Endoscope connecting tube and endoscope reprocessing device

Abstract

Endoscope connecting tube (100), comprising: a fluid supply pipeline (111) configured to supply fluid through an opening in the fluid supply pipeline (111) to an endoscope (200); a detection pipeline (112) configured to supply fluid through an opening in the detection pipeline (112); a sealing section (104) configured to come into contact with a section (202c) of the endoscope (200), wherein, in a state in which the sealing section (104) is brought into contact with the section (202c) of the endoscope (200), the sealing section (104) and the section (202c) of the endoscope (200) reduce a flow of fluid through the opening of the detection tube (112) towards the endoscope (200).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope connecting tube for supplying a fluid into a pipeline enclosed by an endoscope, and an endoscope reprocessing device. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Endoscopes used in the medical field are subjected to reprocessing after use using a medical solution, such as an antiseptic solution. For example, as disclosed in JP 2009-195400 A, an endoscope cleaning and disinfection device that automatically reprocesses an endoscope is known. The endoscope cleaning and disinfection device disclosed in JP 2009-195400 A includes a cleaning tube for supplying a fluid into a conduit enclosed by an endoscope. The cleaning tube connects a fluid supply unit that supplies a fluid and a pipe sleeve.

[0003] The cleaning hose disclosed in JP 2009-195400 A has a sealing element in a connecting portion to the pipe joint of the endoscope piping, and is capable of switching from a state where the sealing element is in close contact with the pipe joint to a state where the sealing element is separated from the pipe joint. The cleaning hose disclosed in JP 2009-195400 A having such a configuration is capable of switching between a mode of supplying all the fluid into the piping and a mode of leaking a portion of the fluid to the periphery of the pipe joint. The mode of supplying all the fluid into the cleaning hose is selected when determining whether or not clogging occurs in the piping based on the measurement result of the flow rate of the fluid supplied to the endoscope piping.

[0004] With the cleaning hose disclosed in JP 2009-195400 A, it is difficult for the endoscope cleaning and disinfection device or a user to determine whether a mode of connecting the cleaning hose and the pipe joint is the mode of injecting all the fluid into the pipe.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2016 / 0135667 A1 discloses a connector of an endoscope for connecting a tube sleeve provided in an endoscope and a fluid supply device.

[0006] The present invention has as an object to provide an endoscope connecting tube and an endoscope reprocessing apparatus capable of detecting whether or not a pipeline is in a state in which all fluid is fed into the pipeline. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION MEANS FOR SOLVING THE TASK

[0007] The object is achieved by an endoscope connecting tube according to claim 1 and by an endoscope reprocessing device according to claim 10. An endoscope connecting tube according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a fluid feed pipe having a first end portion connected to a pipe socket of an endoscope and a second end portion connected to a fluid supply source; a sealing portion provided in the first end portion of the fluid feed pipe and including a proximal contact surface configured to be in close contact with an outer surface of the endoscope to surround an opening portion of the pipe socket, and configured to connect an inner side of the fluid feed pipe and an inner side of the opening portion when the proximal contact surface is in close contact with the outer surface of the endoscope;and a detection conduit having a first end portion opened in the near contact surface and configured to be closed by the outer surface of the endoscope when the near contact surface is in close contact with the outer surface of the endoscope;

[0008] An endoscope reprocessing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a fluid supply source connected to the second end portion of the fluid feed pipe and a second end portion of the detection pipe of the endoscope connection tube, and a first detection unit configured to detect a flow of a fluid in the detection pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope reprocessing apparatus of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing configurations of an endoscope connecting tube, a fluid supply unit, and a working fluid supply unit of the first embodiment; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the endoscope connecting tube of the first embodiment; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endoscope connecting tube of the first embodiment; Fig. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a shape of a sealing portion of the first embodiment; Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a clogging detection operation of the first embodiment; Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a fluid feeding operation of the first embodiment; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the endoscope connecting tube of the first embodiment; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the first modification of the endoscope connecting tube of the first embodiment; Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the endoscope connecting tube of the first embodiment; Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an endoscope connecting tube of a second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endoscope connecting tube of the second embodiment; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation of a detection unit of the second embodiment; Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fluid supply unit of a third embodiment; Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fluid supply unit of a fourth embodiment; Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an endoscope connecting tube of a fifth embodiment; and Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the endoscope connecting tube of the fifth embodiment. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] A preferred mode of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the respective drawings for use in the following explanation, in order for corresponding components to have sizes that can be recognized in the drawings, scales are set to be different for each of the components. The present invention is not limited only to the quantities of components, shapes of components, ratios of component sizes, and relative positional relationships of the respective components shown in the drawings. (First embodiment)

[0010] An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. An endoscope connection tube 100 is used to connect a fluid supply source 60 that supplies a fluid and an inside of a conduit 201 enclosed by an endoscope 200. In a state where the fluid supply source 60 and the conduit 201 are connected, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 is supplied into the conduit 201 via the endoscope connection tube 100.

[0011] As in Fig. 1, in the present embodiment, the fluid supply source 60 is included, for example, in an endoscope reprocessor 1. The endoscope reprocessor 1 is a device that reprocesses the endoscope 200. The reprocessing mentioned here is not particularly limited but may be any of the following: rinsing treatment with water, cleaning treatment for removing contaminants such as organic substances, disinfection treatment for inactivating predetermined microorganisms, sterilization treatment for eliminating or killing all microorganisms, or combinations of these treatments.

[0012] Note that in the following explanation, an upper side refers to a position farther from the ground relative to a reference object, and a lower side refers to a position closer to the ground relative to a reference object. Furthermore, high and low indicate a height relationship along the direction of gravity.

[0013] The endoscope reprocessing device 1 comprises a control unit 5, a power supply unit 6, a treatment tank 2, the fluid supply source 60 and a working fluid supply source 80.

[0014] The control unit 5 may be configured to include an arithmetic device (CPU), a memory device (RAM), an auxiliary storage device, an input / output device, a power control device, and the like, and may be configured to execute a predetermined program in accordance with an instruction from a user and to control the operation of respective parts constituting the endoscope reprocessing device 1. The operation of respective components included in the endoscope reprocessing device 1 is controlled by the control unit 5 in the following explanation, even if not explicitly mentioned.

[0015] An operation unit 7 and a display unit 8 form a user interface that outputs and receives information between the control unit 5 and the user. The operation unit 7 includes an operation element that receives an operation instruction from the user, such as a push button or a touch sensor. The operation instruction from the user is converted into an electrical signal by the operation unit 7 and input to the control unit 5. The operation instruction from the user refers, for example, to a start instruction for reprocessing. Note that the form of the operation unit 7 may be such that it is included in the electronic equipment that performs wired communication or wireless communication with the control unit 5 and that it is separated from a main body unit 1a of the endoscope reprocessing device 1.

[0016] The display unit 8 includes, for example, a display device that displays images and letters, a light-emitting device that emits light, a speaker that generates sound, a vibrator that generates vibrations, or a combination of these devices. The display unit 8 outputs information from the control unit 5 to the user. Note that the mode of the display unit 8 may be such that it is included in the electronic equipment that performs wired communication or wireless communication with the control unit 5 and that it is separate from a main body unit 1a of the endoscope reprocessing device 1.

