JP4242173B2 - End structure of endoscope insertion section - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an insertion portion distal end structure of an endoscope having an air supply / water supply function.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
In the endoscope, an air supply hole and a water supply hole (or an air supply / water supply / use hole) are opened at the distal end of the insertion portion, and gas and liquid are ejected from the air supply hole and the water supply hole, and an observation window at the distal end of the insertion portion Some types of (objective optical system) can be cleaned. The air supply hole and the water supply hole are an air supply pipe provided in the endoscope and an outlet portion of the water supply pipe. A nozzle is attached to each of the air supply hole and the water supply hole in order to eject the gas and liquid supplied from the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe at an appropriate pressure. During cleaning, the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe are used. Conventionally, a detachable nozzle is generally used so that a cleaning brush can be inserted therethrough. Alternatively, there is a type in which a nozzle integrated cap formed integrally with a nozzle is attached to and detached from the distal end of the insertion portion.
[0003]
However, when the detachable nozzle or the nozzle integrated cap is used, it is necessary to remove and attach the nozzle or the nozzle integrated cap every cleaning, which is very troublesome. In addition, there is a risk that the nozzle or the nozzle-integrated cap may be omitted after the cleaning, or the nozzle or the nozzle-integrated cap may be lost.
[0004]
[Patent Literature]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-146863 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-043375
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope insertion portion distal end structure in which a cleaning brush can be easily inserted into an air supply conduit and a water supply conduit without attaching or detaching a nozzle or a nozzle-integrated cap.
[0006]
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is an endoscope provided with an air supply nozzle and a water supply nozzle respectively corresponding to the air supply hole and the water supply hole at the distal end of the insertion portion where the air supply hole for cleaning the objective optical system and the water supply hole are opened. The distal end main body at the distal end of the insertion portion has a first main body in which an air supply hole and a water supply hole are formed, and a second main body in which two slide grooves respectively corresponding to the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are formed, An air supply nozzle and a water supply nozzle are sandwiched between the first main body and the second main body, and the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are communicated with the air supply hole and the water supply hole along two slide grooves. The air supply hole and the water supply hole are slidably supported at a use position where the air supply hole and the water supply hole are bent toward the objective optical system and a cleaning position where the air supply hole and the water supply hole are opened.
[0008]
The air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle may be formed of a metal material or an elastic material. When the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are formed of an elastic material, the nozzle itself can be deformed to be fitted into and removed from the slide groove, so that the single body without the two-part structure of the insertion part tip The nozzle can be easily attached even if formed by the portion.
[0009]
The present invention can also be applied to an insertion portion distal end structure of an endoscope in which an air supply / water supply combined hole in which an air supply hole and a water supply hole are integrated is opened at the distal end of the insertion portion. That is, according to another aspect of the present invention, an air supply / water supply nozzle corresponding to the air / water supply / use hole is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion where the air / water supply / use hole for cleaning the objective optical system is opened. In the endoscope, the distal end portion main body at the distal end of the insertion portion has a first main body in which an air / water feeding hole is formed and a second main body in which a slide groove corresponding to the air / water feeding nozzle is formed. An air / water supply nozzle is sandwiched between the main body 1 and the second body, and the air / water supply nozzle is communicated with the air / water supply / use hole along the slide groove. It is characterized in that it is slidably supported at a use position where it is bent toward the optical system and a cleaning position where the water supply / use hole is opened. The air / water supply nozzle can be formed of either a metal material or an elastic material.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a medical electronic endoscope system to which the present invention is applied. The electronic endoscope system includes an electronic endoscope 1, an air / water supply source 30 that supplies gas and liquid to the electronic endoscope 1, a processor 50 that processes an endoscope image captured by the electronic endoscope 1, and The TV monitor 60 displays an endoscopic image processed by the processor 50.
[0012]
The electronic endoscope 1 is extended to a flexible insertion portion 10 that is inserted into a body cavity of a patient, a grip operation portion 12 that is held by an operator of the electronic endoscope 1, and a side portion of the grip operation portion 12. The universal tube 13 and a connector portion 14 provided at the tip of the universal tube 13 are detachable from the processor 50 via the connector portion 14. As shown in FIG. 2, an objective lens 15, a pair of illumination lenses 16, an air supply hole 33, a water supply hole 43, and a treatment instrument insertion channel outlet part 17 are arranged at the insertion portion distal end 11. As shown in FIG. 3B, a focus lens group L and a CCD (imaging device) 18 are arranged behind the objective lens 15. The image formed by the objective lens 15 and the focus lens group L is converted into a video signal that can be displayed on the TV monitor 60 by the processor 50 after being converted into an electronic image by the CCD 18 and sent to the processor 50. Is displayed. The illumination lens 16 is provided with illumination light from a light source provided in the processor via a light guide fiber. The air supply hole 33 is an outlet part of an air supply pipe line 32 provided in the endoscope, and the water supply hole 43 is an outlet part of a water supply pipe line 42 provided in the endoscope.
