JPH09135804A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope having a simple external shape so as to faciliate the cleaning thereof after use even though filth is sucked up, by providing at least one of passage communicated with a flushing port, and a nozzle connected to the passage between the bottom part of an outer sheath and the front end face of the insertion part of the endoscope. SOLUTION: Water fed from a water feed source 21 into a prot 19 flows through a channel (passage) 18 to the front end of the latter, and impinges upon the inner side wall surface of a bottom part 31 so as to be turned by its direction. Then, it flows from out a nozzle and onto an objective cover glass pane 33 so as to wash off filth or water drops on the objective glass pane. Further, a suction source 22 is connected to the port 19 so as to feed air in order to blow off filth and water drops from the glass pane 33, thereby it is possible to remove blurring or dirt sticking to the pane 33, After use, an inner sheath 3 and the outer sheath 4 can be disassembled from each other, and accordingly, they can be washed independent from each other. Further, an inner sheath insertion part 7 and an outer sheath insertion part 9 have simple shapes with no closed spaces, and accordingly, they can be easily washed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope device using a sheath fitted in an endoscope insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When performing an inspection diagnosis or an operation under observation with an endoscope, the outer surface of an objective lens of an endoscope inserted and installed in a body cavity is liable to be fogged or stained with blood, water spray, smoke or the like. As a result, the viewing field often deteriorates. Conventionally, in order to solve this, a nozzle is installed near the objective lens at the tip of the endoscope, and water and air are supplied to the outer surface of the objective lens for cleaning.

Generally, a water / air supply channel is formed in the endoscope main body, and water / air is supplied through this channel. In the endoscope apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-189893, The endoscope insertion portion is covered with a pipe-shaped sheath, a space is formed between the sheath and the endoscope insertion portion, and the space here is used as a water supply channel.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-18989
In the endoscope device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3, the endoscope insertion portion is covered with a pipe-shaped sheath, and a gap formed between the sheath and the endoscope insertion portion serves as a water supply channel. However,
When water is supplied through the water supply channel, the water flows directly from the hand toward the distal end while directly touching the outer surface of the endoscope insertion portion. Therefore, when cold water is poured, the endoscope insertion part is immediately cooled, the lens group inside the endoscope insertion part is cooled, and water droplets are attached to the surface of the lens, which causes the observation image by the endoscope. The phenomenon that it becomes cloudy occurs.

Further, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-189893, when a pipe line is formed along the endoscope insertion portion, the pipe line forms an elongated closed space. Therefore, the inside of the pipeline is easily clogged with dirt. As a result, dirt or the like cannot be sucked from the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion through the conduit, and it becomes difficult to clean the equipment after use. In addition, by forming a narrow pipeline, the strength of the pipeline is insufficient, and a complicated manufacturing process for forming the pipeline is required,
It also causes the cost to rise.

Further, since the pipe line is formed along the insertion portion of the endoscope, the appearance of the entire insertion portion is not cylindrical,
In some cases, the shape must be uneven. In that case, there are problems such as damage to the patient and the inability to maintain airtightness when combined with a trocar for laparoscopic surgery.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent the endoscope from cooling easily even if cold water is supplied, and to remove dirt from the tip of the endoscope insertion portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a device in which the equipment can be easily washed after use even when sucked, has a higher strength, and has a simple external appearance.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has an inner window having an opening window portion at its tip and capable of containing an endoscope insertion portion, a bottom portion and an opening window portion at the tip, and insertion of the inner sheath. Formed between an outer sheath covering the portion, a perfusion port connected to at least one of the proximal end portions of the inner sheath and the outer sheath, and the inner sheath and the outer sheath,
At least one flow path communicating with the perfusion port, and a nozzle formed between the bottom portion of the outer sheath and the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion and communicating with the flow path are provided. It is an endoscopic device. Water supply / suction and / or air supply is performed from the perfusion port through at least one flow path. After use, the outer sheath, inner sheath, and endoscope are disassembled and washed separately.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

<First Embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) The endoscope apparatus 1 is composed of, for example, an endoscope (scope) 2 which is a rigid endoscope, an inner sheath 3 and an outer sheath 4, and the endoscope 2, the inner sheath 3 and the outer sheath 4 are separated from each other. It is designed so that it can be disassembled.

