Rigid endoscope cover and endoscope unit

Abstract

To provide a rigid endoscope cover and an endoscope unit, the rigid endoscope cover being easily attached and detached without detachment of a cover member to an outer peripheral face of a rigid endoscope, and the cover allowing an observation window part of the rigid endoscope to be washed surely.SOLUTION: A cover 2 has; a flexible cover member 10 which covers a part in a peripheral direction of an outer peripheral face of a rigid endoscope 50, and in which one or more grooves 12, 14 extending parallel to each other along a longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 50 are formed; and tubular members 40, 42 which are fitted to the grooves 12, 14 of the cover member 10, and in which washing fluid to be supplied to an observation window part of the rigid endoscope 50 from a base end side of the rigid endoscope 50 flows. A discharge part 20 has a plurality of discharge holes 22, 24 formed thereon, and is provided with a branch part 27 for branching the washing fluid sent from the tubular members 40, 42 and discharging the washing fluid from the respective discharge holes 22, 24 to the observation window part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for covering the outer surface of a rigid endoscope having an observation window at its tip that protects an objective lens for imaging an affected area, and to an endoscope unit consisting of the rigid endoscope and the cover. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in the medical field, endoscopes (flexible endoscopes), typified by gastroscopes, have come to be used in stomach examinations and surgeries. Furthermore, thoracoscopes are often used in surgeries performed by opening the chest, and laparoscopes are often used in surgeries performed by opening the abdomen (hereinafter referred to as laparoscopic surgery). Laparoscopic surgery has rapidly become popular due to its minimally invasive nature and favorable cosmetic results, and its proportion of all surgical operations, primarily for gastric and colon cancer surgeries, is increasing year by year. The thoracoscopes and laparoscopes mentioned above are called rigid endoscopes, and the tip of such rigid endoscopes is equipped with an objective lens for capturing images of the affected area and an observation window for protecting the objective lens.

[0003] During surgery using rigid endoscopes such as the thoracoscope and laparoscope, the observation window at the tip of the rigid endoscope frequently becomes dirty or cloudy with blood, fat, and the like. This necessitates a temporary interruption of the surgery to clean or sanitize the observation window, resulting in a significant decrease in surgical efficiency. More specifically, the only information required for surgery using a rigid endoscope is the image (visual) information obtained through the rigid endoscope. Clouding or contamination of the observation window with blood, fat, and the like during surgery hinders safe surgery. Therefore, during surgery, the rigid endoscope must be temporarily removed from the body for cleaning. However, the time required for this procedure extends the surgical time, placing a significant burden on the patient and potentially leading to unexpected complications.

[0004] To solve such problems, a technique has been disclosed in which a cover is attached to the outer surface of a rigid endoscope, which supplies cleaning water such as saline solution or gas to blow away the cleaning water to the observation window of the rigid endoscope inside the patient's body, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6242560 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Recently, there has been a demand for a technique for more reliably cleaning the observation window of a rigid endoscope.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a cover and an endoscope unit for a rigid endoscope that can be easily attached and detached from the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope without the cover member coming off, and that can more reliably clean the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The cover of the rigid endoscope of the present invention comprises: A cover for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope having an observation window at its tip, a flexible cover member that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction and has one or more grooves formed therein that extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope; a tubular member that is fitted into the groove of the cover member and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope; Equipped with a discharge portion is formed at a tip of the cover member, which changes the direction of the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges the changed direction onto the observation window portion; The discharge section is characterized in that a plurality of discharge ports are formed in the discharge section, and a branching section is provided that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges it from each discharge port toward the observation window section.

[0009] The endoscope unit of the present invention comprises: a rigid endoscope having an observation window at its tip; a cover that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction; Equipped with The cover includes a flexible cover member that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction and has one or more grooves formed therein that extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope, and a tubular member that is fitted into the groove of the cover member and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope, a discharge portion is formed at a tip of the cover member, which changes the direction of the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges the changed direction onto the observation window portion; The discharge section is characterized in that a plurality of discharge ports are formed in the discharge section, and a branching section is provided that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges it from each discharge port toward the observation window section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the rigid endoscope cover and endoscope unit of the present invention, the cover member can be easily attached and detached from the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope without coming off, and the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope can be more reliably cleaned. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cover of a rigid endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]2 is a top view showing the configuration of the cover shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a side view showing the configuration of the cover shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the left side. [Figure 4] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 2 taken along the arrow AA. [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 2 taken along the arrow BB. [Figure 6] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 2 taken along the arrow CC. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a discharge portion of the cover shown in FIG. 1 etc. [Figure 8] 1 etc. is a top view showing the configuration of the tip end including the discharge portion of the cover shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the discharge portion of the cover shown in FIG. 8 when viewed from the base end side. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a top view showing the configuration of a cover of a rigid endoscope according to another embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in FIG. 10 taken along the arrow DD. [Figure 12] 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the discharge portion of the cover shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 when viewed from the base end side. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 to 9 show a cover and an endoscope unit of a rigid endoscope according to the present embodiment.

