JPH03215241A - Air and water feed apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To certainly perform the spray feed of water by intermittently controlling the opening and closing of the valve provided to an air feed pipeline by a fluid control means spraying and feeding water from a nozzle and intermittently supplying air to the air feed pipeline from an air feed pump. CONSTITUTION:When the spray feed of water is performed, a switch 52 changing over the usual feed of water and the feed of water intermittently performing the feed of air during the feed of water is set to an ON-state to turn a switch 48 performing the feed of water ON. Whereupon, a control part 46 detects the signal thereof and opens a solenoid valve 27 and also automatically opens a solenoid valve 23 at the same time. Thereafter, the control part 46 opens and closes only the solenoid valve 23 intermittently at a definite interval. When the switch 48 is turned OFF after the feed of water is completed, the solenoid valves 23, 27 are together closed. By this method, the total pressure of an air feed pump 18 can be applied to a water feed pipeline intermittently during the feed of water and, therefore, no air feed pressure escapes from the air feed pipeline even when a water feed tank 19 is allowed to fall during the spray feed of water and a water feed impossible state is eliminated. Further, a washing solution does not flow back to the air feed pipeline during the feed of water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an air and water supply device for an endoscope, which is equipped with a control means that can perform water spraying.

[Prior Art] Generally, an endoscope is provided with fluid conduits for air supply, water supply, and suction. The air supply pipe and the water supply pipe converge at the distal end of the insertion section of the endoscope, and communicate with a nozzle that opens toward the observation window provided at the distal end. If the observation window becomes contaminated with dirt or filth, the contamination can be removed by supplying water and air from the nozzle toward the observation window.

Therefore, the endoscope apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling switching between the air supply, water supply, and suction. Conventionally, this control means includes a mechanical control method in which a switching valve provided in the operating section of the endoscope is directly operated by hand, and a method for controlling the switching valve provided in the operating section of the endoscope, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 56-75131. There is an electrical control method in which a switch is provided in the operating section of the light source device, and the solenoid valve provided in each conduit in the light source device is controlled by operating the switch with a finger. Among these, an air and water supply device that can clean the observation window over a wide range and improve the water quality is one that opens both the air and water pipes during water supply, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-49502. , spray water was used to spray a gas-liquid mixture into the observation window. (Fig. 6 (A)) [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional air and water supply device for endoscopes as described above, in which air and water are supplied by one pump, when water is supplied, , as shown in FIG. 6(A), the air supply line 1
If spray water is performed to open both the water supply pipe 2 and the water supply pipe 2, for example, as shown in FIG. 6(D), if the operator carelessly knocks down the water supply tank 3 during the examination, Opening 5
A liquid surface 6 is formed on the surface, which sucks up air and cleaning liquid at the same time. Then, as shown in FIG. 6(B), air layers 7 and cleaning liquid layers 8 are formed alternately within the water supply pipe 2. In such a situation, the resistance of the water pipeline becomes very thick, and if you try to spray water again, the resistance of the water pipeline will be greater than the resistance of the air pipeline. All the pressure from the pump escapes to the air supply line, and water no longer comes out from the nozzle. In other words, water cannot be supplied. If such a situation occurs, stop the inspection once, turn off the power to the light source and air supply source, and replace the piston for spray water supply with one for normal water supply. After replacement, it is necessary to turn on the light source and air supply source again and apply all the pressure of the pump to the water supply pipe line to release the water supply disabled state, as shown in FIG. 6(C).

Therefore, in such cases, not only is the release operation complicated, but the examination takes a long time, causing pain to the patient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a system for endoscopes that allows air and water to be delivered using a single pump, while also being able to reliably spray water without becoming unable to supply water. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air and water supply device.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a nozzle that opens at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section, and an air supply pipe line and a water supply pipe line that join and communicate with the nozzle. An air and water supply device for an endoscope having a fluid control means for simultaneously supplying water from a water supply pump through air and a water supply tank, and for spraying water from the nozzle, wherein the fluid control means is provided in the differential air pipe. The valve is controlled to open and close intermittently, and air is intermittently supplied from the air pump to the air pipe line.

