WO2023248288A1

WO2023248288A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2023248288A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/024516
Authority: WO
Inventors: 智紀淡路川; 隆義加茂前; 富巳明田口
Original assignee: オリンパスメディカルシステムズ株式会社
Priority date: 2022-06-20
Filing date: 2022-06-20
Publication date: 2023-12-28

Abstract

An endoscope 9 has, at an apical surface 3SA, an observation window 20SA and a nozzle 10. The nozzle 10 has an irregular-shaped flow path FB and a discharge flow path FC. The irregular-shaped flow path FB comprises a first flow path F1 and a second flow path F2. The discharge flow path FC has an opening A10 through which fluid F is discharged toward the observation window 20SA. A first length D1 which is the maximum length of the first flow path F1 is greater than a second length D2 which is the maximum length of the second flow path F2.

Description

Endoscope

The present invention relates to an endoscope having a nozzle for discharging fluid on the distal end surface of the insertion section.

Endoscopes that are widely used in the medical field and the like have an elongated insertion section that is inserted into a subject. The endoscope has an observation window for an imaging unit disposed on the distal end surface of the insertion section.

If dirt adheres to the observation window, observation using the imaging unit will be obstructed. For this reason, a nozzle for discharging fluid for removing dirt adhering to the observation window is provided near the observation window on the distal end surface. The nozzle discharges the fluid supplied from the flow path in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section (perpendicular to the distal end surface) in a direction parallel to the surface of the observation window, that is, the distal end surface.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-220179 discloses an endoscope in which a nozzle having an opening serving as a discharge port is disposed in a notch in the side surface of a rigid tip member.

As will be described later, when fluid supplied from a channel perpendicular to the tip surface flows into a channel parallel to the tip surface, a vortex is generated along the wall surface.

Due to this vortex, the flow velocity of the fluid discharged from the opening of the nozzle toward the center of the observation window is slowed down. For this reason, the nozzle disclosed in the above publication may not be able to efficiently clean the observation window.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-90884 discloses a nozzle having a curved flow path. However, nozzles with curved flow paths are not easy to fabricate.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-220179 JP2012-090884A

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide an endoscope that is easy to manufacture and has a nozzle that can efficiently clean the observation window.

An endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an observation window and a nozzle on a distal end surface of an insertion section, and the nozzle has an irregularly shaped flow channel and a discharge flow channel into which fluid flows from the irregularly shaped flow channel. , the irregularly shaped flow path is provided in a direction perpendicular to the tip surface, a first flow path, and a second flow path communicating with the first flow path over the entire length; The discharge flow path is provided in a direction parallel to the distal end surface and has an opening for discharging the fluid toward the observation window, and the first flow path is closer to the second flow path than the second flow path. is also located close to the opening, and the cross-sectional shapes of the first flow path and the second flow path are line-symmetrical with respect to the same line of symmetry, and the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path is The first length, which is the maximum length in the direction perpendicular to the line of symmetry, is larger than the second length, which is the maximum length in the direction, of the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope that is easy to manufacture and has a nozzle that can efficiently clean the observation window.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscope system including an endoscope according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the distal end portion of the endoscope according to the first embodiment. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a top view of the distal end surface showing the flow of fluid in a conventional endoscope. FIG. 3 is a top view of the distal end surface showing the flow of fluid in the endoscope of the embodiment. It is a top view showing the opening of the nozzle of the endoscope of an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a nozzle of an endoscope according to Modification 1 of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a nozzle of an endoscope according to a second modification of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle of an endoscope according to modification 3 of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, an endoscope 9 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
Note that the drawings based on each embodiment are schematic. The relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the ratio of the thickness of each part, the relative angle, etc. differ from reality. The drawings also include portions with different length relationships and ratios. Further, illustration of some components may be omitted in some cases.

<Endoscope>
As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope 9 of the embodiment includes a processor 5A, a monitor 5B, and an endoscope system 6.

The endoscope 9 includes an insertion section 3, a grip section 4 disposed at the base end of the insertion section 3, a universal cord 4B extending from the grip section 4, and a universal cord 4B disposed at the base end of the universal cord 4B. and a connector 4C. The insertion portion 3 includes a distal end portion 3A, a curved portion 3B extending from the distal end portion 3A, and a flexible portion 3C extending from the curved portion 3B. The curved portion 3B for changing the direction of the tip portion 3A is bendable. An angle knob 4A is provided on the grip portion 4 for the operator to operate the bending portion 3B.

