JPH06319683A - Endoscope cover type endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an endoscope cover type endoscope device capable of maintaining the sharp observation visual field while an endoscope cover is covered on an endoscope insertion section. CONSTITUTION:The insertion section 14 of a covered endoscope is covered by an insertion section cover section 21, and an objective optical system 46 on the tip side of the insertion section 14 and a tip section 17 fitted with an illumination optical system are made of a high temperature-resistant, high moisture-resistant material allowing autoclave processing. The side face of the tip section 17 is coupled with the tip opening section 50 of a cover tip section 28, the surfaces of the objective optical system 46 and the illumination optical system are exposed to the outside, and the gap between the inner wall face of the tip opening section 50 and the side face of the tip section 17 is sealed with a seal member 51.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus for preventing the insertion portion of an endoscope from being contaminated by body fluid or the like, and covering the insertion portion cover with the insertion portion cover. In this case, a clear observation field of view can be maintained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope used for observing the inside of a human body is one in which a protective tube is put over the insertion portion in order to prevent body fluid or the like from adhering to the insertion portion into the body cavity. It has been known. After using the endoscope, the protective tube is removed and replaced with a new protective tube. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the insertion portions from being contaminated, and it is not necessary to wash them, and the labor of washing can be saved.

Specifically, for example, USP 4,809,6
As shown in FIG. 2 of 78, there is one in which the entire insertion portion is covered with a cover provided with a transparent portion on the front surface of the observation optical system.
The fixing of the insertion portion cover and the endoscope insertion portion is performed by the frictional force of the elastic end provided on the cover proximal side.

As shown in FIG. 3 of USP 4,809,678, a replaceable distal end cover is provided at the distal end of the endoscope, and by the frictional force of the elastic end of the insert cover, the distal end of which is open around the proximal side of the distal end cover. Some are fixed. No details are given on how to fix the tip cover to the tip of the endoscope.

Apart from this, as in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-74212 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 58-77318, a type in which the insertion section cover having the front surface of the observation optical system opened is watertightly fixed from the outer surface by a separate locking body. Things have been proposed.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventional USP 4,80
In the case of the type such as 9,678, the endoscope for the cover and the insertion portion cover are fixed by frictional force or the like, and they are not securely fixed. Otherwise, the distance between the front surface of the observation optical system of the endoscope and the inner surface of the insertion portion cover or the transparent portion of the distal end cover may be increased or deviated during the inspection. When the distance between the front surface of the observation optical system and the inner surface of the transparent part is misaligned or rattles, the optical performance of the observation is significantly reduced due to vignetting of the visual field, uneven light distribution, illumination light flare, etc. Occasionally, the test could not be performed.

Further, in the type in which the front surface of the observing optical system is open, as in the case of the conventional full open sho 58-74212, the optical performance is not deteriorated due to the transparent part of the cover being attached to the front surface, but the locking body is on the outer surface. Therefore, the locking body may fall off unless it is securely fixed.

Further, it is necessary to clean and disinfect the periphery of the observation optical system which is opened and comes into contact with body fluids. However, in the conventional endoscope, the curved portion and the like are not resistant to high pressure steam, and therefore the tip portion is also resistant to high pressure steam. Since a resistant adhesive or the like is not used, as a disinfection method, only a gas method such as ethylene oxide gas or formalin gas or a disinfectant method such as glutaral can be adopted, and both of them take time.

On the other hand, the high-pressure steam method is also called an autoclave, and is usually 134 ° C., 5 minutes, 2.1 kg / cm 2 or 121 ° C.
It is carried out at 1 kg / cm2 for 20 minutes and can be sterilized in a relatively short time, so that the use efficiency of endoscopy can be greatly improved. In other words, the longer it takes to clean and disinfect the endoscope, the less time it can be used for endoscopy, and the lower the efficiency of endoscopy. In contrast to having to prepare, if the endoscope can be cleaned and disinfected in a short time, the use efficiency of endoscopy can be greatly improved, and a small number of endoscopes can be dealt with, which is economical. The burden can be reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and is one of the endoscope cover systems in which a clear observation field of view can be maintained with the endoscope insertion portion covered with a protective cover. An object is to provide an endoscope device.

