ENDOSCOPE AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM

An endoscope comprising an insertion section including a distal end portion, a distal end opening in a distal end surface of a distal end portion, a side opening in a side surface of the distal end portion, a suction channel located in the insertion section and extending proximally from the distal end portion, and a valve switchable between an open state and a closed state. When a first suctioning flow through the distal end opening is less than a minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the open state and a second suctioning flow through the side opening is present, and when the first suctioning flow is more than the minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the closed state and the second suctioning flow is absent.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to an endoscope including a suction function, and an endoscope unit.

BACKGROUND

In examination and treatment using an endoscope, blood and the like have to be suctioned to identify a bleeding part at a time when there is bleeding inside a subject. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-179510 discloses a technique with which suction inside a body cavity or the like may be efficiently performed in a case where a distal end of a passage for suction provided in a distal end rigid portion is opened from a distal end surface of an insulating cap along a side surface and is used as a suction passage.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An endoscope according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an insertion section including a distal end portion; a distal end opening in a distal end surface of the distal end portion; a side opening in a side surface of the distal end portion; a suction channel located in the insertion section and extending proximally from the distal end portion, wherein the suction channel is in communication with the distal end opening and with the side opening; and a valve switchable between an open state and a closed state, wherein when a first suctioning flow through the distal end opening is less than a minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the open state and a second suctioning flow through the side opening is present, and wherein, when the first suctioning flow through the distal end opening is more than the minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the closed state and the second suctioning flow through the side opening is absent.

An endoscope system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an endoscope, wherein the endoscope includes: an insertion section including a distal end portion, a first opening in a distal end surface of the distal end portion, a second opening in a side surface of the distal end portion; and a suction channel located in the insertion section and extending proximally from the distal end portion, wherein the suction channel is in communication with the distal end opening and with the side opening, a distal cover attached to the distal end portion, wherein the distal cover includes: a valve switchable between open state and closed state, wherein, when a first suctioning flow through the distal end opening is less than a minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the open state and a second suctioning air flow through the side opening is present, and wherein, when the first suctioning flow through the distal end opening is more than the minimum suctioning flow, the valve is in the closed state and the second suctioning flow through the side opening is absent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a configuration of an aspect of the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the following description, the drawings based on the embodiment are schematic, and a relationship between a thickness and a width of each part, a ratio of respective thicknesses of parts, and the like are different from actual relationships. Moreover, dimensional relationships, ratios and the like may be different between drawings.

At a time of performing suction inside a subject using an endoscope, a body cavity wall or the like may stick to a distal end portion of an insertion section to completely block a channel opening or to reduce an opening amount. Particularly, when the body cavity wall or the like sticks to the channel opening at a time of performing suction of blood or the like by the endoscope to treat bleeding, suction of blood or the like cannot be continued.

In such a case, a suction operation by the endoscope has to be suspended, the distal end portion of the insertion section has to be separated from the body cavity wall or the like, and the suction operation has to be resumed, thus making treatment burdensome and time-consuming.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is aimed at providing an endoscope and an endoscope system with which suction may be continued without being interrupted even when a channel opening is blocked by a body cavity wall or the like or an opening amount is reduced, and with which time and burden of treatment may be reduced.

In the following, a description will be given of an endoscope system100of a present embodiment. As shown inFIG.1, the endoscope system100includes an endoscope1, and a cover member20that is a distal end opening/closing cover. Note that a configuration is also possible where the cover member20is included in the endoscope1.

The endoscope1includes an insertion section2, an operation section3, a universal cord4, and an endoscope connector5. The insertion section2is a long member that can be inserted inside a subject. The insertion section2includes a distal end portion6, a bending portion7, and a flexible tube portion8.

The distal end portion6is disposed on a distal end of the insertion section2. The bending portion7is disposed on a proximal end side of the distal end portion6. The bending portion7is an active bending part and is freely bendable. The flexible tube portion8has flexibility, and is disposed on a proximal end side of the bending portion7. The flexible tube portion8is a passive flexible part, and is connected on a distal end side of the operation section3.

A pair of angle knobs10for performing bending of the bending portion7are provided on the operation section3. An air/water feeding button11, a suction button12, and a plurality of video-related switches13,14configured to perform operations related to freezing of an endoscope image, releasing of image pickup, and the like are provided on the operation section3.

The universal cord4is a composite cable extending from a side portion of the operation section3. The endoscope connector5is provided on an extension end of the universal cord4. The endoscope connector5is connected to a video processor, not shown, of a camera control unit (CCU) including a light source device.

