JPH07308283A - Cover type endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To decrease the pain on a patient without damaging a function required on endoscope. CONSTITUTION:A suction channel 26 is provided on an insert part cover 18 of an endoscope cover for covering an insert part 12 of a covered type endoscope and stored adjacent substantially parallel to the insert part 12. A part of the suction channel 26 that is adjacent to the large-diameter part 38 of the insert part 12 is formed as a deformable part 42 by a tube body 26b formed out of a material which can be deformed and contracted in the radial direction, so that only the part adjacent to the large-diameter part 38 expands so as to decrease the pain caused to the patient at the time of insertion.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cover type endoscope having a channel used for endoscopic examination and having an endoscope cover for covering the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an endoscope has been widely used which can be inserted into a body cavity to observe a region to be inspected and can be treated as necessary. When the same endoscope is used for multiple examinations, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the endoscope before each examination (between examinations). Therefore, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the endoscope once used for the inspection before it is used for the next inspection.

However, since it takes a long time to sufficiently clean and disinfect the endoscope, there are problems that the efficiency of use of the endoscope is poor and the labor is very troublesome. Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in recent years, US
As shown in P4,646,722 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-54734, a disposable endoscope cover provided with an air supply, water supply, and suction channel necessary for an endoscopic examination is provided with an optical system. It has been proposed to attach it to an endoscope and use it.

The channel is made of a rigid material in order to prevent the channel from buckling. In addition, USP 5,025,778 proposes that a channel is formed of a lumen using an elastic material that is crushed in a normal state in order to reduce the diameter.

[0005]

The outer diameter when the endoscope cover and the endoscope are combined is determined by the position of the insertion portion and the channel made of a material having rigidity. On the other hand, in order to insert the endoscope into the endoscope cover, it must be insertable over the entire length of the endoscope cover. Therefore, the space into which the endoscope insertion portion is inserted needs to be secured over the entire length in such a size that the large diameter portion of the endoscope insertion portion described later can be inserted.

Therefore, the outer diameter of the combined endoscope cover and endoscope is constant regardless of the change in the outer diameter of the combined endoscope insertion portion in the axial direction. For this reason, no attempt has been made to make the outer diameter of the endoscope partially inserted into the endoscope cover thin.

For example, a solid-state image sensor (CCD) for converting an endoscopic image formed by an objective optical system into an electric signal and a portion corresponding to an image pickup portion including a substrate thereof, and a connecting portion between a hard tip portion and a curved portion. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the insertion portion is set in accordance with a portion having the largest outer diameter (hereinafter, referred to as a large diameter portion) such as a connecting portion between the bending portion and the flexible tube and a vicinity of a curved rubber end portion. For this reason, the outer diameter of the cover and the endoscope in combination also extends over the entire length of the insertion portion, and becomes the outer diameter according to the large diameter.
There was a problem of causing great pain to the patient.

Further, in the configuration of USP 5,025,778, when an attempt is made to suck through a channel which is normally crushed, the pressure in the channel is lowered when the suction is started and the channel is crushed. There was a problem in that the particles adhered to each other as they were, and suction was impossible, making observation processing impossible.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cover-type endoscope capable of reducing the pain to a patient without impairing the function required of the endoscope. It is a thing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in a channel which is provided in an endoscope cover for covering an insertion portion of an endoscope and which is arranged substantially parallel to and adjacent to the insertion portion. A portion adjacent to the large diameter portion of the insertion portion,
By forming the material that can be deformed in the radial direction, only the portion adjacent to the large diameter portion becomes an enormous portion, so that the pain to the patient can be reduced.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a cover-type endoscope apparatus including the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a tip side of a cover-type endoscope. FIG. 3 shows the AA ′ cross section and the BB ′ cross section of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows a specific structure of the deformable portion of the suction channel portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope cover type endoscope apparatus 1 has an endoscope cover type endoscope (hereinafter referred to as a cover type endoscope) 2. This cover type endoscope 2
Is an endoscope cover (hereinafter abbreviated as a cover) 3 and an endoscope cover endoscope (hereinafter, referred to as a cover) mounted on the cover 3.
(Abbreviated as a cover endoscope) 4.

When performing an endoscopic inspection, the insertion portion of the cover endoscope 4 is covered with the clean cover 3, and the cover 3 is discarded after the inspection, while the cover endoscope 4 is removed.
Is characterized by being covered with a new clean cover 3 and used repeatedly. This makes it unnecessary to clean and disinfect the endoscope after the inspection.

The endoscope apparatus 1 includes the cover type endoscope 2, a cart 5 in which various peripheral devices and the like to which the cover type endoscope 2 is connected, and the cover type endoscope 2 are provided.
And a cover holder 6 for holding.

The cart 5 includes, for example, a light source device 7, a video processor 8, a fluid control device 9, and an endoscope cover extender (hereinafter referred to as an extender) used when the cover endoscope 4 is attached to the cover 3. 10) etc. are stored.
A video processor 8 is provided on the top surface of the cart 5.
Monitor 1 that receives the video signal from the computer and displays an endoscopic image
1 is placed.

