JPS58180130A - Cleaning apparatus of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an endoscope cleaning device that can easily clean or disinfect various conduits formed in the endoscope and their mouthpieces.

In recent years, an elongated insertion section has been inserted into the body cavity, and the m* and illumination optical system installed at the distal end of the insertion section are used to detect the inside of the body cavity.
1. Optically observe or diagnose 1, insert forceps into the insertion part from the operating part on the hand side to collect a sample of the acute tissue, aspirate the liquid through the suction conduit, or collect the collected sample. 2. Description of the Related Art Medical endoscopes, which can examine affected areas within a living body by examining liquids and the like, are now widely used. In addition, in the field of intensive use, the insertion part is inserted into the pipes of boilers, machines, plants, etc. to optically observe the inner surface of the pipe, and samples of the inner surface of the pipe are collected and used for maintenance, etc. There is an industrial endoscope.

In the upper division? A speculum, especially a medical endoscope, can effectively perform functions such as inserting it into a body cavity for optical observation, inserting forceps through it to collect a sample, or suctioning and collecting fluid for testing. As such, many pipes are provided, such as an air supply pipe, a water supply pipe, a suction pipe, and a forceps insertion channel.

If the observation window (glass) at the front end of the observation optical system becomes cloudy or if liquid such as gastric juice or fluid adheres to the shoes, If it cannot be removed by blowing air from the side, or if it cannot be removed by simply blowing air, it is provided as a means to always be able to clearly observe it by pumping water, cleaning, and drying by blowing air roughly. This is what is being done. In some cases, the target area can be easily observed by supplying air through an air supply conduit.

On the other hand, the suction pipe is used, for example, to diagnose the state of the stomach by aspirating and collecting gastric juice and examining it, or to suction and remove liquids and fluids that may be an obstacle during observation. It will be done.

Many of these conduits are cleaned and disinfected after using the endoscope, but the suction conduit and the mouthpiece at the proximal end of the suction conduit are particularly contaminated with gastric juices, other liquids, and solid substances. Since these liquids and solids adhere to the tube wall and the mouthpiece after use because they are sucked by an external suction device connected to the mouthpiece, they must be thoroughly cleaned or disinfected.

Conventionally, when cleaning or disinfecting the above-mentioned various main routes and their mouthpieces, one end of a tube or hose is connected to the mouthpiece, and cleaning water (H) or II liquid is fed from the other end (feeding 1). However, it was not possible to sufficiently clean or disinfect the outer periphery of the mouthpiece to which tubes, etc. are connected.

Therefore, after cleaning the conduit, the mouthpiece was cleaned separately, but this was time-consuming and when cleaning the mouthpiece, the endoscope itself was touched and the endoscope was contaminated. There was a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and includes:
In a cleaning device that is attached to the base of an endoscope and cleans or disinfects the conduit by sending a cleaning liquid from the washer, the base of the endoscope and the base of the washer are screwed together, etc.
The pipe and its mouthpiece can be easily cleaned or disinfected by forming a means for integrally connecting them using a porous member or by providing a means that can form a void on the outer periphery of the mouthpiece. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device for endoscopes.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are related to the first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 shows an endoscope and a water tank provided with various pipe lines to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 shows the main parts of the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a flexible endoscope 1 includes a flexible and elongated insertion section 2 that is inserted into a body cavity, an operating section 3 formed at the rear end of the insertion section 2, and a device connected to an optical device (not shown). and a light guide cable 4 that emits illumination light from the distal end of the insertion section 2.

A connector 5 connected to a light source device is provided at the tip of the light guide cable 4 extending from the operation section 3.

A light guide fiber is inserted into the light guide cable 4 and the insertion section 2, and the illumination light transmitted from the light source device is emitted from the illumination window at the tip of the insertion section 2 to illuminate the inside of the body cavity. There is.

On the other hand, an image guide 7 as an image transmitting means is inserted into the insertion section 2, and the illuminated intra-body cavity tissues, etc. are observed by the observation optical system 6 disposed at the tip of the insertion section 2. This optical image is transmitted to the rear end of the operating section 3 by an image guide 7 inserted into the insertion section 2, and can be observed from behind the eyepiece 8.

