JPH10127567A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily remove deposits in a nozzle and easily exchange nozzles, by fixing a nozzle to jet a fluid to an observation window equipped on the tip end part of an inserting part onto the tip end part by a cover detachably attached on the tip end part. SOLUTION: An inserting part of this endoscope has a bending part on the tip end, a tip end part 29 is equipped on the tip end of the bending part, and an observation window 6, a nozzle 4, etc., are equipped on the tip end constituting part 11 to constitute the tip end part 29. On the tip end face of the tip end part 28, an insulating tip end cover 12 formed by resin etc., is detachably attached. In a condition a large diameter part 4c of a nozzle 4 is inserted into a hole 7 for attaching formed on the tip end constituting part 11 so as to communicate the tip end cover 12 and an air and water pipe line 13, a step part 4a formed on the border of a small diameter part 4b and the large diameter part 4c is pressed by the tip end cover 12 to be fixed on the tip end constituting part 11. Thus attaching and detaching of the nozzle 4 are made easier.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when an insertion portion of an endoscope is inserted into a body cavity of a patient, foreign substances such as blood, body fluids, and dirt adhere to an outer surface of an observation window provided at a distal end of the insertion portion.
The observation field of view of the endoscope is obstructed.

Conventionally, when the observation field of view of the endoscope is obstructed in this way, the outer surface of the observation window is cleaned using a nozzle provided at the tip of the insertion portion. Specifically, after washing water is sprayed onto the observation window from a nozzle that opens toward the outer surface of the observation window to wash off the deposits on the outer surface of the observation window, air is blown from the nozzle onto the observation window to irradiate the observation window. Water droplets remaining on the outer surface are removed.

[0004] An example of such a nozzle is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the nozzle 4 is formed by bending a pipe, and is locked by a screw 22 or the like to a distal end side of an air supply / water supply conduit 13 provided in an insertion portion of the endoscope 1. ing. One end of the nozzle 4 is crushed flat, and the flat portion is bent to form an ejection port 16 that opens toward the outer surface of the observation window 6.

[0005]

By the way, when the insertion portion of the endoscope is inserted into the body cavity, blood, body fluid or dirt in the body cavity may enter the nozzle 4 from the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4. is there. In this case, after the endoscope is used, the air is supplied to the nozzle 4 through the air / water supply line 13 and the nozzle 4 is supplied.
If the inside of the nozzle 4 is sufficiently washed, the invading matter can be removed. However, if blood, body fluid, and the like are fixed and dried in the nozzle 4 due to neglect of the washing of the nozzle 4, the inside of the nozzle 4 may be removed. It is difficult to easily wash and remove the adhered matter. The opening width W of the nozzle outlet 16 is generally small, and inserting a cleaning brush from the nozzle outlet 16 into the nozzle 4 to remove intruders is a fine work and is very troublesome.

When blood or body fluid accumulates in the nozzle 4, the nozzle 4 is clogged, resulting in poor air / water supply. Therefore, it becomes impossible to take measures such as removing dirt adhering on the observation window 16 or blowing off water droplets on the observation window 16, resulting in an obstacle to the inspection.

[0007] Further, since the nozzle 4 is locked to the distal end side of the insertion portion by the screw 22 or the like, when it becomes necessary to replace and repair the nozzle 4, the work is not easy. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose thereof is that even when body fluid, blood, or the like enters the nozzle and is fixed, the fixed substance in the nozzle can be easily removed, and Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope in which the nozzle can be easily replaced.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end of an insertion portion. And fixed to the distal end by a cover detachably attached to the front end.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 1 has an insertion section 2 that can be inserted into a body cavity, and an operation section 5 that is connected to a proximal side of the insertion section 2. The insertion section 2 has a curved section 3 on the distal end side. A distal end portion 29 is provided at the distal end of the curved portion 3.

The operation section 5 is provided with a bending operation knob 59. When the bending operation knob 59 is rotated, the tip 29
The wire whose one end is fixed is pulled, and the bending portion 3 is bent. Thereby, the tip portion 29 can be directed in a predetermined direction. In the drawing, reference numeral 20 denotes an air / water button provided on the operation unit 5, reference numeral 7 denotes a universal cord connected to the operation unit 5, and reference numeral 8 denotes an end of the universal cord 7 which is connected to a light source device (not shown). Connector.

As shown in FIG. 2, an observation window 6 for observing the inside of a body cavity is formed on a metal tip component 11 forming a tip portion 29, and the observation window 6 is sprayed with washing water or air. A nozzle 4 for washing the window 6, a channel (not shown) used for performing a procedure such as aspiration of bodily fluid or ablation of a polyp, and an illumination lens (not shown) for irradiating the inside of a body cavity ) Are provided. A light guide fiber (not shown) is connected to the illumination lens so as to face the illumination lens. The observation window 6 is fixed together with an objective lens group (not shown) and the like to a lens frame 30 fixed to the distal end component 11 by bonding or the like.
An insulating member 31 is provided on the distal end surface of the lens frame 30.

An electrically insulating distal cover 12 made of resin or the like is detachably attached to the distal end surface of the distal end portion 29. The distal end cover 12 engages with the concave portion 11a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 11 while elastically deforming the convex engagement portion 12a provided on the inner surface of the annular wall. 11 and is fixed.

The nozzle 4 is composed of a small-diameter portion 4b on the distal end side and a large-diameter portion 4c on the proximal end side, and the distal end constituting portion 11 communicates with an air / water supply line 13 disposed in the insertion portion 2. When the large-diameter portion 4c is fitted into the mounting hole 17 formed at the bottom, the step portion 4a formed at the boundary between the small-diameter portion 4b and the large-diameter portion 4c is pressed by the front-end cover 12 to form the front end configuration It is fixed to the section 11. FIG. 3A shows a state in which the nozzle 4 and the tip cover 12 are removed from the tip component 11.

