JPH0461655B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus equipped with air supply, water supply, and suction pipe systems.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Recent endoscopes have built-in pipe systems for supplying air, water, and suction into body cavities. When inspecting the inside of a body cavity, air is supplied to inflate the body cavity by a certain amount, and air, water, suction, etc. are performed to clean the inside of the body cavity and the observation window. At this time, a balance must be maintained between air supply and suction into the body cavity. Conventionally, the circulation methods for this purpose include the open-loop circulation method, in which the balance between air supply and suction is achieved by controlling the air supply pump and the suction pump, and the open-loop circulation method, in which the air is sucked from inside the body cavity through the suction tube. Closed-loop circulation method (for example, Utility Model 51-
103701).

However, in the former open loop circulation method,
It is difficult to maintain a balance between air supply and suction, and even if the amount of air supplied is slightly greater than the amount of suction, if used for a long time, excessive air supply may occur without realizing it, resulting in danger.

On the other hand, in the latter closed-loop circulation method, the air that has been taken out of the body is blown through the air supply tube to the observation window at the tip of the insertion tube, which contaminates the inside of the tube and the blown air has high humidity and temperature. However, it had the disadvantage of clouding the observation window.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to prevent contamination within the duct, prevent clouding of the observation window, and easily maintain a constant pressure within the body cavity. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope device that uses a perfusion system that allows for efficient circulation.

[Summary of the invention]

The present invention provides a first pump means that is connected to the air supply pipe system and performs air supply, and a second pump means that is connected to the suction pipe system and performs suction at the same air flow rate as the first pump means. This endoscope apparatus is characterized in that both pumps are driven by the same drive means, and each of the pump means is operated with the same air flow rate.

[Embodiments of the invention]

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

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of this endoscope device, and the endoscope device consists of an endoscope 1 and an endoscope control device 2. As shown in FIG. The main body of the endoscope 1 includes an insertion section 3,
It consists of an operating section 4 and a cable 5, and the extending tip of the cable 5 is connected to the endoscope control device 2. Further, at the tip of the insertion section 3, an observation window 6, an air/water supply nozzle 7 provided in the observation window 6,
A suction port 8, a front water supply port 9, etc. are provided. A solid-state imaging device 11 is installed inside the observation window 6, which photoelectrically converts the image of the observation field from the observation window 6, and transmits the electrical signal to the endoscope control device 2. The signal is adapted to be transmitted to a video processing circuit (not shown).

Further, the air/water supply nozzle 7 is connected to an air supply path 12 of an air supply pipe system and a water supply channel 13 of a water supply pipe system formed within the main body of the endoscope 1. Note that the tips of the air passage 12 and the water passage 13 merge to form one air passage section 14, and the air passage section 14 is connected to the air/water supply nozzle 7. The air supply path 12 and the water supply channel 13 are led into the endoscope control device 2 via a coupling (not shown). Then, within this endoscope control device 2,
The air supply path 12 is connected to the air supply pump _P1 , and a first valve _V1 is inserted in the middle thereof. Further, a pressure accumulating tank 15 is connected to the air supply path 12 at the discharge side of the air supply pump P ₁ in front of the first valve V ₁ via a second valve V ₂ . . A water supply tank 16 is connected to the pressure accumulation tank 15 . Moreover, the pressure accumulation tank 15 is the fourth
It is directly connected to the water supply channel 13 without passing through the water supply tank 14 through the fifth valves V ₄ and V ₅ in series. Further, a water pumping pipe 17 communicating with the bottom of the water tank 16 is connected to the passage between the fourth valve V ₄ and the fifth valve V ₅ .

On the other hand, an air supply path 12 is connected in parallel with the above-mentioned air supply pump _P1 .
A carbon dioxide gas cylinder 18 is connected via a third valve V ₃ , and a sixth valve V ₆ is connected in parallel to the carbon dioxide cylinder 18 .
A first relief valve 19 is connected via the first relief valve 19 . The first relief valve 19 is for keeping the supply pressure constant.

Furthermore, a dual pump P ₂ for open loop circulation is installed within the endoscope control device 2 . Some of the two-stage pumps _P2 are provided with two pump chambers: an air supply pump chamber 22 (pump means) and a suction pump chamber 23 (pump means).
Each pump chamber 22, 23 is provided with a suction port 24, 25 and a discharge port 26, 27, respectively. The suction port 24 on the air supply pump chamber 22 side and the discharge port 27 on the suction pump chamber 23 side are each open to the outside. Further, the outlet 26 on the side of the air supply pump chamber 22 is connected to the air supply path 1 via the ninth valve _V9 .
2 (the part between the air supply pump _P1 and the first valve _V1 ), and is connected to the front water supply channel ₁₀ via the ninth valve _V9 and the eighth valve V8. There is.

