JPH06225851A - Endoscope cover type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To bend a curved pipe with an endoscope cover fitted by connecting multiple curved pieces in the axial direction rotatably on a support shaft to form a curve section, and setting the angle of the curve section large with the shoulder sizes of adjacent curved pieces. CONSTITUTION:Multiple curved pieces 193 are connected in the axial direction to form a curved pipe 194 having a curve section 192. Adjacent curved pieces 193 are rotatably supported by a support shaft 199. The curve angle of the curve section 192 is determined by the shoulder sizes (h), (i), (j), (k) between a connecting piece 197 and a pair of adjacent curved pieces 193. The shoulder sizes are properly set to increase the curve angle of the curve section 192. The desired curve angle is obtained while an endoscope cover is fitted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope of an endoscope cover type which uses an endoscope cover to prevent contamination of the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscopes for inserting a slender insertion portion into a body cavity for diagnosis and treatment have become widespread. In endoscopy, it is necessary to use a clean endoscope that has been thoroughly washed and disinfected before the examination. For this reason, endoscopes contaminated by use in the body cavity of a patient are cleaned and disinfected in various ways before being used in the next patient. However, it takes a very long time to complete the cleaning.

In order to solve this drawback, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-5
In 4734 and USP 3,162,190, etc., a disposable endoscope cover type endoscope is disclosed in place of the repeatedly used endoscope. In this proposal, by covering the endoscope with an endoscope cover,
It is designed to prevent the endoscope from being contaminated. The endoscope cover provided with a channel described below may be referred to as an endoscope cover with a channel.

The endoscope with a channel (with a channel) is composed of an endoscope cover with a channel and an endoscope for a channel (with a channel) (hereinafter referred to as a cover endoscope). The channeled endoscope cover can cover the insertion portion of the cover endoscope. By inserting the cover endoscope with the channel-covered endoscope cover into the body cavity of the patient, the cover endoscope is prevented from being contaminated. After use, the disposable endoscope cover with a channel is removed and discarded.

An image pickup system or an observation optical system and a light guide fiber are formed in the insertion portion of the cover endoscope. On the other hand, the forceps channels and the air / water supply pipes may be contaminated with body fluids, etc. Moreover, since they are slender and difficult to clean and disinfect, these channels etc. should be attached integrally to the endoscope cover with channels. Disposable.
That is, a treatment instrument channel and both-end open pipes such as an air supply / water supply pipe are provided on an endoscope cover with a channel. Thus, by disposing the channel-equipped endoscope cover for each patient, cleaning and disinfection of the cover endoscope can be eliminated, which is extremely hygienic. Since it is not necessary to wash and disinfect the cover endoscope, it is possible to continuously perform endoscopic examination on a plurality of patients.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the insertion portion of the endoscope is mounted on the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover with a channel, and FIG. 22 (a) shows a cross section cut in the radial direction. FIG.22 (b) shows the side cross section cut | disconnected in the longitudinal direction.

[0007] The insertion portion cover portion 301 of the endoscope cover with a channel has an air supply conduit 302 and a water supply conduit 3 on the upper surface side.
03 and suction line 304 are provided. Hereinafter, what is included on the upper surface side in the insertion portion cover portion 301 is the built-in object 3
Also called 10. In addition, an endoscope insertion channel 305 for inserting the insertion portion of the cover endoscope is provided on the lower surface side of the insertion portion cover portion 301. In this way, since the pipe lines 302, 303, 304 are provided,
As shown in FIG. 22, the insertion portion 306 of the cover endoscope.
Are not arranged at the center of the insertion portion cover portion 301, but are arranged deviated to the lower surface side.

The outer periphery of the insert cover 301 is covered with a soft insert cover skin 307. Further, a cover distal end portion 309 that covers the insertion portion distal end portion 308 of the cover endoscope is formed at the distal end of the insertion portion cover portion 301.

By the way, the insertion portion 306 of the endoscope for cover is used.
Has a bendable tip to allow observation and diagnosis in any direction. The insertion portion cover portion 30 is attached to the insertion portion 306.
The bending angle of the distal end when No. 1 is attached becomes a smaller value than the bending angle of the insertion portion 306 alone due to the bending resistance of the insertion portion cover portion 301.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view for explaining the bending angle of the insertion portion 306 to which the insertion portion cover portion 301 is attached.

The insertion portion 306 has a flexible portion 311, a bendable bending portion 312, and a hard tip portion 308 from the proximal side of the operation portion toward the tip. Now, it is assumed that the bending radius of the bending portion 312 is R1. In this case, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 306 is bent by about 90 degrees. Further, it is assumed that the bending radius of the bending portion 312 is R2 smaller than R1. In this case, the bending angle of the insertion portion 306 is about 180 degrees. In this way, when the bending lengths are the same, the bending angle becomes larger as the bending radius becomes smaller.