The endoscope 2 is an elongated rigid endoscope insertion portion 5
And an endoscope main body 6 connected to the base end of the endoscope insertion portion 5. The inner sheath 3 is formed of an elongated simple cylindrical hard pipe, and includes an inner sheath insertion portion 7 and a cylindrical inner sheath body 8 having a larger diameter than the inner sheath insertion portion 7. The inner sheath insertion portion 7 is mainly fitted to the endoscope insertion portion 5, and the inner sheath body 8 is mainly fitted to the endoscope body portion 6.

The outer sheath 4 is formed of a long and thin simple cylindrical hard pipe, and the outer sheath insertion portion 9 is formed.
And the outer sheath body 10. The outer sheath insertion portion 9 is mainly fitted to the inner sheath insertion portion 7, and the outer sheath body 10 is mainly fitted to the inner sheath body 8.

When the inner sheath 3 is attached to the endoscope 2, the distal end of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is an opening which substantially coincides with the distal end surface 11 of the endoscope insertion portion 5. That is, the tip of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is located at the same position as or slightly rearward of the tip surface 11 of the endoscope insertion portion 5. On the inner peripheral surface of the inner sheath body 8, an airtight O-ring 12 that fits on the outer periphery of the tip portion of the endoscope body 6 is provided. And this O
The ring 12 secures airtightness between the endoscope main body 6 and the inner sheath main body 8 which are fitted when the inner sheath 3 is attached to the endoscope 2, and is fitted and detachably locked and fixed. It is like this.

An airtight O-ring 14 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath body 10 so as to be fitted to the outer periphery of the tip portion of the inner sheath body 8. The O-ring 14 secures the airtightness between the inner sheath body 8 and the outer sheath body 10 fitted when the outer sheath 4 is fitted to the inner sheath 3, and fits the both to detachably lock. It is like this.

On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is circular as shown in FIG. 2 (b), but a part of it is recessed inward continuously from the tip to the hand along the axial direction. The groove 15 is formed. The inner part of the groove 15 is a ridge 16 which projects inward. The ridges 16 form a small gap 17 between the inner sheath insertion portion 7 and the endoscope insertion portion 5.

The outer sheath inserting portion 9 and the inner sheath inserting portion 7 are in a circular shape which are in close contact with each other, and a channel (flow passage) 18 is formed by the gap between the grooves 15 between them. The outer sheath body 10 is provided with a port (base) 19 communicating with the channel 18. The port 19 is provided with a valve 20 for opening and closing the port. A water supply source 21, a suction source 22 or an air supply source 23 is selectively switched and connected to the port 19.

At the tip of the outer sheath insertion portion 9, there is provided a bottom portion 31 which is a partially cut-out tip wall. Here, the bottom portion 31 is formed such that both the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion 5 and the distal end surface of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 abut on the inner end surface thereof. The bottom portion 3 is attached to the tip of the outer sheath insertion portion 9.
An opening window portion (notch portion) 32 formed by notching 1 is provided. The cutout portion that forms the opening window portion 32 is provided so as to reach a position slightly closer to the proximal side than the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion 5 (see FIG. 1). The opening window portion 32 opens the inside of the outer sheath insertion portion 9 toward the outside, and the endoscope insertion portion 5 is opened through the cutout opening portion.
The objective cover glass 33 and the illuminating fiber 34 on the front end face 11 of the are opened to the outside.

As shown in FIG. 3, both the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion 5 and the distal end surface of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 of the inner sheath 3 abut on the inner end surface 31a of the remaining bottom portion 31. However, the channel 18 is provided on the inner end surface.
A groove-shaped elongated recess 35 is formed in the direction of the groove, which forms a nozzle 36 toward the surface of the objective cover glass 33 on the distal end surface 11 of the endoscope insertion portion 5. A plurality of nozzles 36 may be formed.

The endoscope 2 is provided with an eyepiece 37 on the proximal side of the endoscope body 6, and an illumination base 38 is provided on the upper surface of the endoscope body 6. Lighting base 3
A light guide cable (not shown) is connected to 8, and illumination light from a light source (not shown) is also transmitted to the illumination fiber 34. And the eyepiece 37
By directly looking into the eye or connecting a TV camera to the eyepiece portion 37, the fiber for illumination 34 on the distal end surface 11 of the endoscope insertion portion 5 passes through the opening window portion 32 and is radiated to the surgical field. The visual field image illuminated by the illumination light can be similarly observed through the opening window portion 32 and the objective cover glass 33.

