Flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe

• US 6,387,045 B1
• Filed: 10/12/1999
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fujinon Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Kazuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US09/414,716
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 600/158, 600/159
• US Class Current: 600/159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00068 Valve switch arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0652 the plurality of throttling means being arranged in parallel

Abstract

An endoscope in which the advantage of a pinch valve is used, and the flow rate of fluid can be regulated variably. In an electromagnetic valve unit for carrying out the opening/closing control of pipes in the endoscope, a pinch valve is disposed in a water feed pipe, and a diaphragm valve is disposed in an air feed pipe. Also, for ease of draining work, an air feed pipe is connected to the water feed pipe, an auxiliary valve consisting of a diaphragm valve is disposed, and a check valve is installed. Further, for example, three control pipes with different diameters and three electromagnetic valves for opening/closing these control pipes are provided in each pipe. By carrying out the opening/closing control of these electromagnetic valves by using an operation switch, the flow rate in each pipe in the endoscope is regulated variably. Also, for the suction pipe in the endoscope, by providing, for example, three open-to-atmosphere pipes with different diameters and three electromagnetic valves, the flow rate of the suction pipe can be regulated variably.

Claims

1. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe comprising:

at least one pipe provided in an endoscope;

a plurality of control pipes with different pipe diameters connected to the at least one pipe in a branching state;

an opening/closing valve operably connected to each of the plurality of control pipes for opening/closing each of the plural control pipes; and

a control section for variably regulating the flow rate in the at least one pipe by selective opening/closing control of the plural opening/closing valves.

2. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate is variably regulated by the combined use of the plural control pipes on the basis of the control of the plural opening/closing valves.

3. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 1, wherein an operation switch for regulating the flow rate is disposed on the side of a fluid control unit separate from the endoscope.

4. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate is regulated by means of an operation switch provided in an operating section of the endoscope.

5. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 1, wherein when all of the plural control pipes are shut off simultaneously, flow is completely stopped in the at least one pipe.

6. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe comprising:

a suction pipe provided in an endoscope;

a plurality of open-to-atmosphere pipes connected to the suction pipe in a branching state;

plural opening/closing valves operably connected to each of the plurality of open-to-atmosphere pipes for opening/closing each of the plural open-to-atmosphere pipes; and

a control section for variably regulating the flow rate in the suction pipe by selective opening/closing control of the plural opening/closing valves, and

wherein pipes with different inside diameters are used as the plural open-to-atmosphere pipes.

7. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 6, wherein the flow rate is variably regulated by the combined use of the plural open-to-atmosphere pipes on the basis of the control of the plural opening/closing valves.

8. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 6, wherein an operation switch for regulating the flow rate is disposed on the side of a fluid control unit separate from the endoscope.

9. A flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe according to claim 6, wherein the flow rate is regulated by means of an operation switch provided in an operating section of the endoscope.