[0013]
Various operation members including an air / water supply button 21 for supplying or supplying air to the objective lens 15 are provided in the grip operation unit 12, and a connecting unit located between the grip operation unit 12 and the insertion unit 10. Is provided with a treatment instrument insertion port 23 leading to the treatment instrument insertion channel outlet 19. The connector part 14 is provided with an air / water supply port 31 for connecting an air / air supply line 32 and a water / supply line 42 inside the endoscope and an air / water supply source 30 outside the endoscope.
[0014]
In the electronic endoscope 1, the insertion portion distal end 11 is further provided with an air supply nozzle 34 and a water supply nozzle 44, and the use position shown in FIG. 3 and the cleaning position shown in FIG. 4 for the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44. And slide grooves 35 and 45 that are slidably supported. The slide grooves 35 and 45 are formed in an elliptical shape surrounding the air supply hole 33 and the water supply hole 43 in a plan view as indicated by broken lines in FIG. 3B and 4B show cross-sectional views of the insertion portion distal end 11 including the water supply nozzle 44, the cross section of the insertion portion distal end 11 including the air supply nozzle 34 is the same. That is, in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B, the water supply conduit 42, the water supply hole 43, the water supply nozzle 44, the retaining portion 44a, and the slide groove 45 are the air supply conduit 32, the air supply hole 33, and the The air nozzle 34, the retaining portion 34a and the slide groove 35 can be replaced.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 3B and 4B, the insertion portion distal end 11 is formed with a first main body 11A in which an air supply hole 33 and a water supply hole 43 are formed, and two slide grooves 35 and 45. The second main body 11B is attached to the first main body 11A in a state where the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are fitted in the slide grooves 35 and 45, respectively. . The first main body 11 </ b> A is inserted with the air supply conduit 32 through the air supply hole 33, and the water supply conduit 42 is inserted through the water supply hole 43. In addition, the first main body 11A is provided with a holding portion that contains electronic components including the focus lens group L and the CCD 18, and the objective lens 15 is prevented from being detached from the holding portion. The objective lens 15 is supported by the second main body 11B in a state of protruding from the first main body 11A. The air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are supported by the slide grooves 35 and 45 and protrude from the second main body 11 </ b> B, and the ejection ports thereof are directed to the objective lens 15. The air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are formed with retaining portions 34a and 44a protruding outward on the outer periphery of the end portion on the first main body 11A side.
[0016]
When the air supply nozzle 34 is in the use position as shown in FIG. 3, the air supply nozzle 34 communicates with the air supply pipe line 32 through the air supply hole 33 and bends the air supply hole 33 toward the objective lens 15. In this state, air can be supplied to the objective lens 15, and when the air / water supply button 21 is operated, the air / air supply line 32 and the air supply hole 33 are connected from the air / water supply source 30 connected to the air / water supply port 31. The gas is supplied via the gas supply nozzle, and the supplied gas is ejected from the air supply nozzle 34 toward the objective lens 15. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when in the cleaning position, the air supply nozzle 34 opens the air supply hole 33 without overlapping the air supply hole 33. In this state, since the air supply hole 33 opened at the distal end 11 of the insertion portion is exposed, the cleaning brush 70 inserted into the air supply duct 32 can be protruded outward from the air supply hole 33.
[0017]
Similarly, when the water supply nozzle 44 is in the use position as shown in FIG. 3, the water supply nozzle 44 communicates with the water supply pipe line 42 through the water supply hole 43 and bends the water supply hole 43 toward the objective lens 15. In this state, water can be supplied to the objective lens 15, and when the air / water supply button 21 is operated, the air / water supply source 30 connected to the air / water supply port 31 passes through the water supply line 42 and the water supply hole 43. Then, the liquid is supplied, and the supplied liquid is ejected from the water supply nozzle 44 toward the objective lens 15. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when in the cleaning position, the water supply nozzle 44 opens the water supply hole 43 without overlapping the water supply hole 43. In this state, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the water supply hole 43 opened at the distal end 11 of the insertion portion is exposed, so that the cleaning brush 70 inserted into the water supply conduit 42 protrudes outward from the water supply hole 43. Can be made.
