JPS6315935A - Guide pipe structure of endoscope and method for washing anddisinfecting the same - 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 (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a tube structure for guiding forceps, etc. in an endoscope, and a method for cleaning and disinfecting the guide tube structure.

(Prior art) A general endoscope includes a rig body, a flexible insertion section extending from the gait body, and a flexible insertion section formed at the tip of the insertion section, which is bent by a remote scraper on the gait body. It has a curved portion and a rigid tip portion formed further ahead of the curved portion. A guide tube for guiding long forceps or the like is housed in the insertion section. The forceps pass through a guide tube from an opening formed in the operating body, are guided into the body cavity through an opening formed in the rigid distal end portion, and cut out tissue on the inner wall of the body cavity.

The guide tube is required to have a small coefficient of friction so that the forceps can be inserted and removed smoothly. Further, in order to facilitate the bending operation of the bending portion, low bending resistance is required. Furthermore, if the guide tube breaks during bending, the tube passage will be blocked and the forceps will not be able to be guided, so it is also required to be resistant to breakage.

As a material for the guide tube that satisfies the above requirements, stretched porous tetrafluoroethylene 8 is often used.A guide tube made of this material has the following properties as shown in FIG.
Micropores 100 penetrating in the radial direction are evenly distributed, and countless fine fibers 101 are arranged in the micropores 100.

The above guide tube made of porous tetrafluoroethylene resin has water repellency, so water with a high surface tension cannot pass through it, but body fluids, etc., with a surface tension lower than normal water, can penetrate through the micropores. It is. For this reason, for example,
As seen in Publication No. 184 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54115185, the leakage of body fluids is prevented by applying fluororubber or the like to the inner or outer circumferential side of the guide tube to partially impregnate it. are doing.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the above configuration has the following drawbacks. That is,
Since the coating is integrally formed by impregnating the rubber, the bending resistance increases, which negates the advantages of the porous tetrafluoroethylene tit resin.

In particular, in a configuration in which the outer circumferential side is impregnated with rubber, body fluids permeate into the micropores until they reach the rubber coating, and bacteria are likely to breed within the micropores. Clean and disinfect endoscopes after heavy use.

First, the case of using a disinfectant will be explained in detail.

When the disinfectant solution is passed through the guide tube, the disinfectant solution also penetrates into the micropores of the guide tube, but because the outer circumferential end of the micropores is closed by the rubber coating, it does not penetrate deep into the guide tube. For this reason, sufficient disinfection was difficult. In addition, after this disinfection process, the micropores are washed with water and further dried, but one end of the micropores is blocked and drying cannot be completed, and the liquid remains deep inside the micropores, allowing bacteria to grow again. I had something to do.

When using disinfectant gas, the endoscope is first cleaned with water, but because one end of the micropore is blocked, the cleaning water cannot reach the depths of the micropore sufficiently, making it impossible to ensure cleaning. .

In addition, after this cleaning, the endoscope is placed in a vacuum chamber to remove the air and water inside, and the endoscope is disinfected again, but some liquids such as body fluids and washing water may be inside the micropores. However, the sterilizing effect of disinfectant gas could not be achieved sufficiently.

In addition, Utility Model Application No. 52-90990, Utility Model Application No. 57-7
Although Publication No. 502 discloses a guide tube structure having a double tube structure, it does not include the idea of allowing the driftwood to pass through the microholes of the inner tube as in the present invention.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention has been made to solve the above problems.
Its gist is that it has an inner tube made of porous resin and an outer tube made of non-porous resin that surrounds this inner tube, and a fluid passageway for cleaning and disinfection is provided between the inner tube and the outer tube. an endoscope, wherein both ends of the inner tube are communicated with an opening formed in the endoscope, and at least one end of the fluid passage is communicated with the opening formed in the endoscope. It is in a tubular structure.

Another gist of the invention is that when disinfecting the guide tube structure of the endoscope, a fluid for cleaning or disinfection is caused to flow in from at least one opening communicating with either the inner tube or the fluid passage; ) A method for cleaning and disinfecting a guide tube structure of an endoscope, characterized in that the fluid flows out from at least one opening communicating with the fluid, and in this process, the fluid is forced to flow through the micropores of the inner tube. .

(Function) The device of the present invention has a double tube structure consisting of an inner tube made of porous resin and an outer tube made of non-porous resin, and a fluid passage for cleaning and disinfection is formed between these tubes. , cleaning and disinfection fluids can pass through the micropores in the inner tube, ensuring reliable cleaning and disinfection.

