Treatment tool insertion-use guide adapter

Abstract

The present invention facilitates insertion of a treatment tool into a forceps channel via a forceps plug attached to a forceps ferrule of an endoscope. A treatment tool insertion-use guide adapter 71 of the present invention includes: an adapter body 72 provided with a lubricant storage part 81 having one open end and an internal space 84 filled with a lubricant 75, and an insertion part 82 which has an internal space 100 in communication with the internal space 84 and which is inserted into a forceps plug 31 attached to a forceps ferrule 21 of an endoscope 10; an inner lid 73 that has a slit 107 enabling insertion of a treatment tool towards the internal space 84 and that closes one end of the lubricant storage part 81; and an outer lid 74 that is attached to the one end of the lubricant storage part 81 closed by the inner lid 73 and that exposes the slit 107 provided to the inner lid 73 and exposes the area near the slit 107.

Description

Treatment tool insertion guide adapter

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment tool insertion guide adapter that is attached to a plug that is attached to a mouthpiece of an endoscope.

[0002] Endoscopes used in the medical field are used to observe a target location within a body cavity (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as the target location) and to perform various treatments on the target location using treatment tools by inserting an endoscope insertion portion into the body cavity of a patient. The operating handle of the endoscope is provided with, for example, a forceps mouthpiece having a forceps port. The treatment tool is inserted into the forceps channel of the endoscope through the forceps port, and the tip of the treatment tool is guided from the tip of the endoscope insertion portion to the target location within the body cavity.

[0003] When observing a target location or performing various procedures using an endoscope, the pressure inside the patient's body cavity may increase. In such cases, bodily fluids may flow back up the forceps channel of the endoscope and leak from the forceps opening of the forceps mouthpiece. Therefore, a forceps stopper is attached to the forceps mouthpiece of the endoscope to cover the forceps opening.

[0004] Some forceps valves attached to the forceps connector of an endoscope have a partition inside the forceps valve, while others have partitions on the forceps valve body and the lid attached to the forceps valve body. In these forceps valves, when a treatment tool is inserted through a circular hole provided in each partition, the outer periphery of the treatment tool is tightly attached to the partition, maintaining a liquid-tight seal (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-189304

[0006] However, when feeding a treatment tool into the forceps channel through the hole provided in the partition of the forceps plug, friction occurs between the partition and the outer circumferential surface of the treatment tool, making it difficult to feed the treatment tool in. To address this issue, it may be possible to apply a lubricant to the outer circumferential surface of the treatment tool in advance to reduce the friction, but the task of applying a lubricant in advance before observing the target position or performing various treatments is time-consuming.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a forceps insertion guide adapter that makes it easy to insert a treatment tool into a forceps channel via a forceps plug attached to the forceps mouthpiece of an endoscope, without the need to apply a lubricant before observing a target position or performing various treatments.

[0008] A forceps insertion guide adapter according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by having an adapter body including a storage section having an open end and a first space filled with a lubricant, and an insertion section having a second space communicating with the first space and inserted into a plug attached to the mouthpiece of an endoscope; a first cover member having a slit that allows a treatment tool to be inserted into the first space and closing one end of the storage section; and a second cover member attached to the end of the storage section closed by the first cover member and exposing the slit provided in the first cover member and the area surrounding the slit.

[0009] It is also preferable that the second cover member has a pressing portion that presses the first cover member toward the storage portion when attached to one end of the storage portion.

[0010] It is also preferable that the storage section has at least one annular projection that bites into the first cover member that closes one end of the storage section.

[0011] Preferably, the first cover member has a curved portion that curves toward the first space when one end of the storage portion is closed, and the notch is provided in the curved portion.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that the first cover member has a bent portion that combines two wall portions that incline toward the first space when one end of the storage section is closed, and that the notch is provided at the bent portion where the two wall portions intersect.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a treatment tool can be inserted into the forceps channel via a forceps plug attached to the forceps mouthpiece of the endoscope without the need to apply a lubricant before observing the target location or performing various treatments.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing one configuration of an endoscope shown in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration in the vicinity of a forceps insertion section. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration in the vicinity of the forceps insertion section. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an exploded configuration of a guide adapter. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the procedure for attaching a guide adapter to a forceps valve. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the procedure for inserting a treatment tool into a forceps channel via a guide adapter. FIG. 7(a) is a top view showing an example of an inner cover having a different slit valve, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 7(a).