(Operation and effect) From the water supply source 21 to the port 19
The water that has flowed into the channel flows to the tip through the channel 18, hits the inner wall surface of the bottom portion 31, the direction of the flow is changed, and flows out onto the objective cover glass 33 to wash away dirt and water droplets on the objective cover glass. Also, the suction source 2
By connecting 2 to the port 19 and sucking, dirt and water droplets on the objective cover glass 33 are sucked, or by connecting the air supply source 23 to the port 19 and injecting air, CO ₂ gas, nitrogen gas, etc. It is possible to blow away dirt and water drops on the objective cover glass 33. Further, by constantly blowing a dry gas onto the objective cover glass 33, it is possible to remove the fogging of the objective cover glass 33 and prevent the attachment of dirt.

On the other hand, the endoscope insertion portion 5 and the inner sheath insertion portion 7
Since there is a small gap 17 between and, even if cold water or gas flows through the channel 18, the endoscope insertion portion 5 is not immediately cooled and the objective cover glass 33 of the endoscope 2 is not immediately cooled. There is no cloudiness in the

Further, after use, the inner sheath 3 and the outer sheath 4
Can be disassembled into pieces from the endoscope 2, and the endoscope 2, the inner sheath 3 and the outer sheath 4 can be disassembled and washed separately. Moreover, since the inner sheath insertion portion 7 and the outer sheath insertion portion 9 have a simple shape without an elongated closed space, the inner and outer surfaces of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 and the outer sheath insertion portion can be cleanly cleaned with a simple cleaning tool, which facilitates cleaning. .

Further, since the outer sheath insertion portion 9 can be formed into a cylindrical shape without protrusions or steps, it does not damage the patient's tissue, and the airtightness is secured by closely contacting the airtight valve of a commercially available trocar. Cheap.

Furthermore, since the outer sheath insertion portion 9 and the inner sheath insertion portion 7 are simple in shape, they can be easily processed and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Structure) The endoscope device 1 of this embodiment has a flat surface extending along the longitudinal direction on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 of the inner sheath 3 into which the endoscope insertion portion 5 is inserted. A portion 41 is provided, and a space surrounded by the flat surface portion 41 and the outer sheath insertion portion 9 of the outer sheath 4 is supplied with water.
The channel 42 is for suction or air supply.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

(Effect) According to this embodiment, since the shape of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is particularly simple, it is easy to process, does not easily get dirty, and is easy to clean after disassembly.

<Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the endoscope device 1 of this embodiment, a protrusion 51 protruding inward is provided in a part of the outer sheath insertion portion 9 of the outer sheath 4. The protrusion 51 is shown in FIG.
Even in the ridge-shaped projection continuously extending in the long axis direction of the outer sheath insertion section 9 as shown in FIG. 6, one or more in the long axis direction of the outer sheath insertion section 9 as shown in FIG. 6C. It may be a plurality of dot-shaped projections lined up.

Then, the cylindrical inner sheath insertion portion 7 is inserted into the outer sheath insertion portion 9 provided with the protrusion 51 projecting inward, and the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is caused by the protrusion 51. The channel 52 is formed by a space formed between the inner sheath insertion portion 7 and the outer sheath insertion portion 9 and eccentric to one side with respect to the central axis of the. Further, the diameter of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is determined so that a gap 53 is formed between the endoscope insertion portion 5 and the inner sheath insertion portion 7.

<Fourth Embodiment> A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. (Structure) In this embodiment, the distal end of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 of the inner sheath 3 has a part thereof integrally projected forward, and is cut out to the hand side below the protruding part 61. A notch portion (opening window portion) 62 is provided, and a notch-shaped recess 63 recessed toward the hand side is provided in a part of the protruding portion 61.
Was formed. A flat surface portion 64 extending along the axial direction is provided on the upper portion of the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath insertion portion 7, and a space is formed between the flat surface portion 64 and the inner surface of the outer sheath insertion portion 9. However, this space is used as the channel 65.

On the other hand, a bottom portion 31 and a cutout portion 32 are provided at the tip of the outer sheath insertion portion 9 as in the above-described first embodiment, and a protruding portion of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 is provided on the inner end surface of the bottom portion 31. The tip surface of 61 is abutted. When the tip end surface of the protruding portion 61 of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 abuts against the inner end surface of the bottom portion 31 of the outer sheath insertion portion 9, a small gap is formed between the inner end surface of the bottom portion 31 and the recess 63. Then, the nozzle 66 directed toward the objective cover glass 33 is formed by this gap.