In addition, a first suction tank 31 is connected to the suction port 25 on the side of the suction pump chamber 23 via a tenth valve _V10 .
is connected. The first suction tank 31 is the 12th
It is connected to the suction path 32 via the valve _V12 . The first suction tank 31 has an eleventh valve V ₁₁
It is designed to communicate with the outside through. Furthermore, the first suction tank 31 is connected to the second suction tank ₃₃ via a thirteenth valve V13.
The second suction tank 33 is connected to a second relief valve ₃₄ via a fourteenth valve V14, which
By opening 14 valves _V14 , communication is established to the outside. Furthermore, the second suction tank 33 is connected to a suction source 35 installed outside the main body of the endoscope control device 2 . That is, by opening the twelfth valve V ₁₂ and the thirteenth valve V ₁₃ and driving the suction source 35, each suction tank 3
1 and 33 and the suction path 32, suction is performed from the suction port 8. The suction source 35
consists of a third suction tank 36 and a suction pump _P3 . The third suction tank 36 alleviates fluctuations in suction force.

On the other hand, the discharge end of the water tank 16 is connected to a seventh valve.
It is connected to the front water line 10 via _V7 .

Furthermore, the operating section 4 of the endoscope 1 is provided with an air/water supply gas switch 41, a water supply switch 42, a suction switch 43, and a forward water supply switch 44. The endoscope control device 2 also includes an air carbon dioxide gas selection switch 45 that selects between air and carbon dioxide gas supply, and an air carbon dioxide gas selection switch 45 that changes the supply pressure by changing the opening degree of the first relief valve 19 into two stages, for example. Supply pressure selection switch 46 to change, second relief valve 3
A suction pressure selection switch 47 that changes the suction pressure by changing the opening degree of the endoscope 4 into, for example, two steps, and a drainage switch 48 that automatically drains water into each conduit after the endoscope 1 is immersed in a chemical solution are provided. . Further, operation signals of all the switches 41 to 48 described above are input to a control circuit 49. Then, the control circuit 49 controls and operates the air supply pump P ₁ , the dual pump P ₂ , and the first to fourteenth valves V ₁ to V ₁₄ in accordance with the operation signal.

By the way, the above-mentioned double pump _P2 is constructed as shown in FIG. That is, inside the case body 51, bellows-shaped extensible bodies 52 and 53 are installed facing each other on the left and right, and each of the above-mentioned extensible bodies 5
2 and 53 form an air supply pump chamber 22 and a suction pump chamber 23. The above elastic body 5
2 and 53 are attached and fixed at their base ends to the inner wall of the case body 51, and are installed with their extendable tips facing each other. Each telescopic tip is connected to a diaphragm 54, 55 suspended from the upper wall surface of the case body 51.
are connected to each other via connectors 56 and 57. The upper ends of each of the diaphragms 54 and 55 are pivotally mounted, so that they can rotate in the direction of expansion and contraction of the expansion and contraction bodies 52 and 53. In addition, each diaphragm 54, 5
5 are connected to each other by a link 58. Therefore, the diaphragms 54 and 55 repeatedly vibrate by rotating synchronously in the same direction. That is, when the diaphragms 54, 55 are rotated in one direction, the expandable bodies 52, 53 on one side are compressed, while the expandable bodies 52, 53 on the other side are expanded. Also,
The opposite is true when rotating to the opposite side. Expandable body 5
2 and 53 perform compression and expansion alternately.
Furthermore, the expandable and contractible volumes of each of the expandable bodies 52 and 53 are set to be the same.

Further, permanent magnets 59, 60 are attached to the lower ends of each of the diaphragms 54, 55 with end faces of different polarities facing downward.
is installed and fixed, and this permanent magnet 5
A pair of end faces 62 and 63 of the same polarity of the iron core 60 of the electromagnet 61 are provided below each of the electromagnets 9 and 60 . Then, by passing an alternating current through the coil 64 of the electromagnet 61, the polarity of the end faces 62, 63 is changed to vibrate the diaphragms 54, 55. In other words, it constitutes a driving means for driving each of the extensible bodies 52 and 53 to extend and contract.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned endoscope device will be explained.