Now, assume that the insertion portion 306 is curved in the direction of the built-in object 310. In this case, as shown in FIG. 22, when the bending radius of the built-in object 310 is b, the bending radius of the insertion portion 306 is d larger than b. Also,
When the insertion portion 306 is curved to the lower surface side, the built-in portion 3
When the bending radii of 10 and the insertion portion 306 are a and c, respectively, a> c.

In order to match the bending radii c and d of the insertion portion 306 in the lower surface direction and the upper surface direction, the bending radius b of the internal component 310 in the upper surface direction must be smaller than the bending radius a in the lower surface direction. However, in that case, the bending resistance of the built-in object 310 increases. Therefore, a large force is required to bend it sufficiently. On the other hand, when the insertion portion 306 is curved to the lower surface side, the portion of which the bending radius needs to be smaller than that of the insertion portion 306 is the soft insertion portion cover outer cover 307, and the built-in object 310 having a relatively large bending resistance. Need only be bent with a bending radius larger than that of the insertion portion 306, and even when covered with the insertion portion cover portion 301, the influence on the bending operation is relatively small. After all, the upper surface side, especially the built-in object 310
There is a problem that it is difficult to bend in the direction, and a small bending radius cannot be obtained.

For example, when the bending angle of the insertion section 306 alone is set to 10 degrees in each direction, the insertion section cover section 30 is used.
In the state where 1 is attached, 1 is set in the direction other than the built-in object 310.
A bending angle of 70 degrees is obtained, but only a bending angle of 160 degrees is obtained in the direction of the built-in object 310.

By the way, the insertion portion cover portion is provided with a forceps port communicating with the treatment instrument channel. If necessary, an accessory such as a T-shaped tube or thruster, a forceps plug, or a mouthpiece may be attached to the forceps opening for use.

However, while the insertion portion cover portion is sterilized and is disposable, the accessory attached to the forceps port is used repeatedly. Therefore, there is a drawback that these accessories must be sterilized every time the conventional endoscope of the endoscope cover type is used. In addition, since the hospital sterilizes the accessories, they were sometimes used without being sterilized.

The insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover is formed in an elongated shape, and is composed of a cover front end portion, a cover flexible portion, and an endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion from the front end side. The insertion portion of the endoscope for the cover is inserted through the opening of the endoscope insertion channel provided in the mouth portion for fixing the endoscope operation portion, and the cover side of the mouth portion for fixing the endoscope operation portion and the cover. The distal end side of the operating portion of the medical endoscope is connected.

The operating portion is provided with a universal cord mounting portion through which a light guide fiber or the like for transmitting illumination light is inserted. The universal cord is inserted from the light source device through the operation portion and the insertion portion and sends illumination light to the tip portion of the insertion portion. On the other hand, the air supply / water supply / suction conduits and the like are inserted from the fluid control device into the inside of the insertion section cover through the proximal side opening of the endoscope operation section fixing mouth of the insertion section cover.

These conduits are provided with the space between the insertion portion cover portion and the fluid control device exposed, and the handling of these conduits is complicated. Although it is possible to use these conduits along with the universal cord, the universal cord attachment part and the proximal side opening of the endoscope operation part fixing mouth part are configured to be separated from each other. Therefore, the pipeline cannot be easily routed. Therefore, there is a drawback that the operation of the operation unit is hindered.

By the way, a plurality of types of cover endoscopes are prepared according to the purpose of use. For example, the diameter of the insertion portion and the length of the insertion portion are different. On the other hand, a plurality of types of insertion portion cover portions that cover the insertion portion are prepared in accordance with the diameter and length of the insertion portion.

Further, there are a plurality of types of insertion section cover sections applicable to one type of cover endoscope. For example, the diameter of the forceps channel shared with the suction conduit is different. In addition, a large number of cover endoscopes applicable to one type of insert cover portion are also prepared, such as an electric bending type and an angle knob type. Further, there are a plurality of types of the number of pixels of the image pickup device provided in the observation optical system of the cover endoscope.

The operator selects and mounts a desired endoscope cover corresponding to the selected endoscope for the cover. However, there are many possible combinations of the cover endoscope and the endoscope cover, and there is a high possibility that an undesired endoscope cover is erroneously mounted.

[0023]

As described above, in the above-mentioned conventional endoscope of the endoscope cover type, it is difficult to bend in the direction of the built-in object, and a sufficient bending angle cannot be obtained. was there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope of an endoscope cover system capable of obtaining a desired bending angle in any direction. .

[Constitution of the Invention]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope cover type endoscope according to the present invention includes an endoscope for an endoscope and an endoscope cover for covering the endoscope for the endoscope. And an insertion part that is a portion on the distal end side of the endoscope for an endoscope cover and is bendable at an angle larger than a bending angle required in a state where the endoscope cover is mounted. It was done.