[0015] The forceps insertion guide adapter shown in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forceps insertion guide adapter may be simply referred to as the guide adapter. The guide adapter shown in this embodiment is attached to a forceps plug attached to the forceps mouthpiece of an endoscope.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 10 includes an operating handle 11, an endoscope insertion section 12, a universal tube 13, and a connection section 14.

[0017] The operating handle 11 has an operating section 16 and a forceps insertion section 17. The operating section 16 includes, for example, angle knobs 16a and 16b, an air / water supply button 16c, a suction button 16d, and a shutter button 16e.

[0018] The angle knobs 16a and 16b are rotated when bending the bending portion 12a provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 12. The angle knob 16a is rotated when bending the bending portion 12a of the endoscope insertion portion 12, for example, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1. The angle knob 16b is rotated when bending the bending portion 12a of the endoscope insertion portion 12, for example, in the left-right direction in Fig. 1.

[0019] The air / water supply button 16c is operated when cleaning an observation port (not shown) and an illumination port (not shown) provided on the distal end surface 12b of the endoscope insertion section 12. The suction button 16d is operated when suctioning waste from the body cavity through a forceps port (not shown) provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section 12. The shutter button 16e is operated when capturing 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 12.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the forceps insertion section 17 is provided with a forceps mouthpiece 21. The forceps mouthpiece 21 is made of, for example, a metal material. The forceps mouthpiece 21 is, for example, a cylindrical member with both ends open in the direction of the central axis of the forceps mouthpiece 21 (the direction along the line L1 in Figures 2 and 3). Note that Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a case in which the forceps mouthpiece 21, the forceps plug 31, and the guide adapter 71 are arranged so that their central axes are coaxial. Hereinafter, when describing the forceps mouthpiece 21, the forceps plug 31, and the guide adapter 71 using Figures 2 and 3, the direction of the central axis of each member may be referred to as the central axis (L1) direction.

[0021] The forceps mouthpiece 21 is held by the forceps insertion portion 17 with one end in the direction of the central axis (L1) protruding outward (upward in FIG. 2 ) from the end surface 17a of the forceps insertion portion 17. Therefore, of both end portions of the internal space 22 in the direction of the central axis (L1), the one end protruding (exposed) outward from the end surface 17a of the forceps insertion portion 17 functions as a forceps opening 23. Furthermore, of both end portions of the internal space 22 in the direction of the central axis (L1), the other end opposite the one end functioning as the forceps opening 23 is connected to the forceps channel 18 extending to the forceps insertion portion 17. Here, the forceps mouthpiece 21 corresponds to a mouthpiece as recited in the claims.

[0022] The forceps mouthpiece 21 has an end portion, which functions as the forceps port 23, provided with a fitting portion 24 into which a forceps plug 31, which will be described later, is fitted. The fitting portion 24 has a first annular portion 24a and a second annular portion 24b.

[0023] The first annular portion 24a and the second annular portion 24b constituting the fitted portion 24 are provided in this order from one end to the other in the direction of the central axis (L1). The diameter of the first annular portion 24a is larger than the diameter of the second annular portion 24b.

[0024] Furthermore, a flange portion 25 is formed on the forceps ferrule 21 so as to be continuous with the fitted portion 24. The diameter of the flange portion 25 is larger than the diameter of the second annular portion 24b of the fitted portion 24. Therefore, the first annular portion 24a, the second annular portion 24b, and the flange portion 25 of the fitted portion 24 have different diameters, and therefore a groove 26 is formed between the first annular portion 24a and the flange portion 25 of the fitted portion 24 around the entire circumference of the forceps ferrule 21. Note that although FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example in which the diameter of the flange portion 25 is larger than the diameter of the first annular portion 24a of the fitted portion 24, the diameter of the flange portion 25 may be smaller than or the same as the diameter of the first annular portion 24a of the fitted portion 24.

[0025] The forceps stopper 31 is made of a synthetic resin material such as general-purpose silicone or a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer. The forceps stopper 31 has a stopper body 32, a lid portion 33, and a connecting portion 34. The connecting portion 34 connects the stopper body 32 and the lid portion 33. Here, the forceps stopper 31 corresponds to the stopper recited in the claims.