[0013] The endoscope unit 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a rigid endoscope 50 and a cover 2. Specifically, the endoscope unit 1 according to this embodiment is configured such that the cover 2 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50. Note that in Figures 1 to 6, the rigid endoscope 50 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the cover 2 is indicated by a solid line.

[0014] First, a brief description will be given of a rigid endoscope 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the rigid endoscope 50 has an elongated, generally cylindrical body portion, the tip of which is provided with an objective lens for imaging an affected area and a transparent or translucent observation window portion, such as a glass plate, for protecting the objective lens. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the distal end surface of the elongated, generally cylindrical body portion (i.e., the left surface in FIG. 1) is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion (i.e., the vertical direction in FIG. 1), and an observation window portion is provided on this inclined distal end surface. Therefore, the observation window portion is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated, generally cylindrical body portion. However, the rigid endoscope according to this embodiment is not limited to this. Another example of a rigid endoscope used in this embodiment may be one in which an observation member extends along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated, generally cylindrical body portion (i.e., along the vertical direction in FIG. 1).

[0015] Next, we will explain the cover 2 for covering a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of such a rigid endoscope 50. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the cover 2 according to this embodiment covers a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50, and includes a cover member 10 in which two grooves 12, 14 extending parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 50 are formed, and tubular members 40, 42 that are fitted into the grooves 12, 14 of the cover member 10 and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope 50 to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope 50.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 and other figures, the cover member 10 extends over substantially the entire length of the rigid endoscope 50. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 and other figures, the cover member 10 is substantially C-shaped when viewed longitudinally, with the rigid endoscope 50 fitted into the space between the C-shaped portions. The cover member 10 is made of plastic, such as soft plastic, and is flexible. As shown in FIG. 3 and other figures, the cover member 10 is formed with a pair of grasping portions 11 for grasping the rigid endoscope 50. The cover member 10 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50 by bending. More specifically, when attaching the cover 2 to the rigid endoscope 50, the rigid endoscope 50 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50 by pressing the gaps in the C-shaped portions of the cover member 10 against the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50. This causes the cover member 10 to bend, widening the gap between the pair of capturing portions 11, and the rigid endoscope 50 enters the gap between the pair of capturing portions 11, allowing the cover 2 to be attached to the rigid endoscope 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 6.

[0017] Of the pair of tubular members 40, 42, one tubular member 40 is configured to allow a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide gas) to flow through it to blow away cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50, and the other tubular member 42 is configured to allow a cleaning liquid such as physiological saline solution to be supplied to the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 to flow through it. A gas supply tube is connected to the tubular member 40, and a gas supply source is connected to the gas supply tube. Gas supplied from the gas supply source to the gas supply tube is sent to the tubular member 40. This allows gas to be supplied from the gas supply tube to the tubular member 40 fitted into the groove 12 of the cover member 10 of the cover 2 when the cover 2 is attached to the rigid endoscope 50. A cleaning liquid supply tube is connected to the tubular member 42, and a cleaning liquid supply source is connected to the cleaning liquid supply tube. Cleaning liquid supplied from the cleaning liquid supply source to the cleaning liquid supply tube is sent to the tubular member 42. This makes it possible to supply cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid supply tube to the tubular member 42 fitted into the groove 14 of the cover member 10 of the cover 2 when the cover 2 is attached to the rigid endoscope 50.

