JPH0693880B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of use] The present invention operates a water supply means by operating a water supply switch provided on an operation section of an endoscope, and a nozzle provided at a distal end portion of an insertion section. The present invention relates to an endoscope device that can send water.

[Conventional technology]

Generally, the endoscope main body is provided with fluid conduits for air supply, water supply, and suction. Then, the air supply pipe and the water supply pipe merge at the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and communicate with a nozzle that opens toward the observation window provided at the distal end, and the observation window has mucus inside. When it is contaminated by dirt or dirt, by sending water from the nozzle toward the observation window,
It is configured so that dirt can be removed.

Therefore, the endoscope apparatus is provided with control means for controlling the switching between the air supply, the water supply, and the suction. This control means is conventionally a mechanical control in which a switching valve provided in the operation portion of the endoscope is directly operated by fingers, and, for example, as shown in JP-A-56-75131, There is electrical control in which a switch is provided in the operation unit, and the solenoid valve provided in each conduit in the optical power supply device is controlled by operating this switch with fingers. This electrical control system only provides a switch on the operation section of the endoscope, and does not require an air supply valve, a water supply valve, a suction valve, etc. on the operation section unlike the mechanical control method, and the operation section does not need to be installed. It is popular because of its light weight and excellent operability of endoscopes.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the endoscopic device configured as described above, the system of electrically controlling the air supply, the water supply, and the suction is
As shown in FIG. 7 (A), a solenoid valve c is provided in the water supply conduit b inside the optical power supply device a, and this water supply conduit b is located at the distal end side of the insertion portion e of the endoscope d and is the air supply conduit. The length l of the water supply conduit b that joins the passage f and connects the solenoid valve c and the joining portion g is very long, and the mechanical control type is as shown in FIG. 7 (B). In addition, since the operation part h of the endoscope d is provided with the air / water switching valve i, the air / water switching valve i and the confluence part g.
The length l between and is short. Therefore, in the electric control system, even if the water supply conduit b is closed by the solenoid valve c, the water accumulated in the water supply conduit b is restored in an attempt to restore after the water supply conduit b expanded during water supply stops water supply. There is a disadvantage that it is pushed out to the air supply conduit f through the confluence part g and dropped from the nozzle j, and there is a drawback that the water drainage property is poor. This phenomenon also occurs in the case of the mechanical control method, but since the water supply pipe b is closed by the air supply / water supply switching valve i provided in the operating part h, the pipe that expands during water supply, that is, the water supply pipe Due to the short length of the water pipe b, the water drainage does not become a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even with an electrical control system in which the water supply means is controlled by a switch provided in the operation unit, it is possible to eliminate the poor drainability after water supply is stopped. An object is to provide an endoscopic device.

[Means and Actions for Solving Problems]

In the present invention, the water supply means is operated by a closing signal of a water supply switch provided in the operation section of the endoscope, water is supplied to the water supply pipe line and water is supplied from the nozzle toward the observation window. Immediately after the water supply is stopped by the method, a conduit volume changing means for increasing the volume in the water conduit is provided to prevent the water accumulated in the water conduit from being pushed out.

〔Example〕

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment, in which 1 is an endoscope and 2 is a control device such as an optical power supply device. The endoscope 1 includes an operation unit 3, an insertion unit 4, and a universal cord 5. An optical fiber bundle 6 for observation and an optical fiber bundle 7 for illumination are installed in the insertion section 4, and the optical fiber bundle 6 for observation is provided with an observation window 6a provided at a tip portion 8 of the insertion section 4.
In addition, the optical fiber bundles 7 for illumination face the illumination windows 7a, respectively. Further, the tip portion 8 is provided with a nozzle 9 opening toward the observation window 6a and a suction port 10. Further, the insertion portion 4 is internally provided with an air supply pipe line 11, a water supply pipe line 12 and a suction pipe line 13, and the air supply pipe line 11 and the water supply pipe line 12 merge at the tip side of the insertion part 4 to form the nozzle. It communicates with 9. Further, the suction pipe line 13 is the suction port.
It communicates with 10. The air supply conduit 11, the water supply conduit 12, and the suction conduit 13 are connected to the connector 14 via the inside of the universal cord 5 and communicate with the control device 2 via the connector 14. Furthermore, the endoscope 1
The operation unit 3 is provided with an air supply switch 15, a water supply switch 16 and a suction switch 17.