[0026] The plug body 32 is a cylindrical member with both ends opened in the direction of the central axis (L1). By making the plug body 32 a cylindrical member, its internal space 35 functions as a first channel. A conical tube portion 36 that separates the first channel 35 is provided inside the first channel 35. The conical tube portion 36 is open at its upper end in the direction of the central axis (L1) and closed at its lower end. The diameter of the conical tube portion 36 decreases from the upper surface 32a of the plug body 32 toward the bottom surface 32b of the plug body 32.

[0027] An opening 38 having a cross-sectional shape, for example, a circle, perpendicular to the direction of the central axis (L1) is formed in an end face 37 that closes the lower end of the conical tube portion 36. The inner diameter of the opening 38 is smaller than the smallest outer diameter of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71. The insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 inserted into the forceps plug 31 is press-fitted into the opening 38. When the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 is press-fitted into the opening 38, a portion of the end face 37 of the conical tube portion 36 near the opening 38 (not shown) is held in pressure contact with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 (see, for example, FIG. 5 ).

[0028] It should be noted that if the inner diameter of the opening 38 is too small compared to the minimum outer diameter of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71, it is expected that the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 cannot be inserted into the opening 38. To deal with such a case, in addition to providing the opening 38 in the end face 37 of the conical cylindrical portion 36, one or more slits extending in the radial direction of the opening 38 may be provided in the end face 37.

[0029] In the direction of the central axis (L1), a portion located above the conical tube portion 36 provided inside the first channel 35 functions as a first fitting portion 41 into which the fitted portion 57 of the lid portion 33 is fitted. In addition, in the direction of the central axis (L1), a portion located below the conical tube portion 36 provided inside the first channel 35 functions as a second fitting portion 42 into which the fitted portion 24 of the forceps mouthpiece 21 of the endoscope 10 is fitted.

[0030] The first fitting portion 41 has, for example, a first opening 44 and a second opening 45 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first opening 44. The first fitting portion 41 is provided in the direction of the central axis (L1) in the order of the first opening 44 and the second opening 45 from the top surface 32a of the plug body 32. Note that reference numeral 46 denotes a tapered portion whose diameter decreases toward the first fitting portion 41. The tapered portion 46 guides the insertion of a fitted portion 57 provided on the lid portion 33 into the first fitting portion 41.

[0031] The second fitting portion 42 has, for example, a third opening 47 and a fourth opening 48 having an inner diameter larger than that of the third opening 47. The second fitting portion 42 is provided in the central axial (L1) direction, with the third opening 47 and the fourth opening 48 arranged in this order from the bottom surface 32b side of the plug body 32. Note that reference numeral 49 denotes a tapered portion whose diameter decreases toward the second fitting portion 42. The tapered portion 49 guides the insertion of the fitted portion 24 of the forceps ferrule 21 into the second fitting portion 42.

[0032] The cover portion 33 is formed with a second channel 51 for inserting the treatment tool 200. The second channel 51 communicates with the first channel 35 when the cover portion 33 is attached to the plug body 32.

[0033] A recess 55 is provided in the center of one surface 33a of the lid portion 33, curving toward the surface 33b opposite the surface 33a. The recess 55 and the second channel 51 are separated by a curved wall 56. A slit 56a is formed in the curved wall 56. The length of the slit 56a provided in the curved wall 56 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71. As a result, when the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 is inserted into the slit 56a, the peripheral edge of the slit 56a is pressed against the outer periphery of the insertion portion 82.

[0034] The lid portion 33 has a mating portion 57 protruding from the surface 33b at the center of the surface 33b. The mating portion 57 is mated with the first mating portion 41 of the plug body 32 when the lid portion 33 is attached to the plug body 32.

[0035] The fitted portion 57 has a first annular portion 58 and a second annular portion 59. The first annular portion 58 and the second annular portion 59 are provided in this order from the surface 33b side. The diameter of the first annular portion 58 is smaller than the diameter of the second annular portion 59. Therefore, when the lid portion 33 is attached to the plug body 32, the first annular portion 58 is fitted into the first opening 44 of the first fitting portion 41, and the second annular portion 59 is fitted into the second opening 45 of the first fitting portion 41.