When performing WIF on the inner wall of an internal organ in a body cavity using the above observation optical system, I! lfl (glass) 6
Insert section 2 to remove cloudiness or deposits on A.
The nozzle 9 (part) that blows onto the observation window 6A at the tip is Wt.
The nozzle 9 is formed adjacent to the observation window 6A, and this nozzle 9
An air supply pipe 10 and a water supply pipe 1 are branched near the tip.
Connected to 1. These air supply pipe 10 and water supply pipe 11 are connected to the inside of the light guide cable 4 via an air/water supply (opening/closing) control valve 12 which is provided in the operation al 13 and can be used by switching between air supply and water supply. It is inserted. The air supply conduit 10 inserted through the light guide cable 4 can be connected to an air supply pump in the light source device through an air supply cap part 13 formed on a connector 5 at the tip of the light guide cable 4. At the same time, it is communicated with an air supply port 14B adjacent to the water supply port 14A in the water supply tank connection mouthpiece 14 formed on the side of the connector 5 and branched in the middle, and the water supply tank 16 is connected to the water supply tank 16 at the mouthpiece 14. 17
It is configured so that it can be installed.

When the water supply tank 16 is installed, the water supply port 14A
is connected to the water in the tank via the water supply tube 18 of the water supply tank 16, while the supply line 14B is connected to the water supply tube 19 through the water supply tube 18 of the water supply tank 16.
By sending gas (air) into the tank by the air pump in the light source device, the air pressure in the tank is increased and the water in the tank is transferred to the water feeding tube 18 side. It is constructed so that water can be delivered by discharging water from the tank.

The air/water supply control valve 12 provided in the operation section 3 is formed with an outlet (not shown) that branches and communicates with the copper air supply conduit 10 of the insertion section 2. The gas supplied through the air supply conduit 10 inside is discharged to the outside through a discharge port (not shown) of the air/water supply control valve 12, and when the discharge port is closed with a finger or the like, the supplied gas is released. is configured to pass through the air supply conduit 10 on the insertion section 2 side and be emitted from the nozzle 9.

On the other hand, when the air/water supply control valve 12 is pressed and the hollow cylindrical member is pushed in against a coil spring (not shown), the hole communicating with the air supply conduit 10 on the insertion section 2 side is blocked. At the same time, the light guide cable 4 side and the water supply pipe 11 on the insertion part 2 side are communicated, and the gas supplied from the air supply pump is transferred to (the gas part of) the water supply tank 16.
The water in the water supply tank 16 is discharged from the water supply tube 18 side by increasing the atmospheric pressure in the tank, and is configured to be discharged from the nozzle 9 via the water supply conduit 11.

Furthermore, for endoscopy*i, in order to collect samples such as biological tissue using forceps etc., the forceps plug 21 of the operation part 3 can be inserted into the insertion part 2 and protruded from the distal end side to collect samples. A forceps insertion conduit (forceps channel) 22 is formed in this manner.

The forceps plug 21 always closes the insertion opening of the forceps channel 22 where the forceps plug 21 is attached, but when the forceps are inserted, the valve opens and the forceps can be inserted.

The forceps channel 22 is connected in a normally closed state to a suction conduit 23 at a suction (opening/closing) control valve 23 provided in the operating section 3, and is connected to a suction conduit 23 which is inserted through the light guide cable 4. The proximal end of the channel 23 is connected to the connector 5.
A suction mouthpiece 24 formed to protrude near the side is configured to be connectable to a suction device (not shown).

When the suction control valve 23 is not pressed, it sucks air from an air intake port (not shown) formed in a hollow cylinder-like member, whereas when it is pressed against the biasing force of a coil spring (not shown), the air intake port is closed, and the hole formed on the side of the cylindrical member moves to open the forceps channel 2.
2 and the suction conduit 23 on the light guide cable 4 side communicate with each other, gastric juice, etc. facing the opening at the tip of the forceps channel 22 is suctioned and transferred to the forceps channel 22. Suction is carried out through the suction pipe 23 from the suction mouthpiece 24 to the suction device side. @
It is configured so that it can be attached to and removed from the base of the seal.

Suction mouthpiece 2 in the inner Wi mirror 1 configured as described above
4, the 11th embodiment of the endoscopic mirror cleaning device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2 is configured to be detachably attached.