An air supply pump 20 which constitutes an air supply means 19 is provided in the device body 18 of the control device 2, and this air supply pump 20 communicates with the air supply pipeline 11, and the air supply pipeline 11 has two directions in the middle thereof. A first opening / closing valve 21 including a solenoid valve is provided. Also, 22
Is a water supply means, which is a water supply pump 23 and a water supply tank 24.
And a second opening / closing valve 25, which is a two-way solenoid valve provided in the middle of the water supply conduit 12 communicating with the water supply tank 24. Further, a compressor 26 as a conduit volume varying means configured as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is provided in the middle of the water supply conduit 12. This compressor
26 is a pusher member 29 that is provided so as to be capable of projecting and retracting with respect to the body 27 and is biased in the retracting direction by a tension spring 28; Child
It is composed of an exciting coil 30 for projecting 29. The pressing member 29 of the compressor 26 is opposed to the fixed receiving base 31 with a space therebetween, and the water supply conduit having flexibility between them.
12 are intervening. Further, a control circuit 32 is provided inside the device main body 18, and an open / close signal is inputted from the air supply switch 15, the water supply switch 16 and the suction switch 17 provided in the operation section 3 of the endoscope 1, The air supply means 19, the water supply means 22, and the compressor 26 are controlled.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, when the air supply switch 15 is closed, an operation signal is input to the air supply pump 20 and the first opening / closing valve 21 via the control circuit 32, the air supply pump 20 is operated, and the first opening / closing valve is operated.
21 opens. Therefore, the gas supplied from the air supply pump 20 is supplied from the nozzle 9 via the air supply conduit 11. Further, when the water supply switch 16 is closed, an operation signal is input to the water supply pump 23 and the second opening / closing valve 25 via the control circuit 32, the water supply pump 23 is operated, and the second opening / closing valve 25 is opened. It At this time, by closing the water supply switch 16, the compressor 26 is passed through the control circuit 32.
When the electromagnetic coil 30 is excited, the pressing element 29 projects against the urging force of the tension spring 28, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the gap between the fixed pedestal 31 and the pressing element 29 is narrowed, and the water supply conduit 12 interposed therebetween is compressed and the conduit volume is reduced. In this way, the water in the water supply tank 24 is supplied through the water supply conduit 12 and is supplied from the nozzle 9 in a state where the conduit volume of the water supply conduit 12 is reduced. When the water supply switch 16 is opened, a stop signal is input to the water supply pump 23 via the control circuit 32 and the second opening / closing valve
A blockage signal is input to 25. Therefore, the water supply from the nozzle 9 is stopped, and the water in the middle of the water supply pipe 12 is stopped in that state. At this time, that is, when the water supply stop signal is input to the water supply means 22 and the water supply is stopped, the electromagnetic coil 30 of the compressor 26 is demagnetized through the control circuit 32, and as shown in FIG. 29 is retracted by the urging force of the tension spring 28. Therefore, the compressive force on the water supply conduit 12 is released, and the water supply conduit 12 is restored to its original shape.
As a result, the volume of the water supply line 12 increases, and the water supply line 12
The water accumulated in the still state in the middle of the is sucked toward the compressor 26. For this reason, after the water supply pipeline 12 that has expanded during water supply stops water supply, it tries to restore and push out the internal water, but by increasing the volume of the water supply pipeline 12 by the compressor 26, the water is pushed out. Can be prevented, dripping from the nozzle 9 can be prevented, and water drainage can be improved. In this embodiment, a compression spring is provided instead of the tension spring 28, and when the exciting coil 30 is demagnetized, the pressing force 29 is projected by the restoring force of the compression spring to compress the water supply conduit 12. Good.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show the second embodiment.
The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, the expander 33 is used as a conduit volume varying means.
Is provided. Explaining the expander / contractor 33, 34 is a body, a fixed inner tube 35 is integrally provided, and a movable outer tube 36 is fitted to the fixed inner tube 35 so as to be slidable in the axial direction. That is, the fixed inner pipe 35 and the movable outer pipe 36 constitute the expansion and contraction conduit 37, and the flanges 35a and 36a are provided at the tips of both. The fixed inner pipe 35 is connected to the water supply conduit 12 on the endoscope 1 side, and the movable outer pipe 36 is connected to the water supply conduit 12 on the control device 2 side. Also,
A compression spring 38 is provided inside the body 34 between the side wall of the body 34 and the movable outer tube 36, and urges the expansion tube 37 in a direction to extend it. The movable outer tube 36 is retracted against the restoring force of the compression spring 38, and the expansion / contraction line 37 is drawn.
An exciting coil 39 that contracts is provided. And
The exciting coil 39 is electrically connected to the control circuit 32.

