WO2021049205A1 - Cover for rigid endoscope, endoscope unit, and use method for endoscope unit - Google Patents

Abstract

This cover (20) for covering part of the outer circumferential surface in the circumferential direction of a rigid endoscope (10) having an observation window (14) provided to the tip thereof is provided with a flexible cover member (22) that covers part of the outer circumferential surface of the rigid endoscope (10) in the circumferential direction. The cover member (22) has formed therein a plurality of through holes (24, 25) inside of which a gas and a cleaning liquid to be supplied to the observation window (14) of the rigid endoscope (10) from the base end side of the rigid endoscope (10) each flow. The cover member (22) bends and is thereby attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rigid endoscope (10).

Description

Rigid endoscope cover, endoscope unit and how to use the endoscope unit

The present invention is an endoscope unit including a cover for covering the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope provided with an observation window portion at the tip that protects an objective lens for imaging an affected portion, a rigid endoscope, and a cover. Also related to how to use the endoscope unit.

In recent years, in the medical field, endoscopes (flexible endoscopes) represented by gastroscopes have come to be used in gastric examination and surgery. In addition, a thoracoscope is often used in surgery performed by opening the chest, and a laparoscope is often used in surgery performed by opening the abdomen (hereinafter referred to as laparoscopic surgery). Laparoscopic surgery is rapidly becoming widespread due to its minimal invasiveness and good plastic surgery, and its proportion in total surgery is increasing year by year, mainly for gastric cancer and colorectal cancer surgery. By the way, the above-mentioned thoracoscope, laparoscope, etc. are called rigid endoscopes, and an objective lens for imaging the affected area is provided at the tip of such a rigid endoscope, and observations that protect the objective lens are provided. A window is provided.

During surgery using a rigid endoscope such as the thoracoscope or laparoscope described above, the observation window provided at the tip of the rigid endoscope may become dirty or cloudy due to blood, fat, or the like. Frequently. For this reason, there is a problem that the operation must be temporarily interrupted for cleaning or cleaning the observation window, and the operation efficiency is significantly reduced. More specifically, the only information required for surgery using a rigid endoscope is the image (visual) information obtained by the rigid endoscope, and the observation window due to cloudiness, blood, fat, etc. during surgery. Dirt interferes with safe surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to take the rigid endoscope out of the body and wash it once during the operation, but the time required for this will lead to an extension of the operation time, which will be a heavy burden on the patient and unexpected complications will occur. There is a risk.

In order to solve such a problem, a cleaning device (specifically, a cleaning device that supplies a cleaning solution such as physiological saline or a gas for blowing off the cleaning solution) to the observation window of the rigid endoscope in the patient's body. There is known a technique for cleaning the observation window portion by attaching a (long tube) to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope without removing the rigid endoscope from the body. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-207962, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-269388, Japanese Patent No. 4960076, Japanese Patent No. 5368511, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-177914, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-189893 refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-207962 Disclosed is an endoscope unit in which a rigid endoscope is covered with a cleaning sheath provided with a supply passage inside. However, since a rigid endoscope is inserted into the patient's body, sufficient sterilization is required before use, but the structure of an endoscope unit in which a cleaning sheath is placed over the rigid endoscope becomes complicated. Therefore, there is a problem that the rigid endoscope cannot be sufficiently sterilized. Further, when the cleaning sheath is put on the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to cover the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope with the cleaning sheath.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent No. 5373732 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-043131, the cleaning sheath is put on the rigid endoscope, and the flow formed between the inner surface of the cleaning sheath and the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope is formed. A technique for cleaning the observation window portion by flowing a cleaning liquid or gas through the road is disclosed. However, in the endoscope unit disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5373732 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-043131, the cleaning liquid fills the entire gap formed between the inner surface of the cleaning sheath and the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope. Therefore, there is a problem that the reaction is delayed when the supply of the cleaning liquid is stopped. Further, there is a problem that dripping may occur due to the residual liquid of the cleaning liquid remaining between the inner surface of the cleaning sheath and the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope.