[0011]

[Means and Action for Solving the Problems] Insertion part cover having an opening into which an observation optical system supporting part of a cover endoscope or a tip end cover for covering the observation optical system fits, and a seal member for ensuring watertightness In the former, the tip side from the seal member is made of a high temperature and humidity resistant material capable of high pressure steam sterilization,
After the inspection, only that part was autoclaved so that sterilization could be performed in a short time. In this case, since the front surface (front surface) of the observation optical system is exposed to the outside, even if the observation optical system support portion is displaced, the observation function is hardly deteriorated.

In the latter, the transparent portion for securing the field of view of the observation optical system is securely fixed to the cover endoscope, and a fixing means that does not shift during the inspection is provided on the distal end cover, and the distal end cover is inserted into the insertion portion. Watertightly fitted to the cover. In this case, the transparent portion is securely fixed to the cover endoscope side, and the deterioration of the function of the observation optical system can be prevented as in the former case. The tip cover may be disposable each time, or may be exchanged and collected for each examination and sterilized at the end of the day for use.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cover type endoscope system of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an overall view of a cover endoscope. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the insertion portion of the endoscope cover with the insertion portion of the cover endoscope attached, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tip portion of the cover endoscope, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a distal end portion of the endoscope cover, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a movable portion cover that covers the bending operation portion, FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the bending operation portion is covered with the movable portion cover, and FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the tip portion of the cover endoscope after use is sterilized by an autoclave device, and FIG. 9 is a front view showing a fixed seal member.

An endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter, abbreviated as a cover type endoscope apparatus).
Reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope cover type endoscope (hereinafter, abbreviated as cover type endoscope) 2, and the cover type endoscope 2 is an endoscope cover configured by an electronic endoscope. Endoscope (hereinafter,
A cover endoscope 3) and a channel-equipped endoscope cover (hereinafter abbreviated as endoscope cover) 4 to which the cover endoscope 3 is attached are configured.

Further, the cover type endoscope apparatus 1 includes a light source device 6 housed in a cart 5, a video processor 7, a fluid control device 8 and an endoscope cover extender with a channel (hereinafter abbreviated as an extender). 9 and a monitor 10 mounted on the upper surface of the cart 5.

When the cover endoscope 3 is attached to or detached from the endoscope cover 4, the cover holder 11 is used. The connector 12 of the cover endoscope 3 can be detachably connected to the light source device 6. Also, this connector 1
The signal cable 13 connected to 2 is the video processor 7
Can be detachably connected to.

The cover endoscope 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a flexible insertion portion 14 and an operation portion 1 provided at the rear end of the insertion portion 14.
5 and a universal cord 16 extended from the operation unit 15. The insertion portion 14 has a tip portion 17
And a curved portion 18 at the rear end of the tip portion 17, and a flexible tube portion 19 at the rear end of the curved portion 18. Curved part 1
8 can be bent by operating the bending operation unit 20 provided in the operation unit 15.

On the other hand, the contamination-preventing endoscope cover 4 which covers the cover endoscope 3 is composed of an insertion portion cover portion 21, an operation portion cover 22, and a universal cord cover 23. All of these parts of the endoscope cover 4 are those that have been sterilized in advance before being used for the endoscopic examination, and are discarded after being used for the endoscopic examination.

The insertion portion cover portion 21 is composed of a portion of the endoscope cover 4 which covers the insertion portion 14 of the cover endoscope 3 and a portion which covers the vicinity of the base end thereof. The operation portion cover 22 is a cover portion that covers the operation portion 15 of the cover endoscope 3. Also, the universal cord cover 23
Is a portion that covers the universal cord 16 of the cover endoscope 3.

The expander 9 is provided with an expansion tube 24. The expander 9 is a device (an inflator) for expanding the cover by injecting air into the endoscope cover 4 so that the cover endoscope 3 can be easily attached to the endoscope cover 4. The extension tube 24 is a tube (inflator tube) used to connect the dilator body and the endoscope cover 4 to each other. When the cover endoscope 3 is attached, the end of the extension tube 24 is the endoscope cover. No. 4 expansion tube mouth 25 is connected.

The cover holder 11 is for inserting the insert cover portion 21 into the cover endoscope 3 so as to mount the insert cover portion 21.
Used to hold both ends of. As shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion cover portion 21 of the endoscope cover 4 includes a flexible insertion portion cover outer skin 26 and an endoscope operation portion fixing mouth portion (formed at a proximal end portion thereof). Hereinafter, abbreviated as the mouth part) 27
And a cover tip portion 28 that is hermetically provided at the tip of the insertion portion cover outer cover 26.

