Connector for auxiliary water feed port sleeve of endoscope

Abstract

Provided is an inexpensive system that makes it possible to connect a tube unit for water feed to an auxiliary water feed port of an endoscope. A connector 80 for an auxiliary water feed port sleeve according to the present invention comprises a cylindrical connector body 80a made of a synthetic resin. The connector body 80a includes: an insertion part 81 that is inserted into an accommodation space 42b of an auxiliary water feed port sleeve 42; a male screw part 83 that is screwed into a female screw part 42c of the accommodation space 42b of the auxiliary water feed port sleeve 42; and a step part 87 located between the insertion part 81 and the male screw part 83 in the central axis direction of the connector body 80a, and provided around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connector body 80a. The auxiliary water feed port sleeve 42 has, between the accommodation space 42b and the female screw part 42c in the central axis direction of the auxiliary water feed port sleeve 42, a tapered surface 42f where the diameter decreases from the female screw part 42c toward the accommodation space 42b. The step part 87 is held with the ridge of the step part 87, which is provided around the entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the connector body 80a, pressed against the tapered surface 42f.

Description

Connector for auxiliary water supply nozzle of endoscope

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope, to which a pump tube unit is fastened and fixed when attached to the auxiliary water supply nozzle of the endoscope.

[0002] In the medical field, examinations and surgeries using endoscopes are widespread. Endoscopes have an opening called an auxiliary water supply port at the distal end of the insertion section that is inserted into a patient's body cavity. The auxiliary water supply port is provided for cleaning a target area inside the patient's body cavity in parallel with the use of a treatment tool using the forceps channel. The auxiliary water supply port is connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle by a dedicated channel provided inside the endoscope. When the endoscope is in use, a water supply tube unit is attached to the auxiliary water supply nozzle via a check valve unit (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). As a result, liquid fed into the endoscope via the water supply tube unit is ejected from the auxiliary water supply port via the aforementioned channel.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-238214 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-160772

[0004] As part of infection control measures, endoscopes are cleaned after each use. The check valve unit is provided as a dedicated unit that is attached to the auxiliary water inlet of the endoscope. After use, the check valve unit is removed from the endoscope and cleaned separately from the endoscope, and then attached to the auxiliary water inlet of the endoscope when the endoscope is used again. Therefore, the more times the check valve unit is attached to and detached from the auxiliary water inlet of the endoscope, the worse the liquid-tightness between the check valve unit and the check valve nozzle becomes, which can lead to water leakage.

[0005] Furthermore, the check valve units disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are configured by attaching a rubber stopper or O-ring to a check valve mouthpiece made of a metal material such as stainless steel. While such check valve units have the advantage of being reusable by cleaning, they have the problem of being more expensive to manufacture than check valves used for other purposes. Furthermore, the check valve units described above must be cleaned after each use, which is time-consuming. Therefore, there is a strong demand for an inexpensive system that can connect a water supply tube unit to an auxiliary water supply port of an endoscope without using a check valve unit.

[0006] The present invention was invented to solve the problems described above, and aims to provide an inexpensive system that can connect a water supply tube unit to an auxiliary water supply port of an endoscope.

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope is used when connecting a tube unit installed in a water supply device to the auxiliary water supply nozzle of the endoscope, and has a tubular connector body made of synthetic resin. The connector body has an insertion portion to be inserted into a storage space provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle, a male thread portion provided on the outer surface of the connector body and threadedly engaging with a female thread portion provided in the storage space of the auxiliary water supply nozzle, and a stepped portion provided around the entire outer surface of the connector body between the insertion portion and the male thread portion in the central axial direction of the connector body, and the auxiliary water supply nozzle has a tapered surface between the storage space and the female thread portion in the central axial direction of the auxiliary water supply nozzle, the diameter of which decreases from the female thread portion towards the storage space, and the stepped portion is characterized in that when the connector body is tightened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle, the ridge of the stepped portion provided around the entire outer surface of the connector body is held in pressure contact with the tapered surface.