[Operation] Therefore, by intermittently opening and closing the valve provided in the air supply line during the water spraying operation, the air line is intermittently closed, and the full pressure of the pump is intermittently applied to the air line. .

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

1 to 3 relate to the first embodiment of the device of the present invention,
Fig. 1 is a pipeline diagram of the air and water supply device, Fig. 2 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve, and Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an electronic endoscope as an example of an endoscope. It is.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 11 denotes an electronic endoscope as an example to which the air and water supply device of this embodiment is applied, and a tip component and a curved portion are provided in front of an operating section 12 that also serves as a grip on the hand side. While the elongated insertion portion 13 having a
Connector 1 by extending the universal cord 14 to the side of the
5, it is connected to a video processor 16 which includes a light source device, for example. The video processor 16 has a signal processing circuit that processes the imaging signal from the electronic endoscope 11, and transmits it to the connected monitor 17 for image display. A pump 18 is installed inside, and a water supply tank communicating with the air supply pump 18 via a pipe line to be described later and storing a cleaning liquid is attached thereto. Furthermore, the video processor 16 includes a suction bottle 20 and a suction pump 2.
1 is also conveyed and attached via a conduit, which will be described below. Note that the endoscope to which the device of the present invention is applied is not limited to the above-mentioned electronic endoscope, and may of course also be applied to a fiber endoscope, although not shown.

In the pipeline diagram shown in FIG. 1, the air supply bomb 18 has a first
The first air supply pipe 22 is connected to a first solenoid valve (Vl') 23, and the first solenoid valve 23 is connected to a second air supply pipe. 24 are connected. Further, an air supply pipe 25 for water supply is branched and connected to the middle of the air supply pipe 22 and is connected to the water supply tank 19 . A first water supply pipe line 26 is connected to the water supply tank 19, and a second water supply pipe line 28 is connected to the water supply tank 19 via a second electromagnetic valve (V2) 27. The second air supply pipe line 24 and the second water supply pipe line 28 are connected to a third electromagnetic valve (
V3) They are communicated by an air supply pipe cleaning pipe 30 with a pipe 29 interposed in the middle. This third electromagnetic valve 29 is provided in a position very close to the second water supply pipe 28. Further, at the ends of the second air supply pipe 24 and the second water supply pipe 28,
Joints 31 and 32 are attached to each of them, and are connected to an air supply line 33 and a water supply line 34 on the endoscope side, respectively. Then, this air supply pipe line 33 and water supply pipe line 34
The two converge on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion section 13 to form an air and water supply conduit 35, and the air and water supply conduit 35 connects to a nozzle 36 that opens toward the observation window at the distal end of the endoscope. It's communicating.

On the other hand, a first suction line 37 is connected to the suction pump 21 , and this first suction line 37 is connected to the suction bottle 20 . Furthermore, the suction bottle 20 has a second suction conduit 38.
is connected. Further, a third suction line 40 is connected to the second suction line 38 via a fourth solenoid valve (V4) 39. A joint 4 is attached to the end of this third suction pipe 40.
1 is attached, and is connected to the suction conduit 42 on the endoscope side. A leak pipe 42 is branched from the second suction pipe 38 and communicates with the atmosphere via a fifth solenoid valve (5) 43. Further, a mucous membrane adsorption release conduit 44 is branched from the third suction conduit 40 and communicates with the atmosphere via a sixth electromagnetic valve (V6) 45. Furthermore, the first to sixth solenoid valves 23, 2
7, 29, 39, 43, and 45 are electrically connected to the control unit 46, respectively. On the other hand, this control section 46 includes switches SW(1) 47 and S provided in the operation section 12 of the endoscope 11.
W(2) 48, SW(6) 49, and switches SW(3) 50 and SW(4) provided on the exterior of the video processor 16.
) 51 and SW(5) 52 are connected.

