JPH0951869A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [PROBLEMS] To provide an endoscope apparatus capable of detecting the high temperature of a surface without touching it with hand and preventing occurrence of a burn or a fall accident. To do. SOLUTION: A high temperature display part 80 is provided on the outer surface part, which changes to a state that can be sensed by human eyes when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope device is connected to a light source device by covering a portion requiring flexibility such as an insertion portion inserted into a body cavity with a flexible tube made of synthetic resin. Portions that require rigidity, such as the connector portion and the operation portion, are covered with a strong metal or plastic.

[0003]

The light source lamp provided in the light source device of the endoscope generates heat, and the heat ray is also included in the illumination light flux incident on the endoscope. Therefore, the temperature around the incident end of the light guide where the illumination light flux converges becomes considerably high. Further, when the endoscope apparatus is sterilized by an autoclave sterilizer or the like, the entire apparatus has a considerably high temperature.

In such a case, in the conventional endoscope apparatus, since the surface temperature of the apparatus can be known only by touching it with a hand, the apparatus in a high temperature state can be touched by someone's head and burned.
There was a case where the device was hot and could be removed and damaged.

Therefore, the present invention provides an endoscope apparatus which can detect that the surface temperature is high without touching it by hand, and can prevent the occurrence of burns or a fall accident. The purpose is to

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention changes into a state in which the outer surface portion is perceived by the human eye when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, It is characterized in that a reversible high temperature display portion is provided which returns to an original state when the temperature falls below a predetermined temperature.

Further, in the endoscope apparatus of the present invention, the incident end portion of the light guide for transmitting the illumination light for illuminating the subject is arranged in the operation portion, and the illumination light is supplied to the light guide. In the endoscope device in which the illumination light supply unit is detachably attached to the operation portion, in the surface portion near the connection portion between the illumination light supply unit and the operation portion,
It is characterized in that a reversible high-temperature display unit is provided, which changes to a state that is perceived by human eyes when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, and returns to the original state when the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature.

The surface portion is preferably a portion that can be touched from the outside. Further, as the high temperature display section, a plurality of high temperature display sections having different discoloration temperatures may be arranged in parallel, and next to the reversible high temperature display section, it is sensed by human eyes when a predetermined temperature or higher is reached. An irreversible high-temperature display unit may be provided in parallel, which does not return to the original state even if the temperature changes to the predetermined temperature and then falls below the predetermined temperature.

[0009]

Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a side view of the operation section 2 portion of the endoscope, and FIG. 3 is a rear view of the operation section 2. There is.

The lower three-quarters portion of the operation portion 2 is a grip portion 2a, and a forceps insertion port portion 4 is provided between the grip portion 2a and the insertion portion 1 so as to project obliquely forward. Has been. Reference numeral 3 is a pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure inside the airtightly configured endoscope.

A suction operation valve 6 for performing a suction operation through a forceps channel (not shown) inserted in the insertion portion 1 in the operation mechanism portion 5 above the grip portion 2a of the operation portion 2.
And a bending operation lever 7 for remotely bending and operating a bending portion (not shown) formed at the distal end portion of the insertion portion 1 are arranged on the front surface and the rear surface, and an eyepiece portion 8 is provided on the upper surface. Has been done.

An illumination light guide fiber bundle 9 for transmitting illumination light for illuminating an object is provided with an incident end portion 9.
a is disposed in the operation mechanism portion 5, passes through the inside of the insertion portion 1 and the inside of the grip portion 2a of the operation portion 2, and the not-shown ejection end portion is disposed at the tip of the insertion portion 1.

The light guide fiber bundle 9
Illumination light supply unit 3 for supplying illumination light to
0 is detachably attached to the side surface portion of the operation mechanism unit 5.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the illumination light supply unit 30, a light bulb 32 that emits illumination light to be supplied to the light guide fiber bundle 9 and a battery that is a power source for lighting the light bulb 32 are provided. 100 etc. are built in.

The battery 100 is replaceable by removing the cap portion 50 detachably attached to the end portion of the illumination light supply unit 30, and an AC / DC adapter can be connected instead of the battery 100. .

FIG. 4 shows the operation unit 2 and the illumination light supply unit 3.
The main body case 11 which shows the vicinity of the connection portion with 0 and covers the operation mechanism portion 5 of the operation portion 2 is made of electrically insulating plastic.

The bearing cylinder 12 which supports the bending operation lever 7 and the suction operation valve 6 are fitted and inserted into separate holes formed in the main body case 11, and are watertightly sealed at each portion. The bearing tube 12 and the base of the suction operation valve 6 are fixed to the metal frame 13 in the operation section 2, respectively.