[0026]

In the present invention, the endoscope for the endoscope cover is covered with the endoscope cover. An insertion portion is formed on the distal end side of the endoscope for an endoscope cover, and the insertion portion can be bent at an angle larger than the bending angle required when the endoscope cover is mounted. . This allows
Even when the endoscope cover is attached, the insertion portion bends at the required bending angle.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 21 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a bending portion of a cover endoscope, FIG.
Is an explanatory view for explaining the operation of the bending portion, FIG. 3 is an overall external view of an endoscope apparatus using an endoscope of an endoscope cover system with a channel, and FIG. 4 is a cover endoscope. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover with a channel is attached to the insertion portion, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the cover endoscope, and FIG. 6 is a front end portion of the insertion portion of the cover endoscope. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cover distal end portion of an insertion portion cover portion of an endoscope cover with a channel and its vicinity, FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an electric bending device of a cover endoscope, and FIG. 12 to 12 are explanatory views showing the method of assembling the insertion portion cover in the order of steps, FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the vicinity of the forceps insertion port, FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the forceps plug, and FIG. 15 is a cover endoscope. FIG. 16 is a side view, FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the insertion portion cover portion, and FIG. 17 is A- of FIG. Description view taken in line 18
16 is an explanatory view seen from the line BB in FIG. 16, and FIG. 19 is a side view showing a state in which the operation portion of the endoscope of the endoscope cover system shown in FIGS. FIG. 20 is a side view showing the insertion section cover part of the endoscope cover, and FIG. 21 is a side view showing the cover endoscope.

First, the entire endoscope apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.

An endoscope apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3 includes an endoscope 2 of an endoscope cover system with a channel, a cover holder 3, a light source device 4 as a peripheral device, a video processor 5, a fluid control device 6 and an internal device. The endoscope cover extender 7 and a cart 8 in which these peripheral devices are stored are configured. The endoscope 2 of the endoscope cover system with a channel comprises a combination of an endoscope cover 121 with a channel and a cover endoscope 190, and at the time of inspection, the cover endoscope 1
90 is covered by an endoscope cover 121 with a channel. The channel-equipped endoscope cover 121 covers the insertion portion 191 (see FIG. 4) and the like of the cover endoscope 190,
It does not require cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope after the inspection, and is composed of the insertion portion cover portion 13, the operation portion cover 122, and the universal cord cover 15.

The light source device 4 supplies illumination light to the cover endoscope 190. The cover endoscope 190 has an operation section 17 and an insertion section 191, and a universal cord 18 is extended from the operation section 17. The universal cord 18 is detachably connected to the light source device 4 by the connector 19, and the illumination light from the light source device 4 is supplied to the cover endoscope 190 via a light guide fiber (not shown) inserted in the universal cord 18. It In addition, a signal line for transmitting an electric signal from the cover endoscope 190 is also provided in the universal code, and the signal line is transmitted via a signal code 20 extending from a side portion of the connector 19 to a video processor. Connected to 5. The video processor 5 is adapted to convert an electric signal from the electronic cover endoscope 190 into a standard video signal.

The fluid control device 6 has a water supply source and an air supply source, which are not shown, and performs air supply and water supply through the air supply conduit 21 and the water supply conduit 22, respectively, and also through the suction conduit 23. And suction. The air supply conduit 21, the water supply conduit 22, and the suction conduit 23 are integrally attached to the channel-equipped endoscope cover 121 as described later. Opening and closing of the pipelines 21, 22, and 23 are controlled by a solenoid valve 24.

Further, the endoscope cover expander 7 can be connected to the expansion tube mouth 26 of the channel-equipped endoscope cover 121 via the expansion tube 25, and can be connected via the expansion tube 25 to the inside of the channel cover. Endoscope cover 121
It is designed so that it can be expanded by sending air to it. With this expansion, the endoscope cover 121 with a channel can be attached to the cover endoscope 190, and the cover endoscope 1 can be attached.
It becomes easy to remove from 90. The cover holder 3 has a locking part 58, and the insertion part cover part 13 of the endoscope cover 121 with a channel can be hooked and held on the locking part 58. By holding the channel-equipped endoscope cover 121 with the cover holder 3, the mounting is facilitated, and since it is not necessary to touch the channel-equipped endoscope cover 121 with a hand at the time of mounting, it is sanitary.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cover endoscope 190 is provided with an operating portion 17 from the proximal side, and an inserting portion 1 which is connected to the operating portion 17 and is elongated so that it can be inserted into a subject.
And 91. Insertion part 1 of the endoscope 190 for a cover
Reference numeral 91 denotes the flexible portion 3 from the hand side of the operation portion toward the tip.
2. It has a bendable portion 192 and a hard tip portion 28. The insertion portion 191 is formed, for example, in a semicircular shape in cross section in order to secure a space for the conduits 21 to 23 of the endoscope cover 121 with a channel. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the insertion portion 191 of the cover endoscope 190 is covered with the channel-equipped endoscope cover 121.