[0018] The tubular members 40, 42 fitted into the grooves 12, 14 of the cover member 10 are each made of flexible rubber or the like. Here, because the tubular members 40, 42 are flexible, when the cover 2 is attached to or detached from the rigid endoscope 50, the cover member 10 bends to widen the gap between the pair of capturing portions 11, and even if the shape of each groove 12, 14 is deformed, the tubular members 40, 42 also bend in accordance with the deformation of the shape of each groove 12, 14, and therefore damage and wear of the tubular members 40, 42 can be suppressed compared to when the tubular members 40, 42 are made of metal or the like.

[0019] 2 and other figures, holding portions 16, 19 that hold the tubular members 40, 42 housed inside the grooves 12, 14 on the cover member 10 are provided near the distal end and proximal end of the cover member 10. These holding portions 16, 19 can prevent the tubular members 40, 42 from slipping out of the grooves 12, 14. Furthermore, flow paths 17, 18 that communicate with the tubular members 40, 42 held by the holding portion 16 are formed inside the holding portion 16 near the distal end of the cover member 10. The tubular member 40 held by the holding portion 16 communicates with the flow path 17, and the tubular member 42 held by the holding portion 16 communicates with the flow path 18.

[0020] 7 to 9, a discharge section 20 is formed at the tip of the cover member 10, which changes the direction of the gas and cleaning liquid sent from each of the tubular members 40, 42 and discharges them toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50. The discharge section 20 also has a plurality of discharge ports 22, 24 formed therein, so that the gas sent from the tubular member 40 to the discharge section 20 is discharged from each of the discharge ports 22, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 to the discharge section 20 is discharged from the discharge port 24. The discharge ports 22 are formed in the discharge section 20 so that the gas from each of the discharge ports 22 is discharged in mutually different directions toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50. The configuration of this discharge section 20 will be described in detail below.

[0021] The discharge unit 20 has formed therein a first flow path through which the gas delivered from the tubular member 40 passes and a second flow path 29 through which the cleaning liquid delivered from the tubular member 42 passes. The first flow path includes a flow path 26, a branch portion 27, and a pair of left and right flow paths 28. The upstream end of the flow path 26 is connected to the flow path 17 formed inside the holding portion 16. The downstream end of the flow path 26 has a branch portion 27, and the fluid flowing through the flow path 26 branches from the branch portion 27 into the pair of left and right flow paths 28. Each of the pair of left and right flow paths 28 has three discharge ports 22, and the fluid branched from the branch portion 27 to each flow path 28 is discharged from each discharge port 22. In this way, the gas delivered from the tubular member 40 to the discharge unit 20 is discharged from each discharge port 22.

[0022] The upstream end of second flow path 29 is connected to flow path 18 formed inside holding portion 16. The downstream end of second flow path 29 is provided with discharge port 24. In this manner, the cleaning liquid sent from tubular member 42 to discharge portion 20 is discharged from discharge port 24.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, etc., a pair of left and right wing members 30 are provided on the base end side of the cover member 10, which are grasped by the surgeon when performing surgery using a rigid endoscope 50 such as a thoracoscope or laparoscope.

[0024] Next, a method of using the endoscope unit 1 configured as described above will be described. First, when performing surgery in which the endoscope unit 1 is inserted into a patient's body, the cover 2 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50 is pressed against the gap in the C-shaped portion of the cover member 10, thereby pressing the rigid endoscope 50 against the cover member 10. This causes the cover member 10 to deform so as to widen the gap between the pair of grasping portions 11 of the cover member 10, thereby attaching the cover 2 to the rigid endoscope 50. In this way, the endoscope unit 1 is formed, with the cover 2 attached to the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope 50. Then, the endoscope unit 1 is inserted into the patient's body to perform surgery.

[0025] If the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 becomes soiled or cloudy with blood, fat, or the like during surgery, the observation window is cleaned while the endoscope unit 1 is inserted into the patient's body. More specifically, cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source to a cleaning liquid supply pipe connected to the tubular member 42, causing the cleaning liquid to flow leftward in FIG. 1 inside the tubular member 42. The cleaning liquid is then sent from the tubular member 42 to the discharge portion 20, passes through the flow path 18 formed inside the holding portion 16 and the second flow path 29 formed inside the discharge portion 20, and is discharged from the discharge port 24. This makes it possible to clean the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 with the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 24.