Therefore, when the water switch 16 is closed, the control circuit 32
An operation signal is input to the water supply pump 23 and the second opening / closing valve 25 via the water supply pump 23, and the water supply pump 23 is operated and the second opening / closing valve 25 is opened. Then, the water in the water feed tank 24 is fed through the water feed conduit 12 and is fed from the nozzle 9. At this time, the excitation coil 39 of the expander 33 is also excited at the same time by closing the water supply switch 16, so that the movable outer tube 36 is pulled in against the restoring force of the compression spring 38, and the expansion tube 37 is contracted. The pipe volume of the water supply pipe 12 is reduced. Next, when the water supply switch 16 is opened, the control circuit
A stop signal is input to the water feed pump 23 via 32, and a closing signal is input to the second opening / closing valve 25. Therefore, the water supply from the nozzle 9 is stopped, and the water in the middle of the water supply pipe 12 is stopped in that state. At this time, that is, at the same time when the water supply stop signal is input to the water supply unit 22, the demagnetization signal is input from the control circuit 32 to the excitation coil 39 of the expander 33. Therefore, the movable outer pipe 36 is pushed out by the restoring force of the compression spring 38, the expansion pipe 37 is in an expanded state, and the volume of the water supply pipe 12 increases. Therefore, the water that has stood still in the middle of the water supply conduit 12 is sucked toward the expander 33, and after the water supply conduit 12 that has expanded during water supply stops water supply, it tries to restore and push out the internal water. However, it is possible to prevent the water from being pushed out, prevent dripping from the nozzle 9 in advance, and improve the drainage property.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the third embodiment.
The same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, a cylinder mechanism 40 is provided as a conduit volume varying means. Explaining the cylinder mechanism 40, 41 is a cylinder, and a piston 42 is inserted in the cylinder 41. The discharge port body 43 of the cylinder 41 is connected to a branch pipe 44 connected in the middle of the water supply pipe line 12, and the piston 42 is interlocked with a stepping motor 46 via a crank arm 45. The stepping motor 46 is electrically connected to the control circuit 32, rotates 180 ° by an operation signal input from the control circuit 32, and moves the piston 42 forward / backward through the crank arm 45 to feed the water.
The volume inside 12 can be changed.

Therefore, when the water switch 16 is closed, the control circuit 32
An operation signal is input to the water supply pump 23 and the second opening / closing valve 25 via the water supply pump 23, and the water supply pump 23 is operated and the second opening / closing valve 25 is opened. Then, the water in the water feed tank 24 is fed through the water feed conduit 12 and is fed from the nozzle 9. At this time, the operation signal is also input to the stepping motor 46 of the cylinder mechanism 40 by closing the water feed switch 16, so that the piston 42 advances through the crank arm 45, as shown in FIG. Therefore,
The volume in the cylinder 41 that is in communication with the water supply pipeline 12 decreases, and the volume of the water supply pipeline 12 decreases. Next, when the water feed switch 16 is opened, the water feed pump is fed through the control circuit 32.
A stop signal is input to 23 and a closing signal is input to the second opening / closing valve 25. Therefore, the water supply from the nozzle 9 is stopped, and the water in the middle of the water supply pipe 12 is stopped in that state. At this time, that is, at the same time as the water supply stop signal is input to the water supply unit 22, the operation signal is input again from the control circuit 32 to the stepping motor 46. Then, the stepping motor 46 rotates 180 °, and the piston 42 retracts via the crank arm 45 as shown in FIG. 6 (B). Therefore, the volume in the water supply conduit 12 is increased by the volume of the cylinder 41, the water accumulated in the water supply conduit 12 is sucked into the cylinder 41, the water supply conduit 12 expanded during water supply is stopped after the water supply, Although it tries to push out the water inside after being restored, it is possible to prevent the water from being pushed out, to prevent dripping from the nozzle 9 in advance, and to improve the drainability.

Although the first to third embodiments have been described with respect to the case where only water is supplied at the time of water supply, the air supply pump 20 and the first opening / closing valve 21 are driven and communicated at the same time as the water supply switch 16 is closed. By means of this, it is possible to carry out sprayed water supply (mixed water supply with air and water), and in this case as well, similar operational effects are obtained.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in an endoscope apparatus that switches between air supply, water supply, and suction by electrical control, a conduit for increasing the volume in the water supply conduit immediately after the water supply is stopped by the water supply means. By providing the volume varying means, it is possible to prevent the water accumulated in the water supply pipe from being pushed out, and it is possible to eliminate the poor drainability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B) are explanatory views of the operation of the compressor, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus showing a second embodiment, FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the expander, and FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration of an endoscope apparatus showing a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the cylinder mechanism, and FIG. 7 shows the state of water in the water supply pipe immediately after the water supply is stopped in the conventional endoscope apparatus. Explanatory drawing, (B) is explanatory drawing of a mechanical control system. 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Control device, 3 ... Operating section, 6a ...
Observation window, 8 ... Tip, 9 ... Nozzle, 11 ... Air supply line, 12 ... Water supply line, 16 ... Water supply switch, 22 ... Water supply means, 26 ... Compressor (Variable volume) Means), 33 ... expander (pipe line volume changing means), 40 ... cylinder mechanism (pipe line volume changing means).

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim: What is claimed is: 1. An endoscope, a nozzle provided at the tip of an insertion portion of the endoscope and opening toward an observation window, and a nozzle provided at the endoscope that joins the insertion portion on the tip side. An air supply line and a water supply line communicating with the nozzle, a water supply switch provided in the operation section of the endoscope, and a water supply switch which is operated by a closing signal of the water supply switch to supply water to the water supply line and observe from the nozzle In an endoscope apparatus comprising a control device having a water supply means for supplying water toward a window, immediately after stopping water supply by the water supply means, a conduit volume variable means for increasing the volume in the water supply conduit as compared with the time of water supply. An endoscope device characterized by being provided.