[0036] The guide adapter 71 is inserted into the forceps plug 31 described above, and the treatment tool 200 is inserted into the guide adapter 71 while it is inserted into the forceps plug 31. The guide adapter 71 is inserted from the upper surface 32a side of the plug body 32 with the lid portion 33 of the forceps plug 31 attached to the plug body 32.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the guide adapter 71 is composed of an adapter body 72, an inner lid 73, and an outer lid 74. The adapter body 72, which constitutes the guide adapter 71, is filled with a lubricant 75. Here, the inner lid 73 corresponds to a first lid member, and the outer lid 74 corresponds to a second lid member. In Figure 4, when describing the configuration of the guide adapter 71, the adapter body 72, the inner lid 73, and the outer lid 74 are shown coaxially arranged. Therefore, when describing the adapter body 72, the inner lid 73, and the outer lid 74, the central axis of these members may be referred to as central axis L2.

[0038] The adapter body 72 is made of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate. The adapter body 72 has a lubricant storage section 81, an insertion section 82, and a connection section 83. The adapter body 72 is provided with the lubricant storage section 81, the connection section 83, and the insertion section 82 in this order from the right end to the left end in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71 in the drawing.

[0039] The lubricant storage portion 81 has, for example, a cylindrical shape. The lubricant storage portion 81 is formed by molding, for example, a synthetic resin material. The lubricant storage portion 81 has an internal space 84 that is open at one end in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the adapter main body 72. The internal space 84 is filled with lubricant 75. The outer peripheral surface of one end of the lubricant storage portion 81 in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71 forms a tapered portion 85 whose diameter decreases toward the end face 81a. Here, the lubricant storage portion 81 corresponds to the storage portion recited in the claims, and the internal space 84 corresponds to the first space recited in the claims.

[0040] Two annular protrusions 86, 87 are provided on the end surface 81 a of the lubricant storage portion 81. The two annular protrusions 86, 87 bite into the end surface 73 b of the inner lid 73 when the inner lid 73 is attached to the space 99 of the adapter body 72, maintaining a liquid-tight seal between the inner lid 73 and the lubricant storage portion 81.

[0041] A flange portion 91 is provided around the entire periphery of the lubricant storage portion 81 at the end opposite to the end connected to the connection portion 83 in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71. The outer diameter of the flange portion 91 is larger than the outer diameter of the lubricant storage portion 81.

[0042] A cylindrical mating portion 92 is provided on a surface 91a of the flange portion 91. The mating portion 92 protrudes toward the end where the tapered portion 85 is provided in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71. A protrusion 93 that protrudes radially from the flange portion 91 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the mating portion 92.

[0043] Here, in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71, when the surface 91a of the flange portion 91 is used as a reference, the distance from this surface 91a to the tips of the two annular protrusions 86, 87 is shorter than the distance from this surface 91a to the tip of the fitted portion 92. Furthermore, the maximum outer diameter of the tapered portion 85 is less than the inner diameter of the fitted portion 92. Therefore, a space 99 is formed between the fitted portion 92 and the tapered portion 85 surrounded by the fitted portion 92. The inner lid 73 is attached to the space 99.

[0044] The insertion portion 82 has a cylindrical shape in which the outer peripheral surface thereof tapers in diameter from one end connected to the connecting portion 83 toward the other end in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71. That is, the insertion portion 82 has an internal space 100 that is open at both ends in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71. Here, the maximum diameter of the insertion portion 82 is less than the outer diameter of the lubricant storage portion 81. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the insertion portion 82 exceeds the outer diameter of the treatment tool 200 and is less than the inner diameter of the lubricant storage portion 81. The internal space 100 corresponds to a second space recited in the claims.

[0045] The connecting portion 83 is provided between the lubricant storage portion 81 and the insertion portion 82. As described above, the maximum outer diameter of the insertion portion 82 is smaller than the outer diameter of the lubricant storage portion 81. Therefore, the outer peripheral surface 83a of the connecting portion 83 is a tapered surface that connects the outer peripheral surface 81b of the lubricant storage portion 81 and the outer peripheral surface 82a of the insertion portion 82.

[0046] The connecting portion 83 has an internal space 101 that connects the internal space 84 of the lubricant storage portion 81 and the internal space 100 of the insertion portion 82. In a cross section including the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71, the inner peripheral surface 101a of the connecting portion 83 is a tapered surface or a curved surface.

