JPH0451928A - Endoscope protector - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the halation by providing a first recessed part and a first projecting part fitted each other to the outside surface of a tip constituting part and the inside surface of a protective tube which are opposed to each other between an illuminating light window and an observation window, and forming a first projecting part by an opaque member. CONSTITUTION:The device is constituted by inserting a tip constituting part 12 in which an illuminating light window 18 and an observation window 21 are formed adjacently, and an inserting part 11 which follows this tip constituting part 12 into a protective tube 26 having a bottom part 28. Also, a first recessed part 36 and a first projecting part 55 fitted each other to the outside surface of the tip constituting part 12 and the inside surface of the protective tube 26 which are opposed to each other are provided between the illuminating light window 18 and the observation window 21, and also, a first projecting part 35 is formed by an opaque member. Moreover, this device is provided with second recessed parts 33, 34 and second projecting parts 16, 17 fitted unseparably each other to the outside surface of the tip constituting part 12 positioned in the vicinity of the windows 18, 21 and the inside surface of the protective tube 26. As a result, the halation can be prevented and the observation can be executed clearly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an endoscope protection device for preventing the insertion portion and the distal end component of an endoscope from being contaminated by body fluids or the like.

[Prior art] Conventionally, in endoscopes used for observing inside the human body,
A protection device is used to prevent body fluids and the like from adhering to the distal end component and insertion portion inserted into the human body. This protection device has a distal end component and an insertion section of an endoscope inserted into a protective tube, and is inserted into a human body with the distal end component and insertion section inserted into the protective tube. After using the endoscope, the protective tube is removed and replaced with a new protective tube. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the distal end component and the insertion section from being contaminated by body fluids, etc., and there is no need to clean them. Therefore, the effort of cleaning can be saved.

However, in a protection device using such a protection tube, the illumination light emitted from the illumination light window of the tip component is repeatedly reflected between the bottom of the protection tube and the tip surface of the tip component, making it difficult to observe. There is a problem in that the light enters the window, resulting in so-called halation, making it extremely difficult to observe.

As a solution to such problems,
No. 332] Publication No. 9 describes one.

The protection device described in this publication, as shown in Fig. 14,
A protrusion 4 is formed between the illumination light window 2 and the observation window 3 on the distal end surface of the distal end component 1, and the illumination light emitted from the illumination light window 2 passes through the protective tube 5. When the light is reflected by the bottom 5a and goes toward the observation window 3, it is blocked by the protrusion 4.

Therefore, illumination light does not enter the observation window 3.

In the above protection device, in order to prevent illumination light from being reflected between the bottom 5a of the protection tube 5 and the tip surface of the tip component 1 and entering the observation window 3, the bottom 5a of the protection tube 5 must be must be brought into contact with the protrusion 4. Therefore, in the above protection device, the bottom part 5 of the protection tube 5
a is brought into contact with the protruding portion 4 in a stretched state, and in this state, the end portion of the bottom portion 5 a side of the protective tube 5 is fixed to the outer periphery of the tip forming portion 1 by a fastening band 6 .

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when the fastening band 6 was used, there were the following problems.

That is, if the fastening band 6 protrudes further toward the outer periphery than the protective tube 5, the fastening hand 6 will come into contact with the human body when the distal end component 1 and the insertion section 7 are inserted into or removed from the human body. , not only is it difficult to insert and remove the
There is a risk that the fastening band 6 may injure the human body. Furthermore, there is a risk that the fastening band 6 may come off while being taken in and out of the human body, and may remain as a foreign object in the human body.

Therefore, in the above protection device, an annular groove 8 is formed on the outer periphery of the tip component l, and the fastening band 6 is inserted into this groove 8 to prevent the fastening band 6 from protruding. However, when the groove 8 is formed, the tip component 1
strength will decrease. In particular, in a small-diameter endoscope with a diameter of about 2 mm, the strength is significantly reduced, and there is a risk that the tip component 1 may break off from the groove 8.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems; it can prevent halation, allow clear observation, and eliminate the need to fix the protective tube to the distal end component with a fastening band or the like. Therefore, the tip component and the insertion section can be easily inserted and removed without damaging the human body, and the strength of the tip component may be reduced.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope protection device that does not cause foreign matter to remain in the human body.