In the cover endoscope 4, an operating portion 13 also serving as a large-diameter grip portion is continuously provided at a proximal end portion of the elongated insertion portion 12 on the proximal side, and a universal cord 14 is attached from a side portion of the operating portion 13. A connector 15 is provided at the end of the universal cord 14 that extends.

The light source device 7 is detachably connected to the cover endoscope 4 through the connector 15 and supplies illumination light to the endoscope. Further, the video processor 8 is detachably connected to the cover endoscope 4 via a signal cable 16 extending from a side portion of the connector 15, and drives an image pickup means built in the cover endoscope 4. , And the signal output from the image pickup means is converted into a standard video signal and output to the monitor 11.

The expansion device 10 is connected to an expansion tube 17 and is used to send air into the cover 3 through the expansion tube 17 to expand the expansion device. The mirror 4 can be easily attached or removed.

When the cover 3 is attached to or detached from the cover endoscope 4, a cover holder 6 is used. For example, the cover holder 6 holds the base end side of the cover 3 so that the cover endoscope 4 can be mounted. It is designed to be inserted or removed.

The cover 3 includes a flexible insertion portion cover portion 18
And an operation section cover section 19 and a universal cord cover section 20 made of a thin and soft polymer material such as vinyl chloride, and the insertion section 12 of the endoscope 4 for a cover and the operation section. 13, universal code 1
It covers 4 respectively.

The fluid control device 9 is provided with an air supply control valve 21, a water supply control valve 22 and a suction control valve 23, and air supply, water supply and suction are controlled by these electromagnetic valves.
The air supply control valve 21, the water supply control valve 22, and the suction control valve 23 are
An air supply channel 24, a water supply channel 25, and a suction channel 26, which are formed inside the insertion portion cover portion 18, are formed respectively, and are extended from a mouth portion 31 provided at the base end of the insertion portion cover portion 18. Air supply tube 2
4a, the water supply tube 25a, and the suction tube 26a are connected.

The suction control valve 23 has a suction tube 2
7 is connected, and an aspirator (not shown) is connected to the end of the endoscope 7, so that unnecessary body fluid or the like can be sucked from the distal end side of the endoscope. A water supply tube 28 is connected to the water supply control valve 22, and a water supply tank 29 is connected to the tip portion thereof.

Further, two air supply tubes 30 extend from the fluid control device 9 and are connected to the air supply control valve 21 and the water supply tank 29. An extension tube mouth portion 32 is provided in the mouth body portion 31, and by connecting the extension tube 17 and supplying air from the dilator 10, an (endoscope) insertion portion in the insertion portion cover portion 18 is provided. Air is sent into the insertion passage 18A to easily insert the insertion portion 1 of the endoscope 4 for a cover.
2 can be inserted / removed.

Further, a treatment instrument insertion port 33 is provided in the mouth portion 31, and when the treatment instrument is inserted from the treatment instrument insertion port 33, the distal end side of the treatment instrument is passed through the suction channel 26 communicating inside. Can be projected from the tip opening of the suction channel 26. The treatment instrument insertion port 33 is normally in a closed state and does not affect the suction operation.

The lengths of the air supply tube 24a, the water supply tube 25a, and the suction tube 26a are the same as the entire length of the insertion section cover 18, and the suction tube extended from the fluid control device 9 side through a connecting member. You may make it respectively connect to 27, the water supply tube 28, and the air supply tube 30.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which the insertion portion 12 is inserted into the insertion portion insertion passage 18A of the insertion portion cover portion 18.
The insertion portion 12 covered by the insertion portion cover portion 18 includes a distal end hard portion 35 provided with an objective optical system and an illumination optical system (not shown) from the distal end side, a bendable bending portion 36, and a flexible tube 37 having flexibility. It is formed sequentially. These tip hard parts 3
5, the curved portion 36 and the flexible tube 37 have a circular cross section.

The insertion portion 12 is formed with a large diameter portion 38 in which the connecting portion of the distal end hard portion 35 and the bending portion 36 has a larger outer diameter than the portions on both sides (in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 12). The large-diameter portion 38 is in the vicinity of a portion containing an unillustrated image pickup portion.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b),
An air supply tube 24 that forms an air supply channel 24, a water supply channel 25, and a suction channel 37 in the insertion part cover part 18 adjacent to the insertion part 12 substantially in parallel.
a, the water supply tube 25a, and the suction tube 26a are inserted. These air supply tube 24a and water supply tube 2
5a, suction tube 26a, suction tube 26
The diameter of a is the largest.

The insertion portion cover portion 18 has a hard tip portion 35.
(Insertion portion) cover front end portion 39, and the cover front end portion 39 is fixed to the front end, and has a flexible and elastic synthetic resin insertion portion cover outer cover 40. A suction channel 26 and the like are also housed inside the insertion portion cover outer skin 40 adjacent to the insertion portion 12 as shown in FIGS. The suction channel 26 is opened at the tip end portion 39 of the cover so that body fluid and the like can be sucked from the opening.