[0017] The power supply unit 6 supplies power to the corresponding parts of the endoscope reprocessing device 1. The power supply unit 6 distributes power received from the outside, e.g., from a mains power supply, to the corresponding parts. Note that the power supply unit 6 may include a power generation device and a battery.

[0018] The treatment tank 2 has a recessed shape and an opening portion and is capable of storing a liquid inside. The endoscope 200 can be arranged in the treatment tank 2. A plurality of endoscopes 200 can be arranged in the treatment tank 2.

[0019] A lid 3 is provided at an upper part of the treatment tank 2, which lid is configured to open and close the opening portion of the treatment tank 2. When the endoscope is being processed in the treatment tank 2, the opening portion of the treatment tank 2 is closed by the lid 3.

[0020] In the treatment tank 2, a cleaning solution nozzle 15, a medical solution nozzle 12, a drain port 11, a circulation port 13, a circulation nozzle 14, an endoscope piping connecting body 16, a detection piping connecting body 62, and a working fluid piping connecting body 83 are provided.

[0021] The cleaning solution nozzle 15 has an opening portion that communicates with the cleaning solution tank 50, in which a cleaning solution is stored, via a cleaning solution conduit 51. The cleaning solution is used in the cleaning treatment. A cleaning solution pump 52 is provided in the cleaning solution conduit 51. The cleaning solution pump 52 is connected to the control unit 5, and an operation of the cleaning solution pump 52 is controlled by the control unit 5. Through the operation of the cleaning solution pump 52, the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution tank 50 is transferred into the treatment tank 2.

[0022] The medical solution nozzle 12 has an opening portion that communicates with the medical solution container 20 via a medical solution conduit 26. A medical solution is stored in the medical solution container 20. The type of medical solution stored in the medical solution container 20 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, for example, it is an antiseptic solution for use in disinfection treatment or a sterilizing solution for use in sterilization treatment. An aqueous peracetic acid solution is specified as the antiseptic solution or the sterilizing solution.

[0023] A medical solution pump 27 is provided in the medical solution pipeline 26. By operating the medical solution pump 27, a medical solution in the medical solution container 20 is transferred into the treatment tank 2 via the medical solution pipeline 26 and the medical solution nozzle 12.

[0024] In the present embodiment, for example, if the medical solution has a medicinal effect, the medical solution is reusable even after the medical solution is used for reprocessing. Accordingly, the endoscope reprocessing device 1 includes a configuration of recovering the medical solution in the treatment basin 2 and returning the medical solution to the medical solution container 20. The configuration of recovering the medical solution in the treatment basin 2 and returning the medical solution to the medical solution container 20 will be described later.

[0025] The drain port 11 has an opening portion provided at a lowest position in the treatment tank 2. The drain port 11 is connected to a drain piping 21. The drain piping 21 causes the drain port 11 and a switching valve 22 to communicate with each other. A recovery piping 23 and a disposal piping 25 are connected to the switching valve 22. The switching valve 22 can be switched to a state of closing the drain piping 21, a state of causing communication between the drain piping 21 and the recovery piping 23, or a state of causing communication between the drain piping 21 and the disposal piping 25. The switching valve 22 is connected to the control unit 5, and an operation of the switching valve 22 is controlled by the control unit 5.

[0026] The recovery piping 23 communicates the medical solution container 20 and a switching valve 22. The disposal piping 25 communicates a drain system for receiving a liquid discharged from the endoscope reprocessor 1 and the switching valve 22.

[0027] When the switching valve 22 is placed in a closed state, the liquid can be stored in the treatment tank 2. When the switching valve 22 is placed in a state where the drain piping 21 and the recovery piping 23 communicate with each other, the medical solution, when the medical solution is stored in the treatment tank 2, is transferred from the treatment tank 2 to the medical solution container 20. When the switching valve 22 is placed in a state where the drain piping 21 and the recovery piping 25 communicate with each other, the liquid in the treatment tank 2 is fed to the drain system via the disposal piping 25. Note that, in the present embodiment, the disposal piping 25 is provided with, for example, the drain pump 24 for promoting the draining of the liquid from the treatment tank.

[0028] The circulation port 13 has an opening portion provided near a lower surface of the treatment tank 2. The circulation port 13 communicates with a circulation pipe 13a. The circulation port 13a branches into two pipes: an endoscope circulation pipe 30 and a treatment tank circulation pipe 40.

[0029] The endoscope circulation pipe 30 causes the circulation pipe 13a and a channel block 32, which will be described later, to communicate with each other. The endoscope circulation pipe 30 is provided with a fluid feed pump 33. The fluid feed pump 33 transfers a fluid in the endoscope circulation pipe 30 to the channel block 32 by operating.

[0030] In addition to the aforementioned endoscope circulation pipe 30, a suction pipe 34, an alcohol pipe 38, and a delivery pipe 31 are connected to the channel block 32. The channel block 32 connects the delivery pipe 31, the endoscope circulation pipe 30, the suction pipe 34, and the alcohol pipe 38. The channel block 32 is provided with a check valve configured to allow fluid to flow in only one direction from each of the endoscope circulation pipe 30, the suction pipe 34, and the alcohol pipe 38 toward the channel block 32. In other words, the fluid is prevented from flowing from an inside of the channel block 32 to the endoscope circulation pipe 30, the suction pipe 34, and the alcohol pipe 38.

[0031] The intake pipe 34 has one end portion open to the atmosphere, and the other end portion is connected to the passage block 32. Note that a filter configured to filter gas flowing through is provided at one end portion of the intake pipe 34 (although not shown). An air pump 35 is provided in the intake pipe 34 and transfers gas in the intake pipe 34 to the passage block 32 by operating it.

[0032] The alcohol pipeline 38 allows an alcohol container 37, which is designed to store alcohol, and the channel block 32 to communicate with each other. Ethanol, for example, is used as the alcohol stored in the alcohol container 37. The alcohol concentration can be arbitrarily selected. An alcohol pump 39 is provided in the alcohol pipeline 38 and transfers the alcohol in the alcohol container 37 to the channel block 32 by operating it.

[0033] The fluid feed pump 33, the air pump 35, and the alcohol pump 39 are connected to the control unit 5, and the operation of the pumps is controlled by the control unit 5. When the fluid feed pump 33 is started to operate when the liquid is stored in the treatment tank 2, the liquid in the treatment tank 2 is pumped into the feed pipe 31 via the circulation port 13, the circulation pipe 13a, and the endoscope circulation pipe 30. When the air pump 35 is started to operate, air is pumped into the feed pipe 31. When the alcohol pump 39 is started to operate, the alcohol in the alcohol container 37 is pumped into the feed pipe 31.

[0034] The delivery pipe 31 is connected to the endoscope pipe connecting body 16. The endoscope pipe connecting body 16 is connected to a pipe socket 202 provided in the endoscope 200 via the endoscope connecting hose 100, which will be described later. The fluid supplied from the channel block 32 into the delivery pipe 31 is introduced into the pipe 201, which communicates with the pipe socket 202 of the endoscope 200 via the endoscope pipe connecting body 16.

[0035] The detection piping connecting body 62 and the working fluid piping connecting body 83 are parts to which the endoscope connecting tube 100, which will be described later, is connected.