[0047] The inner lid 73 is made of a synthetic resin material such as silicone rubber. The inner lid 73 is attached to one end of the guide adapter 71 in the direction of the central axis (L2) and closes the internal space 84 of the lubricant storage section 81. The inner lid 73 has two end faces 73a, 73b in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71, and has a curved portion 105 where the center of one end face 73a curves toward the other end face 73b. The curved portion 105 also has a slit 107. The slit 107 corresponds to a notch in the claims.

[0048] The slit 107 closes the bending portion 105 when the treatment tool 200 is not inserted. When the treatment tool 200 is inserted into the slit 107, the slit 107 is pushed open by the treatment tool 200 and comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the treatment tool 200 inserted into the slit 107. By providing the slit 107 in the bending portion 105 in this way, the bending portion 105 of the inner cover 73 functions as a slit valve. Note that the length of the slit 107 is preferably longer than the outer diameter of the treatment tool 200 to be inserted.

[0049] An outer peripheral wall 108 is provided on the outer peripheral edge of the other end face 73b of the inner lid 73. The outer peripheral wall 108 is held in a state where it fits into the space 99 when the inner lid 73 is attached to the adapter body 72.

[0050] The outer lid 74 is made of a synthetic resin material such as polypropylene. The outer lid 74 has a fitting portion 110 on one end surface 74a in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71. The fitted portion 92 provided on the lubricant storage portion 81 is inserted into the fitting portion 110. A protrusion 111 protruding toward the one end surface 74a is provided on the bottom surface 110a of the fitting portion 110. When the outer lid 74 is attached to the adapter main body 72, the protrusion 111 presses the inner lid 73 attached to the adapter main body 72 toward the adapter main body 72. This maintains the adapter main body 72 and the inner lid 73 liquid-tight. Here, the protrusion 111 corresponds to a pressing portion recited in the claims.

[0051] The outer cover 74 has a tapered recess 112 in the center of an end face 74b opposite to the one end face 74a in the direction of the central axis (L2) of the guide adapter 71, the tapered recess 112 decreasing in diameter from the end face 74 toward the fitting portion 110. The recess 112 and the fitting portion 110 are in communication with each other via a through hole 113. By providing the through hole 113, the curved portion 105 of the inner cover 73 and the slit 107 provided in the curved portion 105 are exposed when the outer cover 74 is attached to the adapter body 72. Here, the inner diameter of the through hole 113 is longer than the outer diameter of the treatment tool 200 and the length of the slit 107 provided in the inner cover 73.

[0052] The lubricant 75 is applied to the surface of the treatment tool 200 when the treatment tool 200 is inserted into the guide adapter 71. As the lubricant 75, for example, a gel made by compounding water, glycerin, a thickener, a pH adjuster, a moisturizer, merylparaben (an antibacterial agent), etc. is used.

[0053] The cap 120 is attached to the tip of the insertion portion 82 of the adapter body 72 when filling the lubricant 75 into the lubricant storage portion 81 of the adapter body 72. The cap 120 is removed from the insertion portion 82 of the adapter body 72 when inserting the guide adapter 71 into the forceps plug 31.

[0054] With the guide adapter 71, the lubricant 75 is filled into the lubricant storage section 81 of the adapter body 72 with the cap 120 attached to the insertion section 82 of the adapter body 72. After the lubricant 75 has been filled into the lubricant storage section 81 of the adapter body 72, the inner lid 73 is attached to the space 99 of the adapter body 72. Finally, the outer lid 74 is attached to the adapter body 72. In this manner, the guide adapter 71 is produced.

