Patent Abstract:
A portable endoscope has a pump, a tank that stores liquid, a first coupling tube that spatially connects the pump with a gas supplying tube, a divergent tube that diverges from the first coupling tube and extends toward an inside of the tank, a balloon that is spatially connected to the divergent tube and is expandable and shrinkable in the tank, a second coupling tube that spatially connects the inside of the tank with a liquid supplying tube, and a gas direction controller that selectively directs the gas discharged from the pump to one of the gas supplying tube and the divergent tube. The liquid is stored outside of the balloon. The tank includes a sealing member that hermetically seals the tank.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an endoscope with a liquid and gas supply apparatus that supplies liquid and gas such as water and air, to the tip of the endoscope. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A liquid and gas supply apparatus, which has a tank and pump, is usually incorporated in a light source apparatus for a fiber-scope or an electronic endoscope system including a video-scope with an image sensor and a video-processor. In the video-scope/fiber-scope, a liquid (water) tube and a gas (air) tube are provided. The tank is spatially connected to the liquid supplying tube and the pump is spatially connected to the gas supplying tube. Generally, water is stored in the tank, whereas the pump takes in and compresses flesh air and sends the compressed air to the tip. 
     To wash an objective lens provided in the point of the fiber-scope/video-scope, or to remove obstructions on an observed portion, the air or water is discharged from the tip of the fiber-scope/video-scope. When supplying the air, the compressed air flows in the air tube and is then discharged from the tip of the fiber-scope/video-scope. On the other hand, when supplying the water, the compressed air is directed to the inside of the tank, where the water surface is pressed due to the pressure of the compressed gas. Consequently, the water in the tank is pumped out, and flows in the water supplying tube so that the water is discharged from the tip of the fiber-scope/video-scope. 
     Further, medicinal liquid for inspecting the diseased portion, nitrogen for expanding the inside of the digestive organ, and oxygen for the bronchial tubes are dischargeable via the water supplying tube or the air supplying tube. 
     In the case of the conventional construction of the liquid and gas supply apparatus, when the tank inclines, water can flow through the air supplying tube and can be unexpectedly discharged from the tip, hence the water is not discharged properly. Especially, the conventional liquid and gas supply apparatus mounted on a desk or table is not suitable for a portable endoscope having an internal light source, because the portablity is reduced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid and gas supply apparatus that is capable of preventing unexpected discharge of liquid, and provide a portable endoscope with the liquid and gas supply apparatus. 
     A liquid and gas supply apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an endoscope, and supplies liquid and gas to a liquid supplying tube and a gas supplying tube respectively. The liquid supplying tube and the gas supplying tube are provided in an endoscope (a fiber-scope or a video-scope with an image sensor). The liquid and gas supply apparatus has a pump, a tank, a first coupling tube, a divergent tube, a balloon, a second coupling tube, and a gas direction controller. The pump pumps the gas, and the tank stores the liquid. The first coupling tube spatially connects the pump with the gas supplying tube. The divergent tube diverges from the first coupling tube and extends toward the inside of the tank. The balloon is spatially connected to the divergent tube and is expandable and shrinkable in the tank. The second coupling tube spatially connects the inside of the tank with the liquid supplying tube such that the liquid in the tank flows in the second coupling tube. The gas direction controller selectively directs the gas discharged from the pump to either the gas supplying tube or the divergent tube. For example, a switch button for performing the gas-supply and the liquid-supply is provided on the endoscope, and a flow-controlling member (for example, a valve) that selectively directs the gas to the gas supplying tube or the divergent tube, is connected to the switch button. 