As shown in FIG. 4, an illumination optical system and an observation optical system 29 (not shown) are arranged at the tip portion 28 of the insertion portion 191. An emission end of a light guide fiber (not shown) is arranged at the rear end of the illumination optical system, and the light source device 4 is inserted by the light guide fiber inserted through the insertion portion 191, the operation portion 17 and the universal cord 18.
Is supplied to illuminate the inside of the lumen. At the rear end of the observation optical system 29, a solid-state image sensor 30 that converts the reflected light from the observation site into an electric signal is arranged. The electric signal from the solid-state image sensor 30 is supplied to the video processor 5 via the signal code 20 described above.

On the other hand, the endoscope cover 121 with a channel
The insertion portion cover portion 13 is a portion that covers the insertion portion 191 of the cover endoscope 190, the operation portion cover 122 is a portion that covers the operation portion 17 of the cover endoscope, and the universal cord cover 15 is universal. This is a part that covers the cord 18. The cover endoscope 190 is used for inspection in a state where all of the insertion section cover section 13, the operation section cover 122 and the universal code cover 15 are attached.

The insertion portion cover portion 13 is formed in a slender shape and, as shown in FIG. 4, is constituted by an endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 36, a cover flexible portion 37 and a cover tip portion 38 from the proximal side. Has been done. Mouth part 36 for fixing the endoscope operation part
The cover tip 38 is formed of a hard material.
Further, the mouthpiece portion 36 for fixing the endoscope operation portion and the tip portion 3 of the cover 3
The flexible portion 37 between the cover 8 and the flexible portion 8 has flexibility, and the surface thereof is covered with the insertion portion cover outer skin 39.

As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion portion cover portion 13
Inside the insertion portion 191 of the cover endoscope 190.
Endoscope insertion channel 41, through which air can be inserted, and air supply conduit 2
1, a water supply conduit 22 and a suction conduit 23 are configured.
In the endoscope insertion channel 41, a closing member that closes a portion other than the endoscope insertion channel 41, the air supply conduit 21, the water supply conduit 22 and the suction conduit 23 in the mouthpiece 36 for fixing the endoscope operation portion. An opening 43 formed by 42 is provided. By substantially matching the diameter of the opening 43 and the diameter of the insertion portion 191, the insertion portion 191 is inserted in a state of being in close contact with the opening 43 of the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 36. . The operation section 17 of the endoscope 190 for cover and the respective conduits 21, 2 are attached to the mouth section 36 for fixing the endoscope operation section.
2, 23 are attached, the opening 43 is closed at this time, and the insertion part 191 is airtightly mounted in the insertion part cover part 13.

As shown in FIG. 6, a cover endoscope 190 is provided.
An exit end 45 of the illumination optical system and an entrance end 46 of the observation optical system 29 are provided at the tip end portion 28 of the insertion section. On the other hand, the insertion portion cover portion 13 of the endoscope cover 121 with a channel
As shown in FIG. 7, the cover distal end portion 38 is provided with a transparent illumination window 47 at the distal end position of the endoscope insertion channel 41 facing the emitting end 45 of the insertion portion distal end portion 28.
A transparent observation window 48 is provided at the tip position of the endoscope insertion channel 41 facing the entrance end 46.

The cover tip portion 38 of the insertion portion cover portion 13 projects toward the tip side from the endoscope insertion channel 41 side on the air feeding conduit 21, the water feeding conduit 22 and the suction conduit 23 side, and the suction conduit 23 Is communicated with a forceps outlet 49 that is open to the tip side of the cover tip 38. Air line 2
1 and an observation window 48 which is bent at the tip of the water supply conduit 22 respectively.
Air supply nozzle 50 and water supply nozzle 51 opening toward
Are formed.

The hard cover tip 38 of the insert cover 13 is hermetically connected to the insert cover skin 39. The cover endoscope 39 and the cover 52 of the air supply conduit 21 and the water supply conduit 22 allow the cover endoscope 190 to be covered.
The distal end side of the insertion portion 191 is isolated from the external environment. Further, the insertion portion cover outer skin 39 is airtightly connected to the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 36 on the near side,
The proximal side of the insertion portion 191 includes the closing member 42 and the insertion portion 191.
It is completely isolated from the external environment by itself. A forceps insertion port 53 is provided in the endoscope operation part fixing mouth part 36, and the forceps insertion port 53 is connected to the suction conduit 23.

In this embodiment, the bending of the bending portion 192 of the insertion portion 191 is electric. As shown in FIG. 5, a universal cord 18 is connected to a side portion of the operating portion 17 of the electric bending type cover endoscope 190, and the universal cord 18 is provided outside the light source device 4 of FIG. It is also connected to the control device 123. Further, a bending switch 126 for instructing the bending direction of the bending portion 192 is provided on the operation unit 17, and the bending switch 126 bends the bending portion 192 of the insertion portion 191 vertically and horizontally. It has an instruction unit 127.

As shown in FIG. 8, a DC drive motor 128 for vertically bending the bending portion 192 and a sprocket 130 fixed to a drive shaft 129 of the driving motor 128 are provided in the operating portion 17. A bending chain 131 that meshes with the sprocket 130 is provided. Then, the bending operation wires 133, 13 are connected to the ends of the bending chain 131 via the bending connecting members 132, 132.
3 are connected.

