JP5154857B2 - Endoscope system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope system having a structure for cooling an endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope system having a long endoscope insertion portion has been used in order to observe a narrowed portion such as a duct that cannot be directly viewed by an observer (user). In many of the endoscope systems used here, an imaging means such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) and an illumination means such as an LED are installed at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and an observation target is appropriately irradiated by the illumination means. The image to be observed taken by the imaging means is output to the system main body.

  By the way, an imaging means such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) may be composed of delicate electronic components and is not suitable for use at high temperatures. Generally, the maximum allowable temperature is limited to about 80 ° C. Has been. For this reason, even when trying to observe the inside of an engine or the like as an industrial endoscope, the temperature at the end of operation is at a high temperature of 200 ° C. or higher. Observation cannot be performed, and the observable conditions are greatly narrowed. Therefore, an endoscope system that can perform observation even under such a high temperature environment has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, a base part to which a fluid pipe of a cooling fluid is connected and a sheath covering the periphery of the endoscope insertion part are integrally formed, and the base part is an endoscope insertion part. A fluid passage is formed between the endoscope insertion portion and the sheath by being screwed to the root portion side. When using this endoscope system, a cooling fluid such as air is flowed into the fluid passage through the base, and the observation object is observed by the imaging means while cooling the periphery of the endoscope insertion portion with the cooling fluid.
JP 2000-46482 A

  However, the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a base portion to which a fluid pipe is connected and a sheath are formed as an integrated unit, and a base portion of the base portion is screwed to a root portion of the endoscope insertion portion. Therefore, the entire cooling unit must be replaced for use in endoscope insertion portions having different outer diameters. That is, when the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion is different, the cross-sectional area of the fluid passage between the sheath and the endoscope insertion portion changes, so that the endoscope insertion portion can be cooled at an appropriate flow rate. In order to cool at an appropriate flow rate, the entire cooling unit must be replaced with a dedicated one.

In the endoscope system described in Patent Document 1, when a sheath having a different function is to be used, a dedicated cooling unit must be prepared for each sheath having a different function.
Therefore, in order to respond to the various needs of users, it is necessary to prepare as many dedicated cooling units as the number of needs, and the user is forced to manage and spend unnecessary large parts.

  Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide an endoscope system that can meet various needs of users without replacing the entire cooling unit.

This invention which solves the above-mentioned subject is arranged so that a plurality of sheaths provided with a hard sheath core material on the inner peripheral side can be exchanged on the outer peripheral side of an endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into an observation object. An endoscope system provided with cooling means for supplying fluid to the inside of the endoscope and cooling the endoscope insertion portion, wherein a fluid pipe of the cooling means is connected, and a proximal end of the hard sheath core material A base cap having a sheath fixing part to which at least the part is detachably attached , a cylindrical rubber elastic body positioned between an inner surface of the sheath fixing part and an outer surface of the sheath attached to the sheath fixing part ; , and a pressure adjusting screw which bulging deformation at the inner circumference side to press the rubber elastic body in the axial direction, at least one of the plurality of sheaths, the first to the proximal end of said rigid sheath core A gap adjusting means, Wherein the outer diameter of the base end portion is larger than the outer diameter of the other portions of the hard sheath core.

The first gap adjusting means may be constituted by a cylindrical sheath-side gap closing wall provided at a proximal end portion of the hard sheath core material .
In this case, by changing the sheath side gap blocking wall, sheaths having different outer diameters, shapes, functions, etc. can be fixed to the base die. The first gap adjusting means may be formed as a separate part and fixed to the hard sheath core .

The first gap adjusting means may be screwed so as to be detachable from the hard sheath core material .
In this case, by screwing the sheath side gap closing wall into a hard sheath core, it is possible to eliminate the gap between the rigid sheath core and the base cap.

  In this invention, the base cap to which the fluid pipe is connected is fixed to the sheath so as to be detachable, and the first gap adjusting means is provided between the base cap and the sheath, so that the base cap is shared. The sheath can be exchanged according to the needs of the user. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress unnecessary management of large parts and expenses by the user.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, about each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part and description is abbreviate | omitted about the overlapping part.

First, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of an endoscope system 1 according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the endoscope system 1 includes a long endoscope insertion portion 10 to be inserted into an observation target such as an engine, a box-shaped system main body portion 11, a system main body portion 11 and an internal body. An operation unit 12 that is positioned between the endoscope insertion units 10 and is gripped by an observer to operate the endoscope insertion unit 10, and cooling that cools the distal end side of the endoscope insertion unit 10 by circulating air as a cooling fluid. And a device 13 (cooling means). In this example, the cooling device 13 is described as being cooled by air, but may be cooled by cooling water instead of air.

  An imaging / illumination unit 16 including a CCD 14 (solid-state imaging device) as an imaging unit and an LED 15 as an illumination unit is provided on the distal end side of the endoscope insertion unit 10, and the distal end portion of the imaging / illumination unit 16 is provided. A bending portion (not shown) for changing the direction to an arbitrary direction is provided. A joystick 17 is installed in the operation unit 12, and the bending portion is bent in an arbitrary direction by operation of the joystick 17. In addition, the system main body 11 includes a power supply unit and a control unit, and is provided with a monitor 18 capable of displaying captured images and data information, various switches, an operation panel 19 and the like.

  The cooling device 13 is attached to the outside of the distal end side region of the endoscope insertion portion 10, and forms a cooling flow path 20 (see FIG. 3) with the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 10. A substantially cylindrical sheath 21, a cooling device main body 22 that supplies cooling air (cooling fluid) into the sheath 21, and an air supply tube 23 (fluid piping) of the cooling device main body 22 are connected, and the sheath 21 and a base cap 24 that is detachably attached to the endoscope insertion portion 10.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sheath 21 is composed of a hard sheath core 21a made of a metal pipe and a soft sheath skin 21b made of a cylindrical heat-resistant resin, and the soft sheath skin 21b. Is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the hard sheath core material 21a, and the front edge portion of the soft sheath skin material 21b extends independently to the front side of the hard sheath core material 21a, and the front edge portion of the soft sheath skin material 21b is The outer side of the bending part of the endoscope insertion part 10 is enclosed. The bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion 10 is allowed to be freely bent by the front edge portion of the soft sheath skin 21b. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the base end side of the hard sheath core material 21a is exposed to the outside in the axial direction from the base portion of the soft sheath skin 21b, and the exposed portion is held in a sealed state by a base die 24 described later. The sheath side gap closing wall 30A is used. The sheath 21 can be replaced with one having different inner and outer diameters, cross-sectional shapes, functions, etc., but the sheath-side gap closing wall portion of each sheath is set to have the same outer diameter.