[0055] When the inner lid 73 is attached to the adapter body 72 to produce the guide adapter 71, the two annular protrusions 86, 87 on the end face 81a of the lubricant storage section 81 of the adapter body 72 are engaged with the end face 73b of the inner lid 73. When the outer lid 74 is attached to the adapter body 72, the protrusion 111 of the outer lid 74 presses the inner lid 73 attached to the adapter body 72 toward the adapter body 72. This maintains the adapter body 72 and the inner lid 73 liquid-tight. In this state, the slit 107 of the inner lid 73 is closed. Therefore, the lubricant 75 filled in the lubricant storage section 81 of the adapter body 72 is prevented from leaking through the slit 107.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5( a), the forceps plug 31 is attached to the forceps connector 21 of the forceps insertion section 17. The cover 33 of the forceps plug 31 is attached to the plug body 32. Therefore, the second channel 51 provided in the cover 33 is in communication with the first channel 35 provided in the plug body 32. At this time, the slit 56a provided in the cover 33 of the forceps plug 31 is closed. Therefore, when the endoscope insertion section 12 of the endoscope 10 is inserted into a patient's body cavity, the pressure within the patient's body cavity and the pressure within the forceps channel 18 of the endoscope 10 inserted into the patient's body cavity are maintained at a constant pressure. Therefore, even if the pressure within the patient's body cavity fluctuates and bodily fluids or the like flow back through the forceps channel 18, the forceps plug 31 attached to the forceps connector 21 prevents the fluid from spurting out of the forceps port 23.

[0057] For example, when the treatment tool 200 is used, the guide adapter 71 is inserted into the forceps plug 31. When the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 presses against the slit 56a of the forceps plug 31, the slit 56a opens. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5B, the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 is inserted into the forceps plug 31 through the slit 56a.

[0058] The tip of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 inserted into the forceps plug 31 presses against the end face 37 of the conical tube portion 36. Although not shown, the tip of the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 presses against the end face 37 of the conical tube portion 36, thereby expanding the diameter of the opening 38 provided in the end face 37 of the conical tube portion 36. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C , the insertion portion 82 of the guide adapter 71 is press-fitted into the opening 38 from its tip side. At this time, the outer peripheral surface 82a of the insertion portion 82 press-fitted into the opening 38 is pressed against the peripheral portion of the end face 37 of the conical tube portion 36 that surrounds the opening 38. In other words, the guide adapter 71 is held in a state of being pressed against both the end face 37 of the forceps plug 31 and the slit 56a. Even in this case, even if bodily fluids or the like flow backward through the forceps channel 18, they are prevented from gushing out from the forceps plug 31 and the insertion portion of the guide adapter 71 inserted into the forceps plug 31.

[0059] In the guide adapter 71, the slit 107 in the curved portion 105 of the inner lid 73 is exposed via the through-hole 113 in the outer lid 74. As shown in Figures 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c), when the treatment tool 200 is pushed into the slit 107, the slit 107 is pushed open. As a result, the treatment tool 200 is fed into the forceps channel 18 of the endoscope 10 through the slit 107. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the treatment tool 200 fed into the guide adapter 71 from the slit 107 moves inside the lubricant 75 filled in the lubricant storage portion 81 of the guide adapter 71, and is fed into the forceps channel 18 with the lubricant 75 applied to the outer peripheral surface.

[0060] As described above, in the guide adapter 71, the inner diameter of the inner space 100 of the insertion portion 82 is smaller than the inner diameter of the inner space 84 of the lubricant storage portion 81. The lubricant 75 is filled up to the inner space 100 of the insertion portion 82. However, the surface tension at the tip of the insertion portion 82 prevents the lubricant 75 from leaking out from the tip of the insertion portion.

[0061] Furthermore, the treatment tool 200 inserted through the guide adapter 71 is in a state of being pressed against the slit valve 105. That is, when the treatment tool 200 is inserted into the guide adapter 71, the lubricant 75 held inside the guide adapter 71 is prevented from leaking out from the slit 107.

[0062] In this embodiment, a slit 107 is provided in a curved portion 105 that is curved toward the other end surface 73b at the center of one end surface 73a of the inner lid 73, causing the curved portion 105 to function as a slit valve. However, the shape of the slit valve is not limited to this. As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), for example, a bent portion 131 formed by combining two wall portions 131a and 131b in a V-shape can be provided at the center of the end surface 130a of the inner lid 130, and a slit 133 can be formed at a portion 132 where the two wall portions 131a and 131b intersect.