A transparent lens cover 41 covers the portion of the cover tip portion 39 that faces the objective optical system and the illumination optical system provided on the tip surface of the hard tip portion 35. The air supply tube 24a and the water supply tube 25a are connected to the base end of a nozzle fixed to an opening (not shown) of the cover tip 39, and the outlet of this nozzle is connected to the lens cover 4
When the lens cover 41 is confronted with No. 1 and the lens cover 41 is soiled, air or water is supplied to remove the soil and ensure the field of view.

In this embodiment, of the portions formed in the axial direction of the suction channel 26, the portions arranged in parallel adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 of the insertion portion 12 are made of a deformable material. The deformable portion 42 (more desirably, an easily deformable portion) is a feature.

That is, the deformable portion 42 can be deformed or displaced in the radial direction by the external force from the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the suction channel 26 (also simply referred to as the radial direction or the radial direction), and from the radial direction. By the external force of (the deformable portion 42
The feature is that the tube part is formed so as to be contractible.

As the deformable (or easily deformable) material, a flexible synthetic resin having elasticity is preferable. Further, as the synthetic resin having elasticity, for example, silicone polyurethane resin, porous tetrafluoroethylene resin or the like is preferable.

The suction channel 26 has a large diameter portion 3
In spite of interference with the insertion portion 8, it is arranged at the position closest to the insertion portion 12 at each position in the axial direction, and the tip portion thereof is fixed to the inner wall of the insertion portion cover tip portion 39. Here, FIG. 4 shows a specific structural example of forming the suction channel 26 by using the deformable portion 42 as a deformable material.

The rigid suction tube 26a forming the suction channel 26 has a tube body 26b whose portion adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 is deformable, and a tube-shaped connecting member 43 which is hardly deformed even when an external force is applied. Four
It is fixed to each of 3 by a method such as adhesion and welding.
At this time, the inner diameters of the tube bodies 26a and 26b and the connecting portion 43 are different from each other even when an external force is applied.
The required inner diameter of 6 is secured.

In this way, the suction channels 26 other than the deformable portion 42 are prevented from being crushed. In FIG. 4, when the insertion portion 12 of the cover endoscope 4 is inserted on the upper side with respect to the normal state (state in which no external force acts) indicated by the solid line, the large diameter portion 38 of the insertion portion 12 is deformed. Press the upper wall downward (press radially)
By this pressing, the tube body 26b forming the large diameter portion 42 can be deformed so as to project downward as shown by the chain double-dashed line. By thus deforming, the insertion portion cover outer skin 40 near the deformable portion 42
Also deforms to form an enlarged portion having a large cross-sectional area.

In this case, when a force is applied from the lower side (for example, pressure from the inner wall side of the body cavity), the tube body 26b is deformed into a circular cross section or the cross section itself is contracted. . Although it depends on the value such as the pressure from the outer peripheral side, it is set so that it can be deformed relatively easily until it becomes substantially the same as other outer diameters.

In other words, the bulged part is
By allowing the deformable portion 42 to have substantially the same outer diameter as the other outer diameter portion (due to the deformation accompanied by contraction inward in the radial direction), it is possible to easily pass through the narrowed portion. There is.

This deformable portion 42 is provided in the suction channel 2
A portion adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 in 6 extends so as to cover at least both ends (in the axial direction) of the large diameter portion 38.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. When the insertion section 12 is inserted into the insertion section cover section 18, the expansion tube 17 of FIG. 1 is connected to the expansion tube mouth section section 32 and air is supplied from the dilator 10 so that the inside of the insertion section cover section 18 is Air is introduced into the insertion portion insertion passage 18A to expand the insertion portion cover outer cover 40.

As a result, the insertion portion 1 having the large diameter portion 38
2 can also be inserted into the insertion portion cover portion 18, and is inserted to a position where the end surface of the distal end hard portion 35 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cover distal end portion 39, and then the expansion tube 17 is extended. And set as shown in FIG.

In this state, the large-diameter portion 38 presses the suction channel 26 in the adjacent portion, so the deformable portion 42 adjacent to the large-diameter portion 38 is deformed downward as shown in FIG. Will protrude radially outward from the other portions.

That is, in the AA 'section of the large-diameter portion 38 in FIG. 2, the deformed portion other than the large-diameter portion 38, such as the BB' section, becomes larger in the radially outward direction. The suction channel 26 shown in FIG. 3B is deformed radially outward (downward in FIG. 3A) as shown in FIG. 3A (more specifically, shown by a dotted line in FIG. 3A). The center of the suction channel 26 moves to the outer peripheral side as shown by the solid line in FIG. The dotted line in FIG. 3A shows the position before being deformed by the large diameter portion 38.

In this case, the cover skin 40 also moves to the outer peripheral side along this direction as the suction channel 26 moves outward in the radial direction, and the outer diameter increases (in FIG. 3, the diameter in the left-right direction is It hardly changes, but the vertical diameter is enormous)
An enormous part is formed.

The deformable portion 42 is also easily deformed by an external force from the outer peripheral side. Therefore, the large diameter portion 38
Since only the vicinity has an outer diameter larger than that of the other portion (rather than the overall thickened state), it is possible to reduce the pain given to the patient when the patient is inserted into the patient for endoscopic examination.