[0008] The connector body also has a first flow path provided at one end in the central axial direction of the connector body, into which liquid from the tube unit flows, and a second flow path provided at the other end in the central axial direction of the connector body, which sends the liquid flowing into the first flow path to the storage space, and it is preferable that the inner diameter of the second flow path is less than the inner diameter of the first flow path, and that the inner diameter of the first flow path is less than the inner diameter of the storage space.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the storage space has a water supply port at the bottom thereof that is continuous with the auxiliary water supply channel of the endoscope, the inner diameter of the water supply port being smaller than the inner diameter of the second flow path, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion being the same as the inner diameter of the storage space.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that a check valve fixed to one end of the tube unit is connected to the other end of the connector body opposite the end connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle, out of both end portions in the central axis direction of the connector body.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an inexpensive system that can connect a water supply tube unit to an auxiliary water supply port of an endoscope.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one configuration of an endoscope system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing one configuration of a nozzle tip provided in an endoscope insertion section. FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view showing the configuration of an auxiliary water supply nozzle, a connector for the auxiliary water supply nozzle, and a check valve provided in a connection section of the endoscope. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the auxiliary water supply nozzle. FIG. 5 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a check valve. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a connector for the auxiliary water supply nozzle. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a procedure for attaching the connector for the auxiliary water supply nozzle and the check valve to the auxiliary water supply nozzle provided in a connection section of the endoscope. FIG. 8 is a schematic enlarged view of region A shown in FIG. 7(c). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 when a pump tube unit A attached to a water delivery device 50A is connected to an endoscope 20. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50A is connected to the endoscope 20. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the measurement results of the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B is connected to the endoscope 20. Fig. 12 is a diagram summarizing the presence or absence of liquid leakage and the pressure of the delivered liquid when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B is connected to the endoscope 20. Fig. 13 is a diagram summarizing the presence or absence of liquid leakage and the pressure of the delivered liquid when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A is connected to the endoscope 20. Fig. 14(a) is a diagram summarizing the amount of liquid delivered when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B is connected to the endoscope 20, and Fig. 14(b) is a diagram summarizing the remaining water time. Fig. 15(a) is a diagram summarizing the delivery amount when the pump tube unit C attached to the water conveying device 50B is connected to the endoscope 20, and Fig. 15(b) is a diagram summarizing the remaining water time. Fig. 16(a) is a diagram summarizing the delivery amount when the pump tube unit B attached to the water conveying device 50A is connected to the endoscope 20, and Fig. 16(b) is a diagram summarizing the remaining water time. Fig. 17(a) is a diagram summarizing the delivery amount when the pump tube unit C attached to the water conveying device 50A is connected to the endoscope 20, and Fig. 14(b) is a diagram summarizing the remaining water time.FIG. 18(a) is a diagram summarizing the amount of water delivered when the pump tube unit A attached to the water delivery device 50A is connected to the endoscope 20, and FIG. 18(b) is a diagram summarizing the remaining water time.

[0013] An endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the endoscope system 10 includes an endoscope 20, a water supply device 50, a water supply tank 60, a pump tube unit 70, and the like.

[0014] The endoscope 20 has an operating handle 21, an endoscope insertion section 22, a universal tube 23, and a connection section 24. The operating handle 21 has a plurality of operating sections 26, a forceps insertion section 27, etc. The plurality of operating sections 26 have, for example, angle knobs 26a and 26b as well as various buttons such as an air / water supply button 26c, a suction button 26d, and a shutter button 26e.

[0015] The angle knobs 26a and 26b are rotated when bending the bending portion 22a provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 22. The angle knob 26a is rotated when bending the bending portion 22a of the endoscope insertion portion 22, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page in Figure 1. The angle knob 26b is rotated when bending the bending portion 22a of the endoscope insertion portion 22, for example, in the left-right direction of the plane of the page in Figure 1.

[0016] The air / water supply button 26c is operated to clean the observation port 31 and the illumination ports 32 and 33 (see FIG. 2) provided on the distal end surface 22b of the endoscope insertion section 22. The suction button 26d is operated to aspirate waste matter (including liquid used to clean a target area in the body cavity) from the forceps port 35 provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 22. The shutter button 26e is operated to capture an image of the inside of the body cavity using an imaging device (not shown) provided inside the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 22.

[0017] A treatment tool such as forceps is inserted into the forceps insertion section 27. A forceps plug is attached to the forceps insertion section 27 when the endoscope 20 is not in use.

[0018] Although detailed illustrations are omitted, an air supply channel, a water supply channel, a light guide, a forceps channel, and an auxiliary water supply channel are provided inside the endoscope insertion portion 22. In the following description, the auxiliary water supply channel may be designated by the symbol SC.

[0019] The light guide guides light emitted from a light source device (not shown) to which the connector 24 is connected, to illumination ports 32, 33 (see FIG. 2) provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion section 22. The forceps channel guides a treatment tool such as forceps inserted through a forceps insertion section 27 provided on the operating handle 21 to a forceps port 35 (see FIG. 2) provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion section 22. The auxiliary water supply channel SC guides a liquid such as saline to an auxiliary water supply port 36 (see FIG. 2) provided at the tip of the endoscope insertion section 22. The liquid such as saline is supplied to the auxiliary water supply channel SC by driving the water supply device 50 and then discharged from the auxiliary water supply port 36.

[0020] 2, the distal end surface 22b of the endoscope insertion section 22 is provided with an observation port 31, illumination ports 32 and 33, an air / water nozzle 34, a forceps port 35, an auxiliary water port 36, etc. Note that the configuration of the distal end surface 22b of the endoscope insertion section 22 shown in Fig. 2 is merely one example, and the types and positions of the openings provided in the distal end surface 22b of the endoscope insertion section 22 can be set as appropriate.

[0021] The observation port 31 exposes the objective lens of an imaging device provided inside the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 22. The objective lens captures an observation image of a target site within the body cavity into the imaging device. The illumination ports 32, 33 emit light guided by a light guide as illumination light toward the target site within the body cavity and the vicinity of the target site. The air / water supply nozzle 34 sprays air or liquid toward the observation port 31 and the illumination ports 32, 33 to clean the observation port 31, the illumination ports 32, 33, and their vicinity. The forceps port 35 allows treatment tools such as forceps inserted through the forceps insertion section 27 to be inserted and removed from the distal end surface 22b. The auxiliary water supply port 36 sprays liquid to be supplied to the auxiliary water supply channel SC of the endoscope 20 via the pump tube unit 70 by driving the water supply device 50.