[Means for Solving the Problems] This invention has been made to achieve the above object, and the first gist of the invention is that a protection tube having a bottom is provided with an illumination light window and an observation window. In the endoscope protection device, in which a distal end component formed adjacent to each other and an insertion section following the distal end component are inserted, the distal ends facing each other between the illumination light window and the observation window are inserted. A first concave portion and a first convex portion that fit into each other are provided on the outer surface of the component and the inner surface of the protective tube, and the first convex portion is formed of an opaque member, and the illumination light window and the observation window are provided. An endoscope protection device is provided with a second concave portion and a second convex portion that are irreleasably fitted into the outer surface of the tip component and the inner surface of the protective tube located near the endoscope, The gist of the second invention is that a protective tube having a bottom is inserted with a distal end component in which an illumination light window and an observation window are formed adjacent to each other, and an insertion section that continues to the distal end component. In the endoscope protection device, a first concave portion and a first convex portion that fit into each other are provided on the outer surface of the distal end component and the inner surface of the protective tube that face each other between the illumination light window and the observation window. In addition, the first convex portion is formed of an opaque member, and an adsorption plate made of a magnet is provided on either the outer surface of the tip component or the inner surface of the protective tube located near the illumination light window and observation window. The present invention provides an endoscope protection device characterized in that an adsorbed plate made of a material that is magnetically attached to a magnet is provided on the other side of the adsorbing plate.

[Operation] The illumination light that is emitted from the illumination light window, reflected between the bottom of the protective tube and the tip surface of the tip component, and directed toward the observation window (hereinafter referred to as reflected light) is reflected from the illumination light window. It is blocked by a first protrusion that fits into the first recess between the observation window and the observation window. Furthermore, by fitting the second recess and the second protrusion, or by magnetically attaching the adsorbing plate and the plate to be adsorbed, the fitted state between the first recess and the first protrusion may be inadvertently released. You will no longer be exposed to it. Therefore, reflected light can be reliably prevented from reaching the observation window.

Furthermore, due to the fitting between the second recess and the second protrusion, or the magnetic adhesion between the attracting plate and the attracted plate, the inner surface of the protective tube is separated from the outer surface of the tip component near the illumination light window and the observation window. Since the object will not bend or twist, there will be no out-of-focus caused by this, and clear observation will be possible.

Also, since the second concave portion and the second convex portion, or the suction plate and the suction plate replace the conventional fastening band, it is possible to connect the bottom end of the protective tube to the distal end component or the distal end of the insertion section with the fastening band. There is no need to use the protective tube to fix the protective tube, and it is sufficient to fix the opening side end of the protective tube to the proximal end of the insertion section that will not be inserted into the human body or to the operating base.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described based on the drawings of FIGS. 1 to 13.

1 and 2 show an embodiment of the first invention. In these figures, reference numeral 11 is the insertion section of the endoscope. The insertion section 11 is formed into a flexible cylindrical shape, and its base end is attached to an operation base (not shown). On the other hand, a distal end component 12 is attached to the distal end of the insertion section 11 . Note that a hard material may be used as the insertion portion 11.

A protrusion 1 having a circular cross section is provided on the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12.
4.15 are formed respectively. Each protrusion 14.1
A second convex portion 16° 17 is formed at the tip of the outer circumferential surface of 5, projecting outward in the radial direction and having a substantially semicircular longitudinal section.

An illumination light window 1 is provided at the center of the tip surface of one of the protrusions 14.
8 is open. This illumination light window 18 is connected to a light source device (not shown) via a light guide 19 made of a bundle of optical fibers.
The illumination light supplied through the illumination light window 9 is irradiated forward from the illumination light window 18. Note that the reference numeral 20 is a cover glass for protecting the light guide 19, and is attached flush to the tip surface of the protrusion 14. Regarding the cover glass 20, a condensing or diffusing lens may be used instead, or may be omitted.

In addition, an observation window 21 is provided at the center of the tip surface of the other protrusion 15.
is open. This observation window 21 has an objective lens 22.
．． 23 and an image guide 24 consisting of a bundle of optical fibers.
It is optically connected to an eyepiece (not shown) provided on the operation base through the observation window 21, so that the image incident through the observation window 21 can be observed with the eyepiece. . Incidentally, the reference numeral 25 is a cover glass for protecting the objective lens, and is attached flush to the tip surface of the protrusion 15. This cover glass 25 may also be omitted.