  FIG. 4 shows another sheath 121 having a smaller inner diameter and outer diameter than the sheath 21 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a sheath side gap closing wall 130A (first gap adjusting means) of the sheath 121. ) Is detachably attached to the proximal end portion of the hard sheath core 121a with screws. That is, the sheath-side gap blocking wall 130A is formed in a cylindrical shape as a part different from the hard sheath core material 121a of the sheath 121, and can be screwed into the male screw portion 121c formed at the proximal end of the hard sheath core material 121a. Thus, an internal thread 130Aa is cut on the inner peripheral surface. The outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the sheath side gap closing wall 130A is the same as the outer diameter of the outer surface of the hard sheath core 21a of the sheath 21 described above (the outer diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the sheath side gap closing wall 30A). It has become.

  The base die 24 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the endoscope insertion portion 10 can be inserted into the axial center portion, and an air supply tube 23 (see FIG. 1) is connected to a substantially central position in the axial direction. A connecting joint 25 is provided. The connection joint 25 is provided along the radial direction of the base cap 24, and connects the air supply tube 23 and the axial hole 26 (see FIG. 3) of the base cap 24. A sheath fixing hole 27 (sheath fixing portion) having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the central portion of the shaft center hole 26 is formed in a step shape on one end side in the axial direction of the base cap 24, and the axial direction of the base cap 24 Similarly, an insertion portion fixing hole 28 (insertion portion fixing portion) having a larger inner diameter than the center inner diameter of the shaft hole 26 is formed in a step shape on the other end side. The sheath fixing hole 27 includes a large-diameter hole 27a and a small-diameter hole 27b connected to the bottom of the large-diameter hole 27a. The small-diameter hole 27b is fitted with the hard sheath core material 21a, and the tip thereof Part is to be abutted.

  In the sheath fixing hole 27 and the insertion portion fixing hole 28, cylindrical rubber elastic bodies 31 and 32 are inserted and fitted in the bottom side regions of the holes, respectively, and female screws 33 and 34 are formed in the opening side region of the inner peripheral surface. The substantially cylindrical pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36 are screwed into the female screws 33 and 34, respectively. The pressing adjustment screws 35 and 36 are formed with flange-like adjustment knobs 35 a and 36 a at their respective base ends, and are provided in respective distal end side regions inserted into the sheath fixing hole 27 and the insertion portion fixing hole 28 of the base cap 24. Are formed with male screws 35b and 36b which are screwed into the female screws 33 and 34 on the base base 24 side. A washer 37 is inserted into the insertion portion fixing hole 28 together with the rubber elastic body 32, and the axial thrust accompanying the screw adjustment of the pressure adjusting screw 36 is transmitted to the rubber elastic body 32 via the washer 37. It is like that. The rubber elastic bodies 31 and 32 fitted in the sheath fixing hole 27 and the insertion portion fixing hole 28 have their inner peripheral surfaces bulged radially inward by tightening of the pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36, so Each outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion part 10 is fixed in a close contact state. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, the portion of the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 10 that is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 32 is the insertion portion side gap closing wall 30B (second gap adjusting means). ).

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the endoscope system 1 when the sheath 121 having a smaller inner and outer diameter and the endoscope insertion portion 110 are replaced with those shown in FIG.
Before the sheath 21 is replaced, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 31 on the sheath fixing hole 27 side is in close contact with the sheath-side gap closing wall 30A at the proximal end of the hard sheath core material 21a described above. When the sheath 121 is replaced with another sheath 121 having a smaller inner diameter and outer diameter, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 31 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the sheath side gap closing wall 130A having the same outer diameter as the sheath side gap closing wall 30A. . In addition, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 32 on the insertion portion fixing hole 28 side is in close contact with the insertion portion side gap blocking wall 30B on the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion 10 before the endoscope insertion portion 10 is replaced. However, when the endoscope insertion portion 10 is replaced with another endoscope insertion portion 110 having a smaller outer diameter, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 32 is changed to the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 110. The insertion portion side gap closing wall 130B (second gap adjusting means) that is fitted and fixed is brought into close contact with. The insertion portion side gap blocking wall 130B is formed of a rubber elastic body, metal, resin, or the like, and the outer diameter thereof is set to be the same as the outer diameter of the insertion portion side gap blocking wall 30B.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the sheaths 21 and 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 are replaced, the sheaths 21 and 121 and the insertion portion are fixed by tightening the pressing adjustment screws 35 and 36 with substantially the same amount. The parts 10 and 110 are fixed to the base cap 24 in a close contact state. When the sheaths 21 and 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 are fixed to the base base 24 in this way, the cooling flow paths between the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 and the sheaths 21 and 121 are fixed. 20 is connected to the connection joint 25 in a sealed state.

  In the above configuration, for example, when the base cap 24 and the sheath 21 are attached to the endoscope insertion portion 10 having a standard diameter to observe an observation target in a high temperature environment such as an engine, an air supply pipe is connected from the cooling device main body 22. The cooling air is continuously sent to the cooling flow path 20 through 23, and observation is performed by the CCD 14 while cooling the periphery of the endoscope insertion portion 10 with the cooling air. When the observation work is performed while the endoscope insertion part 10 is cooled by air in this way, the temperature rise of the components in the endoscope insertion part 10 such as the CCD 14 can be suppressed, and therefore, work conditions that allow observation to be continued are provided. It is greatly expanded. In the case of this embodiment, the air supplied to the distal end side of the sheath 21 is discharged from the distal end portion of the sheath 21 to the outside.

  Further, when the endoscope insertion portion 110 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the standard diameter endoscope insertion portion 10 is used, the sheaths 21 and 121 are appropriately replaced while the base cap 24 is shared. That is, the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheath 21 are removed from the base mouthpiece 24 by loosening the pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36 of the base mouthpiece 24, and the new endoscope insertion portion 110 and the sheath 121 are set. Tighten the adjusting screws 35 and 36 again.

  The endoscope system 1 can be easily applied to the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 having different outer diameters while sharing the base cap 24 connected to the cooling device main body 22 by pipes, and the sheath 21. , 121 can also be easily replaced with an optimum diameter. That is, in the case of this endoscope system 1, the sheaths 21 and 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be attached to and detached from the base base 24 by the rubber elastic bodies 31 and 32 and the press adjusting screws 35 and 36. In addition, since the sheaths 21 and 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 are provided with the sheath-side gap closing walls 30A and 130A and the insertion-side gap closing walls 30B and 130B having the same outer diameter, respectively, Even if the outer diameters of the 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 are different, they can be easily and reliably attached to the base cap 24 without a gap only by the screw operation of the pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36. .

