JP4838565B2 - Heat resistant endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat resistant endoscope that can withstand use in a high temperature environment.

  In recent years, in various fields such as the medical field and the industrial field, an endoscope insertion unit to be inserted into a subject, an imaging unit such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) provided in the endoscope insertion unit, Various endoscopes including an operation unit that is connected to the rear end portion of the endoscope insertion unit and performs various operations of the endoscope insertion unit are used. In such an endoscope, the maximum allowable allowable temperature is limited to about 80 ° C. due to the heat resistant temperature of the solid-state imaging device. Therefore, for example, an endoscope insertion part cannot be inserted into an engine or the like whose internal temperature is 200 ° C. or higher, and the internal state cannot be observed.

  Therefore, a cylindrical outer flexible body that covers the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion is provided over the entire length of the endoscope insertion portion from the operation portion, and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion and the inner peripheral surface of the outer flexible body are A heat-resistant endoscope in which cooling air is allowed to flow from the rear end side of the endoscope insertion portion and the cooling air is ejected from the tip of the endoscope insertion portion is well known (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

As shown in FIG. 22, a heat-resistant endoscope is also known in which an endoscope insertion portion 201 is covered with a cylindrical outer tube 202 having a transparent cover 204 at the tip. A pair of arcuate wall portions 206 facing each other extend in the length direction in the cylindrical hole 205 of the outer tube 202, and an airtight member 203 is provided in each of the arcuate wall portions 206. When the endoscope insertion portion 201 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 205, two clearances C ₁ ′ and C ₂ ′ are provided between the outer peripheral surface 201a of the endoscope insertion portion 201 and the inner peripheral surface 201a of the outer tube 202. Is to be formed. At this time, the outer peripheral surface 201 a of the endoscope insertion portion 201 and each arcuate wall portion 206 are held in an airtight state by the airtight member 203.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 23, when cooling air is supplied from the rear end of _one clearance C ₁ ′, the cooling air flows to the tip of the outer tube 202 and is folded back at the tip of the outer tube 202. After that, it passes through the other clearance C ₂ ′ and is ejected from the rear end of the outer tube 202.
JP 2000-46482 A

However, in the heat resistant endoscope described in Patent Document 1, since cooling air is ejected from the tip of the endoscope insertion portion, the cooling air cannot flow in front of the endoscope insertion portion. For example, there is a problem that it cannot be used when observing the state of combustion in the combustion chamber of the engine.
Further, in the configuration in which the outer tube 202 is put on the endoscope insertion portion 201, the cooling air cannot be allowed to flow in front of the endoscope insertion portion 201 by returning the cooling air to the proximal side. However, since it is necessary to provide the outer tube 202 with the arc-shaped wall portion 206, the airtight member 203, and the like to keep it airtight, there is a problem that the diameter of the outer tube 202 is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and can not only return the cooling fluid to the proximal side of the endoscope insertion portion, but also reduce the diameter of the entire portion to be inserted into the subject. An object of the present invention is to provide a heat-resistant endoscope that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following means.
A heat-resistant endoscope according to the present invention includes an endoscope insertion portion that is inserted into a subject, and a bottomed cylindrical guide tube that covers the endoscope insertion portion, and the endoscope insertion portion. In addition, a flow passage for circulating the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply means is formed so as to cover the outflow portion from which the cooling fluid flows out of the endoscope insertion portion from the flow passage. The guide tube is placed on the endoscope insertion portion, and the endoscope insertion portion is an elongated insertion main body, and is attached to the insertion main body so as to be detachable and non-fluid tight. An adapter, and a cover cap extending from the endoscope adapter to the insert main body is fluid-tightly attached to the insert main body, and the insert main body and the inner cap are attached to the cover cap. Leaked from between the endoscope adapter Cap outlet for outflow of却用fluid is provided, said guide tube, so as to cover the cap outlet, characterized in that it is covered on the endoscope insertion portion.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, the cooling fluid is caused to flow through the flow passage and flows out of the endoscope insertion portion from the outflow portion. The cooling fluid that has flowed out is folded back and flows in the guide tube toward the proximal end side because the distal end of the guide tube is blocked.
Thereby, the cooling fluid can be easily folded back to the base end side without providing a sealing member or the like on the guide tube as in the conventional case.
In addition, the guide tube is placed on the endoscope insertion portion so as to cover the cap outlet while the insertion main body portion and the endoscope adapter are attached and the covering cap is attached to the insertion main body portion. In this state, when the cooling fluid is caused to flow through the flow passage, the cooling fluid leaks from between the insertion main body portion and the endoscope adapter. The leaked cooling fluid flows out from the cap outlet and returns to the proximal side in the guide tube.
Here, conventionally, it has been necessary to attach the insertion main body portion and the endoscope adapter in a fluid-tight manner. However, in the present invention, by providing a covering cap, the insertion main body portion and the endoscope adapter are arranged. The mounting structure can be simplified.