In the first embodiment, the flange portion 32 is formed by making the inner thickness of the outer peripheral end portion of the tubular metal 31 from a cleaning machine (not shown) that supplies cleaning liquid (cleaning water) or disinfectant liquid, and the flange portion 32 is formed on the outer periphery of the seven flange portions 32. Covers the flange portion 32 with a substantially ring-shaped coupling ring 33 having a small diameter stepped portion that engages with the rear end of the flange portion 32 to prevent removal. The tube-pro metal 31 has an inner circumferential surface on which a flange portion 32 is formed, and has a tapered shape that expands in diameter forward. It is configured to expand and flow along the inner peripheral surface of the shape.

On the other hand, the coupling ring 33 has a screw 33A formed on the inner circumferential surface of the front end thereof to be screwed into the screw 24A formed on the outer surface of the suction mouthpiece 24, and this coupling ring 33 is connected to the porous metal member 2
It is formed using a (porous) material such as foamable plastic or porous sintered material. When this coupling ring 33 is screwed onto the suction cap section 24, the front end 33B of the coupling ring 33 comes into contact with the stepped end surface of the suction cap section 24, as shown in FIG. The end face and the front end face of the flange portion 32 facing the end face are spaced apart a little, and a gap G is formed between the two, and when liquid is sent as shown by the arrow A, this liquid passes through the tapered inner circumferential surface of the flange portion 32, a part of which hits the end surface of the suction mouthpiece 24, enters the gap G in the radial direction, and connects the coupling ring 33.
It is configured so that it flows out through the porous part of the pipe.

The operation of the first embodiment configured as described above is as follows.

First, rotate the coupling ring 33 attached to cover the tip of the tube ring 31 of the washing machine, and connect the screw 33A formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end side to the screw 24A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the suction mouthpiece 24. The front end surface 33B of the coupling ring 33 is screwed together.
is brought into contact with the stepped surface of the suction mouthpiece 24 adjacent to the screw 24A, as shown in FIG. In this state, the front end surface of the 7 flange portion 32 of the Tupro metal 31 is connected to the suction mouthpiece portion 2.
It is fixed at a slight distance from the four end faces.

Next, when the cleaning liquid or Ml liquid is sent from the cleaning machine side as shown by the arrow A, the liquid flowing through the center of the Tupro gold 31 goes straight, passes through the suction pipe 23 from the suction mouthpiece 24, and then passes through the forceps channel. 22 and is discharged from the open end on the distal end side of the insertion section, and at this time, deposits in the duct are removed.

On the other hand, the liquid flowing near the inner circumferential wall surface of the Tupro Gold 31 flows radially through the gap G from the tapered expanded diameter portion of the seven flange portions 32, passes through the porous portion of the coupling ring 33, and passes through the outside. leaks to. Further, the flow passes through the porous portion of the coupling ring 33 so as to soak the threads 24A on the outer circumferential surface of the suction mouthpiece 24, and the threads 33A of the coupling ring 33 are connected to the threads 24A on the outer circumference of the mouthpiece.
If the shape has a slight gap rather than being completely screwed into the suction mouthpiece 4A, the outer surface of the suction mouthpiece 24 can be more effectively cleaned or disinfected.

According to this embodiment, if a cleaning liquid or a disinfectant solution is sent to the mouthpiece after it is attached to the mouthpiece to be cleaned or W4Sted, the conduit and the outer periphery of the mouthpiece, which is normally difficult to clean, can be easily cleaned or disinfected.

In addition, by adjusting the flow rate of the liquid sent, either the pipe or the mouthpiece can be cleaned or disinfected in a spot-like manner, and when the coupling 133 is screwed together, as shown in FIG. If you attach it without letting the surface touch the stepped surface of the cap,
The rate of flow through the porous portion of the bonding ring 33 can be adjusted as necessary.

FIG. 3 shows a thread 33A formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling ring 33 in the first embodiment, which is not directly screwed into the thread 24 of the base part, but is inserted through a thread-like member wound spirally. Two examples will be shown.

