JP5014852B2 - Endoscope cooling device and endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope cooling device mounted on an insertion portion of an endoscope apparatus for observing a subject, and an endoscope apparatus including the endoscope cooling apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus having an insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject has been used so that a narrowed portion such as a duct that cannot be directly viewed by an observer can be observed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An observation member such as a fixed imaging device (CCD) is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of such an endoscope apparatus, and a subject near the distal end of the insertion portion can be observed. In addition, an illumination means is provided at the distal end of the insertion section, so that the vicinity of the distal end of the insertion section can be illuminated, and the subject can be preferably observed.

  Here, the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus is provided with an observation member such as a solid-state imaging device (CCD) and illumination means on the distal end side as described above. The temperature is limited to about 80 ° C. Therefore, even when trying to observe the inside of an engine or the like having a complicated structure as an industrial endoscope, the temperature at the end of operation is at a high temperature of 200 ° C. or higher. It cannot be observed and the range of use becomes narrow. Therefore, an endoscope cooling apparatus and an endoscope apparatus that can perform observation under such a high temperature environment have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

That is, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes an insertion portion having an inner flexible body and an outer flexible body provided by forming a space through which fluid flows between the inner flexible body and the outer flexible body. An outer cylinder fixed to the proximal end of the flexible body and having an interior communicating with a space through which fluid flows, and a valve fixed to the outer cylinder and capable of allowing fluid to flow into the outer cylinder Yes. Then, the cooling fluid flows between the inner flexible body and the outer flexible body from the inside of the outer cylinder by connecting the valve and the supply device for supplying the cooling fluid through a supply pipe and allowing the cooling fluid to flow in. Through the tip. For this reason, it is supposed that it can be used even at high temperatures by cooling with a cooling fluid.
JP-A-2005-342010 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-46482

  However, in the endoscope apparatus of Patent Document 2, when the temperature of the external environment rises, or when the amount of circulating cooling fluid changes due to, for example, leakage of the valve for some reason, the external device In some cases, the amount of cooling by the cooling fluid is insufficient with respect to the amount of heat transmitted from the air. In such a case, the temperature of the insertion part of the endoscope apparatus increases, which may cause damage to the observation member and the illumination means.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and effectively cools the insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus in response to a change in the temperature environment so that it can be safely and stably covered in a high-temperature environment. An endoscope cooling apparatus and an endoscope apparatus capable of observing a specimen are provided.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes the following means.
The present invention is an endoscope cooling apparatus that circulates a cooling fluid and cools a distal end side having an observation member for observing a subject in an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus, A cooling passage through which the cooling fluid flows between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion and a sheath mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion; and provided on the outer peripheral surface or the distal end surface of the sheath, A window part that allows the outside to be observed from the inside of the sheath by the observation member of a part, a fluid supply part that is connected to the sheath and that supplies the cooling fluid in communication with the cooling channel; A fluid discharger connected to the sheath and communicating with the cooling flow path to discharge the cooling fluid; a first temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path; , Provided outside the distal end of the sheath and exposed to the outside. And an initial value of the amount of the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit based on the detection result of the temperature sensor and the third temperature sensor, and after starting the supply of the cooling fluid, And a control unit that controls a supply amount of the cooling fluid based on a detection result by the first temperature sensor .

According to the endoscope cooling device according to the present invention, in a state where the sheath is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope device, the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply portion is between the sheath and the insertion portion. It is supplied to the cooling channel between them, flows so as to cover the insertion portion, and is discharged from the fluid discharge portion. That is, the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion is cooled by the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path, and can be used in a high-temperature environment, and the subject is placed through the window portion by the observation member of the insertion portion. It becomes possible to observe. Here, the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path is detected by the first temperature sensor. For this reason, by adjusting the state of the cooling fluid such as the temperature and the supply amount based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor, the temperature state of the insertion portion is always kept stable regardless of changes in the temperature environment. be able to.
Furthermore, according to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the temperature state of the external environment can be directly evaluated by the third temperature sensor.
Furthermore, according to the endoscope cooling device according to the present invention, the control unit determines the initial value of the state of the cooling fluid such as the temperature and the supply amount based on the detection result by the third temperature sensor, A suitable supply amount can be automatically set according to the external temperature state. On the other hand, after determining the initial value, the control unit controls the state of the cooling fluid based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor, so that the temperature state of the insertion unit is changed based on the temperature state inside the sheath. It can be automatically adjusted to a stable state at all times.

  In the endoscope cooling apparatus, the first temperature sensor is provided between the window portion and the fluid discharge portion in a central axis direction inside the sheath, and passes through the window portion. It is more preferable to detect the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing into the fluid discharge part.

