JPH0824210A - Housing case for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a housing case for an endoscope protecting the endoscope from vibration or a temp. change during movement and transport. CONSTITUTION:A liquid 8 having an m.p. higher than temp. damaging an endoscope is sealed in housing cases 1, 2 capable of housing an endoscope at a definite position in a hermetically closed state to move and transport the same and the endoscope is protected from the vibration and shock during movement and transport and the freezing of the ultrasonic transmission medium of the endoscope is prevented to achieve safe movement and transport.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage case for an endoscope, which is compact and properly stores an endoscope for insertion into a body cavity and observing the inside of the body cavity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes for observing the inside of body cavities play a major role in discovering various diseases and treating affected areas. This endoscope is used by inserting it into a body cavity, and since it has a precise structure, it requires extreme caution when it is stored or transported. The storage case for endoscopes is used for such storage and transportation.
For example, the one shown in FIG. 13 has been proposed. This endoscope storage case is for carrying an ultrasonic endoscope whose overall shape is extremely complicated and unstable, or an ultrasonic probe which does not have an optical system that has a thin insertion part and is easily damaged by an unexpected external force. Is dedicated to.

Therefore, in the hard case body 50,
A urethane protective body 52, in which a storage groove 51 corresponding to the shape of the endoscope to be stored is formed, is provided, and a hard lid body 5 is similarly provided.
A protective body 54 made of urethane is also provided in 3, and the case body 50 and the lid body 53 can be opened and closed via a hinge 55. After the endoscope 56 is stored in the storage case, the lid 53 is closed and the endoscope 56 is transported by holding the handle 57. The stored endoscope 56 is made of urethane with the storage groove 51 formed therein. The body 52 provides protection from vibration and shock.

[0004]

By the way, in the ultrasonic endoscope, it is necessary to provide a liquid or gel-like ultrasonic transmission medium (acoustic medium) on the propagation path in order to allow the ultrasonic waves to enter the living body efficiently. There is. Therefore, in a mechanical scanning ultrasonic endoscope or a catheter ultrasonic probe, an acoustic medium is filled inside an acoustic window that covers an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. In this acoustic medium, when bubbles are generated, the propagation efficiency of ultrasonic waves is deteriorated, which causes sensitivity deterioration and artifacts. On the other hand, an ultrasonic endoscope or a catheter-type ultrasonic probe as a medical machine has a so-called room temperature of about 20 ° C. as an optimum environmental temperature for storage and diagnosis. However, when it is transported to a cold region, it may be loaded on the bed of an aircraft or a truck and is exposed to a temperature lower than the normal temperature.

As a result, the acoustic medium may freeze and cause a volume change, causing bubbles to enter. Further, the ultrasonic transducer may be stressed due to the volume change due to freezing, and may be damaged. Further, when gelatin or the like is used as the acoustic transmission medium, there is a case where a so-called nest is formed due to freezing and the normal state cannot be restored. As described above, the conventional storage case has the function of protecting the endoscope from vibration and shock during transportation, but does not have the function of protecting the endoscope from the temperature change and has the above-mentioned problems. Was there.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention protects the endoscope from vibrations and shocks during transportation, and also prevents the endoscope from being inconvenient due to temperature changes during transportation, particularly due to temperature changes from low temperature to room temperature. It is intended to provide a protective storage case for an endoscope.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to an endoscope storage case in which an endoscope is hermetically stored at a fixed position, and is moved and transported, in which the endoscope storage is provided. A storage case for an endoscope, wherein a liquid having a melting point at a temperature higher than a temperature at which the endoscope is damaged by low temperature is sealed in the case.

