Endoscope apparatus

Abstract

The endoscope applicator according to the present invention allows lubricant to be supplied uniformly to the entire inner surface of the endoscope applicator without increasing the diameter of the endoscope applicator because the lubricant supply path is laid on the outer surface of the endoscope applicator extending from the base end portion to the tip portion of the endoscope applicator and a plurality of openings are formed in the lubricant supply path and endoscope applicator at predetermined intervals in such a way that their opening areas of the opening increase from the base end portion to the tip portion. Moreover, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention can improve the maneuverability of the insert portion and applicator during pull-in operation. Furthermore, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention makes it possible to determine pull-out force quantitatively.

1 . An endoscope apparatus, comprising:
 an endoscope with a balloon attached to a tip portion of an insert portion; and   an applicator through which the insert portion of the endoscope is inserted into a body cavity,   wherein at least one of the insert portion and the applicator is equipped with a pull-out force measuring device which measures pull-out force of the insert portion or applicator.   
     
     
         2 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon pressure adjusting device which reduces internal pressure of the balloon when the pull-out force measured by the pull-out force measuring device exceeds a predetermined value. 
     
     
         3 . An endoscope apparatus, comprising:
 an endoscope with a first balloon attached to a tip portion of an insert portion; and   an overtube whose tip is equipped with a second balloon and through which the insert portion of the endoscope is inserted into a body cavity,   wherein at least one of the insert portion and the overtube is equipped with a pull-out force measuring device which measures pull-out force of the insert portion or overtube.   
     
     
         4 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a balloon pressure adjusting device which reduces internal pressure of at least one of the first balloon and the second balloon when the pull-out force measured by the pull-out force measuring device exceeds a predetermined value. 
     
     
         5 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pull-out force measuring device is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the pull-out force measuring device is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         7 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the pull-out force measuring device is a strain gauge. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the pull-out force measuring device is a strain gauge.