[0036] The delivery pipe 31, the fluid delivery pump 33, the endoscope pipe connecting body 16, and the detection pipe connecting body 62 constitute the fluid supply source 60, which supplies the fluid and will be described later. The working fluid pipe connecting body 83 constitutes the working fluid supply source 80, which supplies the working fluid and will be described later.

[0037] The treatment tank circulation pipe 40 causes the circulation pipe 13a and the circulation nozzle 14 to communicate with each other. The circulation nozzle 14 has an opening portion provided in the treatment tank 2. The treatment tank circulation pipe 40 is provided with a liquid feed pump 41. The liquid feed pump 41 is connected to the control unit 5, and the operation of the liquid feed pump 41 is controlled by the control unit 5.

[0038] A three-way valve 42 is provided between the liquid feed pump 41 of the treatment pool circulation pipe 40 and the circulation nozzle 14. A water supply pipe 43 is connected to the three-way valve 42. The three-way valve 42 can be switched to a state in which the circulation nozzle 14 and the treatment pool circulation pipe 40 are caused to communicate with each other, or to a state in which the circulation nozzle 14 and the water supply pipe 43 are caused to communicate with each other.

[0039] The water supply pipe 43 causes the three-way valve 42 and a water supply source connecting body 46 to communicate with each other. The water supply pipe 43 is provided with a water inlet valve 45 configured to open and close the water supply pipe 43, and a water filter 44 configured to filter water. The water supply source connecting body 46 is connected to a water supply source 49, such as a water supply system that supplies water via a hose or the like.

[0040] The three-way valve 42 and the water inlet valve 45 are connected to the control unit 5, the operation of the valves being controlled by the control unit 5.

[0041] When the three-way valve 42 is brought into a state of causing the circulation nozzle 14 and the treatment tank circulation pipe 40 to communicate with each other and an operation of the liquid feed pump 41 is started, in a case where the liquid is stored in the treatment tank 2, the liquid in the treatment tank 2 is discharged from the circulation nozzle 14 via the circulation port 13, the circulation pipe 13a and the treatment tank circulation pipe 40.

[0042] When the three-way valve 42 is brought into a state where it causes the circulation nozzle 14 and the water supply pipe 43 to communicate with each other, and the water inlet valve 45 is brought into an open state, water supplied from the water supply source 49 is jetted from the circulation nozzle 14. The water jetted from the circulation nozzle 14 is introduced into the treatment tank 2 and used as rinse water or the like to rinse the endoscope and the like arranged in the treatment tank 2.

[0043] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing configurations of the fluid supply source 60, the working fluid supply source 80, and the endoscope connecting tube 100. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are cross-sectional views each showing a configuration of a connector body 101 of the endoscope connecting tube 100.

[0044] The fluid supply source 60 includes the endoscope piping connecting body 16 to which a fluid feed piping 111 included in the endoscope connecting tube 100 is connected, and the detection piping connecting body 62 to which a detection piping 112 included in the endoscope connecting tube 100 is connected.

[0045] The fluid supply source 60 includes a configuration of supplying the fluid from the endoscope piping connecting body 16 and the detection piping connecting body 62. The configuration is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the fluid supply source 60 includes, for example, the three-way valve 63 that switches the fluid supplied from the fluid feed pump 33, which is a single pump, and supplies it to the endoscope piping connecting body 16 or the detection piping connecting body 62.

[0046] More specifically, the fluid supply source 60 includes the delivery pipe 31 connecting the fluid delivery pump 33 and the endoscope pipe connecting body 16, the detection fluid feed pipe 61 connecting a portion from the fluid delivery pump 33 to the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 in the delivery pipe 31 and the detection pipe connecting body 62, and the three-way valve 63 provided in a connecting portion of the delivery pipe 31 and the detection fluid feed pipe 61.

[0047] The three-way valve 63 is connected to the control unit 5, and the operation of the three-way valve 63 is controlled by the control unit 5. The three-way valve 63 can be switched between a state of supplying the fluid supplied from the fluid feed pump 33 to the endoscope piping connecting body 16 and a state of supplying the fluid to the detection piping connecting body 62.

[0048] The fluid supply source 60 includes a flow rate measuring unit 71 configured to detect a flow rate of the fluid supplied from the endoscope piping connecting body 16, and a detection unit 70 configured to detect the presence or absence of flow of the fluid supplied from the detection piping connecting body 62. Configurations of the units are not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, for example, the flow rate measuring unit 71 configured to detect the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid feed pump 33 also serves as the detection unit 70. In other words, in the present embodiment, the flow rate measuring unit 71 and the detection unit 70 are integrated with each other.For example, a flow rate sensor and / or a pressure sensor are used as the flow rate measuring unit 71 and detection unit 70.

[0049] More specifically, the flow rate measuring unit 71 is disposed in a section from the fluid feed pump 33 of the feed pipe 31 to the three-way valve 63 and measures a flow rate of a fluid flowing in this section. Accordingly, when the three-way valve 63 is in the state of causing the fluid feed pump 33 and the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 to communicate with each other, the flow rate measuring unit 71 can detect the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the endoscope pipe connecting body 16. When the three-way valve 63 is in the state of causing the fluid feed pump 33 and the detection pipe connecting body 62 to communicate with each other, the flow rate measuring unit 71 can detect the presence or absence of a flow of a fluid supplied from the detection pipe connecting body 62.Thus, in the present embodiment, the flow rate measuring unit 71 also serves as the detection unit 70.

[0050] The working fluid supply source 80 includes a working fluid piping connecting body 83 to which a working fluid piping 113 included in the endoscope connecting tube 100 is connected, and supplies a working fluid from the working fluid piping connecting body 83.

[0051] A form of the working fluid is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, air, for example, is the working fluid. Accordingly, the working fluid supply source 80 includes an air compressor 82 configured to supply air, which is the working fluid, at a predetermined pressure, and an air discharge piping 81 configured to connect the air compressor 82 and the working fluid piping connecting body 83. The air discharge piping 81 is provided with a relief valve 84 for discharging internal air to the outside. The air compressor 82 and the relief valve 84 are connected to the control unit 5, and the operation of the air compressor 82 and the relief valve 84 is controlled by the control unit 5. The air discharge piping 81 may be provided with a pressure regulator that adjusts the pressure of the air supplied from the air compressor 82.

[0052] Note that the air compressor 82 may also serve as the air pump 35 included in the endoscope reprocessing device 1. In this case, the endoscope reprocessing device 1 includes a switching valve that switches the air supplied from the air compressor 82 between a state in which it is supplied to the working fluid piping connecting body 83 and a state in which it is supplied to the channel block 32.

[0053] Next, a configuration of the endoscope connecting tube 100 will be described.

[0054] The endoscope connecting tube 100 includes the connector body 101, the fluid feed pipe 111, the detection pipe 112, and the working fluid pipe 113.

[0055] The endoscope connecting tube 100 is a device configured to guide some or all of the fluid supplied from the endoscope tubing connecting body 16 to the fluid supply source 60 into an opening portion 202a provided in the tubing sleeve 202 of the endoscope 200. The opening portion 202a of the tubing sleeve 202 communicates with the tubing 201 enclosed by the endoscope 200.