(Operation and Effect) Water supply guided to the tip through the channel 65 formed by the space between the flat surface portion 64 of the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath insertion portion 7 and the inner surface of the outer sheath insertion portion 9. Air supply / suction forces are directed to the objective cover glass 33 on the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion portion 5 via the nozzle 36.

According to this, since it is not necessary to form a groove or the like inside the bottom portion 31 of the outer sheath 4, it can be manufactured by a simple processing method such as pipe bending, and the size of the nozzle 66 can be accurately obtained.

<Sixth Embodiment> A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the outer sheath insertion portion 70 of the outer sheath and the inner sheath insertion portion 71 of the inner sheath of the endoscope apparatus as described above are detachably attached to the same sheath body 72. The outer sheath insertion portion 70 and the inner sheath insertion portion 71 are arranged such that their respective base end portions are fitted into the holes 74 formed at the front end portion of the sheath body 72, and the respective fitting portions are connected to the sheath body 72. O to maintain watertightness and airtightness between
A ring 75 and an O ring 76 are provided.

Outer sheath insertion portion 70 and inner sheath insertion portion 71
Collars 77 and 78 are provided on the outer circumferences of the base end portions of the. The inner sheath insertion portion 7 is provided at the base end edge of the outer sheath insertion portion 70.
A recess 80 that engages with a protrusion 79 formed on the first collar 78 is provided. Further, the flange 77 of the outer sheath insertion portion 70 is provided with a projection 83 that engages with a recess 82 formed in the end edge of the sheath body 72. And the corresponding protrusion 7
By engaging the recesses 80 and 82 with each other, the orientations of the outer sheath insertion portion 70 and the inner sheath insertion portion 71 are determined and attached to the sheath body 72 as shown in FIG. At this time, the outer sheath insertion portion 70
A space 85 for forming a channel as described above is formed between the inner sheath insertion portion 71 and the inner sheath insertion portion 71. This space 85 communicates with the port 86 provided in the sheath body 72 inside the sheath body 72. The collar 77 is formed with a hole 87 for communicating the space.

A threaded portion 88 is formed on the outer periphery of the front end portion of the sheath body 72, and a collar 77 of the outer sheath insertion portion 70 is fixed by a fixing nut 89 which is engaged with the threaded portion 88.
Is pressed against the front end of the sheath body 72 to be fixed.

<Other Embodiments> The endoscope apparatus shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 uses the outer sheath 91 and the inner sheath 92 as in the above-mentioned embodiment, but in particular, the inner sheath insertion portion 9 is used.
One or a plurality of slits 94 extending in the major axis direction are provided on the peripheral wall of 3, and between the endoscope insertion portion 96 of the endoscope 95, the slit 94, and the inner surface of the outer sheath insertion portion 97 of the outer sheath 91. The space to be formed is formed in one or more rows. The space serves as a channel 98 for the flow path.

Further, the outer sheath main body 99 of the outer sheath 91 is provided with one or a plurality of perfusion ports 100 that individually communicate with the channels 98, respectively. Each port 100 is provided with a valve 101 that opens and closes it.

On the other hand, at the tip of the outer sheath 91 is a bottom portion 103.
An opening portion (opening window portion) 104 is formed by cutting out a part of the bottom portion 103, and a recess 105 is provided inside the bottom portion 103. The recess 105 forms a gap between the tip of the inner sheath insertion portion 93 and the tip of the endoscope insertion portion 96, and constitutes a nozzle 106. The above-described channel 98 communicates with the nozzle 106, and when water, air, or suction is performed from the port 100, water is sent from the nozzle 106 to the objective cover glass 107 at the tip of the endoscope via the channel 98. Air is fed or water droplets, dirt, etc. on the objective cover glass 107 are sucked.

According to this, since the endoscope insertion portion 96, the inner sheath insertion portion 93, and the outer sheath insertion portion 97 can be brought into close contact with each other, the outer diameter of the outer sheath 91 can be suppressed to be small.
Further, by providing a plurality of slits 94 and irrigation ports 100, the channels 98 can be formed independently of each other.

The bottom portion 1 provided at the tip of the outer sheath 91.
03 may be configured as a separate member with respect to the outer sheath insertion portion 97, and the separate member may be attached to the tip of the outer sheath insertion portion 97.

[Additional Notes] 1. An inner sheath having an opening window at the tip and capable of containing an endoscope insertion portion, an outer sheath having a bottom and an opening window at the tip and covering the insertion portion of the inner sheath, the inner sheath and the outer sheath. A port connected to at least one of proximal ends of the outer sheath, at least one flow path formed between the inner sheath and the outer sheath and communicating with the port, a bottom portion of the outer sheath, and an endoscope. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a nozzle formed between the distal end surface of the insertion portion and communicating with the flow path.