  According to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the first temperature sensor detects the temperature of the cooling fluid discharged after cooling the observation member of the insertion portion arranged corresponding to the window portion. It will be. For this reason, the cooling state of the observation member of the insertion portion can be accurately evaluated, and the state of the cooling fluid can be adjusted.

In the endoscope cooling apparatus, it is more preferable that the first temperature sensor is provided closer to the window portion than the fluid discharge portion.
According to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the cooling state of the observation member of the insertion portion can be more accurately evaluated because the first temperature sensor is close to the window portion.

  In the endoscope cooling apparatus, the sheath includes an inner sheath that has a distal end opened and forms a first cooling channel as the cooling channel with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion. It is more preferable that a second cooling flow path is formed as the cooling flow path through which the cooling fluid flows between the outer sheath of the inner sheath and the outer sheath provided with the window portion. It is said that.

  According to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit flows into one of the first cooling channel and the second cooling channel, and the other Therefore, the insertion portion can be efficiently cooled.

  In the endoscope cooling apparatus, the fluid supply section is provided on the proximal end side of the inner sheath, and the fluid discharge section is provided on the proximal end side of the outer sheath. The temperature sensor preferably detects the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling flow path.

  According to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the cooling fluid is supplied to the first cooling fluid located inside by the fluid supply unit, so that the lower temperature immediately after being supplied by the fluid supply unit. The insertion portion can be directly cooled by the cooling fluid. On the other hand, the first temperature sensor is provided in the second cooling flow path to which the fluid discharge portion is connected, so that the insertion portion is based on the temperature of the cooling fluid that has increased in temperature by cooling the insertion portion. The cooling state can be more accurately evaluated.

Furthermore, in the endoscope cooling apparatus, it is more preferable that the first temperature sensor is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath.
According to the endoscope cooling apparatus of the present invention, the first temperature sensor is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath, so that the influence of the temperature change of the external environment can be detected with high sensitivity.

In the endoscope cooling apparatus, the first temperature sensor may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath.
According to the endoscope cooling device of the present invention, the first temperature sensor is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath, so that the first temperature sensor is installed and the inner sheath and the outer sheath are assembled. It can be done more easily.

  In the endoscope cooling apparatus, the fluid supply section is provided on the proximal end side of the outer sheath, and the fluid discharge section is provided on the proximal end side of the inner sheath. The temperature sensor is more preferably detecting the temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the first cooling flow path.

  According to the endoscope cooling device according to the present invention, the cooling fluid is supplied to the second cooling fluid located outside by the fluid supply unit, so that the outer sheath that directly transfers heat from the outside is provided. Cooling can be effectively performed, and heat transfer from the outside to the first cooling channel and the insertion portion located inside the second cooling channel can be effectively suppressed. On the other hand, the first temperature sensor is provided in the first cooling flow path to which the fluid discharge portion is connected, so that the insertion portion is based on the temperature of the cooling fluid that has increased in temperature by cooling the insertion portion. The cooling state can be accurately evaluated.

  The endoscope cooling apparatus further includes an auxiliary sheath that is externally mounted on the insertion portion inside the inner sheath, and the first temperature sensor is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary sheath. Is more preferable.

  According to the endoscope cooling device of the present invention, the auxiliary sheath is provided inside the inner sheath, so that the insertion portion is inserted into the auxiliary sheath while the auxiliary sheath is interposed between the auxiliary sheath and the inner sheath. Another member can be inserted in isolation from the insertion portion. Further, since the first temperature sensor is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary sheath, the first temperature sensor can be installed more easily.

In the endoscope cooling apparatus, it is more preferable to include a second temperature sensor installed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion on which the sheath is mounted.
According to the endoscope cooling apparatus of the present invention, the temperature state of the insertion portion can be directly evaluated by the second temperature sensor.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope cooling apparatus, the second temperature sensor controls the state of the cooling fluid supplied from the fluid supply unit based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor. When the temperature detected in step S2 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, it is more preferable to include a control unit that controls the state of the cooling fluid based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor. .

  According to the endoscope cooling apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit controls the state of the cooling fluid such as the temperature and the supply amount based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor, so that the temperature state of the insertion unit Can be automatically adjusted to a stable state at all times. Furthermore, the temperature state of the insertion portion is directly evaluated by monitoring whether the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor is equal to or higher than a predetermined value by the control unit. By controlling based on the detection result of the temperature sensor, the temperature rise of the insertion portion can be more reliably prevented.