Since the inner tube is made of porous resin, its bending resistance is low. Also, the outer tube is not integrated with the inner tube, and can be made thinner due to the reinforcing action of the inner tube. As a result, the bending resistance of the entire guide tube structure can be reduced, making bending operations easier.

Furthermore, in the method of the present invention, cleaning and disinfection fluid is forced to flow through the micropores of the inner tube, so cleaning and disinfection can be performed reliably.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The endoscope shown in FIG. 1 includes an operating main body 10, a flexible insertion section 11 that extends from the operating main body 10 and is inserted into a body cavity, and a flexible insertion section 11 that is formed at the distal end of the insertion section 11 and that is operated remotely by the operating main body 10. It has a curved portion 12 that is curved by the body, and a rigid tip portion 13 formed further beyond the curved portion 12. Further, a flexible guide tube 14 extends from the operation main body 10, and a plug 15 is attached to the tip of the guide tube 14.

One end of an optical fiber bundle 16 for transmitting illumination light is housed in the elongated tube portion 15a of the plug 15 (1), and this optical fiber bundle 16 is connected to the guide tube 14, the working body 10, and the insertion portion 1.
1, the other end reaches a rigid tip portion 13, and faces an illumination window (not shown) I formed in the rigid tip portion 13. When the plug 15 is inserted into the light source device, the light from the light source in the light source device is supplied to the end face of the optical UI bundle 16, passes through the optical fiber bundle 16, and is irradiated into the body cavity from the illumination window. ing.

In addition to the illumination window, an observation window 17 is formed in the rigid tip portion 13, and a solid-state image sensor (none of which is shown) is optically connected to the observation window 17 via an objective optical system. It is connected to the. The electric wire, one end of which is connected to the solid-state imaging device, passes through the insertion section 11, the working body 10, and the guide tube 14, is led out from the plug 15, and is connected to the signal processing section. The signal processing section processes the image signal from the solid-state image sensor and sends the television signal to the monitor television, so that the image of the body cavity obtained by the solid-state image sensor can be observed on the monitor television. Note that, like a general endoscope, an eyepiece may be provided in the working body 10, and the image entering the observation window may be observed by the eyepiece through an image transmission optical system.

A guide tube structure 20, which is a characteristic feature of the present invention, is housed within the insertion portion 11. This guide tube structure 20 has an inner tube 21 and an outer tube 22 surrounding the inner tube 21. The inner tube 21 is made of stretched porous tetrafluoroethylene resin, and when viewed under a microscope, it has a structure as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the outer tube 22 is made of ordinary non-porous resin. A gap is formed between the inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22, and this gap serves as a fluid passage 23 for cleaning and disinfection.

One end of the guide tube structure 20 is connected to the working body 1 by a metal tube 25.
0, and the other end is connected to the rigid tip portion 13 by a metal tube 26.

To be more specific, a cylindrical connecting portion 27 having an opening 27a is formed in the operation main body 10 so as to protrude outward. One end of the metal tube 25 is inserted and fixed into the inner end of this opening 27a. The other end of the metal tube 25 has a double tube structure, with one end of the inner tube 21 being connected to the inner tube 25a, and one end of the outer tube 22 being connected to the outer tube 25b. Further, the tip hard portion 13 has an opening 13.
a is formed, and one end of the metal tube 26 is inserted and fixed into the inner end of this opening 13a. The Pa end of the inner tube 21 is connected to the other end of the metal tube 26, and the other end of the outer tube 22 is connected to the outer periphery of the intermediate portion of the metal tube 26.

The connecting ends of the inner tube 21 to the metal tubes 25 and 26 should be made non-porous, or the inner and outer circumferential surfaces should be coated with rubber and partially impregnated), thereby closing the micropores. There is.

The outer tube portion 25b of the metal tube 25 has a cylindrical connecting portion 25c.
is formed, and one'4 part of the connecting tube 30 is connected to this connecting portion 2Sc. The end of the tube 30 is connected to a cylindrical connecting portion 31 formed on the operating body 10. The connecting portion 31 has an opening 31a.