     In the present invention, the liquid is stored outside the balloon, and the balloon is constructed such that the liquid outside the balloon does not penetrate to the balloon. The tank includes a sealing member that hermetically seals the tank except for the second coupling tube and the divergent tube. When the gas is supplied, the gas flows in the first coupling tube and the gas supplying tube so that the gas is discharged from the tip of the endoscope. On the other hand, when the liquid is supplied, the gas is directed to the inside of the balloon via the divergent tube by the gas direction controller. The balloon expands due to the input of gas, and the liquid in the tank is pressed because the tank is sealed hermetically. Consequently, the liquid flows in the second coupling tube and is discharged from the tip of the endoscope. Since the liquid does not pass through the balloon, the liquid does not flow into the first coupling tube and the gas supplying tube. Thus, the liquid is not erratically discharged from the tip of the endoscope. 
     For example, the gas is air and the liquid is water. In this case, preferably, the pump takes in flesh air and discharges compressed air. The compressed air directed to the balloon to expand the balloon. The balloon is expandable and shrinkable. For example, the balloon is composed of a rubber elastic member. 
     A liquid and gas supply apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention has a pump, a tank, a first coupling tube, a divergent tube, a balloon, a second coupling tube, and a gas direction controller. The pump pumps the gas, and the tank stores the liquid. The first coupling tube spatially connects the pump with the gas supplying tube. The divergent tube diverges from the first coupling tube and extends toward an inside of the tank. The second coupling tube spatially connects the inside of the tank with the liquid supplying tube. The balloon is spatially connected to the second coupling tube and is expandable and shrinkable in the tank. The gas direction controller selectively directs the gas discharged from the pump to one of the gas supplying tube and the divergent tube. The tank includes a sealing member that hermetically seals the tank except for the second coupling tube and the divergent tube. In the present invention, the liquid is stored inside the balloon. When the gas is supplied, the gas flows in the first coupling tube and the gas supplying tube so that the gas is discharged from the tip of the endoscope. On the other hand, when the liquid is supplied, the gas is directed to the inside of the balloon via the divergent tube by the gas direction controller. The balloon shrinks due to the increased gas-pressure, and the balloon is pressed because the tank is sealed hermetically. Consequently, the liquid flows in the second coupling tube and is discharged from the tip of the endoscope. 
     A portable endoscope according to another aspect of the present invention has a gas supplying tube that transmits gas to discharge the gas from a tip of the endoscope, a liquid supplying tube that transmits liquid to discharge the liquid from the tip of the endoscope, a pump that pumps the gas, a tank that stores the liquid, a first coupling tube that spatially connects the pump with the gas supplying tube, a divergent tube that diverges from the first coupling tube and extends toward an inside of the tank, a balloon that is spatially connected to the divergent tube and is expandable and shrinkable in the tank, a second coupling tube that spatially connects the inside of the tank with the liquid supplying tube such that the liquid in the tank flows in the second coupling tube, and a gas direction controller that selectively directs the gas discharged from the pump to one of the gas supplying tube and the divergent tube. The liquid is stored outside the balloon. The tank includes a sealing member that hermetically seals the tank except for the second coupling tube and the divergent tube. 
     A portable endoscope according to another aspect of the present invention has a gas supplying tube that transmits gas to discharge the gas from a tip of the endoscope, a liquid supplying tube that transmits liquid to discharge the liquid from the tip of the endoscope, a pump that pumps the gas, a tank that stores the liquid, a first coupling tube that spatially connects the pump with the gas supplying tube, a divergent tube that diverges from the first coupling tube and extends toward an inside of the tank, a second coupling tube that spatially connects the inside of the tank with the liquid supplying tube, a balloon that is spatially connected to the second coupling tube and is expandable and shrinkable in the tank, a gas direction controller that selectively directs the gas discharged from the pump to one of the gas supplying tube and the divergent tube. The liquid is stored inside the balloon, and the tank includes a sealing member that hermetically seals the tank except for the second coupling tube and the divergent tube. 
     A liquid and gas supply apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention has a container that stores liquid, a space divider that divides an inside space of the container into a first space for storing the liquid and a second space such that one of the first space and the second space expands while the other shrinks, a gas transmitting tube that extends to the second space, a liquid transmitting tube that spatially connects the first space with the liquid supplying tube, and a liquid and gas supplier that supplies the gas to the gas supplying tube, and supplies the liquid in the first space to the liquid supplying tube by supplying the gas to the second space and expanding the second space. 