A lid 15 made of an electrically insulating plastic is fitted into the side opening formed in the main body case 11 and an O-ring 16 for sealing is attached to the fitting surface. Water does not enter the inside of the operation unit 2.

A rotation stopper 2 for restricting relative rotation between the lid 15 and the main body case 11 is provided at the fitting portion.
1 is formed. A support cylinder 17 whose base is fixed to the metal frame 13 in the operation portion 2 is arranged at the central axis position of the through hole formed in the central portion of the lid body 15. Then, the light guide mounting cylinder 18 biased toward the projecting end side by the first compression coil spring 22 mounted between the supporting cylinder 17 and the supporting cylinder 17 projects outward from the projecting end of the supporting cylinder 17. .

However, since the stopper pin 23 protruding from the side surface of the light guide mounting cylinder 18 is engaged in the long groove 24 formed in the support cylinder 17, the light guide mounting cylinder 1
The moving range of 8 is restricted to the range in which the stopper pin 23 can move within the long groove 24.

The incident end of the light guide fiber bundle 9 is screwed and fixed at the central axis position of the light guide mounting barrel 18, and the light guide fiber bundle 9 is incident on the projecting end of the light guide mounting barrel 18. End face 9
The convex meniscus lens 20 is watertightly joined to face a.

A unit socket 27 made of, for example, stainless steel for receiving (connecting) the illumination light supply unit 30 which is attached to and detached from the operating portion 2 is provided in the through hole formed in the lid body 15 toward the outside. It is fitted so as to protrude, and is fixed by being pressed inward by a metal tightening ring 28 screwed into the support cylinder 17.

However, the unit socket 27 and the tightening ring 2
A cylindrical insulating tube 29 made of electrically insulating plastic is interposed between the unit receiving mouth 27 and the tightening ring 28 so that the unit receiving mouth 27 and the tightening ring 28 do not come into contact with each other. The ring 28 is electrically insulated.

An O-ring for sealing is attached to a fitting portion between the respective members arranged inside the hole of the lid body 15, and the operation portion 2 is protected from water from the outside in all portions. It has a watertight structure that does not penetrate. Of course, the insertion portion 1 is also formed in a watertight structure.

The illumination light supply unit 30 is formed in a straight cylindrical shape as a whole, and has a lamp chamber portion 30a near the connection portion with the operation portion 2 and a battery on the side remote from the connection portion with the operation portion 2. It is divided into a chamber portion 30b, and FIG. 4 shows the entire lamp chamber portion 30a. 32a is a light bulb 3
It is a convex lens portion integrally formed at the tip portion of the light bulb 32 so that the light flux emitted from the filament 32b in 2 can be focused forward.

The outer wall of the battery chamber portion 30b is formed by an outer case 31b having good corrosion resistance (chemical resistance), such as stainless steel, metal or plastic with a chemical-resistant surface treatment, and the inside of which is electrically conductive. A cylindrical inner case 31a made of copper or a copper alloy having good properties such as phosphor bronze is inscribed and arranged.

At the boundary between the lamp chamber portion 30a and the battery chamber portion 30b, the lamp socket 33 to which the light bulb 32 is detachably inserted and attached is fixed to the inner case 31a through some components.

The cylindrical lamp chamber case 35a forming the outer wall of the lamp chamber portion 30a is formed of strong stainless steel, for example, and is connected and fixed to the outer case 31b.

Lamp chamber case 35a and outer case 31b
The rotation restricting pin 37 protruding from the lamp chamber case 35a is rotated in the groove 36 formed in the outer case 31b.
Is regulated by engaging with.

A fixed ring 38 fixed to the lamp chamber case 35a by a rotation restricting pin 37 is attached to the outer periphery of the lamp chamber case 35a and is screwed to the outer case 31b. The lamp chamber case 35a and the outer case 31b are sandwiched between and fixed in the axial direction. Reference numeral 39 is an O-ring for sealing the connecting portion between the lamp chamber case 35a and the outer case 31b.

At the tip of the lamp chamber case 35a, a reflecting mirror 3 for converging the illumination light emitted from the light bulb 32 toward the incident end face of the light guide fiber bundle 9.
4 are arranged so as to surround the light bulb 32.

A transparent cover glass 49 in the form of a plane parallel plate is watertightly fixed to the front end surface of the reflecting mirror 34, and is mounted between the lamp chamber case 35a and the reflecting mirror 34.
By the compression coil spring 48 of the cover glass 4
9 and the reflecting mirror 34 are integrally biased toward the light bulb 32 side.

As a result, the second compression coil spring 4
The light-incident surface of the cover glass 49 is pressed against the light-exiting surface of the lens portion 32 a of the light bulb 32 by the urging force of 8, and both surfaces are in close contact with each other.