The universal cord 4B is connected to the processor 5A by a connector 4C. The processor 5A controls the entire endoscope system 6, performs signal processing on the imaging signal, and outputs an image signal. The monitor 5B displays the image signal output by the processor 5A as an endoscopic image. Note that the endoscope 9 may be a rigid scope with a rigid insertion section. Furthermore, the endoscope 9 may be used for medical purposes or industrial purposes.

<Nozzle>
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the distal end portion 3A of the endoscope 9. On the distal end surface 3SA, an observation window 20SA of an imaging unit that outputs an imaging signal is disposed.The distal end surface of an optical system 20 that focuses a subject image, which is disposed on a distal rigid member 31, is an observation window 20SA. be. The optical axis OA of the optical system 20 including a plurality of lenses is located at the center O of the observation window 20SA. The subject image focused by the optical system 20 is converted into an image signal by an image sensor such as a CCD (not shown), and is transmitted to the processor 5A.

The observation window 20SA is parallel to the tip surface 3SA and perpendicular to the optical axis OA. That is, in the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the observation window 20SA located on the XY plane is parallel to the X axis and the Y axis, and perpendicular to the Z axis.

The nozzle 10 is connected via a pipe 14 to an air/water supply tube 15 inserted through the insertion section 3. The nozzle 10 sprays fluid to clean the observation window 20SA. The fluid is, for example, water or air.

The nozzle 10 is made of metal or hard resin. The nozzle 10 is manufactured, for example, by using a metal cylinder as a base material and forming a flow path by cutting. The nozzle 10 may be manufactured by injection molding or using a 3D printer. Further, the nozzle 10 may be configured by combining a plurality of members. A through hole in the rigid tip member 31 forming the tip portion 3A may be used as a part of the nozzle 10.

The nozzle 10 has a cylindrical tube 11, an irregularly shaped tube 12, and a discharge tube 13. The cylindrical tube 11 has a circular flow path FA. The irregularly shaped tube 11 has an irregularly shaped flow path FB. The discharge pipe 13 has a discharge flow path FC. The fluid supplied from the circular flow path FA is discharged toward the observation window 20SA via the irregularly shaped flow path FB and the discharge flow path FC.

The axis AC of the circular flow path FA of the nozzle 10 is parallel to the optical axis OA (Z-axis direction) and perpendicular to the tip surface 3SA (XY plane). The irregularly shaped flow path FB is also perpendicular to the tip surface 3SA (XY plane). On the other hand, the discharge flow path FC is parallel to the tip surface 3SA (XY plane). The irregularly shaped flow path FB and the discharge flow path FC are orthogonal to each other.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. That is, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical tube 11 in a cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the axis AC (Z-axis direction) and the optical axis OA of the optical unit 20. In other words, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cylindrical tube 11 in a cross section parallel to the distal end surface 3SA.

As shown in FIG. 3, the circular flow path FA of the cylindrical tube 11 has a circular cross-sectional shape. In addition, in FIG. 3, the straight line L is parallel to the X-axis that connects the axis AC of the nozzle 10 and the center O of the observation window 20SA (the intersection of the optical axis OA and the observation window 20SA) in the cross-sectional view. It is a straight line.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. That is, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the irregularly shaped tube 12 in a cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the axis AC (Z-axis direction) and the optical axis OA of the optical unit 20. In other words, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the irregularly shaped tube 12 in a cross section parallel to the distal end surface 3SA.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional shape of the irregularly shaped flow path FB of the irregularly shaped tube 12 is different from the cross-sectional shape of a general flow path (for example, circular or rectangular). This is because the irregularly shaped flow path FB consists of a first flow path F1 and a second flow path F2 that communicates with the first flow path over its entire length.

Note that although the irregularly shaped tube 12 has an irregularly shaped flow path FB, its outer shape is a cylinder that is the same as the shape of the cylindrical tube 11. In the nozzle 10, the cylindrical tube 11 and the irregularly shaped tube 12 have different shapes of internal flow paths, but as shown in FIG. 2, the outer shape is a single cylinder.

The first flow path F1 of the irregularly shaped flow path FB is located closer to the opening of the nozzle 10 (on the right side in FIG. 4) than the second flow path F2. The boundary surface between the first flow path F1 and the second flow path F2 is a plane. The first flow path F1 has a first wall surface F1SA perpendicular to the tip surface 3SA on the opening side.