And in this endoscope system 1, since it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of large dedicated units as compared with the case where the connecting portion with the cooling device body 2 and the sheath are integrally formed as a dedicated unit, This makes it easier for users to manage parts and to reduce purchase expenses.
In particular, in this endoscope system 1, the sheath 21, 121 can be replaced with an optimum diameter according to the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portions 10, 110. The cross-sectional area of the flow path 20 is set to an optimal value, and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be efficiently cooled with an optimal flow rate.

  In the endoscope system 1, the sheaths 21 and 121 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be easily attached to and detached from the base cap 24, and any of the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be arbitrarily attached. It can be supported and fixed in position. Therefore, the thickness of the sheaths 21 and 121 can be easily changed, the length can be changed according to the application, and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be supported and fixed at any position, so that the setting can be easily performed. Can be done.

  Further, in the case of the endoscope system 1 of this embodiment, the sheath 121 having a small outer diameter with respect to the reference sheath diameter is formed with a sheath side gap blocking wall 130A as a separate cylindrical part, and is attached and detached by screws. Therefore, the molding of the sheath 121 on the main body portion side is facilitated, and manufacturing at a lower cost is possible particularly when the main body portion side needs to be formed of a high-cost material.

  Further, the sheath side gap closing wall 130A and the insertion portion side gap closing wall 130B may be formed as separate parts by a rubber elastic body and fitted to the outer periphery of the sheath 121 or the endoscope insertion portion 110. In this case, desorption is facilitated and airtightness can be further enhanced.

6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention. Among these drawings, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view when the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheath 21 having a standard diameter are used, and FIG. 7 is an endoscope insertion portion 110 having a diameter smaller than the standard diameter. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view at the time of using the sheath 221.
In the endoscope system 201 of the second embodiment, the basic configuration of the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 and the cooling device is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the sheath fixing hole 27 of the base die 24 is the same. First gap adjusting means for filling the gap between the sheath 21 and the sheath 211, and second gap adjusting means for filling the gap between the insertion portion fixing hole 28 of the base cap 24 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 210. The configuration is different.

  That is, the sheaths 21 and 221 are formed by attaching the soft sheath skins 21b and 221b to the outer circumferences of the hard sheath core materials 21a and 221a as in the first embodiment, but the base ends of the hard sheath core materials 21a and 221a The thickness is adjusted in advance at the time of manufacture so that portions exposed from the soft sheath skins 21b and 221b have a constant outer diameter. The exposed portions whose thickness is adjusted are sheath side gap closing walls 30A and 230A that constitute the first gap adjusting means. In addition, cylindrical clearance adjustment rubbers 40 and 240 having different thicknesses are attached to the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 32 on the insertion portion fixing hole 28 side in accordance with the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 as appropriate. The gap adjusting rubbers 40 and 240 are the insertion portion side gap closing walls that constitute the second gap adjusting means, respectively.

  The endoscope system 201 of this embodiment shares the base cap 24 as in the first embodiment, although the configurations of the first gap adjusting means and the second gap adjusting means are slightly different as described above. In addition, it can be easily applied to the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 having different outer diameters, and the sheaths 21 and 221 can also be easily replaced with ones having the optimum diameter.

8 to 11 show a first reference example of the present invention. Of these drawings, FIGS. 8 and 9 are an exploded perspective view of a cooling unit and a cross-sectional view of the endoscope system 301 when the sheath 21 having the standard diameter and the endoscope insertion portion 10 are used, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the sheath 321 and a cross-sectional view of the endoscope system 301 when the sheath 321 having a diameter smaller than the standard diameter and the endoscope insertion portion 110 are used.
The basic configuration of the endoscope system 301 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment .

That is, in this endoscope system 301 , the gap between the sheath fixing hole 27 of the base cap 24 and the sheaths 21 and 321, and the insertion portion fixing hole 28 of the base cap 24.
The endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 are filled with only the bulging deformation of the rubber elastic bodies 331 and 332 in the radial direction. For this reason, the rubber elastic bodies 331 and 332 used in this embodiment are formed in a cylindrical shape as in the first embodiment. However, when the rubber elastic bodies 331 and 332 are pressed in the axial direction by the press adjusting screws 35 and 36, the diameters are reduced. A material that is large and surely bulges inward in the direction, and the ratio of the shaft length to the wall thickness are selected.
That is, in the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10 having the standard diameter in FIG. 9, the pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36 are tightened compared to the sheath 321 and the endoscope insertion portion 110 having a diameter smaller than the standard diameter in FIG. 11. The amount is small and the elastic deformation of the rubber elastic bodies 331 and 332 is small. The tightening amount of the pressure adjusting screws 35 and 36 increases as the thickness decreases.

The endoscope system 301 includes a pressure adjusting screw without providing a dedicated gap adjusting member according to the difference in diameter between the base die 24 and the sheaths 21 and 321 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110. The present invention can be easily applied to the sheaths 21 and 321 and the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 having different diameters only by adjusting the tightening amounts 35 and 36. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the same basic effects as those of the first embodiment, and it is not necessary to provide a gap adjusting member for each diameter, so that the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.
10 and 11, 321a and 321b are a hard sheath core material and a soft sheath skin, respectively.

12 to 14 show a second reference example of the present invention.
The endoscope system 401 of this reference example has a basic configuration similar to that of the first reference example , but uses a sheath 421 having a structure different from that of the other embodiments described above.

That is, in the sheath 421 used in this reference example , the protective tube 421b for preventing the sheath body 421a from being lacerated is attached to the outer periphery of the sheath body 421a made of heat resistant resin. The protective tube 421b is formed by attaching caps 51 and 52 to both ends of a metal mesh tube 50, and after the mesh tube 50 is stretched in the axial direction after being fitted on the outer peripheral side of the sheath body 421a, The diameter of the tube 50 is reduced, and thereby, it is fixed by crimping to the outer peripheral surface of the sheath body 421a.

  The base side of the sheath body 421a is exposed axially outward from the base 52 portion of the protective tube 421b, and the exposed portion is pressed and fixed by the rubber elastic body 331 in the base base 24. Similarly to the third embodiment, the rubber elastic body 331 is pressed in the axial direction by tightening the pressing adjusting screw 35, whereby the inner peripheral surface bulges inward in the radial direction, and at that time, the outer periphery of the sheath body 421a The sheath body 421a is fixed to the base cap 24 in close contact with the surface. At this time, the cap 52 portion of the protective tube 421b is fitted into the shaft hole 35c of the adjusting screw 35.

The endoscope system 401 can obtain the same effects as those of the first reference example. However, the base base 24 is surely applied to the sheath 421 in which the protective tube 421b is attached to the outer periphery of the resin sheath body 421a. Can be attached to. When the protective tube 421b is detachable from the sheath main body 421a as in this embodiment, the protective tube 421b and the sheath main body 421a are individually replaced according to the degree of damage of the protective tube 421b and the sheath main body 421a. be able to.

