JPH042323A - Air feed/water feed suction apparatus for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable the removal of water drops on an objective lens by suction accurately by stopping a leakage as caused by a leak means provided in a suction pipeline simultaneously with the start of feeding water during a feeding of water to the objective lens to suck air instantaneously by a suction pressure heightened to near a draining pressure after the feeding of water. CONSTITUTION:To feed water during an inspection with an endoscope, a switch 48 is turned ON. A control section 46 opens a solenoid valve 27 to feed a purifying water to a feed water pipeline 34. For automatic suction after the feeding of water, first a switch 51 is turned ON. Under such a condition, when the switch 48 is turned ON, the solenoid valve 27 is opened while a solenoid valve 43 is closed by the control section 46 to feed water. Then, when the switch 48 is turned OFF, the solenoid valve 27 is closed and at the same time, a solenoid valve 39 is opened instantaneously. Moreover, when the solenoid valve 39 is closed, the solenoid valve 43 is opened to cause a leakage with the atmospheric air and returned to a standby position. This allows the heightening of a suction pressure within a suction pipeline to the suction pipeline 38 from a suction pump 21 during the feeding of water thereby accomplishing automatic suction instantaneously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an air/water supply/suction device for an endoscope, which is equipped with a control means capable of performing eye suction after water supply.

[Prior Art] Generally, an endoscope is provided with a fluid conduit for air, water, 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 objective lens provided at the distal end. The lens is configured so that when the objective lens becomes dirty due to dirt or dirt, the dirt can be removed by sending water and air from the nozzle toward the objective lens. Furthermore, it has a function to perform automatic suction after water supply to improve the drainage of water droplets on the surface of the objective lens.

Therefore, the endoscope apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling switching between the air supply, water supply, and suction. In order to improve water drainage, the air/water supply/suction device using a solenoid valve automatically supplies air after water supply, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 63-220833, or
As shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1044, a control was carried out to automatically suck water after water supply.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional air/water supply/suction devices for endoscopes as described above, especially those that perform automatic suction after water supply, the objective lens "second" is not properly removed by instantaneous suction after water supply. Relatively high suction power is required to remove water droplets by suction.

However, the suction devices normally used in endoscopes are designed to suction mucus, etc. that obstruct observation during endoscopy. Set the pressure to a level that will not cause damage.

Therefore, the suction pump used for suction is a safe pump with a low cut-off pressure, and in order to further improve safety, the suction pipe line on the side of the suction device rather than the suction control valve is leaked to the atmosphere when suction is not performed. Even if suction is performed for a moment after air is supplied using such a suction means with low suction power, the suction pressure will not be transmitted to the channel opening provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion part because the leak has just occurred, and the objective lens I didn't get to the point where I could suck up the water droplets on the top.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a system in which suction can be performed after water supply using a safe suction pump with a low cut-off pressure, while also reliably suctioning and removing water droplets on the objective lens. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air supply, water supply and suction device for an endoscope that is capable of supplying air and water to an endoscope.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides an objective lens provided at the distal end of an endoscope insertion section, a nozzle opening toward the lens, and a nozzle communicating with the nozzle. Air and water supply control means for supplying air and water from an air pump to the air supply pipe and water supply pipe through the water supply tank, respectively, and supplying air and water from the nozzle, and a suction port near the objective lens. In an air/water supply/suction device for an endoscope, which has a suction pipe and a suction means that performs suction from a suction port through the suction pipe by controlling the opening/closing of a suction valve provided in the suction pipe, when the suction is on standby. The apparatus includes a leak means for communicating the suction pipe with the atmosphere, and a suction control means for stopping leakage caused by the leak means during a water supply operation and automatically performing a suction operation when the water supply operation is completed.

[Function] Therefore, when water is being supplied to the objective lens, the leak by the leak means installed in the suction pipe is stopped at the same time as the water supply starts, and the suction pressure is increased. Try to inhale.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail 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 water supply tank 19 which communicates with the air supply pump 18 via a pipe line to be described later and stores a cleaning liquid is attached to the air supply pump 18. Furthermore, a suction bottle 20 and a suction pump 21 are attached to the video processor 16 and communicated with each other via a suction line, which will be described later. Note that the endoscope to which the device of the present invention is applied is not limited to the above-mentioned electronic endoscope (although not shown, it is naturally applied to a fiber endoscope as well. In the duct diagram shown in FIG. , the air supply pump 18 has a first air supply line 22.
This first air supply pipe line 22 is provided with a first solenoid valve (Vl) 2B, and this first solenoid valve 23
A second air supply pipe line 24 is connected to. 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 (2) 27.

The second air supply pipe line 24 and the second water supply pipe line 28 are communicated with each other through an air supply pipe cleaning pipe line 30 with a third solenoid valve (V3) 29 interposed in the middle. . This third solenoid valve 2
9 is provided in a position very close to the second water supply pipe 28. In addition, joints 31 and 32 are attached to the ends of the second air supply pipe 24 and the second water supply pipe 28, respectively, and the air supply pipe 33 and the water supply pipe 34 on the endoscope side, respectively, are provided with joints 31 and 32. It is designed to be connected to. The air supply pipe line 33 and the water supply pipe line 34 join together on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion section] 3 to form an air supply and water supply pipe line 35.
5 is a nozzle 3 that opens toward the observation window at the tip of the endoscope.
It is connected to 6. 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, a second suction line 38 is connected to the suction bottle 20 . In addition, a fourth electromagnetic valve (V4) 39 which is a suction valve is provided in the second suction pipe line 38.
A third suction conduit 40 is connected thereto.