  According to the endoscope cooling device and the endoscope device of the present invention, by including the first temperature sensor, the insertion portion of the endoscope device can be effectively cooled in response to a change in the temperature environment. The specimen can be observed safely and stably in a high temperature environment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
The endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment is of a so-called side view type, and as shown in FIG. An elongated insertion portion 6 that is flexible and can be bent, an operation portion 8 provided with a joystick 7 for bending the insertion portion 6, and the vicinity of the endoscope distal end portion 5 as a separate body from the insertion portion 6 Are provided with illumination means 9 for illuminating the direction observed by the observation member 3 and an endoscope cooling device 20 for cooling the distal end side of the insertion portion 6 by circulating a cooling fluid such as air or water. In the insertion portion 6, the observation member 3 includes an observation lens 3a exposed from the endoscope distal end portion 5, and a CCD (not shown) that is built in the endoscope distal end portion 5 and captures an image enlarged by the observation lens 3a. Prepare. The illumination unit 2 is an LED or a ride guide. The illuminating means 9 is disposed inside a sheath 22 of an endoscope cooling device 20 to be described later together with the insertion portion 6, and extends to the outside on the base end side, and a base of the light guide 9a. And a light guide connector 9b provided at the end. Note that a cover 9c is externally provided in a range extending to the outside of the light guide 9a. As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope apparatus 1 includes a main body 11 in which a display unit 10 that displays an image of a subject imaged by the CCD is disposed. Furthermore, the light source 11a is built in the main body 11, and the illumination light can be emitted from the tip 9d of the light guide 9a by connecting the light guide connector 9b of the illumination means 9 to the connector 11b.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the endoscope cooling device 20 is mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion 6 by forming a cooling flow path 21 in which a cooling fluid flows between the insertion portion 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6. A sheath 22 and an apparatus main body 23 are provided. The apparatus body 23 includes a power source 24, a control unit 25 and an air compressor 26 that are operated by power supplied from the power source 24, and a temperature sensor (first temperature sensor) 27 that is a thermocouple connected to the control unit 25. Is provided. An air hose 26a is connected between the air compressor 26 and a supply port 35g described later of the sheath 22. The air compressor 26 can send compressed air A as a cooling fluid to the cooling flow path 21 inside the sheath 22 through the air hose 26a under the control of the control unit 25. The air hose 26a and the supply port 35g constitute a fluid supply unit 28. The compressed air A supplied to the cooling flow path 21 by the fluid supply unit 28 is discharged to the atmosphere from a discharge port 34f (described later) provided in the sheath 21 as the fluid discharge unit 29.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheath 22 is a rigid type formed of a metal member in the present embodiment, and the compressed air A flows between the outer end surface of the insertion portion 6 with the distal end opened. A second cooling flow path 21b through which the compressed air A flows is formed between the inner sheath 30 having a substantially circular cross section that forms the first cooling flow path 21a and the outer periphery of the inner sheath 30 with the tip closed. And an outer sheath 31 having a substantially circular cross section. The sheath 22 may be a soft type and formed of a resin material or the like. On the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31, a first opening 31a formed at a position corresponding to the observation member 3 of the insertion section 6 to be attached and a first opening formed at a position corresponding to the tip 9d of the light guide 9a. A second opening 31b. The outer sheath 31 is fitted with a glass tube 32 whose outer diameter is set substantially equal to the inner diameter of the outer sheath 31. The glass tube 32 has a distal end abutting on the distal end of the outer sheath 31 and a proximal end protruding from the proximal end of the outer sheath 31.

  A substantially disc-shaped rubber cap 33 is adhesively fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the glass tube 32, thereby restricting the compressed air A from being discharged by sealing the front end side of the glass tube 32. doing. In addition, a substantially tubular first base 34 is fitted to the proximal end of the outer sheath 31. The first base 34 has a main body portion 34 a that protrudes from the proximal end of the outer sheath 31, and a fitting portion 34 b that extends from the main body portion 34 a to the distal end side and is externally fitted to the outer sheath 31. A female screw 34 c is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 34 b and is screwed into a male screw 31 c formed on the base end outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31. Further, the inner diameter of the main body 34a has a stepped portion 34d from the fitting portion 34b and is reduced in a stepped shape, and is substantially annular between the stepped portion 34d and the outer sheath 31, and is made of an elastic material such as rubber. A packing 34e formed of a material is interposed. Then, by tightening the first base 34 with respect to the outer sheath 31, the packing 34 e is elastically deformed and bulges toward the inner peripheral surface side, and is externally fitted to the proximal end outer peripheral surface of the glass tube 32. As a result, the gap between the proximal end of the outer sheath 31 and each of the first base 34 and the glass tube 32 is sealed, and the discharge of the compressed air A is restricted.