As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the cross-sectional shape of the large diameter portion 4c of the nozzle 4 and the shape of the mounting hole 17 of the distal end component 11 are elliptical. When the large diameter portion 4c is fitted into the mounting hole 17 (the state shown in FIG. 2), the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 is directed toward the observation window 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the tip cover 12 is mounted on the tip component 11, the metal surface of the tip component 11 is not exposed to the outside. In the drawing, reference numeral 3a denotes an outer cover of the curved portion 3, and 3b denotes an adhesive portion for fixing the outer cover 3a to the distal end component 11.

As described above, in the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 4 is not fixed by the adhesive or the screw.
Because it is fixed by the pressing force of the tip cover 12,
When the distal end cover 12 is removed as shown in FIG. 3A, the fixed state of the nozzle 4 is released, and the mounting hole 17 is removed.
The nozzle 4 can be easily extracted from the nozzle. That is, attachment and removal of the nozzle 4 are easy.

Further, since the nozzle 4 can be easily attached and detached, brushing, immersion washing, and the like in the nozzle 4 which are difficult to perform conventionally can be easily performed, and sufficient cleaning can be performed. That is, even when body fluid, blood, or the like enters the nozzle 4 and is fixed, the fixed substance in the nozzle 4 can be easily removed.

Further, even if the nozzle 4 has to be replaced due to breakage of the nozzle 4, it can be easily replaced, and the time required for repair can be reduced. Further, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the metal portion of the distal end component 11 is not exposed to the outside by covering the distal end cover 12 having electrical insulation. Therefore, when performing a high-frequency treatment such as resection of a polyp through the channel provided in the insertion section 2, the mucous membrane in the body cavity and the distal end component 29 are electrically insulated, so that a safe high-frequency treatment is performed. Can be. That is, when the conductive member is exposed on the distal end surface of the distal end portion 29, when performing a high-frequency treatment or the like, when the mucous membrane in the body cavity and the distal end surface come into contact with each other, conduction may occur on the contact surface, which may cause inflammation. However, according to the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, such a situation does not occur.

The endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment has a nozzle 4
The cross-sectional shape of the large-diameter portion 4c and the shape of the mounting hole 17 of the distal end configuration portion 11 are elliptical, and the large-diameter portion 4c of the nozzle 4 is fitted into the mounting hole 17 (the state of FIG. 2). In (), the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 is directed to the observation window 6. Conventionally, the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle and the shape of the nozzle mounting hole are circular, and the nozzle is easily rotated in the nozzle mounting hole. Therefore, when mounting the nozzle, adjustment for turning the nozzle to the observation window 6 is performed. However, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, since the direction of the ejection port 16 is limited to the direction of the observation window 6 when the nozzle 4 is attached, there is no need to adjust the direction of the ejection port 16. The nozzle 4 can be easily attached.

The endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment has a nozzle 4
Is not fixed by screws or the like,
Outer diameter can be reduced. That is, when the nozzle 4 is fixed by the screw, the outer diameter of the distal end portion 29 becomes large due to the mounting space for the screw, and the pain of the patient when inserting the insertion portion 2 increases.
If the outer diameter is not increased, it is necessary to reduce the channel and the light guide fiber, which results in a decrease in the performance of the endoscope 1. On the other hand, since the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment does not use screws or the like, the outer diameter of the distal end portion 29 is not increased by the attachment of the nozzle 4, so that the patient's pain can be reduced, and Channels and light guide fibers can be made thicker to improve performance.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 1a of the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the shape of the nozzle and the mounting means (shape of the distal end cover 12). Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the drawing, the nozzle 4 has the same outer diameter over the entire length except for a flat portion 4d formed by cutting out a part of the outer peripheral surface. That is, it does not have the step portion 4a as in the first embodiment,
Except for the plane portion 4a, the cross-sectional shape is formed circular (see FIGS. 4A and 4B). In the present embodiment, the flat portion 4 d extends along the axial direction of the nozzle 4 from a substantially central portion of the nozzle 4 toward the base end. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4C, the shape of the mounting hole 17 of the distal end component 11 into which the nozzle 4 is fitted is also formed in a circular shape.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the leading end component 1
A contact portion, which is detachably attached to the tip of the first end, is in contact with an end surface of the nozzle 4 protruding from the tip portion 29 to prevent the nozzle 4 from coming out of the mounting hole 17. 12b is formed.

Further, a through hole 11b is formed in the distal end component 11 so as to pass through the outer peripheral surface from the mounting hole 17 toward the side (radially outward). A pin 57 is inserted and fixed into the through hole 11b, and an end of the pin 57 projects into the mounting hole 17. Further, a state in which the flat portion 4d of the nozzle 4 is opposed to the pin 57 and the nozzle 4 is fitted into the mounting hole 17 (a state of FIG. 4A).
In the figure, the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 is directed to the observation window 6.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment as described above,
It is possible to obtain substantially the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment, and the nozzle can be provided only at the position where the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 is directed to the observation window 6, that is, at the position where the plane portion 4d of the nozzle 4 faces the pin 57. 4 cannot be fitted into the mounting hole 17, in other words, when the nozzle 4 is mounted, the direction of the spout 16 is limited to the direction of the observation window 6. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the direction of the spout 16. Not
The nozzle 4 can be easily attached.