The insertion section 11 and the tip structure section 12 described above are inserted into the protection tube 26. The protective tube 26 includes a cylindrical tube portion 27 with a bottom and a bottom plate 29 fixed to a bottom portion 28 of the tube portion 27 . In addition, in FIG. 2, for convenience of illustration, the cylindrical portion 27 is shown by imaginary lines. Cylinder part 2
In this case, 7 is made of flexible transparent resin, has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion part 11 and the tip component 12, and has a wall thickness of 0.1 mm or less. It is formed into a thin wall. Of course, the cylinder part 27
Regarding, if it has elasticity, the insertion part 11
It is not necessary to make the diameter larger (and the thickness may be Q, 1 mm or more.

On the other hand, the bottom plate 29 is made of flexible, dark-colored, such as black, opaque resin, such as rubber, and is formed into a disk shape. The outer diameter of the bottom plate 29 is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 27, and the tip surface 30 of the bottom plate 29
The entire surface of the cylindrical portion 27 is fixed to the bottom 28 of the cylindrical portion 27 by adhesive or the like. In addition, through holes 31, 32 are formed in the bottom plate 29, respectively, having approximately the same diameter or a slightly larger diameter than the projections 1, 4, 15. A second recess 33.34 having a shape and size suitable for fitting the second protrusion 16.17 is formed at the distal end of each through hole 31.32.

When the protective tube 26 configured as described above is attached to the insertion section 11 and the distal end section 12 of the endoscope, the protrusion 14.15 of the distal end section 12 is inserted into the through hole 31.3 of the bottom plate 29.
In other words, the portion of the bottom plate 29 located between the through holes 3132 (the first convex portion 35) is inserted into the bottom plate 29.
Portion surrounded by protrusion 1415 (first recess 36)
It's getting into. Further, the second protrusion 16.17 is fitted into the second recess 33.34. Then, the tip component 1
The distal end surface 13 of the protruding portion 14.2 abuts against the bottom plate 29.
The distal end surface of 15 and the cover glass 20.degree. 25 are flush with the distal end surface 30 of the bottom plate 29 and are in close contact with the bottom portion 28 of the cylindrical portion 27. Note that the open end of the cylindrical portion 27 is fixed to the proximal end of the insertion portion 11 or the operating base with a fastening band (not shown) or the like.

In the endoscope protection device configured as described above, the second convex portion 16
．． Unless the fitting between 17 and the second recesses 33 and 34 is manually released, even if the insertion section 11 is pushed or pulled inside the human body,
The first convex portion 35 never comes out from the first concave portion 36.

Therefore, the first protrusion 35 is always located between the protrusions 14.15. As a result, the reflected light emitted from the illumination light window 18 , reflected by the bottom 28 of the protective tube cylindrical portion 27 , and directed toward the observation window 21 always hits the first convex portion 35 . Since the first convex portion 35 is formed of an opaque member, the reflected light is reliably blocked by the first convex portion 35. Therefore, reflected light does not enter the observation window 21, and halide/jin can be prevented.

Further, unless the fitting between the second convex portions 16 and 17 and the second concave portions 33 and 34 is manually released, the tip surfaces of the protrusions 14 and 15 are maintained in close contact with the bottom portion 28 of the cylindrical portion 27. Therefore, the observation system is not out of focus due to the bottom part 28 separating from the protrusion 14.15 or being twisted, and observation can be performed clearly.

Further, there is no need to fix the end of the cylindrical portion 27 of the protective tube 26 on the bottom plate 29 side to the outer circumferential surface of the tip component 12 with a fastening band or the like. Therefore, the distal end component 12 and the insertion section 11 can be easily inserted into and removed from the human body, and damage to the human body caused by the fastening band can be prevented.

Furthermore, since a fastening band or the like is not required, there is of course no risk of foreign matter remaining in the human body, and there is no need to form an annular groove thereon on the outer circumferential surface of the distal end component 12.

Therefore, the strength of the tip component 12 does not decrease, and breakage can be prevented.

It should be noted that when the protective tube 26 is to be removed from the distal end component 12 and the insertion section 11 after the observation with the endoscope is completed, this can be done by removing the second convex portions 16, 17 from the second concave portions 33 and 34.

Next, other embodiments of the invention will be described.

Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same components as in the above embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. Moreover, it goes without saying that the following embodiments can also provide the same effects as the above embodiments.