Suction Operation (See FIG. 6) To perform a suction operation, press the suction switch 43 in the operating section 4. Suction is performed only while this button is pressed. That is, when the suction switch 43 is pressed, the 12th valve V ₁₂ and the 13th valve
V ₁₃ is opened and the suction path 32 communicates with the suction source 35 . The suction source 35 is attached to the hospital and is constantly driven. Therefore, suction can be performed from the suction port 8. Further, the fourteenth valve _V14 is opened or closed depending on the operation state of the suction pressure selection switch 47. For example, if the suction pressure selection switch 47 is on the low pressure side, it is opened and the second suction tank 33 and The two relief valves 34 are communicated, and the second suction tank 33 is maintained in a semi-vacuum state according to the set value of the second relief valve 34. In other words, at the beginning of suction, the 12th valve V ₁₂ and the 13th valve V 12
When the valve V ₁₃ is opened, the inside of the second suction tank 33 is in a semi-vacuum state, so the initial suction pressure is lower than the vacuum state on the high pressure side. Therefore, mucosal adhesion at the initial stage of suction is eliminated, ensuring safety.

On the other hand, when the pressing operation of the suction switch 43 is released, the eleventh valve _V11 is opened and the inside of the first suction tank 31 is returned to atmospheric pressure. After this the 12th valve
V ₁₂ and the thirteenth valve V ₁₃ close. Even if mucous membranes are attracted to the suction port 8 in this way, the suction switch 43 can be released to release the absorbed mucous membranes.

Air supply, gas supply (see FIG. 7) First, when performing air supply, switch the air carbon dioxide selection switch 45 of the endoscope control device 2 to the air side, and then turn the air supply/gas supply switch 41 of the operation unit 4. If you operate the air pump, the air pump will
When P ₁ is driven, the first valve V ₁ opens to supply air. At this time, if the supply pressure selection switch 46 is switched to the low pressure side (manual operation),
The sixth valve _V6 is opened, and air can be supplied at a pressure corresponding to the setting value of the first relief valve 19. In other words, the air pressure can be selected according to the practitioner's preference or the area to be treated.

In particular, when treating the lower gastrointestinal tract, it is sometimes necessary to supply carbon dioxide gas. In this case, the air carbon dioxide gas selection switch 45 is switched to the gas supply side and the air/gas supply switch 41 is operated. That is, the first valve V ₁ , the third valve V ₃ , and the sixth valve V ₆ are in communication with each other, so that gas can be supplied from the carbon dioxide cylinder 18 through the air supply path 12 . The reason why the sixth valve V ₆ is also opened at this time is to cause leakage and lower the pressure to a safe setting, as it would be extremely dangerous if the regulator of the carbon dioxide gas cylinder 18 was set to a high pressure. be.

Note that when the air carbon dioxide selection switch 45 is on the carbon dioxide side, it is different from when it is on the air side.
The sixth valve _V6 is always in communication regardless of the state of the supply pressure selection switch 46.

Water supply (see Fig. 8) Before use, the pressure accumulation switch (not shown) of the endoscope control device 2 is operated to open the second valve _V2 and air is supplied to the pressure accumulation tank 15. The pressure is set to high in advance by driving pump _P1 .

When air is to be supplied, the water supply switch 42 in the operation section 4 opens the fourth valve _V4 , and the pressure in the pressure storage tank 15 is used to supply water to the water supply channel.
Water is supplied through 3. Furthermore, at the same time, the dual pump _P2 is driven, and the first, ninth,
The tenth and twelfth valves V ₁ , V ₉ , V ₁₀ , and V ₁₂ are opened, respectively. However, the above water tank 1
The water supply from P 6 and the air from the air supply pump chamber 22 of the dual pump P ₂ are combined to form the air and water supply nozzle 7.
sent to. Then, the air/water mixed fluid is discharged from the air/water supply nozzle 7 to powerfully clean the observation window 6.

Further, by driving the dual pump _P2 , suction is performed at the same time as air supply, and the amount of air supplied and the amount of suction are equal. Therefore, even if the air-water mixed fluid is discharged for a long time, the inside of the body cavity can be prevented from expanding with excess air. In addition, since the air being delivered is not air sucked from within the body cavity, it does not contaminate the air delivery system pipes, and furthermore, it is possible to prevent bacterial infection between patients via this endoscope 1, which is extremely effective. Hygienic.

Forward water supply (see Fig. 8) To perform forward water supply, operate the forward water supply switch 44 of the operating section 4. While the fourth valve V ₄ was opened during the above-mentioned water supply, in this case the seventh valve V ₇ is opened and water is supplied to the front water channel 10 side.