[0056] A shape of the pipe sleeve 202 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, for example, the pipe sleeve 202 has a cylindrical shape protruding from an outer surface of the endoscope 200, and the opening portion 202a is formed in an end surface 202b.

[0057] The connector body 101 includes a holding body 102 configured to hold the connector body 101 so that the connector body 101 faces the tube socket 202 of the endoscope 200. In the present embodiment, for example, the holding body 102 engages with a locking body 203, which is a protruding portion provided on a side surface 202c of the tube socket 202 having a cylindrical shape, and holds the connector body 101 in a predetermined position with respect to the tube socket 202. Note that the holding body 102 may have a configuration in which it engages with a locking body provided in a different position with respect to the tube socket 202 in the outer surface of the endoscope 200. It should be noted that the smaller the area in which the holding body 102 and the locking body 203 touch, the better.

[0058] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each show a state in which the holding body 102 engages the endoscope 200 and the connector body 101 is held near the pipe sleeve 202. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the holding body 102 and the locking body 203 are omitted and not shown.

[0059] A first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 is open in the connector body 101. A second end portion 111b of the fluid feed pipe 111 can be connected to the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 of the fluid supply source 60.

[0060] The first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 is arranged in a position where the first end portion 111a faces the opening portion 202a of the pipe socket 202 and opens in a state where the connector body 101 is held by the holding body 102 in the vicinity of the pipe socket 202.

[0061] A sealing portion 104 is disposed at the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed conduit 111. The sealing portion 104 includes proximal contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with the pipe socket 202 to surround the opening portion 202a of the pipe socket 202. The proximal contact surface 104a has, for example, an annular shape. Fig. 4 shows a state in which the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are in close contact with the pipe socket 202. In the state in which the proximal contact surface 104a is in close contact with the pipe socket 202, an inner side of the fluid feed pipe 111 and an inner side of the opening portion 202a of the pipe socket 202 are hermetically connected. In other words, in the state in which the proximal contact surfaces 104a are in close contact with the pipe socket 202 (as shown in Fig. 4), all of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 into the fluid feed pipe 111 is introduced into the opening portion 202a of the pipe socket 202 without leaking to the outside.

[0062] In the present embodiment, the sealing portion 104 is an annular rubber member provided along an inner peripheral surface of the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111, and the pipe socket 202 is fitted inside the sealing portion 104. The proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are in close contact with the side surface 202c of the pipe socket 202, which is fully fitted into the sealing portion 104 in a circumferential direction.

[0063] A first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens into the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104. In other words, a periphery of an opening of the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 is surrounded by the proximal contact surfaces 104a. Accordingly, the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 is closed in a state where the proximal contact surface 104a is in close contact with the pipe socket 202.

[0064] A second end portion 112b of the detection pipe 112 can be connected to the detection pipe connecting body 62 of the fluid supply source 60. In the state in which the near contact surface 104a is in close contact with the pipe socket 202 (as shown in Fig. 4), the fluid in the detection conduit 112 does not flow even if the fluid is supplied to the detection conduit 112 from the fluid supply source 60.

[0065] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing shapes of the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 and the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112. As described above, the proximal contact surface 104a has an annular shape that is in close contact with the side surface 202c of the pipe socket 202 in the entire circumferential direction. The sealing portion 104 has an annular groove 104b provided along the proximal contact surface 104a in an extending direction in the annular shape. The first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens into the groove 104b.

[0066] Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the detection pipe 112 is closed from the side surface 202c only when the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are in close contact with the side surface 202c of the pipe socket 202 in the entire circumferential direction. In other words, the detection pipe 112 is not closed when a part of the proximal contact surfaces 104a is separated from the pipe socket 202.

[0067] For example, if the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens only in a portion in the circumferential direction of the near contact surface 104a (unlike the present embodiment), the detection pipe 112 is closed when only the corresponding portion of the near contact surfaces 104a is in close contact with the opening. In this case, the detection pipe 112 is closed even if the near contact surface is separated from the pipe socket 202 at a location other than the corresponding portion of the near contact surfaces 104a.

[0068] In the present embodiment, in a case where a defect such as a break occurs in a part of the sealing portion 104 and the proximal contact surface 104a is partially separated from the pipe socket 202, the detection pipe 112 can be reliably prevented from closing. In other words, in the present embodiment, in a case where the proximal contact surfaces 104a are partially separated from the pipe socket 202, the fluid flows in the detection pipe 112 when the fluid is supplied to the detection pipe 112 from the fluid supply source 60.

[0069] The endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment includes a switching unit 103 that causes the sealing portion 104 to move between a first position in which the proximal contact surfaces 104a are in close contact with the pipe socket 202 and a second position in which the proximal contact surface 104a is separated from the pipe socket 202, in a state in which the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 is held by the holding body 102 to face the pipe socket 202. Fig. 3 shows a state in which the sealing portion 104 is in the second position and Fig. 4 shows a state in which the sealing portion 104 is in the first position.

[0070] The movement of the sealing portion 104 by the switching unit 103 may, for example, take place in a mode in which it is carried out by a force exerted by a finger of a user of the endoscope reprocessing device 1, or in a mode in which it is carried out by a force generated by a mechanism included, for example, in the endoscope reprocessing device 1 or the endoscope connecting tube 100.

[0071] In the present embodiment, for example, the switching unit 103 has a configuration in which the sealing portion 104 is caused to move between the first position and the second position in response to pressure of the fluid supplied from the working fluid supply source 80.

[0072] Specifically, the switching unit 103 has a mode of a so-called pneumatic cylinder, which includes a cylinder portion 103a, which is a cylindrical space formed in the connector body 101, and a piston-shaped moving body 103b that moves to reciprocate within the cylinder portion 103a. In the state where the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 is held by the holding body 102 to face the pipe socket 202, the moving body 103b approaches the pipe socket 202 when the moving body 103b moves toward one side in the moving directions, and the moving body 103b moves away from the pipe socket 202 when the moving body 103b moves toward the other side in the moving directions.

[0073] The first end portion 111a of the fluid supply pipe 111 opens in a surface facing one side in the moving direction of the moving body 103b. A first end portion 113a of the working fluid pipe 113 opens in a space 103d defined by a surface facing the other side in the moving directions of the moving body 103b and an inner wall of the cylinder portion 103a. A second end portion 113b of the working fluid pipe 113 can be connected to the working fluid pipe connecting body 83 of the working fluid supply source 80. The switching unit 103 includes a driving element 103c that drives the moving body 103b to the other side in the moving directions of the moving body 103b. The first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 opens to one side in the moving directions of the moving body 103b.

[0074] In the switching unit 103 of the present embodiment configured as described above, in a case where air at a predetermined pressure is supplied to the space 103d of the cylinder portion 103a from the working fluid supply source 80, the moving body 103b moves in the direction to approach the pipe socket 202, and the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe socket 202, as shown in Fig. 4. Note that, to improve the airtightness in the space 103d, a sealing member such as an O-ring may be provided between the cylinder portion 103a and the moving body 103b.

[0075] When no air is supplied from the working fluid supply source 80, the moving body 103b moves in a direction to move away from the pipe socket 202 by the driving force of the driving member 103c, and the near contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 separates from the pipe socket 202, as shown in Fig. 3. Note that in the present embodiment, air is used as the working fluid, but the working fluid is not limited to air, but may also be other gases or liquids.

