JPH0795953A - Cover sheath for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable continuous use of an endoscope, a TV camera and a TV camera cord and the like without sterilization while securing a clear visual field constantly by covering the endoscope, the TV camera, the TV camera cord and the like while humor, blood and the like on a observation window are washed. CONSTITUTION:A hard mirror 5, a TV camera, a cord 15 and the like are covered with an endoscope sheath 42 and a camera cover 15 to allow continuous use without fear of contamination. A physiological saline is fed to an observation window 4 via a pipeline 7 and a nozzle part 6c formed between an inner pipe 2 and an outer pipe 3 in the endoscope sheath 42 to wash the observation window 4. This can secure a clear visual field constant thereby enabling a smooth preceding without interruption during an operation or the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope cover sheath used in combination with a medical endoscope for observing the inside of a body cavity and a TV (television) camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been used to prevent infection.
It was necessary to sterilize before use. However, there is no room to wait for the sterilization when the endoscope is to be continuously used by a patient who is to be restored or when an emergency operation is desired. In order to solve this, as disclosed in USP Re33,854, the endoscope, the TV camera, and the TV camera cord are covered with a cover that has been sterilized in advance, so that the endoscope can be sterilized. Fixed video endoscopes with flexible sheaths have been proposed.

On the other hand, when observing the inside of a body cavity with an endoscope, there are cases where body fluid or blood adheres to the observation window of the endoscope or the like, making observation difficult. In order to solve this, as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-7966,
A channel is provided in the endoscope and a nozzle is provided at the tip of the channel, and when body fluid or blood adheres, the observation window can be washed by performing air supply, water supply, suction, etc. through the channel and nozzle. Endoscopes have been proposed.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] USPRe 33,85
In the fixed video endoscope with a sheath disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4 publication, if body fluid or blood adheres to the observation window at the tip of the sheath that covers the endoscope, the field of view deteriorates, so the body cavity or endoscope must be removed. The observation window at the tip of the sheath must be wiped and inserted again into the body cavity. Therefore, the operation was interrupted during that time, which hindered smooth operation.

Further, in the endoscope disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-7966, which has a channel and a nozzle for cleaning the observation window at the tip of the endoscope, a general description of the endoscope and a channel are provided before use. The nozzles and nozzles need to be sterilized and cannot be used continuously or in emergency surgery. Further, when this endoscope is covered with a sheath, it is impossible to wash the outer surface of the observation window at the tip of the sheath from the nozzle provided in the endoscope.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and covers the endoscope, TV camera, TV camera cord, etc., and cleans body fluid, blood, etc. adhering to the observation window,
An object of the present invention is to provide a cover sheath for an endoscope, which can always ensure a clear visual field and can continuously use an endoscope, a TV camera, a TV camera cord and the like without sterilization.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an endoscope in which an endoscope having an observation optical system provided in an insertion portion is detachably covered and an observation window facing the observation optical system is arranged at the tip. An endoscope light guide cable that has a mirror sheath and is connected to the endoscope and transmits illumination light to the endoscope; and an image formed by the observation optical system connected to the endoscope is captured. A cover sheath for an endoscope, comprising: a television camera; and a television camera cord that is connected to the television camera and transmits an electric signal captured and output by the television camera, and a flexible camera cover that covers at least the television camera cord and the television sheath. The endoscope sheath is provided at least with a pipe line connected to a liquid supply source for supplying liquid, and is provided at the distal end of the endoscope sheath so as to communicate with the pipe line and deliver at least the liquid supply toward the observation window. Nozzle part Having.

[0008]

With the above construction, the endoscope is covered by the endoscope sheath, and at least the endoscope light guide cable, the television camera and the television camera cord are covered by the camera cover, so that the endoscope can be seen even when inserted into the body. Since there is no risk of the mirror, camera, etc. becoming dirty, the covered endoscope, camera, etc. can be used continuously without sterilization.

Further, since the observation window at the tip of the endoscope sheath is washed by sending the liquid from the liquid sending source through the conduit and the nozzle portion, the body fluid, blood, etc. adhering to the observation window are washed, You can always secure a clear view. Therefore, when used, the operation can be smoothly progressed without interruption, for example, during the operation.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (a) is an overall configuration diagram of a cover sheath for an endoscope,
1 (b) is a perspective view of the distal end of the sheath portion of the endoscope sheath, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sheath portion, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an initial mounting state of the camera cord cover, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of the cord cover, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the valve, and FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the valve.