[0022] 1, the universal tube 23 connects the operating handle 21 and the connecting portion 24. Although not shown, the universal tube 23 is provided with a light guide, a suction channel, and the like in addition to the auxiliary water supply channel SC.

[0023] The connection part 24 has a light source connection part 41 that allows connection to a light source device (not shown), an auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 that connects one end of the pump tube unit 70, and a suction nozzle 43. As shown in Figure 3, a check valve 75 fixed to one end of the pump tube unit 70 is attached to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 via an auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80.

[0024] 4, the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 is attached to the connecting part 24 with its neck 42a protruding from the connecting part 24. The auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 has a storage space 42b extending from the neck 42a in the direction of the central axis (L1) of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42.

[0025] The storage space 42b has a female threaded portion 42c at its end on the neck portion 42a side in the direction of the central axis (L1). A male threaded portion 83 of the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80, which will be described later, is threadedly engaged with the female threaded portion 42c. A tapered surface 42f is formed between the inner peripheral surface 42d of the storage space 42b and the female threaded portion 42c, and the diameter of the tapered surface 42f decreases toward the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b due to the difference in inner diameter between the inner diameter D1 of the storage space 42b and the inner diameter D2 of the female threaded portion 42c (D2 > D1). A water supply port 42g, which is continuous with the auxiliary water supply channel SC, is formed in the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b.

[0026] Returning to Fig. 1, the water supply device 50 is a device that supplies liquid stored in the water supply tank 60 toward the endoscope 20. Although not shown, the water supply device 50 has, for example, a plurality of rollers and a holding member that holds the rollers at regular angular intervals, and is a device that repeatedly performs the operations of supplying liquid and drawing in new liquid by rotating the holding member and causing one of the plurality of rollers to squeeze the pump tube 71. The water supply device 50 is driven by, for example, pressing a foot switch (not shown). When the water supply device 50 is driven, the amount of liquid supplied toward the endoscope 20 via the pump tube unit 70 is set to, for example, 240 ml / min.

[0027] The pump tube unit 70 has a pump tube 71, a filtered water supply tube 72, and a water supply tube 73, and is configured such that the filtered water supply tube 72 is connected to one end of the pump tube 71 in the extension direction, and the water supply tube 73 is connected to the other end in the extension direction. The filtered water supply tube 72 is attached to the water supply tank 60 at its other end, opposite the end connected to the pump tube 71 in the extension direction of the filtered water supply tube 72. The water supply tube 73 is attached to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20 at its other end, opposite the end connected to the pump tube 71 in the extension direction of the water supply tube 73.

[0028] The above-mentioned pump tube 71 is attached to the water supply device 50 and is repeatedly handled when the water supply device 50 is operating, thereby drawing the liquid stored in the water supply tank 60 into the pump tube 71 via the filtered water supply tube 72, and at the same time, sending the liquid drawn into the pump tube 71 to the water supply tube 73.

[0029] Here, the inner and outer diameters of the pump tube 71 used in the pump tube unit 70 are, for example, 3.6 mm and 6.9 mm. The inner and outer diameters of the filtered water supply tube 72 and the water supply tube 73 are, for example, 3.4 mm and 6.0 mm.

[0030] The water supply tube 73 is provided with a check valve 75 at one end that is attached to the above-mentioned auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. The check valve 75 allows liquid to flow from the pump tube unit 70 to the auxiliary water supply channel SC of the endoscope 20, for example, while preventing liquid from flowing (backflowing) from the auxiliary water supply channel SC of the endoscope 20 to the pump tube unit 70.

[0031] 5, check valve 75 has a luer tip 76 and a luer lock portion 77 at one end in the direction of the central axis (L2) of check valve 75. When check valve 75 is attached to auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80, luer tip 76 is inserted into internal space 84 provided in auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80. Note that luer tip 76 is provided with a flow path 78 that extends in the direction of the central axis (L2) of check valve 75 and communicates with water supply tube 73.

[0032] The luer lock portion 77 has a female thread portion (not shown) on the inner circumferential surface of the luer lock portion 77. The female thread portion provided on the inner circumferential surface of the luer lock portion 77 screws into the male thread portion 82 of the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 when the check valve 75 is tightened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80.

[0033] In this embodiment, the check valve 75 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80, but the check valve 75 and the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 may be provided integrally.

[0034] The auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 has a connector body 80a manufactured by molding synthetic resin material such as polypropylene, nylon, fluororesin, ABS resin, polycarbonate, etc. Hereinafter, the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 may be referred to as a connector.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6 , the connector main body 80a has an insertion portion 81 at one end in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector main body 80a and a male thread portion 82 at the other end. The insertion portion 81 is inserted into the storage space 37b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 when the connector 80 is tightened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. Therefore, the outer diameter D4 of the insertion portion 81 is set to be approximately the same as the inner diameter D1 of the storage space 37b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. As an example, the outer diameter D4 of the insertion portion 81 is 6.15 mm. The male thread portion 82 screws into a female thread portion (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the luer lock portion 77 of the check valve 75 when the check valve 75 is tightened and fixed to the connector 80.