     A portable endoscope according to another aspect of the present invention has a gas supplying tube that transmits gas to discharge the gas from a tip of the endoscope, a liquid supplying tube that transmits liquid to discharge the liquid from the point of the endoscope, a container that stores liquid, a space divider that divides an inside space of the container into a first space for storing the liquid and a second space such that one of the first space and the second space expands while the other shrinks, a gas transmitting tube that extends to the second space, a liquid transmitting tube that spatially connects the first space with the liquid supplying tube, and a liquid and gas supplier that supplies the gas to the gas supplying tube, and supplies the liquid in the first space to the liquid supplying tube by supplying the gas to the second space and expanding the second space. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be better understood from the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention set fourth below together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of portable endoscope according to a first embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an inner construction of the fiber-scope. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing the flow of air and water. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the flow of air and water according to the second embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings. 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a portable endoscope according to the first embodiment. 
     A fiber-scope  10  is a portable type fiber-scope with an internal light source, and has a tip portion  15 , a bending portion  14 , an inserting portion  16 , an operating portion  12 , an eyepiece  17 , a light source unit  19 , and a connecting arm  18 . Further, the fiber-scope  10  has a water and air supplying apparatus, as described later. When an operation or inspection is started, the inserting portion  16  is inserted into an inner organ, such as the stomach. 
     A lamp (not shown) for illuminating a subject S is provided in the light source unit  19 . A fiber-optic bundle (not shown) is provided in the fiber-scope  10  and extends from the light source unit  19  to the tip portion  15 . Light radiated from the lamp passes through the fiber-optic bundle and is radiated from the tip portion  15 . Consequently, the subject S is illuminated by the radiated light. Light reflected on the subject S passes through an objective lens (not shown) provided in the tip portion  15 , and reaches an incident surface of an image fiber-optic bundle (not shown). Thus, the subject image is formed on the incident surface. The image fiber-optic bundle is provided for optically transmitting the subject image and extends from the tip portion  15  to the eyepiece  17 . The optically transmitted subject image is formed at the eyepiece, thus the operator can observe the subject S via the eyepiece  17 . 
     A lever (not shown) for bending the bending portion  15 , and a water and air supplying switch button  13 A, and a lamp switch button  13 B are provided on the operating portion  12 . The water and air supplying switch button  13 A is operated to supply the water and the air, as described later. A tank  30 , in which water is stored, is detachably attached to the connecting arm  18  extending from the operating portion  12 . 
     FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing an inner construction of the fiber-scope  10 . 
     To wash the objective lens and remove a dart on the subject S, water and air supplying tubes  26  are provided in the fiber-scope  10 . The water and air supplying tubes  26  has an air supplying tube  26 E for transmitting air, and a liquid supplying tube  26 D for transmitting water. They extend from the tip portion  15  to the water and air supplying switch button  13 A. A pump  34  is provided in the operating portion  12 , and a coupling tube  26 B is provided between the pump  34  and the water and air supplying switch button  13 A to spatially connect the pump  34  with the air supplying tube  26 E. A divergent tube  26 A, which diverges from the coupling tube  26 B, extends to the inside of the tank  30 , and a balloon  31  is attached to the point of the divergent tube  26 A. On the other hand, a coupling tube  26 C is provided between the tank  30  and the water and air supplying switch button  13 A to spatially connect the inside of the tank  30  with the water supplying tube  26 D. 
     The pump  34  takes in flesh air and discharges compressed air, and the an intake tube  35  extends to a hole (not shown) formed on an outer surface of the operating portion  12 . A discharging outlet  37 , from which the compressed air is discharged, is spatially connected to the coupling tube  26 B and the divergent tube  26 A. When the pump  34  operates, the compressed air flows in the coupling tube  26 B toward the water and air supplying switch button  13 A. Electric power is supplied from a battery  36  to the pump  34 . When a pump button (not shown) is operated, a pump switch  39  provided between the battery  36  and the pump  34  is turned ON, thus the pump  34  operates. 
