JPH07136102A - End of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A fluid ejection nozzle can be easily attached to and detached from the tip end main body, and the adhesion between the two is good, there is no fluid leakage, and a recess is formed in which dirt easily accumulates. The purpose is to provide a hygienic endoscope tip that is unnecessary. [Structure] The tip body 1 is provided with locking pins 53 on both sides of the fluid delivery ports 46 and 47 with the fluid delivery ports 46 and 47 interposed therebetween. Engagement holes 55 to be fitted are formed on both sides of the channel 51 with the channel 51 interposed therebetween.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distal end portion of an endoscope provided with a fluid ejection nozzle for ejecting a fluid such as air or water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fluid ejecting nozzles such as air supply and water supply nozzles provided at the tip of an endoscope are used to clean the inside of the air supply and water supply pipes and remove foreign matter clogging by brushing after using the endoscope. Therefore, it is desirable to be configured to be removable.

Therefore, conventionally, the base of the fluid ejection nozzle is inserted into the distal end main body of the endoscope insertion portion for screwing, or the fluid ejection nozzle is formed of an elastic material so that the distal end main body has a wide deep portion. A fluid ejection nozzle was elastically and detachably fitted into a recess formed in an inverse tapered cross-sectional shape (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 145403/1981, JP-A-59-129).
049).

[0004]

However, in all of the above-mentioned conventional endoscope tip portions, the tip body is deeply recessed in order to insert or fit the fluid ejection nozzle. Must. As a result, when cleaning by removing the fluid ejection nozzle after use, it is difficult to clean the inside of such a recess, so that dirt and the like tends to remain in the recess, which is unsanitary and infects the next patient. There was a fear of.

There is also a hood which is detachably provided on the tip end main body and is provided with a projection which functions as a nozzle so that the fluid jet nozzle is not provided as a single unit.
However, such type not only has a poor ability to clean the observation window surface because it is difficult to form the nozzle into the optimum shape, but also the hood engaging part of the tip body is still a concave part. It has the drawback that it tends to be unsanitary.

[0006] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention should project a locking pin for locking the fluid ejection nozzle on the surface of the tip end main body, and disengage the fluid ejection nozzle from the locking pin. Has invented a sanitary endoscope tip portion that does not need to form a concave portion that easily collects dirt and the like, and previously filed a patent application (Japanese Patent Application No. 5-40853).

However, if the fluid ejecting nozzle is simply detachably attached to the engaging pin protruding from the surface of the tip body, the close contact between the tip body and the fluid ejecting nozzle will be insufficient. In some cases, a part of the fluid to be ejected from the nozzle may leak out from the gap. Then, the surface of the observation window cannot be washed well.

Therefore, if unevenness is formed on the tip end body and the fluid ejection nozzle so as to bite into each other, the adhesion is improved, but dirt is likely to accumulate in the recessed portion to make it impure.
It also causes inter-patient infection. Further, it is difficult to confirm whether or not the fluid ejection nozzle and the locking pin are completely engaged with each other, which is not convenient to use.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the fluid ejection nozzle can be easily attached to and detached from the main body of the tip portion, and moreover, it is necessary to form a concave portion which has good adhesion between them and does not cause fluid leakage and easily collects dirt and the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tip portion of an endoscope which is free of hygiene.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a distal end portion of an endoscope of the present invention is provided with a fluid ejection nozzle for ejecting a fluid, which is detachably attached to a distal end body of an insertion portion. When the fluid ejection nozzle is attached to the distal end body, the distal end portion of the endoscope is configured so that the fluid delivery port formed in the distal end body and the flow passage formed in the fluid ejection nozzle communicate with each other. In the above, the tip body is provided with locking pins projecting on both sides of the fluid delivery port with the fluid delivery port interposed therebetween, and the fluid injection nozzle is engaged with the locking pin in a disengageable manner. It is characterized in that holes are formed on both sides of the flow path with the flow path interposed therebetween.

It is preferable that the engaging hole is formed through the fluid ejection nozzle, and the head of the engaging pin can be seen when the engaging pin is fitted into the engaging hole.
Further, the fluid ejection nozzle may be formed of an elastic material so that the locking pin is engaged with and disengaged from the engagement hole in the axial direction, or the fluid ejection nozzle is made of plastic. The engaging hole may be formed in the shape of an elongated hole having one end open to the side, and the locking pin may be engaged with and disengaged from the engaging hole in a direction perpendicular to the axis.