According to the first embodiment having such a structure and operation, the suction channel 26 is arranged at the position closest to the insertion portion 12, and the deformable portion 42 adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 of the suction channel 26 is Since it is made of a deformable material, it deforms along the large-diameter portion 38 to allow the insertion portion cover portion 18 to be deformed.
The insertion part 12 and the insertion part 12 are combined. Therefore, the outer diameter when the insertion part 12 and the insertion part cover part 18 are combined can be set to the minimum necessary outer diameter at each axial portion, and the suction channel 26 is There is no crushing.

Further, since the suction channel 26 maintains a circular hollow in a normal state, it will not be crushed even if suction is performed with a suction pressure of about 150 mmHg to 400 mmHg. Therefore, it is possible to provide the cover-type endoscope 2 that does not impair the functions required for the endoscope and does not cause great pain to the patient.

Further, since the deformable portion 42 having the largest outer diameter is deformable, the deformable portion 42 contracts and deforms even when passing through the narrowed portion in the body cavity, and the outer diameter becomes smaller, so that the body cavity is further expanded. It also has the effect of improving the insertability. The deformation due to this external force can be performed with a force of about 500 gf.

The entire length of the suction channel 26 may be a tube body made of a deformable material. In this case,
The cost can be reduced by reducing the number of parts and the number of assembly steps.

The object of the present invention can be achieved if at least the portion adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 is the deformable portion 42 made of a deformable material. The large-diameter portion 38 is not limited to the vicinity of the connecting portion between the hard tip end portion 35 and the bending portion 36 described above, but a portion having a large diameter in the insertion portion 12, for example, the connection between the bending portion and the flexible tube. There is a case where the portion has a large diameter, a case where the vicinity of the curved rubber end portion becomes thick, and the like, and the first embodiment (and the following modifications and examples) can be widely applied to the portion having such a large diameter.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the deformable portion formed in the suction channel 26 in the modification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5A, the bellows portion 45 is provided on one portion of the suction tube 26a made of a material having a rigid body to form the deformable portion 42. Further, in FIG. 5B, the inner surface is smooth and the outer surface is provided with the spiral groove 46 a to form the molding portion 46, and the deformable portion 42 that is deformable by the molding portion 46.
To have the function of.

With such a structure, a deformable portion and a rigid portion can be obtained by one tube body, so that assembly is not necessary and both flexibility and lumen holding force can be obtained. it can.

At this time, as the material having the rigidity,
Fluorine-based resins such as tetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE) and tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin (PFA) are also preferable because they have the effect of reducing the treatment tool insertion resistance.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 6
The tip side of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The suction tube 26a forming the suction channel 26 is directed toward the large-diameter portion 38 near the connecting portion of the distal end hard portion 35 and the bending portion 36 with an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis O of the insertion portion 12. It is attached to the suction channel attachment pipe 47 made of rigid metal or thermoplastic resin attached to the hard portion 35 by a method such as adhesion or welding.

In this case, the suction channel mounting pipe 47
Is fixed to the hole provided in the cover tip 39 with its rear end being away from the longitudinal axis, and a portion slightly rearward of the front end of the suction tube 26a attached to the rear end of this suction channel attachment pipe 47. Is deformed to the outside in the radial direction, and the deformable portion 42 is formed at this portion.

In this case, the suction channel mounting pipe 47
Aluminum and stainless steel are preferable as the material of the above, and polysulfone, modified polyphenylene oxide, and polyetherimide are preferable as the thermoplastic resin.

Next, the operation and effect will be described. With this structure, the suction tube 26a can be connected to the cover tip 39 through the suction channel mounting pipe 47 in a substantially straight line. Furthermore, since the suction channel mounting pipe 47 has rigidity, when a treatment tool such as forceps is inserted into the suction channel 26, it can be smoothly inserted without being caught in the deformable portion 42, and the treatment is easy and reliable. Has the effect of

Needless to say, since the suction tube 26a is easily deformed in the deformable portion 42, it has the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment.

In the above-described first and second embodiments, the suction channel 26 has been described as an example, but the suction channel 26 is not limited to the suction channel 26, and may be used for the air supply channel 24 and the water supply channel 25, with the same effect. Not only the suction channel 26 and the air supply channel 2
4. If it is applied to all of the water supply channels 25, the obtained effect becomes larger and more remarkable. Also, at least one channel, especially the suction channel 2 with the largest diameter.
You may implement only about 6.

In the state where the cover endoscope and the endoscope cover are assembled, the channel of the portion adjacent to the large diameter portion of the cover endoscope is crushed in the radial direction, and the channel is inserted into the channel. When inserting the treatment tool, the channel and the cover outer cover may be deformable to the extent that they can be moved in the direction opposite to the endoscope.

(1) By the way, the bending portion 36 provided at the tip of the cover endoscope is operated by rotating a bending operation knob (not shown) provided in the operating portion 13 so that the bending operation wire (see FIG. A bending operation can be performed remotely from the operation unit 13 side via a not shown).

Further, in order to prevent the bending operation wire from meandering inside the flexible tube 37, the bending operation wire is inserted inside a coil whose one end is fixed to the tip of the flexible tube 37. .