The endoscope 1a according to the present embodiment has a stepped portion 4a provided in the nozzle 4 as in the first embodiment.
It is not necessary to make the base end side of the large diameter portion 4c the
Outer diameter can be reduced. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the distal end portion 29 can be reduced, and the pain of the patient during insertion is reduced.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 1b of the present embodiment is of a side-view type, and includes an insertion section 2 having a bending section 3 and a distal end section 29 and an operation section 5 having a bending operation knob 59, as in FIG. Have. 5 and 7 show cross sections in which the distal end portion 29 side is cut in the vertical direction at separate positions, and FIG. 6 shows a state in which the resin distal end cover 12 and the nozzle 4 are removed from the distal end portion 29. Is shown.

The distal end 29 is provided with a ring 56 made of an insulating member such as polysulfone. The end surface of the outer skin 3a of the curved portion 3 is in contact with the base end surface of the ring 56, and the outer skin 3a
“a” is a bonding portion 3b bonded after the thread winding is fixed.

As shown in FIG. 5, an end of an air / water supply pipe 13 disposed in the insertion section 2 is fixed to the metal tip constituting section 11 constituting the tip section 29. In addition, a mounting hole 17 communicating with the air / water supply conduit 13 is formed in the distal end configuration portion 11, and the nozzle 4 is fitted into the mounting hole 17. One end of the nozzle 4 is bent in the radial direction, and an end of the nozzle 4 is an ejection port 16 that opens to the observation window 6. Further, the tip component 11
, An electrically insulating tip cover 12 is detachably mounted.

An observation window 6 is fixed to the distal end portion 11, and a prism 6a is arranged inside the observation window 6. Further, the objective lens system 9 and the imaging unit 10 are sequentially arranged on the distal end component 11 along the axial direction. That is, the observation light passing through the observation window 6 is
An image is formed on a solid-state imaging device (not shown) of the imaging unit 10 via the prism 6a and the objective lens system 9. The solid-state imaging device is connected to a video processor (not shown) via a signal cable, a connector, and a scope cable (neither is shown).
The video signal from the solid-state image sensor is signal-processed by the video processor and projected on a color monitor (not shown) as an endoscope image.

Further, a light guide cover 54 is provided on the distal end portion 11, and this light guide cover 54
A light guide fiber 53 for transmitting illumination light from a light source device (not shown) to the distal end portion 29 is fixed by an adhesive 55. In addition, on the tip side of the light guide fiber 53,
The illumination window 15 is fixed and located at the distal end component 11.

As shown in FIG. 6, a locking pin 45 is projected from the distal end component 11, and the locking pin 45 is locked in a locking hole 42 provided in the distal end cover 12. It is supposed to. That is, the nozzle 4 is attached to the mounting hole 1.
When the distal end cover 12 is elastically deformed to lock the locking holes 42 with the locking pins 45 in the state of being fitted in the front end 7, the distal end cover 12 is fixedly attached to the distal end forming portion 11. When the distal end cover 12 is attached to the distal end component 11 in this manner, the distal end cover 12 is pressed against the bent portion of the end of the nozzle 4 to prevent the nozzle 4 from coming out of the mounting hole 17. (See FIG. 5). That is, the tip cover 1
2, a contact portion 12b is formed to contact the end surface of the nozzle 4 protruding from the distal end portion 29 to prevent the nozzle 4 from coming out of the mounting hole 17.

As shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7, the distal end portion 11 includes an end of a suction line 48 provided in the insertion section 2 and an end of a forceps raising wire line 50. Each is fixed by solder 49. Further, a forceps raising base 43 is provided in the distal end component 11 at a position facing the end opening of the suction conduit 48. The forceps raising base 43 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 46 fixed to the distal end component 11. One end of an operation wire 44 for elevating is fixed to the forceps erecting base 43, and the other end of the operation wire 44 passes through the forceps elevating wire conduit 50 and is provided on the operation unit 5. Connected to an operating lever (not shown). Therefore, if the operation wire 44 is pulled by operating the raising lever, the forceps raising base 43 can be raised,
The protruding direction of the treatment tool such as the forceps 47 inserted into the suction conduit 40 can be directed in a predetermined direction.

The O-ring (not shown) for maintaining the watertightness of the sliding surface of the raising lever has a predetermined hardness and a predetermined size. A predetermined sliding resistance is provided. The force Y acting on the forceps raising table 43 by the elastic restoring force of the forceps 47 raised and bent by the forceps raising table 43, the friction of the operation wire 44, the sliding resistance of the raising lever, and the like. Is set such that the relationship with the traction force X with X becomes X ≧ Y.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment as described above,
It is possible to obtain substantially the same operation and effect as in the first embodiment, and to set the relationship between the force Y from the forceps 47 acting on the forceps raising base 43 and the pulling force X of the operation wire 44 so that X ≧ Y. Therefore, even if the forceps 47 are oriented in a desired direction by the forceps raising table 43 and the hand is released from the raising lever, the forceps raising table 43 is held at the raised position (rotational position). Does not move. Therefore, the forceps 47
Therefore, the treatment can be performed stably without deviation of the protruding direction.

FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 1c of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the shape of the nozzle and the means for attaching the nozzle. Therefore, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown, the nozzle 4 includes a resin nozzle body 51a and an electrically insulating coupling portion 51b to which the nozzle body 51a is fitted and which has a larger diameter than the nozzle body 51a. The nozzle 4 has a large-diameter coupling portion 51 b in a mounting hole 17 formed in the distal end component portion 11 so as to communicate with the air / water supply line 13 disposed in the insertion portion 2.
The nozzle body 51a and the connecting portion 51b are
4a (end face of coupling portion 51b) formed at the boundary with
Is pressed by a detachable tip cover 12 (electrically insulating) and is fixed to the tip component 11.