Further, Patent No. 2539980 discloses a technique in which a cleaning tube through which a cleaning liquid or the like flows is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope with an adhesive. Further, Utility Model Registration No. 3186191 discloses a technique for attaching a long tube through which a cleaning liquid or the like flows to the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope by a tube attachment portion. However, in the endoscope unit disclosed in Patent No. 2539980, since the cleaning tube is simply adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope with an adhesive, the cleaning tube and the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope are used. The strength of the adhesive surface between the endoscope and the endoscope is weak, which makes it easy for the irrigation tube to come off the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope, and in this case, the irrigation tube may remain in the patient's body. there were. Further, even in the endoscope unit disclosed in Practical New Design Registration No. 3186191, there is a risk that the long tube may come off from the rigid endoscope in the patient's body when the rigid endoscope is inserted into the patient's body. There was a risk that the patient's body would be injured by this detached long tube. In addition, there is a problem that it is necessary to wash the long tube every time before the operation using the rigid endoscope is performed, which is troublesome. Further, the endoscope unit disclosed in Utility Model Registration No. 3186191 has a problem that the step of the tube attachment portion becomes an obstacle when the rigid endoscope is inserted into the patient's body.

Further, Japanese Patent No. 6242560 discloses a cover provided with an inner cover portion for partitioning a flow path of a cleaning liquid or the like supplied to an observation window portion of a rigid endoscope. However, in the cover disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6242560, when the pressure of the cleaning liquid or the like flowing through the flow path partitioned by the inner cover portion is increased, the cleaning liquid or the like leaks from the gap between the outer cover member and the inner cover portion. There was a problem that it could occur. Further, there is a method in which a tubular member is provided inside the outer cover member and a cleaning liquid or gas is supplied to the observation window of the rigid endoscope. However, when the rigid endoscope is sandwiched between the endoscope covers, the tubular member is used. It has the drawback of being easily removed from the endoscope cover.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the techniques disclosed in the various conventional documents described above, and the cover member can be easily attached to and detached from the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope without coming off. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for a rigid endoscope, an endoscope unit, and a method of using the endoscope unit, which can surely prevent leakage of a cleaning liquid, a gas, or the like.

The cover of the rigid endoscope of the present invention is a cover for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip in the circumferential direction, and is a cover for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction. The cover member is provided with a flexible cover member that covers a part in the circumferential direction of the endoscope, and the cover member should be supplied to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope. A plurality of through holes through which the cleaning liquid and the gas flow inside are formed, and the cover member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope by bending the cover member. To do.

In the cover of the rigid endoscope of the present invention, two through holes are formed, and the two through holes may extend substantially in parallel.

In this case, the cleaning liquid may flow through one of the two through holes and gas may flow through the other through hole. Further, a mixture of a cleaning liquid and a gas may flow through one through hole.

Further, a fluid direction changing portion for changing the direction of the cleaning liquid or gas flowing through the through hole toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope is provided for each through hole, and the tip portion of the cover member. Two discharge ports are formed on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity, and the directions of the cleaning liquid and the gas flowing through the through holes are changed by the fluid direction changing portion in the direction toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope. Therefore, the cleaning liquid and the gas whose direction has been changed may be discharged from each of the discharge ports toward the observation window portion.

Alternatively, a fluid direction changing portion for changing the direction of the cleaning liquid or gas flowing through the through hole toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope is provided for each through hole, and each of the fluid orientation changing portions is provided. , A metal or resin pipe bent in the direction from the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope, and each of the fluid orientation changing portions is attached to the tip of the cover. You may be.

In this case, each of the fluid orientation changing portions may be bent into a V-shape, an L-shape, a U-shape, or a U-shape.

Further, the bending angle of each of the fluid orientation changing portions may be substantially the same as the angle of the surface of the observation window with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope.

Further, the cover member may extend over substantially the entire length of the rigid endoscope.

Further, the cross section of the cover member along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope may be substantially C-shaped.

Further, the material of the cover member may be plastic.