An endoscope cover sheath 4 shown in FIG. 1 (a).
1 has an endoscope sheath 42 including a sheath portion 1 and a sheath body 8 and a camera cord cover 15.

The sheath portion 1 is to be inserted into the body and comprises an inner pipe 2 and an outer pipe 3 as shown in FIG. The inner pipe 2 is made of a material such as stainless steel or plastic, and a transparent cover member (observation window) 4 such as plastic or glass is attached to its tip in a watertight and airtight manner. This inner pipe 2
The rigid endoscope 5 can be inserted into the inside of the cover member 4 such that the tip of the insertion portion of the rigid endoscope 5 comes into close contact with the inner surface of the cover member 4. The outer pipe 3 has a tip portion 6
Does not obstruct the visual field of the rigid endoscope 5, and the inner pipe 2
Has an opening 6a formed in a size that does not project. The tip portion 6 of the outer pipe 3 is formed with a thick contact portion 6b at the tip thereof as shown in FIG. 2, and a part of the contact portion 6b is thin, for example, the side wall of the pipe 3. The nozzle portion 6c is formed to have the same thickness as the above.
The endoscope to be used is not limited to the rigid endoscope and may be a flexible endoscope.

The inner pipe 2 has a smaller diameter than the outer pipe 3. Therefore, when the inner pipe 2 is inserted into the outer pipe 3 and the tip of the inner pipe 2 is in contact with the abutting portion 6b, a gap space is formed inside and the tip communicates with the outside. The space formed on the outer surface of the inner pipe 2 and the inner surface of the outer pipe 3 serves as a flow path 7 which is a conduit. As shown in FIG. 1B, the tip end side of the flow path 7 serves as a nozzle portion 6 c at the tip end of the outer pipe 3 and opens toward the cover member 4.

In the sheath portion 1, a sheath body 8 is fitted on the proximal end of the outer pipe 3. The mouthpiece 8a protruding in the middle of the side wall of the sheath body 8 communicates with the proximal side of the flow path 7. The base 8a is connected to the valve 10 via a tube 9.

The sheath body 8 has a lock mechanism for fitting the LG (light guide) base 11 of the rigid endoscope 5. Further, the proximal end of the outer pipe 3 can be assembled to the inner pipe 2 while being watertight and airtight, for example, by screwing or fitting. Therefore, the flow path 7
Will open only the nozzle portion 6c and close the others. Since the inner pipe 2 and the outer pipe 3 can be disassembled, they can be easily cleaned and sterilized. The watertightness and airtightness of the proximal end of the flow path 7 may be formed by the outer pipe 3 and the sheath body 8.

A TV camera 12 is connected to the rigid endoscope 5. The TV camera 12 has a TV camera cord 13 connected to a signal processing device (not shown) at the rear of the hand side. Further, the rigid endoscope 5 includes
A light guide cable 14 provided with an LG (light guide) base 11 at the end is connected. The other end of the light guide cable 14 is adapted to be connected to a light source device (not shown).

The sheath body 8 has a TV camera 12,
TV camera cord 13 and light guide cable 14
A camera cord cover 15 made of a transparent and flexible material such as polyethylene for covering the camera is attached in a watertight manner.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), the camera / code cover 15 is folded over the outside of the tube 16 in a bellows shape. Since there is the tube 16, it is easy to form the bellows. This cylinder 16 is a TV camera 12,
It has an inner diameter that allows the TV camera cord 13 and the light guide cable 14 to pass therethrough, and is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material such as paper or plastic. The camera cord cover 15 is folded and laid on the outside of the tube 16 in a bellows shape. In addition to the outer side of the tube 16, the camera / code cover 15 may be folded inward in a bellows-like manner as shown in FIG.

The tube 16 covers the sheath 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and is arranged so that the opening of the sheath body 8 is exposed from the proximal end of the tube 16.

The camera cord cover 15 is
It has a length that can cover the camera cord 13 over the entire length. Together with this camera cord cover 15, there are several places, TV camera cord 13, light guide cable 1
4, an adhesive tape 20 for collecting the water supply tube 18 and the suction tube 19 is wrapped around.