Moreover, the suction button12enables, by being pressed down, suction of foreign substances such as excrement, undigested substances and blood inside a subject by a suction device that is not shown. Note that a treatment instrument insertion channel, described later, is provided from the insertion section2to the operation section3, and the foreign substances are suctioned through the treatment instrument insertion channel.

The endoscope1configured in the above manner is desirably a disposable single-use endoscope that is disposed of after use (after being used once), but may of course be a reusable product that is re-used after being subjected to a disinfecting/sterilizing process.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, the distal end portion6of the insertion section2includes a distal end structural member15that is made of metal or the like and that is formed into a bullet shape. An observation window31and an illumination window32are provided in a distal end surface30of the distal end structural member15.

Photographing light entering from the observation window31is photoelectrically converted by an image pickup unit40built inside the distal end portion6. An image pickup cable41extending from the image pickup unit40is inserted through the insertion section2, the operation section3, and the universal cord4, up to the endoscope connector5.

Illumination light is radiated toward the subject from the illumination window32. The illumination light is transmitted by a light guide that is not shown. The light guide is inserted through the insertion section2, the operation section3, and the universal cord4, up to the endoscope connector5. Note that the illumination light is emitted by a light source that is built inside the video processor.

The endoscope1here is configured such that the illumination light emitted from the video processor is transmitted by the light guide, but instead, a light source such as an LED may be provided in the distal end portion6.

As shown inFIG.3, a bending rubber connection tube42is fitted on a proximal end of the distal end structural member15. The bending rubber connection tube42is connected while being covered by a distal end part of a bending rubber43. Note that the bending rubber43covers a plurality of bending pieces44provided on the bending portion7in an integrated manner.

A channel conduit35is provided in the distal end structural member15. A distal end opening portion33of the channel conduit35is formed in the distal end surface30of the distal end structural member15. In other words, the distal end opening portion33is an opening on a front side of the channel conduit35.

A channel connection tube45that communicates with the channel conduit35is fitted in the distal end structural member15. A distal end part of a treatment instrument insertion channel46that functions also as a suction channel is connected to the channel connection tube45.

A side surface opening portion34is formed in a side surface of the distal end structural member15, the side surface opening portion34being formed by being cut out up to the channel conduit35. In other words, the side surface opening portion34is a lateral opening of the channel conduit35. The side surface opening portion34communicates with the treatment instrument insertion channel46. Accordingly, the distal end structural member15is provided with the side surface opening portion34that is on a lateral side and that communicates with the distal end opening portion33on a front side.

A groove36is formed on the distal end structural member15, the groove36being formed around a longitudinal axis on an outer circumferential portion along the side surface opening portion34. The groove36is a bottomed groove portion that is formed in a recessed manner in a circumferential direction at a position of the side surface opening portion34of the distal end structural member15.

The cover member20is attached to the groove36. Note that as shown inFIG.4, the cover member20is engaged by being fitted to cover the groove36from a distal end side of the distal end structural member15. The cover member20is a disposable single-use cover member that is disposed of after use (after being used once).

As shown inFIGS.5and6, the cover member20is a cylindrical body that is formed from an elastic material such as elastomer or silicone rubber. The cover member20includes two slits21that are straight and that are formed from positions close to a distal end side to a proximal end.

The two slits21are formed to be parallel to each other with a predetermined distance in between in a circumferential direction of the cover member20. A gap between the two slits21is set smaller than a width range (region) of the side surface opening portion34orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the distal end structural member15.

An open/close valve22(secondary body) is formed between the two slits21, the open/close valve22being an opening/closing portion that is arch-shaped in a cross-sectional direction and rectangular in a planar direction. Normally, the open/close valve22is retained by an elastic force such that the cover member20is maintained in a substantially cylindrical shape.

Note that the open/close valve22is arch-shaped in the cross-sectional direction, and is not easily deformed to open outward relative to the distal end portion6. Accordingly, unintended deformation of the open/close valve22in an outward direction relative to the distal end portion6may be prevented.

The cover member20is attached by being engaged with the groove36of the distal end structural member15. The side surface opening portion34is thus covered by the cover member20.

Note that a depth of the groove36and a thickness of the cover member20are substantially the same. A length of the groove36and a length of the cover member20in a longitudinal axis direction are also substantially the same. Accordingly, the cover member20is attached in such a way that an outer circumferential surface of the cover member20is on a substantially same plane with an outer surface of the distal end structural member15with no step between the two.

Note that the cover member20is attached to the groove36of the distal end structural member15in such a way that, in relation to positions around an axis, the two slits are positioned within the width range of the side surface opening portion34. Accordingly, the open/close valve22formed by the two slits21is positioned within the width range of the side surface opening portion34.