The urging force of the second compression coil spring 48 is not so strong that the cover glass 49 and the lens portion 32a are damaged by the urging force, and is not so weak that the contact state is separated by the vibration during use. Has been done.

Reference numeral 40 is a stopper for restricting the moving range of the reflecting mirror 34 so that the cover glass 49 and the reflecting mirror 34 do not move too much by the urging force, and the lamp chamber case 35a.
It is attached by screwing to the inner surface of the.

On the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the lamp chamber case 35a,
A male screw that is screwed with a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the unit base 27 is formed, and the illumination light supply unit 30 is connected to the operation unit 2 by connecting both the screws. .

Then, the illumination light emitted from the light bulb 32 passes through the lens portion 32a in the vicinity of the axis and is reflected by the reflecting mirror 34 in the peripheral portion, and then passes through the cover glass 49 and the convex meniscus lens 20 to produce the light. The light is converged and incident on the incident end surface 9a of the guide fiber bundle 9.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 4, the light-incident end surface of the convex meniscus lens 20 is pressed against the light-exiting end surface of the cover glass 49 by the urging force of the first compression coil spring 22, so that both surfaces are in close contact with each other. ing.

The biasing force of the first compression coil spring 22 is the convex meniscus lens 20 and the cover glass 49.
And are not so strong that they are damaged by the urging force, and are not so weak that the contact state is separated by the vibration during use.

Unit socket 27 and lamp chamber case 3
When the screw connection with 5a is released, the illumination light supply unit 30 is removed from the operation section 2. At this time, since the movement range of the light guide mounting cylinder 18 is restricted by the stopper pin 23, the light guide mounting cylinder 18 does not jump out by the urging force of the first compression coil spring 22.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an O for sealing the fitting portion between the lamp chamber case 35a and the unit socket 27 when the illumination light supply unit 30 is connected to the operating portion 2.
It is a ring.

The two electrodes projecting rearward from the light bulb 32 are inserted into the socket 33 so that the connection pin 4 behind the socket 33 is inserted.
2a and 42b are electrically connected. Each connection pin 4
The base ends of 2a and 42b are divided and fixed to two electrode plates 43a and 43b arranged with an insulating plate 44 interposed therebetween.

The positive electrode of the battery 100 is always in contact with the one electrode plate 43a, and the other electrode plate 43a is in contact therewith.
In b, via a holding cylinder 46 made of a highly conductive metal,
The inner case 31a is electrically connected.

These members are surrounded by an electrically insulating cylinder 45, and are pressed and fixed together with the socket 33 to the inner case 31a by a holding nut 47 screwed to the inner case 31a.

FIG. 1 shows a magnified view of the vicinity of the connection between the illumination light supply unit 30 and the operating section 2. The outer surface of the unit receiving cap 27 is almost indistinguishable from the surroundings at room temperature, and has a predetermined size. Temperature (for example, 50 to 60 degrees Celsius)
When the temperature exceeds the range, the color changes, and the characters "high temperature caution" (high temperature display character) 80 that is clearly perceived by the human eye are written. When the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature again, the high temperature display character 80 returns to the original room temperature state.

Such a high-temperature display character 80 has a lactam compound and an electron acceptor which develops a color when contacted with the lactam compound, as described in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-13737. And a desensitizing agent that dissociates the electron acceptor to decolor the mixture, and a reversible temperature-sensitive color-changing dye is used. However, other thermochromic dyes may be used, and dyes that become transparent at high temperatures may be used.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment,
The pressing ring 35b of the illumination light supply unit 30 is exposed for a little longer, and the character "high temperature caution" (high temperature display character) 80 similar to that of the first embodiment is written on the outer surface of that part.

The operation section 2 of the endoscope and the illumination light supply unit 3
The connection portion with 0 is easily touched by a fingertip or the like when the illumination light supply unit 30 is attached or detached, but that portion may be at a high temperature due to the heat emitted from the light bulb 32 of the illumination light supply unit 30.

Therefore, as in the above-described first or second embodiment, the high-temperature display character 80 is marked on the outer surface of the connecting portion between the operating portion 2 and the illumination light supply unit 30, so that the portion is heated at a high temperature. The user can visually perceive that it is dangerous to touch it without touching it with his / her hands.
It is possible to prevent burns and falls from occurring.

Further, the cover glass 4 provided at the connecting portion
The glass parts such as 9 may be broken when they are suddenly immersed in a cold cleaning liquid at a high temperature, but such a breakage accident can be prevented in advance. For such a purpose, the temperature at which the high temperature indication appears may be set according to the resistance of the glass part.