The protection device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 has a groove (second fourth part) having a trapezoidal cross section that extends linearly between the protrusions 14 and 15 in the center of the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12. 41 , while a through hole 31 .
A protrusion (second protrusion) 43 is provided between the grooves 32 and 43 to be irremovably fitted into the groove 41. In this case, the protrusion 14.15 does not have a second convex portion, and the through hole 31.1 of the bottom plate 29.
32 is not provided with a second recess. In addition, on the contrary, a protrusion is formed on the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12, and the bottom plate 2
A groove may be formed in the back surface portion 42 of 9.

The protective device shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 has a spherical shell-shaped hole (second recess) that is partially cut out in the middle between the protrusions 14 and 15 in the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12. 44, while a through hole 31 is formed in the back surface 42 of the bottom plate 29.
．． A substantially spherical protrusion (second protrusion) 45 that fits into the hole 44 is provided between the protrusions 32 and 32 . However, on the contrary,
A protrusion is formed on the tip surface 13 of the tip component 12, and the bottom plate 29
A hole may be formed in the back surface portion 42 of.

All of the above-mentioned protection devices can be connected to the tip component 1 by fitting together.
The tip of No. 2 and the bottom of the protective tube 26 are made impossible to separate from each other, but the protective device shown in No. 7 uses attraction by magnetic force to make them impossible to separate from each other, and this is the second invention. In the protection device of the second invention, a magnet (adsorption plate) 46 having a substantially half-moon shape is provided at a portion of the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12 located below the protrusion 1.4.15. A magnet (attracted plate) 47 having the same shape as the magnet 46 is fitted flush with the front surface 13 , and a magnet (attracted plate) 47 having the same shape as the magnet 46 is fitted flush with the back surface 42 at a portion of the back surface 42 of the bottom plate 29 facing the magnet 46 . It is. The other components are the same as the protection device of the first invention shown in FIG. When the distal end surface 13 of the distal end component 12 is brought close to the back surface 42 of the bottom plate 29, the magnets 46 and 47 are attracted to each other, bringing the distal end surface 13 and the back surface 42 into close contact with each other so that they cannot be separated. Then, unless a force greater than the attraction by the magnets 46 and 47 is applied to separate the tip component 12 and the bottom plate 29, the two will not separate.

Therefore, the same effects as the first invention can be obtained with this second invention. Also, magnet 46 and magnet 47
Either one of them may be made of a material that is magnetically attracted by a magnet, such as an iron plate.

Note that in FIGS. 3, 5, and 7, the cylindrical portion 27 of the protective tube 26 is omitted for convenience of illustration.

Although each of the above embodiments is for direct viewing, both the first invention and the second invention can also be applied to side viewing endoscopes. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, which describe examples in which the first invention is applied to a side-viewing endoscope, an insertion portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 12 of the endoscope. 11
A flat surface 48 is formed that faces in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. On this flat surface 48 , an illumination light window 18 and an observation window 21 are formed spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 11 .
A recess 49 having a trapezoidal cross-section and extending in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 11 is formed between the observation window 21 and the observation window 21 . In addition, code 5
o is a prism. On the other hand, the protective tube 26 is formed in a shape that matches the distal end portion 12 and the insertion portion 11, and is provided with a convex portion 51 on the inner surface facing the fitting recess 49. The convex portion 51 is made of flexible, dark-colored, such as black, and opaque resin, such as rubber. Then, the protective tube 26 is inserted into the distal end portion 12 and the insertion portion 11.
When the protective tube 26 is attached to the protective tube 26, the convex portion 51 is fitted into the concave portion 49 and cannot be separated, and the inner surface of the protective tube 26 is brought into close contact with the flat surface 48 of the distal end portion 12.

In this case, the recess 49 serves as the first recess and the second recess, and the protrusion 51 serves as the first and second protrusion.

The protection device shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 shows another embodiment applied to a side-viewing endoscope, and in this embodiment, two ring portions 53. are provided on the flat surface 48. 54
and annular grooves 55 and 56 surrounding the outsides of these ring portions 53 and 54, respectively. An illumination light window 18 is opened in the distal end surface of one ring part 53, and an observation window 21 is opened in the other ring part 54. The bottoms of the grooves 55, 56 widen radially outwards and have a rounded cross-sectional shape. Further, on the inner circumferential surface of the protective tube 26 and facing the grooves 55 and 56,
Two annular projections 57,58 are fixed. Protrusion 5
7' and 58 are made of a flexible dark color such as black and opaque resin such as rubber, and the tip portions thereof are rounded and swelled outward in the radial direction. When the protective tube 26 is attached to the distal end component 12 and the insertion section 11, the protrusions 57 and 58 fit into the groove 5, as shown in FIG.
5.56 and cannot be separated, so that the inner surface of the protective tube 26 comes into close contact with the flat surface 48.

