Hood for endoscope

Abstract

To provide a hood for an endoscope capable of achieving both insertion property and drainage capacity.SOLUTION: A hood 1 for an endoscope includes: a cylindrical body 10 mounted on a tip of an endoscope 100; a drainage groove 13 provided on an inside surface 12 of the body 10, and connecting a space S surrounded by the body 10 and an outside space of the body 10 further toward a tip side than the tip of the endoscope 100; and a deformation adjustment part 15 having a projecting shape, a recessed shape or an uneven shape and provided in a position affecting deformation of the drainage groove 13 in the body 10.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope hood that is attached to the distal end of an endoscope. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, endoscopes inserted into the digestive tract of the human body to observe the interior and treat lesions have sometimes been fitted with a hood at their tip. Typically, this endoscopic hood is a cylindrical member made of a flexible material such as PVC resin, and is fitted over the tip of the endoscope with a portion of its tip protruding beyond the tip of the endoscope.

[0003] By attaching such an endoscope hood, it is possible to prevent the relatively rigid tip of the endoscope from damaging tissue such as the intestinal wall. Furthermore, the endoscope hood creates a space enclosed by the tip of the endoscope, ensuring the necessary field of view. Therefore, even when performing procedures such as resecting a lesion using a treatment tool inserted through the forceps port of the endoscope, it is possible to perform the procedure safely.

[0004] However, when such an endoscope hood is attached, liquids such as body fluids leaking from the resection site and cleaning water discharged from the endoscope may accumulate in the space enclosed by the hood further distal to the tip of the endoscope, obstructing the field of view. For this reason, there are endoscope hoods that are provided with drainage channels to guide and discharge liquids that have accumulated in the space (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-187535 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, because the inner diameter of the endoscopic hood is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the endoscope and it is attached to the endoscope in an elastically deformed state, the drainage grooves that have been provided with great care can change shape due to elastic deformation, and the drainage performance may not be achieved as expected. In particular, if the outer diameter of the endoscopic hood is made smaller than the outer diameter of the tip of the endoscope, i.e., the wall is made thinner, in order to improve insertability into the body, the degree of deformation of the drainage grooves increases, making it difficult to achieve the expected drainage performance.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide an endoscope hood that is capable of achieving both ease of insertion and drainage capability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The endoscopic hood of the present invention is characterized by having a cylindrical main body that is attached to the tip of an endoscope, a drainage groove that is provided on the inner surface of the main body and connects the space surrounded by the main body further distal to the tip of the endoscope with the space outside the main body, and a deformation adjustment section that has a convex, concave, or uneven shape and is provided at a position on the main body that affects the deformation of the drainage groove.

[0009] According to the endoscope hood of the present invention, the deformation of the drainage groove when attached to the endoscope can be appropriately adjusted by the deformation adjustment section, so that even when the endoscope hood is made thinner to improve insertability into the body, the drainage ability of the drainage groove can be exhibited as expected. In other words, both insertability and drainage ability can be achieved.

[0010] In the endoscope hood of the present invention, it is preferable that the deformation adjustment portion is provided inside the drainage groove.

[0011] This makes it possible to adjust the deformation of the drainage groove as well as the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path in the drainage groove and the contact area with the liquid as appropriate, thereby improving the drainage capacity by effectively expressing capillary action through hydrophilic treatment, etc.

[0012] In the endoscope hood of the present invention, the deformation adjustment portion is preferably configured to come into contact with the endoscope.

[0013] This allows the deformation adjustment section to be supported by the endoscope when attached to the endoscope, making it possible to more reliably adjust the deformation of the drainage groove.

[0014] In the endoscope hood of the present invention, it is preferable that the deformation adjustment portion is provided so as to extend continuously or intermittently along the direction in which the drainage groove extends.

[0015] This allows the effect of the deformation adjustment section to be exerted over a wider range in the longitudinal direction of the drainage groove, making it possible to more reliably exert the expected drainage capacity. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The endoscope hood of the present invention can provide the excellent effect of achieving both ease of insertion and drainage capability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1A is a plan view of an endoscope hood according to one embodiment of the present invention, B is a front view of the endoscope hood, and C is a bottom view of the endoscope hood. [Figure 2] 1A and 2B are cross-sectional views taken along line AA and line BB, respectively, in FIG. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of other forms of the deformation adjustment portion. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of other forms of the deformation adjustment portion. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of other forms of the main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1A is a plan view (viewed from the distal end) of an endoscope hood 1 (hereinafter referred to as hood 1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 1B is a front view of hood 1 (left and right side views and rear views are also the same), and Fig. 1C is a bottom view of hood 1 (viewed from the proximal end). Fig. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1A, and Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Fig. 2A.