On the other hand, the bending portion 192 of the insertion portion 191 has a plurality of bending pieces 193 inside, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.
Is provided with a curved tube 194. The bending operation wires 133 and 133 are inserted through the flexible portion 32 and the bending portion 192 and are connected to the bending piece 193a on the most distal side.

The driving of the bending portion 192 thus constructed is controlled by the bending switch 126. That is, when the bending direction instruction section 127 of each direction of the bending switch 126 is selectively pushed, a bending operation signal according to the selected / designated direction is generated. This bending operation signal is input into the motor control device 123 via a cable (not shown) in the universal cord 18. The motor control device 123 detects the designated bending direction from the input bending operation signal, determines the drive motor to be driven and its rotation direction, and gives an instruction to supply power to the drive motor. For example, when the bending direction instructing unit 127 instructs driving in the vertical direction, the universal cord 18 is applied to the drive motor 128.
Drive power is supplied through a cable (not shown) in the drive motor 128, and the drive motor 128 rotates in a designated direction.

The rotation of the drive motor 128 depends on the drive shaft 12
9, transmitted to the bending operation wire 133 via the sprocket 130 and the bending chain 131. In this way, the upper and lower bending operation wires 133, 133 are pulled or loosened, and the bending piece 193a at the tip moves upward or downward to bend the bending portion 192.

Although FIG. 8 shows a device for driving the bending portion 192 to bend in the vertical direction, a device for driving the bending portion 192 to bend in the horizontal direction has the same structure, and illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 specifically shows the structure of the bending portion 192.

A plurality of bending pieces 193 are connected in the axial direction of the bending portion 192. The bending piece 193 is an annular member having a surface along the inner peripheral surface of the bending tube 194, and convex portions 195a and 195b protruding in opposite directions in the connecting direction (front-back direction) between the upper and lower surfaces and the left and right central portions. Have. That is, when the bending piece 193 is viewed from the side surface (direction perpendicular to the paper surface), the convex portions 195a on the upper and lower surfaces project in one direction and the convex portion 195b at the central part projects in the other direction. Also, the bending piece 193
When viewed from above, the central projection 195a projects in one direction and the left and right projections 195b project in the other direction. In the bending piece 193, a pair of connecting pieces 196 is formed on the upper and lower convex portions 195a, and a pair of connecting pieces 197 is formed on the central convex portion 195b. And the adjacent bending piece 19
The connecting pieces 196 or the connecting pieces 197 are rotatably connected to each other by the support shafts 198 and 199.

That is, by the vertical support shaft 198,
The adjacent bending pieces 193 are rotatable in the left-right direction, and the horizontal (left-right) support shaft 199 allows the adjacent bending pieces 193 to be rotated in the vertical direction. As a result, the bending portion 192 bends in the left-right direction with the rotation shaft 200 as an axis and in the up-down direction with the rotation shaft 201 as an axis. The bending piece 193 is covered with the blade 202.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the curved portion 192 has an arc-shaped cross section, and each connecting piece 197 is provided at the center of this arc in the vertical direction.

The vertical bending angle is the shoulder of the bending pieces 193 connected by the connecting piece 197, that is, the bending piece 193.
Is determined by the horizontal and vertical dimensions h, i, j, k of the portion between the upper and lower surfaces of the connecting piece 197 and the connecting piece 197. That is, the larger the horizontal shoulder size h, i, the larger the maximum bending angle, and the smaller the vertical direction shoulder size j, k, the larger the maximum bending angle. In FIG. 1, the shoulder opening dimension h on the upper surface side and the shoulder opening dimension i on the lower surface side are substantially the same, but the shoulder opening dimension j on the upper surface side of the connecting piece 197 is set to be smaller than the shoulder opening dimension k on the lower surface side. The portion 192 is set so that the bending angle on the upper surface side is larger than that on the lower surface side.
Further, when the bending portion 192 is not bent in the vertical direction, the angles 1 and m formed by the connecting piece 197 and the upper and lower shoulders of the adjacent bending piece 193 are 1> m.

Although the shoulder openings h and i are set to be substantially equal in FIG. 1, the shape of the bending piece 193 can be changed to set the shoulder openings h and i to i> h. Then, for example, the bending portion 192 can obtain the same bending angle on both the upper surface side and the lower surface side.

FIG. 2 shows a case where the curved portion 192 is curved to the maximum on the upper surface side.

The bending piece 193 rotates about the spindle 199, and the shoulders on the upper surface side of the connecting piece 197 of the bending piece 193 are in contact with each other. This state is a state in which the upper surface is curved to the maximum.

In this embodiment, the set bending angle of the insertion portion 191 alone is set to be larger than the bending angle required in the state where the insertion portion cover portion 9 is attached to the insertion portion 191 in any direction. is doing.