[0012]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a distal end body 1 forming the distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope of a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows its ABCD cross section,
FIG. 3 shows an EF cross section.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip body 1 is
The distal end of an insertion portion formed by an elongated flexible tube is connected to a distal end portion of a bending portion 2 that is provided to be bendable by remote control.

The bending portion 2 has a large number of node rings 3 rotatably connected to each other by rivets, the outer periphery of which is covered with a mesh tube 4, which is further covered with a rubber tube 5 or the like, and the end portion thereof is the tip end main body. It is configured by binding and bonding to the outer peripheral surface of 1. 6 is an adhesive applied from the outside of the binding portion, and 7 is an operation wire. It should be noted that FIG. 2 shows only the most advanced node ring 3 of the multiple node rings.

The tip body 1 has a metal block portion 1a made of stainless steel connected to the tip of the curved portion 2, an exposed metal portion 1b made of stainless steel exposed on the tip surface, and the metal block portion 1a and the exposed portion. It is formed by a plastic block portion 1c which is electrically connected to the metal portion 1b.

The endoscope of the present embodiment is a so-called front-viewing type endoscope for observing the front of the tube axis, and as shown in FIG. 11, an illumination window 12 and a forceps channel outlet hole 13 are arranged, and an air / water inlet 14 (fluid outlet) opening toward the observation window 11 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, an objective optical system 16 is disposed inside the observation window 11 so as to be fixed to a metallic lens frame 17. The first lens 16a on the surface is fixed to the lens frame 17 by caulking at a step portion formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Reference numeral 18 is an aperture stop, and 19 is a spacer.

An insulating ring 21 made of an electrically insulating plastic material is joined to the outer peripheral portion of the front half of the lens frame 17, and is detached in a recess formed so that the front end portion of the lens frame 17 is not exposed. It is filled with the foamed epoxy adhesive 22. The outer peripheral surface of the insulating ring 21 is fitted in a hole formed in the exposed metal portion 1b of the tip body 1, and an O-ring 23 for sealing is attached to the fitting portion.

A shield pipe 25 made of metal is fitted and joined to the outer periphery of the rear portion of the lens frame 17, and a solid-state image pickup device 26 made of, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) serves as an image receiving surface in the shield pipe 25. It is fixed facing forward.

A transparent cover glass 27 is arranged in close contact with the front side thereof, and a YAG laser light cut filter 28 is further attached to the front surface thereof. An observation light image is formed on the image receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 26 by the objective optical system 16 through the transparent members 27 and 28. Two
Reference numeral 9 is a light-shielding mask.

Inside the shield pipe 25, an electronic component 31 for processing a signal input / output to / from the solid-state image pickup device 26 is mounted on a wiring board 32 behind the solid-state image pickup device 26, and a signal cable 33 is arranged. Has been pulled backwards from there.

Insulating tapes 34 and 35 are respectively wound around the outer peripheral surface of the component arranged inside the shield pipe 25 and the outer peripheral surface of the shield pipe 25 to electrically insulate the shield pipe 25 from the inside and outside thereof. ing. Further, the rear end of the insulating tape 35 on the outer surface side of the shield pipe 25 continuously covers the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the signal cable 33.

The present invention is directed to such a solid-state image pickup device 2
It may be applied to an endoscope using an optical image transmitting means using an image guide fiber bundle instead of the electronic image transmitting means using 6, and may be applied to a rigid endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tip ends of the air feeding tube 41 and the water feeding tube 42 inserted into the insertion portion are inserted into the through hole formed in the tip end main body 1 straightly in the tube axial direction from the rear side. It is inserted and fixed. Both tubes 41,
For both 42, a tube made of tetrafluoroethylene resin is used.

The nozzle 50 is removably attached to the front wall of the tip body 1 so that the flow passage 51 of the nozzle 50 communicates with the air outlet 46 and the water outlet 47 which are the outlets of the through holes. Has been. The outlet of the flow path 51, that is, the air / water supply port 14 is open toward the surface of the observation window 11 as described above.