[0019] The hood 1 is attached to the distal end of an endoscope 100 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) that is inserted into the digestive tract of the human body to observe the interior and treat lesions. More specifically, the hood 1 is fitted onto the distal end of the endoscope with a portion of its distal end protruding further distal than the tip of the endoscope.

[0020] The hood 1 has a cylindrical main body 10 made of a suitable flexible, transparent or translucent resin (for example, PVC resin). A tapered portion 11a whose outer diameter gradually decreases toward the tip is provided on the distal end of the outer surface 11 of the main body 10 to improve insertion into narrow spaces inside the body. The portion of the outer surface 11 other than the tapered portion 11a is a constant diameter portion 11b whose outer diameter is approximately constant.

[0021] The inner surface 12 of the main body 10 is composed of a fitting portion 12a that fits into the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope 100, a tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b that has a larger inner diameter than the fitting portion 12a at the tip side of the fitting portion 12a, and a base-side expanded diameter portion 12c that has a larger inner diameter than the fitting portion 12a at the base side of the fitting portion 12a.

[0022] The fitting portion 12a has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the tip portion of the endoscope 100 so that it can fit into the tip portion of the endoscope 100. The tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b has an inner diameter that leaves a small gap between it and the outer peripheral surface 101 of the endoscope 100 when it is attached to the endoscope 100. The base-end expanded diameter portion 12c has an inner diameter that leaves a larger gap between it and the outer peripheral surface 101 of the endoscope 100 than the tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b does when it is attached to the endoscope 100.

[0023] The inner surface 12 also has a drainage groove 13 for smoothly draining liquid from the space S, in order to prevent liquids such as body fluids leaking from the resection site during treatment and cleaning water ejected from the water supply nozzle of the endoscope 100 from remaining in the space S surrounded by the hood 1 further distal to the tip of the endoscope 100, more specifically, the space S defined by the distal end surface 102 of the endoscope 100 and the distal enlarged diameter portion 12b.

[0024] In this embodiment, four drainage grooves 13 extending in the axial direction are arranged at equal intervals of approximately 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. These drainage grooves 13 are provided so as to connect a position in the distal enlarged diameter section 12b that is distal to the distal end surface 102 when attached to the endoscope 100 with the distal end of the proximal enlarged diameter section 12c. Furthermore, drainage holes 14 with circular cross sections that penetrate the main body 10 in the thickness direction are provided at positions corresponding to the fitting sections 12a of the four drainage grooves 13, respectively.

[0025] That is, drainage groove 13 is configured to connect space S with the space outside main body 10 via base-end expanded diameter portion 12c and drainage hole 14. Therefore, liquid that has seeped into drainage groove 13 from space S is discharged to the outside of main body 10 through base-end expanded diameter portion 12c or drainage hole 14, but is mainly discharged from drainage hole 14, which is a large opening located near space S.

[0026] In this embodiment, a known hydrophilic treatment (coating) is applied to the entire body 10 to enhance the drainage capability of the drainage groove 13. In addition, by making the cross-sectional shape of the drainage groove 13 a rectangular shape with the long side curved in an arc along the circumferential direction of the body 10, the outer diameter of the body 10 can be made as small as possible to improve insertability into the body, while still providing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path required for smooth drainage.

[0027] In this embodiment, an appropriate gap is created between the tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b and the outer surface 101 of the endoscope 100, so that the liquid in the space S is drawn into this gap by capillary action, further promoting drainage through the drainage groove 13.

[0028] In this embodiment, the drainage groove 13 is extended as far as possible toward the tip to enhance the drainage capacity, but is not provided in the region corresponding to the tapered portion 11a where the wall thickness is thin. Also, the depth of the drainage groove 13 (the radial dimension of the main body 10) is shallower in the portion closer to the tip than to the base end than the center of the drainage hole 14. This ensures the strength and rigidity of the tip side of the main body 10 as appropriate, making it possible to facilitate operations such as pushing aside excised tissue with the tip of the hood 1.

[0029] In addition, in the portion of drainage groove 13 closer to the base end than the center of drainage hole 14, bottom 13a is continuous with base-end expanded diameter portion 12c, and the inner diameter of bottom 13a closer to the base end than the center of drainage hole 14 (twice the distance from the axis of main body 10 to bottom 13a) is approximately the same as the inner diameter of base-end expanded diameter portion 12c. In addition, drainage hole 14 is configured in a tapered shape where the inner diameter gradually expands from the outer surface 11.