[0026] Thereafter, gas is supplied from a gas supply source to a gas supply pipe connected to the tubular member 40, causing the gas to flow leftward in FIG. 1 within the tubular member 40. The gas is then sent from the tubular member 40 to the discharge portion 20, and the gas passes through the flow path 17 formed within the holding portion 16 and the flow path 26 formed within the discharge portion 20. The gas branches at the branching portion 27 and is sent to a pair of left and right flow paths 28, whereby the gas is discharged from each discharge port 22. This allows the gas discharged from the discharge port 24 to blow away cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50. Since the discharge ports 22 are formed in the discharge portion 20 so that the gas is discharged from each discharge port 22 in different directions toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50, cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window can be more reliably blown away compared to when the gas is discharged from the discharge port 22 in one direction toward the observation window.

[0027] According to the cover 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above and the endoscope unit 1 configured from such a cover 2 and a rigid endoscope 50, the cover 2 includes a flexible cover member 10 that covers a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface of the rigid endoscope 50 and has one or more (specifically, two) grooves 12, 14 formed therein that extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 50, and tubular members 40, 42 that are fitted into the grooves 12, 14 of the cover member 10 and through which a cleaning fluid (specifically, a gas or a cleaning liquid) flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope 50 to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope 50. Furthermore, a discharge section 20 that changes the direction of the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular members 40, 42 and discharges it onto the observation window portion is formed in the discharge section 20, and a plurality of discharge ports 22, 24 are formed in the discharge section 20. In addition, a branching portion 27 is provided that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular members 40, 42 and discharges it toward the observation window from each of the discharge ports 22, 24. With this cover 2, the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular members 40, 42 is branched at the branching portion 27 and discharged toward the observation window from each of the discharge ports 22, 24, so that the cleaning fluid can be discharged toward the observation window from multiple discharge ports 22, 24, and therefore the observation window can be reliably cleaned.

[0028] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of this embodiment, the outlets 22, 24 are formed in the outlet part 20 so that the cleaning fluid is discharged from the outlets 22, 24 toward the observation window in different directions. In this case, the cleaning fluid can be discharged toward the observation window from multiple directions, thereby more reliably cleaning the observation window.

[0029] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of the present embodiment, the tubular members 40, 42 are flexible. In this case, as described above, even if the cover member 10 bends and the shapes of the grooves 12, 14 are deformed when the cover 2 is attached to or detached from the rigid endoscope 50, the tubular members 40, 42 also bend in accordance with the deformation of the shapes of the grooves 12, 14. Therefore, damage and wear of the tubular members 40, 42 can be suppressed compared to when the tubular members 40, 42 are made of metal or the like.

[0030] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of this embodiment, holding portions 16, 19 that allow the cover member 10 to hold the tubular members 40, 42 housed inside the grooves 12, 14 are provided near the distal end and proximal end of the cover member 10. In this case, the tubular members 40, 42 housed inside the grooves 12, 14 can be prevented from slipping out of the grooves 12, 14 during surgery.

[0031] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of this embodiment, two grooves 12, 14 are formed, and two tubular members 40, 42 are provided so as to fit into the grooves 12, 14, respectively. Gas flows as a cleaning fluid through one tubular member 40, and cleaning liquid flows as a cleaning fluid through the other tubular member 42. In this case, cleaning liquid is supplied to one tubular member 42, thereby discharging the cleaning liquid onto the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 and cleaning the observation window, and then gas is supplied to the other tubular member 40, thereby discharging the gas onto the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 and blowing away the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window.

[0032] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of this embodiment, the discharge part 20 has formed therein flow paths 26, 28 (first flow paths) through which the gas sent from the tubular member 40 passes and a second flow path 29 through which the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 passes, and the first flow path and the second flow path 29 do not communicate with each other, so that the gas and the cleaning liquid passing through the first flow path and the second flow path 29 are discharged from separate discharge ports 22, 24. In this case, the gas and the cleaning liquid can be supplied to the observation window of the rigid endoscope 50 through separate paths, further improving the cleaning effect on the observation window.

[0033] Furthermore, in the cover 2 of this embodiment, the branching portion 27 is provided in at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path 29. Specifically, the branching portion 27 is provided only in the first flow path, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 to the second flow path 29 is discharged from the outlet 24 without branching. In this case, compared to when gas is discharged from the outlet 22 in one direction toward the observation window, the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window can be blown away more reliably.