The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1 is the shape of an athletics track (approximately track shape), consisting of two straight lines L1 and L2 with parallel outer edges and two circular arcs. The first straight line L1 on the opening side of the cross-sectional shape (substantially track-shaped) of the first flow path F1 is a cross-sectional line of the first wall surface F1SA. The other second straight line L2 in the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1 is a cross-sectional line of the interface with the second flow path F2.

The cross-sectional shape of the second flow path F2 is approximately semicircular with an outer edge having a second straight line L2 and one circular arc continuous with both ends of the second straight line L2.

Both the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1 and the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path F2 are symmetrical with respect to the straight line L. In other words, the straight line L is a line of symmetry of the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1 and a line of symmetry of the second flow path F2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. That is, FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the irregularly shaped tube 12 and the discharge tube 13 in a cross section (XY plane) perpendicular to the axis AC (Z-axis direction) and the optical axis OA of the optical unit 20. In other words, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the irregularly shaped tube 12 and the discharge tube 13 in a cross section parallel to the distal end surface 3SA.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the discharge channel FC into which the fluid flows from the irregularly shaped channel FB is provided in a direction parallel to the tip surface 3SA, and the opening A10 discharges the fluid toward the observation window 20SA. have.

The width (long axis length described later) WL1 of the opening A10 is larger than the first length D1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the distal end surface showing the flow of fluid F in an endoscope 109 having a conventional nozzle 110. The region illustrated as fluid F is a region where the flow velocity exceeds a predetermined value.

The cross section of the nozzle 110 is approximately semicircular with a wall surface perpendicular to the tip surface 3SA. A vortex is generated in the fluid F flowing in from the Z-axis direction along the wall surface on the side far from the opening A10 (left side in the figure). Due to this vortex, the fluid F discharged from the opening A10 bifurcates, and the flow velocity toward the center O of the observation window 20SA becomes slower than the flow velocity toward the outer periphery of the observation window 20SA. For this reason, the endoscope 109 having the conventional nozzle 110 cannot efficiently clean the observation window 20SA.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the endoscope 9 having the nozzle 10, even if a vortex is generated on the wall surface of the second flow path F2, the fluid F is not observed in the first flow path F1. The flow velocity toward the center O of the window 20SA becomes faster. This appears to be due to the fluid F rising through the substantially semicircular flow paths (see FIG. 4) at both ends of the track-shaped first flow path F1.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the nozzle 10, the first length D1, which is the maximum length in the direction (Y-axis direction) perpendicular to the line of symmetry L in the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1, is The second length D2 is the maximum length in the above direction of the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path F2. Therefore, in the nozzle 10, even if a vortex is generated on the wall surface of the second flow path F2, the fluid F flows toward the center O of the observation window 20SA in the first flow path F1.

Because the endoscope 9 has a faster flow velocity toward the center O of the observation window 20SA than the endoscope 109, it can efficiently clean the observation window 20SA.

Note that the first length D1 of the nozzle 10 is preferably less than 250% of the second length D2.

If the first length D1 is within the above range, the observation window 20SA can be efficiently cleaned.

Further, the third length D3 of the first flow path F1 in the straight line L that is the line of symmetry may be more than 50% and less than 250% of the fourth length D4 of the second flow path F2. preferable.

If the third length D3 is within the above range, the observation window 20SA can be efficiently cleaned.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 8, the cross-sectional shape of the discharge flow path F3 of the nozzle 10 is approximately track-shaped. In the discharge flow path F3, the short axis length SL does not change toward the opening A10, but the long axis length WL increases. The major axis length WL1 of the opening A10 is larger than the major axis length WL2 of the rear end surface of the discharge flow path F3. As shown in FIG. 5, the major axis length WL increases in a curved manner toward the opening A10.

Compared to a nozzle having a discharge flow path in which the major axis length WL does not change or the major axis length WL increases linearly, the nozzle 10 has a faster flow velocity toward the center O of the observation window 20SA. Therefore, the observation window 20SA can be cleaned more efficiently. The nozzle 10 is also easier to manufacture than a nozzle with a curved flow path.

<Modified example of embodiment>
Next, endoscopes 9A-9C of modification 1-3 of the embodiment will be described. The endoscopes 9A to 9C are similar to the endoscope 9 and have the same effects, so components with the same functions are given the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted.