  Further, the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention includes an endoscope insertion portion that is inserted into a subject, an outer cylinder portion that has a cylindrical hole through which the endoscope insertion portion is inserted, and the outer cylinder portion. It is formed with a short length, and is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder part and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion part, and the outer cylinder part is fluid-tightly connected to the endoscope insertion part. A flow path through which the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply means is circulated in the endoscope insertion portion, and the elastic body is connected to the circulation body. Provided on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion with respect to the side outflow portion that causes the cooling fluid that has circulated through the path to flow outward from the side surface of the endoscope insertion portion, and the outer cylinder portion is the elastic body When it is attached to the endoscope insertion part via, it is designed to extend to the proximal side from the side outflow part. And butterflies.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, when a cooling fluid is caused to flow through the flow passage, the fluid flows out from the side outflow portion to the outside of the endoscope insertion portion, that is, into the tube hole of the outer tube portion. The cooling fluid that has flowed out is returned to the proximal end side because the distal end side of the outer cylinder portion is fluid-tight by the elastic body.
Thereby, the cooling fluid can be reliably folded back to the proximal end side with a simple configuration.

  The heat-resistant endoscope according to the present invention is characterized in that a flow tube is provided in the flow passage, and the cooling fluid flows through the flow tube.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, a cooling fluid is caused to flow in the flow tube.
Thereby, the cooling fluid can be reliably flowed without leaking from the endoscope insertion portion.

  The heat-resistant endoscope according to the present invention is characterized in that a flow tube is provided in the flow passage, and a lumen for flowing the cooling fluid is provided in a peripheral wall portion of the flow tube. To do.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, a cooling fluid is caused to flow through the lumen.
Thereby, a cable etc. can be passed through a tube hole, without sealing the tube hole of a distribution tube, and a distribution tube can be used effectively.

  In the heat-resistant endoscope according to the present invention, an imaging unit for imaging reflected light from the subject is fitted to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion, and the imaging unit and the internal endoscope A gap is provided between the endoscope insertion portion and the gap is connected to the flow passage.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, when a cooling fluid is caused to flow through the flow passage, the cooling fluid flows out from the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion through the gap.
Thereby, the cooling fluid can be easily and surely flowed to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion.

  The heat-resistant endoscope according to the present invention includes fluid supply means for supplying the cooling fluid.

In the heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention, the cooling fluid is supplied from the fluid supply means.
Thereby, the cooling fluid can be reliably supplied.

  According to the present invention, the cooling fluid can be easily folded back to the proximal end side without providing a sealing member or the like on the guide tube as in the prior art. The entire part to be inserted into the subject can be reduced in diameter while being returned to the hand side.

( Reference Example 1)
Hereinafter, the heat-resistant endoscope in the first reference example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 1 shows the heat-resistant endoscope as a reference example of this invention.
The heat-resistant endoscope 1 includes an endoscope 2 for observing a subject and a cooling device 3 for cooling the endoscope 2.

The endoscope 2 includes an endoscope insertion unit 6 to be inserted into a subject, an operation unit 12 for performing various operations of the endoscope insertion unit 6, and an endoscope connected to the operation unit 12. A main body 16.
As shown in FIG. 2, the endoscope insertion portion 6 includes an insertion body portion 9 formed in an elongated shape and an optical adapter (for an endoscope) that is detachably attached to a distal end portion 9 b of the insertion body portion 9. Adapter) 10. A bendable bending portion 11 is provided in the vicinity of the distal end portion 9 b of the insertion main body portion 9. And the bending part 11 curves, The front-end | tip of the insertion main-body part 9 is orient | assigned to a desired direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, an image pickup unit 7 such as a CCD is built in the distal end portion 9 b, and a CCD cable 39 extending from the endoscope main body 16 is electrically connected to the image pickup unit 7. ing. In the vicinity of the imaging unit 7, a main body side electrode 42 for supplying power to the optical adapter 10 is provided. An electric wire 43 extending from the endoscope main body portion 16 is electrically connected to the main body side electrode 42. Moreover, the external thread part 17 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the front-end | tip part 9b.