[0034] The cover and endoscope unit for a rigid endoscope according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

[0035] For example, in the above description, the branch portion 27 is provided only in the first flow path, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 to the second flow path 29 is discharged from the outlet 24 without branching. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the second flow path 29 may also be provided with a branch portion, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 to the second flow path 29 may branch at the branch portion and be discharged from multiple outlets in different directions toward the observation window. In this case, the observation window can be cleaned more reliably. In yet another embodiment, the second flow path 29 may be provided with a branch portion, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 42 to the second flow path 29 may branch at the branch portion and be discharged from multiple outlets in different directions toward the observation window, but the first flow path may not be provided with a branch portion, and the gas sent from the tubular member 40 to the first flow path may be discharged from a single outlet without branching.

[0036] Furthermore, in the above description, two grooves 12, 14 are formed in the cover member 10 and two tubular members 40, 42 are fitted into the grooves 12, 14, respectively. However, this embodiment is not limited to this. Another cover embodiment may be used in which one groove is formed in the cover member 10 along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope 50 and one tubular member is fitted into this groove, and the discharge section is formed with multiple discharge ports and is provided with a branching portion that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the single tubular member and discharges it from each discharge port toward the observation window. In this case, first, cleaning liquid is supplied to the tubular member to discharge the cleaning liquid from each discharge port toward the observation window, and then gas is supplied to the same tubular member to discharge the gas from each discharge port toward the observation window, thereby blowing away the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window. Even with such a modified cover, the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member is branched at the branching portion and ejected from each outlet toward the observation window, so that the cleaning fluid can be ejected from multiple outlets toward the observation window, thereby ensuring reliable cleaning of the observation window.

[0037] Furthermore, in a cover for a rigid endoscope according to a further modified example, three or more grooves may be formed in the cover member, and three or more tubular members may be fitted into each groove.

[0038] Furthermore, covers for rigid endoscopes according to other embodiments of the present invention may be those shown in Figures 10 to 12. Figure 10 is a top view showing the configuration of a cover for a rigid endoscope according to another embodiment of the present invention when viewed from above, and Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover shown in Figure 10 taken along the line DD. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the discharge portion of the cover shown in Figures 10 and 11 when viewed from the base end side. Note that the rigid endoscope is not shown in Figures 10 to 12.

[0039] The cover 102 of the endoscope unit 101 shown in Figures 10 to 12 includes a cover member 110 that covers a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction and has two grooves formed therein that extend parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope, and tubular members 140 and 142 that fit into the grooves of the cover member 110 and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end of the rigid endoscope to the observation window of the rigid endoscope. The cover member 110 and the tubular members 140 and 142 extend over substantially the entire length of the rigid endoscope. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, the cover member 110 is substantially C-shaped when viewed along the longitudinal direction, and the rigid endoscope is fitted into the space between the C-shaped portions. The configuration of the cover member 110 is substantially the same as that of the cover member 10 shown in Figures 1 to 9, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. One of the pair of tubular members 140, 142, tubular member 140, is designed to allow a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide gas) to flow through it to blow off cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window of the rigid endoscope, and the other tubular member 142 is designed to allow a cleaning liquid such as saline solution to be supplied to the observation window of the rigid endoscope to flow through it.

[0040] Flow paths 147 and 148 communicating with the tubular members 140 and 142 are formed inside the cover member 110 near the tip end thereof, with the tubular member 140 communicating with the flow path 147 and the tubular member 142 communicating with the flow path 148 .

[0041] A discharge section 120 is formed at the tip of the cover member 110, which changes the direction of the gas and cleaning liquid sent from each of the tubular members 140, 142 and discharges them toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope. The discharge section 120 also has a plurality of discharge ports 122, 124, so that the gas sent from the tubular member 140 to the discharge section 120 is discharged from each of the discharge ports 122, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member 142 to the discharge section 120 is discharged from the discharge port 124. Here, each discharge port 122 is formed in the discharge section 120 so that the gas from each discharge port 122 is discharged in a mutually different direction toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope.

[0042] Discharge unit 120 has formed therein a first flow path through which gas sent from tubular member 140 via flow path 147 passes, and a second flow path through which cleaning liquid sent from tubular member 142 via flow path 148 passes. The first flow path branches into a pair of left and right flow paths midway, and the gas sent to each flow path is discharged from a pair of left and right discharge ports 122, respectively. The upstream end of the second flow path is connected to flow path 148, and a discharge port 124 is provided at the downstream end of the second flow path. In this way, the cleaning liquid sent from tubular member 142 to discharge unit 120 is discharged from discharge port 124. Note that the first flow path and the second flow path are not connected to each other inside discharge unit 120.