     A valve  33  is connected to the water and air supplying switch button  13 A. When the water and air supplying switch button  13 A is not covered by the thumb of the operator, the valve  33  intercepts, or closes the spatial connection between the coupling tube  26 B and the air supplying tube  26 E, and discharges the compressed air, transmitted from the pump  34 , from the top portion  13 T of the water and air supplying switch button  13 A. In other words, the compressed air is not supplied to the air supplying tube  26 E, hence air is not supplied. Further, the valve  33  closes the spatial connection between the water supplying tube  26 D and the water coupling tube  26 C, hence water is not supplied. 
     When supplying air, the thumb of the operator is placed on the top portion  13 T of the water and air supplying switch button  13 A. The position of the valve  33  is shifted toward the opposite side of the top portion  13 A by the backflow of air, so that the coupling tube  26 B is spatially connected to the air supplying tube  26 E. Thus, the compressed air is fed from the pump  34  to the air supplying tube  26 E and is discharged from the tip portion  15 . 
     When supplying water, the water and air supplying switch button  13 A is pressed by the thumb of the operator. The position of the valve  33  is further shifted by the pressing, which spatially closes the coupling tube  26 B and the air supplying tube  26 E, and spatially connects the coupling tube  26 C and the water supplying tube  26 D. Consequently, as described later, the compressed air from the pump  34  flows toward the tank  30 , and the water W in the tank  30  is displaced. The displaced water W flows in the coupling tube  26 C, the water and air supplying switch button  13 A, and the water supplying tube  26 D, and is then discharged from the tip portion  15 . 
     Note that, the construction of the water and air supplying switch button  13 A having the valve  33 , described above, is well known in the prior art. 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B are views showing a flow of air and water. 
     The cylindrical tank  30  has a storing portion  30 A, a cover  30 B and connecting portion  32 , the connecting portion  32  being attached at the upper surface of the cover  30 B. The coupling tube  26 C and the divergent tube  26 A respectively go through the connecting portion  32  and the cover  30 B, and extend to the inside of the tank  30 . The connecting portion  32  has a male screw configuration and is thread into the connecting arm  18 . Namely, the tank  30  is detached from the connecting arm  18  by rotating the tank  30 . The cover  30 B is attached to the storing portion  30 A such that the cover  30 B interposes the ring-shaped upper edge  30 C of the storing portion  30 A. The storing portion  30 A is detachable from the cover  30 B by pulling the storing portion  30 A downward, namely, away from the connecting arm  18 . When adding the water W, the storing portion  30 A is detached form the cover  30 B. The cover  30 B hermetically seals the inside of the storing portion  30 A. While the storing portion  30 A is attached to the cover  30 B, the air and water W in the tank  30  do not leak out and no gas or liquid penetrates into the tank  30 , except through the coupling tube  26 C and the divergent tube  26 A. 
     In this embodiment, the balloon  31  is composed of a rubber elastic compound, which is impervious to liquid. When the compressed air is fed from the pump  34  to the balloon  31 , the balloon  31  expands, namely, inside space of the balloon  31  increases. On the other hand, when compressed air is not fed, the balloon  31  is maintained in the shrunk situation. In the tank  30 , the water W is stored outside the balloon  31 , and the amount of water W is a half of the capacity of the tank  30 . Hereinafter, the space, in which the water W is stored, is designated as the “first space”, and the space in the balloon  31  is designated as the “second space”. 
     When supplying the air, the compressed air discharged from the pump  34  flows in the coupling tube  26 B and is directed to the water and air supplying switch button  13 A and the air supplying tube  26 E. Therefore, the water W does not flow out from the tank  30  and the balloon  31  does not expand (See FIG.  3 A). 
