Surgery – Endoscope – Having auxiliary channel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-02-27
O'Connor, Cary (Department: 3736)
Surgery
Endoscope
Having auxiliary channel
C600S560000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193649
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an endoscope air sending device for sending air into a body cavity such as the stomach, and more particularly to the arrangement of components, which prevents an unwanted rise of temperature in the endoscope air sending device.
An endoscope air sending device is known in the art which is so designed that the air whose pressure is increased by an air compressor is discharged by controlling a valve, and the air thus discharged is sent into the body cavity through a tube. In the device, a pressure control valve is provided to control the pressure of the air to be discharged. The pressure control valve adjusts the sectional area of the air flowing path, to thereby control the pressure of the air.
The pressure control valve is only able to decrease the pressure of the air to be discharged. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large compressor of high output type which can send a high pressure air. Hence, during the medical operation, the compressor operating at all times makes a noise. Furthermore, because of the structure of the pressure control valve, the endoscope air sending device cannot discharge the air with fine pressure adjustment. The endoscope air sending device cannot accurately perform the air pressure control over a wide range of from low pressure to high pressure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an endoscope air sending device which defines a closed space for accurate pressure control to obtain various air discharge pressures, and which prevents the air in the closed space from being greatly changed in temperature to provide stable pressure control.
The foregoing object of the invention has been achieved by the provision on an endoscope air sending device which, according to the invention comprises:
a compressor which compresses air and sends the air thus compressed into a closed space;
an air tank which is a part of the closed space;
an air filter which removes dust from the closed space;
a pressure sensor which measures a pressure of the air in the closed space;
a pressure control valve which discharges the air from the closed space to adjust the pressure of the air in the closed space according to a pressure measured by the pressure sensor;
a discharge valve which discharges the air from the closed space;
an air sending fan which supplies air from outside of the endoscope air sending device to members forming the closed space;
a circuit board on which circuits for transmitting electrical signals to the compressor, the pressure sensor, the pressure control valve, and the discharge valve are provided; and
a discharge outlet through which the air heated by the circuit board is discharged, and
wherein the air sending fan, the compressor, the air tank, the air filter, the pressure sensor, the pressure control valve, and the discharge valve are provided below the circuit board, with the discharge outlet provided above the circuit board.
In the endoscope air sending device, it is desirable that the closed space is formed by communicating the members with one another which are
the compressor,
a first air tube which connects the compressor and the air tank to each other,
the air tank,
a second air tube which connects the air tank and the air filter to each other,
the air filter,
a third air tube which connects the air filter and the discharge valve to each other,
a fourth air tube which connects the third air tube and the pressure control valve to each other,
the pressure control valve,
a fifth air tube which connect the third air tubes to the pressure sensor,
the pressure sensor, and
the discharge valve.
In the device, it is desirable that the third air tube is communicated through couplings with the fourth air tube and the fifth air tube.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the circuit board is supported by board supports.
Moreover, it is desirable that the discharge outlet is provided away from the air sending fan with respect to the closed space.
In addition, it is desirable that the air sending fan is provided beside the compressor.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application No. Hei. 10-258477 (filed on Sep. 11, 1998), which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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Kurosawa Hidehito
Takami Satoshi
Usami Junji
Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Greenblum & Bernstein P.L.C.
Marmor II Charles
O'Connor Cary
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