[0036] Additionally, a male thread portion 83 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of connector 80 in a predetermined range approximately in the center in the direction of the central axis (L3) of connector 80. Male thread portion 83 screws into female thread portion 42c provided on auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. When check valve 75 is tightened and fixed to connector 80, outer peripheral surface 71a of luer tip 71 is pressed against inner peripheral surface 84f of first flow path 84a of connector 80, which will be described later (see FIG. 7(c)).

[0037] The connector 80 has a flow path 84 extending from one end 80b to the other end 80c in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector 80. The flow path 84 is a flow path that connects a first flow path 84a, a second flow path 84b, and a third flow path 84c from the one end 80b to the other end 80c in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector 80. Of these flow paths, the third flow path 84c is a tapered flow path that narrows in diameter from the first flow path 84a to the second flow path 84b. The minimum and maximum values ​​of the inner diameter of the first flow path 84a are D5min and D5max, the inner diameter of the second flow path 84b is D6, and the minimum and maximum values ​​of the inner diameter of the third flow path 84c are D7min and D7max. In this case, the minimum value D7min of the inner diameter of the third flow path 84c is equal to the inner diameter D6 of the second flow path 84b, and the maximum value D7max of the inner diameter of the third flow path 84c is equal to the minimum value D5min of the inner diameter of the first flow path 84a. The inner diameter D6 of the second flow path 84b is smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 and larger than the inner diameter D3 of the water supply port 42g provided at the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b.

[0038] Here, the minimum value D5min and maximum value D5max of the inner diameter of the first flow path 84a are, for example, 3.75 mm and 4.33 mm, respectively. The inner diameter D6 of the second flow path 84b is, for example, 1.5 mm. Furthermore, the minimum value D7min and maximum value D7max of the inner diameter of the third flow path 84c are, for example, 1.5 mm and 3.75 mm, respectively.

[0039] The flow path 84 of the connector 80 is a flow path that connects a first flow path 84a, a second flow path 84b, and a third flow path 84c from one end 80b toward the other end 80c in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector 80. However, the flow path 84 of the connector 80 may be a flow path that combines the first flow path 84a that extends from one end 80b toward the other end 80c in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector 80 and the second flow path 84b that extends from the other end 80c toward the one end 80b in the direction of the central axis (L3) of the connector 80.

[0040] In the connector 80 described above, a step 87 resulting from the difference in outer diameter between the male threaded portion 83 and the insertion portion 81 is provided around the entire circumference near the end of the male threaded portion 83 on the insertion portion 81 side. When the connector 80 is connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the ridge line C1 (see FIG. 8) of the step 87 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f provided on the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42.

[0041] Next, a procedure for attaching the check valve 75 to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20 using the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] 7(a), first, the insertion portion 81 of the connector 80 is inserted into the storage space 42b provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. In this state, the connector 80 is rotated, for example, in the direction R1 around the central axis (L3) of the connector 80. By rotating the connector 80 in the R1 direction, the male thread portion 83 of the connector 80 is threaded into the female thread portion 42c of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, and the connector 80 is tightened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42.

[0043] During the process of tightening and fixing the connector 80 to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the ridge C1 of the step portion 87 on the outer surface of the connector 80 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f provided between the inner surface 42d of the storage space 42b provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 and the female thread portion 42c (see Figure 8).

[0044] The auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, while the connector 80 is made of a synthetic resin material. Therefore, when the step 87 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 during the process of fastening the connector 80 to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the ridge C1 of the step 87 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 while being deformed (crushed) due to the difference in hardness between the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 and the connector 80.

[0045] Next, the pump tube unit 70 is attached to the endoscope 20. The check valve 75 fixed to the water supply tube 73 of the pump tube unit 70 is connected to the connector 80 connected and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. First, the luer tip 76 of the check valve 75 is inserted into the first flow path 84a of the connector 80. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the check valve 75 is rotated, for example, in the direction R2 around the central axis (L2) of the check valve 75. By rotating the check valve 75 in the direction R2, the male thread portion 82 of the connector 80 is threaded into the female thread portion of the luer lock portion 72 of the check valve 75, and the check valve 75 is tightened and fixed to the connector 80. As shown in FIG. 7(c), when the check valve 75 is tightened and fixed to the connector 80, the outer peripheral surface 76a of the luer tip 76 is pressed against the inner peripheral surface 84f of the first flow path 84a of the connector 80.

[0046] Note that after the connector 80 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the check valve 75 fixed to the water supply tube 73 is fastened to the connector 80, but it is also possible to fasten the check valve 75 attached to one end of the water supply tube 73 to the connector 80, and then fasten the connector 80 to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. Alternatively, the check valve 75 and the connector 80 may be connected and fastened in advance.