[0043] In addition, three angles (reference symbol P in FIG. 11) of the direction of ejection of gas and cleaning liquid from each outlet 122, 124 relative to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope to which cover 10 is attached were prepared: 15°, 20°, and 30°.

[0044] Next, a method of using the endoscope unit 101 configured as described above will be described. If the observation window of the rigid endoscope to which the cover 102 is attached becomes soiled or cloudy with blood, fat, or the like during surgery, the observation window is cleaned while the endoscope unit 101 is inserted into the patient's body. More specifically, cleaning liquid is supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source to a cleaning liquid supply pipe connected to the tubular member 142, causing the cleaning liquid to flow inside the tubular member 142 in the leftward direction in FIGS. 10 and 11 . The cleaning liquid is then sent from the tubular member 142 to the discharge portion 120, passes through the flow path 148 and a second flow path formed inside the discharge portion 120, and is discharged from the discharge port 124. This makes it possible to clean the observation window of the rigid endoscope with the cleaning liquid discharged from the discharge port 124.

[0045] Thereafter, gas is supplied from a gas supply source to a gas supply pipe connected to tubular member 140, causing gas to flow inside tubular member 140 to the left in FIGS. 9 and 10 . Then, gas is sent from tubular member 140 to discharge portion 120, and the gas passes through flow path 147 and a first flow path formed inside discharge portion 120, branches into a pair of left and right flow paths, and is discharged from each discharge port 122. As a result, the gas discharged from discharge port 124 can blow away cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window of the rigid endoscope. At this time, because each discharge port 122 is formed in discharge portion 120 so that gas is discharged from each discharge port 122 toward the observation window of the rigid endoscope in different directions, cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window can be more reliably blown away compared to when gas is discharged from discharge port 122 toward the observation window in one direction.

[0046] Even with such cover 102 and endoscope unit 101, the cleaning fluid (specifically, gas) sent from tubular member 140 is branched midway and discharged toward the observation window from each outlet 122, allowing the cleaning fluid to be discharged toward the observation window from multiple outlets 122, thereby ensuring reliable cleaning of the observation window. More specifically, as described above, three angles (reference symbol P in FIG. 11 ) for the discharge direction of the gas or cleaning liquid from each outlet 122, 124 relative to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope to which cover 10 is attached were prepared: 15°, 20°, and 30°. Regardless of the angle, few water droplets remained on the observation window of the rigid endoscope, and in particular, when this angle was 30°, almost no water droplets remained on the observation window of the rigid endoscope.

[0047] As a comparative example, a cover was fabricated in which a first flow path through which gas flows and a second flow path through which cleaning liquid flows merge midway through the discharge section to form a single flow path, and gas or cleaning liquid is discharged toward the observation window of a rigid endoscope from a discharge port provided at the downstream end of this single flow path. The following describes cleaning of the observation window of a rigid endoscope in an endoscope unit in which such a cover is attached to the rigid endoscope. Cleaning liquid was supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source to a cleaning liquid supply tube connected to a second tubular member, sending the cleaning liquid from the second tubular member to the discharge section, and then discharged from the discharge port through a flow path formed inside the discharge section, thereby cleaning the observation window of the rigid endoscope with the cleaning liquid. Gas was then supplied from a gas supply source to a gas supply tube connected to a first tubular member, sending the gas from the first tubular member to the discharge section, and then discharging the gas from the discharge port through a flow path formed inside the discharge section. When the cleaning liquid adhering to the observation window of the rigid endoscope was blown away with the gas, a problem occurred in which many water droplets remained on the observation window. More specifically, three angles of 15°, 20°, and 30° were prepared for the direction of ejection of gas and cleaning liquid from the outlet relative to the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope to which the cover was attached, but regardless of the angle, the gas ejected from the outlet did not contact the observation window of the rigid endoscope well, and many water droplets remained on the observation window of the rigid endoscope.Even from these comparative examples, it can be seen that by branching the gas sent from the first tubular member inside the outlet and ejecting it from each outlet toward the observation window, it is possible to eject gas from multiple outlets toward the observation window, and therefore it is possible to reliably clean the observation window (specifically, remove the cleaning liquid). [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Endoscope unit 2 Cover 10 Cover member 11 Capture part 12, 14 grooves 16 Holding part 17, 18 Flow path 19 Holding part 20 Discharge part 22, 24 outlet 26 Flow path 27 Branching section 28 Flow path 29 Second Channel 30 Blade member 40, 42 Tubular members 50 Rigid endoscope 101 Endoscope Unit 102 Cover 110 Cover member 120 Discharge part 122, 124 outlet 140, 142 Tubular members 147, 148 flow path