The optical adapter 10 includes a cylindrical main body cylinder portion 44 and a connection ring 47, and the main body cylinder portion 44 and the connection ring 47 are coupled to each other on the same axis so as to be rotatable. The connection ring 47 is formed with a female threaded portion 48, and the female threaded portion 48 is screwed into the male threaded portion 17, whereby the optical adapter 10 is attached to the insertion main body portion 9. .
The main body cylinder portion 44 is provided with a cylindrical optical support portion 53 that supports the objective optical system 52. An illumination unit 20 such as an LED is provided in front of the optical support unit 53 via a donut-shaped aluminum substrate 54 and a flexible substrate 57. The illumination unit 20 is for irradiating the subject with illumination light. A cover glass 58 is provided in front of the illumination unit 20.

  An adapter-side electrode 59 that is electrically connected to the illumination unit 20 is provided at the rear end of the main body cylinder portion 44. Further, an O-ring 49 is provided at the rear end portion of the main body cylinder portion 44 so that the optical adapter 10 and the insertion main body portion 9 are kept watertight when the optical adapter 10 is attached to the insertion main body portion 9. It has come to be. This prevents liquid such as oil from entering the endoscope insertion portion 6 when the endoscope insertion portion 6 is inserted into the subject.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the above-mentioned operation part 12 is provided in the rear-end part of the endoscope insertion part 6. As shown in FIG. The operation unit 12 is provided with a joystick 13. By operating the joystick 13, the bending portion 11 is bent so that the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 6 is directed in a desired direction. The operation unit 12 is connected to the endoscope main body unit 16 via the universal cord 22. The endoscope main body portion 16 includes a main body box portion 26 formed in a rectangular box shape and a lid portion 27, and the main body box portion 26 and the lid portion 27 are attached to be openable and closable. On the top surface of the main body box portion 26, operation buttons 28 for performing various settings and operations are provided. The lid 27 is provided with a display unit 31 made of liquid crystal or the like. The display unit 31 displays an image captured by the imaging unit 7 and subjected to predetermined processing.

The cooling device 3 includes a compressor (fluid supply means) 32 that supplies cooling air (cooling fluid) and a bottomed cylindrical guide tube 33 made of an elastic member.
A cylindrical hole 38 is formed in the guide tube 33, and a transparent cover 37 that hermetically seals the distal end of the guide tube 33 is provided at the distal end. The endoscope insertion portion 6 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 38 from the proximal end of the guide tube 33.

Furthermore, the endoscope insertion portion 6 in the present reference example is provided with a main body flow passage 62 for circulating cooling air. The main body flow passage 62 is formed over substantially the entire length of the insertion main body portion 9. As shown in FIG. 3, a main body side circulation hole 63 is formed at the distal end portion 9 b of the insertion main body portion 9, and the main body side circulation hole 63 is connected to the main body flow passage 62.
The optical support portion 53 of the optical adapter 10 is formed with an adapter-side flow hole 64 that extends over the entire length of the main body cylinder portion 44. When the optical adapter 10 is attached to the insertion main body portion 9, the adapter-side flow hole 64 The main body side circulation hole 63 is connected. The tip of the adapter side circulation hole 64 is an open end, and this open end serves as an adapter outlet (outflow portion) 67. That is, the main body flow passage 62, the main body side circulation hole 63, and the adapter side circulation hole 64 function as a flow passage.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a cylindrical base 68 is fitted in an airtight state at the rear end of the main body flow passage 62. The CCD cable 39 and the electric wire 43 are inserted into the cylindrical hole 69 of the base 68, and the cylindrical hole 69 is hermetically sealed by the adhesive seal 72 in the inserted state. A through hole 73 is formed in the vicinity of the cylindrical hole 69, and one end of the supply tube 74 is fitted in the through hole 73 in an airtight state. A base 77 is provided at the other end of the supply tube 74, and the base 77 is opened from the operation unit 12. An open end of the base 77 serves as an air supply port 82. An air supply pipe 83 (shown in FIG. 1) extending from the compressor 32 is attached to the air supply port 82.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the main body cylinder portion 44 of the optical adapter 10 in the present reference example is provided with a male screw portion 78 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The male screw portion 78 is configured to be divided into a plurality of arcs at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
Further, a female threaded portion 79 is provided at the tip of the guide tube 33, and the guide tube 33 covers the adapter outlet 67 by screwing the female threaded portion 79 and the male threaded portion 78 together. Thus, it can be attached to the insertion main body 9. When the guide tube 33 is attached to the insertion main body 9, a clearance C1 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 6a of the endoscope insertion portion 6 and the inner peripheral surface 33a of the guide tube 33 as shown in FIG. It has become so.