The nozzle body 51a has a bellows portion 52 formed in a bellows shape in a part thereof, and is housed in the tip portion 29 including the tip cover 12 in a normal contracted state (FIG. 8). (See (a)), when the fluid pressure is received via the air / water supply line 13 as described later, the bellows portion 52 is stretched and protrudes forward of the distal end portion 29, and the spout 16 is connected to the observation window 6. (See FIG. 8B).

In the above configuration, when washing water and air are supplied through the air / water supply line 13 to wash the observation window 6, the bellows portion 52 is stretched by the water pressure or air pressure of the washing water, and the nozzle 4 protrudes. Water and air are blown from the ejection port 16 toward the observation window 6. When the air supply / water supply is stopped, the bellows portion 52 contracts again to its original length by the elastic restoring force of the bellows portion 52, and the nozzle 4 is stored in the tip portion 29.

As described above, the endoscope 1c of the present embodiment
Since the installation and removal of the nozzle 4 are easy, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the nozzle provided in the conventional endoscope is arranged outside the observation field of view away from the observation window 6 so as not to obstruct the observation field of view of the endoscope because its shape is fixed. The nozzle 4 of the present embodiment contracts in the normal state and is stored in the distal end portion 29, and therefore does not enter the observation field of view even if it is arranged close to the observation window 6. Therefore,
This can contribute to a reduction in the diameter of the tip portion 29. Further, since the nozzle 4 can be arranged close to the observation window 6, the blowing force of the cleaning water or air through the jet port 16 can be increased, and the cleaning performance can be improved.

Further, in the endoscope 1c of the present embodiment, since the nozzle 4 is retracted and stored in the distal end portion 29 in a normal state, even if the distal end portion 29 comes into contact with the living body, the living body is moved by the nozzle 4. Does not hurt. In addition, even if the distal end portion 29 comes into contact with a living body in a state where the nozzle 4 protrudes at the time of air supply and water supply, the nozzle 4 which is an elastic body is pushed by the living body and contracts,
It does not hurt the living body.

FIG. 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope 1d of the present embodiment is characterized by the shape of the end face of the distal end portion 29, and the other configuration is the same as that of the fourth embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those of the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the distal end portion 29 of the endoscope 1d of this embodiment has a substantially hemispherical shape, and the mounting portion of the nozzle 4 is located on a curved surface. When the distal end portion 29 has a substantially hemispherical shape as described above, even when the distal end portion 29 passes through a narrow portion such as the pharynx, the distal end portion 29 is smoothly connected to the mucosa 41 in the body cavity as shown in FIG. Since the contact is made with a curved surface, the living body is not damaged by the end face of the tip portion 29. Of course, the curved surface where the nozzle 4 is attached also comes into contact with the mucous membrane 41 in the body cavity, but as described in the fourth embodiment, the nozzle 4 does not protrude from the distal end portion 29, so that the living body may be damaged by the nozzle 4. Absent.

The shape of the distal end portion 29 is not limited to a substantially hemispherical shape as shown in FIG.
The end surface may be a convex curved surface, such as the one having a larger radius of curvature at the corners of No. 9.

In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the nozzle 4 is contracted and stored in the distal end portion 29 in a normal state, and the bellows portion 52 is stretched by receiving a fluid pressure, so that the nozzle 4 is located in front of the distal end portion 29. Although they protrude, the reverse is also possible. That is, the nozzle 4 is arranged so as to protrude at a position that does not enter the observation field of view so that the ejection port 16 faces the observation window 6, and when the nozzle 4 comes into contact with a living body or the like, the nozzle 4 elastically deforms and contracts, causing It is good also as a structure pulled in in 29.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a first embodiment of an endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the tip. Although not shown, the endoscope 1e of the present embodiment has a curved portion 3 as in FIG.
Insertion section 2 having an end portion 29 and a bending operation knob 59
And an operation unit 5 having the same.

As shown in FIG. 10, a distal end cover 12 which is an electrically insulating elastic body is detachably attached to the metallic distal end portion 11 forming the distal end portion 29. Also,
An observation window 6, an objective lens system 9,
The imaging units 10 having CCDs are arranged in order along the axial direction. In this case, the observation window 6 is arranged such that the outer surface thereof is substantially flush with the tip surface of the tip portion 29. In addition, the tip component 11 of the tip cover 12
May be fitted with an interference fit, or engagement between the projections or between the projections and the recess.

The air / water supply line 13 provided in the insertion section 2
The nozzle 4 is fitted and fixed via an insulating member 14 to a mounting hole 17 formed in the distal end portion 11 so as to communicate with the nozzle. In this case, the nozzle 4 and the insulating member 14 are respectively engaged and fixed to the distal end forming portion 11 with screws or the like, but are provided on the nozzle 4 as shown in the first to fifth embodiments, regardless of the screws. The nozzle 4 is pressed by the front end cover 12 so that the nozzle 4 is moved to the front end portion 1.
It may be fixed to 1. The nozzle 4 is SU
In the case of being formed of a metal such as S304 or SUS303, the provision of the insulating member 14 as in the present embodiment means that the distal end component 11 is electrically insulated from the outside (the same applies to the distal end cover 12). It is useful, and in this case, the nozzle 4 and the insulating member 14 are fixed by bonding or the like. When the nozzle 4 is made of resin (for example, PTFE or PSF), it is not necessary to provide the insulating member 14.

