Patent ID: 8092372
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An endoscope apparatus having an insertion assisting tool to be inserted into alimentary canal, comprising: an endoscope having an air/water passing button, a suction button and a shutter button operated by an operator provided in a hand operation section, the hand operation section being provided with an air port for supplying/sucking air to a first balloon; an insertion tube in which an insertion section of the endoscope is inserted therethrough, the insertion section includes a flexible part, a curving part, and a tip end rigid part, wherein an end surface of the tip end rigid part includes an object optical system, an illumination lens, air/water passing nozzle, and a forceps port, and an air supply/suction port is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the insertion section to communicate with the air port of the endoscope; a second balloon of the insertion assisting tool which is attached to the insertion tube at a balloon attaching portion, to inflate/deflate by supplying/sucking air, and capable of being closely fitted onto an alimentary canal wall when inflated; and an air hole formed at a proximal end of the balloon attaching portion of the balloon on an external surface of the insertion tube, wherein the air hole communicates with an opening formed at a proximal end of the insertion tube through an air discharge channel formed individually to the insertion tube, and the air hole is a hole for discharging air stored in a gap formed by the second balloon of the insertion assisting tool, the insertion tube, and the alimentary canal wall during operation in a drawing direction when the alimentary canal is drawn towards the proximal end side by drawing the insertion assisting tool towards the proximal end side in a state in which the second balloon of the insertion assisting tool is inflated.