Next, the operation of the heat-resistant endoscope 1 in this reference example configured as described above will be described.
With the optical adapter 10 attached to the insertion body 9, the endoscope insertion part 6 is inserted into the subject. The illumination unit 20 irradiates the subject with illumination light, and the reflected light is taken into the optical adapter 10 via the objective optical system 52 and imaged by the imaging unit 7. Further, predetermined processing is performed on the imaging signal from the imaging unit 7 and displayed on the display unit 31 as a captured image. While viewing the image displayed on the display unit 31, the joystick 13 is operated to point the tip of the endoscope insertion unit 6 in a desired direction, and a desired part is inspected.

Here, when the subject is at a high temperature such as an engine immediately after use, the maximum allowable allowable temperature of the imaging unit 7 and the illumination unit 20 is exceeded as it is, and the imaging unit 7 and the illumination unit 20 are exceeded. May not work properly. Therefore, the endoscope insertion portion 6 is inserted into the guide tube 33 and the male screw portion 78 and the female screw portion 79 are screwed together. Thereby, the guide tube 33 is attached to the endoscope insertion portion 6 so as to cover the adapter outlet 67. At this time, the bending portion 11 is covered by the guide tube 33, but the bending performance of the bending portion 11 is maintained because the guide tube 33 is made of an elastic member.
Then, the air supply pipe 83 shown in FIG. 1 is attached to the air supply port 82. In this state, the endoscope insertion portion 6 is inserted into the subject together with the guide tube 33. Then, the compressor 32 is driven. Then, the cooling air supplied from the compressor 32 is sent to the air supply port 82 via the air supply pipe 83. The cooling air is fed into the main body flow passage 62 via the base 77 and the supply tube 74 shown in FIG. 4 and flows toward the distal end side of the insertion main body portion 9.

Further, the cooling air sent to the distal end side of the insertion main body portion 9 passes through the main body side circulation hole 63 shown in FIG. Thereby, the imaging part 7 and the illumination part 20 are cooled. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the cooling air sent to the adapter-side circulation hole 64 is in the cylindrical hole 38 of the guide tube 33 and toward the front of the endoscope insertion portion 6. Erupts from. Since the distal end of the guide tube 33 is hermetically sealed by the transparent cover 37, the jetted cooling air is folded back within the distal end portion of the guide tube 33, passes through the interval between the male screw portions 78, and passes through the guide tube 33. It flows clearance C ₁ toward the base end side.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , the cooling air can be easily folded back to the proximal end side of the guide tube 33 without providing a sealing member or the like on the guide tube 33. Therefore, since the guide tube 33 can be made smaller in diameter than in the past, the entire part to be inserted into the subject can be made thinner.
Further, since the adapter outlet 67 is provided in the endoscope adapter, the cooling fluid can surely flow to the distal end of the insertion main body 9, and the imaging unit 7 and the illumination unit 20 can be easily cooled. can do.

( Reference Example 2)
Next, a second reference example of the present invention will be described.
6 and 7 show a second reference example of the present invention.
6 and 7, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
This reference example and the first reference example have the same basic configuration, and different points will be described here.

In this reference example , as shown in FIG. 6, an adapter outlet 67 is provided on the side surface of the optical adapter 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the adapter-side circulation hole 64 is extended from the base end of the optical support portion 53 to the central portion in the length direction thereof, and is extended from the central portion toward the radially outer side. Therefore, it is formed in a substantially L shape when viewed from the side. The open end of the adapter-side circulation hole 64 that extends outward in the radial direction serves as an adapter outlet 67 on the side surface of the optical adapter 10.
When cooling air is supplied to the insertion main body 9 under such a configuration, the cooling air is sent to the adapter-side circulation hole 64 in the same manner as described above. Then, cooling air is ejected from the adapter outlet 67 on the side surface of the optical adapter 10.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example, the cooling air is ejected from the side surface of the optical adapter 10, so that the cooling air can be efficiently returned to the hand side.