FIG. 15 shows a third reference example of the present invention.
In the endoscope system 501 of this reference example , a metal reinforcing ring 55 is fitted on the inner peripheral side of the portion pressed and fixed by the rubber elastic body 331 in the base portion of the sheath body 521a constituting the sheath 521. When the rubber elastic body 331 is pressed, the reinforcing ring 55 prevents the sheath body 521a from being crushed. And the front end part of the sheath main body 521a protrudes largely forward from the protective tube 521b, and the bending part of the endoscope insertion part 10 is arranged inside the protruding part.

Therefore, the endoscope system 501 can bend the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion 10 more freely by reducing the rigidity of the sheath body 521a, and the sheath with respect to the base cap 24 by the reinforcing ring 55. A sufficient mounting strength of the main body 521a can be ensured.

16 and 17 show a fourth reference example of the present invention.
The endoscope system 601 of this reference example is different from the other reference examples described above in the configuration of the second gap adjusting means. The second gap adjusting means of this reference example uses a gap adjusting rubber 640 when applied to the endoscope insertion portion 110 having a small outer diameter . The gap adjusting rubber 640 is composed of the rubber elastic body 32 and the pressure adjusting screw. 36 includes a cylindrical portion 640a fitted over the inner peripheral portion of 36, and a flange portion 640b extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 640a. The flange portion 640b is formed between the end surface of the rubber elastic body 32 and the washer 37. It is interposed therebetween and is pressed in the axial direction by the screw operation of the pressing adjustment screw 36. In the case of this embodiment, the gap adjusting rubber 640 is an insertion portion side gap blocking wall.

In the case of this reference example , since the gap adjustment rubber 640 in which the cylinder portion 640a and the flange portion 640b are integrally formed is used, the gap adjustment rubber 640 is fitted and fixed to the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion 110. When the flange portion 640b of the rubber 640 and the rubber elastic body 32 are tightened by the pressure adjusting screw 36, the gap adjusting rubber 640 substantially increases the thickness and axial length of the rubber elastic body 32, and the pressure adjusting screw 36 The axial pressing force can be reliably converted into a force that comes into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 110. Therefore, this reference example is particularly advantageous when applied to the endoscope insertion section 110 having a small outer diameter.

18 and 19 show a sixth reference example of the present invention.
The endoscope system 701 of this reference example is different from the other reference examples described above in the configuration of the second gap adjusting means. When the second gap adjusting means of this reference example is applied to the endoscope insertion portion 110 having a small outer diameter, a dedicated gap adjustment unit 60 (insertion side gap closing wall) that can be attached and detached is used. The gap adjusting unit 60 has a cylindrical body 61 made of resin or metal that is inserted into the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion portion 110, and a bottomed base that is detachably screwed to the outer peripheral end of the cylindrical body 61 in the axial direction. The cylindrical lid body 62 includes a cylindrical rubber elastic body 63 interposed between one end surface of the cylindrical body 61 in the axial direction and the inner end surface of the lid body 62. The lid 62 is formed with a through hole 62a into which the endoscope insertion part 110 is inserted.

  The gap adjustment unit 60 is fitted to the outer periphery of the endoscope insertion section 110 in a state where the lid body 62, the rubber elastic body 63, and the cylindrical body 61 are loosely assembled, and a predetermined axial direction of the endoscope insertion section 110 is set. At the position, the lid body 62 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 110 by tightening the lid body 62 with respect to the cylindrical body 61. That is, at this time, when the lid body 62 is fastened to the cylindrical body 61 and the rubber elastic body 63 is pressed in the axial direction, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 63 bulges inward in the radial direction, and the rubber elastic body 63 The gap insertion unit 60 is fixed to the endoscope insertion portion 110 as a result. The gap adjustment unit 60 thus fixed to the endoscope insertion portion 110 is pressed and fixed by the rubber elastic body 332 when the pressing adjustment screw 36 is tightened on the insertion portion fixing hole 28 side of the base cap 24. As a result, the base cap 24 is fixed at a set position on the endoscope insertion portion 110.

In the endoscope system 701 of this reference example, since the gap adjustment unit 60 that can adjust the tightening amount with respect to the endoscope insertion portion 110 by tightening the lid 62 is used, endoscope insertion with different outer diameters is performed. The portion 110 can be easily and reliably fixed to the common base cap 24. That is, by loosening the lid 62 in advance, the gap adjusting unit 60 can be easily set at the set position on the endoscope insertion portion 110, and the lid 62 is tightened at the set position. As a result, the gap adjustment unit 60 can be firmly fixed to the endoscope insertion portion 110.

Further, the gap adjusting unit 60 used in this reference example can adjust the tightening amount with respect to the endoscope insertion portion 110 by the bulging deformation of the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 63 when the lid 62 is tightened. Therefore, the endoscope insertion part 110 can be fixed at an arbitrary position, and the endoscope insertion part 110 having a slightly different outer diameter can be dealt with by tightening adjustment of the lid 62. Therefore, the user's parts management and expense can be reduced.

20 and 21 show a seventh reference example of the present invention.
In the endoscope system 801 of this reference example , a dedicated gap adjustment unit 65 that can be attached and detached is used when applied to the sheath 121 having a small outer diameter. The configuration of the gap adjustment unit 65 is substantially the same as that of the gap adjustment unit 60 described above, and a cylindrical body 66 made of resin or metal that is inserted into the outer periphery of the sheath 121, and an outer periphery on one end side in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 66. A bottomed cylindrical lid body 67 that is detachably screwed to the cylindrical body, and a cylindrical rubber elastic body 68 interposed between one axial end surface of the cylindrical body 66 and the inner end surface of the lid body 67; , Is composed of.

  The gap adjusting unit 65 is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end side of the sheath 121 in a state where the lid body 67, the rubber elastic body 68, and the cylindrical body 66 are loosely assembled, and the sheath 121 is tightened by tightening the lid body 67. Fixed to. At this time, the gap adjusting unit 65 is arranged on the side where the lid 67 is separated from the base end of the sheath 121, and when being fixed to the base cap 24, only the cylindrical body 66 portion together with the base end of the sheath 121 is fixed to the sheath side. It is inserted into the hole 27. Thereafter, when the pressure adjusting screw 35 is tightened on the sheath side fixing hole 27 side of the base base 24, the cylindrical body 66 portion of the gap adjusting unit 65 is fixed by the rubber elastic body 331, and as a result, the base of the sheath 121 is fixed. The end is fixed to the base cap 24.

The endoscope system 801 can easily and reliably fix the sheaths 121 having different outer diameters to the common base die 24 by using the gap adjusting unit 65. Also, in the case of the gap adjustment unit 65 of this embodiment, the common gap adjustment unit 65 can be attached to the sheath 121 having a different outer diameter by adjusting the tightening of the lid 67, thereby further reducing the user's part management and expense. Can be suppressed.