A cylindrical connecting portion 2Sd is formed in the middle of the metal tube 25, a connecting tube 35 is connected to this connecting portion 25d, and a valve 36 is connected to the end of the connecting tube 35. One end of the suction tube 37 is connected. This suction tube 37 passes through the guide tube 14 to reach the plug 15, and is connected to a cylindrical connecting portion 38 formed in the plug 15. This connecting portion 38 has an opening 38a and is connected to a suction device (not shown). The valve 36 is opened and closed by an operation button 39 provided on the work body 10.

As is clear from the above description, one end of the inner tube 21 is communicated with the opening 13a via the metal tube 26, and the end of the inner tube 21 is communicated with the opening 27a via the metal tube 25. Connection tube 35, valve 36. It communicates with the opening 38a via the suction tube 37. Further, one end of the fluid passage 23 is closed by a metal pipe 26,
The pond end is connected to the opening 31 via the metal pipe 25 and the connecting tube 30.
It is connected to a.

In the above configuration, the insertion section 11 is inserted into the body cavity and the inside thereof is observed. Then, use long forceps (not shown) to open the opening 2.
It passes through the inner tube 21 of the guide tube structure 20 from 7a and projects into the body cavity from the opening 13a. Then, tissue from the body cavity is collected using the forceps. After collection, remove the forceps from the endoscope. At this time, since the inner tube 21 is made of porous tetrafluoroethylene resin and has a very small coefficient of friction on its inner peripheral surface, the forceps can be smoothly inserted and removed.

In addition, when the curved portion 12 is curved by the remote scratching body in the working body 10, the guide tube structure 20 is also bent, but at this time, the flexible fine fibers 101 arranged in the micro holes 100 located inside the curved shape Since the inner tube 21 is bent, no large bending stress is generated on the tube wall of the inner tube 21, and the bending resistance is small. Also,
When the outer tube 21 is bent, it is supported by the inner tube 21 and does not break as shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 2, so it can be made thinner and the bending resistance can be reduced. Moreover, since both tubes 21 and 22 are not integrated, the combined bending resistance of the guide tube structure 20 is small.
Curving operations can be performed easily.

Further, since the inner tube 21 does not undergo a large bending stress as described above, there is no inconvenience that the inner tube 21 is bent and the tube passage is blocked, and the forceps can be guided and the suction described later can be performed reliably.

When removing body fluid in the body cavity, press the operation button 39 to open the valve 36. Then, body fluid flows from the opening 13a to the inner tube 21, the connecting tube 35, and the suction tube 37.
and is sucked into the suction device. Note that during this suction, the opening 27a is closed by a rubber valve or the like.

When moving the forceps in and out or performing suction as described above, body fluids and dirt adhere to the inner circumferential surface of the inner tube 21.
A portion penetrates into the micropores 100.

Note that while the endoscope is in use, a rubber stopper is placed in the opening 31a to prevent a portion of the permeated body fluid from leaking from the opening 31a. As a result of the above-mentioned infiltration, bacteria are likely to proliferate within the micropores 100. Therefore, endoscopes are disinfected after use.

First, as an example of the method of the present invention, a case where disinfection is performed using a disinfectant will be described. First, the opening 13a is closed with a finger, a plug, or the like. As a result, one end of the inner tube 21 is closed. Further, since the three reproducing buttons are not pressed, the valve 36 is closed, and the pond end of the inner tube 21 is blocked from the opening 38a. The end of the inner tube 21 communicates with the outside only through the opening 27a. Then, a disinfectant solution is supplied from this opening 27a by applying positive pressure. Then, this disinfectant solution fills the inner tube 21 and is forced to pass through the microhole 100 by the supply pressure and exits to the driftwood passage 23. Since the disinfectant solution passes through the micropores 100, disinfection can be performed reliably. During the passage of the disinfectant, body fluids and dirt accumulated in the micropores 100 are flushed out of the micropores 100 together with the disinfectant. Fluid passage 23
The disinfectant solution discharged through the connecting tube 30 is discharged from the opening 31a.

There are the following methods for distributing the above disinfectant to the above pond. For example, a disinfectant solution may be supplied from the opening 31a by applying positive pressure. In this case, the disinfectant liquid first fills the fluid passage 23 and exits into the inner tube 21 through the microhole 100 of the inner tube 21, after which the openings 13a, 2
It is discharged from 7a.

Also, close the openings 13a+27a, press the three body buttons to open the valve 36, and open the opening 38a and the inner tube 21.
The disinfectant solution may be caused to flow through the opening 31a by performing suction with a suction device (applying negative pressure to the opening 38a) while the openings 31a are in communication with each other. Even in this case, the disinfectant solution can be made to flow through the microholes 100 of the inner tube 21.