( Reference Example 3)
Next, a third reference example of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 8 shows a third reference example of the present invention.
In the present reference example , a flow tube 84 made of an elastic member is provided in the main body flow passage 62, and cooling air flows through the tube hole 84a. The flow tube 84 is provided over substantially the entire length of the insertion main body 9. At the rear end of the circulation tube 84, a cylindrical tube base portion 87 is fitted in an airtight state. The CCD cable 39 and the electric wire 43 are passed through the tube hole 87a of the tube base 87, and in this state, the inside of the tube hole 87a is hermetically sealed by the adhesive seal 72. A through hole 88 is formed in the vicinity of the cylindrical hole 87 a along the cylindrical hole 87 a, and an air supply pipe 83 is attached to the through hole 88 via a connection base 89.
Under such a configuration, when the compressor 32 is driven, cooling air flows through the through hole 88 in the tube hole 84a of the flow tube 84 and is ejected in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , by passing through the tube hole 84a, it is possible to reliably flow the cooling air to the tip of the insertion main body portion 9 without leaking.

( Reference Example 4)
Next, a fourth reference example of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 shows a fourth reference example of the present invention.
In the present reference example , a flow tube 84 made of an elastic member is provided in the main body flow passage 62, and cooling air is allowed to flow outside the flow tube 84. The flow tube 84 has a smaller diameter than the insertion main body 9, and a clearance C <b> 2 is formed between the outer peripheral surface 84 b of the flow tube 84 and the inner peripheral surface 9 a of the insertion main body 9. A base 92 is provided at the rear end of the insertion body 9, and a cylindrical sealing portion 93 is fitted in the base 92 in an airtight state.

A circulation tube 84 is inserted through the sealing portion 93, and the sealing portion 93 and the circulation tube 84 are held in an airtight state. The peripheral wall surface of the sealing portion 93, a through hole 94 is formed, the through hole 94 is connected to the clearance C _2. Further, an air supply pipe 83 is attached to the through hole 94 via a connection base 89.
Under such a configuration, when driving the compressor 32, the cooling air clearance C ₂ through the through hole 94 is distributed, is ejected from the tip of the optical adapter 10 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , not only can the same effect as the third reference example described above be achieved, but also in a state where the CCD cable 39 and the electric wire 43 are passed through the tube hole 84a. The hermetic sealing around the cable of the tube hole 84a can be eliminated. Therefore, the distribution tube can be used effectively.

( Reference Example 5)
Next, a fifth reference example of the present invention will be described.
10 and 11 show a fifth reference example of the present invention.
In this reference example , as shown in FIG. 10, a flow tube 84 made of an elastic member is provided in the main body flow passage 62, and a lumen 97 is formed on the peripheral wall portion of the flow tube 84. Three lumens 97 are extended in the length direction of the flow tube 84, and three lumens 97 are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the flow tube 84. The tip of each lumen 97 is connected to each of the three main body side circulation holes 63, as shown in FIG. Each main body side circulation hole 63 is connected to each of the three adapter side circulation holes 64. In addition, an air supply pipe 83 is attached to the rear end of each lumen 97 via a connection base 89.
With this configuration, when the compressor 32 is driven, cooling air flows through each lumen 97 and is ejected from the outlet 67 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , not only the same effect as the fourth reference example can be obtained, but also the cooling air can be reliably sent to the distal end of the insertion main body portion 9. Can do.
In this reference example , three lumens 97, three main body side circulation holes 63 and three adapter side circulation holes 64 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of them can be changed as appropriate.

( Embodiment 1 )
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
12 to 14 show the first embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, a covering cap 98 is put on the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 6. As shown in FIG. 13, the covering cap 98 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, and a female screw portion 99 is formed at the rear end thereof. Further, an O-ring 104 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the rear end portion of the covering cap 98.
A cap outlet 102 is formed on the side surface of the front end of the covering cap 98.

Further, a male screw portion 103 is provided at the distal end portion 9 b of the insertion main body portion 9.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the insertion main body 9 and the optical adapter 10 are attached in a non-airtight state. That is, since the O-ring 49 of the above reference example is not provided in the optical adapter 10 and the adapter side circulation hole 64 is not formed, the cooling fluid sent to the main body flow passage 62 is It leaks out from between the insertion main body 9 and the optical adapter 10.

