Endoscope, distal end cap-equipped endoscope and endoscope cleaning sheath

Abstract

An endoscope includes, an insertion section, a distal end section body has an observation window, a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side, a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side, and a nozzle having a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window, wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more.

1 . An endoscope comprising:
 an insertion section which is inserted in a body cavity;   a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window;   a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a liquid feed source;   a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a gas feed source; and   a nozzle having a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window,   wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more.   
   
   
       2 . The endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the confluent portion is formed in a part of a conduit which is curved along an outer peripheral portion of the distal end section body. 
   
   
       3 . The endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the gas from the gas feed path and the liquid from the liquid feed path collide at the obtuse angle in the confluent portion. 
   
   
       4 . The endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle has two conduits extending from an outer peripheral portion of the distal end section body toward a central portion of the distal end section body,
 one of the two conduits has a communication portion which communicates with the liquid feed path on the outer peripheral portion side of the distal end section body,   the other of the two conduits has a communication portion which communicates with the gas feed path on the outer peripheral portion side of the distal end section body, and   the confluent portion and the jet outlet are provided at the central portion of the distal end section body.   
   
   
       5 . The endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the confluent portion is provided on a plane which is continuous with the observation window of the distal end section body. 
   
   
       6 . The endoscope according to  claim 1 , wherein the confluent portion is provided more on a distal end side than the observation window of the distal end section body. 
   
   
       7 . A distal end cap-equipped endoscope comprising:
 an insertion section which is inserted in a body cavity;   a distal end section body which constitutes a distal end section of the insertion section and has at least an observation window;   a liquid feed path which is formed to supply a liquid to the distal end section body side and communicates with a liquid feed source;   a gas feed path which is formed to supply a gas to the distal end section body side and communicates with a gas feed source;   a distal end cap which is detachably attached to the distal end section body; and   a nozzle which is provided in the distal end cap and has a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window,   wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more.   
   
   
       8 . The distal end cap-equipped endoscope according to  claim 7 , wherein the confluent portion is formed in a part of a conduit which is curved along an outer peripheral portion of the distal end cap. 
   
   
       9 . The distal end cap-equipped endoscope according to  claim 7 , wherein the gas from the gas feed path and the liquid from the liquid feed path collide at the obtuse angle in the confluent portion. 
   
   
       10 . The distal end cap-equipped endoscope according to  claim 7 , wherein the confluent portion is provided on a plane which is continuous with the observation window of the distal end section body. 
   
   
       11 . An endoscope cleaning sheath comprising:
 a cleaning sheath body which is fitted over an insertion section of an endoscope having at least an observation window at a distal end section body;   a liquid feed path which is provided in the cleaning sheath body and communicates with a liquid feed source;   a gas feed path which is provided in the cleaning sheath body and communicates with a gas feed source; and   a nozzle which is provided in the cleaning sheath body and has a confluent portion which makes confluent the liquid supplied from the liquid feed path and the gas supplied from the gas feed path, and a jet outlet which jets a gas/liquid mixture fluid, which is mixed in the confluent portion, toward the observation window,   wherein the nozzle is configured such that an angle, which is formed between a direction of a flow of the liquid toward the jet outlet and a direction of a flow of the gas toward the jet outlet, is set at an obtuse angle of 90° or more.   
   
   
       12 . The endoscope cleaning sheath according to  claim 11 , wherein the cleaning sheath body is a multi-lumen tube, and the liquid feed path and the gas feed path are provided along an axial direction of the tube. 
   
   
       13 . The endoscope cleaning sheath according to  claim 11 , wherein the confluent portion is formed in a part of a conduit which is curved along an outer peripheral portion of the distal end section body of the endoscope. 
   
   
       14 . The endoscope cleaning sheath according to  claim 11 , wherein the gas from the gas feed path and the liquid from the liquid feed path collide at the obtuse angle in the confluent portion. 
   
   
       15 . The endoscope cleaning sheath according to  claim 11 , wherein the confluent portion is provided on a plane which is continuous with the observation window of the distal end section body.