[0076] As described above, in the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment, when the sealing portion 104 is in the first position where the sealing portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe joint 202, a total amount of the fluid supplied from the first end portion 111a of the fluid supply pipe 111 is supplied into the pipe 201. When the sealing portion 104 is in the second position where the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe joint 202, in the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment, a part of the fluid supplied from the first end portion 111a of the fluid supply pipe 111 leaks out at the periphery of the pipe joint 202, and the remaining fluid is supplied into the pipe 201.

[0077] Next, an operation of the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 including the endoscope connecting tube 100 having the above-described configuration will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart of the control of the control unit 5 at a time when a clogging detection operation is performed to detect the presence or absence of clogging, such as blockage or constriction, of the piping 201 encompassed by the endoscope 200. Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the control by the control unit 5 at a time when a fluid supply operation is performed to supply fluid to the piping 201 included in the endoscope 200.

[0078] The Fig. The clogging detection operation shown in Fig. 6 is performed at any step during the reprocessing of the endoscope 200 by the endoscope reprocessing device 1. The clogging detection operation can be performed a plurality of times during the reprocessing. At the time of starting the clogging detection operation, the fluid feed pipe 111, the detection pipe 112, and the working fluid pipe 113 of the endoscope connection tube 100 are each in states of being connected to the endoscope pipe connecting body 16, the detection pipe connecting body 62, and the working fluid pipe connecting body 83, as shown in Fig. 2. At the time of starting the clogging detection operation, the holding body 102 of the endoscope connecting tube 100 engages the endoscope 200.

[0079] At the time of starting the clogging detection operation, the fluid feed pump 33 of the fluid supply source 60 and the air compressor 82 of the working fluid supply source 80 are in a stop state. In other words, at the time of starting the clogging detection operation, the sealing portion 104 of the endoscope connection tube 100 is in the second position where the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe sleeve 202.

[0080] In the clogging detection operation, the control unit 5 first starts supplying working fluid from the working fluid supply source 80 in step S100. Specifically, the control unit 5 brings the discharge valve 84 into a closed state and starts operating the air compressor 82. By executing step S100, air, which is a working fluid at a predetermined pressure, is supplied to the cylinder portion 103a of the switching unit 103 via the working fluid piping 113. Note that the control unit 5 may temporarily stop the operation of the air compressor 82 if the pressure in the space 103d of the cylinder portion 103a is maintained at a predetermined value or more.

[0081] Accordingly, by executing step S100, the switching unit 103 causes the sealing portion 104 to move to the first position. In other words, after executing step S100, the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 is in a state of being in close contact with the pipe socket 202, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0082] Next, in step S110, the control unit 5 starts supplying the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 to the detection piping 112. Specifically, the control unit 5 switches the three-way valve 63 to the state where the fluid feed pump 33 and the detection piping connecting body 62 are connected to each other, and then starts operating the fluid feed pump 33. By executing step S110, the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 is supplied to the detection piping 112.

[0083] Next, in step S120, the control unit 5 determines whether the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit 5 determines that the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is not detected by the detection unit 70 when the flow rate of the fluid detected by the flow rate measuring unit 71 is zero. The control unit 5 determines that the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70 when the flow rate of the fluid detected by the flow rate measuring unit 71 is greater than zero.

[0084] As described above, the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens into the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104. When the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are in close contact with the pipe socket 202, ideally at the time of executing step S120, the detection pipe 112 is closed by the pipe socket 202 accordingly, so that the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is not detected by the detection unit 70. When the flow of the fluid in the detection pipe 112 is not detected by the detection unit 70, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S150, determines that there is no failure in the close contact state of the seal portion 104 and the pipe socket 202, and proceeds to step S160, which will be described later.

[0085] When the near contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are separated from the pipe socket 202 at the time of executing step S120, the detection pipe 112 is not closed by the pipe socket 202, so that the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 into the detection pipe 112 flows out of the first end portion 112a. When the near contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are separated from the pipe socket 202 at the time of executing step S120, the flow of the fluid in the detection pipe 112 is accordingly detected by the detection unit 70.

[0086] When the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S130 and determines that there is a fault in the close contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe socket 202. In step S140, the control unit 5 displays a warning message to the user that there is a fault in the close contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe socket 202. In step S210, the control unit 5 stops a supply operation of the working fluid from the working fluid supply source 80 and a supply operation of the fluid from the fluid supply source 60.

[0087] In this way, the endoscope connection tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can detect whether there is a failure in the closed contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe sleeve 202.

[0088] As a cause for the occurrence of a failure in the close contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe joint 202, a mechanical failure or a mechanical problem of the endoscope connecting tube 100 is conceivable, such as a case where the sealing portion 104 is defective, and a case where the switching unit 103 does not correctly move the sealing portion 104. As a cause for the occurrence of a failure in the close contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe joint 202, an operational error is conceivable, such as a case where a user incorrectly performs an operation of engaging the holding body 102 and the endoscope 200 with each other, and a case where the working fluid piping 113 is connected to the working fluid piping connecting body 83.

[0089] When the control unit 5 determines that there is no failure in the close contact state of the sealing portion 104 and the pipe socket 202 in step S120 and step S150, the control unit 5 starts supplying the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 to the fluid feed pipe 111 in step S160. Specifically, the control unit 5 switches the three-way valve 63 to the state where the fluid feed pump 33 and the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 are connected to each other. Note that the control unit 5 may temporarily stop the operation of the fluid feed pump 33 during a switching operation of the three-way valve 63. By executing step S160, the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 is fed into the fluid feed pipe 111.

[0090] In step S170, the control unit 5 determines whether the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 is a predetermined threshold or more based on the measurement result from the flow rate measuring unit 71.

[0091] At the time of executing step S170, the sealing portion 104 and the pipe sleeve 202 are in close contact, so that all the fluid supplied from the first end portion 111a of the fluid supply pipe 111 flows into the treatment tank 2 after passing through the pipe 201 of the endoscope 200. Accordingly, the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 changes in response to a flow resistance of the fluid in the pipe 201.

[0092] If the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 is equal to or higher than the threshold value in step S170, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S200 and determines that no obstruction, such as a blockage or constriction, occurs in the tubing 201 of the endoscope 200. The control unit 5 proceeds to step S210, and the control unit 5 stops the supply of the working fluid from the working fluid supply source 80 and a supply of the fluid from the fluid supply source 60.

[0093] If the flow rate of the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 is lower than the threshold in step S170, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S180 and determines that an obstruction, such as a blockage or constriction, occurs in the pipe 201. Subsequently, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S190, and the control unit 5 displays a warning to the user via the display unit 8 that an obstruction exists in the pipe 201 of the endoscope 200. The control unit 5 proceeds to step S210 and stops the supply of the working fluid from the working fluid supply source 80 and the supply of the fluid from the fluid supply source 60. The control unit 5 opens the relief valve 84 and releases pressure in the air delivery pipe 81 and the working fluid pipe 113. The clogging detection operation in the present embodiment ends here.

