JPH0112805Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention proposes an effective device configuration for removing water droplets from the surface of the observation window at the tip of a flexible tube inserted into an endoscope, particularly a body cavity.

When a flexible tube of an endoscope is inserted into a body cavity when observing a body cavity, the insertion tip, which is at a temperature close to the outside temperature, which is colder than the body cavity's internal temperature due to body temperature, has water droplets due to the dew point. In particular, the observation window surface provided at the tip becomes cloudy due to the water droplets, which obstructs observation. To this end, in this type of endoscope, measures such as coating the observation window surface with a water-absorbing or water-repellent anti-fogging agent have generally been taken; In some cases, the anti-fogging function of the above treatment gradually deteriorates, causing water droplets to form on the observation window surface, which act as a lens and adversely affect observation, or block the observation window, making it impossible to obtain an observation image. I get used to it.

In addition, in the gastrointestinal fiberscope,
When using it, the area to be examined inside the body cavity is inflated by air pressure, and observation operations are performed while maintaining a predetermined observation distance between the inserted tip observation window and the inner wall of the body cavity. In order to remove dirt, etc. attached to the observation window and wash the observation surface, washing water must be pumped into the observation window and discharged. At this time, the remaining washing water may adhere to the observation surface and cause the observation image to change. There was a problem that distortion occurred, and furthermore, an unobservable state occurred.

In addition to the adhesion of water droplets or washing water to the observation window surface due to the dew point, an uneven step is inevitably formed between the mounting frame surrounding the observation window surface and the tip surface, and this step Water tends to accumulate around the inner periphery of the hood body attached to the top and tip, and the problem of the accumulated water climbing onto the observation window surface again and adhering to the observation window was also considered to be a problem that needed to be solved.

Therefore, the present invention attempts to actively remove such water droplets that remain attached to the observation window surface by utilizing the capillary phenomenon caused by the interfacial tension between the strip member and the water droplets, as shown in the figure below. The gist of the endoscope of the present invention will be explained in more detail based on the embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the distal end of the endoscope of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part taken along line A-A in FIG. An observation window 2 in which an objective lens 3 of an observation optical system is arranged, a light guide opening end 4, 4 of an illumination optical system, a suction port 5 for washing water, etc., an air/water supply port 6, etc. are arranged. be. A hood 7 is fitted to the distal end so as to surround the end surface 1 of the distal end, and an ear piece 8 protruding from a part of the inner wall of the hood 7 is attached to the air/water supply port 6. The tip of a thin arm piece 9 which is placed upwardly and further protrudes toward the center of the end face 1 is made to face the periphery of the observation window 2 (see the second sectional view).

FIG. 3 is a front view of the distal end of another embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the main part taken along line B-B in FIG. Functional parts common to those in the first illustrated embodiment will be described with the same symbols, but in particular, in the third illustrated embodiment, a thin arm piece 9' whose tip reaches the periphery of the observation window 2 will be explained. The narrow arm piece 9' protrudes from a position different from the protruding position of the ear piece 8 of the hood 7, and the protruding base of the thin arm piece 9' located near the suction port 5 is provided with a flow path for washing water etc. toward the suction port 5. A hole 10 is bored (see the fourth sectional view).

5 and 6 are a front view of the distal end and a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part showing still another embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, and in these figures, a thin arm piece 9 protruding from the hood 7 is shown. The projecting end of `` is configured to be in contact with the tip end surface 1 between the edge of the suction port 5 and the peripheral edge of the observation window 2.
is a flow path hole for cleaning water etc. toward the suction port 5.

In other embodiments of the endoscope of the present invention, although not shown, the positions and numbers of the thin arm pieces 9, 9', 9'', etc. are not limited, and their tips are at the periphery of the observation window 2. The hood 7 may be extended from the side wall of the hood 7 which is integral with the distal end portion in contact with the distal end portion, and its constituent means may be one extending from a portion that is substantially integral with the hood.

According to the endoscope of the present invention having such a configuration, when the endoscope is used for observation, the cleaning water ejected from the tip opening 6 through the air and water supply pipe can be applied to the back surface of the ear piece 8 facing above the tip opening 6. Therefore, the ejected water is directed toward the observation window 8, and the surface is washed and drained from the suction port 5. However, in conventional endoscopes of this type, the observation window or observation window is There is a risk that cleaning water may remain in the unevenness or step between the surrounding mounting frame and the surface of the distal end due to its surface tension. When a water droplet on the observation window surface touches the thin arm piece 9, it is pulled in the direction of the thin arm piece 9 due to the interfacial tension between the water droplet and the thin arm piece, and the observation window surface Water droplets can be drawn into the narrow arm piece 9 and removed. Further, the cleaning water accumulated on the uneven surface etc. is similarly pulled toward the narrow arm piece 9 by the interfacial tension with the thin arm piece 9, and flows out toward the end surface 1 or the base of the narrow arm piece 9. The narrow arm pieces 9, 9', and 9'' are all attached to the hood 7, and the hood 7 is attached to the tip of the endoscope, so that even if dirt such as internal secretions or feces adheres, It is also possible to remove the hood 7 and wash it.It goes without saying that it is preferable that the hood be made of an elastic material in order to facilitate this attachment and detachment.

In addition, this action of removing water droplets due to interfacial tension is performed more effectively in conjunction with the suction action during suction work from the suction port 5, and the remaining water on the surface of the end face 1 or the thin arm piece is removed. Water droplets flowing to the base are properly removed. In the example shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in which the thin arm pieces 9' and 9'' are located on the side of the suction port 5, the washing water flows back through the flow path hole 10 and flows through the observation window. The water droplets sucked up from the surface of 3 merge and flow out to the suction port 5.

As described above, in the endoscope of the present invention, the interfacial tension between the thin arm piece 9 extending from the hood 7 and the residual water or water droplets allows for efficient removal of water droplets from the observation window surface. Enables diagnosis under observation.

It goes without saying that the endoscope of the present invention can be applied to any type of endoscope, such as a direct-viewing, front-oblique-viewing, or side-viewing endoscope, in addition to the illustrated embodiment.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of the distal end of an embodiment of the endoscope of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line A-A in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the distal end of another embodiment of the guiding endoscope, FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line B-B in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the distal end showing still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line CC in FIG. 5. 1... End surface, 2... Observation window, 3... Objective lens, 4... Light guide opening end, 6... Air/water supply port, 7... Hood, 8... Ear piece, 9, 9', 9 ″…
...A thin arm piece.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] (1) At the tip of a flexible tube that is equipped with an observation window, an air/water supply port, and a suction port of an observation optical system, a hood that surrounds these is removably provided; The endoscope is characterized in that a thin arm piece is provided extending from a part of the endoscope, and the tip of the thin arm piece faces the periphery of the surface of the observation window. (2) The above-mentioned narrow arm piece extends from the ear piece as a part of the ear piece facing above the opening end of the air/water supply port, as set forth in claim (1) of the utility model registration claim. endoscope. (3) The thin arm piece overhangs one side of the suction port, extends to the surface periphery of the observation window, and is located between the end face of the flexible tube tip including the observation window, the air/water supply port, and the suction port. The endoscope according to claim (1) of the utility model registration, which has a flow passage hole for the circulation of cleaning water. (4) The above-mentioned narrow arm piece extends overhanging one side of the suction port, and its tip is located astride between the surface periphery of the observation window and the periphery of the suction port. The endoscope described in (1).