In the endoscope of the endoscope cover type configured as described above, for example, when the insertion portion cover portion 13 is attached to the insertion portion 191, the bending angle required in each direction is 180 degrees. If there is any, the bending angle of the insertion portion 191 alone is set to 200 degrees in each direction. Now, it is assumed that the bending portion 192 is bent in a direction other than the upper surface side (the built-in object side) with the insertion portion cover portion 13 attached to the insertion portion 191. In this case, the insertion portion 191 can be bent at a bending angle of about 190 degrees, since the insertion portion 191 is hardly affected by the internal components. On the other hand, when the bending portion 192 is bent toward the built-in object, the bending angle of the insertion portion 191 is limited to 180 degrees because the built-in object has a great influence.

As described above, when the insertion portion cover portion 13 is attached, only a bending angle smaller than the bending angle set for the insertion portion 191 alone can be obtained. However, the insertion part 19
The bending angle of the single unit is larger than the bending angle required when the insertion section cover section 13 is attached, that is, in consideration of the decrease in the bending angle due to the attachment section cover section 13 being set. Therefore, the required bending angle is 18
You get 0 degrees.

The amount of decrease in the bending angle due to the mounting of the insertion portion cover 13 is experimentally obtained.

Further, as described above, the insertion portion cover portion 1
In the state where 3 is attached, the insertion portion 191 is greatly restricted from bending in the direction of the built-in object. Therefore, the bending angle in the upper surface direction of the insertion portion 191 may be set to be larger than the bending angle in the other directions. For example, the bending portion 192 is configured such that the bending angle of the insertion portion 191 alone is 200 degrees in the built-in direction and 190 degrees in the other directions.

Then, when the insertion portion 191 is bent with the insertion portion cover portion 13 mounted, the bending resistance in the direction of the built-in object is larger than that in the other directions, so that, for example, in either the built-in object direction or the other direction. Can also obtain a bending angle of 180 degrees. Thus, in this case, the same bending angle is obtained in both directions.

Further, when the bending resistance due to the built-in object is extremely large, the maximum bending angle of the bending portion 192 in the upper surface side direction may be made larger than the maximum bending angle of the lower surface side.
That is, the shape of the bending piece 193 is changed to make the upper surface side shoulder opening dimension h in the horizontal direction larger than the lower surface side shoulder opening dimension i. Also, considering the horizontal direction, the maximum bending angle in the upper surface direction is set to be larger than the maximum bending angle in the horizontal direction.

As a result, the limit of the bending angle in the direction of the built-in object can be increased and desired bending angles can be obtained in all directions.

Further, by decreasing the bending radius of the bending portion 192, the limit of the bending angle can be increased. In order to reduce the bending radius, the angles 1 and m formed by the connecting piece 197 and the shoulder of the adjacent bending piece 193 may be increased. Further, the limit of the bending angle can be similarly increased in the horizontal direction.

9 to 12 show a method of assembling the insertion portion cover portion 13 in the order of steps.

The insertion portion cover portion 13 is provided with a mouth portion 36 for fixing the endoscope operation portion from the proximal side, a flexible cover portion 37 covered by an insertion portion cover outer cover 39 having a flexible surface, and a cover tip portion 38. And the air supply line 21 inserted through these,
It is composed of a water supply conduit 22 and a suction conduit 23. By assembling these, the insertion portion cover portion 1
3 is obtained.

That is, first, in the first step shown in FIG. 9, the air supply pipe line 21, the water supply pipe line 22 and the suction pipe line 23 are inserted into the endoscope operating portion fixing mouth portion 36 and fixed.

Next, in the second step shown in FIG. 10, the insertion portion cover mounting surface provided on the distal end of the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 36 is attached to the insertion portion cover mounting surface of the insertion portion cover portion 13. Install 39.

Finally, in the third step shown in FIG.
The proximal end of the cover tip portion 38 is connected to the tip of the insertion portion cover outer skin 39, and the air supply conduit 21, the water supply conduit 22 and the suction conduit 23 in the cover flexible portion 37 and the cover distal end 38 in the cover flexible portion 37 are connected. The pipelines 21, 22, and 23 are connected.

The assembly of the insertion portion cover portion 13 is completed by these three steps. When the insertion portion cover outer cover 39 is attached to the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 36, it is not necessary to increase the inner diameter of the insertion portion cover outer cover 39 and it is not necessary to use a dedicated jig. Moreover, the insertion portion cover outer skin 3
Since it is not necessary to make the insertion portion cover outer cover 39 linear when mounting 9, the working space can be saved and the assembling work is extremely simple.

The air supply conduit 21, the water supply conduit 22 and the suction conduit 23 inserted into the insertion portion cover 13 are integrally extended to the fluid control device 6, but the endoscope operation is not possible. The conduit from the part fixing mouth part 36 to the fluid control device 6 may be formed separately.

In this case, first, in the first step shown in FIG. 12, the air supply conduit 21, the water supply conduit 22 and the suction conduit 23 are attached to the mouthpiece 36 for fixing the endoscope operation section. Next, after the completion of the second and third steps shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the mouthpiece portion 36 for fixing the endoscope operation portion, the respective conduits from the fluid control device 6 and the conduits 21, 22, 23 are connected. And a fourth step of connecting.