In such a configuration, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 2, air and water supply during normal endoscopy is controlled by turning on and off the switch 47 and switch 48 provided on the operation unit 12.
This is done by In other words, when supplying air, switch 4
7 is turned on, the first electromagnetic valve 23 is opened by the control section 46 and air is supplied through the air supply pipe line 33. on the other hand,
Water supply is performed by turning on the switch 48, causing the control unit 46 to similarly open the second electromagnetic valve 27, and flushing water is sent to the water supply pipe 34.

When spraying water, first turn on the switch 52.
Set to N state. This switch 52 is a switch for switching between normal water supply and water supply in which air is intermittently supplied during water supply. Therefore, when this switch 52 is in the ON state and the water supply switch 48 is turned on, the control unit 46 detects the signal and opens the second solenoid valve 27, and at the same time automatically opens the first solenoid valve 23. Open. Thereafter, only the first electromagnetic valve 23 is opened and closed intermittently at regular intervals.

By turning off the switch 48 at the end of water supply, both the first solenoid valve 23 and the second solenoid valve 27 are closed.

As a result, the full pressure of the air pump can be applied intermittently to the water pipeline during water supply, so even if the water tank is collapsed during spray water supply, as shown in Figure 6 (B) and (D), The supply pressure will not escape from the air supply pipe, and water supply will not become impossible. Further, the cleaning liquid will not flow back into the air supply pipe during water supply.

Next, suction is performed by turning on and off a switch 49 provided on the operating section 12.

That is, when the switch 49 is turned ON, the control unit 46 causes the fifth solenoid valve 43 to be turned off, whereas normally only the fifth solenoid valve 43 is open and in a standby state. , the fourth solenoid valve 39 is opened to perform suction.

In order to control the mucous membrane adsorption prevention suction that prevents mucosal adsorption, the switch 51 is first turned on. This switch 51 is a switch for switching between normal suction and mucous membrane adsorption prevention suction. When this switch 51 is in the ON state and the switch 49 is turned on, the control unit 46 closes the fifth solenoid valve 43 from the standby state and simultaneously opens the fourth solenoid valve 39 to perform suction. When the four switches are turned off, the fifth solenoid valve 43 opens and the fourth solenoid valve 39 simultaneously closes. Further, the sixth solenoid valve 45 is opened for a certain period of time, and then returns to the standby state. Thereby, the mucous membrane adsorption release conduit 44 is temporarily communicated with the atmosphere, the negative pressure inside the conduit is removed, and mucosal adsorption is prevented.

Next, the duct cleaning of the endoscope is performed by momentarily turning on the switch 50. That is, when the switch 50 is turned on, the control unit 46 detects this and automatically performs the following control. First, the third solenoid valve 29 and the second solenoid valve 26 are opened simultaneously, and after cleaning the air supply pipe 33 and the water supply pipe 34 for a certain period of time, the second solenoid valve 26 is turned off. Thereby, cleaning of the air supply pipe line 33 and the water supply pipe line 34 is completed.

Next, water is removed from both pipes, the first solenoid valve 23 is opened, water is removed from the water pipe 34, and air is removed from the air pipe 33.
After removing water, the area will be quiet. This allows cleaning of both pipes.
Water removal can be performed with a one-touch operation of pressing the switch 50.

On the other hand, on the suction pipe side, when the switch 50 is turned on, both the fifth solenoid valve 43 and the sixth solenoid valve 45 are closed, and the fourth solenoid valve 43 is closed.
The electromagnetic valve 39 is opened intermittently, sucks up cleaning water from the tip of the insertion section, cleans the pipe for a certain period of time, and then returns to the standby state to perform cleaning.

In this way, in the first embodiment, even if the water supply tank is knocked down during spray water supply, the supply pressure will not escape from the air supply pipe and the water supply will not become impossible, so the observation window can be washed over a wide area, and the A sharp water spray is possible. Further, the cleaning liquid will not flow back into the air supply pipe during water supply.