The nozzle 4 has a spout 16 that opens to the outer surface of the observation window 6. The jet port 16 is partially closed by the tip cover 12. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C, the opening width b of the ejection port 16 is set to at least 0.9 mm or more so that the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11A, the opening width a of the ejection port 16 in a state where the tip cover 12 is attached to the tip component 11 is shown.
Is set to a dimension of 0.3 to 0.4 mm.

As shown in FIG. 10, the air / water supply pipe 13 is formed by fixing an air / water supply tube 19 to the distal end portion 11 via a connection pipe 18. In this case, the air supply / water supply tube 19 is connected to a water supply device and an air supply device (both not shown) provided integrally with or separately from a light source (not shown). The supply of the washing water and the air to the nozzle 4 is controlled by an air / water button 20 (see FIG. 1) of the operation unit 5.

Next, a case where the nozzle 4 is cleaned in the endoscope 1e having the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
In the use state in which the nozzle 4
Is partially closed by the tip cover 12, and the opening width a of the jet port 16 at this time is 0.3 mm.
０．４0.4 mm. Such a small opening width a
Removing the intrusion in the nozzle 4 by inserting the cleaning brush 21 into the nozzle 4 from the ejection port 16 is a detailed operation and is very troublesome.

Therefore, when removing invading matter such as body fluid or blood that has entered the nozzle 4 through the jet port 16, the tip cover 12 is removed from the tip component 11 as shown in FIG. Thus, all the openings of the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 are exposed. Then, in this state, FIG.
As shown in (1), a cleaning brush 21 is inserted into the nozzle 4 from the ejection port 16 to remove invading matter in the nozzle 4.

As described above, the endoscope 1e of this embodiment is
The opening width of the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 can be freely enlarged or reduced by attaching or detaching the tip cover 12. Therefore, by removing the tip cover 12 from the tip component 11 and increasing the opening width of the nozzle 16 of the nozzle 4, the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted into the nozzle 4 from the nozzle 16.
In addition, large volumes of liquid and gas can be sent. As a result, the cleaning property is improved, and the invading matter in the nozzle 4 can be efficiently removed in a short time. That is, a strong washing power can be obtained by a large amount of washing water,
A large amount of air that blows off water droplets remaining in the nozzle 4 can be sent in, and clogging of the nozzle 4 due to scale generated by drying of the remaining water can be prevented.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a second embodiment of the endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the tip. As shown in FIG. 12, the air / water supply conduit 13 of the endoscope according to the present embodiment is opened as an air / water supply opening 26 on the distal end surface of the distal end cover 12. An annular exterior member 23 formed of a resin such as polysulfone is rotatably mounted on the distal end cover 12. The annular exterior member 23 is provided with a tongue 32 extending radially inward. The tongue 32 forms the nozzle 4 together with the end face of the tip cover 12 at a position facing the air / water supply opening 26 as shown in FIG. Observation window 6
Can be sprayed towards.

A concave groove 25 is formed in the end face of the front cover 12. The depth of the groove 25 is as shown in FIG.
When the exterior member 23 is rotated with respect to the distal end cover 12 so that the tongue 32 faces the groove 25 as shown in FIG. 5, the space S formed by the inner surface of the tongue 32 and the bottom of the groove 25 is used for cleaning. The depth is set so that the brush can be easily inserted.
Specifically, the distance b between the inner surface of the tongue portion 32 and the bottom surface of the groove 25 is determined by the opening width of the outlet 16 of the nozzle 4 formed by the tongue portion 32 facing the air / water supply opening 26. a (see FIG. 12), and is set to a dimension of at least 0.5 mm or more, through which the cleaning brush can be inserted. Also, the size of the opening P communicating with the space S, particularly the distance x from the end of the tongue 32 to the end of the groove 25, is 0.9 mm or more that allows the cleaning brush to be easily inserted into the space S through the opening P. Dimensions are set. FIG. 12 and FIG.
Reference numeral 9 denotes an objective lens system, 15 denotes an illumination window, and 24 denotes a suction port.

In the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, when the nozzle 4 is formed with the tongue portion 32 of the exterior member 23 facing the air / water supply opening 26, the air is supplied through the air / water supply line 13. Fluid (washing water, air) can be sprayed from the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 toward the observation window 6.

On the other hand, after the examination is completed,
When performing disinfection, as shown in FIG. 13, the exterior member 23 is rotated with respect to the distal end cover 12 so that the tongue 32 faces the groove 25. As a result, the air / water supply opening 26 is exposed to the outside, and as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted into the air / water supply line 13, and (b) of FIG. 2), the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted into the space S to sufficiently clean the inner surface of the tongue 32.

As described above, the endoscope of the present invention
In other words, since the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 is configured to be freely expandable and contractible, the exterior member 23 is attached to the front cover 12.
When the air supply / water supply opening 26 is exposed to the outside and the tongue 32 is opposed to the groove 25, the inside of the air supply / water supply conduit 13 can be easily washed by the cleaning brush 21, and The inner surface of the part 32 (that is, the inner surface of the nozzle 4) can be easily washed.

In this embodiment, when cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope, the tongue 32 may be opposed to the suction port 24 by rotating the exterior member 23 with respect to the distal end cover 12. In this case, it is necessary to set the distance between the inner surface of the tongue 32 and the suction port 24 to a size such that the inner surface of the tongue 32 can be easily cleaned by the cleaning brush.

In this embodiment, the outer member 23
A configuration as shown in FIG. 15 may be employed so that the space between the tip cover 12 and the tip cover 12 can be easily cleaned. That is, groove 2
5 may be provided extending along the axial direction of the endoscope, and the exterior member 23 may be slid along the axial direction of the endoscope with the tongue 32 being aligned with the groove 25.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, an index 94 is provided on the exterior member 23 and the tip portion 29 so that the position of the tongue 32 facing the air / water supply line 13 and the position of the tongue The position where 32 faces the groove 25 may be easily visually recognized. Thereby, the operability is simplified. The indicator may be a print or a protrusion.