[0030] As described above, in this embodiment, the provision of the drainage groove 13 prevents liquids such as bodily fluids and cleaning water from remaining in the space S and obstructing the field of view of the endoscope 100. However, if the outer diameter of the main body 10 is reduced and the radial thickness is thinned (thinned) to improve insertability into the body, the depth of the drainage groove 13 also becomes shallow. Therefore, in order to ensure the flow path cross-sectional area necessary for smooth drainage, it is necessary to increase the width of the drainage groove 13 (the circumferential dimension of the main body 10). In this case, the circumferential tensile force associated with fitting the drainage groove 13 to the endoscope 100 tends to deform the bottom 13a of the drainage groove 13 so that it approaches the outer peripheral surface 101 of the endoscope 100, which reduces the flow path cross-sectional area and may result in an inability to obtain the expected drainage performance.

[0031] Therefore, in this embodiment, a deformation adjustment section 15 consisting of a ribbed convex shape is provided inside the drainage groove 13, which adjusts the deformation of the drainage groove 13, particularly the deformation of the bottom 13a, when attached to the endoscope 100 so as to suppress it, thereby achieving the expected drainage capacity.

[0032] The deformation adjustment portion 15 is provided to protrude from the middle position in the width direction of the bottom 13a of the drainage groove 13, and is provided to extend continuously along the extension direction of the drainage groove 13. In this embodiment, by providing the deformation adjustment portion 15 closer to the tip side than the drainage hole 14, the liquid is able to be discharged as expected from the drainage hole 14, which is the main outlet.

[0033] In this embodiment, the deformation adjustment unit 15 has a rectangular cross section and the distal end of the deformation adjustment unit 15 is connected to the distal end of the drainage groove 13, thereby improving the deformation adjustment capability of the deformation adjustment unit 15. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height of the deformation adjustment unit 15 at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 12a is aligned with that of the fitting portion 12a, and the deformation adjustment unit 15 is supported on the outer peripheral surface 101 of the endoscope 100, thereby reliably demonstrating the deformation adjustment capability of the deformation adjustment unit 15. Specifically, in this embodiment, the inner diameter of the top surface 15a at a position corresponding to the fitting portion 12a of the deformation adjustment unit 15 (twice the distance from the axis of the main body 10 to the top surface 15a) is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the fitting portion 12a, so that the top surface 15a comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface 101 in an engaged state when attached to the endoscope 100.

[0034] Since the deformation adjusting portion 15 is provided separately from the fine uneven shape for enhancing hydrophilicity, the deformation adjusting portion 15 is also subjected to a hydrophilic treatment like other portions. Therefore, by providing the deformation adjusting portion 15 in the drainage groove 13 as in this embodiment, the contact area with the liquid relative to the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path can be increased, which makes it possible to effectively exert capillary action in the drainage groove 13 and enhance the drainage capacity.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by aligning the height of deformation adjustment section 15 at a position corresponding to tip side expanded diameter section 12b with that of tip side expanded diameter section 12b, the drawing of liquid by capillary action into the gap between it and the outer peripheral surface 101 of endoscope 100 also occurs in deformation adjustment section 15. Specifically, in this embodiment, by setting the inner diameter (twice the distance from the axis of main body 10 to top surface 15b) of top surface 15b at a position corresponding to tip side expanded diameter section 12b to be approximately the same as the inner diameter of tip side expanded diameter section 12b, a gap equivalent to that of tip side expanded diameter section 12b is created between top surface 15b and outer peripheral surface 101 when attached to endoscope 100.

[0036] In addition, in this embodiment, the deformation adjustment portion 15 is arranged to extend continuously along the direction in which the drainage groove 13 extends, so that the effect of the deformation adjustment portion 15 is exerted over the entire area of ​​the drainage groove 13 on the tip side of the drainage hole 14, making it possible to more reliably achieve the expected drainage ability.

[0037] In this way, by providing the deformation adjustment portion 15, the hood 1 of this embodiment can ensure that the drainage capability of the drainage grooves 13 is fully exhibited even when the outer diameter of the main body 10 is set small.

[0038] 3A and 3B and 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of other forms of the deformation adjustment section 15, and are cross-sectional views corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2A.