[0018]
The above electronic endoscope 1 is used as follows.
[0019]
First, the electronic endoscope 1 and the processor 50 are connected via the connector unit 14, and the air / water supply source 30 is connected to the air / water supply port 31 via the air / water supply tube. Next, it is confirmed whether or not the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are in use positions. If the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are not in the use position, that is, if they are in the cleaning position, they are returned to the use position. Thereby, the air supply operation by the air supply / water supply button 21 and the water supply operation become possible.
[0020]
Subsequently, the insertion portion 11 is introduced into the patient's body. Then, the endoscopic image captured by the CCD 18 is displayed on the TV monitor 60 via the processor 50. While observing the image displayed on the TV monitor 60, the insertion section 11 is directed in a desired direction, and imaging and examination in the body cavity are recommended. If the objective lens 15 is contaminated with blood or body fluid during this examination, the air / water supply button 21 is pressed to eject gas from the air supply nozzle 34 to the objective lens 15, or the liquid is supplied from the water supply nozzle 44. Is ejected onto the objective lens 15 to remove dirt attached to the objective lens 15.
[0021]
When the inspection is completed, the air / water source 30 is removed from the air / water supply port 31, the electronic endoscope 1 is removed from the processor 50, and the electronic endoscope 1 is cleaned. At this time, the air supply conduit 32 and the water supply conduit 42 inside the endoscope are brushed and cleaned.
[0022]
Brushing cleaning is performed in a state where the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are slid from the use position to the cleaning position, and the air supply hole 33 and the water supply hole 43 are exposed at the distal end 11 of the insertion portion. That is, the cleaning brush 70 is inserted into the air supply hole 33 or the water supply hole 43 from the air supply / water supply port 31 to clean the inner wall of the pipeline. Thus, if the air supply hole 33 and the water supply hole 43 are exposed to the outside, there is no place where the cleaning brush 70 cannot be inserted. As a result, all of the air supply conduit 32 and the water supply conduit 42 can be reliably washed. After cleaning, the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are returned from the cleaning position to the use position.
[0023]
According to the above embodiment, since the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are slidably supported, the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are retracted from the use position to the cleaning position at the time of brushing cleaning. Thus, the air supply hole 33 and the water supply hole 43 are exposed at the distal end 11 of the insertion portion, and the cleaning brush 70 can be easily inserted into the air supply line 32 and the water supply line 42. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove or attach the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 from the insertion portion distal end 11 each time cleaning is performed, thereby saving labor. Further, the possibility of forgetting to attach or losing the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 is reduced.
[0024]
The air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 may be formed of a metal material or an elastic material. For example, when the air supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 are formed by an elastic material such as resin, the insertion portion distal end 11 can be formed by a single distal end portion main body 11C as shown in FIG. The tip portion main body 11C has an air supply hole 33 and a water supply hole 43 penetrating the main body portion 11C, an elliptical slide groove 35 surrounding the air supply hole 33, and an elliptical shape surrounding the water supply hole 43. A slide groove 45 and a holding portion 11 d that supports the objective lens 15 and further incorporates electronic components including the focus lens group L and the CCD 18 are formed. The water supply nozzle 34 and the water supply nozzle 44 formed of an elastic material are attached to the distal end portion main body 11C by fitting into the slide grooves 35 and 45 while their end portions are deformed by pressing. Conversely, if the nozzle end portion is deformed by pressing and removed from the fitting with the slide grooves 35 and 45, it can be removed from the tip end body 11C. Even an air supply nozzle and a water supply nozzle formed of an elastic material are not frequently attached and detached as long as they can be slid as in this embodiment, so that the life of the nozzle itself can be extended. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 are given to components having substantially the same functions as those in FIG.
[0025]
In the above description, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the electronic endoscope 1 including the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle independently has been described. However, the present invention is an endoscope including the air supply / water supply integrated nozzle. It is also applicable to. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the distal end 11 of the insertion portion of the endoscope provided with the air / water integrated nozzle 80.