[0008]

As described above, since the ultrasonic endoscope is fixedly housed in the housing case, it is protected from vibration and shock caused by movement and transportation. Also, since the ultrasonic endoscope is protected by a liquid having a melting point at a temperature higher than the temperature at which it is damaged by low temperature, it is exposed to an extremely low temperature environment and the temperature of the liquid reaches the melting point. Even if freezing is started by this, the temperature of the melting point is maintained until it is completely frozen, and the acoustic medium of the ultrasonic endoscope also maintains the temperature near the melting point. Therefore, if the ultrasonic endoscope is moved and transported in a low temperature environment during that time, the ultrasonic endoscope can be prevented from being damaged by the temperature change.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view of the storage case in an open state. The case body 1 and the lid body 2 are connected via a hinge 3, and the lid body 2
To close, rotate in the direction of the arrow so that it is indicated by a chain double-dashed line. When the storage case is moved or transported, the handle 4 provided on the case body 1 is used. The case body 1 and the lid body 2 are made of a hard material and have a thickness capable of accommodating a heat retaining body. The case body 1 and the lid body 2 are provided with a heat retaining body 5 which is a polyethylene sealing body. This heat retaining body 5
Hard polyurethane is sprayed as a protector 6 on the outer surface of the.

Further, the heat retaining body 5 and the protective body 6 are formed with recesses 7 for accommodating an ultrasonic endoscope (endoscope) which can be fitted and fixed. Inside the heat retaining body 5 thus formed, aniline (liquid) 8 is injected through an opening (not shown), and after the completion of the injection, heat sealing is performed and sealed. In this case, the amount of aniline is filled in so as not to damage the heat retaining body 5 even if the volume of the aniline changes due to a change in ambient temperature. In addition,
Aniline 8 starts freezing when it reaches a melting point of -6 ° C.

The operation of the first embodiment constructed as described above will be described. When the ultrasonic endoscope is moved or transported, the ultrasonic endoscope is fitted into the storage groove 7 and fixed, and the lid 2 is closed. Since the ultrasonic endoscope is moved and transported in such a state, the movement given to the ultrasonic endoscope, the vibration during transportation,
The impact force is absorbed and protected by the protector 6. Further, when exposed to an extremely low temperature environment during the process of moving or transporting, the temperature outside the storage case decreases accordingly. Then, the aniline 8 enclosed inside the heat retaining body 5
The temperature of is also lowered by the influence of the low temperature conducted from the storage case.

However, until the aniline 8 is completely frozen, the temperature of the heat retaining body 5 and the protective body 6 is kept at -6 ° C. and no further temperature decrease occurs. Therefore, the temperature of the ultrasonic endoscope protected by the heat retaining body 6 can also be kept at -6 ° C,
Further, if the aniline 8 passes through an extremely low temperature environment before being completely frozen, exposure to a temperature below the melting point of the aniline 8 can be avoided. Therefore, when a compound that freezes at −10 ° C. is used as the acoustic medium of the ultrasonic endoscope, even if the outside air temperature temporarily becomes −20 ° C., it is frozen by the action of the heat retaining body 5 as described above. Escape.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the outside air temperature is temporarily lowered to -20 ° C. or lower by flying in the stratosphere during transportation by an aircraft, the ultrasonic endoscope is stored in the storage case. -6 ° C which is the melting point of aniline 8 by the heat insulator 6 of
It cannot be less than Therefore, even if the storage case is exposed to an extremely low temperature environment, the acoustic medium of the stored ultrasonic endoscope freezes and bubbles are mixed, or the acoustic medium is degenerated and the ultrasonic medium is degenerated. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the quality of the ultrasonic image during the diagnosis. Further, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic transducer from being damaged due to the volume change of the acoustic medium during freezing.

In the first embodiment, the aniline 8 having a melting point of -6 ° C. is enclosed inside the heat retaining body 5.
Alternatively, bromine having a melting point of -7.2 ° C may be enclosed, and hydrogen cyanide having a melting point of-13.3 ° C, carbon tetrachloride having a melting point of-23.8 ° C, and o-xylene having a melting point of-25.2 ° C are enclosed. May be. By using such a liquid, it is possible to protect an ultrasonic endoscope that is resistant to lower temperatures.
That is, it is suitable when the temperature at which the ultrasonic endoscope is damaged by low temperature is lower than the melting point of each liquid. For example, when the ultrasonic endoscope is damaged at −30 ° C., the durability to the lowest temperature can be improved by selectively adopting o-xylene having a melting point of −25.2 ° C.