     When the water and air supplying switch button  13 A is pressed to supply the water, the compressed air discharged from the pump  34  flows in the divergent tube  26 A, so that the balloon  31  expands. The liquid surface LS of the water W tends to rise because of the expansion of the balloon  31 . However, since the tank  30  is sealed hermetically by the cover  30 B, air pressure in the first space S 1  increases, which presses the liquid surface LS of the water W downward. Consequently, the water W flows in the coupling tube  26 C and is discharged from the tip portion  15  via the water and air supplying switch button  13 A and the water supplying tube  26 D (See FIG.  3 B). The amount of the water W, which is supplied, corresponds to expanded volume of the balloon  31 . When the pump  34  is suspended after the balloon  31  expands, the balloon  31  shrinks and pressure in the first space S 1  decreases. Consequently, the situation in the tank  30  returns to the situation before the water-supply. 
     In this way, in this embodiment, the balloon  31  is provided in the tank  30  and is connected to the tip of the coupling tube  26 B. The water W is stored in the first space S 1  and the cover  30 B seals hermetically the storing portion  30 A. When the compressed air is fed to the balloon  31 , the water W is forced out by pressure and flows in the coupling tube  26 C because of the expansion of the balloon  31 . In this embodiment, the path for the water and the path for the air are perfectly separate. Therefore, although the tank  30  inclines while the endoscope  10  is being operated, the water W is not erratically discharged from the tip portion  15  via the air supplying tube  26 E. 
     Since the balloon  31  shrinks when the pump  34  is suspended, the water W is not instantaneously discharged when the storing portion  30 A is detached from the cover  30 B. 
     The balloon  31  may be composed of material other than rubber elastic, if expandable and shrinkable. The coupling tube  26 C may be arranged adjacent to the storing portion  30 A so that the coupling tube  26 C dose not interfere with the expanded balloon  31 . 
     In this embodiment, the water-supply and the air-supply are independently controlled by using the water and air supplying switch button  13 A with the valve  33 . However, other construction may be applied. For example, the flow of the compressed air may be controlled by a solenoid valve. 
     As for the construction of the tank  30 , a member other than the cover  30 B can be used to seal the inside of the tank  30  hermetically. Further, the tank  30  may be attached to the connecting arm  18  such that the water surface LS of the water W is perpendicular to a line passing through the tip portion  15  and eyepiece  17 . 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing the flow of water and air according to a second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that water is stored in a balloon. 
     As shown in FIG. 4A, in the second embodiment, the balloon  31  is attached to the coupling tube  26 ′C (not the divergent tube), and the divergent tube  26 ′A extends to the bottom of the tank  30 . The water W is stored in the space inside of the balloon  31  (in the second embodiment, designated as the “first space”), and is not stored in the space outside of the balloon  31  (in the second embodiment, designated as the “second space”). 
     When supplying the air, the compressed air discharged from the pump  34  directly flows in the coupling tube  26 B and is discharged from the tip portion  15 . On the other hand, when supplying the water, the compressed air flows in the divergent tube  26 ′A and is directed to the inside of the tank  30 . The pressure in the second space S 2  increases because of the inflow of the compressed air. The balloon  31  shrinks as the second space S 2  expands, so that the water W flows through the coupling tube  26 ′C and is discharged from the tip portion  15 . 
     In the first and second embodiments, the water and air supplying apparatus is incorporated in the portable fiber-scope  10 , however, the water and air supplying apparatus may be applied to a conventional light source or electronic endoscope mounted on a desk or table. 
     As for the air-supply, nitrogen or oxygen may be discharged from the tip portion  15  in place of air. In this case, a nitrogen cylinder or oxygen cylinder may be connected to the inlet of the pump  34 . Further, as for the water-supply, medicinal liquid maybe stored in the tank  30  in place of water. 
     Finally, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing description is of preferred embodiments of the device, and that various changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 
     The present disclosure relates to subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-243343 (filed on Aug. 10, 2001) which is expressly incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0