22 and 23 show an eighth reference example of the present invention. Among these, FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the endoscope system 901 when the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheath 21 having a standard diameter are used, and FIG. 23 shows a sheath 921 having an outer diameter smaller than the standard diameter. It is sectional drawing of a single body.
The endoscope system 901 of this reference example is greatly different from the other reference examples described above in the configuration of the base base 924, and the base base 924 is inserted into the endoscope insertion portion 10 by the common rubber elastic body 70 and the pressure adjusting screw 71. And can be fixed to the sheaths 21 and 921.

The base base 924 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the endoscope insertion portions 10 and 110 can be inserted into the shaft center portion, and the connection joint 25 of the air supply tube is connected to the shaft hole 72 so as to communicate therewith. It is attached along the radial direction. The base ends of the sheaths 21 and 921 are inserted into the axial hole 72 of the base base 924 from one end side in the axial direction. A communication hole 73 for communicating the inside of the 921 is formed. Further, a large diameter hole 74 larger in diameter than the axial hole 72 is formed in a stepped shape at the other end in the axial direction of the base base 924, and a substantially cylindrical rubber elastic body is formed on the bottom side of the large diameter hole 74. 70 is fitted, and a substantially cylindrical pressure adjusting screw 71 is detachably screwed to the edge of the large-diameter hole 74 on the opening side. The pressing adjustment screw 71 has an adjustment knob 71a at a position exposed from the end of the base cap 924, and the amount of tightening with respect to the base cap 724 can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment knob 71a. A washer 37 is fitted into the large-diameter hole 74 together with the rubber elastic body 70, and the pressing force in the axial direction of the pressure adjusting screw 71 is input to the rubber elastic body 70 via the washer 37. .
Further, a step hole 77 having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the general portion of the rubber elastic body 70 is provided on the inner peripheral surface on one end side in the axial direction of the rubber elastic body 70, and the sheaths 21 and 921 are disposed in the step hole 77. The proximal end is fitted. In the figure, reference numeral 78 denotes an annular seal member that is disposed in the axial hole 72 of the base die 924 and seals between the axial hole 72 and the sheaths 21 and 921.

Further, the sheath 921 is formed so that the outer peripheral surface of the general part is smaller in diameter than the standard diameter seal 21, but the proximal end region 921 d has the same diameter as the outer diameter of the proximal end region 21 d of the sheath 21. Is formed. That is, the proximal end region 921d of the sheath 921 is formed so as to be thicker than the proximal end region 21d of the sheath 21 and bulge radially outward as shown in FIG. A communication hole 73 is formed in the proximal end region 921 d of the sheath 921, as in the case of the sheath 21, so that the connection joint 25 communicates with the inside of the sheath 921 .

When the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10 are fixed to the base base 924, the rubber elastic body 70 and the sheath 21 are set in the large diameter hole 74 of the base base 924, and the pressure adjustment is performed on the large diameter hole 74 in that state. The screw 71 is loosely tightened, and in this state, the base end of the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10 are fitted into the base cap 924. In this state, the base end of the sheath 21 is fitted into the step hole 77 of the rubber elastic body 70 and is abutted against the bottom of the step hole 77, and the endoscope insertion portion 10 is the inner peripheral surface of the general part of the rubber elastic body 70. Fitted. In this reference example , the rubber elastic body 70 and the pressure adjusting screw 71 constitute second gap adjusting means.
Next, the pressure adjusting screw 71 is tightened from this state, thereby causing the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 70 to bulge and deform radially inward, and thereby the outer periphery of the sheath 21 fitted into the stepped hole 77 portion. Press and fix the surface. Further, by tightening the pressing adjustment screw 71, the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 10 fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the general portion is pressed and fixed. Thereby, the base cap 924 is fixed to the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10.
That is, depending on the tightening amount of the pressure adjusting screw 71, the sheath 21 is fixed step by step or the endoscope insertion portion 10 is fixed. In this case, the sheath 21 is first fixed, and then the endoscope insertion portion 10 is fixed.

  Further, when the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10 are exchanged with another sheath 921 and the endoscope insertion portion, the pressure adjusting screw 71 is loosened so that the sheath 21 and the endoscope insertion portion 10 are removed from the base base 924. Then, another sheath 921 and the endoscope insertion portion 110 are fixed to the base base 924 in the same manner as described above. Thus, since the base end side region 921d of the sheath 921 fixed to the base base 924 has the same outer diameter as the base end side region 21d of the sheath 21, it fits into the axial hole 72 of the base base 924 with almost no gap. At the same time, the space between the axial hole 72 is sealed with an annular seal 78.

In this endoscope system 901, the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheaths 21 and 921 having different outer diameters can be freely exchanged while the base cap 924 is shared as in the other reference examples described above. When replacing the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheaths 21 and 921, it is only necessary to adjust the tightening of one pressing adjustment screw 71, so that the replacement operation can be performed very easily. In addition, since the number of parts can be reduced, the manufacturing cost can be further reduced.

24 and 25 show a ninth reference example of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing an overall schematic configuration of the endoscope system 1001 of this reference example , and FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the endoscope system 1001.
The overall configuration of the endoscope system 1001 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but the structure and function of the sheath 1021 attached to the outside of the endoscope insertion portion are different. Yes.

That is, the sheath 1021 of this reference example has a bent portion 80 in the distal end region, and has a three-layer structure of the inner sheath material 81, the intermediate sheath material 82, and the outer sheath material 83 in almost the entire longitudinal direction. . The inner sheath material 81 is formed by a metal pipe 81a from the proximal end side to the vicinity of the distal end region, and the distal end side region is formed by a metal mesh tube 81b. Further, the intermediate sheath material 82 is formed of a thermoplastic material that keeps the shape at the time of thermoforming at room temperature. The shape of the bent portion 80 in the distal end side region is the shape when the thermoplastic material is formed by heating. The outer sheath material 83 is for protecting the intermediate sheath material 82 from an external high-temperature environment, and is formed of a heat resistant resin.

The structure of the base cap 24 and the fixing portion of the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheath 1021 with respect to the base cap 24 is substantially the same as that of the reference example shown in FIGS. The intermediate sheath material 82 and the inner sheath material 83 projecting from the base end portion of the outer sheath material 83 are inserted into the sheath fixing hole 27 of the base cap 24, and the rubber elastic body 331 is tightened as the pressing adjustment screw 35 is tightened. The base cap 24 is fixed by bulging. Also in the case of this endoscope system 1001, sheaths of various outer diameters can be fixed to the base cap 24 by adjusting the tightening amount of the pressing adjustment screw 35 .