(2) In the cover type endoscope, since the channels and the cover 3 are provided on the outside of the bending portion 36, when the bending is applied in the direction in which the channels are arranged, the bending center is set to the bending center. Since the center of the channel is deviated, the channel meanders in the cover 3 to prevent bending, so that the tension applied to the bending operation wire increases, and the bending operation wire extends due to repeated use, resulting in a desired bending angle. There is a possibility that it will not be obtained.

If it is attempted to increase the bending operation wire diameter to improve the strength and resistance in order to prevent this, the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion also becomes large, which causes pain to the patient during insertion. There was a problem.

Further, as in USP 4,947,857, when the bending center and the insertion tube center are displaced from each other, there is a problem that the workability of the bending tube is poor and the cost is high. Therefore, the endoscopes shown below can reduce the pain given to the patient, achieve the improvement of strength and endurance of the bending operation wire, and maintain the bending angle. It is characterized by

7 and 8 show the structure of such a cover endoscope. 7 is a sectional view of the bending portion 36 of the endoscope for a cover, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the flexible tube 37.

As shown in FIG. 7, a curved rubber 54 forming a curved portion 36 and a blade 5 woven with stainless fine wires.
5, inside the bending piece 56, the light guides 57, 57,
Signal lines 58, 58 for transmitting signals from a CCD (not shown) are housed, and these light guides 57, 57 signal lines 58,
58 is covered with a protective tube 59 made of, for example, porous tetrafluoroethylene.

In the endoscope of this embodiment, the bending operation wire 60 is used.
Are arranged in each of the upper, lower, left, and right bending directions, one end of each is fixed to the distal end side of the bending portion 36 by brazing or soldering, and the other end is connected to a bending operation mechanism (not shown). .

The cross-sectional area of the bending operation wire 60 is 1/2 of the cross-sectional area for maintaining the strength of the conventional bending operation wire at the required strength. Also, the bending operation wire 60
Is disposed in the bending piece 56 in a gap between the light guide 57 and the protection tube 59 provided on the signal line 58.

As described above, the number of the cross-sectional areas of 1/2 is set to two, and the cross-sectional area of one is twice that of the built-in components such as the light guides 57 and 57 and the signal lines 58 and 58. The structure is such that it can be arranged at a higher filling rate than it is arranged in a narrow space, and the structure can realize a smaller diameter.

As shown in FIG. 8, the flexible tube 37 has an outer skin 62 made of a synthetic resin such as polyurethane or polyester.
This is a triple-layered structure of a blade 55 woven with stainless steel fine wires and a flex 63 in which a thin metal plate is spirally wound.

The plurality of bending operation wires 60 inserted into the flexible tube 37 are inserted into a guide member 64 having an oval cross section so that the bending operation wires 60 are located at predetermined positions in the flexible tube 37. Here, the guide member 64 is preferably a tightly wound coil in order to keep the length of the flexible tube 37 in the axial direction constant.

Also, other than the closely wound coil, any material can be used as long as it has strength enough to keep the length of the flexible tube 37 in the axial direction constant.
For example, polyimide or tetrafluoroethylene may be used. The guide member 64 is also arranged in the gap between the light guide 57 and the signal line 58 in the blade 63, similarly to the bending operation wire 60 shown in FIG.

With such a configuration, the following actions and effects are obtained. As described above, the bending operation wire 60
With the arrangement, since the strength of the wire is substantially proportional to the cross-sectional area thereof, the strength required for the bending operation wire can be maintained, and the bending operation wire 60 and the guide member 6 can be maintained.
Since 4 is arranged in the space between the built-in objects such as the light guide 57 and the signal line 58, the outer diameters of the bending portion 36 and the flexible tube 37 can be minimized, and the pain of the patient can be reduced.

In other words, according to this structure, the space in the bending portion can be used more effectively and the diameter can be made smaller than in the case of using a single bending operation wire. 7 and 8, a plurality of bending operation wires 6 are provided in all four directions.
Although it is set to 0 and 60, even if it is configured by a plurality of bending operation wires in at least one direction, the above-mentioned effect will be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the bending operation wire 60 is set to 1/2 of the cross-sectional area for maintaining the strength of one bending operation wire as required in the conventional case.
Of course, the invention is not limited to this, and if it is set to 60% and two pieces are arranged in the gap of the built-in object, the strength and durability of the bending operation wire can be further improved without increasing the outer diameters of the bending portion 36 and the flexible tube 37. it can.

The number of bending operation wires 60 is not limited to two, and, for example, the bending operation wire 60 is bent in three directions in each direction as 1/3 of the cross-sectional area for keeping the strength of the conventional bending operation wire at the required strength. The operation wire 60 may be arranged in the gap between the built-in objects. That is, any number may be used as long as the product of the number of bending operation wires 60 and the cross-sectional area is equal to or larger than the cross-sectional area for maintaining the strength of one bending operation wire as required conventionally.

Further, the configuration as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be adopted. That is, in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the bending operation wire 60 arranged in each direction has a cross-sectional area of ½ (in order to maintain the strength of a conventional bending operation wire) to be two. However, in this modification, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the bending operation wires 60a, 6 having different diameters in each direction are provided.
0b are arranged respectively.