  Further, the main body portion 34a of the first base 34 is provided with a discharge port 34f that protrudes toward the outer peripheral surface side and communicates with the second cooling flow path 21b on the inner peripheral surface side. The compressed air A can be discharged from the base end of the flow path 21b. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion 34a of the first base 34, a male screw 34g is formed on the base end side of the discharge port 34f. The temperature sensor 27 is provided in the second cooling channel 21b. More specifically, the temperature sensor 27 is close to the first opening 31a between the first opening 31a and the discharge port 34f in the central axis direction. Is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the glass tube 32. The temperature sensor 27 is connected to the terminal 25a of the control unit 25 through the discharge port 34f by the wiring 27a. And the control part 25 can control the supply amount of the compressed air A sent out by the air compressor 26 based on the temperature data detected by the temperature sensor 27.

  In the first base 34, a substantially tubular second base 35 is fitted to the base end of the main body 34a. The second base 35 has a main body part 35 a that protrudes from the base end of the main body part 34 a of the first base 34, and a fitting that extends to the distal end side of the main body part 35 a and is externally fitted to the first base 34. Part 35b and a fixing part 35c extending to the base end side of main body part 35a and connected to fixing member 36. A female screw 35d is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fitting portion 35b and is screwed into the male screw 34g of the main body portion 34a of the first base 34. The main body portion 35 a has a stepped portion 35 e from the fitting portion 35 b and has an inner diameter that is reduced in a step shape, and is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the inner sheath 30. The edge is inserted. A substantially annular packing 35f formed of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the step 35e of the second base 35 and the main body 34a of the first base 34. Then, by tightening the second base 35 with respect to the first base 34, the packing 35 f is elastically deformed and bulges toward the inner peripheral surface side, and is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30. It becomes. For this reason, the packing 35f fixes the base end of the inner sheath 30 to the first base 34 and the second base 35, and the base end of the first cooling flow path 21a and the second cooling flow. It seals between the base ends of the path 21b and restricts the compressed air A from communicating. Further, the packing 35f seals between the first base 34 and the second base 35 and restricts the compressed air A from being discharged.

  The main body portion 35a of the second base 35 is formed with a supply port 35g and an illumination means insertion port 35h that protrude to the outer peripheral surface side and communicate with the first cooling channel 21a on the inner peripheral surface side. An air hose 26a is connected to the supply port 35g via a connection joint 26b, whereby compressed air A from the compressor 26 can be supplied to the base end of the first cooling flow path 21a. Further, the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 is inserted into the illumination means insertion port 35h, and a substantially tubular packing 35i is interposed between the light guide 9a and the illumination means insertion port 35h. Is controlled to be discharged. Between the main body portion 35a and the fixed portion 35c of the second base 35, an annular convex portion 35j is formed which has an inner diameter set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6 and protrudes toward the inner peripheral surface side. Yes. An internal thread 35k is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the base end of the fixed portion 35c.

  The fixing member 36 is a substantially columnar member having a through hole 36a through which the insertion portion 6 is inserted, and a connection portion in which a male screw 36b is formed on the outer peripheral surface to be screwed into the female screw 35k of the second base 35. 36c and a gripping portion 36d projecting in a flange shape on the base end outer peripheral surface side of the connecting portion 36c. Further, inside the fixing portion 35c of the second base 35, a packing 37 made of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the annular convex portion 35j and the connecting portion 36c of the fixing member 36. . The packing 37 is substantially annular and has an outer diameter set to be substantially equal to the inner diameter of the fixing portion 35 c of the second base 35, and an inner diameter is set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6. Then, by holding the holding portion 36d of the fixing member 36 and tightening the fixing member 36 with respect to the fixing portion 35c of the second base 35, the packing 37 is elastically deformed and expands toward the inner peripheral surface side. The outer periphery of the insertion portion 6 will be externally fitted. For this reason, the packing 37 fixes the insertion portion 6 to the second base 35, seals the proximal end of the first cooling flow path 21a, and restricts the compressed air A from being discharged. doing.