The adhesive tape 20 is the TV camera code 1
3, the light guide cable 14, the water supply tube 18, and the suction (or air supply) tube 19 may be formed of a plastic member having a fitting portion.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the valve 10. The valve 10 connected to the sheath body 8 via the tube 9 is attached to the outside of the camera cord cover 15. The flow path communicating with the flow path 7 in the valve 10 is branched into two flow paths 17a and 17b. One of the flow paths 17a is provided with a cuff bag 21 that pressurizes and stores the physiological saline solution that is being stored therein so that the water supply tube 1
8 and the other flow path 17b is connected to the suction device 22.
(Or an air supply device 22a) is connected via a tube 19. The valve 10 includes the flow path 7 and the flow path 17a.
And a suction cylinder part 1 is formed midway between the flow path 7 and the flow path 17b.
0b is formed. The water supply cylinder portion 10a and the suction cylinder portion 10b communicate with each other.

A water feed button 23 and a suction (air feed) button 24 made of an elastic material such as silicon are fitted in the water feed cylinder portion 10a and the suction cylinder portion 10b, respectively. By moving the water supply button 23 up and down, communication / interruption between the flow path 7 and the flow path 17a can be switched. Further, by moving the suction button 24 up and down, communication / blocking between the flow path 7 and the flow path 17b can be switched (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

The suction button 24 is penetrated by an atmosphere communication conduit 25 so as to be longitudinally cut. When the suction button 24 is pressed, the air communication conduit 25 is closed with a finger, while when not pressed, the atmosphere and the flow path 17b are communicated with each other via the atmosphere communication conduit 25.

With the above-mentioned structure, the rigid endoscope 5 to which the TV camera 12, the TV camera cord 13, and the light guide cable 14 are attached is inserted into the inner pipe 2, and the rigid endoscope 5 is attached by the lock mechanism attached to the sheath body 8. Fix it. At this time, the tip of the rigid endoscope 5 is positioned so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the cover member 4. After fixing the rigid endoscope 5, the cylinder 1
6 is slid toward the hand side, and the TV camera 12, the TV camera cord 13, and the light guide cable 14 are inserted into the inside of the barrel 16, and the camera cord cover 15 is held.
Cover with. As described above, the mountability of the camera cord cover 15 is good.

The TV camera 12, the TV camera cord 13, and the light guide cable 14 and the camera, which are housed in the camera cord cover 15, are attached by the adhesive tape 20 attached to the covered camera cord cover 15.
The water supply tube 18 and the suction tube 19 protruding outside the cord cover 15 are gathered together at several places over the entire length.

The physiological saline solution pressurized by the cuff bag 21 flows into the flow path 7 because the pipeline that has been blocked by pressing the water supply button 23 opens, and is jetted onto the entire surface of the cover member 4 at the tip of the sheath portion 1. To be done. Next, by pressing the suction (air supply) button 24 connected to the suction device 22 (or the air supply device 22a), the water remaining on the cover member 4 can be sucked (or blown away).

In the present embodiment, since the cords that were conventionally complicated can be put together into one, the operating room does not become complicated.

In this embodiment, even if the cover member is accidentally detached, it does not fall into the body because the size of the tip opening is smaller than that of the cover member. Moreover, since the storage position of the camera / code cover 15 is between the sheath body 8 and the tip of the sheath portion 1, it is easy to insert the rigid endoscope at the time of mounting, and work is also required when covering the camera cord after inserting the rigid endoscope. It's easy.

In this embodiment, the nozzle portion 6 having a thin tip is used.
The space between the outer pipe 3 provided with c and the inner pipe 2 serves as a flow path 7, which communicates with the nozzle portion 6c at the tip of the flow path 7 and the mouthpiece portion 8a provided on the proximal side. The physiological saline solution pressurized by the cover back 21 is sent through the pipe 9 connected to the mouthpiece portion 8a to spray water from the nozzle portion 6c onto the observation window 4 to drop body fluid, blood, etc. A clear field of view can be secured. Further, the water droplets remaining in the observation window 4 can be removed by sucking or sending air from the nozzle portion 6c by means of a suction device or an air sending device via the pipe 19. Since it has a cleaning function, when the field of view is blocked by blood, body fluid, etc., there is no need to remove the endoscope from the body and wipe it as in the conventional example, so that smooth surgery can be performed.

In this embodiment, the endoscope, TV camera and T
By covering all V camera cords, etc., the covered endoscope, TV camera, TV camera cord, etc. are not sterilized,
Can be used repeatedly for the next case. Furthermore, by replacing the sterilized main cover sheath, it is possible to perform an emergency operation and a plurality of continuous operations with one set of endoscope.

In the present embodiment, the pipe line is set to 1 inside the valve 10.
The tubes are not complicated because they are connected together.