A joint 41 is attached to the end of this third suction line 40, and is connected to a suction line 42 on the endoscope side. A leak pipe 42 is branched off from the second suction pipe 38 and communicates with the atmosphere via a fifth electromagnetic valve (V5) 43, which is a leak means. or,
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 and sixth solenoid valves 23
．． 27, 29, 39, 43, and 45 are each electrically connected to a control unit 46 that controls air supply, water supply, and suction. On the other hand, this control section 46 includes switches (SW1) 47 and (SW2) 4 provided on the operation section 12 of the endoscope 11.
8, (SW3) 49, and video processor], switch (SW4) 50, (,5W5) 5 provided on the exterior of 6
1 is connected.

In such a configuration, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 2, air and water are normally supplied during endoscopy using a switch 47 provided on the operating section 12.

This is done by turning on and off the switch 48. That is, when air is to be supplied, when the switch 47 is turned on, the first electromagnetic valve 23 is opened by the control section 46, and air is supplied through the air supply pipe 33. On the other hand, for normal water supply, turn the switch 48 to O.
By doing so, the control unit 46 similarly opens the second electromagnetic valve 27, and the cleaning water is sent to the water supply pipe 34.

In order to control mucosal adhesion prevention suction to prevent mucosal adsorption, the switch 50 is first turned on. This switch 50 is a switch for switching between normal suction and suction to prevent mucous membrane adsorption. When this switch 50 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. And switch 49
When turned OFF, the fifth solenoid valve 43
is opened, and the fourth solenoid valve 39 is simultaneously turned off. 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.

Moreover, automatic suction after water supply is performed by the following operation.

First, switch 51 is turned on. This switch 51 is a switch for switching between normal water supply and a mode in which automatic suction is performed after water supply. When this switch 51 is in the ON state and the switch 48 is turned on, the control unit 46 opens the second solenoid valve 27 from the standby state and at the same time opens the fifth solenoid valve 4.
3 is quiet and water is supplied. When the switch 48 is turned off, the second solenoid valve 27 becomes idle and the fourth solenoid valve 39 simultaneously opens momentarily.

Furthermore, when the fourth solenoid valve 39 becomes idle, the fifth solenoid valve 43
is opened, works with the atmosphere, and returns to the standby state. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, the suction pressure in the suction line from the suction pump 21 to the second suction line 38 is increased during water supply, and the increased suction pressure automatically causes a momentary drop after water supply. It is capable of suction.

FIG. 5 relates to a second embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve. In the pipeline diagram shown in FIG.
3 is connected to a first air supply line 54, and this first air line 54 is connected to a second air line 56 via a first solenoid valve (Vl) 55. 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 . A first water supply pipe line 59 is further connected to the water supply tank 58,
The second water supply pipe 61 via the second solenoid valve (V2) 60
are connected. The first air supply pipe line 54 and the second water supply pipe line 61 communicate with each other through a water supply pipe water removal pipe line 63 having a third electromagnetic valve (V3) 62. This third solenoid 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 a first gas pipe line 65 is connected to the gas cylinder 64, which also serves as an air supply line for sending gas and air through a fourth solenoid valve (V4) 66. Two gas pipe lines 67 are connected.

The second gas pipeline 67 and the first air supply pipeline 54 are an air supply pipeline 6 for gas pipeline water removal having a fifth solenoid valve (V5) 68.
It is communicated with. Furthermore, the second gas pipe line 67 and the first
The water supply pipe 59 communicates with a gas pipe (also an air supply pipe) cleaning pipe 71 having a sixth electromagnetic valve (V6) 70.

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 for reliable water removal. In addition, a second air supply pipe line 56, a second gas pipe line 67, a second water supply pipe line 61
Joints 72, 73, and 74 are attached to the ends of the pipes, respectively, and are connected to an air supply pipe line 75, a gas pipe line 76, and a water supply pipe line 77, respectively, on the endoscope side. 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 that it can move forward and backward, and when the button 78 is pushed further, the switch is turned on.
A switch (SWI) 80 is provided. In addition, the air supply pipe line 75 has a button 78 provided on the operation section 12.
A check valve 81 is provided at a position closer to the insertion portion, and a gas pipe line 76 communicates with the reverse valve 81 further toward the distal end of the insertion portion. Furthermore, the air supply pipe line 75 and the water supply pipe 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. On the other hand, in the suction pipe system, a suction pump 83 and a first suction pipe line 84 are connected and communicated with a suction bottle 85 . A second suction pipe line 86 is connected to the suction bottle 85.
is also connected, and the second suction line 86 is connected to the seventh solenoid valve (V7
) 87.