In this embodiment, the outer member 23
Is rotated with respect to the distal end cover 12, so that the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 can be expanded and contracted as it is. As shown in FIG. 17, the exterior member 23 is moved in the axial direction of the endoscope. It is also possible to make the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 freely expandable and contractible by making it freely slidable.

In such a configuration, the opening width of the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 can be freely expanded and contracted by the sliding of the exterior member 23. Therefore, the exterior member 23 is slid forward to reduce the opening width of the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4. If you make it larger, the spout 16
Thus, the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted into the nozzle 4 (see FIG. 18), and a large volume of liquid / gas can be sent. As a result, the cleaning property is improved, and the invading matter in the nozzle 4 can be efficiently removed in a short time. In other words, a strong washing power can be obtained by a large amount of washing water, and at the same time, a large amount of air that blows off water droplets remaining in the nozzle 4 can be sent in, so that clogging of the nozzle 4 can be prevented.

In this configuration, it is desirable to provide a stopper 58 for restricting the outer member 23 from sliding backward. In this case, when the rear end surface of the exterior member 23 abuts against the stopper 58 (see FIG. 17A), the opening width of the ejection port 16 is set to 0.3 to 0.4 mm, and Opening width of at least 0.9
The exterior member 23 can be slid forward so as to be at least mm (dimension that allows the cleaning brush to be easily inserted into the nozzle 4) (see FIG. 17B).

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, if the exterior member 23 is removed from the endoscope, the end of the endoscope can be reliably washed with a brush or the like. The exterior member 23 is a fixing means by fitting or an engagement and fixing by projections.

Further, the distal end cover 12 may be slid or rotated with respect to the endoscope like the exterior member 23 without providing the exterior member 23, so that the opening width of the ejection port 16 of the nozzle 4 can be freely enlarged and reduced. . In this case, the tongue 32 is formed on the tip cover 12. Since it is not necessary to provide the exterior member 23, it is possible to reduce the diameter of the distal end portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 19 shows a third embodiment of the endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the distal end. As shown in (a) of FIG. 19, a cylindrical nozzle 4 made of an elastic member is fixed to the distal end component 11 so as to communicate with the air / water supply conduit 13. As shown in FIG. 19 (b), the tip cover 12 which is attached to and detached from the tip component 11 is pressed against the tip by bending the protrusion of the nozzle 4 inward. A pressing portion 28 that directs the ejection port 16 toward the observation window 6 is formed.

In the endoscope having this configuration, the distal end cover 12 is attached to the distal end component 11 and the protruding end of the nozzle 4 is bent (elastically deformed) by the pressing portion 28 of the distal end cover 12 (FIG. 19). 19 (b), the tip cover 12 is removed from the tip component 11, and the nozzle 4 is straightened (resiliently restored) and washed in the state of FIG. 19 (a). In the state shown in FIG. 19A, the cleaning brush 21 can be easily inserted into the nozzle 4 as shown in FIG. 19C, and the inside of the nozzle 4 can be sufficiently cleaned.

By the way, the conventional four-direction curved endoscope 1
As shown in FIG. 22, a first bending operation knob 108 for bending the bending portion 103 of the insertion portion 102 in the upper and lower directions of the observation field of view, and a left and right direction of the observation field of view for the operation section 105 of the operation section 105 of FIG. A second bending operation knob 109 is provided. Further, each of the bending operation knobs 108 and 109 is provided with a mechanism for generating an urging force in the rotation thereof to fix the bending portion 3.
Lever 110, 111 provided adjacent to 8,109
Is operated by the operation.

As shown, the first bending operation knob 108
And the second bending operation knob 109 are positioned so as to overlap with each other in the up-down direction.
Has a larger diameter than the second bending operation knob 109.
Therefore, in such an arrangement, when the bending operation knob is operated with one hand, the operation of the second bending operation knob 109 is prevented by the first bending operation knob 108 disposed on the operation unit 5 side, that is, the lower side. Becomes In particular, when the operator's hand is small, it is difficult to operate the second bending operation knob 109 with one hand. Further, it is almost impossible to operate the levers 110 and 111 for fixing the bending portion 3 with one hand.

Therefore, hereinafter, a bending operation mechanism capable of easily operating the bending operation knob with one hand will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21.
Hereinafter, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 will be used for the components common to FIG. 1 among the components of the endoscope.

As shown in FIG. 20, a fixing plate 60 is fixedly provided at a position (not shown) in a casing 71 forming the operation unit 5. The fixed plate 6 has a fixed shaft 6
1 is fixed by screws or the like. An end portion of the fixed shaft 61 that is not fixed projects outside through a through hole provided in the casing portion 71. The fixed shaft 61 has first and second sprockets 62 and 63 and first and second rotating shaft members 68 and 69 sequentially rotatably inserted outside.

The first and second rotating shaft members 68 and 69 are formed with engaging claws 81 and 82, respectively. These engaging claws 81 and 82 are connected to the first and second sprockets 6.
2, 63 are engaged with a plurality of engagement grooves 83, 84 provided in the first sprocket 6, respectively.
2 and the first rotary shaft member 68 are fixed and rotate integrally, and the second sprocket 63 and the second rotary shaft member 69 are fixed and rotate integrally. I have.

First and second sprockets 62 and 63
Chains (not shown) each connected with a curved wire (not shown) for directing the observation visual field in an arbitrary direction are engaged with and fixed to the outer peripheral portions of the respective members.