At the same time, the dual pump P ₂ is activated,
The 8th, 9th, 10th, and 12th valves V ₈ , V ₉ ,
V ₁₀ and V ₁₂ are opened and air is supplied to the front water supply channel 10, thereby creating a steam/water mixed fluid. In other words, from the dual pump P ₂ to the front water channel 1
The line leading to 0 constitutes an air supply pipe system in the sense that it sends air containing water at this time. This fluid is then discharged from the front water supply port 9 into the body cavity. This air-water mixed fluid can powerfully clean blood on the body cavity wall and dirt in the hood (not shown) attached to the tip of the insertion tube.

As mentioned above, in this case of forward water supply, the same amount of air is suctioned by the dual pump _P2 as in the case of water supply, so the air in the air-water mixture does not cause swelling in the body cavity. do not have. Also,
Contamination and bacterial infection within the forward water supply pipe system can be prevented.

Drainage (see Fig. 9) By pressing the drain switch 48 of the endoscope control device 2, water is automatically supplied and drained to the front water supply channel 10 and water supply channel 13 in the endoscope 1, and air is also supplied. Drainage in channel 12 and suction channel 32 also takes place.
That is, first, when the air supply pump P ₁ operates, the second valve V ₂ , the fourth valve V ₄ , the 12th valve V ₁₂ and the 13th valve V ₁₃ are opened, respectively, and water is supplied to the water supply channel 13. will be carried out. Then, instead of closing the fourth valve _V4 , the seventh valve _V7 opens, thereby supplying water to the front water supply channel 10. In this way, the front water supply channel 1
0 and the inside of the water supply channel 13 can be cleaned. Thereafter, the second valve V ₂ and the seventh valve V ₇ , which were in the open state, are closed, and the first valve V ₁ is opened, and air is supplied to the air supply path 12. Then, the second valve V ₂ and the fourth valve V ₄ are opened again, the first valve V ₁ is closed, and the fifth valve V ₅ is opened, thereby supplying air to the water supply channel 13. Spout the remaining water. Further, after this air supply, the fourth valve V ₄ is closed and the seventh valve V ₇ is opened, thereby supplying air to the front water supply channel 10 and blowing out the remaining water. Finally, the second valve V ₂ , the fifth valve V ₅ , and the seventh valve V ₇ are closed, the first valve V ₁ is opened, and air is supplied to the air supply path 12 to the tip side. The water that has gone around from the confluence with the water supply channel 13 is discharged.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, a two-tube pump driven by the same driving means such as a motor may be used instead of the two-tube pump _P2 . Alternatively, two constant flow pumps of the same capacity may be used.
In addition, when using the above two-barrel pump _P2 ,
It is safer to send at a lower pressure than when using a tube pump.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides an open loop for air supply and suction (air sucked from inside the body cavity) by performing air supply and suction in the circulation using two pump means linked together by the same drive means. Since the two pump means having the same capacity move in conjunction with each other, the amount of air supplied and the amount of suction are necessarily equal, and there is no need to control the amount of air supplied and suction.

From the above, the disadvantages of the conventional closed-loop type, such as contamination inside the pipe and clouding of the lens surface, and the disadvantages of the conventional closed-loop type, such as difficulty in balancing the air supply amount and suction amount, and the tendency to cause excessive air supply. can be resolved. In addition, excessive air supply due to spray air supply during spray water supply can be easily prevented.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a two-barrel pump seen from the front, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of the two-barrel pump. The right side view of the pump, Figures 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams of the operating status of the dual pump, Figure 6 is a time chart during suction operation, and Figure 7 is the time during air supply and gas supply operations. FIG. 8 is a time chart during water feeding operation, and FIG. 9 is a time chart during draining operation. 1... Endoscope, 2... Endoscope control device, 7...
Air and water supply nozzle, 8...Suction port, 9...Front water supply port, 10...Front water supply channel, 12...Air supply channel, 1
3... Water supply channel, 14... Air supply path section, 16... Water supply tank, 18... Carbon dioxide cylinder, P ₂ ... Double pump, 22... Air supply pump chamber, 23... Suction pump Chamber, 35...Suction source, 52...Extensible body, 53...Extensible body, 61...Electromagnet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A nozzle provided at the distal end of the endoscope, a suction port provided at the distal end, and an air supply pipe system formed within the endoscope body and communicating with the nozzle; It consists of an air supply source that supplies air to the air supply pipe system, a suction pipe system formed within the endoscope body and communicating with the suction port, and a suction source connected to the suction pipe system, In an endoscope apparatus configured to simultaneously perform air supply and suction, the first pump means is connected to the air supply pipe system and performs air supply, and the first pump means is connected to the suction pipe system and is configured to perform air supply.
A second pump means which performs suction at the same air flow rate as the pump means of
An endoscope apparatus characterized in that said pump means are driven by the same drive means, and each of said pump means is operated with the same air flow rate.