In addition, the insertion portion cover portion 21 includes an air supply conduit 31, a water supply conduit 32, a suction conduit 33, and an endoscope insertion channel 3 for accommodating the insertion portion 14 of the cover endoscope 3.
And 4 are provided. The forceps insertion mouth 3 is attached to the mouth 27.
5, the forceps insertion port body 35 communicates with the suction conduit 33 inside, and the suction conduit 33 also functions as a forceps channel.

The air supply pipe 31, the water supply pipe 32, and the suction pipe 33 extend above the mouth portion 27 and are covered with the universal cord 16 together with the universal cord cover 23 as shown in FIG. It is connected to the control device 9.

The fluid control device 9 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with an air supply control valve 36, a water supply control valve 37, and a suction control valve 38, and air supply, water supply, and suction are controlled by these electromagnetic valves. There is. The air supply control valve 36, the water supply control valve 37, and the suction control valve 38 are connected to an air supply pipe line 31, a water supply pipe line 32, and a suction pipe line 33 extending from the insertion section cover 21, respectively.

The suction control valve 38 has a suction tube 3
9 is connected, and an aspirator (not shown) is connected to the end portion of the endoscope 9 so that unnecessary body fluid or the like is sucked from the distal end portion of the endoscope. A water supply tube 40 is connected to the water supply control valve 37, and a water supply tank 41 is connected to the tip of the water supply tube 40. Further, two air supply tubes 42 extend from the fluid control device 9 and are connected to the air supply control valve 36 and the water supply tank 41.

As shown in FIG. 3, a hand opening portion 44 of an endoscope insertion channel 34 into which the insertion portion 14 of the cover endoscope 3 is inserted is provided on the hand side of the mouth portion 27. The endoscope insertion channel 34 communicates with the extension tube mouth 25 projecting to the side of the mouth 27.

As shown in FIG. 4, the distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 has a substantially semicircular cross section, and an objective optical system 46 is attached to an observation window provided at the center and illumination windows on both sides thereof are attached. The illumination optical system 47 is attached. The illumination light transmitted by the light guide (not shown) is illuminated by the illumination optical system 4.
A subject such as a diseased part which is emitted through 7 and is illuminated is imaged on its focal plane by the objective optical system 46.

In this embodiment, the tip portion 28 serving as an optical system supporting member to which the objective optical system 46 and the illumination optical system 47 are attached is formed of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material such as stainless steel, polysulfone, and Ultem that can be sterilized under high pressure steam. And at least the first of the objective optical system 46 and the illumination optical system 47 on the front end surface
One of the features is that the lens is also formed of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material such as glass such as BK-7, and the adhesive is an epoxy resin or the like which is a high temperature and high humidity resistant material.

On the focal plane, as shown in FIG.
A photoelectric conversion surface of an image pickup element (not shown) forming 8 is arranged and photoelectrically converted into an image signal. This image signal is input to the video processor 7 of FIG. 1 via a signal line 49,
A standard video signal is generated and output to the color monitor 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the tip portion 17 is thinned in the shape of a step near the tip, and this thinned portion is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 5, the fitting side surface 17a is fitted to the tip opening portion 50 of the cover tip portion 28. Also, the mating side surface 17a
A groove is provided at a substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of the, and the seal member 51 is housed in this groove (of the cover tip portion 28).
The watertight function is ensured by the close contact with the inner surface of the tip opening 50.

That is, in this embodiment, the distal end side of the endoscope insertion channel 34 in the endoscope cover 4 is opened at the distal end opening portion 50 of the cover distal end portion 28, and this distal end opening portion 50 is formed.
The front surface of the distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 is exposed to the outside.

Since the front surface of the tip portion 17 is exposed in this way, the outer wall surface of the tip portion 17 is fitted to the inner wall surface of the tip opening portion 50, and dirty liquid or the like enters the inside of the fitting portion. The sealing member 51 prevents this. The seal member 51 is attached to the tip end portion 50 with respect to the tip end portion 17.
Also has a function to prevent the movement of.

Since the front surface of the tip portion 17 is exposed,
The front surfaces of the objective optical system 46 and the illumination optical system 47 are directly exposed to the outside, so that the distal end opening portion 5 is temporarily assumed during the endoscopic examination.
Even if the tip 17 moves (back and forth) with respect to 0,
The image size changes only slightly, and the optical characteristics are not deteriorated.