With such a construction, the number of steps is increased by one, but the handling of the pipe lines 21, 22, 23 is facilitated and the assembling work is simplified.

13 and 14 show an example in which accessories such as forceps plugs are made disposable.

A mouth part 205 for fixing the endoscope operation part of FIG.
A suction pipe line 28 is inserted through the suction pipe line 28.
A forceps insertion port 53 is communicated with this. A forceps insertion portion 206 having a branched tip is provided at the end of the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 205, and the forceps insertion portion 53 is branched into a plurality of branch conduits 207 in the forceps insertion portion 206. I want it outside. Various accessories 208 are provided at the open end of the branch conduit 207.

As the accessory 208, for example, the forceps plug 2
09, a syringe mounting luer lock 210, a two-way stopcock 211, and the like. Further, as the accessory 208, there are a T-shaped tube and a thruster which are not shown.

FIG. 14 specifically shows the forceps plug 209.

As shown in FIG. 14, the forceps plug 209 includes a sealing plug main body 212 and a cap portion 2 which is integrally provided on the main body 212 and is detachably fitted on the upper portion of the main body 212.
13 and a first closing film 214 having a central portion projecting toward the internal passage (projecting downward in the drawing) is provided in the upper part of the sealing plug body 212, and the closing film 214 is provided. A single slit or a cross-shaped first slit 215 is provided at the center of 214. Also, the cap portion 2
On the upper surface of 13, the second closing film 216 facing the first closing film 214 at the time of attachment to the sealing plug body 212.
Is provided, and a second slit 217 is provided at the center of the blocking film 216. The first and second slits 215 and 217 are normally closed airtightly. Then, the cap portion 213 may be removed, but in some cases, the cap portion 213 is fitted to the sealing plug body 212, and the insertion tool (not shown)
The slit 215 and the second slit 217 are inserted into the forceps insertion port 53 from the branch conduit 207. At this time,
The first and second blocking films 214 and 216 are in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion tool, and dirt and air flowing back through the passage are blocked by the blocking film 21.
It is designed to prevent leakage to the outside through the gap between the 4,216 and the insertion tool.

In the endoscope of the endoscope cover system constructed as described above, various accessories 208 are sterilized in a state of being attached to the mouth portion 205 for fixing the endoscope operation portion, and the accessories 208 are A user is provided with an endoscope cover having the provided endoscope operation unit fixing mouth portion 205.

Therefore, it is not necessary to replace various accessories with each use of the endoscope of the endoscope cover system, and the entire endoscope cover including the accessories is used in a sterilized state. Safe with no risk of infection.

By the way, the air supply / water supply conduit and the suction conduit that are inserted through the endoscope cover are extended to the fluid control device, and it is difficult to handle them. 15 to 19
Shows an example of facilitating this handling.

In FIG. 15, the cover endoscope 220 has an operation section 221 and an insertion section 222. Operation part 2
An attachment portion 223 is provided on the side portion of the insertion portion 21 near the insertion portion 222, and the universal cord 18 is connected via the attachment portion 223.

Insertion portion cover portion 2 for covering the insertion portion 222
As shown in FIG. 16, the reference numeral 24 has a mouth portion 225 for fixing the endoscope operation portion, to which the operation portion 221 is attached on the hand side.
A flexible cover portion 226 is provided on the tip side. As shown in FIG. 17, the insertion section cover section 224 has an endoscope insertion channel 230 into which the insertion section 222 is inserted, an air supply duct 231,
The water supply pipe 232 and the suction pipe 233 are inserted,
As shown in FIG. 18, the conduits 231, 232, 233 are extended from the endoscope operation section fixing mouth section 225 to the outside.

In the endoscope of the endoscope cover type configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 19, the insertion portion cover portion 224 is attached to the insertion portion 222 of the cover endoscope 220, and the operation portion is operated. An operation unit cover 228 is attached to 221.
Grasping the operation section 221 from above the operation section cover 228,
Various switches on the operation unit 221 are operated.

The attachment portion 223 to which the universal cord 18 is attached is provided near the distal end side of the operation portion 221 near the endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion 225. That is, the ducts 231, 232 from the mouthpiece portion 225 for fixing the endoscope operation portion,
The take-out position of 233 and the position of the mounting portion 223 are relatively close. Therefore, the pipe lines 231, 232, 233 can be extended along with the universal cord 18. Further, since the position of the mounting portion 223 is relatively far from the portion of the operating portion 221 gripped by the hand 227, the operation is not hindered by these conduits 231, 232, 233 and the universal cord 18.

In this way, the pipe lines 231, 232, 233
Is adjacent to the mounting position of the mounting portion 233, and this mounting position is away from the position of the hand 227 at the time of operation, so that the ducts 231, 232, 233 can be easily handled, Moreover, it has excellent operability.

