JPS6173634A - Endoscope apparatus - 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 [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus in which a water supply tank is pressurized with air to obtain water discharge pressure.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Generally, endoscopes have a built-in air and water supply mechanism (
Utility Model Publication No. 58-9101). Then, the air and water supply are selected by operating the air/water supply switching valve, but the discharge pressure of the water supply is determined by sending the air from the air supply pump used for air supply into the water supply tank and pressurizing the inside of the water supply tank. (See the above publication).

However, this conventional method had the following drawbacks. That is, if the water supply operation is continued until all the water in the water supply tank is discharged and becomes empty during water supply, a large amount of air from the air pump will be sent into the body cavity through the water supply pipe.

If the water supply operation is continued without noticing this, the body cavity may expand abnormally, resulting in a very dangerous situation.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to ensure that even if the water supply tank runs out of water during the water supply operation, it is safe to continue the operation without noticing this. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention unilaterally supplies a large amount of air into the body cavity even when the Q1 water supply tank is empty by providing a circulation system path means for procuring air used to pressurize the inside of the water supply tank from within the body cavity. This is an endoscope device that avoids the danger of being sent.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an endoscope 1, and FIG. 2 shows an external device section 2. As shown in FIG. First, the endoscope 1 includes an insertion section 3 and an operation section 4.
Q1 from the universal cord 5 An observation window 6, an illumination window 7, a spray nozzle 8, a suction port 9, and a front water supply port 10 are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3. For spraying, the nozzle 8 is opened toward the outer surface of the observation window 6 so that cleaning water and air can be sprayed onto the outer surface of the observation window 6. Further, near the connecting base end of the universal cord 5, there are provided a circulation switch S1 consisting of a two-way selector switch, and a forward water supply switch S that is turned ON only while being pressed. Furthermore, the operation unit 4 is provided with a forward water supply switch S that is turned ON only while the switch is pressed, and furthermore, a two-stage push-in switch 12 that incorporates an air supply switch S4 and a water supply switch S is provided alongside this. is provided.

A flexible contact cord 14 and a flexible conduit cord 15 are connected to the extending tip 13 of the universal cord 5, respectively. Contact point C1.

C6 is installed. Among these, contact point c1゜...
, C5 are each of the aforementioned switches S1, .

S, respectively, are electrically connected. These contacts C1, ..., C8 are external device section side contacts 01', ..., 06 provided corresponding to the external device section 2.
′ respectively.

Further, at the tip of the conduit cord 15, there are four endoscope-side various caps C7, . . . , C□. ), and each cap C2,..., C4° is connected to the external device section 2.
The caps C7', ...C on the external device side, which are provided corresponding to the
1°' respectively.

On the other hand, a solid-state image sensor 17 is installed inside the observation window 6 with an objective lens 16 in between. Then, by forming an image of the field of view observed through the observation window 6 on the image receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 17, the solid-state image sensor 17 converts the image into an electrical signal. This converted electrical signal is transmitted through the signal cable 18. This signal cable 18 passes through the endoscope 1 and is electrically connected to the contact C6 of the contact cord 14.

Further, inside the illumination window 7, the tips of a light guide 19 made of a bundle of optical fibers are installed to face each other. Kou 4
The light guide 19 passes through the endoscope 1 and reaches the extending tip 13 of the universal cord 5, and its entrance side end is inserted into the light guide tube 21. and,
When the light guide tube 21 is connected to the external device section 2, the entrance end surface of the light guide 19 faces the light source 22 and receives illumination light, as shown in FIG. There is.

Further, an air supply pipe line 23 and a water supply pipe line 24 are connected to the spray nozzle 8 . Further, the suction port 9 is connected to the tip of the suction pipe 25, and the front water supply port 10 is connected to the front end of the front water supply pipe 26.

Each of these conduits 23, 24, 25, and 26 is guided to the conduit cord 15 through the endoscope 1. The air supply pipe line 23 is connected to the cap 07, and the water supply pipe line 24 is connected to the cap C. Further, the suction pipe line 25 is connected to the cap 01°, and the front water supply pipe line 26 is connected to the cap C.