After the inspection, the front side portion (the front side portion from the position of the seal member 51) of the tip portion 17 can be sterilized in a short time by an autoclave.
Further, with the above structure, the length of the fitting portion can be increased and rattling can be reduced as compared with the case where the transparent member is provided on the cover tip end 28 side.

Furthermore, when the cover endoscope 3 is mounted on the endoscope cover 4, whether or not the cover endoscope 3 is in an appropriate mounted state is determined by, for example, as shown in FIG. It is made easy to visually recognize whether the front surface of 28 is flush with or not (when a transparent member is provided on the cover front end 28 side, the front end portion 1 inside the transparent member).
It becomes more difficult to judge whether the front surface of 7 has reached the correct mounting position).

A suction pipe line 33 is provided at the cover tip portion 28.
There are provided a forceps outlet 52 communicating with, and an air / water supply nozzle 53 opening toward the objective optical system 46. A fixing groove 54 is formed on the outer peripheral surface near the base end of the cover tip 28.
(See FIG. 3) is provided and the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 3 for a cover is provided.
The distal end of the insertion portion cover outer cover 26 made of a soft material for separating 4 from the external environment is inserted and hermetically connected. A fixing groove 54 is also provided on the mouth body 27 side.

As shown in FIG. 7, the operation section cover 22 has a relatively close-fitting operation section body cover 22a which covers parts other than the movable section such as grips and switches.
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the movable portion cover 22b is a relatively large bag-like thin film transparent cover that covers all of the bending operation portion 20 for performing the bending operation (of the bending portion 18).
Both are configured so as to cover all the portions of the operation unit 15 that are touched by the hand.

As the bending operation section 20, there are a UD knob 56 and an FE lever 57 which control vertical bending, and an RL knob 58 and an FE knob 59 which control horizontal bending, and a lower surface of a rotating angle knob shaft 60. Non-rotating lower surface fixing portion 61
There is. The lower surface fixing portion 61 includes the movable portion cover 22b.
There is provided an all-round fitting groove 63 having a shape to which the elastic rubber 62 provided in the opening of (1) fits tightly. At the time of inspection, the movable part cover 22b covers and protects all the movable parts as shown in FIG.

In the movable part cover 22b, a raising lever (not shown) for controlling the raising and lowering operations of the forceps raising base provided on the side endoscope or the like may be housed. Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The cover endoscope 1 is provided with a clean cover holder 1.
It is inserted into the insertion portion cover portion 21 temporarily fixed to 1.
At this time, the expansion tube 24 is attached to the expansion tube mouth 25, and air is supplied from the dilator 9 to the endoscope insertion channel 34.
If it is carried out while being fed into the inside, the frictional force between the insertion portion 14 of the cover endoscope 3 and the inner surface of the endoscope insertion channel 34 is reduced, and the insertion can be smoothly performed.

Since the air from the dilator 9 escapes to the outside from the tip opening 50 of the endoscope insertion channel 34, there is no compressive action of the air and the tip portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 is opened with a light force. 50 can be fitted. A seal member 51 such as an O-ring is attached to the entire circumferential groove of the tip portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 to ensure water tightness between the cover tip portion 28 and the inner surface of the tip opening portion 50. Whether or not it is in a proper wearing state can be easily understood by checking whether or not it is as shown in FIG.

The fixation of the cover endoscope 3 and the insertion portion cover portion 21 is performed by adding the frictional force of the seal member 51 of the cover distal end portion 28 and pulling up the insertion portion cover portion 21 to the endoscope operation portion 15 side. It is fixed by holding it down to prevent it from shifting during the inspection. Next, the operation section cover 22 and the universal cord cover 23 are attached and inspected.

After the inspection is finished, the cover endoscope 3 is also pulled out from the insertion portion cover portion 21, the operation portion cover 22 and the universal cord cover 23 are also removed, and these are discarded.

On the other hand, the endoscope 3 for the cover has a tip portion 28.
However, the tip end side of the side circumferential groove to which the seal member 51 of the tip end portion 28 is fixed is made of at least a high temperature and high humidity resistant material such as stainless steel, polysulfone, and Ultem that can be sterilized by high pressure steam, and the objective optical system 46 of the tip end surface. , The first of the illumination optical system 47
The lens is also made of glass such as BK-7 or plastic such as amorphous polyolefin ZEONEX manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd. and made of high temperature and high humidity resistant material. An epoxy resin or the like, which is a high temperature and high humidity resistant material, is also used as the adhesive in that portion. Therefore, it can be sterilized by an autoclave as follows.