Next, the cleaning water is applied to the guide tube structure 20 in the same manner as the disinfectant solution described above.
circulate inside. At this time, since the cleaning water can be made to flow through the micropores 100 of the inner tube 21, the disinfectant can be reliably removed from the micropores 100. After this washing, drying is performed. During this drying, since both ends of the micropores 100 are open, the washing water easily evaporates, and the micropores 100 are open.
There will be no inconvenience such as liquid accumulation in 00 and allowing bacteria to reproduce. Note that during this drying, if high-temperature pressurized air is circulated or vacuum suction is applied in the same manner as the disinfectant solution and cleaning water described above, the air is forced to flow through the micropores 100, making drying more reliable. can be done.

As the method of the present invention, disinfection can also be carried out using a disinfectant gas such as ethylene oxide. That is, first, the cleaning water is made to flow through the guide tube structure 20 in the same manner as described above. At this time, since the cleaning water passes through the micropores 100 of the inner tube 21, the micropores 100 can be reliably cleaned. Next, the endoscope is placed in a vacuum chamber to remove the air and water inside. At this time, since both ends of the microhole 100 of the inner tube 21 are open, the liquid within the microhole 100 can be reliably removed.

Next, the room is sterilized with a sterilizing gas atmosphere. At this time, since both ends of the microhole 100 of the inner tube 21 are open, the disinfecting gas can sufficiently spread inside the microhole 100.
Moreover, as mentioned above, since no liquid remains in the micropores 100, disinfection can be performed reliably. Note that if the disinfecting gas is forced to flow within the micropores 100 of the inner tube 21 using positive pressure or negative pressure as in the case of the disinfecting solution, disinfection becomes more reliable.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various embodiments are possible. For example, the outer tube may be made of thin-walled rubber,
Alternatively, the inner tube may be brought into close contact with each other, and when a disinfectant solution or the like is pumped, it will swell, allowing the disinfectant solution or the like to flow through the opening between the outer tube and the inner tube. In this way, the driftwood passage between both tubes may be open only when fluid passes through it.

As shown in FIG. 3, the outer tube 22' may be bellows-shaped. In this case, the bending resistance of the guide tube structure 20 can be further reduced.

Furthermore, configurations as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively, may be used. In these embodiments, constituent members corresponding to the above embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the tube (not shown) constituting the water passage for cleaning the observation window 17 is housed in the insertion section 11 in a manner different from the guide tube structure 20. In the embodiment shown, the driftwood passage 23 also serves as a water supply passage for cleaning the observation window 17, and this can be achieved by reducing the diameter of the insertion portion 11. To explain in detail, the rigid tip portion 13 has a metal tube 2.
6 and a large diameter metal tube 50 are fixed concentrically, and the end of the outer tube 22 is connected to this metal tube 50. The open fluid passage 23 between the inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22 includes a passage 51 formed between the metal tubes 26 and 50, a passage 52 formed in the rigid tip portion 13, and an opening S2a of this passage 52. It communicates with the outside via a nozzle 53.

Further, a water supply tube 56 is connected to the connection tube 30 connected to the metal pipe 25 via a valve 55.

This tube 56 is inserted through the guide tube 14 and connected to a connecting portion S7 provided on the plug 15. This connecting portion 57 has an opening 57a and is connected to a water supply device.

In the above configuration, the insertion and removal of the forceps and suction are performed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. When the observation window 17 becomes dirty with bodily fluids or the like, the operation button 59 is pressed to open the valve 55 and water is supplied from the water supply device to the opening 57a. On this occasion,
The water passes through tubes 56, 30 and further through fluid passageway 23,
It emerges from the nozzle 53 through the passages 51, 52 and cleans the viewing window 17. Thereafter, compressed air is blown onto the observation window 17 from an air supply device connected to the plug 15 through a tube (not shown) to remove the cleaning water.

In this embodiment, by closing the valve 36.55 and blocking the opening 13a with a finger or a stopper, only one end of the inner tube 21 is communicated with the outside via the opening 27a, and only one end of the fluid passage 23 is open. It is now in a state where it is communicated with the outside via 52a. In this state, when the disinfectant is applied with pressure to flow from the opening 27a, the disinfectant is poured into the inner tube 21.
The liquid then passes through the micropores of the inner tube 21, passes through the fluid passage 23 and passages 51 and 52, and is discharged from the opening S2a.