On the other hand, the external device section 2 is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the air supply pump fP is connected to the air supply mouthpiece C7' via the dehumidifying filter 28. For this air supply? The pump P pressurizes the air supplied through the first pulp v8 and sends it to the air supply metal C, / side. Further, the first pulp v8 is connected to an outside air suction end A that sucks outside air, and a recirculation pipe 29 of a recirculation system path means to be described later.
The air supply pump P1 has a recirculation suction end B that connects the
It consists of a switching pulp that selectively communicates either the outside air suction end A or the reflux suction end B with the discharge end C connected to.

The dehumidification filter 28 contains a porous moisture absorbent, such as absorbent cotton mixed with silica gel, and removes moisture as much as possible from the air delivered into the body cavity, especially during reflux, as will be described later. This is to prevent clouds from forming on the observation window 5.

Further, a water supply tank 31 is connected to the water supply mouthpiece (, / through a second pulp V!).

The connection opening end 32 to the water supply tank 31 opens at a relatively bottom portion of the water supply tank 31 and is buried in the supply water 33 . A water supply air pump 7°P is connected to the upper space of the water supply tank 3J to supply pressurized air. The suction end of this water supply air pump P2 is connected to the reflux)J? It is connected in the middle of iG29.

Further, a spray air pump P is connected to the front water supply cap C1/. The suction end of this blowing air pump P8 is connected to the middle of the circulation pipe 29,
Air is sucked through the reflux pipe 29. In addition, the pipe line 34 communicating between the front water supply mouthpiece C,/ and the spraying air supply pump P is connected to the third pulp V,
The second pulp V! It is connected in the middle of a pipe line 35 that communicates between the water supply tank 3 and the water supply tank 3.

Further, the suction mouthpiece 01°' is connected in parallel to the circulation pipe 29 and the suction pump fP via a liquid reservoir tank 36 and a filter 37 in series. In addition,
The filter 37 is made of porous ceramic and is used to remove liquid droplets that bounce off inside the liquid storage tank 36 and are sucked in.

By the way, each of the above pulp V! , , V, and each pump PHt P! t Ps e Pa is the control device 3
It operates in response to control commands from 8. Further, the control device 38 is electrically connected to each of the contacts C□', . . . , C,', and receives signals from them.

Further, a pyroprocessing circuit 39 connected to the contact 06' is connected to the external device section 2, and processes the image signal from the solid-state image pickup device 17 to reproduce the image on the monitor 40. Further, the external device section 2 includes a changeover switch S for selecting between a normal water supply operation and a bubbly mixed water supply operation.

is provided.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus with the above configuration will be explained. Note that the table shows the state of the mutual relationship of each movable part during various operations.

In this table, "φ" represents OFF or blockage,
"1" represents ON or communication.

"A" represents an operating state in which only the outside air suction end A of the first pulp V8 is open, and "B" represents an operating state in which only the circulation suction end B is open. "N" indicates that the front water supply switch s2 operates without being affected even if it is turned on.

By the way, there are two types of water feeding operations: normal water feeding without mixing air bubbles (W) and water feeding with air bubbles mixed (AW), one of which can be selected in advance using the changeover switch S6. be done. Further, in each case, there is a case where the circulation operation for procuring air from the body cavity for pressurizing the inside of the water supply tank 3 is activated, and a case where it is not operated, and this is selected by the circulation switch S□.

(1) First, each operation when water is fed by mixing air bubbles (AW side) and when the circulation switch s1 is turned on to perform the circulation operation will be described.

(Forward water supply operation) This forward water supply operation is performed by pressing the front water supply switch S2. Then, while this pushing operation continues, the forward water supply operation is performed. That is, the control device 38 receives the ON signal of the front water supply switch S2 and operates the air supply pump P, the water supply air pump P2, and the spraying air pump fP3. However, the suction pump fP4 remains in a stopped state. Furthermore, the first pulp v1 is switched to the reflux suction end B side, and the air pump fP1 and the reflux pipe 29 are communicated with each other. Further, the second pulp (2) is kept open to the third pulp (v3) until the blockage t. However, while the suction pump fP4 side was disconnected, the other three pumps P,
, P, , P are activated, so that the circulation pipe 29
Air and the like in the body cavity are sucked through the suction line 25 of the endoscope 1. Then, the air inside the body cavity is collected in a liquid storage tank 3.
6 and filter 37 to remove liquid and solid matter during suction, and only that air is sent to each pump P1, P,.

Send them separately to the P3 side. First, the air discharged from the air supply pump fP is passed through the dehumidification filter 28)
Humidity is removed from the air supply cap.