[0047] When the water supply device 50 is driven during an examination or surgery using the endoscope 20, the liquid drawn into the pump tube 71 of the pump tube unit 70 is delivered to the water supply tube 73, while the liquid stored in the water supply tank 60 is drawn into the pump tube 71 via the filtered water supply tube 72. When the water supply device 50 is driven, the liquid drawn into the pump tube 71 is repeatedly delivered to the water supply tube 73, and the liquid stored in the water supply tank 60 is repeatedly drawn into the pump tube 71. As a result, the liquid stored in the water supply tank 60 is intermittently delivered from the pump tube 71 to the water supply tube 73.

[0048] As described above, when the water conveying device 50 is driven, the amount of liquid conveyed by the pump tube unit 70 is 240 ml. At this time, the pressure of the liquid conveyed from the pump tube 71 to the water conveying tube 73 is, for example, 0.45 MPa.

[0049] The liquid delivered from the pump tube 71 to the water supply tube 73 flows from a flow path 78 provided at the luer tip 76 of the check valve 75 to a first flow path 84a of the connector 80. The liquid that has flowed to the first flow path 84a of the connector 80 flows from the first flow path 84a to a third flow path 84c and then to a second flow path 84b.

[0050] As described above, when check valve 75 is fastened to connector 80, outer peripheral surface 76a of luer tip 76 of check valve 75 is held in a state of being pressed against inner peripheral surface 84f of first flow path 84a of connector 80. Therefore, liquid that flows from flow path 78 provided in luer tip 76 of check valve 75 into first flow path 84a of connector 80 flows from the check valve to flow path 84 of connector 80 without leaking between outer peripheral surface 76a of luer tip 76 of check valve 75 and inner peripheral surface 84f of first flow path 84a of connector 80.

[0051] The liquid flowing through the flow path 84 of the connector 80 flows from the second flow path 84b toward the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. At this time, the speed of the liquid flowing from the first flow path 84a to the second flow path 84b is accelerated by passing through the third flow path 84c. Then, when the liquid flows from the second flow path 84b into the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the speed of the liquid is decelerated. In other words, the second flow path 84b of the connector 80 functions as an orifice. The liquid that flows from the second flow path 84b of the connector 80 into the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 is retained inside the storage space 42b, and after the storage space 42b is filled with liquid, it flows from the water supply port 42g toward the auxiliary water supply channel SC.

[0052] As described above, the water supply port 42g, which is continuous with the auxiliary water supply channel SC, is provided in the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. The inner diameter D3 of the water supply port 42g is smaller than the inner diameter D6 of the second flow path 84b of the connector 80. Therefore, the liquid remaining in the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 is pressed by the liquid newly sent into the storage space 42b, and is sent out from the water supply port 42g provided in the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b to the auxiliary water supply channel SC.

[0053] When the insertion portion 81 of the connector 80 is fastened to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, the outer peripheral surface 81a of the insertion portion 81 of the connector 80 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. The ridge line C1 of the step portion 87 of the connector 80 and the area nearby are pressed against the tapered surface 42f of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 and are held in a deformed state. That is, the area nearby the ridge line C1 of the step portion 87 of the connector 80 functions as a seal that is pressed against the tapered surface 42f of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. The abutment between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 81 of the connector 80 and the inner peripheral surface of the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 prevents liquid from flowing between them. As a result, after the storage space 42b is filled with liquid, new liquid is sent from the connector 80 to the storage space 42b, and even if the pressure of the liquid remaining in the storage space 42b increases, leakage between the connector 80 and the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 is prevented.

[0054] When the examination or surgery using the endoscope 20 is completed, the connector 80 is removed from the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 and discarded together with the check valve 75 and the pump tube unit 70 to which the check valve 75 is connected.

[0055] This makes it possible to use the connector 80 to connect a check valve used for other purposes to the endoscope 20. In addition, the connector 80 can function as a disposable product that can be discarded together with the pump tube unit 70 after use.

[0056] Finally, the results of the following tests (1) to (4) are described below: (1) Verification of liquid leakage at the connection part (2) Measurement of the pressure of the liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port (3) Amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port of the endoscope (4) Measurement of remaining water time Note that test (4) was conducted simultaneously with test (3).

[0057] Hereinafter, the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 will be referred to as the delivery amount. Also, the amount of liquid delivered to the endoscope 20 by driving the water supply device 50 will be referred to as the water delivery volume. Here, the remaining water time in test (4) is the time from when the water supply device 50 is stopped until delivery of liquid from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 stops. Therefore, the longer the remaining water time, the worse the water drainage.

[0058] The above-described tests were conducted using two different types of water conveying devices 50. Hereinafter, one of the two types of water conveying devices 50 will be referred to as water conveying device 50A, and the other as water conveying device 50B. Each of water conveying device 50A and water conveying device 50B can adjust the actual water conveyance rate by, for example, changing (adjusting) the water conveyance rate setting level provided in the device itself. Note that water conveying device 50A and water conveying device 50B deliver the maximum water conveyance rate when the setting level is set to LEVEL 9, and deliver the minimum water conveyance rate when set to LEVEL 1.

[0059] <Selection of Setting Level in Water Conveyor> First, in conducting the above-described tests (1) to (4), the setting levels of the water conveyance volume set in the water conveyor 50A and the water conveyor 50B were selected (determined). In selecting the setting levels, the following two different types of pump tube units were used. Pump tube unit A: A pump tube unit dedicated to the water conveyor 50A, having a pump tube with an inner diameter of 6.5 mm and an outer diameter of 9.6 mm. Pump tube unit B: A pump tube unit (pump tube unit 70 shown in this embodiment) having a pump tube with an inner diameter of 3.6 mm and an outer diameter of 6.9 mm.

