Combination pipe for auxiliary water supply connector of endoscope

Abstract

The invention provides a low-cost coupling pipe capable of preventing water leakage between the coupling pipe and an auxiliary water supply connector. A coupling pipe for an auxiliary water supply port of an endoscope according to the present invention is used for connecting a pipe unit provided in a water supply device to the auxiliary water supply port of the endoscope, the auxiliary water supply port having a flange portion on the outer peripheral surface thereof, the coupling pipe for the auxiliary water supply port having a tubular coupling pipe body made of a synthetic resin, the coupling tube main body is connected to the auxiliary water supply port of the endoscope at one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling tube main body, and when the coupling tube main body is connected to the auxiliary water supply port of the endoscope, the end surface of the one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling tube main body is in the shape of a convex surface. The pressing member is held in a state of being pressed against an end surface of the flange portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling tube for an auxiliary water supply interface of an endoscope, which is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface arranged on the endoscope. Background Art

[0002] In the medical field, inspections or surgeries using endoscopes are becoming popular. In such an endoscope, in addition to the air supply port or the water supply port, an auxiliary water supply port is provided on the front end surface of the insertion portion inserted into the patient's body cavity, wherein the auxiliary water supply port is a portion used to flush the target part in the patient's body cavity when the treatment tool is used through the forceps hole. For example, in an endoscope having an auxiliary water supply port, a hole (auxiliary water supply hole) is provided to connect the auxiliary water supply port and the interface (auxiliary water supply interface), wherein the auxiliary water supply port is provided in a nozzle provided on the front end of the insertion portion, and the interface (auxiliary water supply interface) is provided on a connection portion connected to a light source device (for example, refer to patent document 1). The auxiliary water supply interface provided on the connection portion is a component made of a metal material such as stainless steel, for example, connected to a coupling tube (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a metal coupling tube) formed of the same material as the auxiliary water supply interface, thereby delivering physiological saline from the auxiliary water supply pipe unit connected to the water supply device to the auxiliary water supply hole via the metal coupling tube.

[0003] The metal coupling pipe has: a cylindrical component, one end of which in the direction of the central axis is inserted into the auxiliary water supply interface, and the other end in the direction of the central axis is connected to the auxiliary water supply pipe unit; a fixing component, which is fastened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply interface when the cylindrical component is inserted. When the metal coupling pipe is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface, the conical surface provided on one end of the cylindrical component is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the auxiliary water supply interface. In this way, water leakage between the metal coupling pipe and the auxiliary water supply interface can be prevented.

[0004] [Prior art literature]

[0005] [Patent Literature]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-057637 Summary of the invention

[0007] (Problems to be solved by the invention)

[0008] For example, as a part of anti-infection countermeasures, an endoscope used in an inspection or surgery is sterilized after being rinsed. In addition, the metal coupling tube is installed on the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope when preparing for an inspection or surgery, and is removed from the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope after the inspection or surgery. When the metal coupling tube is repeatedly installed or removed relative to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope, the fixing component or the auxiliary water supply interface will wear, so that the fastening of the fixing component to the auxiliary water supply interface deteriorates. As a result, the crimping state between the tapered surface provided on one end of the tubular component and the tapered surface provided on the inner circumferential surface of the auxiliary water supply interface deteriorates, thereby leaking water from the auxiliary water supply interface and the coupling tube. In this case, the metal coupling tube needs to be repaired or replaced, but the repair or replacement of the metal coupling tube requires cost. Therefore, a low-cost coupling tube is desired that can prevent water leakage between the auxiliary water supply interface and the auxiliary water supply interface when connected to the auxiliary water supply interface.

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost joint pipe capable of preventing water leakage from occurring between the joint and the auxiliary water supply port when the joint is connected to the auxiliary water supply port.

[0010] (Solutions to solve problems)

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the auxiliary water supply interface coupling pipe of the endoscope of the present invention is used to connect the pipe unit provided in the water supply device to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope, wherein the auxiliary water supply interface has a flange portion on its outer peripheral surface, and the auxiliary water supply interface coupling pipe has the following characteristics:

[0012] The coupling tube for the auxiliary water supply interface has a cylindrical coupling tube body made of synthetic resin, and the coupling tube body is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope at one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling tube body, and when the coupling tube body is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope, the end face of the coupling tube body at one end side in the central axis direction is maintained in a state of being crimped against the end face of the flange portion.