As shown in the figure (in the second embodiment, the coupling ring 33' has screws 33C threaded on its inner peripheral surface on the distal end side at a pitch equal to that of the threads 24A of the suction mouthpiece 24, and the threads 33G A spirally wound thread-like member 41 having good chemical resistance (for example, stainless steel) is fixed with an adhesive or the like so that a part of the thread-like member 41 is in contact with the surface of each valley. The coupling ring 33' to which this thread-like member 41 is attached is substantially similar to the threaded portion 33A of the coupling ring 33 of the first embodiment.
The spirally wound thread-like member 41 is connected to the suction mouthpiece 2.
4. It is configured so that it can be substantially screwed together with the thread 24A on the outer periphery.

In this embodiment, when the coupling ring 33' is attached by screwing, the screw 33A on the outer periphery of the suction mouthpiece 24 and the coupling ring 3
Since a small gap is formed in a spiral shape at the threaded part 3' with the thread-like member 41, the cleaning water flowing along this gap causes the screw 24A having a spirally uneven surface on the outer periphery of the suction cap part 24 to be formed. suitable for cleaning.

In this embodiment, when the coupling ring 33' is attached by screwing, several protrusions 42, 42 (three in the illustration) formed on the front end surface 33B of the coupling ring 33' are connected to the stepped portions. By bringing it into contact with the surface, the position of the screw engagement is determined (of course, it is possible to clean it even when it is not in contact with the surface), and between the end face of the suction mouthpiece 24 and the front end face of the 7 tank part 32 of the Tulo metal 31. A void G is formed in the gap G, and
The structure is such that the liquid flowing along the outer periphery of the suction mouthpiece 1124 can flow out along the front end surface 33B of the coupling ring 33.

The functions and effects of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment, but it has the additional feature (advantage) that the bonding ring 33' is not necessarily limited to a porous member.

Note that the protrusion 42 formed on the front end surface 33B of the coupling ring 33'
．． 42 has substantially the same function even if it is formed on the front end surface of the flange portion 32, and the above-mentioned protrusions 42, 42 can also be applied to the first embodiment.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the inner periphery of the front end side of the TUPRO metal 31 is formed into a tapered shape, but this is not limited to this example. Even if the inner diameters are approximately the same, they can be sufficiently effective for disinfection.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the explanation is that the suction cap section 24 is mainly attached to clean or disinfect the outer periphery and the conduit, but the present invention can be attached to other cap sections for cleaning or disinfection. Of course, it is possible to do this, and the shape of the outer periphery of the cap part is not limited to those in which the threaded screw 24A is formed as described above. By forming a protrusion that can abut and lock on a surface (for example, by attaching an elastic member that expands its diameter by pressing and inserting it), a serrated or other lateral flow path can be created along the outer circumference of the mouthpiece. be done.

In this case, if the bonding ring is formed of a porous member, a path for the cleaning liquid to flow through the porosity of the bonding ring is also formed in addition to the above-mentioned side flow path.

Although the functions of each of the above-mentioned embodiments are cleaning and disinfection, it is actually more effective to use them for disinfection or sterilization.

As described above, according to the present invention, the coupling ring to be attached to the mouthpiece is formed of a porous member, and the inner peripheral surface of the attached coupling ring has a void that allows side flow to flow along the outer peripheral surface of the mouthpiece. Since it is configured to form a pipe, it has the advantage that the pipe and its mouthpiece can be cleaned or cleaned by simply feeding the liquid after the pipe is installed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 shows how the embodiment of the present invention is applied. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing one example of the structure of the I trowel, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the main part of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing main parts. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Endoscope, 2... Insertion part, 3... Operation part, 4... Light guide cable, 10... Air supply conduit, 11... Water supply conduit, 12 ... Air/water supply control valve, 13... Air supply mouthpiece, 16... Water supply tank, 21... Forceps plug, 22... Forceps channel, 23... Suction pipe, 24 ...suction mouthpiece,
31...Tupro gold, 32...7 tank part,
33... Connecting ring, 41... Thread-like member, 42...
・Protrusion.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) Inner W! The endoscope can be cleaned or disinfected by attaching it to the base formed at the end of the endoscope's conduit and sending liquid such as cleaning liquid from the washer. The interior is characterized in that the substantially annular member integrally connected to the base by screwing or the like is constructed using a porous member or by providing means for forming a gap between the base and the outer periphery of the base. Endoscope cleaning device. (2) The means for forming the first middle part is defined in claim 1, characterized in that: - a thread-like member wound in a spiral shape is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the annular member; ? J! Mirror cleaning device.