  Here, an auxiliary sheath 38 is inserted into the inner sheath 30. The insertion portion 6 is disposed inside the auxiliary sheath 38, while the light guide 9 a of the illumination unit 9 is disposed in the gap between the inner sheath 30 and the auxiliary sheath 38, separated from the insertion portion 6. Is done. The inner sheath 30 is formed with through holes 30a and 30b at positions facing the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b of the outer sheath 31, respectively. Similarly, through holes 38a and 38b are formed in the auxiliary sheath 38 at positions facing the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b of the outer sheath 31, respectively. Further, the auxiliary sheath 38 is formed with a guide hole 38c that communicates from the outer peripheral surface side to the inner peripheral surface side at a position facing the distal end side through hole 38b. The insertion portion 6 is inserted into the auxiliary sheath 38 inside the inner sheath 30 from the through hole 38a of the auxiliary sheath 38 and the through hole 30a of the inner sheath 30. The outside can be observed through one opening 31 a, and the observation window 40, which is a window, is configured by the glass tube 32 and the first opening 31 a of the outer sheath 31. The light guide 9 a disposed between the auxiliary sheath 38 and the inner sheath 30 is curved at the distal end side and disposed inside the auxiliary sheath 38 through the guide hole 38 c, and the distal end 9 d penetrates the inner sheath 30. It is located in the hole 30b and the through hole 38b of the auxiliary sheath 38. For this reason, the illumination light emitted from the tip 9d of the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 can be illuminated outside through the glass tube 32 and the second opening 31b, that is, by the glass tube 32 and the second opening 31b. The window part 41 for illumination is comprised.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 and the endoscope cooling apparatus 20 will be described.
When observing a subject with the endoscope apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheath 22 of the endoscope cooling device 20 is attached to the distal end side of the insertion portion 6, and in this state, in the subject. Insert it. At this time, the control unit 25 shown in FIG. 1 drives the compressor 26, whereby the cooling fluid A is supplied from the air hose 26a to the first cooling channel 21a through the supply port 34f. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, since the base end of the first cooling channel 21a is sealed by the packing 37, the compressed air A is not discharged to the base end side, but the first end. It will distribute | circulate to the front end side of the flow path 21a for cooling. For this reason, the insertion part 6 will be suitably cooled by the compressed air A which distribute | circulates to the 1st cooling flow path 21a first.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the cooling fluid A that has flowed into the distal end side of the first cooling channel 21 a is closed at the distal end side of the outer sheath 31. Alternatively, through the through holes 30a and 30b of the inner sheath 30 and the through holes 38a and 38b of the auxiliary sheath 38, the inner sheath 30 circulates from the inner peripheral surface side to the outer peripheral surface side, and enters the second cooling channel 21b. Will flow in. And the cooling fluid A will distribute | circulate from the front end side to the base end side in the 2nd cooling flow path 21b, and the insertion part 6 located inside will be cooled again. And since the base end of the 2nd cooling flow path 21b is obstruct | occluded by packing 34e, 35f, the cooling fluid A is the outside from the discharge port 34f on the base end side of the 2nd cooling flow path 21b. Will be discharged. That is, when the endoscope cooling device 20 is attached to the insertion portion 6 and inserted into the subject, the insertion portion 6 has the first cooling flow path 21a and the second cooling surface at the outer peripheral surface and the distal end surface. The air is covered and cooled by the compressed air A flowing through the cooling flow path 21b, and the outside is illuminated by the light guide 9a of the illumination means 9 through the illumination window 41, and the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 is illuminated. Thus, an external subject can be preferably observed through the observation window 40. In addition, by supplying the compressed air A from the air presser 26 to the first cooling flow path 21a located closer to the inside and closer to the insertion portion 6, the insertion portion 6 is compressed by the lower-temperature compressed air A immediately after being supplied. Can be directly cooled.

  Here, the temperature of the compressed air A flowing through the cooling flow path 21 is detected by the temperature sensor 27 and is constantly monitored by the control unit 25. Then, according to the detected temperature, the control unit 25 adjusts the supply amount of the compressed air A by adjusting the pressure of the air compressor 26. That is, for example, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 27 rises, the control unit 25 increases the pressure of the air compressor 26 and thereby increases the supply amount of the compressed air A. For this reason, even if the temperature environment changes, such as when the temperature of the external environment rises or when the cooling efficiency decreases due to leakage of compressed air A from any part, the detection result of the temperature of the compressed air A Thus, the insertion portion 6 can be effectively cooled. For this reason, the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 can always be kept stable regardless of the temperature environment, and the subject can be observed safely and stably in a high temperature environment. Further, in the present embodiment, the first temperature sensor 27 detects the temperature of the compressed air A that rises in temperature by cooling the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 and is discharged in the second cooling channel 21b. It will be. For this reason, the cooling state of the observation member 3 of the insertion part 6 can be evaluated more accurately, and the supply amount of the compressed air A can be adjusted. In particular, since the first temperature sensor 27 is close to the observation window portion 40, the cooling state of the observation member 3 of the corresponding insertion portion 6 is more accurately evaluated, and the supply amount of the compressed air A is controlled. can do.

  FIG. 3 shows an endoscope cooling apparatus according to a first modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the endoscope cooling device 45 of this embodiment, the temperature sensor 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30 in the second cooling flow path 21b. Similarly, it is provided between the observation window 40 and the discharge port 35g so as to be close to the observation window 40. The wiring 27a connected to the temperature sensor 27 is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30, and is connected to the terminal 25a of the control unit 25 through the supply port 35g. Here, the supply port 35g is provided with a wiring outlet 35m. The wiring outlet 35m is formed of, for example, a thermoplastic tube and is in close contact with the wiring 27a by heat treatment, and the compressed air A supplied from the air tube 26a is discharged from the wiring outlet 35m. Is regulated.