A support shaft 72 and a support shaft fixing member 73 are provided in the through hole of the casing portion 71.
Reference numeral 73 internally supports the bearing 70 in which the first and second rotating shaft members 68 and 69 are internally fitted. The bearing 7
0 is a cover 64 fixed to the fixing plate 60 by screws or the like.
Attached to. An O-ring 80 for maintaining watertightness is interposed between the support shaft 72 and the casing 71, and an O-ring 78 for maintaining watertightness between the bearing 70 and the first rotating shaft member 68. An O-ring 79 is interposed between the bearing 70 and the support shaft 72 to maintain watertightness.

The first rotary shaft member 68 has a bending operation knob.
74 is fixed by bonding or the like. The bending operation knob 74 is provided with an O to maintain watertightness between the bending operation knob 74 and the second rotation shaft member 69.
A ring 77 is provided. The bending operation knob 74
Is provided with an engagement claw 85, and the second rotary shaft member 6
9 is provided with a plurality of engagement grooves 86 that can engage with the engagement claws 85.

A nut 75 is attached to a screw portion formed at the end of the fixed shaft 61, and the nut 75 restricts the movement of the second rotary shaft member 69 in the axial direction. Note that a cover 76 is fixed to the second rotating shaft member 69 by bonding or the like.
Water tightness between the second rotary shaft member 69 and the second rotary shaft member 69 is ensured.

In the vicinity of the first sprocket 62, there is provided a gear 65 which rotates about a rotation shaft 66. A first rotating shaft member 68 is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the gear 65.
Teeth 8 meshing with a plurality of gear-shaped grooves 88 formed in
7 are formed. Further, an elastic body 67 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the gear 65 at a portion opposite to the plurality of teeth 87.

The bearing 70 has a through hole extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the first rotary shaft member 68. A ball 91 and a spring 92 for urging the ball 91 against the first rotating shaft member 68 are provided in the through hole. A screw 93 for compressing a spring 92 is provided at an outer end of the through hole.

The first rotary shaft member 68 has a first concave portion 89.
And the second concave portion 90 are formed adjacent to each other in the axial direction. When the engaging claw 81 and the engaging groove 83 are at the engaging position, the through hole faces the first concave portion 89, and the engaging claw 85 and the engaging groove 86 engage. , The through-hole and the second concave portion 90 are opposed to each other.

In such a configuration, when the first sprocket 62 is rotated by operating the bending operation knob 74, the bending portion 3 is bent and the tip portion 29 is directed in a predetermined direction. At this time, the ball 91 is urged by the spring 92 and pressed against the first recess 89, so that the first rotating shaft member 68 is locked.

When the bending operation knob 74 is moved in the axial direction of the fixed shaft 61, the first rotary shaft member 68 is moved together with the bending operation knob 74 into the state shown in FIG. 20 (FIG. 21A). To the state shown in FIG. 21B in the axial direction. At this time, the teeth 87 meshing with the gear-shaped groove 88
, The axle 65 rotates around the rotation shaft 66, and the elastic body 67 is pressed by the first sprocket 62 (see FIG. 21B). At the same time, the engaging claw 81 is disengaged from the engaging groove 83, and the bending operation knob 74 is moved to the first position.
So that the bending operation knob 74 and the second rotation shaft member 69 rotate integrally with each other while the engagement claw 85 is engaged with the engagement groove 86. Become. Therefore, when the bending operation knob 74 is operated,
The second sprocket 63 rotates, and the distal end portion 29 is directed in a desired direction by the bending operation of the bending portion 3. At this time, the ball 91 is urged by the spring 92 and pressed against the second concave portion 90, so that the first rotating shaft member 68 is locked.

In the bending operation mechanism as described above, the urging force is generated on the first sprocket 62 only by moving the bending operation knob 74 in the axial direction, so that the bending portion 3 is operated with one hand operating the bending operation knob 74. Can be easily fixed. Further, since the second sprocket 63 can be rotated only by operating the bending operation knob 74, the bending operation with one hand becomes easy regardless of the size of the operator's hand.

Further, before and after the movement of the first rotating shaft member 68, the position of the first rotating shaft member 68 in the axial direction is locked, so that the operator does not need to always hold the first rotating shaft member 68 by hand. Of course, in this configuration, the second rotating shaft member 69 may be provided with a second bending operation knob.

According to the technical contents described above, the following various configurations can be obtained. 1. In an endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, the nozzle is fixed to the distal end portion by a cover detachably attached to the distal end portion. Endoscope. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has a contact portion for preventing the nozzle from coming into contact with the cover. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion is a tip end surface of the nozzle.

[0086] 4. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle mounting hole provided at the distal end has a shape that turns the nozzle in a predetermined direction when the nozzle is mounted. 5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a cross section of the nozzle and a mounting hole for mounting the nozzle is non-circular. 6. 5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of an outer peripheral surface of a portion of the nozzle to be inserted into a mounting hole for attaching the nozzle is a flat surface. 6.

7. 5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a convex portion extending in a radial direction of the mounting hole is provided on a part of an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole for mounting the nozzle. 8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the distal end portion is formed of a conductive member, and the cover is formed of an electrically insulating member that covers the exposed distal end portion. 9. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle opens toward the observation window when a fluid pressure is applied.

10. The nozzle is located outside the range of the observation visual field below a predetermined fluid pressure.
The endoscope according to the paragraph. 11. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the nozzle is drawn into the distal end portion by an external force. 12. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an ejection port of the nozzle is partially closed by the distal end portion or a cover.