Further, formic acid having a melting point of 8.4 ° C., benzene having a melting point of 5.5 ° C., and hydrogen peroxide having a melting point of −0.9 ° C. may be enclosed inside the heat retaining body 5. When such a liquid is used, it can be applied to an ultrasonic endoscope having low resistance to low temperatures. That is, it is suitable when the temperature at which the ultrasonic endoscope is damaged by the low temperature is lower than the melting point of each liquid as described above. For example, when the ultrasonic endoscope is damaged at 0 ° C., benzene having a melting point of 5.5 ° C. may be selected and adopted.

Further, salt solution, glucose aqueous solution, or sucrose aqueous solution may be enclosed inside the heat retaining body 5. The use of such liquids is suitable when the temperature of the ultrasonic endoscope, which is damaged by low temperatures, is lower than the melting point of each liquid. Since the liquid is low in price and does not require any special facility for handling, the cost can be reduced. In the first embodiment, the ultrasonic endoscope is used as a storage item, but it goes without saying that the storage item may be a catheter type ultrasonic probe.

2 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to improve vibration resistance and impact resistance. The parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.
Of these, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the storage case is opened. Similar to the first embodiment, the case body 1 and the lid body 2 are
It is connected via a hinge 3 and is rotated when closing the lid 2. Then move the storage case,
When carrying, it is designed to be carried by holding the handle 4 provided on the case body 1. The case body 1 and the lid body 2 are provided with a protective body 6 made of a hard material and made of hard polyurethane. Further, the protective body 6 is formed with a recessed storage groove 7 into which an ultrasonic endoscope can be fitted and set in place. A portion of the storage groove 7 corresponding to the vicinity of the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope is formed in a wide groove 7a.

A heat retaining body 5 as shown in FIG. 3A is arranged in the wide groove 7a. The heat retaining body 5 is a bag made of a fluororesin sheet having a substantially triangular pyramid shape, and a plug 5a for liquid-tightly sealing the liquid is provided at a required position. Then, the glucose aqueous solution is injected into the inside of the heat retaining body 5 by about 1/3 of the maximum sealable amount and is sealed with the stopper 5a. The heat retaining body 5 thus filled with the liquid is disposed in the groove 7a as shown in FIG. 3C to cover the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 9. FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the state. In this way, when the ultrasonic endoscope tip 9a is brought into contact with the center of one surface of the heat retaining body 5 and pushed in as it is, the tip of the ultrasonic endoscope 9 is covered so as to be buried in the heat retaining body 5. To be done.

Since the second embodiment is constructed as described above, it is possible to more sufficiently protect the tip portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 9 which is most likely to be damaged during movement and transportation, and to prevent vibration. And impact resistance can be improved. Also, the liquid that causes the weight to increase is the wide groove 7a of the case body 1.
Since the heat insulating body 5 is disposed only in the place, the weight of the storage case is reduced as compared with the first embodiment in which the liquid is disposed over the entire case body 1 and the lid body 2. be able to. Therefore, when it is considered that the time for passing through the environment of extremely low temperature is relatively short, the storage case of this embodiment may be used. In addition, when the heat retaining body 5 is not arranged and used in the case body 1, the liquid can be drained, flattened and stored. In the present embodiment, the shape of the heat retaining body 5 is a triangular pyramid, but the shape is not limited to this, and it is configured so that the tip portion of the ultrasonic endoscope 9 is sufficiently covered and protected. Needless to say, any shape such as a sphere, a rectangular parallelepiped, or a cube can be selected.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4A shows a heat retaining body 5 provided on the lid.
B indicates the heat retaining body 6 provided in the case body. These heat insulators 5 are formed of a thick polyvinylidene film in a liquid-tight manner, and liquid is injected into the inside through a pouring / draining port and sealed with stoppers 11 and 12. The configuration of the storage groove 7 of the ultrasonic endoscope is the same as that of the first embodiment. Then, when the liquid is filled, the form becomes as shown in FIG. 4, and when it is not arranged and used in the case main body and the lid, the liquid can be drained and flattened and stored. . Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