2. The endoscope apparatus according to the first item,
The flow path is composed of a groove or a flat surface portion extending from the proximal side to the distal side. 3. The endoscope apparatus according to the second item, wherein the groove or the flat surface portion is formed on the inner sheath side. 4. The endoscope apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the groove or the flat surface portion is formed on the outer sheath side. 5. The endoscope apparatus according to the first item, wherein the number of the ports is the same as or smaller than the number of the flow paths.

6. The endoscope apparatus according to the first item,
The proximal end side of the port is kept airtight between the inner sheath and the outer sheath. 7. The endoscope apparatus according to the sixth aspect, wherein the endoscope is kept airtight between the inner sheath and the endoscope. 8. The endoscope apparatus according to the first item, wherein the endoscope, the inner sheath, and the outer sheath can be arbitrarily attached and detached.

9. An inner sheath insertion portion into which the scope insertion portion can be inserted, an outer sheath insertion portion that covers the inner sheath insertion portion, and one or more ports, and a proximal end portion of the inner sheath insertion portion and the outer sheath insertion portion. And a sheath body that airtightly connects the proximal part of the scope.
The inner sheath insertion part has one or a plurality of slits that open at the tip and extends from the proximal side to the tip, the outer sheath insertion part has a bottom part and an opening window part at the tip, and the outer circumference of the scope insertion part and the slits. A flow path is formed between the outer sheath insertion portion and the inner surface of the outer sheath insertion portion, and a nozzle is formed between the bottom portion of the outer sheath and the distal end surface of the scope so that the perfusion port, the flow passage, and the nozzle communicate with each other. An endoscope device having the above-mentioned configuration. 10. The endoscope apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the inner sheath insertion portion and the outer sheath insertion portion are detachable from the sheath body.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if cold water is supplied, the endoscope does not easily cool, and even if dirt is sucked from the tip of the endoscope insertion portion, after use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cylindrical product in which the equipment of (1) is easy to clean, has high strength, and has a simple external appearance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment.

2 (a) is a front view of the distal end of the endoscope device as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2 (b) is the endoscope device taken along line BB in FIG. FIG.

FIG. 3A is a front view of a nozzle portion of the endoscope device, and FIG. 3B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an endoscope device according to a second embodiment.

5A is a front view of the distal end of the endoscope apparatus according to the second embodiment as seen from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope device.

6A is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an insertion portion of the endoscope device according to the third embodiment, FIG. 6B is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. Is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line XX in the same example (a) in another example.

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an insertion portion of the endoscope device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a front view of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a front view of an inner sheath of the endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the distal end portion of the inner sheath of the endoscope device according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a development view of the endoscope apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an assembled state in the endoscope apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the endoscope apparatus.

FIG. 13 (a) shows the distal end of the endoscope device in FIG.
The front view seen from the direction of the arrow, (b) is BB in FIG.
1 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope device taken along a line, FIG.
2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the endoscope device taken along the line CC in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope device, 2 ... Endoscope, 3 ... Inner sheath, 4 ... Outer sheath, 5 ... Endoscope insertion part, 6 ... Endoscope body part, 7 ... Inner sheath insertion part, 8 ... Inner sheath Body, 9 ... Outer sheath insertion part,
10 ... Outer sheath body, 11 ... Tip surface, 12 ... O-ring,
14 ... O-ring, 15 ... Groove, 16 ... Ridge, 17 ... Gap, 1
8 ... Channel (flow passage), 19 ... Port, 21 ... Water supply source, 22 ... Suction source, 23 ... Air supply source, 31 ... Bottom part, 32 ...
Opening window (notch), 33 ... Objective cover glass, 34
... Lighting fiber, 35 ... Recess, 36 ... Nozzle, 37
... eyepiece.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An inner sheath having an opening window at the tip and capable of containing an endoscope insertion portion therein; an outer sheath having a bottom and an opening window at the tip and covering the insertion portion of the inner sheath; A port connected to at least one of the proximal ends of the sheath and the outer sheath; at least one flow path formed between the inner sheath and the outer sheath and communicating with the port; An endoscope apparatus comprising: a nozzle formed between a bottom portion and a front end surface of an endoscope insertion portion, the nozzle communicating with the flow path.