  In this modified example, similarly to the above, the temperature of the compressed air A discharged by cooling the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 by cooling the observation member 3 is detected by the temperature sensor 27, and the insertion portion is detected by the control portion 25 based on the detection result. It is possible to accurately evaluate the cooling state of the observation member 3 and adjust the supply amount of the compressed air A. In addition, since the temperature sensor 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath 30, the temperature sensor 27 can be installed more easily. Further, when the outer sheath 31 and the first base 34 are assembled with the inner sheath 30 and the second base 35, the outer sheath 31 and the first base 34 are rotated while the inner sheath 30 is stationary. Therefore, the wiring 27a can be assembled more easily without hindering it.

  FIG. 4 shows an endoscope cooling apparatus according to a second modification of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in the endoscope cooling device 47 of this embodiment, a supply port 47 a is provided in the first base 34 and a second cooling flow between the inner sheath 30 and the outer sheath 31 is provided. In addition to communicating with the passage 21 b, a discharge port 47 b is provided in the second base 35 and communicates with the first cooling flow path 21 a between the inner sheath 30 and the insertion portion 6. The temperature sensor 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary sheath 38 in the first cooling channel 21a. More specifically, the temperature sensor 27 is observed between the observation window 40 and the discharge port 47b as described above. It is provided so as to be in a position close to the window 40 for use. The wiring 27a connected to the temperature sensor 27 is disposed between the inner sheath 30 and the auxiliary sheath 38 together with the light guide 9a, and is connected to a terminal (not shown) of the control unit from the discharge port 47b. .

  In this modification, the compressed air A is supplied to the second cooling flow path 21 b located outside the cooling flow path 21. For this reason, the outer sheath 31 to which heat is directly transmitted from the outside can be effectively cooled, and the first cooling channel 21a and the insertion located inside the second cooling channel 21b from the outside. Heat transfer to the part 6 can be effectively suppressed. On the other hand, the temperature sensor 27 is provided in the first cooling flow path 21a to which the discharge port 47b is connected, so that the insertion portion 6 is cooled based on the temperature of the compressed air A that has been cooled by the insertion portion 6 and increased in temperature. The cooling state can be accurately evaluated. In particular, the cooling state of the observation member 3 of the insertion portion 6 is more accurately evaluated by being provided in the vicinity of the observation window 40 between the observation window 40 and the discharge port 47b as described above. be able to. Further, since the temperature sensor 27 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary sheath 38, the temperature sensor 27 can be installed more easily, and the temperature sensor 27 and the wiring can be connected when the insertion portion 6 is attached or detached. 27a can be prevented from becoming an obstacle.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the endoscope apparatus 50 of this embodiment, the endoscope cooling apparatus 51 includes a first temperature sensor 52 provided in the second cooling flow path 21b, and the insertion portion 6. And a second temperature sensor 53 provided on the outer peripheral surface. In the present embodiment, the glass tube 54 that seals the first opening 31a and the second opening 31b of the outer sheath 31 to form the observation window 40 and the illumination window 41 is the first opening. Only a part including the portion 31 a and the second opening 31 b is adhesively fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31. The first temperature sensor 52 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31 at a position close to the observation window 40 between the observation window 40 and the discharge port 34f. The first temperature sensor 52 is connected to the first terminal 25a of the control unit 25 through the discharge port 34f by the wiring 52a. The second temperature sensor 53 is provided in the vicinity of the observation member 3 on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 6. The second temperature sensor 53 is connected to the second terminal 25 b of the control unit 25 via the main body 11 by a wiring 53 a disposed inside the insertion unit 6. And the control part 25 monitors the temperature data detected by each of the 1st temperature sensor 52 and the 2nd temperature sensor 53, and controls the supply amount of the compressed air A based on these detection results.

  More specifically, the control unit 25 first controls the supply amount of the compressed air A delivered by the air compressor 26 based on the temperature data detected by the first temperature sensor 52. At this time, since the first temperature sensor 52 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31, the influence of the temperature change of the external environment can be detected with high sensitivity. On the other hand, the control unit 25 monitors the temperature data detected by the second temperature sensor 53, and detects the first temperature sensor 52 when the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value set in advance. Regardless of the result, the supply amount of the compressed air A is set to be increased based on the detection result of the second temperature sensor 53. As described above, the temperature state of the insertion portion 6 can be directly evaluated by the second temperature sensor 53, and the detection result by the second temperature sensor 53 when the temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined value set in advance. By controlling based on the above, even if the temperature of the insertion portion 6 rises due to some cause, it is possible to prevent the temperature from rising further and to prevent the insertion portion 6 from being damaged more reliably. In addition, when the detection result of the 2nd temperature sensor 53 becomes more than predetermined value, it is good also as a structure which sounds an alarm sound by the control part 25 and notifies use stop.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the endoscope device 60 of this embodiment, the endoscope cooling device 61 includes a first temperature sensor 52 and a second temperature sensor 53, and a third temperature sensor. 62. The third temperature sensor 62 is provided so as to be exposed to the outside on the outer peripheral surface of the outer sheath 31. The control unit 25 controls the supply amount of the compressed air A based on the detection results of the third temperature sensor 62 together with the detection results of the first temperature sensor 52 and the third temperature sensor 53.