Since the third embodiment is constructed in this manner, the thick polyvinylidene film itself forming the heat retaining body 5 also functions as a protective body, so the first embodiment
It is not necessary to use the protector 6 provided on the outer surface of the heat retaining body 5 in the embodiment. Therefore, the configuration of the heat retaining body 5 can be simplified, and the storage space for storing the heat retaining body 5 can be reduced. Other effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show an example of the structure relating to the present invention, in which the case body 1 and the lid body 2 are formed of a sheet-like urethane elastomer or synthetic rubber in an airtight manner. It is configured to expand by injecting air and have a shape similar to that of the storage case. 11 and 12 attached to the peripheral walls of the case body 1 and the lid body 2 are for supplying air.
It is a sealing plug that seals the exhaust ports 11a and 12a. In addition, the case body 1 and the lid body 2 are integrally connected to each other by one of the opposite side edges that forms a hinge. A housing groove 7 for housing the ultrasonic endoscope is formed on the inner walls of the case body 1 and the lid body 2 facing each other. A pair of locking members 13 are attached to the lower side of the side surface of the lid 2 opposite to the folded portion 10, and locking buttons 14 attached to both sides of the handle 4 of the case body 1. The lid body 2 is locked to the case body 1 by engaging with.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the lid body 2 in a completely opened state. The inside of the case body 1 is formed with an inner cavity 15 into which air can be injected, and the inside of the lid body 2 is also similarly formed. Lumen 1
6 is formed. Air supply / exhaust port 11 for these lumens
Air is supplied and exhausted via a and 12b. An opening 17 is formed in the opening / closing groove 7a which is a part of the storage groove 7 formed in the case body 1, and a double-sided adhesive seal 18 is attached to the opening 17 so as to be closed from the outside. It is worn.

With this configuration, when moving or transporting the ultrasonic endoscope, first, the air supply / exhaust port 11
Air is injected from a and 12b to inflate the case body 1 and the lid body 2 as illustrated. After that, the ultrasonic endoscope is housed by fitting it into the housing groove 7. Then, the portion of the stored ultrasonic endoscope located in the opening / closing groove 7 a shown in FIG. 6 is stuck to the double-sided adhesive seal 18. This state is shown in FIG. 7, which is an enlarged view of the opening / closing groove 7a. FIG. 7A shows a state before the ultrasonic endoscope is stored, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the ultrasonic endoscope has a double-sided adhesive seal 1.
8 shows a state in which it has been stuck.

After that, the lid 2 is put on the case main body 1 so as to overlap it, fixed by the locking member 13 and the locking button 14, and the handle 4 is moved and transported. Therefore, the ultrasonic endoscope is moved and transported while being protected from external vibration and impact. After moving and transporting, open the storage case,
When the ultrasonic endoscope 19 is lifted, the double-sided adhesive seal 18 is lifted as shown in FIG. 7C, and when the ultrasonic endoscope 19 is further lifted, the double-sided adhesive seal 18 is bonded around the opening 17 as shown in FIG. 7D. The storage case is peeled off from the location 20, air in the inner cavity leaks from the gap with the opening 17, and the storage case is crushed. Therefore, after taking out the ultrasonic endoscope 19 from the storage case, processing and storage of the storage case become extremely easy. In other words, it can be stored in a compactly crushed state when it is reused such as when it is re-transported when repairing an endoscope, and when it is thrown away, it can be stored in a compactly crushed state and discarded. It can be processed without taking up waste space.