In this case, a plurality of bending operation wires 60a,
Make the sum of the cross-sectional areas of 60b the desired cross-sectional area,
It secures the required strength. Note that FIG. 9 and FIG.
In the case of 0, two types of diameters are used, but the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of bending operation wires may be different for each of them arranged in each direction.

When the bending operation wires having the same diameter are used, the number of parts can be reduced. On the other hand, when the bending operation wires having different diameters are used, the bending portion 36,
Each has the advantage that the space in the flexible tube 37 may be used more effectively.

Therefore, the bending operation wires 60a and 60b having different diameters are arranged in the gap between the built-in bodies so that the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the bending operation wires arranged in each direction becomes a desired cross-sectional area. By effectively utilizing the gap between the bending portion 36 and the flexible tube 37, it is possible to further reduce the outer diameter of the bending portion 36 and the flexible tube 37 while maintaining the strength of the bending operation wire.

Here, bending operation wires 60a having different diameters,
In the case of 60b, the guide member 64 of FIG. 8 can be inserted through the bending operation wires 60a and 60b having different diameters, and the guide member 6 having a modified cross section having the minimum cross sectional area.
It is preferably 4 '(see FIG. 10).

In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 10 described above, a plurality of bending operation wires are provided in all bending directions, but of course the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided as follows.

When performing a bending operation in the direction in which the suction channel 26 and the like are provided on the outside as shown in FIG. 11, only a plurality of bending wires 60A are used for pulling operation. Here, 60B is a bending operation wire having a cross-sectional area having a resistance strength necessary for the bending operation wire when performing a bending operation in a direction other than the direction in which the channel is provided.

With this structure, the suction channel 26
Etc. are provided, the strength of the bending operation wire in the direction in which a large tension is applied to the bending operation wire can be increased, and the outer diameter can be minimized.

Further, the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 are not limited to the cover type endoscope, and the same action and effect can be obtained even when applied to a conventional endoscope without a cover. . When the embodiments according to FIGS. 7 to 11 described above are summarized, the claims as in appendices 26 to 35 are made.

By the way, because of the background art such as the above (1), there is the problem of the above (2), and for the purpose of solving the problem, the bending of the bending operation wire is prevented from being stretched and the bending angle is maintained. As a method, the meandering of the channel in the cover during bending may be prevented by the following method.

In order to achieve the above object, in a separate channel type endoscope cover having a channel part assembly insertion lumen on the side of the insertion part cover, the suction channel tip of the channel part assembly is set to the channel part assembly tip end part. It is characterized by being fixed so that it can slide in the axial direction.

The embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. The insertion portion cover portion 75 of this embodiment has a channel portion assembly 77 on the side of the scope lumen 76 into which the insertion portion 12 is inserted.
Has a channel lumen 78 for inserting therein, and a cover tip end portion 79 that fits into the tip end hard portion 35 is hermetically fixed to one end of the scope lumen 76 by welding or adhesion.

An optically transparent lens cover 80 is hermetically provided at the tip of the cover tip 79. A fixing groove 81 is provided on the side surface of the cover tip portion 79.

The channel assembly 77 has a suction port 8 at its tip.
2 is opened, and the channel portion assembly tip portion 85 is watertightly positioned and fixed so that the tip openings of the air supply nozzle 83 and the water supply nozzle 84 face the bottom surface of the lens cover 80, and the rear end of the channel portion assembly tip portion 85. At the other end, the suction port 8
2. Suction channel 86, air supply channel 87, water supply channel 8 which communicate with air supply nozzle 83 and water supply nozzle 84
It consists of 8.

Then, the channel assembly 77 is inserted from the rear end side into the channel lumen 78 (as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12), and the distal end surface 79A of the insertion portion cover distal end portion 79 and the distal end surface of the channel portion assembly distal end portion 85 are inserted. After aligning the position with 85A, a substantially ring-shaped fixing member 89 is fitted into the fixing groove 81 to fix the insertion portion cover front end portion 79 and the channel portion assembly front end portion 85. The state fixed in this way is shown in FIG.
3 is a sectional view.

At this time, the suction channel 86 is slidably fixed to the front end portion 85 of the channel assembly as shown by the arrow in FIG. Reference numeral 90 in FIG. 13 denotes an insertion portion cover outer cover. And the air supply nozzle 83, the water supply nozzle 8
4 is fixed in position with respect to the front end portion 79 of the insertion portion cover.

The operation and effect will be described below. When a bending operation is performed on the cover-type endoscope configured as described above, the difference in the axial movement amount between the suction channel 86 and the insertion portion cover portion 75 caused by the deviation between the bending center 91 and the center 92 of the suction channel is The suction channel 86 is absorbed by sliding with respect to the distal end portion 85 of the channel assembly.

At this time, since the inside of the scope lumen 76 is isolated from the outside by the insertion portion cover front end portion 79, it is not necessary to make the suction channel 86 and the insertion portion cover front end portion 79 watertight, and the suction channel 86 is smooth. To slide.