As shown in FIG. 8, it is held by the operation portion holding portion 66 of the scope holder 65. Next, the autoclave container 6
A fixed seal member 68 made of a heat-resistant elastic member having a notch formed in a part of 7 is fitted in a state in which it is mounted from the curved portion 18 having no autoclave resistance of the cover endoscope 3 to the distal end side. The fixed seal member 68 has a C-ring shape as shown in FIG.

Since the autoclave container 67 can move up and down with respect to the column of the scope holder 65, it is fixed with a fixing screw 70 at an appropriate position. The autoclave container 67 has a connecting tube 7 connected to a pressurizing / humidifying device (not shown).
1 has a mouthpiece 72, and inside the container 73 is, for example, 121 ° C., 1 kg / cm 2 condition or 134 ° C., 2.1 kg
The tip 17 for 20 minutes or 5
It can be sterilized in a short time.

If the cover endoscope 3 is erroneously contaminated after the inspection or if it may be contaminated, the cover endoscope 3 is washed, as shown in FIG. It may be sterilized.

According to the first embodiment, there are the following effects. 1. By the frictional force of the seal member 51, the insertion portion 14 of the cover endoscope 3 can be easily fixed to the insertion portion cover portion 21.

2. The movable portion of the bending operation portion 20 can be surely covered by a simple and inexpensive method without the movement being restricted by the cover.

3. When the cover endoscope 3 is fixed on the near side of the endoscope cover 4, even if the tip of the cover endoscope 3 slightly shifts back and forth, the observation performance of the conventional reuse endoscope. Without degrading at all, and
Since only a part of the outer surface of the endoscope can be sterilized in a short time, the waiting time between cases can be reduced. FIG. 10 shows the structure on the tip side of the second embodiment of the present invention.

Since it is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, only different structures will be described, the same structures will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The main difference from the first embodiment is that the sealing member 5
1 is not fitted in the entire circumferential groove around the tip portion 28 of the cover endoscope 3, but is sandwiched between the tip surface 74 and the cover tip inner surface 75 to ensure watertightness.

As the objective optical system 46, an image guide bundle 76 and an eyepiece portion (not shown) are provided inside the lens instead of the image pickup portion 48. A light guide bundle 77 is provided inside the lens of the illumination optical system 47 as in the first embodiment.

The tip portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 is made of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material, as in the first embodiment.
Is provided with a biasing means (not shown) that presses the seal member 51 against the cover distal end portion 28 so as to sandwich it. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. The operation of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, there are the following effects. 1. The tip portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 can have less unevenness, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

2. If the seal member 51 is fixed to the endoscope cover 4 side in a watertight manner, it is possible to eliminate the time and labor for attaching and detaching the seal member 51 to and from the distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 before and after the inspection, and the contaminated seal member. You don't have to touch 51.

3. Since the image guide bundle 77 and the eyepiece unit are provided, the insertion unit can be made smaller in diameter and the number of devices can be reduced as compared with the case where the imaging unit is provided and the image is observed on the monitor, which is suitable for mass examination.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that the observation visual field direction is side view, and the side of the distal end of the insertion portion cover portion 21 is
It has a side opening 78 through which the objective optical system 46 and the illumination optical system 47 of the cover endoscope 3 are opened, and seal members 79a such as O-rings are provided at two positions in front of and behind the side opening 78.
The inner surface of the front end of the cover was formed with an inner diameter such that 79b was interposed and the watertightness before and after the side opening 78 was secured.

The seal members 79a and 79b are provided with the side opening 7
It is not necessary to have the tip end side from 8, and the tip end side of the cover itself is also opened from the seal member 79b on the front side so that the tip end part 17 of the cover endoscope 3 made of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material is exposed to the outside. You may It does not have to be a side view, and may be a front or rear perspective view.

The operation of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. According to the third embodiment, there are the following effects. 1. It is more difficult to align the lens cover part on the inner surface of the cover with the observation optical system at the tip of the endoscope than in direct view (the gap is easy to open and the inclination tends to vary), and it is easy and reliable for side-viewing and perspective endoscopes. The method can maintain a clear observation field of view.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The difference from the first embodiment is that the illumination optical system 47
Cover with the transparent lens cover part of the insert part cover part 21,
By providing the cover with the front surface, the cylindrical watertight packing 81 is provided around the first surface of the objective optical system 46 which is most susceptible to the influence (the imaging unit 48 or) on the image guide bundle 76. The point is that the cover is opened to the outside while ensuring water tightness.