[0026]
An air / water supply / use hole 81 serving as an outlet of the air / water supply pipe line is opened at the distal end 11 of the insertion portion, and an elliptical slide groove 82 surrounding the air / water supply / use hole 81 is formed. . The air / water integrated nozzle 80 is fitted in a slide groove 82 and is slidably supported along the slide groove 82 at a use position shown in FIG. 6A and a cleaning position shown in FIG. 6B. ing. When in the use position, the air / water integrated nozzle 80 communicates with the air / water supply / use hole 81 so that air and water can be supplied to the objective lens 15. On the other hand, when the air / water integrated nozzle 80 is in the cleaning position, the air / water hole 81 is opened and exposed to the distal end 11 of the insertion portion. In the state where the air / water supply hole 81 is exposed to the outside, the cleaning brush 70 can be easily inserted into the air / water supply conduit. In FIG. 6, components having substantially the same functions as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
[0027]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to an optical endoscope using an optical fiber or an eyepiece instead of the CCD 18.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are slidably supported, at the time of brushing cleaning, the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are slid from the normal position to the cleaning position, thereby opening the distal end of the insertion portion. The air supply hole and the water supply hole are exposed, and the cleaning brush can be easily inserted into the air supply line and the water supply line. This eliminates the need for attaching and detaching the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle to the distal end of the insertion portion, saving time and reducing the risk of forgetting to attach or losing the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an electronic endoscope system to which an endoscope insertion portion distal end structure according to the present invention is applied.
2 is a plan view showing a distal end of an insertion part of the electronic endoscope shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
3A is a plan view showing the distal end of the insertion portion when the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are in a use position, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
4A is a plan view showing the distal end of the insertion portion when the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are at the cleaning position, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a distal end structure of an insertion portion when an air supply nozzle (water supply nozzle) is formed of an elastic material, and shows a state where the air supply nozzle (water supply nozzle) is in a use position.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope provided with an air / water supply integrated nozzle, and (b) when the air / water supply integrated nozzle is in a use position; Each of the integrated nozzles is in the cleaning position.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope 10 Insertion part 11 Insertion part front-end | tip 11A 1st main body 11B 2nd main body 11C Front-end | tip part main body 11d Holding | maintenance part 12 Grip operation part 13 Universal tube 14 Connector part 15 Objective lens 16 Illumination lens 17 Treatment instrument insertion channel exit part 18 CCD
21 Air supply / water supply button 23 Treatment tool insertion port 30 Air supply / water source 31 Air supply / water supply port 32 Air supply / water supply passage 33 Air supply hole 34 Air supply nozzle 34a Detachment part 35 Slide groove 42 Water supply conduit 43 Water supply hole 44 Water supply nozzle 44a Detachment part 45 Slide groove 50 Processor 60 TV monitor 70 Cleaning brush 80 Air supply / water supply integrated nozzle 81 Air supply / water supply combined use hole 82 Slide groove

Claims (4)

In an endoscope provided with an air supply nozzle and a water supply nozzle respectively corresponding to the air supply hole and the water supply hole at the distal end of the insertion portion where the air supply hole and the water supply hole for cleaning the objective optical system are opened.
The tip body of the insertion portion tip is
A first body formed with the air supply hole and the water supply hole; and a second body formed with two slide grooves respectively corresponding to the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle. The air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are sandwiched between the second main bodies,
A use position in which the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are communicated with the air supply hole and the water supply hole along the two slide grooves and the air supply hole and the water supply hole are bent toward the objective optical system; and An endoscope insertion portion distal end structure characterized by being slidably supported at an air supply hole and a cleaning position where the water supply hole is opened. The endoscope insertion portion distal end structure according to claim 1 , wherein the air supply nozzle and the water supply nozzle are made of an elastic material. In an endoscope provided with an air / water supply nozzle corresponding to the air / water supply / use hole at the distal end of the insertion portion where the air / water supply / use hole for cleaning the objective optical system is opened,
The tip body of the insertion portion tip is
A first main body having the air / water feeding hole and a second main body having a slide groove corresponding to the air / water feeding nozzle; With a pneumatic nozzle,
The air supply / water supply nozzle communicates with the air / water supply / use hole along the slide groove and bends the air / water supply / use hole toward the objective optical system, and the air / water supply / use hole is provided. A distal end structure of an insertion portion of an endoscope, which is slidably supported at a cleaning position to be opened. The endoscope insertion portion distal end structure according to claim 3 , wherein the air / water supply nozzle is formed of an elastic material.

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