Further, a fluid direction changing portion may be provided to change the direction of the cleaning liquid or gas flowing through the through hole toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope.

Further, when the cover member is attached to the inner surface of the cover member facing the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope, the cover member is attached to the rigid endoscope with respect to the rigid endoscope. A cushioning material may be provided to prevent the movement.

The endoscope unit of the present invention includes a rigid endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip thereof and a cover that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction. It has a flexible cover member that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction, and the cover member has the rigid endoscope from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope. A plurality of through holes through which the cleaning liquid and the gas to be supplied to be supplied to the observation window portion of the mirror each flow inside are formed, and when the cover member bends, the cover member is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope. It is characterized by being able to be attached.

The method of using the endoscope unit of the present invention includes a rigid endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip and a cover that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction. The cover has a flexible cover member that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction, and the cover member is covered from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope. A plurality of through holes through which the cleaning liquid and the gas to be supplied to the observation window of the rigid endoscope flow inside are formed, and the cover member bends to cause the cover member of the rigid endoscope. It is attached to the outer peripheral surface, and two through holes are formed, and a cleaning liquid flows through one of the two through holes and a gas flows through the other through hole. This is a method of using the endoscope unit as described above, wherein the cover member is bent by pressing the cover member of the cover against the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope to form the rigid endoscope. A step of attaching the cover, a step of cleaning the observation window portion by supplying the cleaning liquid to the observation window portion by flowing a cleaning liquid through the through hole of one of the two through holes, and a step of cleaning the observation window portion. A step of cleaning the portion with a cleaning liquid and then flowing a gas through the through hole of the other of the two through holes to supply the gas to the observation window portion to blow off the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion. It is characterized by having.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the rigid endoscope in the endoscope unit by embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged perspective view which shows the structure of the tip part of the rigid endoscope shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cover in the endoscope unit by embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state when the cover shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the rigid endoscope shown in FIG. 1 in the embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the endoscope unit shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the cover of the endoscope unit shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cover which concerns on the modification. It is sectional drawing of the cover which concerns on another modification. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cover which concerns on still another modification. It is a perspective view which shows the state when the cover shown in FIG. 9 is attached to the rigid endoscope shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the endoscope unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are views showing an endoscope unit according to the present embodiment. Of these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of a rigid endoscope in the endoscope unit according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a configuration of a tip portion of the rigid endoscope shown in FIG. It is an enlarged perspective view which shows. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cover in the endoscope unit according to the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state when the cover shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the rigid endoscope shown in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endoscope unit shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the cover of the endoscope unit shown in FIG.

The endoscope unit according to the present embodiment is composed of the rigid endoscope 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the cover 20 shown in FIG. 3 and the like. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope unit according to the present embodiment has a cover 20 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10.

First, the rigid endoscope 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rigid endoscope 10 has an elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion 12, and at the tip of the main body portion 12, an objective lens 13 for imaging an affected portion and the objective thereof. An observation window portion 14 such as a glass plate that protects the lens 13 is provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the tip surface (that is, the left surface in FIG. 5) of the elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion 12 is a surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12 (that is, the upper and lower surfaces in FIG. 5). It is inclined with respect to the direction), and the observation window portion 14 is provided on such an inclined tip surface. Therefore, the observation window portion 14 is inclined with respect to the plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion 12. The rigid endoscope according to the present embodiment is not limited to such an endoscope. As another example of the rigid endoscope used in the present embodiment, an observation member extending along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of an elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion may be used.

