Fluid delivery adapter unit for endoscope

Abstract

A fluid delivery adapter unit for selectively connecting fluid supply equipments to an endoscope comprises a straight pipe capable of being detachably coupled to a fluid inlet collet of a headpiece of the endoscope and a generally L-shaped elbow pipe having a lure lock component at a proximal end to which the fluid supply equipment is coupled. A joining structure is installed between the elbow pipe and the straight pipe so as to allow the elbow pipe and the straight pipe to turn through a predetermined angle relative to each other only when the elbow pipe is forced to turn and further to keep them in a turned position while the elbow pipe is unforced. The joining structure comprises principally involves an elastic sealing member to provide fluid tight seal between the elbow pipe and the straight pipe.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluid delivery adapter unit for selectively connecting fluid supply equipments to an endoscope comprising an operating headpiece, an elongated insertion tube extending from the operating headpiece, and fluid delivery passage means which extends from fluid inlet means which opens to the atmosphere at a proximal end of the operating headpiece and to fluid outlet means at a distal end of the elongated insertion tube and to which a fluid supply equipment is connected through the fluid inlet means so as to deliver fluid supplied from the fluid supply equipment to the fluid outlet means, said fluid delivery adapter unit comprising: 
 a straight pipe capable of being detachably coupled to said fluid inlet means;    an elbow pipe having a lure lock component at a proximal end to which said fluid supply equipment is coupled; and    joining means for joining said elbow pipe to said straight pipe so as to allow said elbow pipe to turn with respect to said straight pipe only when said elbow pipe is forced to turn and to keep said elbow pipe in a turned position with respect to said straight pipe while said elbow pipe is unforced.    
     
     
         2 . A fluid delivery adapter unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said joining means restricts a turn of said elbow pipe to a predetermined angle.  
     
     
         3 . A fluid delivery adapter unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said joining means prevents said elbow pipe from moving in an axial direction.  
     
     
         4 . A fluid delivery adapter unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said joining means restricts a turn of said elbow pipe to a predetermined angle and prevents said elbow pipe from moving in an axial direction.  
     
     
         5 . A fluid delivery adapter unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elbow pipe is bent at an angle of approximately 90°.  
     
     
         6 . A fluid delivery adapter unit as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elbow pipe is partly inserted into said straight pipe and said joining means comprises elastic sealing means disposed on portion of said elbow pipe inserted in said straight pipe and compressed between said elbow pipe and said straight pipe so as to provide fluid tight seal between said straight pipe and said elbow pipe while allowing said elbow pipe to turn with respect to said straight pipe against frictional force of said elastic sealing means.