With the endoscope system100configured in the above manner, normally, the open/close valve22of the cover member20attached to the distal end portion6is in a closed state, as shown inFIGS.2and3. In other words, the cover member20is substantially cylindrically shaped, with the open/close valve retained by the elastic force.

Accordingly, the side surface opening portion34formed in the distal end structural member15of the distal end portion6is closed by being entirely covered by the cover member20. Accordingly, the channel conduit35of the distal end structural member15is open only at the distal end opening portion33.

When suction is performed in the state described above, the endoscope system100suctions foreign substances such as excrement, undigested substances and blood inside the subject from the distal end opening portion33. Suction is performed from the distal end opening portion33, through the channel conduit35and the treatment instrument insertion channel46.

Note that because the open/close valve22is closed, air and the like inside the body cavity are not suctioned through the side surface opening portion34on an outer circumferential side of the distal end portion6of the endoscope1, and reduction in a suction force may be prevented.

As shown inFIG.7, the endoscope system100may perform suction while the distal end surface30of the distal end portion6of the insertion section2is in contact with a body cavity wall101. The body cavity wall101such as a stomach wall sticks to the distal end opening portion33due to the suction force. At this time, the distal end opening portion33is placed in a completely blocked state or in a state where an opening amount is reduced due to the body cavity wall101.

In this state, negative pressure with predetermined magnitude is generated inside the channel conduit35of the distal end structural member15from the treatment instrument insertion channel46. Due to the negative pressure, the open/close valve22of the cover member20moves in such a way as to be drawn into the channel conduit35. In other words, the open/close valve22deforms toward an inside of the channel conduit35, and the side surface opening portion34is placed in an open state. The channel conduit35of the distal end structural member15is thus opened at the side surface opening portion34.

In this state, the endoscope system100is able to suction foreign substances such as excrement, undigested substances and blood inside the subject from the side surface opening portion34. The suction is performed from the side surface opening portion34, through the channel conduit35and the treatment instrument insertion channel46.

As described above, the endoscope system100may continue performing suction without being interrupted even when the distal end opening portion33of the distal end portion6of the insertion section2adheres to the body cavity wall101such as a stomach wall or the opening amount is reduced during suction. This is because the open/close valve22of the cover member20covering the side surface opening portion34is opened due to the negative pressure generated inside the channel conduit35from the treatment instrument insertion channel46.

Note that when the distal end opening portion33is blocked by the body cavity wall101, the open/close valve22moves by being deformed by the suction force of the endoscope1and the side surface opening portion34is thus opened. Settings here are appropriately managed based on a length, a shape, a material, a thickness and the like of the two slits21formed in the cover member20.

According to the description given above, at the time of suction inside a subject by the endoscope1, the endoscope system100may continue performing suction through the side surface opening portion34without being interrupted even when the body cavity wall101such as a stomach wall sticks to the distal end portion6of the insertion section2and the distal end opening portion33of the channel opening is blocked or the opening amount is reduced. Accordingly, a suction procedure may be performed with high responsiveness.

Accordingly, with the endoscope system100, time and burden of a task of suspending suction by the endoscope1, separating the distal end portion6of the insertion section2from the body cavity wall101, and resuming suction may be eliminated. Accordingly, with the endoscope system100, a suction treatment may be performed more efficiently than with a conventional configuration.

Note that, depending on the length, the shape, the material, the thickness and the like of the two slits21formed in the cover member20, an amount of deformation of the open/close valve22is set in the following manner, for example. Here, an opening amount of the side surface opening portion34that is moved due to deformation of the open/close valve22at a time when the distal end opening portion33is completely blocked by the body cavity wall101(100%) is taken as a reference value (100%).

In a case where the distal end opening portion33is blocked 70% by the body cavity wall101and the opening amount is 30%, the open/close valve22is deformed such that the opening amount of the side surface opening portion34is 10% relative to the reference value. The minimum suctioning flow causing deformation of the open/close valve22is 30% about the opening amount of the distal end opening portion33.

Furthermore, in a case where the distal end opening portion33is blocked 80% by the body cavity wall101and the opening amount is 20%, the open/close valve22is deformed such that the opening amount of the side surface opening portion34is 30% relative to the reference value.

Moreover, in a case where the distal end opening portion33is blocked 90% by the body cavity wall101and the opening amount is 10%, the open/close valve22is deformed such that the opening amount of the side surface opening portion34is 50% relative to the reference value.