C, , C, / are passed through and fed into the air supply line 23 of the endoscope 1. Then, the spray is applied from the nozzle 8 toward the outer surface of the observation window 6 to prevent spiders from forming on the outer surface. Further, the pressurized air discharged from the water supply air pump P2 is fed into the water supply tank 31 and pressurizes the supply water in the water supply tank 31. Pressurized feed water 3
3 is sent to the forward water supply metals c, , c, and ' through the opened third pulp V. In addition, since the second pulp ■2 is occluded, the water supply metals C,,C
, 'It does not flow to the side. Also, for front water supply, metal C,,C
,' side, air from the spraying air pump P3 is sent and mixed into the supply water 33. Then, the supply water mixed with air bubbles is fed into the front water supply pipe 26 and is blown out from the front water supply port 10 in the form of a spray. By ejecting this gas-liquid mixed fluid forward, the inside of the body cavity is powerfully cleaned. At this time, as described above, since air is blown onto the observation window 6 from the nozzle 8, the observation field of view is secured.

In addition, the air valve blows out from the nozzle 8 and the front water supply port 10, but this is caused by the suction pipe 25 as described above.
Each of the above pumps fP, , P2, etc.
It is sucked and supplied to P. In this way, the circulation system path is configured to procure the air itself sent into the body cavity from within the body cavity. Therefore, during this forward water supply operation, if the supply water 33 in the water supply tank 31 runs out and the air is not supplied. Even if there is only a small amount of air in the body cavity, excessive air will not accumulate in the body cavity.

That is, when the supply water 33 still remains in the water tank 3, the air in the water tank 3 is sufficiently pressurized and compressed. At this time, since the third pulp V is open, if the supply water 33 in the water supply tank 31 is
When it runs out, it is sent into the body cavity through the third valve Vst-. The water is then pumped into the body cavity until the air pressure in the water supply tank 31 becomes equal to the body cavity internal pressure (atmospheric pressure). However, as mentioned above, the air inside the body cavity is recovered sequentially, so even if the air to be compressed is sent into the body cavity, it will not expand within the body cavity and cause the body cavity to swell excessively. .

However, if we now assume that the capacity of the water tank 31 is 250c.
The maximum discharge pressure of the water supply air pump P is 0.3 kQ.
/cm, there is 250XO,3=75m in the body cavity.
L ends up being blown out. However, this takes a considerable amount of time as follows. In other words, the air pump fP for water supply! If so, the amount of suction air and the amount of discharged air will be equal, so the water supply air pump P2 will be ignored for the time being.

The hourly flow rate of the conduit of the endoscope 1 is equal to 2 of the conduit resistance of the conduit (since the pressure inside the body cavity is zero, it is equal to the pressure of the pressure source).
When the pressure is ・0.3,
If it is 20 mt/see, then 25. in the first 2 seconds.
4mL, 42.6mt is delivered in the first 5 seconds, and S 110g*c until 72.5mL is delivered.
It costs a lot. That is, the influence of the air inside the water tank 3 can be practically ignored.

(Suction Operation) This suction operation is performed by pressing the suction switch S, and this operation continues while the suction switch S is pressed. That is, when the suction switch S is pressed, the control device 38 that receives the 08g1 operates the air supply pump P□ and the suction pump P4 t-, while operating the water supply air pump P and the spray air PonfP.

be stopped. Further, the first pulp V is switched to the reflux suction end B side to shut off the outside air suction end A side. Further, the second and third pulps V, , V, are respectively shut off.

Therefore, due to the suction action of the suction pump P, the suction pipe 2
Air, etc. inside the body cavity is sucked through the circulatory system path such as No. 5. At this time, liquids and solids are removed in the liquid reservoir tank 36, and are also reliably removed in the filter 37.
Only air is exhausted outside. Further, a part of the air sucked in this way is sent to the air supply pump P□ side through the circulation pipe 29, and is sent into the air supply pipe line 23 of the endoscope 1. Then, as described above, by spraying from the nozzle 8 toward the outer surface of the observation window 6, spiders are prevented from forming on the outer surface.

(Air supply operation) This operation is performed by pushing the air supply switch S4, the tab, and the two-stage push-in switch 12 to the first stage. When the air supply switch S4 is pressed, it is turned on.
A signal is sent to the control device 38 to enable air supply operation. That is, only the air supply pump P1 operates, and the other pumps fP,
.

p, , p, are all in a stopped state, and the first pulp (2) is switched to the outside air suction end A side.