[0060] As described above, the pump tube unit A is a dedicated pump tube unit for connecting to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20 when attached to the water supply device A. Although not shown, a dedicated check valve is fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20. Furthermore, a connection nozzle fixed to one end of the pump tube unit A is connected and fixed to the dedicated check valve.

[0061] Furthermore, pump tube unit B is pump tube unit 70 shown in this embodiment. Pump tube unit B is connected and fixed to endoscope 20 by connecting and fixing check valve 75 fixed to one end of pump tube unit B to auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of endoscope 20 via connector 80 described in this embodiment.

[0062] First, the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the endoscope 20, and the amount of water delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 42 of the endoscope 20 was measured when the water supply device 50A was driven. Figures 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) summarize the results of measuring the amount of water delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 (hereinafter referred to as measurement results 1-a, 1-b, and 1-c). Because the amount of water delivered varies when the water supply device 50A is driven with the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device A, the amount of water delivered was measured three times at the same setting level. The amount of water delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured every 20 seconds, and the amount delivered every 60 seconds was calculated from the average of the measured amounts.

[0063] Next, the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the endoscope 20, and the amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured when the water supply device 50A was driven. Figure 10 shows a summary of the results of measuring the amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 (hereinafter referred to as measurement result 2). In this case, too, the amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured every 20 seconds, and the amount of water supplied every 60 seconds was calculated from the average of the measured amounts of water supplied.

[0064] Finally, the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B was connected to the endoscope 20, and the amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured when the water supply device 50B was driven. Fig. 11 shows a summary of the results of measuring the amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 (hereinafter referred to as measurement result 3). The amount of water supplied from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured every 30 seconds, and the amount of water supplied every 60 seconds was calculated from the average of the measured amounts of water supplied.

[0065] 9 and 10 , it was found that the liquid delivery rate from the auxiliary water delivery port 36 when pump tube unit A is attached to the water delivery device 50A is the same at approximately 240 ml / min and approximately 190 ml / min, respectively. It was found that in order to set the water delivery level of the water delivery device 50A so as to achieve the above delivery rate when pump tube unit A is used, it is desirable to set the water delivery level of the water delivery device 50A to LEVEL 9 or LEVEL 5. At the same time, it was found that in order to set the water delivery level of the water delivery device 50A so as to achieve the above delivery rate when pump tube unit B is used, it is desirable to set the water delivery level of the water delivery device 50A to LEVEL 9 or LEVEL 7.

[0066] A condition for verification is that the liquid delivery rate from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 be the same. Therefore, when the pump tube unit B is attached to the water supply device 50B and used, it is preferable to adjust the setting level of the water supply device 50B so that the delivery rate is the same as when the pump tube unit B is attached to the water supply device 50A and used. As shown in Fig. 11, it was found that the setting level of the water supply device 50B is preferably set to LEVEL 9 and LEVEL 6 to set the setting level of the water supply device 50B so that the liquid delivery rate from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 is approximately 240 ml / min and approximately 190 ml / min.

[0067] <Test 1: Verification of Liquid Leakage at Connection Portion> Next, a verification test was conducted for liquid leakage at the connection portion between the pump tube unit and the endoscope 20. First, a verification test was conducted for liquid leakage when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B was connected to the auxiliary water supply port 42 of the endoscope 20. The verification for liquid leakage was conducted with the setting level of the water supply device 50B set to LEVEL 9. The amount of water delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was measured every 30 seconds, and the amount delivered every 60 seconds was calculated from the average of the measured amounts of water delivered.

[0068] 12, the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was 231.0 ml / min. At this time, a liquid leakage check was carried out, and no liquid leakage was found at the connection between the pump tube unit B and the endoscope 20, i.e., the connection between the connector 80 and the check valve 75, and the connection between the connector 80 and the auxiliary water supply port 42.

[0069] As a comparative test, a test was conducted to verify whether or not there was any liquid leakage when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20. In this case, as shown in Fig. 13, even when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between the pump tube unit A and the endoscope 20.

[0070] That is, when the connector 80 in this embodiment is used to connect the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20, the results show that no liquid leakage occurs, just as when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A is connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20.

[0071] <Test 2: Measurement of the pressure of the liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port> A test to measure the pressure of the liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 was conducted when verifying liquid leakage. As shown in Fig. 12, when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B was connected to the auxiliary water supply connector 42 of the endoscope 20, the pressure of the liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 was 0.45 MPa all five times.

[0072] The pressure of the liquid was also measured when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20. As shown in Fig. 13, when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A was connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20, the pressure of the liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 was 0.45 MPa all five times.

[0073] That is, when the connector 80 of this embodiment is used to connect the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20, it was found that the performance is the same as when the pump tube unit A attached to the water supply device 50A is connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20.