8 and 9, unlike the configuration examples of FIGS. 5 to 7, an opening / closing portion 2 for forming an opening and attaching a double-sided adhesive seal thereto.
1 shows a configuration example in which 1 is configured to come into contact with the case body 1 when the lid body 2 is closed so as to be overlapped. With this configuration, when the ultrasonic endoscope is stored in the storage case and the lid 2 is closed, the lid 2 is closed as shown in FIG. 9A.
Part of it is adhered to the double-sided adhesive seal 18. On the other hand, when the lid 2 is opened at the destination of use, like the configuration examples of FIGS. 5 to 7,
It is peeled off from the bonding portion 20 around the opening 17, air in the inner cavity leaks from the gap with the opening 17, and the storage case is in a crushed state. Before actually using the storage case, in order to prevent the double-sided adhesive seal 18 and the lid 2 from adhering to each other, a spacer thicker than the double-sided adhesive seal 18 may be provided around the spacer.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The heat retaining body 5 is formed of a polyvinylidene film having a two-layer structure, and the heat retaining body 5 is formed with an air plug 22. A gas can be filled between the inner and outer polyvinylidene films. In addition, heat insulator 5
A liquid stopper 23 is formed on the inside of the heat retaining body so that the inside of the heat retaining body can be filled with the liquid. Then, unlike the first embodiment, the case main body 1 and the lid body 2 do not exist independently, and a storage case that has been flatly crushed and stored before use is filled with air through the air stopper 22. By filling the space between the outer polyvinylidene films with air, it is possible to form the heat retaining body 5 that also serves as a case body and a lid. The other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment.

Since the fourth embodiment is constructed in this manner, the heat retaining body 5 can be flattened before the ultrasonic endoscope is housed and after the ultrasonic endoscope is taken out. It is extremely advantageous in terms of storage and processing. Also,
When the ultrasonic endoscope is stored, moved, and transported, the polyvinylidene film with a two-layer structure serves as an air cushion to sufficiently protect the ultrasonic endoscope and improve impact resistance and vibration resistance. You can Other effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is intended to improve low temperature resistance. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, a concave portion 25 is formed on the front side of the heat retaining body 5 provided in the lid body 2, and a heating element 26 and a switch 27 are provided therein. The heating element is a powder which is heated by an oxidation reaction in the air to generate heat, for example, what is used in a disposable body warmer is enclosed in an airtight bag. And FIG.
As shown in the partially enlarged view of A, it is fixed between the heat retaining body 5 and the lid body 2. The switch 27 is formed of a lead wire, one end of which is fixed to the bag of the heating element 26 and the other end of which is fixed to the lid 2. The rest of the configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment having such a structure, when the ambient temperature becomes low, the switch 27 contracts, the bag of the heating element 26 is pulled as shown in FIG. 12B, and the bag is broken. Then, the heating element 26 directly contacts the air, and heat is generated by the redox reaction. Then, the heat from the heating element 26 is conducted to the internal liquid 8 through the heat retaining body 5, so that the temperature decrease is prevented by the heat generated by the heating element 26 in addition to the latent heat when the liquid 8 is solidified. Therefore, the ultrasonic endoscope moves,
Even if the time in the low temperature environment during transportation becomes longer than before, the time tolerable can be extended. Other effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, a lead wire is used for the switch, but it is not limited to this, and
A metal having a large coefficient of thermal expansion such as zinc, aluminum, indium, copper or magnesium, or an alloy may be used. In addition, a shape memory alloy that is deformed at low temperature may be used for the switch. Needless to say, the heating element is not limited to one place and may be provided in several places.