Further, both the second and third pulps v2, ■ are in a state of being blocked and blocked.

Then, outside air is sucked from the outside air suction end A of the first pulp V, pressurized by the air supply pump PK, and sent to the air supply pipe 23 side υ, and the spray is sent from the nozzle 8 into the body cavity. I care.

(Water supply operation) This operation is performed by pushing the water supply switch S, the tab 9, and the two-stage push-in switch 12 to the second stage. In addition, in order to push it to the second stage, the air supply switch S4
is also turned on, but the control device 38 turns on both switches S, , S,
When both are on, only the water supply switch S is on.
It is treated as if it is N. In this case, the water pump P1 and the water pump P2 are operated, and the spraying air pump P3 and the suction pump P4 are stopped. Further, the first pulp v1 is switched to the circulation suction end B side. Further, the second pulp V, opens and the third pulp V, closes.

Thus, a circulatory system path is formed between the suction pipe 25, the air supply pipe 23, and the water supply pipe 24, and the air sucked from the suction pipe 25 into the body cavity is returned to the air supply pipe 23 and the water supply pipe 24. It is sent into the body cavity through 24, and at this time, it is carried out by the following action. That is, the air sent by the air supply pump P1 is sent to the blow-off nozzle 8 through the air supply pipe 23t. At the same time, the supply water in the water tank 31, which is pressurized by the pressure of the air supply pump P, is pressurized, and this supply water is sent to the water supply pipe 24 through the second pulp 2. After that, the air from the air pump P□ joins with the air in front of the blow-off nozzle 8 to form a gas-liquid mixed fluid, which is then ejected from the blow-off nozzle 8 in the form of a mist to powerfully clean the observation window 6. Further, as described above, the air used at this time is circulated and is not excessively supplied into the body cavity.

(2) Next, when water is conveyed by gas-liquid mixing as in the case described above (AW side), there is a reflux switch S.
Each operation when l is turned off will be explained.

(Forward water feeding operation) This operating state is the same as the case (1) above (forward water feeding operation).

(Suction operation) In this operation, the only difference is that the water pump P1 also does not operate and stops, but otherwise is the same as the (suction operation) state in the case of (υ).

That is, each pump P, , P, , P stops together,
Suction pump P4 is activated. Further, the first pulp V□ is switched to the reflux suction end B side, and the outside air suction end A is closed. Furthermore, both the second and third pulps V2, V are in a blocked and blocked state. Therefore, only the suction pump P4 that communicates with the suction line 25 works, and liquids and the like in the body cavity can be sucked through the suction line 25. Note that the sucked air is discharged to the outside.

(Air supply operation) This air supply operation is performed primarily as the air supply operation described in (1) above.

(Water feeding operation) This water feeding operation is also performed in the same manner as the water feeding operation in the case (1) above. This allows air to circulate and prevents excessive air flow into the body cavity.

(3) When water is to be supplied with water that does not contain gases, the knob and selector switch S6 are switched to the normal water supply operation side (W), and the circulation switch S1 is turned ON.
The following 9.

(Forward water supply operation) In this case, the air supply pump fP□ and the water supply air pump P
2 is operated, but the other atomizing air supply pump P and suction pump P4 are stopped. In addition, the first pulp v1 is switched to the recirculation suction end B side. Close the minute and open the third valve vxfc.

Therefore, the above-mentioned air supply pump P1 and water supply air pump P
Circulation from the suction pipe 25 due to the suction action of 2 and the mother igu 2
The air inside the body cavity is sucked in through the air pump 9, and some of the air is sent to the air supply line 23 of the endoscope l through the air supply pump fP□, and the air is sprayed from the nozzle 8 onto the observation window 6 to prevent spiders 9. Do the following. On the other hand, the air pressurized by the water supply air bong fP is sent into the water supply tank 31 and pressurizes the supply water in the water supply tank 3 .

Then, this supply water 33 is supplied to the front water supply pipe 26 of the endoscope 1 through the third pulp v3, and the front water supply port 1
It is ejected from 0 into the body cavity.

By configuring the circulation system path in this manner, air can be procured from within the body cavity, and the above-mentioned air supply and forward water supply can be performed using this air. Therefore, during this operation, if water tank 3
Even if the supply water runs out from inside the tank, excessive air supply is prevented.