In this endoscope system 1001, when cooling air is introduced from the cooling device body 22 into the base cap 24 through the connection joint 25, the cooling air flows between the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the sheath 1021. Then, the intermediate sheath material 82 of the sheath 1021 and the distal end region of the endoscope insertion portion 10 are cooled respectively. In particular, the intermediate sheath member 82 is supported by the metal mesh tube 81b on the inner surface of the distal end side region where the bent portion 80 is provided, and receives the cooling air directly through the mesh gap of the metal mesh tube 81b. The temperature rise due to the high temperature environment is effectively suppressed.
Therefore, in this endoscope system 1001, it is possible to prevent the endoscope insertion portion 10 from rising above a specified temperature due to use in a high temperature environment, and the shape of the bent portion 80 is an external high temperature. Can be prevented beforehand.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the sheath 1121 and the base die 24 showing the tenth reference example of the present invention. The eleventh embodiment differs from the ninth reference example only in the structure and function of the sheath 1121.
The sheath 1121 used in this reference example is easily deformed when the sheath body 85 receives an input load of a specified value or more from the outside, and a metal material or the like that can maintain the shape while the input load is less than the specified value. A connecting cap 86 having a cylindrical portion 86 a that can be connected to the sheath fixing hole of the base cap 24 is connected to the base end portion of the sheath body 85. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 86a of the connection base 86 is formed to be approximately the same as the outer diameter of the standard diameter sheath.
Even in the sheath 1121 having such a shape holding function, it can be easily attached to the outside of the endoscope insertion portion using the common base die 24.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the sheath 1221 and the base die 24 showing the eleventh reference example of the present invention. Also in this reference example , only the structure and function of the sheath 1221 are different from those of the ninth reference example .
In the sheath 1221 used in this reference example , the sheath body 1285 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a rectangular cross section, and the base end of the sheath body 1285 is connected to the connection cap 1286 via the annular seal 87. The connecting cap 1286 is provided with a circular cylindrical portion 1286 a having the same diameter as the outer diameter of the standard diameter sheath, and the cylindrical portion 1286 a can be connected to the sheath fixing hole of the base cap 24. .
Even the sheath 1221 having such a modified cross section can be easily attached to the outside of the endoscope insertion portion using the common base die 24.

  The sheath body 1285 is formed by a deformable tube having a rectangular cross section as in the modification shown in FIG. 28, and the leaf springs 88 are attached to the two opposite sides in the tube along the longitudinal direction. Anyway. In this case, the sheath body 1285 can be deformed only in the plate thickness direction of the leaf spring 88.

29 to 31 show a twelfth reference example of the present invention. 29 is an exploded perspective view centering on the sheath 1321 of the endoscope system 1301, FIG. 30 is an exploded perspective view of the base cap 1324, and FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view of the endoscope system 1301. is there.
In this endoscope system 1301 , the cooling air supplied to the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 10 through the base cap 1324 circulates and circulates on the distal end side, and is discharged to the outside from the base cap 1324 through an air discharge tube (not shown). It has come to be.

The base cap 1324 is formed by screwing in series so that the substantially cylindrical first cap 90 and the second cap 91 are coaxial with each other, and for connecting the air discharge tube to the second cap 91 side. The first connection joint 92 is provided, and a second connection joint 93 for connecting an air supply tube (not shown) is provided on the first base 90 side.
The sheath 1321 has a double structure in which the outer sheath 95 is coaxially disposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner sheath 94, and the space between the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the inner sheath 94 flows on the supply side. A passage 96 is formed, and a space between the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 is a discharge-side flow passage 97. The inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 are configured such that connecting pipes 94b and 95b are connected to the base end sides of the sheath main body portions 94a and 95a, respectively, and the connecting pipes 94b and 95b are connected to the base cap 1324.

Hereinafter, in the description of the base cap 1324, the side where the distal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 10 is positioned in a state of being fixed to the endoscope insertion portion 10 is referred to as “front”, and the proximal end portion of the endoscope insertion portion 10. If the side on which the position is located is called “rear”, a base fixing hole 98 is provided in the front end portion of the second base 91, and a connection corresponding to the base fixing hole 98 is provided in the rear end portion of the first base 90. A boss portion 42 is provided, and a male screw 42 a portion formed on the connection boss 42 is screwed into a female screw 98 a formed on the inner peripheral surface near the opening of the base fixing hole 98. A substantially cylindrical rubber elastic body 43 is fitted on the bottom side of the base fixing hole 98, and the cylindrical rubber elastic body 43 is pressed in the axial direction by tightening the connection boss portion 42.
The base fixing hole 98 includes a large-diameter hole 98b into which the rubber elastic body 43 is inserted, and a small-diameter hole 98c continuously provided at the bottom of the large-diameter hole 98b. The connecting tube 94b of the inner sheath 94 penetrating the shaft 90 in the axial direction is fitted, and the tip portion thereof is abutted. In this manner, when the rubber elastic body 43 is pressed in the axial direction by tightening the connection boss portion 42 in a state where the connection pipe 94b is fitted in the small diameter hole 98c, the inner peripheral surface of the rubber elastic body 43 is radially inward. As a result, the connecting pipe 94 b is airtightly fixed to the second base 91 via the rubber elastic body 43. Thus, the supply-side flow path 96 formed between the endoscope insertion portion 10 and the inner sheath 94 is connected to the first connection joint 92 on the second base 91 side .

A sheath fixing hole 44 (sheath fixing portion) is provided at the front end portion of the first base 90, and the connection tube 95 b of the outer sheath 95 is detachably fixed to the sheath fixing hole 44. A cylindrical rubber elastic body 45 is fitted into the sheath fixing hole 44, and a substantially cylindrical pressure adjusting screw 46 is detachably fixed. The pressing adjustment screw 46 has a flange-like adjustment knob 46b on one end side of the male screw 46a that is screwed into the female screw 44a formed in the sheath fixing hole 44, and the adjustment knob 46b is rotated to adjust the sheath fixing hole. The tightening amount with respect to 44 is adjusted.
The sheath fixing hole 44 includes a large-diameter hole 44b into which the rubber elastic body 45 is fitted and a small-diameter hole 44c connected to the bottom of the large-diameter hole 44b. The small-diameter hole 44c includes an outer sheath 95. The connecting pipe 95b is inserted and its tip is abutted. When the pressure adjusting screw 46 is tightened in the state where the connecting pipe 95b is fitted in the small diameter hole 44c, the rubber elastic body 45 is pressed in the axial direction by the pressure adjusting screw 46, and the inner peripheral surface bulges radially inward. As a result, the connecting pipe 95b is airtightly fixed to the first base 90 via the rubber elastic body 45. Accordingly, the discharge-side flow path 97 formed between the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 is connected to the second connection joint 93 on the first base 90 side.
The rubber elastic body 45 and the pressure adjusting screw 46 constitute second gap adjusting means on the outer sheath 95 side.