Next, a cover 20 for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 according to the present embodiment in the circumferential direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the cover 20 according to the present embodiment has a cover member 22 that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 in the circumferential direction. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cover member 22 extends over substantially the entire length of the rigid endoscope 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the cover member 22 has a substantially C-shape when the cover member 22 is viewed along the longitudinal direction, and the space between the C-shaped portions is rigid. The endoscope 10 is fitted. Such a cover member 22 is made of a plastic such as a soft plastic, and the cover member 22 has flexibility. Then, the cover member 22 is bent so that the cover member 22 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10. More specifically, when the cover 20 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, the cover member 22 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 in the gap of the C-shaped portion. Presses the rigid endoscope 10 toward the cover member 22. As a result, the cover member 22 is deformed so that the gap of the C-shaped portion of the cover member 22 is widened, and the rigid endoscope 10 is inserted into the gap of the C-shaped portion of the cover member 22. Therefore, as shown in FIG. The cover 20 can be attached to the rigid endoscope 10.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, two through holes 24 and 25 are formed in the cover member 22. Of the two through holes 24 and 25, the through hole 24 is designed to allow a cleaning solution such as physiological saline to flow to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10, and the through hole 25 is an observation window. A gas (for example, carbon dioxide gas) for blowing off the cleaning liquid adhering to the portion 14 flows.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 and a gas supply pipe 46 are provided on the base end side (that is, the back side in FIG. 4) of the cover member 22, respectively. Here, the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 communicates with the through hole 24. Further, a cleaning liquid supply source 40 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, and the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 is sent to the through hole 24. As a result, when the cover 20 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 to the through hole 24 formed in the cover member 22 of the cover 20. Further, the gas supply pipe 46 communicates with the through hole 25. Further, a gas supply source 44 is connected to the gas supply pipe 46, and the gas supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 is sent to the through hole 25. As a result, when the cover 20 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, gas can be supplied from the gas supply pipe 46 to the through hole 25 formed in the cover member 22 of the cover 20.

Further, as another aspect, the gas supply source 44 may be connected not only to the gas supply pipe 46 but also to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42. In this case, when the gas supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 is sent to the through hole 25 in order to blow off the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion 14 by the gas, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the gas supply source 44. By supplying gas to the pipe 42 as well, the cleaning liquid remaining in the through hole 24 can be blown off by the gas. When the gas supply source 44 is connected not only to the gas supply pipe 46 but also to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, the observation window portion 14 is supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 in order to clean the observation window portion 14 with the cleaning liquid. When the cleaning liquid is sent to the through hole 24, a gas may be supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, and this gas may also be sent to the through hole 24. In this case, the force of the cleaning liquid flowing through the through hole 24 is increased as compared with the case where only the cleaning liquid is sent to the through hole 24, so that the cleaning force for the observation window portion 14 can be increased.

Further, the tip portion of the cover member 22 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 26 that changes the direction of the cleaning liquid flowing through the through hole 24 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. Further, the tip portion of the cover member 22 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 27 that changes the direction of the gas flowing through the through hole 25 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. More specifically, two discharge ports 26a and 27a are formed on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the tip end portion of the cover member 22. Then, the direction of the cleaning liquid flowing through the through hole 24 is changed to the direction toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 by the fluid direction changing portion 26, and the cleaning liquid whose direction is changed is changed from the discharge port 26a to the observation window portion. It is designed to be discharged toward 14. Further, the direction of the gas flowing through the through hole 25 is changed by the fluid direction changing portion 27 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10, and the gas whose direction is changed is changed from the discharge port 27a to the observation window portion 27a. It is designed to be discharged toward 14. As a result, the cleaning liquid or gas whose direction has been changed by the fluid direction changing units 26 and 27 can be reliably supplied to the observation window unit 14. As another example of the rigid endoscope according to the present embodiment, when an observation member extending along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of an elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion is used, it is suitable for a fluid. The bending angle of the changing portions 26 and 27 is approximately 90 °. Further, the bending angle of the fluid orientation changing portions 26 and 27 does not necessarily have to be substantially the same as the angle of the surface of the observation window portion 14 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 10. If the surface of the observation window portion 14 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid or gas discharged from the tips of the fluid orientation changing portions 26, 27 hitting the surface of the observation window portion 14, the fluid orientation changing portions 26, 27 are bent. The angle can be any size.