[0013] In addition, preferably: the combined pipe body has: a first space, which is arranged on the other end side in the direction of the central axis of the combined pipe body, for the liquid from the pipe unit to flow in; a second space, which is arranged on one end side in the direction of the central axis of the combined pipe body, for sending the liquid flowing into the first space to the inside of the auxiliary water supply interface connected to the combined pipe body; and a third space, which is arranged between the first space and the second space, and the cross-sectional area orthogonal to the direction of the central axis of the combined pipe body is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first space and the second space; the inner diameter of the second space is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the end face of the flange portion of the auxiliary water supply interface, and the outer diameter of the combined pipe body is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the end face of the flange portion of the auxiliary water supply interface.

[0014] In addition, it is preferred that: the auxiliary water supply interface has a male threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the auxiliary water supply interface, and the connecting pipe main body has a female threaded portion on the inner peripheral surface of the second space that is screwed into the male threaded portion provided on the auxiliary water supply interface, and the connecting pipe main body is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface in a state in which the male threaded portion and the female threaded portion are screwed into each other.

[0015] In addition, it is preferred that: the check valve fixed on one end of the pipe unit is connected to the other end of the two ends of the combined pipe body in the direction of the central axis of the combined pipe body, wherein the other end is the end on the opposite side of the end connected to the auxiliary water supply interface.

[0016] (Effects of the Invention)

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low-cost joint pipe that prevents water leakage from occurring between the joint and the sub-water supply port when the joint is connected to the sub-water supply port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope system according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the structure of the nozzle tip provided in the insertion portion of the endoscope.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing a state before a coupling pipe for a sub-water supply port is attached to the sub-water supply port provided in the endoscope connection portion.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the auxiliary water supply interface and the connecting pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface provided on the endoscope connection portion.

[0022] Figure 5It is a partial cross-sectional view showing a state in which a check valve is connected to a coupling pipe for an auxiliary water supply interface, wherein the coupling pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface is connected to an auxiliary water supply interface provided on a connection portion of an endoscope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope system 10 includes an endoscope 21, a water supply device 22, a water supply tank 23, and a pump tube unit 24. The pump tube unit 24 is equivalent to the tube unit described in the claims.

[0024] The endoscope 21 includes an operating handle 31, an endoscope insertion portion 32, a universal tube 33, and a connection portion 34. The operating handle 31 includes a plurality of operating portions 36, a forceps insertion portion 37, and the like. The plurality of operating portions 36 include various buttons such as an air / water supply button 39, a suction button 40, and a shutter button 41 in addition to a bending knob 38. By rotating the bending knob 38, the bending portion 32a provided at the front end side of the endoscope insertion portion 32 is bent. By operating the air / water supply button 39, the observation hole 51 or the lighting holes 52, 53 provided at the front end of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32 are flushed. By operating the suction button 40, waste in the body cavity (including liquid after flushing the target part in the body cavity) is sucked in by the forceps opening 55 provided at the front end of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32. By operating the shutter button 41 , an image of a target site in a body cavity or the like is captured using an image capturing device (not shown) provided inside the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 32 .

[0025] A treatment tool such as forceps (for doctors) is inserted into the forceps insertion portion 37. When the endoscope 21 is not used, a forceps plug is attached to the forceps insertion portion 37.

[0026] The endoscope insertion portion 32 has an air supply channel and a water supply channel (not shown) inside thereof, and also has a light guide 42, a forceps channel 43, and an auxiliary water supply channel 44 inside thereof. It should be noted that the light guide 42 and the auxiliary water supply channel 44 extend from the endoscope insertion portion 32 to the connection portion 34 via the universal tube 33. A treatment tool such as forceps is inserted through the forceps channel 43. Although not shown in the figure, a suction channel (not shown) extending to the universal tube 33 and the connection portion 34 is connected to the upper end of the forceps channel 43.

[0027] The light guide 42 guides light emitted from a light source device (not shown) connected to the connection portion 34 to the illumination holes 52 and 53 provided at the front end of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32. The forceps channel 43 guides treatment tools such as forceps inserted from the forceps insertion portion 37 provided on the operating handle 31 to the forceps port 55 provided at the front end of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32. The auxiliary water supply channel 44 guides liquid delivered from the pump tube unit 24 connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 described later to the auxiliary water supply port 56 provided at the front end of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32.

[0028] The universal pipe 33 connects the operating handle 31 and the connecting portion 34. The universal pipe 33 has a light guide 42, a subsidiary water supply channel 44, a suction channel (not shown), etc. inside.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the front end surface of the nozzle 32b of the endoscope insertion portion 32 includes: an observation hole 51, lighting holes 52, 53, an air / water supply nozzle 54, a forceps port 55, an auxiliary water supply port 56, etc. It should be noted that the structure of the nozzle 32b is only an example, and the type or position of the opening provided on the nozzle 32b can be appropriately set.

[0030] The observation hole 51 allows an objective lens 57 of a photographing device disposed inside the front end of the endoscope insertion portion 32 to be exposed. The objective lens 57 inputs an observation image of the target part in the body cavity into the photographing device. The lighting holes 52 and 53 emit light guided by the light guide 42 as illumination light to the target part in the body cavity and the vicinity of the target part. The air / water supply nozzle 54 sprays air or liquid to the observation hole 51 or the lighting holes 52 and 53, thereby flushing the observation hole 51 or the lighting holes 52 and 53 and the vicinity thereof. The forceps opening 55 allows the front end of a treatment tool such as a forceps inserted from the forceps insertion portion 37 to enter and exit. The auxiliary water supply port 56 sprays liquid that is driven by the water supply device 22 and transported to the auxiliary water supply channel 44 of the endoscope 21 via the pump tube unit 24.

[0031] return Figure 1 The connection portion 34 includes a light source connection portion 61 connectable to a light source device (not shown), and a sub-water supply port 62 connectable to the pump tube unit 24 or a suction port (not shown).

[0032] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the auxiliary water supply interface 62 provided on the connection portion 34 of the endoscope 21 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface connecting pipe 81. The auxiliary water supply interface connecting pipe 81 is connected to a check valve 82 connected to one end of the pump tube unit 24. Hereinafter, the auxiliary water supply interface connecting pipe 81 is referred to as a connecting pipe (connector) 81 for explanation. In addition, the structure of the connecting pipe 81 will be described later.

[0033] The auxiliary water supply interface 62 is a cylindrical component having an insertion portion 71 and a flange portion 72 and made of a metal material such as stainless steel. When the coupling pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the insertion portion 71 is inserted into the second flow channel 91b of the coupling pipe 81. The insertion portion 71 has a male thread portion 74 on its outer peripheral surface, and when the coupling pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the male thread portion 74 is screwed (threadedly connected) with the female thread portion 93 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the coupling pipe 81 facing the second flow channel 91b.

[0034] The flange portion 72 is a portion provided to hold the mounting portion of the cover (not shown) on the auxiliary water supply interface 62. The flange portion 72 has an end face 72a on the side of the insertion portion 71 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 and a tapered surface 72b that decreases in diameter toward the end face 72a. In addition, the flange portion 72 only needs to allow the end face 95 of the coupling pipe 81 to be pressed against the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 when the coupling pipe 81 is connected. Therefore, the flange portion may not have the above-mentioned tapered surface 72b, and the details will be described later.

[0035] Here, the outer diameter D1 of the end face 72a on the side of the insertion portion 71 of the flange portion 72 is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter D2 of the male thread portion 74. In addition, the outer diameter D1 of the end face 72a is larger than the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b of the connecting pipe 81 described later, and smaller than the outer diameter D8 of the connecting pipe body 90 of the connecting pipe 81. Therefore, when the connecting pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the peripheral portion of the second flow channel 91b in one end face of the connecting pipe 81 is maintained in a state of abutting against the end face 72a of the flange portion 72. Here, the outer diameter D2 of the male thread portion 74 is, for example, D2=3.68mm. In addition, the outer diameter D1 of the end face 72a on the side of the insertion portion 71 of the flange portion 72 is set to be larger than the outer diameter D2 of the male thread portion 74, for example, by about 0.52mm.

[0036] In addition, the auxiliary water supply interface 62 has a flow channel 76 that communicates with the auxiliary water supply hole 44. When the connecting pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the flow channel 76 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 communicates with the flow channel 91 of the connecting pipe 81. In addition, the inner diameter D3 of the flow channel 76 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 is, for example, D3 = 0.8 mm. Here, the flow channel 76 is equivalent to the interface side flow channel described in the claims.

[0037] return Figure 1 The water supply device 22 is a device that delivers the liquid stored in the water supply tank 23 to the endoscope 21 under the drive of a built-in pump (not shown). It should be noted that the water supply device 22 is driven by pressing a foot switch (not shown) or the like. When the water supply device 22 is driven, the water supply volume of the liquid delivered by the pump tube unit 24 is set to 700 ml / min, for example.

[0038] The pump tube unit 24 includes a pump tube 86, a water supply tube 87 with a filter connected to one end side of the pump tube 86 in the extension direction, and a water supply tube 88 connected to the other end side of the pump tube 86 in the extension direction. The other end of the water supply tube 87 with a filter in the extension direction is connected to the water supply tank 23, wherein the other end is the end on the opposite side of the one end connected to the pump tube 86. In addition, the other end of the water supply tube 88 in the extension direction is connected to the check valve 82, wherein the other end is the end on the opposite side of the one end connected to the pump tube 86. The pump tube 86 is installed in the water supply device 22, and when the water supply device 22 is driven, the liquid accumulated in the water supply tank 23 is introduced into the pump tube 86 through the water supply tube 87 with a filter, and the liquid introduced into the pump tube 86 is sent to the water supply tube 88.

[0039] Here, the inner diameter and outer diameter of the pump tube 86 used in the pump tube unit 24 are, for example, 6.6 mm and 9.7 mm, respectively. The inner diameter and outer diameter of the water supply pipe with filter and the water supply pipe are, for example, 4 mm and 6.0 mm, respectively.

[0040] The check valve 82 allows the liquid delivered from the pump tube unit 24 to flow to the auxiliary water supply channel 44 of the endoscope 21, and prevents the liquid from flowing back from the auxiliary water supply channel 44 of the endoscope 21. The check valve 82 has a luer connector 82a and a luer lock portion 82b at one end in the direction of the center axis (L). When the check valve 82 is connected to the coupling tube 81, the luer connector 82a is inserted into the first flow channel 91a of the coupling tube 81, and the male threaded portion 92 of the coupling tube 81 is screwed into the female threaded portion (not shown) provided inside the luer lock portion 82b. Then, when the check valve 82 is fastened to the coupling tube 81, the outer peripheral surface of the luer connector 82a is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 98 of the coupling tube 81 facing the first flow channel 91a (refer to Figure 5 It should be noted that, although the check valve 82 and the connecting pipe 81 are provided as independent components, the check valve 82 and the connecting pipe 81 may be integrated into one component.

[0041] As described above, the connecting pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply port 62. The connecting pipe 81 is a single component having a cylindrical connecting pipe body 90 made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, nylon, fluororesin, ABS resin, or polycarbonate.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, in the coupling tube 81, one end portion in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube 81 functions as a female threaded hole, and the other end portion in the direction of the central axis (L) functions as a female Luer coupling tube (luer connector). The coupling tube 81 has a flow channel 91 extending in the direction of the central axis (L). The flow channel 91 is composed of a first flow channel 91a that functions as a female Luer coupling tube portion, a second flow channel 91b that functions as a female threaded hole, and a third flow channel 91c that connects the first flow channel 91a and the second flow channel 91b. Here, the first flow channel 91a, the second flow channel 91b, and the third flow channel 91c are respectively equivalent to the first space, the second space, and the third space described in the claims. It should be noted that the diameter of the second flow channel 91b is slightly enlarged from the bottom surface toward one end portion (end surface 95 side) in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube 81.

[0043] In these flow channels 91a, 91b, and 91c, the minimum value D5 of the inner diameter of the first flow channel 91a is set to be the same as or slightly larger than the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b. In addition, the inner diameter D7 of the third flow channel 91c is set to be smaller than the minimum value D5 of the inner diameter of the first flow channel 91a and the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b. The minimum value D5 of the inner diameter of the first flow channel 91a is, for example, 3.75 mm, the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b is, for example, 3.7 mm, and the inner diameter D7 of the third flow channel 91c is, for example, 1.8 mm. It should be noted that the inner diameter D7 of the third flow channel 91c only needs to be smaller than the minimum value D5 of the inner diameter of the first flow channel 91a and the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b, and therefore, the inner diameter D7 of the third flow channel 91c is preferably, for example, in the range of 0.8 mm to 3.3 mm.

[0044] The connecting tube 81 has a male threaded portion 92 on the outer peripheral surface of one end portion provided with the first flow channel 91a in the direction of the central axis (L) of the connecting tube 81. When the check valve 82 is connected to the connecting tube 81, the male threaded portion 92 is screwed into a female threaded portion (not shown) provided on the check valve 82.

[0045] The connecting pipe 81 has a female thread portion 93 on the inner peripheral surface facing the second flow path 91 b. When the connecting pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply port 62, the female thread portion 93 is screwed into the male thread portion 74 provided on the auxiliary water supply port 62.

[0046] Next, the function of the coupling pipe 81 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0047] When the endoscope 21 is used for inspection or surgery, the coupling tube 81 is fastened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 provided on the connection portion 34 of the endoscope 21. When the coupling tube 81 is fastened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the peripheral portion of the end face 95 of the coupling tube 81 connected to the second flow channel 91b is held in a state of being pressed against the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62, wherein the end face 95 is the end face on the end side connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the two end portions in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube 81. As described above, the outer diameter of the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 is larger than the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b, and smaller than the outer diameter D8 of the coupling tube body 90. In addition, since the auxiliary water supply interface 62 is made of a metal material and the connecting pipe body 90 is made of a synthetic resin, when the connecting pipe 81 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, due to the hardness difference between the auxiliary water supply interface 62 and the connecting pipe 81, the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 slightly cuts into the end face 95 of the connecting pipe 81. In addition, the front end face 71a of the insertion portion 71 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 may abut against the step face 97 between the second flow channel 91b and the third flow channel 91c, or may be separated with a small gap.

[0048] After the coupling tube 81 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 provided on the connection portion 34 of the endoscope 21, the check valve 82 fixed to the pump tube unit 24 is fastened to the other end portion in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube 81. In this way, the pump tube unit 24 and the endoscope 21 are connected.

[0049] In addition, the structure is as follows: after the connecting pipe 81 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the check valve 82 installed on one end of the water supply pipe 88 of the pump pipe unit 24 is fastened to the connecting pipe 81, but it can also be configured as follows: Figure 3 As shown, after the coupling pipe 81 is fastened and fixed to the check valve 82 installed on one end of the water supply pipe 88 of the pump pipe unit 24 , the coupling pipe 81 is fastened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply port 62 .

[0050] When the endoscope 21 is used for inspection or surgery, when the water supply device 22 is driven, the pump of the water supply device 22 is driven to send the liquid introduced into the pump tube 86 of the pump tube unit 24 to the water supply pipe 88. Then, the liquid accumulated in the water supply tank 23 is sucked back into the pump tube 86 of the pump tube unit 24 via the water supply pipe 87 with a filter.

[0051] When the water supply device 22 is driven, the liquid introduced into the pump tube 86 is repeatedly sent to the water supply pipe 88, and the liquid accumulated in the water supply tank 23 is sucked into the pump tube 86. In this way, the liquid accumulated in the water supply tank 23 is intermittently sent from the pump tube 86 to the water supply pipe 88. As described above, when the water supply device 22 is driven, the water supply amount of the liquid in the pump tube unit 24 is 700ml. At this time, the pressure of the liquid sent from the pump tube 86 to the water supply pipe 88 is, for example, 0.35MPa.

[0052] The liquid sent from the pump pipe 86 to the water supply pipe 88 flows to the connecting pipe 81 through the check valve 82. The liquid flowing to the connecting pipe 81 flows in the flow channels 91 provided in the connecting pipe 81 in the order of the first flow channel 91a, the third flow channel 91c, and the second flow channel 91b. At this time, since the inner diameter D7 of the third flow channel 91c is smaller than the inner diameters of the first flow channel 91a and the second flow channel 91b, the third flow channel 91c acts as an orifice. That is, the pressure of the liquid flowing to the second flow channel 91b through the third flow channel 91c is less than or equal to the pressure of the liquid flowing in the first flow channel 91a.

[0053] As described above, the coupling tube 81 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, so the liquid flowing into the second flow channel 91b of the coupling tube 81 flows to the flow channel 76 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62. At this time, the inner diameter D3 of the flow channel 76 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 is smaller than the minimum value D6 of the inner diameter of the second flow channel 91b of the coupling tube 81. Therefore, a part of the liquid flowing into the second flow channel 91b of the coupling tube 81 is retained in the space between the second flow channel 91b and the insertion portion 71 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62. At this time, the end face 95 in the direction of the center axis (L) of the coupling tube 81 is pressed against the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking between the two.

[0054] When the inspection or surgery using the endoscope 21 is completed, the coupling tube 81 is removed from the auxiliary water supply port 62 and discarded together with the check valve 82 or the pump tube unit 24 to which the check valve 82 is connected.

[0055] <About the effect>

[0056] The coupling tube 81 for the auxiliary water supply interface of the present embodiment is used to connect the pump tube unit 24 arranged in the water supply device 22 to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21, wherein the auxiliary water supply interface 62 has a flange portion 72 on its own outer peripheral surface, and the coupling tube 81 for the auxiliary water supply interface has a cylindrical coupling tube body 90 made of synthetic resin, and the coupling tube body 90 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21 at one end side in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube body 90, and when the coupling tube body 90 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21, the end face 95 at one end side in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling tube body 90 is maintained in a state of being crimped onto the end face 72a of the flange portion 72.

[0057] By configuring in this way, when the auxiliary water supply interface coupling tube 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21, the end face 95 of the coupling tube body 90 is pressed against the end face 72a of the flange portion 72, so that the auxiliary water supply interface coupling tube 81 and the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21 are kept liquid-tight, thereby preventing water from leaking between the auxiliary water supply interface coupling tube 81 and the auxiliary water supply interface 62 of the endoscope 21 when the liquid is transported by driving the water supply device 22. In addition, the auxiliary water supply interface coupling tube 81 is a single component made of synthetic resin, thereby providing a coupling tube (connector) with a simple structure and low cost. In addition, this coupling tube is a disposable product that can be discarded together with the pump tube unit 24, etc. after the inspection or operation of the target part is performed using the endoscope.

[0058] In addition, the connecting pipe body 90 has: a first flow channel 91a, which is arranged on the other end side in the direction of the central axis (L) of the connecting pipe body 90, for the liquid from the pump tube unit 24 to flow in; a second flow channel 91b, which is arranged on one end side in the direction of the central axis (L) of the connecting pipe body 90, and is used to deliver the liquid to the inside of the auxiliary water supply interface 62 connected to the connecting pipe body 90; and a third flow channel 91c, which is arranged between the first flow channel 91a and the second flow channel 91b, and the cross-sectional area orthogonal to the direction of the central axis (L) of the connecting pipe body 90 is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first flow channel 91a and the second flow channel 91b, the inner diameter of the first flow channel 91a is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62, and the outer diameter of the connecting pipe body 90 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62.

[0059] By such a configuration, the liquid conveyed by the pump tube unit 24 through the water supply device 22 flows in the order of the first flow channel 91a, the third flow channel 91c, and the second flow channel 91b of the coupling tube 81. At this time, the cross-sectional area of ​​the third flow channel 91c is smaller than that of the first flow channel 91a, so the third flow channel 91c functions as a throttling hole to suppress the pressure of the liquid flowing to the second flow channel 91b after passing through the third flow channel 91c. In addition, a portion of the liquid flowing into the second flow channel 91b flows to the flow channel 76 of the auxiliary water supply interface 62, and the remaining portion remains in the space between the second flow channel 91b and the auxiliary water supply interface 62. However, since the peripheral portion of the second flow channel 91b in the end face 95 in the direction of the central axis (L) of the coupling pipe body 90 is crimped onto the flange portion 72 provided on the auxiliary water supply interface 62, and depending on the situation, the end face 72a of the flange portion 72 provided on the auxiliary water supply interface 62 is maintained in a state of cutting into the end face 95 of the coupling pipe body 90, a liquid-tight (liquid-tight) state between the two is ensured, thereby preventing water leakage.

[0060] In addition, the auxiliary water supply interface 62 has a male threaded portion 74 on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the auxiliary water supply interface 62, and the connecting pipe body 90 has a female threaded portion 93 on the inner peripheral surface of the above-mentioned second flow channel 91b, which is screwed into the male threaded portion 74 arranged on the auxiliary water supply interface 62. The connecting pipe body 90 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 in a state where the male threaded portion 74 and the female threaded portion 93 are screwed together, thereby connecting the connecting pipe body 90 and the auxiliary water supply interface 62.

[0061] With such a configuration, the coupling pipe body 90 can be easily attached to the sub-water supply port 62 without providing a fixing member for fixing the coupling pipe body 90 to the sub-water supply port 62 .

[0062] In addition, a check valve 82 fixed on one end of the pump tube unit 24 is connected to the other end of the connecting pipe body 90 in the direction of the central axis (L) of the connecting pipe body 90, wherein the other end is the end on the opposite side of the end connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62.

[0063] With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from between the check valve 82 and the connecting pipe 81 .

[0064] In addition, when the coupling pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62, the auxiliary water supply interface 62 side structure which is crimped onto the end surface 95 of the coupling pipe 81 can prevent water leakage when the coupling pipe 81 is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface 62 without setting a new structure.

[0065] (Explanation of symbols)

[0066] 21…Endoscope

[0067] 24…Pump tube unit

[0068] 44…Auxiliary water supply channel

[0069] 62…Auxiliary water supply interface

[0070] 71…Insertion

[0071] 72…Flange

[0072] 72a…end face

[0073] 76…Flower

[0074] 81…Joint pipe for auxiliary water supply interface

[0075] 86…Pump tube

[0076] 90…Combined with pipe body

[0077] 91…Flow channel

[0078] 91a…First runner

[0079] 91b…Second flow channel

[0080] 91c…Third flow channel

[0081] 95…End face

Claims

1. A coupling pipe for an auxiliary water supply interface, which is used to connect a pipe unit provided in a water supply device to an auxiliary water supply interface of an endoscope, wherein: The auxiliary water supply interface has a flange portion on its outer peripheral surface. The feature of the coupling pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface is that The auxiliary water supply interface connecting pipe has a cylindrical connecting pipe body made of synthetic resin. The coupling tube body is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope at one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling tube body, and when the coupling tube body is connected to the auxiliary water supply interface of the endoscope, the end face of the one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling tube body is maintained in a state of being crimped against the end face of the flange portion.

2. The connecting pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface according to claim 1, characterized in that: The combined pipe body has: a first space provided at the other end side in the central axis direction of the combined pipe body and into which the liquid from the pipe unit flows; a second space provided at one end side in the central axis direction of the coupling pipe body and used for delivering the liquid flowing into the first space to the inside of the secondary water supply interface connected to the coupling pipe body, and A third space is disposed between the first space and the second space, and has a cross-sectional area orthogonal to the central axis direction of the coupling tube body that is smaller than the cross-sectional areas of the first space and the second space; The inner diameter of the second space is set to be smaller than the outer diameter of the end surface of the flange portion of the auxiliary water supply interface. The outer diameter of the coupling pipe body is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the end surface of the flange portion of the auxiliary water supply joint.

3. The connecting pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface according to claim 2, characterized in that: The auxiliary water supply interface has a male threaded portion on the outer peripheral surface of the front end portion of the auxiliary water supply interface. The coupling pipe body has a female threaded portion on the inner peripheral surface of the second space, which is threadedly engaged with the male threaded portion provided on the auxiliary water supply port. The coupling pipe body is fastened and fixed on the auxiliary water supply interface in a state where the male thread portion and the female thread portion are screwed together.

4. The connecting pipe for the auxiliary water supply interface according to claim 2, characterized in that: The check valve fixed on one end of the pipe unit is connected to the other end of the two ends of the combined pipe body in the central axis direction of the combined pipe body, wherein the other end is the end on the opposite side of the end connected to the auxiliary water supply interface.

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