[0094] The Fig. The fluid injection operation shown in Fig. 7 is performed when a fluid such as a medical solution, such as a cleaning solution, an antiseptic solution, or a sterilizing solution, or rinsing water is injected into the piping 201 during reprocessing of the endoscope 200 by the endoscope reprocessor 1. Since the fluid needs to contact not only the inside of the piping 201 but also the periphery of the piping socket 202 at the time of performing the fluid injection operation, it is necessary that the sealing portion 104 be separated from the piping socket 202.

[0095] At a time of starting the fluid injection operation, as in Fig. As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid injection piping 111, the detection piping 112, and the working fluid piping 113 of the endoscope connection tube 100 are in states of being connected to the endoscope piping connecting body 16, the detection piping connecting body 62, and the working fluid piping connecting body 83, respectively. At the time of starting the fluid injection operation, the holding body 102 of the endoscope connection tube 100 engages the endoscope 200.

[0096] At the time of starting the fluid injection operation, the fluid feed pump 33 of the fluid supply source 60 and the air compressor 82 of the working fluid supply source 80 are in a stop state, and the drain valve 84 is in an open state. Accordingly, at the time of starting the fluid injection operation, the sealing portion 104 of the endoscope connection tube 100 is in the second position in which the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe sleeve 202.

[0097] In the fluid supply operation, the control unit 5 first starts supplying the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 to the detection piping 112 in step S300. Specifically, the control unit 5 switches the three-way valve 63 to the state where the fluid feed pump 33 and the detection piping connecting body 62 are connected to each other, and then starts operating the fluid feed pump 33. By executing step S300, the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 is supplied to the detection piping 112.

[0098] Next, in step S310, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the flow of the fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the control unit 5 determines that the flow of the fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70 when the flow rate of the fluid detected by the flow rate measuring unit 71 is a threshold value or more.

[0099] As described above, the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens into the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104. Accordingly, when the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe socket 202 at the time of executing step S310, the detection pipe 112 is not closed by the pipe socket 202. Accordingly, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply source 60 into the detection pipe 112 flows out of the first end portion 112a in this case. Accordingly, when the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are separated from the pipe socket 202 at the time of executing step S310, the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70.

[0100] When the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70 in step S310, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S320 and determines that the seal portion 104 is normally separated from the pipe joint 202. In other words, the case where the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is detected by the detection unit 70 in step S320 occurs when the movement of the seal portion 104 is normally performed by the switching unit 103. The control unit 5 proceeds to step S360 and executes step S360, which will be described later.

[0101] If the near contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are not separated from the pipe joint 202 at the time of executing step S310, the detection pipe 112 is closed by the pipe joint 202, and therefore, the fluid in the detection pipe 112 does not flow. Accordingly, if the near contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are not separated from the pipe joint 202 at the time of executing step S310, the fluid flow in the detection pipe 112 is not detected by the detection unit 70.

[0102] If the flow of fluid in the detection pipe 112 is not detected by the detection unit 70, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S330 and determines that the sealing portion 104 is not separated from the pipe socket 202. Subsequently, in step S340, the control unit 5 normally displays a warning to the user via the display unit 8 that the movement of the sealing portion 104 by the switching unit 103 is not completed. In step S380, the control unit 5 stops supplying fluid from the fluid supply source 60.

[0103] After the control unit 5 normally determines in step S320 that the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe socket 202, the control unit 5 proceeds to step S360 and starts supplying fluid from the fluid supply source 60 to the fluid feed pipe 111. More specifically, the control unit 5 switches the three-way valve 63 to the state where the fluid feed pump 33 and the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 are connected to each other. Note that the control unit 5 may temporarily stop the operation of the fluid feed pump 33 during the switching operation of the three-way valve 63. By executing step S360, part of the fluid supplied from the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 leaks from the periphery of the pipe socket 202, and the remaining fluid is fed into the pipe 201.

[0104] After the control unit 5 continues the supply of the fluid from the fluid supply source 60 into the fluid feed pipe 111 for a predetermined period of time in step S370, the control unit 5 shifts to step S380 and stops the supply of the fluid from the fluid supply source 60. The fluid feed operation in the present embodiment ends here.

[0105] As described above, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing device 1 of the present embodiment are capable of automatically detecting whether the sealing portion 104 is in the state of being separated from the pipe joint 202 or not based on the detection result from the detection unit 70 of whether the fluid flow is present in the detection pipe 112 or not. In other words, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing device 1 of the present embodiment are capable of automatically detecting whether the sealing portion 104 is in the state of being in close contact with the pipe joint 202 or not based on the detection result from the detection unit 70 of whether the fluid flow is present in the detection pipe 112 or not.

[0106] As described above, when the sealing portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe joint 202, the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in a state where all the fluid is supplied into the pipe 201, whereas when the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe joint 202, the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in a state where part of the fluid leaks out at the periphery of the pipe joint 202. Accordingly, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment are capable of detecting whether or not the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in the state where all the fluid is supplied into the pipe 201.

[0107] It should be noted that the above-described endoscope reprocessing device 1 of the present embodiment is configured to detect whether the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in the state where all the fluid is injected into the piping 201 at the time of the clogging detection operation, but the purpose and timing of detecting whether the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in the state where all the fluid is injected into the piping 201 are not limited to the purpose and timing of the present embodiment. For example, the endoscope reprocessing device 1 can detect whether the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in the state where all the fluid is injected into the piping 201 or not when the fluid is injected only into the piping 201.In this case, by feeding the fluid only into the pipeline 201, the cleanability and disinfectability in the pipeline 201 by the endoscope reprocessing device 1 can be improved.

[0108] In the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment, the proximal contact surface 104a of the sealing portion 104 has an annular shape that is in close contact with the side surface 202c of the pipe joint 202 in the entire circumferential direction, and the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens into the groove 104b provided in the extending direction to be engraved along the proximal contact surface 104a. Therefore, in the present embodiment, even if only a part of the proximal contact surfaces 104a are separated from the pipe joint 202 in the circumferential direction, the detection pipe 112 is not closed. Accordingly, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can reliably detect whether the sealing portion 104 is normally in the state of being in close contact with the pipe socket 202 or not.

[0109] In the above-described embodiment, the sealing portion 104 has the annular shape into which the pipe socket 202 is fitted, and the close contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with the side surface 202c of the pipe socket 202, but the shape of the sealing portion 104 is not limited to the shape of the sealing portion 104 of the present embodiment. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show a first modification of the sealing section 104. Fig. Fig. 8 shows a state in which the sealing portion 104 is in the second position in the present modification, and Fig. 9 shows a state in which the sealing portion 104 is in the first position in the present modification.

[0110] The sealing portion 104 of the present modification has the proximal contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with the end surface 202b of the pipe socket 202. The opening portion 202a is formed in a central portion of the end surface 202b, and the end surface 202b has an annular surface surrounding the opening portion 202a. The proximal contact surfaces 104a of the sealing portion 104 are annular surfaces positioned to face the end surface 202b, and the sealing portion 104 connects the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 and an inside of the opening portion 202a to each other through close contact with the end surface 202b to surround the opening portion 202a of the pipe socket 202. The first end portion 112a of the detection conduit 112 opens into the near contact surfaces 104a.