Under such a configuration, the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 6 is covered with the covering cap 98, the male screw portion 103 and the female screw portion 99 are screwed together, and the covering cap 98 is attached as shown in FIG. Install. At this time, the endoscope insertion portion 6 and the covering cap 98 are held in an airtight state by the O-ring 104. Further, the guide tube 33 is attached from above the covering cap 98 so as to cover the cap outlet 102. In this state, when supplying cooling air to the main flow passage 62, the cooling air, a clearance C ₃ and, connecting ring 47 and the insert body portion between the main body tube portion 44 and the connecting ring 47 and the optical adapter 10 leaking from the clearance C ₄ between 9. That is, these clearances C ₃ and C ₄ function as outflow portions. Then, the leaked cooling air is ejected from the cap outlet 102 through the inside of the covering cap 98. The jetted cooling air is directed toward the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 6 and flows in the guide tube 33 toward the proximal side.

  As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present embodiment, the attachment structure of the insertion main body portion 9 and the optical adapter 10 can be simplified by providing the covering cap 98.

( Reference Example 6 )
Next, a sixth reference example of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 15 shows a sixth reference example of the present invention.
In this reference example , as shown in FIG. 15, an imaging unit 108 including an imaging unit 7 and an imaging support unit 107 that supports the imaging unit 7 is fitted to the distal end of the insertion main body unit 9. On the outer peripheral surface 107a of the imaging support unit 107, a plurality of protrusions 109 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions 109 form a gap S between the outer peripheral surface 107 a of the imaging support unit 107 and the inner peripheral surface 9 a of the insertion main body unit 9.
Under such a configuration, when a cooling fluid is caused to flow through the main body flow passage 62, the cooling fluid is sent to the optical adapter 10 through the gap S.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , the cooling fluid can be easily and surely flowed to the tip of the endoscope insertion portion 6. In addition, since the cooling fluid can flow evenly in the circumferential direction of the imaging support unit 107, the cooling efficiency of the imaging unit 7 can be improved.
In the present reference example , the projection 109 is provided on the imaging support 107. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the insertion main body 9. Further, a concave portion may be used instead of the protruding portion 109.

( Embodiment 2 )
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
16 and 17 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, a cylindrical rubber tube (elastic body) 112 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the optical adapter 10. A cylindrical outer tube portion 113 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rubber tube 112. The length dimension of the outer cylinder part 113 is set longer than the length dimension of the rubber tube 112.

Under such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 17, a rubber tube 112 is put on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the optical adapter 10 attached to the insertion main body portion 9. And the outer cylinder part 113 is put on the outer periphery of the rubber tube 112 from above. At this time, the tips of the optical adapter 10, the rubber tube 112, and the outer cylinder portion 113 are flush with each other. Further, the rubber tube 112 is disposed between the inner peripheral surface 113a of the outer cylinder portion 113 and the outer peripheral surface 6a of the endoscope insertion portion 6, and the outer tube portion 113 is inserted into the endoscope insertion portion by the rubber tube 112. 6 is attached in an airtight state. Further, the rubber tube 112 has an endoscope insertion portion that is more than the clearance C ₃ between the main body cylinder portion 44 and the connection ring 47 and the optical adapter 10 and the clearance C ₄ between the connection ring 47 and the insertion main body portion 9. 6 is arranged on the tip side. The outer cylindrical portion 113 is in a state of extending proximally of the endoscope insertion portion 6 than the clearance C _3, C _4.

From this state, as shown in FIG. 18, the flowing cooling fluid in the main flow passage 62, the cooling fluid from leaking from the clearance C _3, C _4. That is, at this time, the clearances C ₃ and C ₄ function as side outflow portions. And since the front-end | tip part of the outer cylinder part 113 is airtightly sealed, the leaked cooling air is turned to the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion part 6, and the inside of the outer cylinder part 113 is turned to the hand side. It flows.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the cooling fluid can be reliably folded back to the proximal end side with a simple configuration.
Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when the cooling air is allowed to flow toward the front of the endoscope insertion portion 6, the rubber tube 112 is provided at the rear end portion of the optical adapter 10, thereby The rear end portion is hermetically sealed, and cooling air can be ejected from the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion 6. Therefore, the cooling air can be jetted forward of the endoscope insertion portion 6 or folded back to the hand side, or can be flexibly dealt with according to the shape and situation of the subject, thereby improving convenience. it can.
The outer cylinder 113 is made of a flexible material such as a metal pipe such as stainless steel or a heat-resistant resin such as silicon.