Next, how to use the endoscope unit having such a configuration will be described. First, when performing an operation such as inserting an endoscope unit into a patient's body, the cover 20 shown in FIG. 3 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Specifically, the rigid endoscope 10 is pressed toward the cover member 22 by pressing the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 against the gap of the C-shaped portion of the cover member 22. As a result, the cover member 22 is deformed so that the gap of the C-shaped portion of the cover member 22 is widened, so that the cover 20 can be attached to the rigid endoscope 10. In this way, an endoscope unit having a cover 20 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 as shown in FIG. 4 is formed. Then, the operation is performed by inserting the endoscope unit as shown in FIG. 4 into the patient's body.

If the observation window 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 becomes dirty or cloudy due to blood, fat, or the like during surgery, the observation window 14 of the observation window 14 is inserted into the patient's body. Perform cleaning. More specifically, by supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, the cleaning liquid is allowed to flow in the left direction in FIG. 5 in the through hole 24 formed in the cover member 22 of the cover 20. Then, the cleaning liquid flowing to the left in FIG. 5 in such a through hole 24 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 26 at the tip of the cover member 22. As a result, the observation window portion 14 can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 26a. After that, the gas is supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 so that the gas flows to the left in FIG. 5 in the through hole 25 formed in the cover member 22 of the cover 20. Then, the gas flowing to the left in FIG. 5 in such a through hole 25 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 27 at the tip of the cover member 22. As a result, the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion 14 can be blown off by the gas discharged from the discharge port 27a.

According to the cover 20 of the present embodiment having the above configuration and the endoscope unit including the cover 20 and the rigid endoscope 10, the cover 20 is the outer periphery of the rigid endoscope 10. It has a flexible cover member 22 that covers a part of the surface in the circumferential direction, and the cover member 22 has an observation window portion of the rigid endoscope 10 from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope 10. A plurality of through holes 24 and 25 are formed in which the cleaning liquid and the gas to be supplied to the 14 flow, respectively. Therefore, the observation window portion 14 can be cleaned in the patient's body. In the present embodiment, an example in which two through holes 24 and 25 are formed in the cover member 22 of the cover 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In the cover according to the modified example, three or more through holes may be formed in the cover member.

Further, in the present embodiment, since the cover member 22 is bent so that the cover member 22 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10, the cover 20 can be attached to and detached from the rigid endoscope 10. It will be easy to do. Therefore, the cover 20 can be made disposable in each operation. Conventionally, the cover is fixed to the rigid endoscope so that the cover cannot be removed in each operation. However, in such a case, the cover must be sufficiently sterilized before using the rigid endoscope, but the problem is that sterilizing the cover while attached to the rigid endoscope is troublesome for the user. was there. On the other hand, when the cover 20 is disposable as in the rigid endoscope 10 according to the present embodiment, the cover 20 is simply removed from the rigid endoscope 10 after the operation and the cover 20 is discarded. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be improved.

Further, according to the cover 20 of the present embodiment, the cleaning liquid or the cleaning liquid is applied to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope 10 by the through holes 24 and 25 provided in the cover member 22. Since the gas is supplied, it becomes possible to suppress the occurrence of liquid leakage such as cleaning liquid or gas from the cover 20 at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 10.

Further, in the present embodiment, the fluid orientation changing portions 26, 27 can surely change the orientation of the fluid such as the cleaning liquid or the gas flowing through the through holes 24, 25 formed in the cover member 22. Therefore, the cleaning liquid and the gas can be reliably supplied to the observation window portion 14.

The cover and the endoscope unit of the rigid endoscope according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described aspects, and various modifications can be made.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7 and the like, in the cover 50 according to the modified example, when the cover member 52 is attached to the inner surface 52a of the cover member 52 and the cover member 52 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10, the rigid endoscope 10 is attached. On the other hand, a cushioning material 59 may be provided to prevent the cover member 52 from moving. The cover 50 according to the modified example as shown in FIG. 7 also contains the cleaning liquid and the gas to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope 10 to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 inside. A plurality of flowing through holes 54 and 55 are formed. The cushioning material 59 is made of, for example, an insulator (insulating material) or the like. By providing such a cushioning material 59 on the inner surface 52a of the cover member 52, when the cover member 52 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10, the cover member 52 with respect to the rigid endoscope 10 Can be prevented from moving (in other words, the cover member 52 rattles).