[0111] Even in a mode in which the pipe sleeve 202 is not inserted inside the sealing portion 104, when the sealing portion 104 is in the first position as in the present modification, the endoscope connecting tube 100 is capable of switching between the state in which a part of the fluid leaks out at the periphery of the pipe sleeve 202 and the state in which all of the fluid is fed into the pipe 201 by causing the sealing portion 104 to move.

[0112] In the present modification, the detection pipe 112 is closed by the pipe joint 202 when the seal portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe joint 202. Accordingly, the endoscope connection tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present modification are capable of automatically detecting whether the seal portion 104 is in a state of being separated from the pipe joint 202 based on the detection result of the detection unit 70 as to whether or not the fluid flow is present in the detection pipe 112.

[0113] Next, Fig. 10 a second modification of the sealing portion 104. The sealing portion 104 of the present modification, which in Fig. 10 is divided into a plurality of elements. Specifically, the sealing portion 104 of the present modification is configured by a first sealing member 104c and a second sealing member 104d arranged along a depth direction of an opening of the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111.

[0114] The second sealing member 104d is disposed at a lower position of the opening of the first end portion 111a of the fluid feed pipe 111 than the first sealing member 104c. The first sealing member 104c and the second sealing member 104d each include the annular proximal contact surfaces 104a, each of which is in close contact with the pipe socket 202. In the present modification, a gap between the first sealing member 104c and the second sealing member 104d is the groove 104b. In other words, in the present modification, the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 opens between the first sealing member 104c and the second sealing member 104d.

[0115] In such the present modification, the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 is also in the state of having the periphery surrounded by the proximal contact surfaces 104a of the first sealing member 104c and the second sealing member 104d.

[0116] Accordingly, the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present modification is capable of switching between the state in which a part of the fluid leaks out at the periphery of the pipe socket 202 and the state in which all of the fluid is fed into the pipe 201 by causing the sealing portion 104 to move.

[0117] In the present modification, the detection pipe 112 is also closed by the pipe joint 202 when the seal portion 104 is in the state of being in close contact with the pipe joint 202. Accordingly, the endoscope connection tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present modification are capable of automatically detecting whether the seal portion 104 is in the state of being separated from the pipe joint 202 based on the detection result from the detection unit 70 of whether the fluid flow is present in the detection pipe 112 or not. (Second embodiment)

[0118] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Only a difference from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of the components will be properly omitted.

[0119] The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the endoscope connecting tube 100 includes the detection unit 70. Fig. 11, Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are sectional views each showing a configuration of the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment.

[0120] The detection unit 70 of the present embodiment is arranged in the detection pipe 112 and includes a forward and backward flow body 70a configured to move forward and backward in the detection pipe 112, a driving body 70b configured to drive the forward and backward flow body 70a toward the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112, and an observation window 70c that allows at least part of a movement range of the forward and backward flow body 70a inside the detection pipe 112 to be observed from outside the detection pipe 112.

[0121] The detection pipe 112 of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape in which the second end portion 112b protrudes outward from the connector body 101, and is formed of a transparent material. The second end portion 112b of the detection pipe 112 is closed. The forward and backward flow body 70a reaches a portion of the detection pipe 112 protruding outward from the connector body 101 when the forward and backward flow body 70a moves to a side closest to the second end portion 112b in the moving range. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the portion of the detection pipe 112 protruding from the connector body 101 is the observation window 70c.

[0122] In the detection unit 70 of the present embodiment configured as described above, when the fluid flows from the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 into the detection pipe 112, the forward and backward flowing body 70a moves in a direction approaching the second end portion 112b as shown by an arrow F in Fig. 13. In this case, the forward and return body 70a is in a position that can be visually recognized from the outside through the observation window 70c.

[0123] In the detection unit 70 of the present embodiment, the forward and backward flow body 70a is held in a position near the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112 by a driving force of the driving body 70b when no fluid flows in from the first end portion 112a of the detection pipe 112. In this case, the forward and backward flow body 70a is located in a position that cannot be visually observed from the outside through the observation window 70c.

[0124] Consequently, according to the present embodiment, the user confirms the position of the forward and backward flow body 70a through the observation window 70c, and thus the user can know whether fluid flows into the detection pipe 112 from the first end portion 112a or not.

[0125] When the fluid is supplied to the fluid feed pipe 111 from, for example, the fluid supply source 60, if the forward and backward flow body 70a is in a state where it cannot be visually observed through the observation window 70c, the user can determine that the sealing portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe socket 202. When the fluid is supplied to the fluid feed pipe 111 from the fluid supply source 60, if the forward and backward flow body 70a is in a state where it can be visually observed through the observation window 70c, the user can determine that the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe socket 202. (Third embodiment)

[0126] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Only a difference from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components as the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of the components will be properly omitted.

[0127] The Fig. The present embodiment shown in Fig. 14 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the fluid supply source 60. In the fluid supply source 60 of the present embodiment, the detection unit 70 is placed as a separate component from the flow rate measuring unit 71.

[0128] As in Fig. As shown in FIG. 14, the detection fluid supply pipe 61 of the present embodiment connects a section between the flow rate measuring unit 71 of the delivery pipe 31 and the fluid supply pump 33 and the detection pipe connecting body 62. A valve mechanism such as a three-way valve is not provided in a connecting body of the delivery pipe 31 and the detection fluid supply pipe 61. Accordingly, the fluid supplied from the fluid supply pump 33 is supplied to both the fluid supply pipe 111 connected to the endoscope pipe connecting body 16 and the detection pipe 112 connected to the detection pipe connecting body 62. The detection unit 70 of the present embodiment is a flow rate sensor that measures the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the detection pipe connecting body 62.

[0129] The fluid supply source 60 of the present embodiment simultaneously supplies the fluid to both the fluid feed line 111 and the detection line 112, as described above. The fluid supply source 60 of the present embodiment is capable of measuring flow rates in the fluid feed line 111 and the detection line 112, respectively.

[0130] Accordingly, in the endoscope connection tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously automatically detect whether the seal portion 104 is in the state of being separated from the pipe socket 202 or not based on the detection result from the detection unit 70 of whether the flow of the fluid is present in the detection pipe 112 and supply the fluid to the pipe 201 via the fluid supply pipe 111.

[0131] More specifically, the Fig. 6, the operations from step S110 to step S150 and the operations from step S160 to step S200 are executed simultaneously. Fig. 7, the operations from step S300 to step S320 and the operations from step S360 to step S370 can be executed simultaneously.

[0132] Accordingly, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment can perform the clogging detection operation and the fluid injection operation in a shorter time compared to the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment. (Fourth embodiment)

[0133] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Only a difference from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of the components will be properly omitted.

[0134] The Fig. The present embodiment shown in Fig. 15 differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the fluid supply source 60. In the fluid supply source 60 of the present embodiment, the detection unit 70 is placed as a separate component from the flow rate measuring unit 71.

[0135] As in Fig. As shown in Fig. 15, a switching valve 72 is placed in the detection fluid feed pipe 61 of the present embodiment. The detection unit 70 is a pressure sensor placed in a section between the switching valve 72 of the detection fluid feed pipe 61 and the detection pipe connecting body 62. In the present embodiment, the three-way valve is not provided in the connecting body of the production pipe 31 and the detection fluid feed pipe 61.