Similar to FIG. 5, FIGS. 9 to 11 are cross-sectional views of the irregularly shaped tube 12 and the discharge tube 13 in a cross section parallel to the distal end surface 3SA.

<Modification 1 of the embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 9, in the endoscope 9A of the present modification, in the irregularly shaped flow path FB of the nozzle 10A, the cross section of the first flow path F1 is approximately track-shaped, and the cross section of the second flow path F2 is approximately track-shaped. The shape is a substantially triangular shape connected to the long axis of the first flow path F1. The length of the long axis of the first flow path F1 is D1, and the length of one side of the substantially triangular triangle of the second flow path F2 is DMX.

<Modification 2 of embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 10, in the endoscope 9B of this modification, the irregularly shaped flow path FB of the nozzle 10B has a cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1, and a corner on the second flow path side is chamfered in a curved line. It is a substantially rectangular shape with a long axis having a first length D1. The cross-sectional shape of the second flow path F2 is a rectangle with the second length D2 of the long axis, and a substantially triangular shape continuous with the long axis of the rectangle.

<Variation 3 of the embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 11, in the endoscope 9C of this modification, the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path F1 of the irregularly shaped flow path of the nozzle 10C is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the nozzle 10B. The cross-sectional shape of the second flow path F2 is approximately rectangular with a major axis having a second length D2.

In modification 1-3, in the nozzles 10A-10C, the first length D1 of the first flow path F1 is larger than the second length D2 of the second flow path F2. Therefore, in the endoscopes 9A-9C, the flow velocity toward the center of the observation window 20SA becomes faster, so that the observation window 20SA can be efficiently cleaned.

Note that in the nozzles 10A to 10C shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the axis AC of the circular flow path FA is located on the boundary line between the first flow path F1 and the second flow path F2. , the position of the axis AC is not limited to the illustrated form.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

3... Insertion part 3A... Tip part 3SA...

Tip surface

9, 9A-9C...

Endoscope

10, 10A-10C... Nozzle 11... Cylindrical tube 12... Irregular tube 13...Discharge pipe 14...Air/water supply tube 20...Optical system 20SA...Observation window FA...Circular flow path FB...Unusual flow path FC...Discharge flow path F1. ...First flow path F2...Second flow path

Claims

It has an observation window and a nozzle on the distal end surface of the insertion section,
The nozzle is
comprising an irregularly shaped channel and a discharge channel into which fluid flows from the irregularly shaped channel,
The irregularly shaped flow path is provided in a direction perpendicular to the tip surface, and includes a first flow path and a second flow path that communicates with the first flow path over the entire length. The discharge flow path is provided in a direction parallel to the tip surface and has an opening that discharges the fluid toward the observation window,
The first flow path is located closer to the opening than the second flow path,
The first flow path and the second flow path have cross-sectional shapes that are line symmetrical with respect to the same line of symmetry,
The first length, which is the maximum length of the cross-sectional shape of the first channel in the direction perpendicular to the line of symmetry, is the maximum length of the cross-sectional shape of the second channel in the direction. An endoscope having a length greater than the second length.
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first length is less than 250% of the second length.
The third length of the cross-sectional shape of the first flow path in the line of symmetry is more than 50% and less than 250% of the fourth length of the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path in the line of symmetry. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that:
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path has a first wall surface perpendicular to the distal end surface on the opening side.
The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path is approximately track-shaped, the first straight line on the opening side of the approximately track-shaped is the cross-sectional line of the first wall surface, and the other second straight line is: The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the line is a cross-sectional line of an interface with the second flow path.
6. The cross-sectional shape of the second flow path is a substantially semicircular shape having the second straight line and one curved line continuous with both ends of the second straight line. Endoscope.
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the second length of the second flow path is the length of the second straight line.
The discharge flow path is characterized in that a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the flow path is approximately track-shaped, and the length of the long axis increases in a curved manner from the boundary with the irregularly shaped flow path toward the opening. The endoscope according to claim 1.
The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the long axis length of the opening of the discharge flow path is larger than the first length.
The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path is approximately a track shape with a major axis having the first length;
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path is a substantially rectangular shape whose long axis has the second length, and a substantially triangular shape.
The cross-sectional shape of the first flow path is approximately rectangular with a long axis having the first length,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the second flow path is a substantially rectangular shape whose long axis has the second length and a substantially triangular shape.
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the irregularly shaped tube has a cylindrical outer shape.