4 and 5 relate to the second embodiment of the device of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a pipeline diagram of the air and water supply device, and FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve.

In the piping diagram shown in FIG. 4, the air supply pump 53 has a first
An air supply line 54 is connected to this first air line 54, and a second air line 56 is connected to the first air line 54 via a first solenoid valve (Vl) 55.
It is connected to the. Further, an air supply pipe 57 for water supply is branched and connected to a water supply tank 58 in the middle of the first air supply pipe 54 . Further, five first water supply pipes are connected to the water supply tank 58, and a second water supply pipe 61 is connected via a second electromagnetic valve (V2) 60. The first air supply pipe line 54 and the second water supply pipe line 61 are water supply pipe water removal pipe lines 6 having a third electromagnetic valve (V3) 62.
It is connected by 3. This third electromagnetic valve 62 is provided near the branching point between the second water supply pipe line 61 and the water supply pipe water removal pipe line 63. A first gas pipe line 65 is connected to the gas cylinder 64 filled with non-combustible gas, and is further connected via a fourth solenoid valve (V4) 66 to a gas supply pipe line that also serves as an air supply line for sending gas and air. A second gas pipe line 67, which is a tracheal line, is connected. The second gas pipe line 67 and the first air supply line 54 are communicated through an air supply line 69 for gas pipe water removal having a fifth electromagnetic valve (V5) 68. Further, the second gas pipe line 67 and the first water supply pipe line 59 are connected to a sixth solenoid valve (V6).
The gas pipe (also known as an air supply pipe) having a cleaning pipe 71 is used for transportation. The gas pipe water removal air supply pipe 69 is connected to the second gas pipe 67 on the side closer to the gas cylinder 64 than the gas pipe cleaning pipe 71 in order to ensure water removal.

In addition, joints 72, 73, and 74 are attached to the ends of the second air supply pipe 56, the second gas pipe 67, and the second water supply pipe 61, respectively, so that they are connected to the end of the endoscope. It is connected to a tracheal line 75, a gas line 76, and a water supply line 77. The air supply pipe line 75 communicates with a button 78 provided on the operating section 12 midway inside the endoscope 11 and opens into a leak hole 79 provided above the button 78. This button 78 is provided so as to be movable forward and backward, and a switch SW(1) 80 is also provided which turns on the switch when the button 78 is pushed. Further, a check valve 81 is provided in the air supply pipe line 75 at a position closer to the insertion part than the button 78 provided on the operation part 12, and a gas pipe line 76 is provided further to the distal end side of the insertion part of the check valve 81. are communicating. Furthermore, the air supply pipe line 75 and the water supply line 77 join together on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion section 13 to form an air and water supply pipe line 82. The first to sixth solenoid valves 55, 60, 62, 66, 68, and 70 are electrically connected to the control section 83, respectively. On the other hand, this control section 8
3 is a switch SW (1) provided in the operation section of the endoscope 11.
80, SW(2) 84, and switches SW(3) 85, SW(4) 86 provided on the exterior of the video processor 16,
SW(5) 87 and SW(6) 88 are connected.

Although not shown in the drawings, the device of the present invention may be configured with a suction conduit similar to that of the first embodiment, and of course it can also be applied to a fiber endoscope.

In such a configuration, as shown in the time chart of FIG.
This is done by operating the switch 80. That is, the air supply is carried out by blocking the leak hole 79 provided in the button 78 with a finger while only the first valve 55 is open in the standby state, and the pressure of the air supply pump 53 is checked. The valve 81 is opened to supply air to the tip of the insertion section. On the other hand, for water supply, turn switch 80 to
When the switch 80 is turned on, the control unit 83 detects the signal, closes the first solenoid valve 55, and simultaneously opens the second solenoid valve 60. This results in
Cleaning water is sent to the water supply pipe 77 to perform water supply.

