easier to protrude to the front of the body. Furthermore, since the slit 3b of the obturator membrane 3a is provided not at the outer edge of the outer tube 3 but at the center of the obturator membrane 3a,
When moving this cell collection device forward and backward within the extremely curved treatment instrument insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1, the slit 3b of the obturating membrane 3a is There is no risk of unnecessary opening, and it is possible to prevent the brush 5 in the outer tube 3 from being contaminated by adhesion of mucus or the like in the body cavity other than the target site of collection.

6 and 7 show a fourth embodiment of this invention.

This is provided with a cross-shaped breaking groove 3c having a depth smaller than the wall thickness of the closing membrane 3a on the outer surface of the closing membrane 3a at the tip of the outer tube 3. In this case, since the thickness of the breaking groove 3c is smaller than the other parts, the operation ring 8 is pushed toward the distal end, and the distal tip 6 is inserted into the closing membrane 3a of the distal end surface of the outer tube 3.
When abutting against the outer tube 3, the closing membrane 3a at the tip of the outer tube 3 can be easily broken along the breaking groove 3c. Therefore, when the brush 5 is used, the closing membrane 3a can be more easily pierced by the distal tip 6, and the brush 5 can be easily projected forward of the outer tube 3.

Furthermore, Figures 8 and 9 show the fifth part of this invention.
This is an example of the following.

This is for a roughly C-shaped break on the outer surface of the obturator membrane 3a at the tip of the outer tube 3, which is approximately the same size as the inner diameter of the outer tube 3 and has a depth smaller than the wall thickness of the obturator membrane 3a. A groove 3d is provided. In this case, effects similar to those of the fourth embodiment can be obtained.

10 and 11 show a sixth embodiment of this invention.

For example, inside the outer tube 3 of the first embodiment,
A flexible inner tube 11 made of a synthetic resin material such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is inserted, and the operating wire 4 is inserted into the inner tube 11 so as to be freely retractable. The brush 5 at the tip is housed inside the inner tube 11. In this case, the proximal end of the outer tube 3 has a first
An operating knob 7a and a second operating knob 7b are provided at the proximal end of the inner tube 11, respectively.
These first and second operation knobs 7a,
7b and the operating ring 8 at the proximal end of the operating wire 4
An operating mechanism 12 is formed by which the inner tube 11 and the operating wire 4 can be moved forward and backward relative to the outer tube 3.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be explained.

First, the endoscopic cell collection device is used normally (before use).
As shown in FIG. 10, the brush 5 is housed in the inner tube 11, and the inner tube 11 is housed in the outer tube 3, and the distal end surface of the outer tube 3 is closed by the closing membrane 3a. It is maintained in the same state. Then, the endoscopic cell collection device in this state is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1, which has been inserted into the biological cavity in advance, and introduced into the biological cavity. 3
A is brought close to the desired cell collection position 10 such as the inner wall of the biological cavity. In this state, first turn the second operation knob 7.
When b is pushed toward the distal end, the inner tube 1 moves against the outer tube 3.
1 moves forward and hits the closing membrane 3a on the distal end surface of the outer tube 3. From this position, press the second operation knob 7.
When b is pushed toward the distal end, the closing membrane 3a at the distal end of the outer tube 3 is pierced by the inner tube 11, as shown in FIG. Then, when the operating ring 8 is continuously pushed out toward the distal end in this state, the outer tube 3 and the inner tube 11
The operating wire 4 moves forward, and the brush 5 is projected forward of the inner tube 11. And in this state,
The brush 5 is moved back and forth while being pressed against the target inner wall of the living body cavity at the cell collection position 10 to scrape the inner wall of the living body cavity and collect cells.

Furthermore, after cell collection, the operating ring 8 is pulled toward the user's hand with the first operating knob 7a and the second operating knob 7b fixed, and the brush 5 is pulled into the inner tube 11 and stored. Then, in this state, by pulling the second operating knob 7b toward your hand,
The inner tube 11 is drawn into the outer tube 3 with the brush 5 still housed in the inner tube 11, and in this state, the endoscopic cell collection device is inserted into the treatment instrument insertion channel 2 of the endoscope 1. Remove from.

Therefore, in the case of the above structure, with the brush 5 housed in the inner tube 11, the closing membrane 3a at the tip of the outer tube 3 is pierced and the inner tube 11 is inserted into the outer tube 3.
Since the operation of drawing the brush inward can be performed, it is possible to prevent bacteria and the like attached to the outer surface of the closure membrane 3a from adhering to the brush 5. Therefore, in this case, the reliability of the test can be further improved compared to the first embodiment.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the brush 5 was used as the cell collection tool, but
A sponge, absorbent cotton, etc. may be used instead of the brush 5. Furthermore, it goes without saying that various other modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the invention] According to this invention, a closing membrane formed of the material of the outer tube itself that can be broken by abutment from inside the outer tube when using the cell collection tool is provided on the distal end surface of the outer tube. Therefore, when collecting cells, only the cells in the target area can be reliably collected without contaminating the cells in the body cavity with bacteria from other areas than the target area, and accurate cell testing can be performed. At the same time, manufacturing can be facilitated.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of this invention, and FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an endoscopic cell collection device inserted into a channel for inserting a treatment device of an endoscope. , FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of use of the cell collection tool, FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the main part configuration of the second embodiment, and FIGS. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of main parts, Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line - - in Fig. 4, and Figs. 6 and 7 show the fourth embodiment. is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the same,
8 and 9 show the fifth embodiment, in which FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the main structure, FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG. 8, and FIGS. 10 and 11. 10 shows a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an endoscopic cell collection device inserted into the channel for inserting the treatment device of the endoscope, and FIG. 11 shows the state of rupture of the obturator membrane. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part showing a conventional example, and FIGS. 13 and 14 show another conventional example, and FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cell collection device is advanced and retreated within an extremely curved treatment device insertion channel of an endoscope. 1... Endoscope, 2... Channel for insertion of treatment instrument, 3... Outer tube, 3a... Obturator membrane, 4... Operating wire, 5... Brush (cell collection tool), 9... Operating mechanism.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] The operating wire is inserted into the flexible outer tube that is inserted into the channel for inserting the treatment instrument of the endoscope, so that it can move forward and backward.
In the cell collection device for an endoscope, the cell collection device for an endoscope is provided with a cell collection device that can be drawn into and stored in the outer tube at the distal end of the operation wire, and an operation mechanism that can move the operation wire forward and backward with respect to the outer tube. An endoscope characterized in that a closing membrane formed of the material of the outer tube itself, which can be broken by abutment from inside the outer tube when using a cell collection tool, is provided on the distal end surface of the outer tube. Mirror cell collection tool.