The present invention can take the following embodiments in addition to the above embodiments. (1) In a storage case for an endoscope in which the endoscope is hermetically stored at a fixed position, and is moved and transported, in the storage case for the endoscope,
A liquid having a melting point at a temperature higher than the temperature at which the endoscope is damaged by low temperature is enclosed in a liquid-tight heat retaining body, and the heat retaining body is arranged on a case body and a lid forming the endoscope storage case. A storage case for the endoscope. Therefore, even when exposed to an extremely low temperature environment, the acoustic medium is frozen and air bubbles are mixed in, or the acoustic medium is denatured, resulting in deterioration of the ultrasonic image quality during ultrasonic diagnosis. This can be prevented. Further, it is possible to prevent the ultrasonic transducer from being damaged due to the volume change of the acoustic medium during freezing. (2) A storage case for an endoscope in which a heat retaining body in which a liquid having a melting point higher than that of an ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed is disposed at least in a portion of the endoscope where an acoustic window of an ultrasonic probe is located. Therefore, the distal end portion of the ultrasonic endoscope, which is most likely to be damaged during movement and transportation, can be protected more sufficiently, and vibration resistance and impact resistance can be improved. In addition, the medium that causes the weight to be added is placed only through a part of the case body via the heat retaining body, so compared to the case where liquid is placed over the entire case body and lid. As a result, the weight of the storage case can be reduced. (3) A liquid having a higher melting point than the ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed in a liquid-tight and expandable / contractible bag to form a heat retaining body (1),
The endoscope storage case according to (2) above. Therefore, when it is not arranged on the case main body and the lid, the liquid can be drained, crushed flat and stored, and the storage space can be reduced. (4) The heat retaining body expands when filled with gas 2
A storage case for an endoscope, which has a layered structure and is configured such that a liquid can be filled inside the main body that also serves as the case main body and the lid. Therefore, before housing the ultrasound endoscope,
Furthermore, after the ultrasonic endoscope is taken out, the heat retaining body can be flattened, which is extremely advantageous in storage or processing. Further, when the ultrasonic endoscope is stored, moved, and transported, the main body having the two-layer structure serves as an air cushion to sufficiently protect the ultrasonic endoscope, thereby improving impact resistance and vibration resistance. be able to. (5) A storage case for an endoscope, which is provided adjacent to the heat retaining body with a heating element configured to generate heat by a switch operation at a low temperature. Therefore, when the ambient temperature becomes low, the switch contracts, the bag of the heating element is pulled, the bag is broken, the heating element directly contacts the air, and heat is generated by the redox reaction. Then, the heat from the heating element is conducted to the liquid inside through the heat retaining body, so that in addition to the latent heat when the liquid is solidified, the heat generation of the heating element prevents the temperature from decreasing. As a result, even if the time in the low temperature environment during transportation and transportation becomes longer than before, the time that can be endured can be extended.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the ultrasonic endoscope is fixed and fixed in the storage case and is moved and transported, it is protected from vibration and impact. Further, since the liquid having a melting point higher than that of the ultrasonic transmission medium is sealed around the ultrasonic endoscope or particularly the ultrasonic probe, the freezing of the acoustic medium can be prevented. Therefore, even if a low temperature environment is used during movement or transportation, air bubbles can be prevented from being mixed or denatured due to freezing, and the ultrasonic transducer can be prevented from being moved or transported safely.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a storage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a heat retaining body according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a usage state diagram of the heat retaining body, and a perspective view of a storage case.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a heat retaining body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a configuration example related to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the same.

FIG. 7 is a motion explanatory view of the partial cross section.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another configuration example related to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in the same partial section.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an operation in the same partial section.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Case body 2 Lid body 3 Hinge 4 Handle 5 Heat retaining body 6 Protective body 7 Storage groove 8 Alinine (liquid)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage case for an endoscope in which an endoscope is hermetically housed in a fixed position, moved, and transported, and a temperature higher than the temperature at which the endoscope is damaged by low temperature in the storage case for the endoscope. A storage case for an endoscope, which is characterized by enclosing a liquid having a melting point at a temperature.