Further, in this embodiment, the opening 52a is closed and the valve 55
It is also possible to open the opening 57a and supply disinfectant under pressure. In this case, the disinfectant fluid flows from the fluid passageway 23 through the micropores of the inner tube 21 into the inner tube 21 and is discharged through the openings 13a, 27a. Furthermore, the method for cleaning and disinfecting the pond can be carried out in the same manner as described in the embodiment of FIG.

Note that the fluid passage 23 in FIG. 4 may be a passage for compressed air, or may be a passage for circulating both cleaning water and compressed air.

In FIG. 4, the fluid passage 23 of the guide pipe structure 20 is also used as a water supply passage, but the guide pipe structure of the present invention may be applied to a dedicated passage for water or air supply.

In this case, cleaning water and compressed air pass through the inner tube.

The endoscope shown in FIG. 5 is used for observing the bladder A and the like. The configuration of the rigid tip portion 13 is similar to that shown in FIG. 4, except that there is no nozzle. The operation main body 10 has an opening 61a.
, 62a are provided. Each connection 61.62 has a metal tube 63.
64 is attached. One of the metal tubes 63 has a double tube structure in its inner part, and the inner tube 21 is connected to the inner tube part 63a, and the outer tube 22 is connected to the outer tube part 63b.
is connected. A connecting portion 63c is formed in the outer tube portion 63b, and the connecting portion 63c and the metal tube 64 are connected by a tube 65.

In this example, when observing the bladder A, irrigation water is supplied from the opening 61a of the connection part 61 and passes through the inner tube 21 to the opening 1.
3a, enters the bladder A, returns to the opening 52a, and further passes through the fluid passage 23, tube 65, and metal tube 64 to the opening 62.
It is discharged from a. As a result, the dirty body fluid in the bladder A is drained and the inside of the bladder A is filled with cleansing water, so that good observation can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the inner tube 21 has openings 61a at both ends.
, 13a to the outside, and the fluid passage 23
Both ends thereof communicate with the outside through openings 62a and 52a. Therefore, when cleaning and disinfecting the guide tube structure 20 by the method of the present invention, an opening that applies positive pressure or negative pressure is selected, and the opposite side that is in communication with this opening via the inner tube 21 or the fluid passage 23 is selected. It is necessary to close the opening.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, in the device of the present invention, since both ends of the microhole of the inner tube are open, cleaning and disinfection fluid can pass through, and reliable cleaning and disinfection can be performed.

Furthermore, the characteristics of the porous resin constituting the inner tube can be utilized, and bending resistance etc. can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the method of the present invention, cleaning or disinfection fluid is forced to flow through the micropores of the inner tube, so cleaning and disinfection can be performed more reliably.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an endoscope showing one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an enlarged sectional view taken along the arrow ■-■ in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the form of the pond in the guide tube structure, and Figs. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views of the endoscope further showing the form of the pond. Figure 6 is a view of the surface of the inner tube viewed through a microscope. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Operation main body, 11... Insertion part, 20... Guide tube structure, 21... Inner tube, 22.22'...
・Outer tube, 23...Fluid passage Figure 6

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A guide tube structure that is housed in the insertion section of an endoscope has an inner tube made of porous resin and an outer tube made of nonporous resin that surrounds this inner tube. A fluid passage for cleaning or disinfection is formed between the outer tube and the inner tube, both ends of which communicate with an opening formed in the endoscope, and at least one end of the fluid passage communicates with an opening formed in the endoscope. A guide tube structure for an endoscope characterized by being in communication. (2) The guide tube structure for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube is made of porous tetrafluoroethylene resin. (3) It has an inner tube made of porous resin and an outer tube made of non-porous resin that surrounds this inner tube, and a fluid passage for cleaning and disinfection is formed between these inner tube and outer tube. disinfecting a guide tube structure of an endoscope, wherein both ends of the inner tube communicate with an opening formed in the endoscope, and at least one end of the fluid passage communicates with an opening formed in the endoscope. , allowing a cleaning or disinfecting fluid to flow into at least one opening communicating with one of the inner tube and the fluid passage, and causing the fluid to flow out through at least one opening communicating with the other, in the process A method for cleaning and disinfecting a guide tube structure of an endoscope, the method comprising forcing the fluid to flow through the micropores.