FIGS. 7 and 8 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a structural view of a duct width limiting member, and FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sheath portion showing a mounted state of the duct width limiting member. Is.

In this embodiment, the conduit width limiting member 4 shown in FIG. 7 is used.
0 indicates the inner pipe 2 and the outer pipe 3 at the tip of the sheath portion 1.
Is installed in the gap. The duct width limiting member 40 is formed by obliquely cutting a pipe-shaped member having a diameter that allows the inner pipe 2 to be fitted therein. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In the above structure, the physiological saline solution flowing through the flow path 7 is sent to the cover member 4 in a state where the flow path 7 is narrowed by the conduit width limiting member 40.

In this embodiment, since the flow passage 7 is narrowed by the pipe width limiting member 40, the flow velocity increases and the cover member 4
It is possible to easily remove dirt and the like attached to the. The rest of the configuration, functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the explanation is omitted.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a housed state of the camera cord cover according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a housed state of the camera cord cover 15A. The camera cord cover 15A is folded back and stored in multiple layers. That is, the front and back surfaces of the camera / code cover 15A are alternately and repeatedly folded. One end of the camera cord cover 15A is attached to the sheath body 8 and is folded back to the final end 26.
Is located on the sheath body 8 side. Further, the storage position of the camera / code cover 15A is determined by the sheath body 8 and the sheath portion 1.
Between the tips, that is, the sheath body 8 is folded back and the camera
It is provided at a position where the end of the cord cover 15A is exposed.

Other than that, the same components and operations as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

With the above configuration, the camera cord cover 15A
When the TV camera 12, the TV camera cord 13, and the light guide cable 14 are inserted into the camera cord cover 15A by holding one end 26 of the camera cord cover 15,
The folding back of A is unwound, and the TV camera 12, the TV camera cord 13, and the light guide cable 14 are covered.

In this embodiment, it is possible to obtain a cheaper camera cord cover which is easy to mount.

10 and 11 relate to a first modification of the first embodiment, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a valve, and FIG. 11 is an overall view of an endoscope sheath.

The valve 10A of this modification shown in FIG.
The arrangement of the valve 10 and the buttons 23 and 24 of the first embodiment is different. The valve 10 of the first embodiment is the button 2
3, 24 are arranged at right angles to the axial direction of the sheath portion 1, but in the valve 10A shown in FIG. 10, the buttons 23, 24 are arranged parallel to the axial direction. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The valve 10A connected to the sheath body 8 via the tube 9 is attached to the outside of the camera cord cover 15 and is divided into two channels 17a and 17b in the valve 10A. One channel 17
In a, the physiological saline, which is pressurized by the cuff bag 21 or the like, flows into the flow path 7 through the tube 18. The other flow path 17b is connected to the suction device 22 (or the air supply device 22a) via the tube 19.

This valve 10A has a water supply cylinder portion 10a and a suction cylinder 10b which are arranged parallel to the axial direction.
Water supply button 23, suction (air supply) button 24, respectively
Is stored so that it can move back and forth.

Regarding the water supply button 23 and the suction (air supply) button 24, normally (when the button is not pushed down), the flow path 7 and the flow paths 17a and 17b are blocked while maintaining watertightness and airtightness. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11A, the direction in which the water supply button 23 and the suction (air supply) button 24 are pressed is
It is parallel to the axial direction of the sheath portion 1. Incidentally, FIG.
The sheath shown in (b) has a sheath body 8A provided with a grip portion that is longer than the sheath body 8. The buttons 23 and 24 are arranged in the sheath body 8A in the vicinity (or the opposite end) of the sheath portion 1.

In the previous configuration, when the water supply button 23 is pressed, the pipe line that was blocked is opened, and water flows in the flow path 7,
The physiological saline pressurized by the cuff bag 21 or the like is splashed on the entire surface of the cover member 4 at the tip of the sheath portion 1. Next, by pressing the suction (air supply) button 24 connected to the suction device 22 (or the air supply device 22a), the cover member 4
You can inhale (or blow away) the water remaining in the.

In this embodiment, since the buttons 23 and 24 are provided so as to be pushed in parallel to the axial direction of the sheath portion 1, even if the rigid endoscope 5 is laid sideways, it is easy to push and the operability is good.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a second modification of the first embodiment.