  In addition, an insertion portion fixing hole 47 (insertion portion fixing portion) is provided at the rear end portion of the second base 91 so that the endoscope insertion portion 10 is detachably fixed to the insertion portion fixing hole 47. It has become. A cylindrical rubber elastic body 48 is fitted into the insertion portion fixing hole 47, and a substantially cylindrical pressure adjusting screw 49 is detachably fixed. The pressing adjustment screw 49 has a flange-shaped adjustment knob 49b on one end side of the male screw 49a that is screwed into the female screw 47a on the inner peripheral side of the insertion portion fixing hole 47, and the endoscope insertion portion is operated by operating the adjustment knob 49b. The tightening amount with respect to 10 is adjusted.

  In the above configuration, when the sheath 1321 and the base cap 1324 are attached to the endoscope insertion portion 10, the connection boss portion 42 of the first cap 90 is set in a state where the rubber elastic bodies 43, 45, 48 are set in advance. Are loosely tightened into the base fixing hole 98 of the second base 91, and the pressure adjusting screws 46 and 49 are loosely tightened into the sheath fixing hole 44 of the first base 90 and the insertion portion fixing hole 47 of the second base 91, respectively. In this state, the connecting pipes 94b and 95b of the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 are fitted into the base fixing hole 98 and the sheath fixing hole 44, respectively. From this state, the connection boss portion 42 of the first base 90 is further tightened into the base fixing hole 98 of the second base 91, and the first base 90 and the second base 91 are fixed to each other and the rubber elastic body 43 is pressed. Then, the inner peripheral surface is bulged radially inward, and the connection tube 94 b of the inner sheath 94 is fixed to the base fixing hole 98 via the rubber elastic body 43. Next, the pressure adjusting screw 46 is tightened into the sheath fixing hole 44 of the first base 90, and the rubber elastic body 45 is pressed to bulge the inner peripheral surface radially inward. Similarly, the connecting tube 95b of the outer sheath 95 Is fixed to the sheath fixing hole 44 via a rubber elastic body 45. Then, the assembled cooling unit is set around the endoscope insertion portion 10, and the rubber elastic body 48 is pressed by tightening the pressing adjustment screw 49 into the insertion portion fixing hole 47 of the second base 91, and the rubber The inner peripheral surface of the elastic body 48 is bulged radially inward. As a result, the entire cooling unit including the base cap 1324 is fixed to the endoscope insertion portion 10 via the rubber elastic body 48.

  In the endoscope system 1301 configured in this way, the cooling air supplied through the first connection joint 92 of the base cap 1324 flows toward the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 10 and is further folded back at the distal end side so as to return to the base cap. It is discharged to the outside through the second connection joint 93 of 1324. During this time, the cooling air flowing through the inner supply-side flow path 96 cools the endoscope insertion portion 10, and the air flowing through the outer discharge-side flow path 97 forms a blocking layer that blocks heat from outside air in a high-temperature environment. Make it. Therefore, in the endoscope system 1301, the endoscope insertion portion 10 can be efficiently cooled, and is also suitable in an environment that does not favor the ejection of air from the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 10. Can be used.

By the way, also in this endoscope system 1301, the base cap 1324 is replaced with the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 having different outer diameters, and the base cap 1324 is attached to the endoscope insertion portion 10 having different outer diameters. be able to. That is, in this device 1301, the amount of swelling of the rubber elastic bodies 43 and 45 can be changed by adjusting the amount of tightening of the connection boss portion 42 of the first base 90 and the amount of tightening of the pressing adjusting screw 46. Therefore, by adjusting these tightening amounts, the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 having different outer diameters can be fixed in close contact with the base die 1324. Similarly, since the bulging amount of the rubber elastic body 48 can be changed by adjusting the tightening amount of the pressing adjustment screw 49 also on the fixed portion side of the endoscope insertion portion 10, The endoscope insertion portion 10 having a different outer diameter can be fixed in a close contact state by adjustment.

Further, in this endoscope system 1301, a sheath (for example, the inner sheath 94 or the outer sheath 95 in FIG. 31) is attached to only one of the base fixing hole 98 and the sheath fixing hole 44 of the base base 1324, and the cooling air It is also possible to use so that the cooling air is discharged from the distal end side of the sheath without circulating the air.
That is, for example, when only the inner sheath 94 in FIG. 31 is attached and used, the connection tube 94b of the inner sheath 94 is inserted into the base fixing hole 98 and fixed by the rubber elastic body 43, and supplied from the first connection joint 92. The cooled cooling air is caused to flow toward the distal end through a flow path formed between the inner sheath 94 and the endoscope insertion portion 10. When only the outer sheath 95 in FIG. 31 is attached and used, the second connecting joint 93 is closed and the inner ring 94 is replaced with a connecting tube 94b with a short axial length (the inner diameter and the outer diameter are the same). (The difference in size and length is not shown)) is applied to the inside of the rubber elastic body 45, and the cooling air supplied from the first connection joint 92 is formed between the outer sheath 95 and the endoscope insertion portion 10. Flow toward the tip through the channel.
Therefore, in the endoscope system 1301, it is possible to meet various needs of users while sharing the base cap 1324.

FIG. 32 is a longitudinal sectional view of an endoscope system 1401 according to a thirteenth reference example of the present invention.
Similarly to the twelfth reference example , the endoscope system 1401 of this reference example circulates the cooling air supplied to the distal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 10 through the base cap 1424 and returns to the base cap 1424 again. Although the main body portion of the base cap 1424 is constituted by a single cylindrical member, the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 are simultaneously fixed to the base cap 1424 by one pressing adjusting screw 46. This is very different from the twelfth reference example .

  The base die 1424 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, a sheath fixing hole 56 is formed on one end side in the axial direction, and an insertion portion fixing hole 47 is formed on the other end side. A first connection joint 92 on the air supply side is provided at a substantially intermediate position between the bottom of the sheath fixing hole 56 and the bottom of the insertion portion fixing hole 47 in the base cap 1424, and the sheath fixing hole 56. A second connection joint 93 on the air discharge side is provided at a substantially intermediate position in the axial direction of the peripheral wall. The sheath fixing hole 56 includes a large-diameter hole 56b in which an internal thread 56a is provided on the inner peripheral surface on the opening side, and a small-diameter hole 56c connected to the bottom of the large-diameter hole 56b. The connecting tube 94b of the sheath 94 is fitted and its tip is abutted. The large-diameter hole 56b is thicker than the first thick rubber cylindrical first rubber elastic body 57, the substantially C-shaped spacer ring 58 for securing the passage, and the first rubber elastic body 57. A thin, substantially cylindrical second rubber elastic body 59 is sequentially inserted, and in this state, the pressure adjusting screw 46 is screwed. Similar to the thirteenth embodiment, the pressing adjustment screw 46 has a flange-shaped adjustment knob 46b on one end side of the male screw 46a, and the tightening amount with respect to the sheath fixing hole 56 is adjusted by operating the adjustment knob 46b. It has become.