In this case as well, the grooves 55 and 56 serve as the first recess and the second recess, and the protrusions 57 and 58 serve as the first and second protrusions.

Incidentally, in each of the above embodiments, members such as forceps channels are omitted, but it goes without saying that such members may be included (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 179128/1983).
.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, one illumination light window and one observation window are formed, but a plurality of at least one of them may be formed.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the endoscope protection device of the present invention, the outer surface of the tip component and the inner surface of the protective tube, which face each other between the illumination light window and the observation window, By providing a first concave portion and a first convex portion that fit into each other, and by forming the first convex portion from an opaque member, the reflected light is blocked by the first convex portion and cannot enter the observation window. This prevents nozzle from occurring.

Furthermore, by fitting the second convex portion and the second recess, or by magnetically attaching the adsorbing plate and the adsorbed plate, the distal end component and the distal end of the protective tube cannot be separated, and as a result, the above-mentioned By preventing the first convex portion from being inadvertently pulled out of the first concave portion, the above-mentioned prevention of halation can be ensured.In addition, the inner surface of the protective tinib located near the illumination light window and the observation window is in close contact with the outer surface of the tip component and does not separate from it, making it possible to observe clearly.

In addition, since there is no need to fix the protective tube to the tip component using a fastening band or the like, the tip component and the insertion section can be easily inserted into the human body without damaging the human body, and furthermore, the protective band can be used as a foreign object in the human body. It is possible to prevent the tip from remaining on the tip, and also to prevent the strength of the tip component from decreasing and breakage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the first invention, with Figure 1 being a sectional view showing the main parts thereof, and Figure 2 showing the bottom plate of the protective tube and the tip of the endoscope. The perspective view, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 show other embodiments of the first invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the bottom plate and the distal end of the endoscope, and FIG. 4 shows the fitted state. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the first invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to FIG. 4. FIG. 3 is a corresponding cross-sectional view. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the bottom plate and the distal end of the endoscope according to an embodiment of the second invention. 8 to 10 show an embodiment in which the first invention is applied to a side-viewing endoscope,
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the distal end of the endoscope, FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the protective device, FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 9, and FIGS. 11 is a plan view of the distal end of the endoscope, FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the protective tube, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another embodiment in which the first invention is applied to a side-viewing endoscope. is a sectional view of the protective device. Further, FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the main parts of a conventional endoscope protection device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11... Insertion part, 12... Tip structure part, 18.
...Illumination light window, 21...Observation window, 26...Protection tube, 35.51, 57.58...First convex portion, 36.49.
55.56...first recess, 16.17, 43.45,
51, 57.58... Second convex portion, 33.34, 41, 44.49, 55.56... Second recessed portion, 46... Adsorption plate, 47... Adsorption target plate.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an endoscope protection device in which a distal end component in which an illumination light window and an observation window are formed adjacent to each other and an insertion section following the distal end component are inserted into a protective tube having a bottom. , a first concave portion and a first convex portion that fit into each other are provided on the outer surface of the tip component and the inner surface of the protective tube that face each other between the illumination light window and the observation window, and the first convex portion are formed of an opaque material, and further include a second recess and a second protrusion that are irreleasably fitted into the outer surface of the tip component and the inner surface of the protective tube, which are located near the illumination light window and the observation window. A protective device for an endoscope, characterized in that it is provided with. (2) In an endoscope protection device in which a distal end component in which an illumination light window and an observation window are formed adjacent to each other and an insertion section following this distal end component are inserted into a protective tube having a bottom. , a first concave portion and a first convex portion that fit into each other are provided on the outer surface of the tip component and the inner surface of the protective tube that face each other between the illumination light window and the observation window, and the first convex portion is formed of an opaque material, and furthermore, an adsorption plate made of a magnet is provided on either the outer surface of the tip component located near the illumination light window and the observation window, or the inner surface of the protective tube, and the adsorption plate is provided on the other side. A protection device for an endoscope, characterized in that an adsorbed plate made of a material that is magnetically attached to a magnet is provided opposite to the plate.