20 and 21 show an example in which it is possible to prevent the cover endoscope from being erroneously mounted on the endoscope.

In FIG. 20, the insertion portion cover portion 235 of the endoscope cover is provided with a mouth portion 23 for fixing the endoscope operation portion on the hand side.
6 and a cover flexible portion 237 on the tip side. On the surface of the mouthpiece portion 236 for fixing the endoscope operation portion, a name plate 238 on which the name of the cover endoscope applicable to the insertion portion cover portion 235 is written is provided.

When the endoscope cover is constructed in this way, the insertion portion cover portion 23 can be confirmed by checking the name plate 238.
It is possible to determine the applicable cover endoscope for 5
Incorrect mounting can be prevented.

The position for mounting the name plate 238 is shown in FIG.
Obviously, it does not have to be the site.

Further, the nameplate 238 is attached to the insertion portion cover portion 235.
By also describing the name of the insertion portion cover portion 235
It becomes easy to judge the combination of the applicable endoscope with the cover.

In FIG. 21, the cover endoscope 240 is composed of an operating section 241 and an inserting section 242, and a universal cord 243 is connected to the operating section 241. On the surface of the operation portion 241, a name plate 244 is provided on which the name of the insert portion cover portion applicable to the cover endoscope 240 is written.

By checking the name plate 244,
The insertion part cover part name applicable to the cover endoscope 240 is clarified, and erroneous mounting can be prevented.

The position for mounting the name plate 244 is shown in FIG.
Obviously, it does not have to be the site.

Further, the nameplate 244 is provided with a cover endoscope 240.
By including the name of the
This makes it easier to determine the combination of the applicable insert section cover section.

Further, by providing a name plate in which the name and the like are described on both the cover endoscope and the insertion portion cover portion, the applicable combination of the cover endoscope and the insertion portion cover portion can be achieved. Judgment becomes easier.

Further, instead of providing the name plate with the name, the applicable cover endoscope and the insertion portion cover portion may be provided with the same color mark. The color facilitates the determination of the combination.

Further, the applicable cover endoscope and insert portion cover portion may be given the same symbol.
In this case, it is possible to determine the applicable combination of the cover endoscope and the insertion portion cover portion by checking the symbol.

It should be noted that an inscription such as a name plate, a color of the same color, or a symbol may be provided on the package for storing or transporting the insertion section cover.

Further, although only the insertion portion cover portion has been described, it is obvious that the invention can be applied to the operation portion cover and the like.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a desired bending angle in any direction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a bending portion of a cover endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the bending portion.

FIG. 3 is an overall external view of an endoscope apparatus using an endoscope with an endoscope cover system with a channel.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover with a channel is attached to the insertion portion of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a cover endoscope.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a distal end portion of the insertion portion of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a cover tip portion of an insertion portion cover portion of an endoscope cover with a channel and the vicinity thereof.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an electric bending device of a cover endoscope.

9A and 9B are explanatory views showing a method of assembling the insertion portion cover portion in the order of steps.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing a method of assembling the insertion section cover section in the order of steps.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a method of assembling the insertion section cover section in the order of steps.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing a method of assembling the insertion section cover section in the order of steps.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the vicinity of the forceps insertion port.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing a forceps plug.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing the endoscope for a cover.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the insertion portion cover portion.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram cut along the line AA in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view seen from a line BB in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the endoscope cover type endoscope shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 in the vicinity of the operating portion with the operating portion held by a hand.

FIG. 20 is a side view showing an insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover.

FIG. 21 is a side view showing the cover endoscope.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the insertion portion of the endoscope is attached to the insertion portion cover portion of the endoscope cover with a channel.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a bending angle of the insertion section in which the insertion section cover is mounted.

[Explanation of symbols]

192 ... Bending portion, 193 ... Bending piece, 194 ... Bending tube, 1
97 ... Connection piece, 199 ... Support shaft, h, i, j, k ... Shoulder size

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] September 6, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

In order to solve this drawback, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-5
In 4734 JP and USP3,162,190 JP endoscope Operation s discarded type endoscope cover system is disclosed. In this proposal, the endoscope is covered with an endoscope cover to prevent the endoscope from being contaminated. The endoscope cover provided with a channel described below may be referred to as an endoscope cover with a channel.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

For example, when the bending angle of the insertion portion 306 alone is set to 180 degrees in each direction, the insertion portion cover portion 3
When 01 is attached, a bending angle of 170 degrees is obtained in the directions other than the built-in object 310, but only a bending angle of 160 degrees is obtained in the built-in object 310 direction.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 22

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 22

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Hideo Ito 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshihiro Iida 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshio Tashiro 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Osamu Mizuta 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope for an endoscope cover, an endoscope cover for covering the endoscope for an endoscope cover, and a portion on the tip side of the endoscope for the endoscope cover. An endoscope of the endoscope cover system, comprising: an insertion portion that can be bent at an angle larger than a bending angle required when the endoscope cover is mounted.