Further, a suction leak pipe 88 is branched and connected to the middle of the second suction pipe 86, and an eighth electromagnetic valve (V8) 89
It communicates with the atmosphere through. In addition, the seventh solenoid valve (V
7) A third suction pipe line 90 is connected to 87, and a joint 91
It communicates with a suction conduit 92 provided within the endoscope via. The suction conduit 92 communicates with a channel opening opened at the distal end of the insertion section 13. The first to eighth solenoid valves 55, 60, 62 . connected in this way.
66, 68, 70, 87, 89 are electrically connected to the control unit 9.
Connected to 3. On the other hand, this control section 93 includes switches (SWl) 80 and (SW1) provided in the operation section of the endoscope 11.
2) 94 and a switch (SW195) provided on the exterior of the video processor 16 are connected.

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 normal water supply, switch 8
0 is turned on, the switch 80 is turned on, the control section 93 detects the signal, and the first solenoid valve 55 is turned on.
and at the same time open the second solenoid valve 60. Thereby, the cleaning water is sent to the water supply pipe 77 and water supply is performed.

Next, suction is performed by turning on the switch 94.

By turning on the switch 94, the control section 93 detects the signal, opens the seventh solenoid valve 87, and at the same time makes the eighth solenoid valve 89 idle.

Then, to end the suction, turn off the switch 94. The eighth solenoid valve returns to the standby state.

Note that the suction pump 83 is continuously operated even during normal endoscopy. Therefore, in the standby state, as shown in the timing chart of FIG.
is in the open state, and the eighth solenoid valve 89 is in the open state, and the negative pressure in the suction pipe generated by the suction pump is sucked into the leak pipe 8.
8 is released into the atmosphere.

Automatic suction after water supply is performed by turning on the switch 95. This switch 95 is a switch for switching between normal water supply and automatic suction after water supply.
5 to ON state, press button 78 and switch 80
When turned ON, the first solenoid valve 55 becomes idle and at the same time, the second solenoid valve 60 opens. In addition, an eighth solenoid valve 89
is also turned off at the same time, stopping the suction line from leaking to the atmosphere.

In this state, water is fed until the switch 80 is turned off, and the suction pressure is increased during water feeding. And switch 8
When 0 is turned off, the first solenoid valve 55 is opened and the second solenoid valve 60 is also turned off at the same time. Furthermore, the seventh electromagnetic valve 87 is also opened at the same time to perform suction for a certain period of time, and then closed after the elapse of a certain period of time. In conjunction with this, the eighth solenoid valve 89 is opened, returning to the standby state, and completing automatic suction after water supply.

In this way, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained even in the automatic suction after water supply in the second embodiment.

Although the second embodiment uses electromagnetic valve control, the operating method is the same as that of a conventional mechanical air/water supply/suction control device, so even a surgeon who is familiar with conventional mechanical operating methods can operate it without any confusion. can be done.

Furthermore, the instantaneous automatic suction timing in these embodiments can be arbitrarily varied. In these embodiments, it is possible to prevent the water from becoming extremely dry after the water supply is stopped.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the configuration of the present invention, even though a safe pump with a low cut-off pressure is used, leakage to the atmosphere in the suction pipe is stopped during water supply, and the suction pressure can be increased. By increasing the pressure, water droplets on the objective lens can be automatically suctioned for a moment with high suction pressure after water is supplied.

Therefore, the effect of suctioning and removing water droplets on the objective lens is increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a pipeline diagram of an air/water/suction 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. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an electronic endoscope device as an example of an endoscope,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal pressure of the suction pipe line of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a pipe diagram of the air/water supply/suction device showing the second embodiment, and FIG.
The figure is also a time chart showing the operation timing of each switch and each valve in the second embodiment. 20.85...Suction tank 2L 83...Suction pump 22.24, 33, 54, 56, 75, 67°76...
・Air supply pipe line 23.27, 29, 39.4B, 45, 55° 60.6
2, 66.68, 70, 87.89... Valve 26.28, 34, 59, 61.77... Water pipe 36, fist, nozzle 37.38, 40, 42, 84, 86, 90゜92...
・Suction pipe line 43.89...Leak means 46.93...Control unit Patent applicant Olympus Optical Industry Co., Ltd. Figure 3 Diagram 4 T1 = 0.1 sec to 1 sec Beoff'ot = -, F' side Interior Minister At side Figure 5 May 25, 1990

Claims (1)

[Claims] An air pump supplies air and a water tank to the objective lens provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion section, a nozzle that opens toward the lens, and an air supply pipe and a water supply pipe that communicate with the nozzle. an air/water supply control means for supplying water through the nozzle and supplying air and water from the nozzle; a suction conduit having a suction port near the objective lens; and a suction conduit from the suction port via the suction conduit. In the air/water supply/suction device for an endoscope, the air/water supply/suction device for an endoscope has a suction means that performs suction by opening/closing control of a suction valve provided in the endoscope, and a leak means for communicating the suction pipe line with the atmosphere during suction standby; An air/water supply/suction device for an endoscope, comprising a suction control means that stops during a water supply operation and automatically performs a suction operation when the water supply operation ends.