Further, as a cover according to another modification, a cover as shown in FIG. 8 may be used. The cover 120 shown in FIG. 8 has a cover member 122 that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 in the circumferential direction. Similar to the cover member 22 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the cover member 122 has a substantially C-shape when the cover member 122 is viewed along the longitudinal direction, and the cover member 122 has a substantially C-shape in the space between the C-shaped portions. The rigid endoscope 10 is fitted. Such a cover member 122 is made of a plastic such as a soft plastic, and the cover member 122 has flexibility. Then, the cover member 122 is bent so that the cover member 122 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, two through holes 124 and 125 are formed in the cover member 122. Of the two through holes 124 and 125, the through hole 124 is designed to allow a cleaning solution such as physiological saline supplied to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 to flow, and the through hole 125 is an observation window. A gas (for example, carbon dioxide gas) for blowing off the cleaning liquid adhering to the portion 14 flows.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 and a gas supply pipe 46 are provided on the base end side of the cover member 122, respectively. Here, the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 communicates with the through hole 124. Further, a cleaning liquid supply source 40 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, and the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 is sent to the through hole 124. As a result, when the cover 120 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 to the through hole 124 formed in the cover member 122 of the cover 120. Further, the gas supply pipe 46 communicates with the through hole 125. Further, a gas supply source 44 is connected to the gas supply pipe 46, and the gas supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 is sent to the through hole 125. As a result, when the cover 120 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, gas can be supplied from the gas supply pipe 46 to the through hole 125 formed in the cover member 122 of the cover 120.

Further, the tip portion of the cover member 122 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 126 that changes the direction of the cleaning liquid flowing through the through hole 124 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. Further, the tip portion of the cover member 122 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 127 that changes the direction of the gas flowing through the through hole 125 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. In the cover member 122 shown in FIG. 8, the fluid orientation changing portions 126 and 127 are adapted to change the orientation of the cleaning liquid and the gas by approximately 90 °, respectively. Further, two discharge ports 126a and 127a are formed on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the tip portion of the cover member 122. When the cover 120 shown in FIG. 8 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, each of the discharge ports 126a and 127a faces the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. As a result, the direction of the cleaning liquid flowing through the through hole 124 is changed by approximately 90 ° toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 by the fluid direction changing portion 126, and the cleaning liquid having the changed direction is discharged from the discharge port. It is designed to be discharged from 126a toward the observation window portion 14. Further, the direction of the gas flowing through the through hole 125 is changed by approximately 90 ° in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 by the fluid direction changing portion 127, and the gas whose direction has been changed is changed from the discharge port 127a. It is designed to be discharged toward the observation window portion 14. As a result, the cleaning liquid or gas whose direction has been changed by the fluid direction changing units 126 and 127 can be reliably supplied to the observation window unit 14.

The operation when the cover 120 as shown in FIG. 8 is used will be described. If the observation window 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 becomes dirty or cloudy due to blood, fat, or the like during surgery, the observation window 14 of the observation window 14 is inserted into the patient's body. Perform cleaning. More specifically, by supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, the cleaning liquid flows to the left in FIG. 8 through the through hole 124 formed in the cover member 122 of the cover 120. Then, the cleaning liquid flowing to the left in FIG. 8 in such a through hole 124 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 126 at the tip of the cover member 122. As a result, the observation window portion 14 can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 126a. After that, the gas is supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 so that the gas flows to the left in FIG. 8 in the through hole 125 formed in the cover member 122 of the cover 120. Then, the gas flowing in the leftward direction in FIG. 8 in such a through hole 125 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 127 at the tip of the cover member 122. As a result, the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion 14 can be blown off by the gas discharged from the discharge port 127a.