The suctioning flow can include air and liquid, such as blood. Also, the cases described above are merely examples, and various amounts of deformation may be set for the open/close valve22depending on the length, the shape, the material, the thickness and the like of the two slits21formed in the cover member20.

Modification

In the case where suction from a side surface of the distal end portion6is not necessary, the endoscope system100may cause the open/close valve22to be moved outside the region of the side surface opening portion34, as shown inFIG.8. More specifically, the cover member20may be used by being rotated around the axis. In this case, the endoscope1performs suction of foreign substances only through the distal end opening portion33.

As shown inFIG.9, two open/close valves22may be formed by providing three slits21in the cover member20.

When the open/close valve22is divided into two and a width is reduced, the two open/close valves22of the cover member20may be easily deformed. Accordingly, the two open/close valves22are opened even with small negative pressure that is generated inside the distal end structural member15due to a small suction force.

Accordingly, with the endoscope system100, foreign substances may be easily suctioned through the side surface opening portion34of the distal end portion6when the distal end opening portion33is blocked by the body cavity wall101and the opening amount is reduced. Accordingly, the endoscope system100achieves better responsiveness in relation to suction from the side surface opening portion34in a state where the distal end opening portion33is blocked.

Moreover, in a state where one of the two open/close valves22is in contact with the body cavity wall101, the other open/close valve22is opened/closed. In other words, even when the distal end opening portion33and one of the open/close valves22blocking the side surface opening portion34adhere to the body cavity wall101of a living body, the other open/close valve22is deformed to open the side surface opening portion34. Accordingly, with the endoscope system100, suction by the endoscope1may be more smoothly performed. As described above, the two open/close valves22may be separately opened/closed depending on the situation.

As shown inFIG.10, the two slits21of the cover member20may be obliquely formed such that a gap of the two slits21is reduced toward a distal end side. In other words, the open/close valve22having a trapezoidal shape where the distal end side is a top side and a proximal end side is a bottom side may be formed. In other words, the two slits21are formed to be not parallel to each other along a longitudinal axis of the cover member20.

Accordingly, because a width on the distal end side is small, the open/close valve22is easily deformed. Accordingly, the endoscope system100achieves better responsiveness in relation to suction from the side surface opening portion34in a state where the distal end opening portion33is blocked.

As shown inFIG.11, the two slits21of the cover member20may be obliquely formed such that the gap the two slits21is reduced toward the proximal end side. In other words, the open/close valve22having a trapezoidal shape where the distal end side is the bottom side and the proximal end side is the top side may be formed. In other words, the two slits21are formed to be not parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of the cover member20.

Accordingly, because the width on the distal end side is great, the open/close valve22is not easily deformed on the distal end side but is easily deformed on the proximal end side. Accordingly, the negative pressure inside the distal end portion6of the endoscope1changes depending on an amount of reduction in the opening amount of the blocked distal end opening portion33. Therefore, the width of the open/close valve22is increased toward a distal end, and a position at which the open/close valve22deforms changes according to a change in the negative pressure.

With the endoscope system100, when the open/close valve22is not easily deformed on the distal end side but is easily deformed on the proximal end side, the opening amount of the side surface opening portion34by the open/close valve22may be easily controlled according to magnitude of the negative pressure inside the distal end portion6. As a result, the open/close valve22of the present modification is suitable in a case where the suction force of the side surface opening portion34is desired to be controlled.

As shown inFIG.12, an open/close valve50having a thin plate shape may be provided at the distal end structural member15constituting the distal end portion6of the endoscope1, without providing the cover member20.

The open/close valve50is made of synthetic resin, and a groove or a thin-filmed V-shaped groove51is formed in a width direction on an inner surface on the distal end side. The open/close valve50is disposed to block the side surface opening portion34of the distal end structural member15.

As shown inFIG.13, when the distal end opening portion33is blocked by the body cavity wall101at the time of suction and the opening amount is reduced, the open/close valve50moves by being deformed toward an inside of the channel conduit35around the V-shaped groove51. In other words, the open/close valve50moves in such a way as to be drawn into the channel conduit35by the negative pressure with predetermined magnitude that is generated inside the channel conduit35of the distal end structural member15from the treatment instrument insertion channel46.

The side surface opening portion34is thereby placed in an open state. In this state, the endoscope1is able to suction foreign substances such as excrement, undigested substances and blood inside the subject from the side surface opening portion34, through the channel conduit35and the treatment instrument insertion channel46.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above, and changes may be made as appropriate within the gist or the idea of the disclosure that can be read from the claims, the entire specification, and the drawings.