[0136] The fluid supply source 60 of the present embodiment simultaneously supplies the fluid to both the fluid feed pipe 111 and the detection pipe 112, as described above. In the present embodiment, the switching valve 72 is brought into the closed state in the state in which the fluid is fed at a predetermined pressure from the fluid supply source 60 into the detection pipe 112, and a subsequent change in the pressure of the fluid in the detection pipe 112 (detection fluid feed pipe 61) is measured by the detection unit 70, thereby detecting the presence or absence of the flow of the fluid in the detection pipe 112.

[0137] For example, if the sealing portion 104 is in close contact with the pipe socket 202 and the fluid in the detection pipe 112 is not flowing, the pressure measured by the detection unit 70 does not change after the switching valve 72 is closed. If the sealing portion 104 is separated from the pipe socket 202 and the fluid in the detection pipe 112 flows out of the first end portion 112a, the pressure measured by the detection unit 70 decreases after the switching valve 72 is closed.

[0138] In this way, the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment are also capable of automatically detecting whether the sealing portion 104 is in the state of being separated from the pipe socket 202 or not based on the detection result from the detection unit 70 of whether the flow of the fluid is present in the detection pipe 112 or not. (Fifth embodiment)

[0139] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Only a difference from the first embodiment will be described below. The same components as those of the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and explanations of the components will be properly omitted.

[0140] The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the endoscope connecting tube 100. In the first embodiment, the sealing portion 104 of the endoscope connecting tube 100 has contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with or separated from the tube joint 202. The sealing portion 104 of the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment has contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with or separated from an outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200. The contact surface 104a of the present embodiment is in close contact with the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200 to surround the opening portion 202a of the tube joint 202.

[0141] Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 each shows a cross-sectional view of the endoscope connecting tube 100 of the present embodiment. Fig. 16 shows a state in which the near contact surface 104a is separated from the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200, and Fig. 17 shows a state in which the near contact surface 104a is in close contact with the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200.

[0142] In the present embodiment, the opening of the first end portion 112a of the detection tube 112, which is provided in the proximal contact surfaces 104a, is closed by the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200 by the proximal contact surfaces 104a that are in close contact with the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200. When the proximal contact surface 104a is separated from the outer surface 200a of the endoscope 200, the first end portion 112a of the detection tube 112 is brought into an open state.

[0143] According to the endoscope connecting tube 100 and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is also possible to detect whether the endoscope connecting tube 100 is in the state where all the fluid is fed into the piping 201 or not (as in the first embodiment).

[0144] The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, but can be arbitrarily changed within the scope without departing from the gist or idea of ​​the invention as understood from the claims and the entire specification, and the endoscope connecting tube and the endoscope reprocessing apparatus involving such changes are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0145] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-050067 filed in Japan on March 15, 2017, the disclosed contents of which are incorporated herein by reference to the specification, claims and drawings of the present application.

Claims

[1] Endoscope connecting tube (100), comprising: a fluid feed conduit (111) configured to supply fluid to an endoscope (200) through an opening of the fluid feed conduit (111); a detection conduit (112) configured to supply fluid through an opening of the detection conduit (112); a sealing portion (104) configured to be brought into contact with a portion (202c) of the endoscope (200), wherein, in a state where the sealing portion (104) is brought into contact with the portion (202c) of the endoscope (200), the sealing portion (104) and the portion (202c) of the endoscope (200) reduce a flow of the fluid through the opening of the detection piping (112) toward the endoscope (200). [2] Endoscope connecting tube according to claim 1, characterized by , that the fluid feed pipe (111) has a first end portion (111a) connected to a pipe sleeve (202) of the endoscope (200) and a second end portion (111b) connected to a fluid supply source (60); the sealing portion (104) is provided in the first end portion (111a) of the fluid feed pipe (111) and includes a close contact surface (104a) configured to be in close contact with an outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200) to surround an opening portion (202a) of the pipe sleeve (202), and configured to connect an inner side of the fluid feed pipe (111) and an inner side of the opening portion (202a) when the close contact surface (104a) is in close contact with the outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200); and the detection conduit (112) has a first end portion (112a) open into the near contact surface (104a) and is configured to be closed by the outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200) when the near contact surface (104a) is in close contact with the outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200). [3] The endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 2, wherein the outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200) is the pipe sleeve (202). [4] The endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 2, wherein the proximal contact surface (104a) has an annular groove (104b) provided along the proximal contact surface in an extending direction in the proximal contact surface (104a); and the first end portion (112a) of the detection piping (112) opens into the groove (104). [5] Endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 2, wherein the pipe sleeve (202) protrudes in a cylindrical shape from the outer surface (200a) of the endoscope (200) and is provided with the opening portion (202a) in an end surface (202b), and the sealing portion (104) is annular and the pipe sleeve (202) is inserted inside it, and the close contact surface (104a) is a surface that is in close contact with an entire side surface in a circumferential direction of the pipe sleeve (202) when it is inserted into the sealing portion (104). [6] Endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 2, comprising: a holding body (102) configured to hold the first end portion (111a) of the fluid feed pipe (111) so that the first end portion faces the pipe sleeve (202); and a switching unit (103) configured to cause the sealing portion (104) to move between a first position in which the proximal contact surface is in close contact with the pipe socket (202) and a second position in which the proximal contact surface (104a) is separated from the pipe socket (202) in a state in which the first end portion (111a) of the fluid feed pipe (111) is held by the holding body (102) to face the pipe socket (202). [7] The endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 6, wherein the switching unit (103) comprises a working fluid conduit (113) configured to connect to a working fluid supply source (80), and causes the sealing portion (104) to move in response to a pressure of a fluid supplied from the working fluid supply source (80). [8] Endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 2, comprising: a detection unit (70) provided in the detection pipeline (112) and configured to detect a flow of a fluid in the detection pipeline (112). [9] Endoscope connecting tube (100) according to claim 8, wherein a second end portion (112b) of the detection pipe (112) is closed, and the detection unit (70) comprises: a forward and return body (70a) arranged in the detection pipe (112) and designed to move forward and backward in the detection pipe (112), a drive body (70b) arranged in the detection pipe (112) and designed to drive the forward and return body (70a) to the first end section (112a), and an observation window (70c) designed so that at least part of a movement range of the forward and return body (70a) can be observed from outside the detection pipeline (112). [10] Endoscope reprocessing device, comprising: an endoscope connecting tube (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, a fluid supply source (60) connected to the second end portion (111b) of the fluid feed pipe (111) and a second end portion (112b) of the detection pipe (112) of the endoscope connecting tube (100); and a first detection unit (70) configured to detect a flow of a fluid in the detection conduit (112), wherein the fluid supply source (60) comprises: a fluid feed pump (33), a delivery pipeline (31) designed to connect the fluid delivery pump (33) and the second end portion (111b) of the fluid feed pipeline (111) to each other, a detection fluid conveying conduit configured to connect the conveying conduit (31) and the second end portion (112b) of the detection conduit (112), and a three-way valve (63) placed in a connecting portion of the conveying pipeline (31) and the detection fluid conveying pipeline, and the first detection unit (70) is placed in a section between the fluid feed pump (33) and the three-way valve (63) of the feed pipeline (31). [11] The endoscope reprocessing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first detection unit (70) also serves as a second detection unit (70) configured to detect a flow of a fluid in the fluid feed pipe (111).

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