Further, as a cover according to still another modification, the cover shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 may be used. The cover 220 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 has a cover member 222 that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10 in the circumferential direction. Similar to the cover member 22 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the cover member 222 has a substantially C-shape when the cover member 222 is viewed along the longitudinal direction, and the cover member 222 has a substantially C-shape in the space between the C-shaped portions. The rigid endoscope 10 is fitted. Such a cover member 222 is made of a plastic such as a soft plastic, and the cover member 222 has flexibility. Then, the cover member 222 is bent so that the cover member 222 can be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 10.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, two through holes 224 and 225 are formed in the cover member 222. Of the two through holes 224 and 225, the through hole 224 is designed to allow a cleaning solution such as physiological saline to flow to the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10, and the through hole 225 is an observation window. A gas (for example, carbon dioxide gas) for blowing off the cleaning liquid adhering to the portion 14 flows.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9 and the like, a cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 and a gas supply pipe 46 are provided on the base end side of the cover member 222, respectively. Here, the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 communicates with the through hole 224. Further, a cleaning liquid supply source 40 is connected to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, and the cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 is sent to the through hole 224. As a result, when the cover 220 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, the cleaning liquid can be supplied from the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42 to the through hole 224 formed in the cover member 222 of the cover 220. Further, the gas supply pipe 46 communicates with the through hole 225. Further, a gas supply source 44 is connected to the gas supply pipe 46, and the gas supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 is sent to the through hole 225. As a result, when the cover 220 is attached to the rigid endoscope 10, gas can be supplied from the gas supply pipe 46 to the through hole 225 formed in the cover member 222 of the cover 220.

Further, the tip portion of the cover member 222 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 226 that changes the direction of the cleaning liquid flowing inside the through hole 224 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. Further, the tip portion of the cover member 222 is provided with a fluid direction changing portion 227 that changes the direction of the gas flowing inside the through hole 225 toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. More specifically, as these fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227, for example, in the direction from the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 10 (that is, the left-right direction in FIG. 11) toward the observation window portion 14 of the rigid endoscope 10. Bent metal or resin pipes such as stainless steel have come to be used. The fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are bent in a V shape, but the fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227 are bent in an L shape, a U shape, a U shape, and the like. Good. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227 are bent in a V shape, the bending angle of the fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227 is the bending angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 10. It is substantially the same as the angle of the surface of the observation window portion 14. More specifically, as described above, in the rigid endoscope 10 shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 and the like, the observation window portion 14 has an elongated substantially cylindrical shape with respect to a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12. It is inclined, and the portion of the tip surface of the main body portion 12 in the vicinity of the cover member 222 has an acute angle (for example, approximately 60 °). Therefore, the bending angle of the fluid orientation changing portions 226 and 227 is set to an acute angle (that is, approximately 60 °) substantially equal to the angle of the observation window portion 14 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 12. The cleaning liquid or gas whose direction has been changed by the changing unit 226 or 227 can be reliably supplied to the observation window unit 14.

As another example of the rigid endoscope according to the present embodiment, when an observation member extending along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of an elongated substantially cylindrical main body portion is used, it is suitable for a fluid. The bending angle of the changing portions 226 and 227 is approximately 90 °. Further, the bending angle of the fluid direction changing portions 226 and 227 does not necessarily have to be substantially the same as the angle of the surface of the observation window portion 14 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 10. If the surface of the observation window portion 14 is cleaned by the cleaning liquid or gas discharged from the tip of the fluid orientation changing portion 226 or 227 hitting the surface of the observation window portion 14, the fluid orientation changing portion 226 or 227 is bent. The angle can be any size.