( Reference Example 7 )
Next, a seventh reference example of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 20 shows a seventh reference example of the present invention.
In this reference example , the cooling device 3 is connected to the rotary pump (fluid supply means) 117 for supplying cooling water and the cooling unit (fluid supply means) connected to the rotary pump 117 for cooling the cooling water. 116. The cooling unit 116 is provided with a Peltier element (not shown), and this Peltier element is electrically connected to a power source 118. The cooling unit 116 cools the cooling water by the Peltier effect. The cooling part 116 is connected to the insertion main body part 9 through the water supply pipe 121. That is, the insertion main body 9 is provided with a water supply port 122, and a water supply pipe 121 is attached to the water supply port 122.

The rotary pump 117 is connected to the guide tube 33 via the water suction pipe 123. That is, the guide tube 33 is provided with a water suction port 126 connected to the cylindrical hole 38, and a water suction tube 123 is attached to the water suction port 126.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 21, the insertion main body portion 9 is provided with a water supply conduit (flow passage) 127 as a channel for supplying cooling water, and the proximal end side of the water supply conduit 127 is 20 is connected to a water supply port 122 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the front end side of the water supply pipe 127 is connected to the main body side circulation hole 63. The optical support 53 of the optical adapter 10 is provided with a watertight member. That is, the packing 128 is provided on the bottom surface of the optical support 53 and around the opening of the adapter-side circulation hole 64. When the optical adapter 10 is attached to the insertion main body portion 9, the main body side circulation hole 63 and the adapter side circulation hole 64 communicate with each other, and the water tightness between the main body side circulation hole 63 and the adapter side circulation hole 64 is sealed by the packing 128. Is to be retained.

When the rotary pump 117 is driven under such a configuration, the inside of the cylindrical hole 38 is sucked through the water suction pipe 123, and pressure is applied from the rotary pump 117 to the cooling unit 116. As a result, cooling water is supplied from the cooling unit 116 to the water supply pipe 127 via the water supply pipe 121. The cooling water is in the same manner as described above, ejected from the adapter outlet 67, is folded back at the distal end of the guide tube 33, through the clearance C _1, it is returned to the base end side of the endoscope insertion part 6 . Further, the returned cooling water is sucked by the rotary pump 117 through the water suction port 126 and the water suction pipe 123. Although the cooling water at this time is at a high temperature, it is cooled by being sent to the cooling unit 116 and is sent to the water supply pipe 127 again. Thus, the cooling water circulates as a whole.

As described above, according to the heat resistant endoscope 1 in the present reference example , by circulating the cooling water, not only can the cooling water be surely returned to the hand side, but also the supply efficiency of the cooling water can be improved. .
In this reference example , the Peltier element is provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other elements may be used. Further, it may be cooled with liquid nitrogen or the like.
In addition, the cooling water is supplied to the water supply pipe 127 and returned from the clearance C1, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the cooling water may be supplied to the clearance C1 and returned from the water supply pipe 127. . However, when cooling water is supplied to the water supply pipe 127, cold water can flow into the endoscope insertion portion 6 and warm water in a high-temperature environment can flow into the clearance C1. This is preferable in that the inside of the mirror insertion portion 6 can be protected.