  More specifically, the control unit 25 determines an initial value of the supply amount of the compressed air A based on the detection result of the third temperature sensor 62. At this time, by determining based on the detection result of the third temperature sensor 62 exposed to the outside, the temperature state of the external environment is directly evaluated, and an initial value is determined to a suitable supply amount according to the temperature state. can do. On the other hand, after determining the initial value, the control unit 25 controls the supply amount of the compressed air A based on the detection result of the first temperature sensor 52, and thereby based on the temperature state inside the sheath 22. The temperature state of the insertion part 6 can be automatically adjusted to a stable state at all times.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, members that are the same as those used in the above-described embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the endoscope apparatus 70 of this embodiment, an endoscope cooling apparatus 71 includes an apparatus main body 72 that supplies and recovers a cooling liquid L as a cooling fluid. The apparatus main body 72 includes a supply source 73 of the coolant L, a supply pipe 74 that supplies the coolant L from the supply source 73 to the cooling flow path 21, and a discharge pipe 75 that recovers the coolant L to the supply source 73. Have The supply source 73 controls a tank 76 in which the coolant L is stored, a pump 77 for supplying the coolant L in the tank 76 to the supply pipe 74, and a supply amount of the coolant L from the pump 77. And a control unit 78.

  The supply pipe 74 is connected to the supply port 35g by the connection joint 74a, and can supply the coolant L to the first cooling flow path 21a, that is, by the pump 77, the supply pipe 74, and the supply port 35g. A fluid supply unit 80 is configured. The discharge pipe 75 is connected to the discharge port 34f by a connection joint 75a and is connected to the tank 77 so that the coolant L in the second cooling flow path 21b can be collected in the tank 77. The discharge port 34f, the discharge pipe 75, and the tank 77 constitute a fluid discharge unit 81. In the present embodiment, since the cooling liquid L, which is a liquid, is circulated through the cooling flow path 21, the temperature sensor 27 provided in the second cooling flow path 21b is provided with a waterproof coating (not shown). Has been. The wiring 27 a of the temperature sensor 27 is disposed in the discharge pipe 75 from the discharge port 34 f, further taken out to the outside via the tank 77, and connected to the control unit 78.

  Like the endoscope cooling device 71 of this embodiment, the insertion portion 6 can be cooled more efficiently by cooling the cooling fluid. Further, the coolant L can be recovered by the fluid discharge portion 81 and supplied to the first cooling flow path 21a again by the fluid supply portion 80, whereby the insertion portion 6 can be cooled at a low cost. Then, the temperature sensor 27 detects the temperature of the coolant L flowing through the cooling flow path 21, and the control unit 78 controls the supply amount of the coolant L based on the detection result, thereby changing the temperature environment. Accordingly, the insertion portion 6 can be effectively cooled to observe the subject safely and stably.

  FIG. 8 shows an endoscope cooling apparatus according to a modification of this embodiment. The endoscope cooling device 90 of this modification includes a temperature sensor 91 that detects the temperature of the coolant L stored in the tank 77. The temperature sensor 91 is connected to the control unit 78 by a wiring 91a. In this way, the temperature of the coolant L recovered from the discharge port 34f to the tank 77 is detected by cooling the insertion portion 6, and the controller 78 controls the supply amount of the coolant L based on the detection result. However, similarly, the insertion portion 6 can be effectively cooled according to the temperature change.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  In each embodiment described above, the control unit 25 controls the supply amount of the cooling fluid based on the temperature detected by each temperature sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the fluid supply unit may include a cooling unit, and the control unit may cool the cooling fluid by the cooling unit and adjust the temperature of the cooling fluid at the time of supply. Furthermore, both the supply amount of the cooling fluid and the temperature at the time of supply may be adjusted. In each of the above-described embodiments, the state of the cooling fluid is adjusted based on the detection result of each temperature sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the detection result of each temperature sensor is displayed on, for example, a display, and the operator manually adjusts the state of the cooling fluid based on the display, or when the temperature reaches a certain temperature, an alarm is sounded. It may be configured to prompt manual adjustment.