The operation when the cover 220 as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 is used will be described. If the observation window 14 of the rigid endoscope 10 becomes dirty or cloudy due to blood, fat, or the like during surgery, the observation window 14 of the observation window 14 is inserted into the patient's body. Perform cleaning. More specifically, by supplying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply source 40 to the cleaning liquid supply pipe 42, the cleaning liquid flows to the left in FIG. 11 through the through hole 224 formed in the cover member 222 of the cover 220. Then, the cleaning liquid flowing to the left in FIG. 11 in such a through hole 224 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 226 at the tip of the cover member 222. As a result, the observation window portion 14 can be cleaned with the cleaning liquid discharged from the tip of the fluid orientation changing portion 226. After that, the gas is supplied from the gas supply source 44 to the gas supply pipe 46 so that the gas flows to the left in FIG. 11 through the through hole 225 formed in the cover member 222 of the cover 220. Then, the gas flowing to the left in FIG. 11 in such a through hole 225 is changed in the direction toward the observation window portion 14 by the fluid direction changing portion 227 at the tip of the cover member 222. As a result, the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion 14 can be blown off by the gas discharged from the tip of the fluid orientation changing portion 227.

Claims (13)

1. A cover for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip in the circumferential direction.
   A flexible cover member that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction is provided.
   The cover member is formed with a plurality of through holes through which cleaning liquid and gas to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope each flow internally.
   A cover for a rigid endoscope in which the cover member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope by bending.
2. The cover of a rigid endoscope according to claim 1, wherein two through holes are formed, and the two through holes extend substantially in parallel.
3. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cleaning liquid flows through one of the two through holes and a gas flows through the other through hole.
4. A fluid direction changing portion for changing the direction of the cleaning liquid or gas flowing through the through hole toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope is provided for each through hole.
   Two discharge ports are formed on the inner peripheral surface in the vicinity of the tip end portion of the cover member, and the directions of the cleaning liquid and the gas flowing through the through holes are changed by the fluid direction changing portion, and the observation window of the rigid endoscope is used. The hardness according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning liquid and the gas whose direction is changed toward the portion are discharged from each of the discharge ports toward the observation window portion. Endoscope cover.
5. A fluid direction changing portion for changing the direction of the cleaning liquid or gas flowing through the through hole toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope is provided for each through hole.
   Each of the fluid direction changing portions is a metal or resin pipe bent in a direction from the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope toward the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope.
   The cover for a rigid endoscope according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the fluid orientation changing portions is attached to the tip of the cover.
6. The cover of the rigid endoscope according to claim 5, wherein each of the fluid orientation changing portions is bent into a V-shape, an L-shape, a U-shape, or a U-shape.
7. The cover of the rigid endoscope according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the bending angle of each of the fluid orientation changing portions is substantially the same as the angle of the surface of the observation window with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope.
8. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover member extends over substantially the entire length of the rigid endoscope.
9. The cover of the rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cross section of the cover member along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope is substantially C-shaped.
10. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the material of the cover member is plastic.
11. When the cover member is attached to the inner surface of the cover member facing the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope, the cover member moves with respect to the rigid endoscope. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a cushioning material is provided to prevent the endoscope from being squeezed.
12. A rigid endoscope with an observation window at the tip,
    A cover that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction,
    With
    The cover has a flexible cover member that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction.
    The cover member is formed with a plurality of through holes through which cleaning liquid and gas to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope each flow internally.
    An endoscope unit in which the cover member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope by bending the cover member.
13. A rigid endoscope provided with an observation window at the tip thereof and a cover that covers a part of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction are provided, and the cover is the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope. It has a flexible cover member that covers a part in the circumferential direction, and the cover member is supplied to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope from the proximal end side of the rigid endoscope. A plurality of through holes through which the cleaning liquid and the gas to be discharged flow inside are formed, and the cover member is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope by bending the cover member. Two through holes are formed, and a method of using an endoscope unit in which a cleaning liquid flows through one of the two through holes and a gas flows through the other through hole. And
    A step of attaching the cover to the rigid endoscope by bending the cover member by pressing the cover member of the cover against the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope.
    A step of cleaning the observation window portion by supplying the cleaning liquid to the observation window portion by flowing a cleaning liquid through the through hole of one of the two through holes.
    After cleaning the observation window portion with the cleaning liquid, the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window portion is discharged by supplying gas to the observation window portion by flowing a gas through the through hole of the other of the two through holes. The process of blowing off and
    How to use the endoscope unit equipped with.

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