Furthermore, although the guide tube 33 is fixed by the female screw portion 79, the configuration is not limited to this, and the configuration can be appropriately changed. For example, it may be stopped by a pin or the like.
Further, the guide tube 33 can be made of a metal such as stainless steel or a flexible material such as silicon depending on the application.
The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and reference examples , and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a first reference example of a heat resistant endoscope according to the present invention. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which expands and shows the guide tube of FIG. 1, an endoscope insertion part, etc. FIG. It is a sectional side view which shows the optical adapter and insertion main-body part of FIG. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the operation part of FIG. 1 etc. transparently. It is a perspective view which expands and shows the guide tube and endoscope insertion part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the 2nd reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the optical adapter and insertion main-body part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the 3rd reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a sectional side view which shows an optical adapter and an insertion main-body part. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the 4th reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a sectional side view which shows an insertion main-body part. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the 5th reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a cross-sectional view which shows an insertion main-body part. It is a sectional side view which shows the insertion main-body part of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 1st Embodiment of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the coating | coated cap of FIG. 12, an optical adapter, and an insertion main-body part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the coating | coated cap of FIG. 13, the optical adapter, and the insertion main-body part were each attached, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the air for cooling. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of the 6th reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the principal part of 2nd Embodiment of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the outer cylinder part, rubber tube, optical adapter, and insertion main-body part of FIG. 16 were each attached. It is a figure which shows the outer cylinder part, rubber tube, optical adapter, and insertion main-body part of FIG. 17, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the air for cooling. It is a figure which shows a mode that it replaced with the attachment position of the outer cylinder part of FIG. 17, a rubber tube, an optical adapter, and an insertion main-body part, Comprising: Explanation which shows a mode that a cooling air is jetted ahead of an endoscope insertion part FIG. It is a whole block diagram which shows the 7th reference example of the heat-resistant endoscope which concerns on this invention. FIG. 21 is a side sectional view showing the optical adapter and the insertion main body portion of FIG. 20. It is a figure which shows the conventional heat-resistant endoscope, Comprising: It is a perspective view which shows a mode that the outer tube was attached to the endoscope insertion part. It is a figure which shows a mode that the endoscope insertion part and outer tube of FIG. 22 were seen through from the top, Comprising: It is explanatory drawing which shows the flow of the air for cooling.

Explanation of symbols

1 Heat-resistant endoscope 6 Endoscope insertion portion 6a Outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral surface of endoscope insertion portion)
9 Insert body 10 Optical adapter (endoscope adapter)
32 Compressor (fluid supply means)
33 Guide tube 62 Body flow passage (flow passage)
63 Body side circulation hole (flow passage)
64 Adapter side flow hole (flow passage)
67 Adapter outlet (outflow part)
84 Distribution tube 97 Lumen 98 Cover cap 102 Cap outlet 108 Imaging unit 112 Rubber tube (elastic body)
113 Outer cylinder part 113a Inner peripheral surface (inner peripheral surface of outer cylinder part)
116 Cooling unit (fluid supply means)
117 Rotary pump (fluid supply means)
127 Water supply pipeline (flow passage)
C ₃ and C ₄ clearance (outflow part, side outflow part)
S clearance

Claims (6)

An endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
A bottomed cylindrical guide tube that covers this endoscope insertion portion,
The endoscope insertion portion is formed with a flow passage through which the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply means flows, and the cooling fluid flows out of the endoscope insertion portion from the flow passage. The guide tube is placed on the endoscope insertion part so as to cover the part ,
The endoscope insertion portion includes a long insertion main body portion and an endoscope adapter that is detachably and non-fluidly attached to the insertion main body portion,
A covering cap extending from the endoscope adapter to the insertion main body is fluid-tightly attached to the insertion main body,
A cap outlet for allowing the cooling fluid leaked from between the insertion main body and the endoscope adapter to be provided in the covering cap is provided,
The heat-resistant endoscope , wherein the guide tube is placed on the endoscope insertion portion so as to cover the cap outlet . An endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into the subject;
An outer cylinder part having a cylindrical hole through which the endoscope insertion part is inserted;
The outer cylinder portion is formed with a length shorter than that of the outer cylinder portion, and is arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder portion and the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion, so that the outer cylinder portion is seen in the endoscope. A cylindrical elastic body for fluid-tight attachment to the mirror insertion portion,
The endoscope insertion portion is formed with a flow passage for circulating the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply means,
The elastic body is provided on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion rather than a side outflow portion that causes the cooling fluid that has flowed through the flow path to flow out from the side surface of the endoscope insertion portion;
The heat-resistant interior is characterized in that the outer cylinder portion extends to the base end side from the side outflow portion when the outer cylinder portion is attached to the endoscope insertion portion via the elastic body. Endoscope. A circulation tube is provided in the flow path,
The heat-resistant endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the cooling fluid flows in the flow tube. A circulation tube is provided in the flow path,
The heat-resistant endoscope according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a lumen for circulating the cooling fluid is provided on a peripheral wall portion of the circulation tube. An imaging unit for imaging reflected light from the subject is fitted to the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion,
A gap is provided between the imaging unit and the endoscope insertion portion,
The heat-resistant endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the gap is connected to the flow passage. The heat-resistant endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , further comprising a fluid supply unit that supplies the cooling fluid.

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