[0063] <Summary of Effects> The guide adapter 71 in this embodiment has an adapter body 72 including: a lubricant storage section 81 that is open at one end and has an internal space 84 filled with lubricant 75; an insertion section 82 that has an internal space 100 that communicates with the internal space 84 and is inserted into a forceps plug 31 attached to the forceps mouthpiece 21 of the endoscope 10; an inner lid 73 that has a slit 107 that allows a treatment tool to be inserted toward the internal space 84 and that closes one end of the lubricant storage section 81; and an outer lid 74 that is attached to one end of the lubricant storage section 81 that is closed by the inner lid 73 and that exposes the slit 107 provided in the inner lid 73 and the vicinity of the slit 107.

[0064] This eliminates the need to provide a new forceps plug with a structure for filling with lubricant. Furthermore, by attaching the guide adapter 71 to the forceps plug 31, the lubricant 75 is applied to the treatment tool 200 simply by inserting the treatment tool 200 into the forceps channel 18. Therefore, the treatment tool 200 can be quickly inserted into the forceps channel 18. Furthermore, when observing a target position in a body cavity or performing various treatments with the endoscope 10, it is no longer necessary to apply the lubricant 75 to the treatment tool in advance. Therefore, preparations for observing a target position in a body cavity or performing various treatments with the endoscope are simplified.

[0065] Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer lid 74 has a protrusion 111 that presses the inner lid 73 toward the lubricant storage portion 81 when attached to one end of the lubricant storage portion 81 .

[0066] This allows the inner lid 73 and the lubricant storage portion 81 to be kept liquid-tight.

[0067] Furthermore, the lubricant storage portion 81 preferably has at least one annular protrusion 86, 87 that bites into the inner lid 73 that closes one end of the lubricant storage portion 81.

[0068] This allows the inner lid 73 and the lubricant storage portion 81 to be kept liquid-tight.

[0069] In addition, the inner lid 73 has a curved portion 105 that curves toward the internal space 84 when one end of the lubricant storage section 81 is closed, and it is preferable that the slit 107 be provided in the curved portion 105.

[0070] This allows the treatment tool 200 to be easily inserted into the slit 107 and also makes it easier for the area near the slit 107 to come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the treatment tool 200 .

[0071] In addition, the inner lid 73 has a bent portion 131 that combines two wall portions 131a, 131b that incline toward the internal space 84 when one end of the lubricant storage portion 81 is closed, and it is preferable that the slit 133 be provided in the bent portion 131 at a portion 132 where the two wall portions 131a, 131b intersect.

[0072] This allows the treatment tool 200 to be easily inserted into the slit 133 and also makes it easier for the area near the slit 133 to come into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the treatment tool 200 .

[0073] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Endoscope 21 Forceps mouthpiece (mouthpiece) 31 Forceps stopper (stopper) 71 Treatment tool insertion guide adapter (guide adapter) 72 Adapter body 73 Inner cover (first cover member) 74 Outer cover (second cover member) 75 Lubricant 81 Lubricant storage section (storage section) 84 Internal space (first space) 86, 87 Annular convex portion 100 Internal space (second space) 105 Curved portion 107 Slit (notch) 111 Protruding portion (pressing portion) 131 Bent portion 131a, 131b Wall portion 132 Portion where two wall portions 131a, 131b intersect 133 Slit (notch) 200 Treatment tool

Claims

1. A treatment tool insertion guide adapter comprising: an adapter body having a storage section with an open end and a first space filled with a lubricant, and a second space communicating with the first space, and an insertion section to be inserted into a plug attached to the mouthpiece of an endoscope; a first cover member having a slit that allows a treatment tool to be inserted toward the first space and closing off the one end of the storage section; and a second cover member attached to the one end of the storage section closed off by the first cover member, exposing the slit provided in the first cover member and the area surrounding the slit.

2. A guide adapter for inserting a treatment tool as described in claim 1, characterized in that the second cover member has a pressing portion that presses the first cover member toward the storage portion when attached to the one end of the storage portion.

3. A guide adapter for inserting a treatment tool as described in claim 1, characterized in that the storage section has at least one annular protrusion that bites into the first cover member that closes the one end of the storage section.

4. A guide adapter for inserting a treatment tool as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first cover member has a curved portion that curves toward the first space when the one end of the storage portion is closed, and the notch is provided in the curved portion.

5. A guide adapter for inserting a treatment instrument as described in claim 1, characterized in that the first cover member has a bent portion that combines two wall portions that are inclined toward the first space when the one end of the storage portion is closed, and the notch is provided in the bent portion at the location where the two wall portions intersect.

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