  In each embodiment, the sheath 22 has a two-layer structure of the inner sheath 30 and the outer sheath 31, but is not limited to this, and may have a single-layer structure of only the outer sheath. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which does not provide the auxiliary sheath 38 which covers the insertion part 6. FIG. The insertion portion 6 is a side view type in which the observation lens 3a of the observation member 3 is provided on the outer peripheral surface, but is not limited thereto, and may be a direct view type in which the observation lens 3a is provided on the distal end surface. . In this case, the observation window may be provided on the distal end surface of the outer sheath 31. In each embodiment, the illumination of the external subject is performed by the illumination means 9 different from the illumination unit 2 of the insertion unit 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the own illumination unit 2 may be used. Moreover, it is good also as what illuminates from the window part for observation. However, the illumination light is reflected by the observation window or the illumination window and directly enters the observation member by using another illumination by the illumination means 9 and illumination from an illumination window different from the observation window. This can be prevented more reliably, which is preferable.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the endoscope apparatus of the 1st Embodiment of this invention, it is sectional drawing which looked at the sheath of the cooling device for endoscopes. It is a whole block diagram which shows the endoscope apparatus of the 1st modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the detail of the cooling device for endoscopes in the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd modification of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram which shows the endoscope apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram which shows the endoscope apparatus of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the cooling device for endoscopes of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the cooling device for endoscopes of the modification of the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 50, 60, 70 Endoscope device 3 Observation member 6 Insertion unit 20, 45, 47, 51, 61, 71 Endoscope cooling device 21 Cooling channel 21a First cooling channel 21b Second Cooling channel 22 sheath 25, 78 control unit 27 temperature sensor (first temperature sensor)
28, 80 Fluid supply part 29, 81 Fluid discharge part 30 Inner sheath 31 Outer sheath 38 Auxiliary sheath 40 Observation window part (window part)
52 1st temperature sensor 53 2nd temperature sensor 62 3rd temperature sensor A Compressed air (fluid for cooling)
L Coolant (cooling fluid)

Claims (9)

An endoscope cooling apparatus that circulates a cooling fluid and cools a distal end side having an observation member for observing a subject in an insertion portion of the endoscope apparatus,
A sheath mounted on the distal end side of the insertion portion by forming a cooling flow path through which the cooling fluid flows between the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion;
A window portion provided on an outer peripheral surface or a distal end surface of the sheath, and allowing an outside to be observed from the inside of the sheath by the observation member of the insertion portion;
A fluid supply unit connected to the sheath and communicating with the cooling flow path to supply the cooling fluid;
A fluid discharge portion connected to the sheath and communicating with the cooling flow path to discharge the cooling fluid;
A first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the cooling flow path ;
A third temperature sensor provided outside the distal end of the sheath and exposed to the outside;
Based on the detection result by the third temperature sensor, the initial value of the cooling fluid supply amount supplied from the fluid supply unit is determined, and after the start of the supply of the cooling fluid, the first temperature An endoscope cooling apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a supply amount of the cooling fluid based on a detection result by a sensor . The endoscope cooling device according to claim 1,
The first temperature sensor is provided between the window portion and the fluid discharge portion in a central axis direction inside the sheath, and passes through the window portion and flows into the fluid discharge portion. An endoscope cooling apparatus characterized by detecting the temperature of the endoscope. The endoscope cooling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The endoscope cooling apparatus, wherein the first temperature sensor is provided closer to the window portion than the fluid discharge portion. The endoscope cooling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sheath has an inner sheath that is open at a tip and forms a first cooling channel as the cooling channel with the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion;
A second cooling flow path is formed as the cooling flow path through which the cooling fluid flows between the outer sheath and the outer surface of the inner sheath, and the outer sheath is provided with the window portion. Endoscope cooling system. In the endoscope cooling device according to claim 4,
The fluid supply part is provided on the proximal end side of the inner sheath, and the fluid discharge part is provided on the proximal end side of the outer sheath,
The endoscope cooling apparatus, wherein the first temperature sensor detects a temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the second cooling channel. The endoscope cooling device according to claim 5,
The endoscope cooling apparatus, wherein the first temperature sensor is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer sheath. The endoscope cooling device according to claim 5,
The endoscope cooling apparatus, wherein the first temperature sensor is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner sheath. In the endoscope cooling device according to claim 4,
The fluid supply part is provided on the proximal end side of the outer sheath, and the fluid discharge part is provided on the proximal end side of the inner sheath,
The endoscope cooling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensor detects a temperature of the cooling fluid flowing through the first cooling flow path. The endoscope cooling apparatus according to claim 8,
An auxiliary sheath sheathed on the insertion portion inside the inner sheath;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first temperature sensor is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary sheath.

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