With this structure, the air supply tube 41
The air and water selectively sent through the water supply tube 42 are sprayed from the air supply / water supply port 14 toward the surface of the observation window 11.

Two locking pins 53 made of metal for locking the nozzle 50 are provided on the front wall of the tip end main body 1 so as to project forward. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the locking pin 53 is water-tightly screwed and fixed to the distal end portion body 1 in a state in which an adhesive is applied to the threaded portion to prevent dirt and the like from entering. Has been done. However, the locking pin 53 may be formed integrally with the exposed metal portion 1b of the tip body 1.

Although FIG. 3 shows only the cross section of one locking pin 53, FIG. 1 and FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the state in which the nozzle 50 is removed from the tip end main body 1 are shown in FIG. Two locking pins 53 are shown.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the two locking pins 53 are separated from both sides of the air outlet 46 and the water outlet 47 with the air outlet 46 and the water outlet 47 interposed therebetween, and project from the tip body 1. Both of the locking pins 53 are formed such that the diameter of the head portion 53a is larger than that of the neck portion 53b therebelow.

The nozzle 50 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. And the two locking pins 53
To a position corresponding to
An engagement hole 55 formed in the same shape as the cross section of the locking pin 53 is formed in the nozzle 50, and the locking pin 53 is fitted into the engagement hole 55.

The length L of the neck portion 53b of the locking pin 53
(See FIG. 3), the length of the engaging hole 55 is larger than the engaging pin 53.
Is formed to be slightly longer than the length. Therefore, the nozzle 50 compressed there is pressed against the surface of the tip portion main body 1 by its own elastic force so that it is in close contact with the nozzle body 50, thereby preventing air and water from leaking.

The engaging hole 55 is formed through the nozzle 50. When the nozzle 50 is attached to the tip end main body 1, the head 53a of the locking pin 53 is visible from the surface of the nozzle 50. It

Therefore, it is easy to align the locking pin 53 and the engagement hole 55 during the mounting operation of the nozzle 50, and it is easy to confirm whether or not the nozzle 50 is surely engaged, and the engagement hole is used after use. It is easy to clean the inside of 55.

A portion of the surface of the exposed metal portion 1b of the tip portion main body 1 to which the nozzle 50 is attached is formed to be slightly recessed at a right angle from the surface of the tip portion main body 1, and the base side half portion of the nozzle 50 is formed in the portion. Is fitted.

In the tip portion of the endoscope of the first embodiment thus formed, the locking pin 53 of the tip portion main body 1 is provided in each of the two engagement holes 55 formed in the nozzle 50. Is pushed in in the axial direction, the locking pin 53 is fitted into the engaging hole 55 while expanding the engaging hole 55 of the nozzle 50 having elasticity, and when the fitting is completed, the nozzle 50 is elastic. Return to original shape.

In this state, the tip body 1 and the nozzle 50 are
Is firmly engaged by the locking pin 53 and the engagement hole 55 on both sides of the air outlet 46, the water outlet 47, and the flow channel 51, so that the air from the periphery of the nozzle 50 is Air and water are selectively sprayed onto the surface of the observation window 11 without any water leakage.

The engagement between the locking pin 53 and the engagement hole 55 cannot be disengaged at all in the air and water feeding operations. However, nozzle 5
When 0 is strongly pulled forward parallel to the axial direction of the locking pin 53, the engaging hole 55 elastically deforms only when the head 53a of the locking pin 53 passes through the engaging hole 55, and the locking pin 53 The engagement between 53 and the engagement hole 55 is released, and the nozzle 50 can be removed from the tip body 1. The nozzle 50 may be a so-called disposable type in which the nozzle 50 is replaced with a new one each time it is used.

In this way, the nozzle 50 can be attached to and detached from the tip end main body 1, and as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the nozzle 50 is detached after each use of the endoscope and air is sent. A cleaning brush can be inserted into the air supply tube 41 and the water supply tube 42 from the outlet 46 and the water supply outlet 47, and the inside thereof can be thoroughly brushed for cleaning.