Therefore, even if the bending operation is performed, the suction channel 86 does not meander in the insertion portion cover portion 75, so that the bending operation can be performed smoothly, and the tension applied to the bending operation wire is small. Therefore, even if the bending operation is repeatedly performed, the bending operation wire does not extend and the bending angle does not decrease.

Further, in the method according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to increase the diameter of the bending operation wire, it is not necessary to necessarily increase the diameter of the cover endoscope, and the patient is not greatly distressed. Further, since the air supply nozzle 83 and the water supply nozzle 84 are positioned and fixed, it is possible to reliably supply air and water to the surface of the lens cover 80 in any case, and thus it is possible to easily remove dirt and the like adhering to the observation visual field. it can. Here, the following configuration shown in FIG. 14 may be adopted in order to more reliably remove the dirt attached to the observation visual field.

The objective lens 93 provided at the tip of the cover endoscope is arranged substantially at the center of the tip surface, and the illumination lenses 94, 94 are arranged around the objective lens 93, and the cover tip portion 79 is provided.
The lens cover 80 provided in the above is formed into a circular shape substantially coaxial with the central axis of the objective lens 93, and the air supply nozzle 83 and the water supply nozzle 84 provided in the channel part set 77 are directed toward the center of the cover tip part 79. Deploy.

With this structure, when the insertion portion cover 75 and the channel portion assembly 77 are assembled, the air supply nozzle 83 and the water supply nozzle 84 are always directed toward the objective lens 93 even if a displacement occurs in the circumferential direction. The objective lens 93
It is possible to remove dirt and water drops within the field of view.

The embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 can be summarized as in appendices 36 to 38. A partial combination of the above-described embodiments and the like also belongs to the present invention.

[Supplementary Note] (1) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the channels is attached to the distal end of the insertion section cover at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope. (2) The cover type endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 1, wherein the center of at least one of the channels is moved to the outer peripheral side of the endoscope cover in the large diameter portion of the endoscope. (3) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the cover outer skin also moves to the outer peripheral side along the channel to form an enlarged portion having an enlarged outer diameter.

(4) The channel is deformable to the extent that the enlarged portion is easily deformed by an external force from the outer peripheral side and has an outer diameter substantially the same as the other portions. Endoscope. (5) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the large-diameter portion of the endoscope is in the vicinity of a portion in which the imaging unit is incorporated. (6) The cover type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the large diameter portion of the endoscope is near a curved rubber end portion.

(7) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the large-diameter portion of the endoscope is near the connecting portion between the bending portion and the flexible tube. (8) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 1, wherein a channel of a portion adjacent to the endoscope large-diameter portion is radially collapsed in a state where the endoscope and the endoscope cover are assembled. (9) When the treatment tool is inserted into the channel, the channel and the cover outer cover can be deformed to such an extent that the channel portion adjacent to the endoscope large diameter portion can move in the direction opposite to the endoscope. The cover-type endoscope according to attachment 8.

(10) The cover type endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 1, wherein a portion of the channel in the axial direction of the suction channel adjacent to the large diameter portion of the endoscope is deformable. (11) The cover-type endoscope according to claim 1 or claim 1, wherein a portion of all of the channels in the axial direction adjacent to the large diameter portion of the endoscope is deformable. (12) The cover-type endoscope according to appendices 10 and 11, wherein the deformable material and the material having rigidity are combined in the axial direction.

(13) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 12, wherein the deformable material is a synthetic resin having soft elasticity. (14) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 13, wherein the synthetic resin having soft elasticity is porous tetrafluoroethylene. (15) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 13, wherein the flexible synthetic resin is polyurethane.

(16) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 13, wherein the synthetic resin having soft elasticity is silicon. (17) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 10, which has a lumen holding force that does not block the channel due to suction pressure. (18) The cover type endoscope according to appendices 10 and 11, wherein the channel is made of a material having rigidity in which a deformable portion is formed in a portion adjacent to the large diameter portion of the endoscope.

(19) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 18, wherein the easily deformable portion is formed by forming a tube body into a bellows shape. (20) The cover type endoscope according to appendix 18, wherein the easily deformable portion has a smooth inner surface and a spiral groove provided on the outer surface. (21) The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 18, wherein the rigid material is a fluororesin.

(22) The cover-type endoscope as set forth in appendix 21, wherein the fluororesin is a tetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE). (23) The fluororesin is tetrafluoroethylene-
The cover type endoscope according to appendix 21, which is a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer resin (PFA). (24) The center of the channel adjacent to the large-diameter portion of the endoscope and the outer cover of the endoscope cover move to the outer peripheral side of the endoscope cover, and the outer diameter expands, and the enlarged part expands to the outer peripheral side. Note 1 that the channel can be deformed to the extent that it is easily deformed by an external force from the outer diameter and has an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the other portion.
The cover-type endoscope described in 7.

(25) With the endoscope and the endoscope cover assembled, the channel adjacent to the large diameter portion of the endoscope is crushed in the radial direction, and the treatment instrument is inserted into the channel. The cover-type endoscope according to appendix 17, wherein the channel and the cover outer cover can be deformed so that the channel and the cover outer cover can be moved in the opposite direction. (26) In a bending endoscope, which is configured to bend the bending portion by providing a bending portion on the distal end side of the insertion portion and pulling a bending operation wire having one end fixed to the bending portion, An endoscope including a plurality of bending operation wires in at least one direction. According to this configuration, the space in the bending portion can be used more effectively and the diameter can be made smaller than in the case of using a single bending operation wire.