[0074] <Test 3: Measurement of the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port of the endoscope and Test 4: Measurement of remaining water time> The amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 and the remaining water time were measured. In addition to the above-mentioned pump tube units A and B, the following pump tube unit C was also used to measure the amount of liquid delivered from the auxiliary water supply port 36 of the endoscope 20 and the remaining water time. Pump tube unit C: A pump tube unit having a pump tube with an inner diameter of 6.6 mm and an outer diameter of 9.7 mm

[0075] Pump tube unit C is a pump tube unit having a pump tube with an inner diameter and an outer diameter different from those of pump tube unit B. Like pump tube unit B, pump tube unit C is connected to endoscope 20 by threading check valve 75 fixed to one end of pump tube unit C to auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of endoscope 20 via connector 80 described in this embodiment.

[0076] First, measurements were taken when the pump tube unit B attached to the water supply device 50B was connected to the endoscope 20. As shown in Fig. 14(a) , the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50B was set to LEVEL 9 was 241.6 ml / min. Furthermore, the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50B was set to LEVEL 6 was 188.8 ml / min. During the delivery rate measurements, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between the pump tube unit B and the endoscope 20.

[0077] 14B, the average remaining water time was 0.674 seconds when the setting level of the water conveying device 50B was set to LEVEL 9. The average remaining water time was 0.0 seconds when the setting level of the water conveying device 50B was set to LEVEL 6.

[0078] Next, measurements were performed on a pump tube unit C having a pump tube 71 with an inner diameter of 6.6 mm and an outer diameter of 9.7 mm attached to the water supply device 50B and connected to the endoscope 20. As shown in Figure 15(a) , the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50B was set to LEVEL 9 was 112.4 ml / min. Furthermore, the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50B was set to LEVEL 6 was 221.4 ml / min. During the delivery rate measurements, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between the pump tube unit C and the endoscope 20.

[0079] 15B, the average remaining water time was 2.76 seconds when the setting level of the water conveying device 50B was set to LEVEL 9. The average remaining water time was 3.52 seconds when the setting level of the water conveying device 50B was set to LEVEL 6.

[0080] Next, measurements were taken when pump tube unit B was attached to water supply unit 50A and connected to endoscope 20. As shown in Figure 16(a) , the average delivery rate when water supply unit 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 245.4 ml / min. Furthermore, the average delivery rate when water supply unit 50A was set to LEVEL 7 was 195.0 ml / min. During the delivery rate measurements, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between pump tube unit B and endoscope 20.

[0081] 16(b), the average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 0.57 seconds. The average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 7 was 0.54 seconds.

[0082] Next, measurements were taken when the pump tube unit C was attached to the water supply device 50A and connected to the endoscope 20. As shown in Figure 17(a) , the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 206.4 ml / min. Furthermore, the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50A was set to LEVEL 7 was 179.4 ml / min. During the delivery rate measurements, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between the pump tube unit C and the endoscope 20.

[0083] 17(b), the average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 4.18 seconds. The average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 7 was 3.59 seconds.

[0084] Finally, measurements were taken when the pump tube unit A was attached to the water supply device 50A and connected to the endoscope 20. As shown in Figure 18(a) , the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 243.6 ml / min. Furthermore, the average delivery rate when the water supply device 50A was set to LEVEL 5 was 208.2 ml / min. During the delivery rate measurements, no liquid leakage occurred at the connection between the pump tube unit A and the endoscope 20.

[0085] 18(b), the average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 9 was 1.95 seconds. The average remaining water time when the setting level of the water conveying device 50A was set to LEVEL 5 was 1.79 seconds.

[0086] According to the results of measuring the amount of water conveyed, it was found that when pump tube unit B was attached to water conveying device 50B and connected to endoscope 20, the amount of water conveyed was the target amount, compared to when pump tube unit A was attached to water conveying device 50A and connected to endoscope 20. It was also found that the remaining water time was shorter when pump tube unit B was attached to water conveying device 50B and connected to endoscope 20 than when pump tube unit A was attached to water conveying device 50A and connected to endoscope 20.

[0087] It was found that when pump tube unit C was attached to either water conveying device 50A or 50B and the set level was set to LEVEL 9, the pump tube could not be handled properly when the water conveying device was in operation, and water could not be conveyed at the desired volume. On the other hand, when the set level was set below LEVEL 9, the volume of water conveyed approached the desired volume, so when using pump tube unit C, it is best to use it at a set level below LEVEL 9.

[0088] That is, by conducting tests (1) to (4), it was found that when pump tube unit B was attached to water supply device 50B or water supply device 50A and connected to endoscope 20, performance was equal to or better than when pump tube unit A was attached to water supply device 50A and connected to endoscope 20. It was also found that connecting pump tube unit B to auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of endoscope 20 via a connector in this case can prevent liquid leakage and improve water drainage. In this way, by connecting pump tube unit 70, which is not dedicated to water supply device 50, to endoscope 20 via connector 80, it is possible to achieve performance similar to that when the pump tube unit and endoscope are connected using dedicated parts.