In the present embodiment, the tip end body 1
In order to lock the nozzle 50, it is only necessary to project the locking pin 53 on the tip body 1, and on the tip body 1 side, there is a very shallow and smooth concave portion which is recessed at a right angle from the surface. Since it is only formed, it is possible to easily confirm and clean dirt attached to the tip body 1 side.

FIGS. 6 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the nozzle 60 is made of a plastic material, and two engaging holes 65 are formed on the lateral sides as shown in FIG. It is formed in parallel with an elongated hole with one end open.

However, the inlet portion of the engaging portion 65a that finally engages with the locking pin 53 is the neck portion 53b of the locking pin 53.
When the locking pin 53 is formed in the constricted portion 65b having a width slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the engagement pin 65a,
The click action due to the elasticity of the nozzle 60 works so that the nozzle 60 is locked therein without rattling. The configuration of the tip portion main body 1 side is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

6 and 7 of the drawings show the state in which the nozzle 60 is attached to the tip end main body 1, and as shown in FIG. 7, the head 53 of the locking pin 53 is shown.
The a is pressed against the upper surface of the nozzle 60.

8 and 9 show a state in which the nozzle 60 is removed from the tip end main body 1. When removing the nozzle 60, the tapered protrusion 7 of the nozzle attaching / detaching tool 70 is used.
By inserting 1 into the engagement hole 65 of the nozzle 60 from the opening side, the width of the constricted portion 65b of the engagement hole 65 is expanded.

Therefore, in this state, the nozzle 60 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the engaging hole 65 in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the engaging pin 53 to extract the engaging pin 53 from the engaging hole 65, and the nozzle 60 is moved to the tip. It can be removed from the body 1.

No tool or the like is required when attaching the nozzle 60, and the nozzle 60 may be pushed in from the side so that the locking pin 53 is fitted into the engaging portion 65a of the engaging hole 65.

The rest of the configuration and usage of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. In any of the embodiments, the locking pin 53 may have a non-circular cross section, and three or more locking pins 53 may be provided.

[0047]

According to the present invention, locking pins projecting on both sides of a fluid delivery port in the tip end body are formed on both sides of the fluid ejection nozzle with a flow channel in between. Since the fluid ejection nozzle is attached to and detached from the tip body by engaging and disengaging with the engagement hole, it is easy to attach and detach, and good airtightness is achieved between the tip body and the fluid ejection nozzle. Since there is no leakage of fluid and it is not necessary to form a concave portion having a shape that easily collects dirt and the like,
Easy to clean and hygienic.

By forming the engaging hole through the fluid ejection nozzle, it is easy to attach and detach the nozzle, and it is easy to confirm whether or not the nozzle is securely attached, and it is easy to clean the nozzle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an ABCD sectional view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an EF sectional view of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the nozzle according to the first exemplary embodiment with the nozzle removed.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the nozzle according to the first embodiment with the nozzle removed.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a GH cross-sectional view of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a second embodiment in which a nozzle is removed.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a nozzle according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Tip Body 46 Air Outlet 47 Water Outlet 50 Nozzle 51 Flow Path 53 Locking Pin 55 Engagement Hole

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A fluid ejection nozzle for ejecting a fluid is detachably provided on a tip end main body of an insertion portion, and when the fluid ejection nozzle is attached to the tip end main body, an opening is formed in the tip end main body. A distal end portion of an endoscope in which a fluid delivery port and a flow path formed in the fluid ejection nozzle communicate with each other, and the distal end body is locked to both sides of the fluid delivery port with the fluid delivery port interposed therebetween. An endoscope characterized in that a pin is provided so as to project, and an engaging hole into which the locking pin is removably fitted is formed on both sides of the fluid ejection nozzle with the flow path interposed therebetween. Tip of. 2. The engagement hole is formed so as to penetrate through the fluid ejection nozzle, and when the engagement pin is fitted into the engagement hole, the head of the engagement pin can be visually observed. The tip of the endoscope. 3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the fluid ejection nozzle is made of an elastic material, and the locking pin is axially engaged with and disengaged from the engagement hole. Tip. 4. The fluid ejection nozzle is formed of plastic, and the engagement hole is formed in the shape of an elongated hole having one end open laterally, and the locking pin is a shaft with respect to the engagement hole. The distal end portion of the endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, which is engaged and disengaged in a direction at a right angle.