The high-temperature display character 80 may display a symbol, a mark, a design or the like instead of the character, or the color of a part or the whole of the part may change. Then, such display portions may be formed on both sides of the connection portion between the operation portion 2 and the illumination light supply unit 30, and in addition to painting and printing, an adhesive sticker is installed, or a thermosensitive color-changing dye is used. It may be formed by installing silicon rubber or plastic containing it.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention, in which the connecting flexible tube 6 connected to the operating portion 2 is shown.
A light guide fiber bundle 9 is inserted into the light guide fiber 1, and its incident end face 9a is arranged in a light guide connector 62 connected to a light source device (not shown).

Reference numeral 63 denotes an insertion rod made of metal, which is elongated and protrudes from the light guide connector 62 so as to be inserted into the light guide receiver of the light source device, and the incident end face 9a of the light guide fiber bundle 9 is fixed to the tip thereof. ing.

In this embodiment, the entire insertion rod 63 of the light guide connector 62 is coated with a paint containing a thermochromic pigment that changes color when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. The paint is reversible when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, for example, turns red, and when the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature again, the color returns to the original room temperature.

Therefore, immediately after the connector 62 is removed from the light source device after using the endoscope, the hot insertion rod 63 is hot and discolors red, so that the user's attention is called and the burn injury occurs. Accidents can be prevented in advance.

Further, in this embodiment, the entire cover of the plastic operating portion 2 is also coated with a paint containing a thermochromic pigment. Therefore, immediately after the sterilization by the autoclave or the like, the user's attention is drawn so as not to accidentally hold the still hot operating portion 2.

As in the case of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a reversible temperature control temperature indicator 81 similar to the above-mentioned thermochromic dye is used for the operation unit 2 or the light guide connector 62. May be attached to. As the temperature indicator for temperature control, a seal-like material, a paint-like material, a silicone rubber-like material, or the like can be used.

Further, by arranging a plurality of high temperature display portions having different discoloration temperatures side by side, the temperature condition of the endoscope can be judged more correctly. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, if each numeral portion is made of a material that reversibly changes color at the temperature indicated by the numeral, it takes more time to recognize the current temperature more accurately and to lower the temperature. You can also predict the time.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,
An irreversible high temperature display next to the reversible high temperature display section 85 that changes to a state that is perceived by human eyes when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and does not return to the original state even if the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature. The parts 86 may be juxtaposed.

By doing so, the reversible high temperature display section 8
5, the current temperature of the endoscope can be determined, and at the same time, the irreversible high temperature display unit 86 can confirm the temperature history of whether the endoscope is placed in a high temperature environment. It is possible to determine whether or not autoclave sterilization has been completed. However, in this case, the high temperature display portion 86 needs to be replaced every time the endoscope is used. Both the reversible and irreversible high temperature display parts 85, 86
May be exchanged together.

The endoscope apparatus in the present invention includes the endoscope itself and the equipment used by being directly connected to the endoscope.

[0062]

According to the present invention, by providing a high-temperature display unit that changes to a state that can be sensed by human eyes when the temperature exceeds a predetermined value, the user can recognize that the surface temperature is high. Since it can be sensed without touching with, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of burns and fall accidents.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged rear view of an endoscope device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the endoscope device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the endoscope device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view of the endoscope device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged rear view of the endoscope device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the endoscope device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an endoscope device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a temperature control temperature indicating material according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a high temperature display portion according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a high temperature display section according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Operation part 30 Illumination light supply unit 62 Light guide connector 63 Insert rod 80 High temperature display character 81 Temperature control temperature indicator 85 Reversible high temperature display 86 Irreversible high temperature display

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takisuke Adachi 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Kogaku Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Koeda 2-36 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kuniyoshi Kaneko 2-36-36 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Masako Takagi 2-36 Maeno-cho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. 9 Asahi Kogaku Industry Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A reversible high-temperature display unit is provided on the outer surface portion, which changes to a state perceivable by human eyes when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature and returns to the original state when the temperature falls below the predetermined temperature. An endoscope apparatus characterized by the above. 2. An incident end portion of a light guide for transmitting illumination light for illuminating a subject is arranged in the operation portion, and an illumination light supply unit for supplying illumination light to the light guide is provided in the operation portion. In the detachably attached endoscope device, when the temperature of a surface portion near the connecting portion between the illumination light supply unit and the operation portion exceeds a predetermined temperature, it is changed to a state in which it can be sensed by human eyes, An endoscopic device provided with a reversible high-temperature display unit that returns to its original state when the temperature of the device is lowered. 3. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion is a portion that can be touched from the outside with a hand. 4. A plurality of high temperature display portions having different discoloration temperatures are arranged in parallel as the high temperature display portion.
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1. 5. Next to the reversible high temperature display portion, when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the state is changed to be perceivable by human eyes, and the original state is not restored even if the temperature is lowered below the predetermined temperature. An irreversible high-temperature display section is arranged in parallel.
The endoscopic device according to 3 or 4.