(Suction Operation) The operation in this case is the same as the suction operation in the case (1) above.

(Air supply operation) The operation in this case is the same as the air supply operation in the case (1) above.

(Water feeding operation) In this case, air feeding pump P8, air feeding pump P for spraying,
and the suction pump P4 are stopped, and only the water supply air pump P is operated. Further, the first pulp v1 is switched to the reflux suction end B side, the second nozzle V is opened, and the third pulp V is closed.

By the suction action of the water supply air pump P, the air inside the body cavity is sucked through the suction line 25 and the circulation pipe 29, which are the suction system, and this air is transferred to the water supply air pump fP. The water is then pressurized and sent to the water tank 31, and the supply water 33 is pressurized. Then, this supply water 33 is sent through the second pulp v2 and the water supply pipe 24 of the endoscope 1, and is sprayed from the blow-off nozzle 8 onto the observation window 6. In this case, since the air to be used is also procured from within the body cavity, it is possible to prevent excessive air supply into the body cavity even if the supply water 33 in the water supply tank 31 runs out.

(4) The changeover switch S6 may be switched to the normal water supply operation side (W), but if the circulation switch S1 is OFF, the following operation is performed.

(Forward water supply operation) In this case, the difference from (forward water supply operation) in case (3) is that the air supply pump P1 is also stopped. Others are in the same condition. Therefore, air is not supplied during the forward water supply operation in this case. In this case, the reason why the gas-liquid mixed fluid is not supplied is that the observation window 6 does not particularly need to have a spider prevention effect.

(Suction operation) This case is the same as the suction operation in case (2).

(Air supply operation) This case is the same as the air supply operation in case (1).

(Water feeding operation) This case is the same as (water feeding operation) in case (3).

On the other hand, when the circulation switch S8 is turned on, circulation air is supplied. That is, although the air pump P1 operates, the water feeding air pump P1, the spraying air pump P8, and the suction pump P4 are all stopped. Further, the first pulp v1 is switched to the reflux suction end B side, and the second and third pulp V! is closed.

Thus, the air supply system such as the air supply line 23 and the suction system such as the suction line 25 are connected through the circulation pipe 29, and the air supply pump P□ is operated to suck the air from within the body cavity.・Blow air again.

As shown in the right column, when the forward water supply switch S2 and the air supply switch 54tl are pressed at the same time, the second pulp v2 is closed and water is not supplied, but only forward water is supplied. Therefore, since the field of view from the observation window 6 is secured, it is safe.

Further, when the blow-off nozzles 8 are separate, it is better to use the changeover switch S to switch between normal water supply (W) and water supply using a gas-liquid mixed flow (AW) only on the water supply side.

Also, in forward water supply, depending on the case, only the normal water supply (W) and the water supply using a gas-liquid mixed flow (AW) are switched.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention procures the air used to pressurize the inside of the water tank from within the body cavity and circulates the air, so it is safe because it does not unilaterally send a large amount into the body cavity.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the external device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Endoscope, 2... External device part, 3... Insertion part, 4... Operation part, 5... Universal cord, 6...
...Observation window, 7.Illumination window, 8..Nozzle for spraying.
9... Suction port, 10... Front water supply port, 23... Air supply pipe line, 24... Water supply pipe line, 25... Suction pipe line, 2
6... Front water supply pipe, 29... Circulation pipe. 31・
...Water tank, 32...Opening end for connection, 33...
Supply water, 34... pipe line, 35... pipe line, 36...
・Liquid reservoir tank 38...control device. Applicant's representative Patent attorney Atsushi Tsuboi Figure 2 1. Indication of the case Japanese Patent Application No. 59-195178 2, Name of the invention Endoscope device 3, Person making the amendment Relationship to the case Patent applicant name (037) Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 5, Spontaneous amendment 7 , [Correction of [positive content, page 4, line 6] [front water supply switch ssJ] to [suction switch ssJ].

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an endoscope device that supplies water into a body cavity through a water supply pipe provided in the endoscope, there is a water supply tank connected to the water supply pipe, and pressurized air is sent to the water supply tank during water supply to supply the water. A pressurizing air pump that pressurizes the supply water in the tank and sends it to the water supply pipe, and a reflux system that procures air from within the body cavity that is sent to the water tank during water supply by this pressurizing air pump. 1. An endoscope device comprising a path means.