13. 13. The endoscope according to claim 12, wherein the ejection port of the nozzle has a size in which a brush can be inserted. 14． An endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, wherein at least a part of the nozzle can be housed in the distal end portion. 15. 15. The endoscope according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle is located outside a range of an observation visual field at a predetermined fluid pressure or lower.

16. 15. The endoscope according to claim 14, wherein the nozzle is drawn into the distal end portion by an external force. 17． An endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, wherein the nozzle has an expansion / contraction portion that at least partially expands / contracts in the axial direction of the nozzle. 18. 18. The endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the expandable portion is formed in a bellows shape.

19. In the state where the nozzle is extended, the opening of the nozzle protrudes from the distal end surface of the endoscope, and in the state where the nozzle is contracted, the nozzle end does not protrude from the distal end surface of the endoscope. Characteristic 1st
Item 19. The endoscope according to item 7 or 18. 20. In an endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, an outlet of the nozzle is partially closed by the distal end portion or a cover. mirror. 21. The twentieth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the nozzle of the nozzle has a first state in which a part of the nozzle for spraying a fluid to the observation window is closed, and a second state in which the entire nozzle is opened. The endoscope according to the paragraph.

22. In an endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, the nozzle has a nozzle portion formed by a cover attached to the distal end portion, and the nozzle portion is a tube. It is movable between a first position facing a road and spraying a fluid to the observation window and a second position forming a predetermined gap between the nozzle portion and the tip portion. Endoscope. 23. 23. The endoscope according to claim 22, wherein when in the second position, the opening of the conduit is exposed.

24. In an endoscope bending device that bends a bending portion via a bending operation mechanism using a bending operation member, a first bending portion that bends the bending portion in conjunction with the bending operation member.
And a second mode in which the posture of the bending portion is maintained in conjunction with the bending operation member. 25. The endoscope bending device according to claim 24, wherein the second mode limits the operation of the bending mechanism.

26. 25. The bending mechanism according to claim 24, wherein the bending mechanism includes a pulling member that pulls a bending operation wire, and a rotation shaft that transmits a pulling force to the pulling member based on rotation of the bending operation member. Endoscope bending device. 27. 27. The rotating shaft according to claim 26, wherein the rotating shaft is movable in the axial direction, and the braking shaft includes a braking member that brakes the movement of the traction member with the axial movement of the rotating shaft. Endoscope bending device. 28. The endoscope bending device according to claim 27, wherein the braking member includes an elastic body that applies a pressing force to the traction member to apply a braking force.

29. The bending operation member includes a plurality of bending operation knobs stacked on an operation unit of the endoscope, and the bending operation knob on the operation unit side is interlocked with the rotation shaft movable in the axial direction. 28. The endoscope bending device according to claim 27. 30. 28. The endoscope bending device according to claim 27, wherein the rotation shaft is engaged with an operation unit of the endoscope at a position corresponding to the first mode and the second mode. . 31. A first traction member that bends up and down, a second traction member that bends left and right, a first transmission member that engages with the first traction member, and an engagement with the second traction member An endoscope bending operation device comprising: a second transmission member to be operated; and a bending operation member provided on the first transmission member or the second transmission member, wherein the bending operation member is provided. The transmission member is detachably engaged with the traction member,
The endoscope bending operation device, wherein the bending operation member is engaged with another transmission member when the transmission member and the traction member are disengaged from each other. 32. The endoscope bending operation device according to claim 31, wherein the bending operation member is engageable with the other transmission member at an arbitrary position in a bending operation range.

[0096]

As described above, according to the endoscope of the present invention, even if a body fluid, blood, or the like enters and adheres to the nozzle, the adhered matter in the nozzle can be easily removed.
The nozzle can be easily replaced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a state in which a tip cover and a nozzle are removed from the tip shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle along the line AA in FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the tip component along the line BB in FIG.

4A is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle taken along line CC of FIG. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the distal end component along the line DD in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a state where a tip cover and a nozzle are removed from the tip shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a distal end portion of the endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention when cut at a different portion from FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a distal end portion showing a first embodiment of an endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the distal end portion.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing step by step the state of disassembling and cleaning the end portion of the endoscope of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is a front view of a distal end showing a second embodiment of an endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the distal end, and FIG. () Is a cross-sectional view along the line EE.

13 (a) is a front view of the distal end portion showing a state where the exterior member at the distal end portion shown in FIG. 12 is rotated, and FIG. 13 (b) is (a)
It is sectional drawing in alignment with the FF line.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing how the distal end of the endoscope of FIG. 12 is cleaned.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a first modification of the distal end portion of the endoscope in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a second modification of the distal end portion of the endoscope in FIG.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a distal end portion showing a third modification of the distal end portion of the endoscope in FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the distal end of the endoscope of FIG. 17 is cleaned.

FIGS. 19A and 19B show a third embodiment of the endoscope which can improve the cleaning performance of the nozzle even when the nozzle is fixedly attached to the distal end portion, and FIG. 19A shows a state where the distal end cover is removed from the distal end portion; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a tip cover is attached to the tip component, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the nozzle is washed with the tip cover removed from the tip component. .

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing a preferred bending operation mechanism.

21 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state of the bending operation mechanism in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an endoscope having a conventional bending operation mechanism.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a distal end portion of a conventional endoscope having a nozzle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d: Endoscope 2: Insertion section 4: Nozzle 6: Observation window 12: Tip cover 29: Tip

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope having a nozzle for spraying a fluid to an observation window provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion, wherein the nozzle is fixed to the distal end portion by a cover detachably attached to the distal end portion. An endoscope characterized in that: