Endoscope and gas-water valve thereof

Abstract

The gas-water valve comprises a valve body and a valve element, the valve body is provided with an inner cavity, at least part of the valve element is arranged in the inner cavity in a penetrating mode, and the valve element is sequentially sleeved with a plurality of sealing pieces used for being connected with the inner wall of the valve body in a sealed mode in the axial direction of the valve element. At least one sealing piece is a first sealing piece, when the water channel of the gas-water valve is closed, the first sealing piece and the valve body are arranged in a spaced mode, and when the valve element is pressed to enable the water channel of the gas-water valve to be communicated, the first sealing piece and the valve body are connected in a sealed mode. At least one sealing element is set to be the first sealing element, when the water channel of the gas-water valve is closed, the requirement for the sealing effect of the gas-water valve is not high at the moment, the first sealing element and the valve body can be arranged in a spaced mode, and therefore the pressing difficulty of the valve element can be reduced, and operation of a doctor is facilitated; when the water channel of the gas-water valve is communicated, the first sealing piece is connected with the valve body in a sealing mode, and therefore the sealing effect on water in the gas-water valve can be enhanced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and in particular to an endoscope and an air-water valve thereof. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is an insertion tube equipped with a light and camera. It can be passed through the mouth, into the stomach, or through other natural orifices. Because fluids from the patient's body can adhere to the camera lens, potentially obstructing it and hindering the surgeon's surgical procedure, the device is equipped with an air-water valve. This valve opens a water channel to clean the lens and ensure image clarity.

[0003] In related art, the water channel of an air-water valve is generally closed. Pressing the valve opens the water channel. The air-water valve includes a valve body and a valve core disposed within the valve body. A seal provided on the valve core seals against the inner wall of the valve body to open or close the water channel.

[0004] However, since the setting of the seal makes pressing more difficult, and the endoscope needs to be pressed frequently to flush and clean the lens when in use, the pressing feel of the air and water valve needs to be as light as possible to give the doctor a better experience. Utility Model Content

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an endoscope and its air-water valve to address the problem that the air-water valve has a poor pressing feel.

[0006] An air-water valve for an endoscope, comprising a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body has an inner cavity, the valve core is at least partially disposed within the inner cavity, and a plurality of sealing members are sequentially sleeved on the outer surface of the valve core along the axial direction of the valve core for sealingly connecting with the inner wall of the valve body;

[0007] At least one of the seals is a first seal. When the water channel of the gas-water valve is closed, the first seal is spaced apart from the valve body. When the valve core is pressed to connect the water channel of the gas-water valve, the first seal is sealed and connected to the valve body.

[0008] In one embodiment, at least one step surface is provided in the valve body, and when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the first sealing member is sealedly connected to one of the step surfaces.

[0009] In one embodiment, one end of the valve body is a closed end, and the valve body includes a plurality of pipe segments connected in sequence along the axial direction, and the inner diameters of the plurality of pipe segments decrease in sequence along the direction approaching the closed end, and a step surface is formed between two adjacent pipe segments.

[0010] In one embodiment, a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet are provided on the valve body, one end of the liquid inlet and one end of the liquid outlet are respectively connected to the inner cavity, along the axial direction of the valve body, the liquid inlet is located on the side of the liquid outlet close to the closed end of the valve body, and the first sealing component is located on the side of the liquid outlet away from the liquid inlet.

[0011] In one embodiment, the seal includes a second seal sealed to the inner wall of the valve body, and when the second seal is located between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the water channel of the air-water valve is closed; when the second seal is located on the side of the liquid inlet away from the liquid outlet, the water channel of the air-water valve is connected.

[0012] In one embodiment, the valve body includes an air inlet and an air outlet connected to the inner cavity at one end, and the air inlet, air outlet, liquid outlet and liquid inlet are arranged in sequence along the axial direction of the valve body.

[0013] In one embodiment, the seal includes a third seal and a fourth seal, and the fourth seal, the first seal, the third seal and the second seal are axially arranged in sequence outside the valve core, the third seal is located between the liquid outlet and the air outlet, and the fourth seal is located on the side of the air inlet close to the outlet end, and the third seal and the fourth seal are both sealed with the inner wall of the valve body.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the fourth sealing member is sealed to the step surface.

[0015] In one embodiment, the air outlet is provided with a counter-flow component.

[0016] An endoscope is characterized by comprising an operating handle and an insertion tube, wherein an air and water valve of the endoscope is arranged on the operating handle, and an air outlet and a liquid outlet of the air and water valve are respectively connected to the insertion tube.

[0017] The above-mentioned endoscope and its air-water valve, by setting at least one sealing member as the first sealing member, when the water channel of the air-water valve is closed, at this time, the sealing effect of the air-water valve is not required to be high, and the first sealing member can be set at a distance from the valve body, thereby reducing the difficulty of pressing the valve core and facilitating the doctor's operation; when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the first sealing member is sealed and connected to the valve body, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of water in the air-water valve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of the air-water valve when the water channel is closed in one embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an air-water valve in one embodiment when the water channel is open.

[0020] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a valve body in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the air-water valve after removing the valve body in one embodiment.

[0022] Figure numerals: 100, valve body; 110, first pipe section; 120, second pipe section; 121, step surface; 130, third pipe section; 140, fourth pipe section; 151, liquid inlet; 152, liquid outlet; 161, air inlet; 162, air outlet; 170, countercurrent component; 181, closed end; 182, outlet end; 200, valve core; 210, first sealing member; 220, second sealing member; 230, third sealing member; 240, fourth sealing member; 250, vent; 260, pressing portion; 300, connecting member; 310, elastic member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0024] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0025] In addition, if the terms "first" or "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0026] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, these terms may refer to fixed connections, removable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, if a first feature is described as being "above" or "below" a second feature, or similar descriptions, this may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is described as being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is described as being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0028] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0029] See Figures 1-4 The air-water valve of an endoscope provided in one embodiment of the present application includes a valve body 100 and a valve core 200. The valve body 100 has an inner cavity, and the valve core 200 is at least partially disposed in the inner cavity. Along the axial direction of the valve core 200, a plurality of sealing members for sealingly connecting with the inner wall of the valve body 100 are sequentially sleeved on the outer surface of the valve core 200. At least one sealing member is a first sealing member 210, see Figure 1When the water channel of the gas-water valve is closed, the first sealing member 210 is spaced apart from the valve body 100, and the valve core 200 is pressed to connect the water channel of the gas-water valve. Figure 2 , the first sealing member 210 is sealedly connected to the valve body 100 .

[0030] In this embodiment, when the water channel of the air-water valve is closed, the sealing requirements of the air-water valve are not high, and the first sealing component 210 can be set at a distance from the valve body 100, thereby reducing the difficulty of pressing the valve core 200 and facilitating the doctor's operation; when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the first sealing component 210 is sealed and connected to the valve body 100, thereby enhancing the sealing effect of water in the air-water valve.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least one step surface 121 is provided in the valve body 100 . When the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the first sealing member 210 is sealedly connected to the corresponding step surface 121 .

[0032] In this embodiment, the first sealing member 210 may be a rubber ring. When the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the rubber ring is in close contact with the step surface 121 , thereby achieving a sealed connection between the first sealing member 210 and the valve body 100 .

[0033] The valve core 200 is provided with a plurality of slots on its exterior, and at least a portion of each sealing member is located in a corresponding slot, and the slots are used to fix the sealing member.

[0034] Furthermore, one end of the valve body 100 is a closed end 181, and the valve body 100 includes multiple pipe sections connected in sequence along the axial direction, and the inner diameters of the multiple pipe sections decrease in sequence along the direction approaching the closed end 181, and a step surface 121 is formed between two adjacent pipe sections.

[0035] The valve body 100 has an open end at one end and a closed end 181 at the other end. The valve core 200 is inserted into the valve body 100 from the open end. The valve core 200 also includes multiple valve core segments with decreasing outer diameters from the open end to the closed end 181 to cooperate with the valve body 100.

[0036] Combine Figure 3 Specifically, taking the valve body 100 as an example, comprising a first pipe section 110, a second pipe section 120, a third pipe section 130, and a fourth pipe section 140, with one first sealing member 210, when the water passage of the air-water valve is closed, the first sealing member 210 is located within the second pipe section 120, with a gap between the first sealing member 210 and the inner wall of the second pipe section 120. When the valve core 200 is pressed downward to open the water passage of the air-water valve, the first sealing member 210 moves to abut against the stepped surface 121 formed by the second pipe section 120 and the third pipe section 130, thereby preventing the cleaning fluid from leaking from the open end of the valve body 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, the valve body 100 is provided with a liquid inlet 151 and a liquid outlet 152, both of which are connected to the inner cavity. Along the axial direction of the valve body 100, the liquid inlet 151 is located on the side of the liquid outlet 152 close to the closed end 181 of the valve body 100, and the first sealing member 210 is located on the side of the liquid outlet 152 away from the liquid inlet 151.

[0038] When the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152 are directly connected, the water passage of the air-water valve is open. The water passage of the air-water valve allows cleaning fluid entering through the liquid inlet 151 to flow through the inner cavity and out of the liquid outlet 152 into the insertion tube. Furthermore, when the water passage of the air-water valve is open, the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152 are located between the first sealing member 210 and the closed end 181. This allows the first sealing member 210 and the closed end 181 to seal the cleaning fluid at both ends, preventing leakage of the cleaning fluid.

[0039] Furthermore, the seal includes a second seal 220 that is sealed to the inner wall of the valve body 100. When the second seal 220 is located between the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152, the water channel of the air-water valve is closed; when the second seal 220 is located on the side of the liquid inlet 151 away from the liquid outlet 152, the water channel of the air-water valve is connected.

[0040] In this embodiment, both the air inlet 161 and the air outlet 162 are formed on the fourth pipe section 140. The second sealing member 220 abuts against the inner wall of the valve body 100. When the second sealing member 220 is positioned between the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152, the second sealing member 220 separates the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152, thereby closing the water passage of the air-water valve. When the second sealing member 220 moves to the side of the liquid inlet 151 away from the liquid outlet 152, the liquid inlet 151 and the liquid outlet 152 of the air-water valve communicate, thereby opening the water passage of the air-water valve.

[0041] In some embodiments, the valve body 100 includes an air inlet 161 and an air outlet 162 connected to the inner cavity at one end. Along the axial direction of the valve body 100, the air inlet 161, the air outlet 162, the liquid outlet 152 and the liquid inlet 151 are arranged in sequence.

[0042] In this embodiment, the liquid inlet 151 is located near the closed end 181. That is, the air inlet 161 and the air outlet 162 are both located on the side of the liquid outlet 152 away from the outlet end 182 of the valve body 100. This places the entire water channel farther from the outlet end 182 of the valve body 100, reducing the risk of cleaning fluid leakage. Furthermore, a seal can be provided on the side of the air inlet 161 near the outlet end 182 of the valve body 100. This seal serves to reduce both gas leakage and cleaning fluid leakage. The cleaning fluid is water.

[0043] Furthermore, the seal includes a third seal 230 and a fourth seal 240. The fourth seal 240, the first seal 210, the third seal 230, and the second seal 220 are sequentially sleeved on the outside of the valve core 200 along the axial direction. The third seal 230 is located between the liquid outlet 152 and the gas outlet 162, and the fourth seal 240 is located on the side of the gas inlet 161 close to the outlet end 182. The third seal 230 and the fourth seal 240 are both sealedly connected to the inner wall of the valve body 100. The sealed connection refers to the seal abutting against the inner wall of the valve body 100.

[0044] In order to enhance the sealing effect of the first sealing member 210 , the diameter of the first sealing member 210 is larger than that of the third sealing member 230 , the second sealing member 220 , and the fourth sealing member 240 .

[0045] In this embodiment, the fourth seal 240 is disposed on one side of the outlet end 182, and the fourth seal 240 and the outlet end 182 respectively seal the two ends of the cavity. When the air-water valve is in the initial state, the fourth seal 240 and the first seal 210 are both located on the side of the air inlet 161 close to the outlet end 182. The third seal 230 is located on the side of the air outlet 162 away from the air inlet 161, that is, the air inlet 161 is connected to the air outlet 162. The gas enters the inner cavity through the air inlet 161, and the fourth seal 240 and the third seal 230 are respectively used to block the inner cavity at both ends, so that the gas enters the insertion tube from the air outlet 162.

[0046] In some embodiments, the air outlet 162 is provided with a reverse flow component 170 .

[0047] Combine Figure 4 Specifically, an axially extending air vent 250 is provided in the valve core 200. One end of the air vent 250 is connected to the outside world, and the other end of the air vent 250 is connected to the inner cavity through a through-hole provided along the inner diameter of the valve core 200. When the air-water valve is in the initial state, the air inlet 161 is connected to the air outlet 162. At this time, the cavity between the air inlet 161 and the air outlet 162 and the air vent 250, that is, the gas entering from the air inlet 161 can also be discharged from the air vent 250 of the valve core 200. The air inlet 161 is connected to an air pump. When the insertion tube is inserted into the gastrointestinal organs of the human body, ventilation through the insertion tube can cause the gastrointestinal organs and other organs to swell, which can reduce friction between the insertion tube and the organs, thereby reducing harm to the patient. Specifically, since the air pump connected to the air inlet 161 is always in operation, when it is necessary to ventilate the human body through the insertion tube, the end of the vent hole 250 connected to the outside world is blocked by hand. When it is not necessary to ventilate the human body through the insertion tube, there is no need to block the end of the vent hole 250, and the gas can be discharged directly from the vent hole 250 to the outside world.

[0048] The gas outlet 162 is provided with a counterflow component 170 for preventing the gas or liquid in the human body from flowing back into the inner cavity through the gas outlet 162 and then flowing back into the gas cylinder through the inner cavity, thereby preventing pathogens from contaminating the gas cylinder.

[0049] Furthermore, when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the fourth sealing member 240 is sealedly connected to one of the step surfaces 121 .

[0050] The fourth sealing member 240 is located within the first tube body and presses the valve core 200 downward, so that when the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the fourth sealing member 240 is sealed against the stepped surface 121. This further improves the sealing performance of the cleaning fluid by the fourth sealing member 240, in addition to the sealing performance of the first sealing member 210.

[0051] The valve core 200 is provided with a connector 300, which is provided with a clamping portion and a supporting portion. The supporting portion is located on the side of the clamping portion away from the valve body 100. The valve body 100 is provided with a mating portion, and the connector and the mating portion are engaged. One end of the valve core 200 is provided with a pressing portion 260. The end of the valve core 200 close to the pressing portion 260 is provided with an elastic member 310, which is arranged between the pressing portion 260 and the supporting portion. When the pressing portion 260 is pressed, the elastic member 310 is compressed, causing the valve core 200 to move downward in the axial direction, thereby connecting the liquid inlet 151 of the gas and water valve with the liquid outlet 152, allowing the cleaning liquid to flow into the insertion tube through the liquid outlet 152.

[0052] An embodiment of the present application further provides an endoscope, which is characterized in that it includes an operating handle and an insertion tube, the air and water valve of the endoscope is arranged on the operating handle, and the air outlet 162 and the liquid outlet 152 of the air and water valve are connected to the insertion tube.

[0053] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0054] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An air and water valve for an endoscope, characterized in that: The gas-water valve comprises a valve body and a valve core, wherein the valve body has an inner cavity, the valve core is at least partially inserted into the inner cavity, and a plurality of sealing members for sealingly connecting with the inner wall of the valve body are sequentially sleeved on the outer side of the valve core along the axial direction of the valve core; At least one of the seals is a first seal. When the water channel of the gas-water valve is closed, the first seal is spaced apart from the valve body. When the valve core is pressed to connect the water channel of the gas-water valve, the first seal is sealed and connected to the valve body.

2. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one step surface is provided in the valve body. When the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the first sealing member is sealedly connected to one of the step surfaces.

3. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the valve body is a closed end, and the valve body includes multiple pipe segments connected in sequence along the axial direction. The inner diameters of the multiple pipe segments decrease in sequence along the direction approaching the closed end, and a step surface is formed between two adjacent pipe segments.

4. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The valve body is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, one end of the liquid inlet and one end of the liquid outlet are respectively connected to the inner cavity, along the axial direction of the valve body, the liquid inlet is located on the side of the liquid outlet close to the closed end of the valve body, and the first sealing member is located on the side of the liquid outlet away from the liquid inlet.

5. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 4, characterized in that: The seal includes a second seal sealedly connected to the inner wall of the valve body. When the second seal is located between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the water channel of the air-water valve is closed; when the second seal is located on the side of the liquid inlet away from the liquid outlet, the water channel of the air-water valve is connected.

6. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 4, characterized in that: An air inlet and an air outlet are provided on the valve body, one end of the air inlet and one end of the air outlet are respectively communicated with the inner cavity, and along the axial direction of the valve body, the air inlet, the air outlet, the liquid outlet and the liquid inlet are arranged in sequence.

7. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The seal includes a third seal and a fourth seal. The fourth seal, the first seal, the third seal and the second seal are axially arranged in sequence outside the valve core. The third seal is located between the liquid outlet and the air outlet. The fourth seal is located on the side of the air inlet close to the outlet end of the valve body. The third seal and the fourth seal are both sealed with the inner wall of the valve body.

8. The air and water valve of the endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: When the water channel of the air-water valve is connected, the fourth sealing member is sealed and connected to the step surface.

9. The air and water valve of an endoscope according to claim 6, characterized in that: The air outlet is provided with a counter-flow component.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that: The endoscope comprises an operating handle and an insertion tube, wherein the air and water valve of the endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is arranged on the operating handle, and the air outlet and the liquid outlet of the air and water valve are respectively connected to the insertion tube.

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