The cover tip portion 28 is made of transparent polystyrene, ZEONEX or the like. Others are the same. The operation of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment. According to the fourth embodiment, there are fewer parts contaminated with body fluids,
Therefore, there is an effect that the number of washing and sterilizing points can be reduced.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to (b). At least the periphery of the objective optical system 46 of the distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 is covered with a distal end portion cover 85 having a transparent lens cover 84 that covers the front surface of the objective optical system 46, and a fixing means such as a screw or the like. The tip cover 85 is securely fixed to the cover endoscope 3 by 86. A seal member 51 such as an O-ring is mounted around the distal end cover 85 as in the first embodiment, and is fitted tightly into the distal end opening 50 on the front surface of the insertion portion cover 21 to ensure watertightness. In this embodiment, a cover tip portion 28 is integrally provided at the tip of the insertion portion cover portion 21.

The tip of the tip cover 85 is provided with a slender traction member 88 such as cotton thread or tegu which can be cut with a cutting tool such as scissors 87. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the mouth portion (not shown) is not provided with the extension tube mouth 25, and the dilator 9 is not necessary. Others are the same as the first embodiment. The leading end of the pulling member 88 is rounded or attached with a round member so as not to be caught at the step portion before the front end opening 50.

Next, the operation will be described. Installation procedure is Procedure P
1, P2, P3, and P4, first, the distal end cover 85 is put on the cover endoscope 3 (procedure P1), and it is securely fixed by the fixing means 86 (procedure P2). At this time, if care is taken to grip the front side of the seal member 51, the portion of the tip end cover 85 exposed to the outer surface will not be contaminated.

Even if a fixing means 86 such as a screw is used, the fixing means 86 does not come out to the outer surface, so that the fixing can be surely carried out without any risk of damage.
Next, the pulling member 88 is inserted into the endoscope insertion channel 34 of the insertion portion cover portion 21, and the drawer cover endoscope 3 is pulled up to the cover distal end portion 28 from the distal end opening portion 50 (procedure P3).

When the front end cover 85 is firmly fitted in the front end opening 50, as shown in FIG.
For example, the vicinity of the base of the traction member 88 is cut off (procedure P4), and the inspection preparation is completed. In the third embodiment, the tip 17 need not be formed of a high temperature and humidity resistant material (tip cover 85).
To be covered with).

On the other hand, the tip end cover 85 may be disposable after each use. Alternatively, it may be formed of a durable member that can be washed and sterilized, and may be used repeatedly. In this case, it becomes necessary to reattach the pulling member 88 with an adhesive or the like. Further, the tip end cover 85 may be formed of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material so that sterilization can be performed in a short time.

According to the third embodiment, there are the following effects. 1. As in the first to fourth embodiments, both the insertion portion cover portion 21 and the tip end cover 85 may be replaced for each examination without washing or sterilizing the tip end portion of the cover endoscope 3 between cases. The waiting time between cases can be further reduced. Further, since the lens cover 84 does not shift during the inspection, there is no vignetting in the visual field, uneven light distribution, flare of illumination light, etc., and therefore it is possible to reliably prevent deterioration of the observation function.

When the lens cover 84 is expensive, the distal end cover 85 is entirely made of a sterilizable member so that
After completion of the day's inspection, it may be washed and sterilized together for reuse. It is cheaper to dispose of only the insertion portion cover portion 21 having the air supply / water supply / suction line which requires time-consuming cleaning. 2. Since the pulling member 88 is provided, the tip end cover 85 can be guided and fitted into the tip end opening 50 simply and reliably without using the dilator 9.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the tip end cover 85 shown in FIG. 14A, a fitting groove (or protrusion) 89 is provided instead of the fixing screw 86 in the fifth embodiment, and all parts other than the lens cover 84 are made of an elastomer elastic body. , Also has the function of the seal member 51 of the fifth embodiment. Further, the pulling member 88 is composed of a wire 91 made of metal or the like having a fixing means such as a screw 90 at its end.

The distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 shown in FIG. 14 (a) has a projection (or recess) 92 at a position corresponding to the fitting recess groove (or projection) 89, so that a tight fit is obtained. It is designed to be in a perfect state. Then, in the fitted state as shown in FIG. 14B, the objective optical system (not shown) is precisely positioned on the lens cover 84. Tip 17 and tip cover 8 in this embodiment
The forming material (resistance) of No. 5 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment.

The operation of this embodiment is almost the same as that of the fifth embodiment. After the projection portion 92 of the distal end portion 17 of the cover endoscope 3 is fitted into the fitting groove 89 of the distal end portion cover 85 so as to fit, the insertion portion cover portion 21 to which the distal end portion cover 85 is mounted is attached. By fitting the tip 17 into the opening 50 of the cover tip 28 and fitting the tip cover 85 firmly into the tip opening 50 as shown in FIG. 14B, the screw 90 of the pulling member 88 can be removed. Can be easily removed.

According to the sixth embodiment, there are the following effects. 1. Fixing means 86 for tip cover 85 and sealing member 51
Since it is integrated, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

2. Towing member 88 without using scissors
Can be easily and reliably removed. 3. Since the wire 91 is used as the pulling member 88, the wire 91 is more elastic than a thread, and can be smoothly inserted into the endoscope insertion channel of the insertion portion cover portion 21 having a long length (1.5 to 2 m), and the mounting operation is easy. You can

Although the fifth and sixth embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to the direct-viewing endoscope, the tip cover 85 is attached to the side-viewing type and the front or rear perspective type as in the third embodiment. There is no problem even if it is carried out, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to an endoscope dedicated to observation without a duct channel and a thoracoscope whose bending portion has a rigid proximal side, and can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0077]

As described above, according to the present invention, a support member in which at least an observation optical system of a cover endoscope is attached to an opening provided at the tip of the endoscope cover, or this support member. Is detachably fixed to the front end cover, which covers at least the observation optical system with a transparent member, and is provided with a seal member near the fitting portion, and the support member is formed of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material. Therefore, even when the endoscope for a cover is used as a cover-type endoscope mounted on the endoscope cover, a clear observation field of view is hardly affected by the vignetting and the like, which does not deteriorate the observation characteristics. And the waiting time between cases can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the entire cover endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the insertion portion of the endoscope cover in a state where the insertion portion of the cover endoscope is attached.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a tip portion of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a distal end portion of the endoscope cover.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a movable section cover that covers a bending operation section.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a state in which the bending operation section is covered with a movable section cover.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the tip portion of the cover endoscope after use is sterilized by an autoclave device.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing a fixed seal member used when sterilizing with an autoclave.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end side of a cover type endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the distal end side of a cover-type endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view and a cross-sectional view showing the distal end side of a cover type endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for setting the endoscope of the cover system in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for setting a cover type endoscope in a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus 2 ... Cover type endoscope 3 ... Covering endoscope 4 ... Endoscope cover 6 ... Light source device 7 ... Video processor 8 ... Fluid control device 9 ... Dilator DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Monitor 11 ... Cover holding tool 14 ... Insertion part 15 ... Operation part 17 ... Tip part 17a ... Fitting side surface 18 ... Curved part 21 ... Insertion part cover part 26 ... Cover outer skin 27 ... Mouth part 28 ... Cover tip part 34 ... endoscope insertion channel 46 ... objective optical system 47 ... illumination optical system 50 ... tip opening 51 ... seal member

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus of an endoscope cover system, comprising: an endoscope for a cover; and an endoscope cover having an insertion portion cover to which an insertion portion of the endoscope for the cover is mounted. A seal provided between the insertion portion cover and an opening portion into which at least the observation optical system support portion of the cover endoscope fits, and an inner surface of the insertion portion cover and an outer surface of the cover endoscope. An endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus comprising: a member, and a front end side of the sealing member in the cover endoscope is made of a high temperature and high humidity resistant material that can be sterilized by high pressure steam. 2. An endoscope apparatus of an endoscope cover system, comprising: an endoscope for a cover; and an endoscope cover having an insertion portion cover to which an insertion portion of the endoscope for the cover is mounted. The tip cover that covers at least the observation optical system of the cover endoscope, the opening provided in the insert cover, into which the tip cover fits, the insert cover inner surface, and the tip A seal member interposed between the cover outer surface and a cover outer surface is provided, and a transparent portion provided at a position that secures a field of view of the observation optical system and the cover endoscope are fixed to the distal end cover. An endoscope cover-type endoscope apparatus comprising: a fixing unit.