Next, water spraying is performed by first turning on the switch 85. The switch 85 is a switch for switching between normal water supply and spray water supply. Therefore, the switch 80 that performs water supply while the switch 85 is in the ON state is turned OFF.
When set to N, the control unit 83 detects the signal, closes the first solenoid valve 55, and simultaneously opens and closes the second solenoid valve 60 intermittently. At the same time, the fifth solenoid valve 68 is also opened and closed intermittently. However, the fifth solenoid valve 68 alternately opens and closes so that it closes when the second solenoid valve 60 opens and opens when it closes. By turning off the switch 80 at the end of water supply, both the second solenoid valve 60 and the fifth solenoid valve 68 become quiet.

The pipe cleaning is performed by momentarily turning on the switch 86. That is, when the switch 86 is turned on, the control section 83 detects this and automatically performs the following control. First, the first valve 55 is closed from the standby state. At the same time, the sixth valve 70 is opened, and after cleaning the gas pipe line 76 for a certain period of time, the sixth valve 70 is closed. This completes the cleaning of the gas pipe line 76. At the same time as the sixth valve 70 is closed, the second valve 60 is opened. As a result, the water supply pipe 77 is cleaned for a certain period of time and the second valve 60 is closed. When the second valve 60 is closed, the fifth valve 68 is opened to remove water from the gas pipe, and after a certain period of time has passed, the fifth valve 68 is closed. When the fifth valve 68 is closed, the third valve 62 is opened, removes water from the water supply pipe 77, and closes after removing the water. Then, at the same time as the third valve 62 closes, the first valve 55 opens, returning to the standby state.

In this way, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained even with the spray water supply in which air supply and water supply are intermittently repeated in the second embodiment.

The switch 84 is a switch for controlling suction, the switch 87 is a switch for controlling gas supply, and the switch 88 is a switch for switching between suction to prevent mucosa adsorption and normal suction. In addition, although the second embodiment uses solenoid valve control, the operation method is the same as that of a conventional mechanical air/water supply control device, so even a surgeon who is familiar with conventional mechanical operation methods can operate it without any confusion. I can do it.

Note that the intermittent timing in these embodiments is 0. IS
It can be varied from eC to 1 sec.

Further, in these embodiments, water droplets do not flow out from the nozzle after the water supply is stopped, and it is possible to prevent water from becoming extremely difficult to clean.

It goes without saying that the air and water supply devices of these embodiments are not limited to those having nozzles that open toward the observation window, but can also be applied to those that have nozzles that open to clean the body wall.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the configuration of the present invention, even when water is being sprayed, even though it is an air/water supply system using one pump, water supply will not become impossible even in unexpected situations. , water supply continues. Furthermore, not only is it possible to supply a clear spray of water, but also the cleaning liquid does not flow back into the air supply pipe during water supply, thereby preventing deterioration of water drainage.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a pipeline diagram of an air and water supply device showing the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve of the first embodiment, and FIG. The fourth schematic explanatory diagram showing an electronic endoscope device as an example of an endoscope.
The figure is a pipeline diagram of an air and water supply device showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve in the second embodiment. Figure 6 shows
It is an explanatory view showing a conventional example. 1, 22.24.33, 54, 56.75.67.76
...Air supply pipe line 2.28.28.34.59.61.7
7... Water supply pipeline 18... Air supply pump 19...
・Water tank 23.27.29.39.43.45.5
5.60.82.6B. 88.70...Valve 36...
1/46.83...Control unit Figure 1 T3 = 0.1 sec~Isec (A) (D) Figure 6 Procedural amendment

Claims (1)

[Claims] Air is simultaneously supplied from an air pump and water is supplied via a water tank to a nozzle that opens at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section, and an air pipe and a water pipe that merge and communicate with the nozzle, respectively, and In an endoscope air and water supply device having a fluid control means for supplying spray water from a nozzle, the fluid control means intermittently controls the opening and closing of a valve provided in the air supply pipe, and controls the air supply from the air supply pump to the air supply pipe. An air and water supply device for an endoscope, which is characterized by supplying air intermittently to the endoscope.