  Here, the spacer ring 58 inserted into the sheath fixing hole 56 is disposed at the extended position of the second connection joint 93 in a form sandwiched between the first rubber elastic body 57 and the second rubber elastic body 59, and is C-shaped. A gap 58 a portion on the circumference of the shape forms a passage continuing to the second connection joint 93. Further, the proximal end of the connection tube 95 b of the outer sheath 95 passes through the pressing adjustment screw 46 and is fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the second rubber elastic body 59, and the distal end surface thereof is abutted against the spacer ring 58. .

Therefore, the connection pipes 94b, 9 of the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 are attached to the base cap 1424.
When the pressure adjusting screw 46 is tightened with the 5b inserted, the second rubber elastic body 59 and the first
The rubber elastic body 57 is pressed in the axial direction, and the rubber elastic bodies 59 and 57 are swelled radially inward under the axial pressing force. As a result, the first rubber elastic body 57 is pressed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connection tube 9b of the inner sheath 94 to fix the base cap 1424 and the inner sheath 94, and the second rubber elastic body 59 is fixed to the outer sheath 95. The base cap 1424 and the outer sheath 95 are fixed by being pressed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 95b. Thus, when the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 are attached to the base cap 1424, the discharge-side flow path 97 formed between the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 passes through the passage formed by the gap 58a of the spacer ring 58. 2
The connection joint 93 is connected .

Similarly to the twelfth reference example , a cylindrical rubber elastic body 48 is fitted into the insertion portion fixing hole 47 of the base cap 1424, and in this state, a pressing adjustment screw 49 is screwed. The rubber elastic body 48 has its inner peripheral surface bulged radially inward by tightening the pressure adjusting screw 49 and pressed in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 10. The mirror insertion part 10 is fixed to each other.

  In FIG. 32, reference numerals 94d and 95d denote an inner sheath extension portion and an outer sheath connected to the inner sheath 94 (sheath main body portion 94a) and the outer sheath 95 (sheath main body portion 95a) via connecting pipes 94c and 95c, respectively. Sheath extension.

The endoscope system 1401 can basically obtain the same operations and effects as those of the twelfth reference example , but the main body portion of the base cap 1424 is constituted by a single cylindrical member. The structure can be simplified, and there is an additional advantage that the orientation of the second connection joint 93 does not change when the sheath is fixed.

  Furthermore, in this endoscope system 1401, the inner sheath 94 and the outer sheath 95 can be simultaneously fixed to the base base 1424 with one pressing adjustment screw 46, and therefore the assembly work of the sheaths 94, 95 to the base base 1424 is performed. Can be facilitated.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, A various design change is possible in the range which does not deviate from the summary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The whole schematic block diagram which shows the endoscope system of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows another sheath of the embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system which changed the sheath and endoscope insertion part of the embodiment into another thing. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 1st reference example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the endoscope system which changed the sheath and endoscope insertion part of the reference example into another thing. The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 2nd reference example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . The perspective view which shows another sheath of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the endoscope system which changed the sheath and endoscope insertion part of the reference example into another thing. The perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 3rd reference example of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 4th reference example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 5th reference example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the components of the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 6th reference example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the components of the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 7th reference example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the components of the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the 8th reference example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows another sheath of the reference example . The perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 9th reference example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 10th reference example of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 11th reference example of this invention. The perspective view which shows the modification of the reference example . The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the 12th reference example of this invention. The disassembled perspective view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the endoscope system of the reference example . A longitudinal sectional view showing a thirteenth reference example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1,201,301,401,501,601,701,801,901,1001
, 1301, 1401 ... Endoscope system 10, 110 ... Endoscope insertion part 13 ... Cooling device (cooling means)
21, 121, 221, 421, 521, 921, 1021, 1121, 1221
1321 ... Sheath 21a ... Hard sheath core material 21b ... Soft sheath skin 21d, 921d ... Base end side region (sheath side gap blocking wall, first gap adjusting means)
24, 924, 1324, 1424 ... Base cap 27 ... Sheath fixing hole (sheath fixing portion)
28 ... Endoscope fixing hole (Endoscope fixing part)
130A : Sheath side gap blocking wall (first gap adjusting means)
30B, 130B ... Insert side gap closing wall (second gap adjusting means)
31, 32, 331, 332... Rubber elastic body 35, 36... Press adjustment screw 40, 240, 640.
42 ... connection boss parts 43 and 45 ... rubber elastic body 44 ... sheath fixing hole 46 ... pressing adjustment screw 47 ... insertion part fixing hole (insertion part fixing part)
48. Rubber elastic body (second gap adjusting means)
49 ... Pressing adjustment screw (second gap adjusting means)
421b, 521b ... protective tube 57 ... first rubber elastic body 59 ... second rubber elastic body 60 ... gap adjustment unit (insertion side gap closing wall)
65 ... Gap adjustment unit (sheath side gap blocking wall)
70 ... Rubber elastic body 94 ... Inner sheath 95 ... Outer sheath 98 ... Base fixing hole (inner sheath fixing part)

Claims (4)

A plurality of sheaths provided with a hard sheath core material on the inner peripheral side are replaceably disposed on the outer peripheral side of an endoscope insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target, and fluid is supplied to the inside of the sheath to supply the fluid An endoscope system provided with a cooling means for cooling the endoscope insertion portion,
A base die having a sheath fixing portion to which a fluid pipe of the cooling means is connected and a base end portion of the hard sheath core member is attached at least detachably;
A cylindrical rubber elastic body positioned between the inner surface of the sheath fixing portion and the outer surface of the sheath attached to the sheath fixing portion ;
A pressing adjustment screw to bulging deformation at the inner circumference side to press the rubber elastic body in the axial direction,
With
At least one of the plurality of sheaths includes a first gap adjusting means at a base end portion of the hard sheath core material, and an outer diameter of the base end portion is larger than an outer diameter of another portion of the hard sheath core material. An endoscope system characterized by its large size . 2. The endoscope system according to claim 1, wherein the first gap adjusting unit is configured by a cylindrical sheath-side gap closing wall provided at a proximal end portion of the hard sheath core material . The endoscope system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hard sheath core material and the first gap adjusting means are formed separately. The endoscope system according to claim 3, wherein the first gap adjusting unit is fixed to the hard sheath core so as to be detachable.

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