The sheath body 31 and the valve 10B of this modification shown in FIG. 12 are different from the sheath body 8 of the first embodiment.
It is detachably installed. A sheath body 8B is attached to the sheath portion 1. Other configurations and operations similar to those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the sheath body 8
In B, the valve receiving portion 27 projects from a part of the end portion on the proximal side toward the proximal side. As shown in FIG. 12B, the valve receiving portion 27 is provided with recessed portions 28, 28 symmetrically. The concave portions 28, 28 are fitted with the convex portions 29, 29 provided on the valve 10B so as to be symmetrical. The valve 10B is independent of the sheath body 8B and is detachably attached to the rigid endoscope 5. The bulb 10B is provided with left and right protrusions 30 similar to the protrusions 29, 29.

With the above structure, the camera cord cover 1
After mounting 5, the bulb 10B is attached to the rigid endoscope 5. At this time, the concave portions 28, 28 of the valve receiving portion 27 and the valve 1
The convex portions 29, 29 of 0B are fitted together.

In this embodiment, since the valve 10B is fixed by the valve receiver 27, the valve does not rotate when the water supply button 23 or the suction (air supply) button 24 is pressed. In addition, since it is a left-right contrast, if the tubes are replaced, the valve 10a can be attached to the left and right and vice versa. At this time, the projection 30 is fitted. Therefore, the valve position can be selected according to the operator's preference.

The structure shown in FIG. 13 is a cover for a television camera in which a camera cord cover 54 is attached to the rear end of an optical tube 53 arranged at the front end so that the camera head 51 and the camera cord 52 can be used repeatedly without sterilization. belongs to.

An image guide (or objective optical system) 55 and a light guide 56 are inserted from the front end to the rear end of the optical viewing tube 53. The camera head 51 is
It is adapted to be attached to the rear end of the optical tube 53. At the same time, the camera head 51 has an objective lens 57 and an image pickup element 58 arranged at a position facing the image guide 55, and an emission end of a camera side light guide 59 arranged at a position facing the light guide 56. ing. The image pickup device 58 picks up a subject image formed by the image guide 55, converts it into an electric signal, and transmits the electric signal to a signal processing device (not shown) via the signal line 60 of the camera cord 52. There is. Further, the camera side light guide 59 supplies illumination light from a light source device (not shown) to the light guide 56.

The camera cord cover 54 can be made of the same material as the camera cord cover 15. The camera cord cover 54 covers the camera head 51 and the camera cord 52 to prevent them from getting dirty. The optical viewing tube 53 and the camera cord cover 54 are integrated, and are disposable so that the camera head 51 and the cord 52 can be repeatedly used.

[0057]

According to the present invention, body fluid, blood, etc. adhering to the observation window are washed to ensure a clear visual field at all times to prevent interruption of work and to perform work such as surgery smoothly. Since the endoscope, the TV camera and the TV camera cord are covered with the endoscope sheath and the camera cover, there is an effect that they can be continuously used without sterilization.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 6 relate to a first embodiment, and FIG.
1A is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope cover sheath, FIG.
(B) is a perspective view of the distal end of the sheath portion of the endoscope sheath.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a sheath portion.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an initial mounting state of the camera cord cover.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an arrangement of a cylinder and a camera cord cover.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the valve.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the valve.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 relate to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conduit width limiting member.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sheath portion showing a mounted state of a conduit width limiting member.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a stored state of a camera cord cover according to a third embodiment.

10 and 11 relate to a first modification example.
0 is a sectional view of the valve.

FIG. 11 is an overall view of an endoscope sheath.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram according to a second modification.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a disposable TV camera cover.

[Explanation of symbols]

 41 ... Endoscope cover sheath 42 ... Endoscope sheath 1 ... Sheath part 2 ... Inner pipe 3 ... Outer pipe 4 ... Observation window 5 ... Hard endoscope 6c ... Nozzle part 7 ... Flow path

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope sheath detachably covering an endoscope provided with an observation optical system at an insertion portion, and having an endoscope sheath at a distal end thereof in which an observation window facing the observation optical system is arranged. An endoscope light guide cable connected to an endoscope for transmitting illumination light to the endoscope, a television camera connected to the endoscope for capturing an image formed by the observation optical system, and the television camera A cover sheath for an endoscope having a television camera cord that is connected and transmits an electric signal that is picked up and output by the television camera, and a flexible camera cover that covers at least the television camera cord, wherein the endoscope sheath is at least a transmitter. A liquid supply source for supplying liquid, and a nozzle portion provided at the distal end of the endoscope sheath, communicating with the conduit, and supplying at least the liquid toward the observation window. Featuring Endoscope cover sheath that.