[0089] <Summary of Effects> The connector 80 for the auxiliary water supply nozzle of the present invention is used when connecting the tube unit 70 installed in the water supply device 50 to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20, and has a cylindrical connector main body 80a made of synthetic resin. The connector main body 80a has an insertion part 81 that is inserted into the storage space 42b provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, a male screw part 83 that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 80a and that screws into the female screw part 42c provided in the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, and The auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 has a tapered surface 42f that narrows in diameter from the female thread portion 42c toward the storage space 42b between the storage space 42b and the female thread portion 42c in the central axial direction of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, and the step portion 87 is held in a pressed state against the tapered surface 42f when the connector body 80a is tightened and fixed to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42.

[0090] With this, when the water supply device 50 is driven, the liquid supplied by the water supply tank 60 installed on the water supply device 50 can be reliably sprayed out from the auxiliary water supply port 36 via the auxiliary water supply channel SC of the endoscope 20 without leakage between the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 and the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20.

[0091] The connector body 80a also has a first flow path 84a provided at one end in the central axial direction of the connector body 80a, into which liquid from the pump tube unit 70 flows, and a second flow path 84b provided at the other end in the central axial direction of the connector body 80a, which sends the liquid flowing into the first flow path 84a to the storage space 42b, and it is preferable that the inner diameter of the second flow path 84b is less than the inner diameter of the first flow path 84a, and that the inner diameter of the first flow path 84a is less than the inner diameter of the storage space 42b.

[0092] This allows the second flow path 84b to function as an orifice, allowing the liquid to flow into the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. At this time, the pressure of the liquid that has flowed into the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 decreases, preventing excessive pressure load from being applied to the step portion 87 that is pressed against the tapered surface 42f. As a result, the liquid can be reliably sent to the auxiliary water supply channel SC of the endoscope 20 without leaking at the location where the step portion 87 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f.

[0093] In addition, the storage space 42b has a water supply port 42g at the bottom 42e of the storage space 42b that is continuous with the auxiliary water supply channel of the endoscope, and it is preferable that the inner diameter D3 of the water supply port 42g is smaller than the inner diameter D6 of the second flow path 84b and the outer diameter D4 of the insertion portion 81 is the same as the inner diameter D1 of the storage space 42b.

[0094] With this configuration, the liquid delivered by the pump tube unit 70 first accumulates in the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 via the connector, and then is pressed by new liquid being delivered to the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, and is delivered from the water supply port 42g to the auxiliary water supply channel SC. At this time, the liquid retained in the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 does not reach the area where the step 87 is pressed against the tapered surface 42f, because the insertion section 81 of the connector 80 abuts against the storage space 42b of the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42. This prevents water leakage between the auxiliary water supply nozzle connector 80 and the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42 of the endoscope 20.

[0095] Furthermore, it is preferable that a check valve 75 fixed to one end of the pump tube unit 70 is connected to the other end of the connector body 80a opposite to the end connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle 42, in the direction of the central axis of the connector body 80a.

[0096] According to this, after use of the endoscope 20, the connector 80 is discarded together with the pump tube unit 70, and only the endoscope 20 is cleaned. Therefore, instead of using a check valve (or check valve unit) dedicated to the endoscope, it becomes possible to use an inexpensive, disposable check valve used for other purposes.

[0097] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Endoscope system 20 Endoscope 42 Auxiliary water supply nozzle 42f Tapered surface 50 Water supply device 60 Water supply tank 70 Pump tube unit 75 Check valve 80 Connector for auxiliary water supply nozzle 81 Insertion section 83 Male thread section 84 Flow path 84a First flow path 84b Second flow path 84c Third flow path 87 Step section

Claims

1. A connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle used when connecting a tube unit installed in a water supply device to an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope, comprising: a tubular connector body made of synthetic resin, the connector body comprising: an insertion section to be inserted into a storage space provided in the auxiliary water supply nozzle; a male thread section provided on the outer circumferential surface of the connector body and screwing into a female thread section provided in the storage space of the auxiliary water supply nozzle; and a step section provided around the entire outer circumferential surface of the connector body between the insertion section and the male thread section in the central axial direction of the connector body, the auxiliary water supply nozzle having a tapered surface that narrows in diameter from the female thread section towards the storage space, when the connector body is fastened to the auxiliary water supply nozzle, the ridge line of the step section provided around the entire outer circumferential surface of the connector body is held in a pressed state against the tapered surface. A connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope.

2. A connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope as described in claim 1, wherein the connector body has: a first flow path provided at one end side in the central axial direction of the connector body, into which liquid from the tube unit flows; and a second flow path provided at the other end side in the central axial direction of the connector body, for sending liquid flowing into the first flow path to the storage space, wherein the inner diameter of the second flow path is less than the inner diameter of the first flow path, and the inner diameter of the first flow path is less than the inner diameter of the storage space.

3. A connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope as described in claim 2, characterized in that the storage space has a water supply port at the bottom of the storage space which is continuous with the auxiliary water supply channel of the endoscope, the inner diameter of the water supply port is smaller than the inner diameter of the second flow path, and the outer diameter of the insertion portion is the same as the inner diameter of the storage space.

4. A connector for an auxiliary water supply nozzle of an endoscope as described in claim 3, characterized in that the connector body has a check valve fixed to one end of the tube unit connected to the other end opposite the one end connected to the auxiliary water supply nozzle, out of both ends in the central axial direction of the connector body.

Images