[0039] 3A shows an example in which the cross section of the deformation adjustment unit 15 is semicircular and the deformation adjustment unit 15 does not come into contact with the outer peripheral surface 101 of the endoscope 100. As such, the shape of the deformation adjustment unit 15 is not particularly limited, and various shapes can be adopted depending on the dimensions and shapes of the main body 10 and the drainage groove 13. Furthermore, the deformation adjustment unit 15 may not come into contact with the endoscope 100 when attached to the tip of the endoscope 100. Furthermore, although not shown, the deformation adjustment unit 15 may come into contact with the endoscope 100 as a whole.

[0040] 3B and 4A show examples in which deformation adjustment portion 15 is provided in a location other than the inside of drainage groove 13. As such, deformation adjustment portion 15 may be provided in a location that affects the deformation of drainage groove 13, and may be provided on outer surface 11 or in an area of ​​inner surface 12 other than drainage groove 13.

[0041] 4A also shows an example in which deformation adjustment parts 15 are provided on both side edges of the drainage groove 13. In this way, a plurality of deformation adjustment parts 15 may be provided for one drainage groove 13. Although not shown, deformation adjustment parts 15 may be provided for only some of the plurality of drainage grooves 13, or the number and positions of the deformation adjustment parts 15 corresponding to each drainage groove 13 may be changed.

[0042] 4B shows an example in which a deformation adjustment portion 15 having a concave shape is provided inside the drainage groove 13, and a deformation adjustment portion 15 having a convex shape is provided on the outer surface 11. In this way, the deformation adjustment portion 15 may be formed from a concave shape. Furthermore, although not shown, the deformation adjustment portion 15 may be formed from an uneven shape that combines a concave shape and a convex shape.

[0043] Additionally, although not shown, the deformation adjustment portion 15 may be provided so as to extend intermittently along the extension direction of the drainage groove 13, or may be provided locally rather than along the extension direction of the drainage groove 13. In other words, the drainage ability may be further improved by changing the degree of deformation and the degree of capillary action along the extension direction of the drainage groove 13, i.e., along the liquid flow path.

[0044] 5 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the main body 10, corresponding to the cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1A. In this example, instead of the tapered portion 11a of the outer surface 11, a tapered portion 12d whose inner diameter gradually increases toward the tip is provided on the tip side of the inner surface 12. In this example, the overall axial length of the main body 10 is set shorter than in the example shown in FIG. 1, etc., and the amount of protrusion from the tip of the endoscope 100 is configured to be relatively small.

[0045] This configuration makes it possible to expand the field of observation of the endoscope 100 when the endoscopic hood 1 is attached. That is, the example shown in Fig. 1 etc. is a configuration for treatment that makes it easy to penetrate, for example, under the mucosa during resection, by using the tapered portion 11a of the outer surface 11, whereas the example shown in Fig. 5 is a configuration for examination that makes it easy to observe a wide area, for example, inside the digestive tract, by using the tapered portion 12d of the inner surface 12.

[0046] 5, the drainage groove 13 extends toward the tip side halfway along the tapered portion 12d, and the drainage groove 13 and deformation adjustment portion 15 are provided in the tapered portion 12d in addition to the fitting portion 12a and the tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b. That is, in this example, the drainage groove 13 is provided in the tapered portion 12d, which has a thinner radial thickness than the tip-side expanded diameter portion 12b, but deformation is suppressed by the deformation adjustment portion 15, so that the expected drainage capacity can be obtained. In this way, the present invention is also suitable for not only reducing the outer diameter of the main body 10 but also expanding the inner diameter of the protruding portion to widen the observation field.

[0047] In addition, although not shown in the figures, the shape of the main body 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is cylindrical and can be fitted onto the endoscope 100, and it goes without saying that the shape, number and arrangement of the drainage grooves 13 and drainage holes 14 are not particularly limited.

[0048] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the endoscope hood of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, the actions and effects shown in the above-described embodiments are merely a list of the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects of the present invention are not limited to these. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Endoscope hood 10 Main Unit 12 Inner surface 13 Drainage groove 15 Deformation adjustment section 100 Endoscope

Claims

1. a cylindrical main body attached to the tip of the endoscope; a drainage groove provided on the inner surface of the main body, connecting a space surrounded by the main body on the distal side of the endoscope with a space outside the main body; a deformation adjustment portion having a convex, concave, or concave-convex shape provided at a position on the main body that affects the deformation of the drainage groove.

2. The endoscope hood according to claim 1, The endoscope hood is characterized in that the deformation adjustment portion is provided inside the drainage groove.

3. The endoscope hood according to claim 1, The deformation adjustment portion is configured to come into contact with the endoscope.

4. The endoscope hood according to claim 1, The deformation adjustment portion is provided so as to extend continuously or intermittently along the extension direction of the drainage groove.

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