(27) The endoscope according to appendix 26, wherein among the bending operation wires, a plurality of wires for bending in the direction of a channel provided outside the endoscope insertion portion are provided. (28) The endoscope according to appendices 26 and 27, wherein the plurality of bending operation wires have the same diameter. (29) The endoscope according to appendices 26 and 27, wherein the plurality of bending operation wires provided have different diameters. (30) The endoscope according to appendices 28 and 29, wherein the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the plurality of bending operation wires provided is equal to or more than the cross-sectional area required to obtain a desired bending operation wire strength.

(31) The endoscope according to appendix 30, wherein the plurality of bending operation wires are inserted into a hollow guide member having an irregular cross section in the flexible tube of the endoscope. (32) The endoscope according to appendix 31, wherein the hollow guide member has an oval cross section. (33) The endoscope according to appendices 31 and 32, wherein the hollow guide member is a close-wound coil.

(34) The endoscope according to appendices 31 and 32, wherein the hollow guide member is a polyimide resin. (35) The endoscope according to appendices 31 and 32, wherein the hollow guide member is a tetrafluoroethylene resin. (36) A suction channel, an air supply channel, and a water supply channel that communicate with each of the suction port, the air supply nozzle, and the water supply nozzle are provided at the other end of the front end portion having a suction port, an air supply nozzle, and a water supply nozzle at the tip. And an insertion section cover which covers the endoscope insertion section and is provided with a lens cover at its tip and which has a channel insertion lumen for inserting the channel section set on the side thereof. In the endoscope cover, the suction channel is slidably fixed to the distal end portion.

According to this structure, when the bending operation is performed, the suction channel can slide, so that the meandering of the suction channel can be prevented. Further, the tension applied to the bending operation wire is reduced, and the extension of the wire can be reduced even when the bending operation is repeated.

(37) The air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are
37. The endoscope cover according to appendix 36, which is positioned and fixed to the tip portion. (38) The endoscope cover according to appendix 37, wherein the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are positioned and fixed so that their openings face the surface of the lens cover.

[0117]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the endoscope cover for covering the insertion portion of the cover endoscope is provided,
Since the portion of the channel arranged adjacent to and substantially parallel to the insertion portion adjacent to the large diameter portion of the insertion portion is formed with a deformable portion made of a material that is deformable in the radial direction,
Only the deformable portion adjacent to the large-diameter portion is made to be an enlarged portion, so that the pain to the patient can be reduced. Further, even when the narrowed portion is passed through, the deformable portion is contracted and deformed so that it can be easily inserted.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure on the distal end side of the cover-type endoscope of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ and line BB ′ of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a specific structure of a deformable portion of a suction channel portion.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a suction channel according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure on the tip side of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a curved portion of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible tube of a cover endoscope.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a bending portion of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible tube of the cover endoscope.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a bending portion of a cover-type endoscope.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the distal end side of the cover type endoscope.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure on the distal end side of a cover type endoscope.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing the structure of the distal end surface of the cover type endoscope.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... Endoscope device 2 ... Cover system endoscope 3 ... Cover 4 ... Cover endoscope 5 ... Cart 6 ... Cover holder 7 ... Light source device 8 ... Video processor 9 ... Fluid control device 10 ... Cover extender 12 ... Insertion part 13 ... Operation part 18 ... Insertion part cover part 24 ... Air supply channel 25 ... Water supply channel 26 ... Suction channel 26a ... Suction tube 35 ... Tip hard part 36 ... Curved part 37 ... Flexible tube part 38 ... Large diameter part 39 ... Cover tip part 40 ... Cover outer skin 41 ... Lens cover 42 ... Deformable part

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

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 25, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 1]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

[Figure 7]

[Fig. 13]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

FIG. 11

[Fig. 12]

FIG. 14

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] October 4, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

As the deformable (or easily deformable) material, a flexible synthetic resin having elasticity is preferable. Further, as the synthetic resin having elasticity, for example, silicon , polyurethane resin, porous tetrafluoroethylene resin and the like are preferable.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The suction tube 26a having rigidity forming the suction channel 26 has a tube body 26b made of a material whose portion adjacent to the large diameter portion 38 is deformable, and a tube-shaped connecting member 4 which is hardly deformed even when an external force is applied. 3 in its <br/> respectively bonded, are fixed in such a way welding. At this time, the inner diameter of the tube body 26a, 26b, connecting member 43 has secured required internal diameter as each suction channel 26 even when an external force is applied.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having a flexible insertion portion provided with an optical system at its tip, a channel used for endoscopy provided separately from the endoscope, and at least the insertion portion. In a cover-type endoscope that is used in combination with a cover that covers a portion, at least a portion of the axial portion of at least one channel that is arranged substantially parallel to and adjacent to a large-diameter portion of the insertion portion, A cover-type endoscope characterized by being deformable.