Claims

1. A cover for covering a part of the outer peripheral surface of a rigid endoscope having an observation window at its tip, a flexible cover member that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction and has a plurality of grooves formed therein that extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope; a tubular member that is fitted into the groove of the cover member and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope; Equipped with a discharge portion is formed at a tip of the cover member, which changes the direction of the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges the changed direction onto the observation window portion; a plurality of outlets are formed in the outlet portion, and a branching portion is provided that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges it from each outlet toward the observation window portion, two tubular members are provided so as to be fitted into the respective grooves, and a gas flows as a cleaning fluid through one of the tubular members, and a cleaning liquid flows as a cleaning fluid through the other tubular member; a cover for a rigid endoscope, wherein the discharge portion has formed therein a first flow path through which gas sent from one of the tubular members passes and a second flow path through which cleaning liquid sent from the other tubular member passes, the first flow path branches at the branching portion, and the pair of branched left and right first flow paths sandwich the second flow path from the left and right, and the gas is discharged in different directions from each of the discharge ports provided at the end of each of the first flow paths at positions sandwiching the discharge port for cleaning liquid provided at the end of the second flow path from the left and right.

2. A cover for a rigid endoscope as described in claim 1, wherein the cover member is formed with a pair of capturing portions for capturing the rigid endoscope, and the cover member is bent and the pair of capturing portions open, allowing the cover member to be attached to and detached from the rigid endoscope.

3. 3. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to claim 1, wherein each of the discharge ports is formed in the discharge portion so that the cleaning fluid is discharged from each of the discharge ports toward the observation window in mutually different directions.

4. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular member is flexible.

5. A cover for a rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein holding portions for holding the tubular member housed inside the groove in the cover member are provided near the tip and base ends of the cover member.

6. A cover for a rigid endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein two grooves are formed, two tubular members are provided so as to be fitted into each groove, and a gas flows as a cleaning fluid through one of the tubular members, and a cleaning liquid flows as a cleaning fluid through the other tubular member.

7. A cover for a rigid endoscope as described in claim 6, wherein the discharge portion has a first flow path through which gas sent from the tubular member passes and a second flow path through which cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member passes, the first flow path and the second flow path being not connected to each other, and the gas and cleaning liquid passing through the first flow path and the second flow path being each discharged from a separate discharge port.

8. The cover for a rigid endoscope according to claim 7 , wherein the branched portion is provided in at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path.

9. A cover for a rigid endoscope as described in claim 8, wherein the branching portion is provided only in the first flow path, and the cleaning liquid sent from the tubular member to the second flow path is discharged from the discharge port without branching.

10. a rigid endoscope having an observation window at its tip; a cover that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction; Equipped with The cover includes a flexible cover member that covers a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the rigid endoscope in the circumferential direction and has a plurality of grooves formed therein that extend parallel to one another along the longitudinal direction of the rigid endoscope, and a tubular member that is fitted into the grooves of the cover member and through which a cleaning fluid flows to be supplied from the base end side of the rigid endoscope to the observation window portion of the rigid endoscope, a discharge portion is formed at a tip of the cover member, which changes the direction of the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges the changed direction onto the observation window portion; a plurality of outlets are formed in the outlet portion, and a branching portion is provided that branches the cleaning fluid sent from the tubular member and discharges it from each outlet toward the observation window portion, two tubular members are provided so as to be fitted into the respective grooves, and a gas flows as a cleaning fluid through one of the tubular members, and a cleaning liquid flows as a cleaning fluid through the other tubular member; an endoscope unit in which a first flow path through which gas sent from one of the tubular members passes and a second flow path through which cleaning liquid sent from the other tubular member passes are formed inside the discharge portion, the first flow path branches at the branching portion, and the pair of branched left and right first flow paths sandwich the second flow path from the left and right, and gas is discharged in mutually different directions toward the observation window from the discharge ports provided at the end of each of the first flow paths at positions sandwiching the discharge port for cleaning liquid provided at the end of the second flow path from the left and right.

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