초록 ▼

An endoscope has a channel switching device for use in switching over a suction channel. The channel switching device consists broadly of a cylinder unit and valve unit. The valve unit can be disassembled into three component parts; a button assembly, piston assembly, and mount assembly. The button

An endoscope has a channel switching device for use in switching over a suction channel. The channel switching device consists broadly of a cylinder unit and valve unit. The valve unit can be disassembled into three component parts; a button assembly, piston assembly, and mount assembly. The button assembly has a cap, which is made of a rigid resin such as polyether ketone (PEEK) or polysulfone (PSU), as the uppermost part thereof. Since the cap is made of a rigid resin durable to autoclaving; such as, PSU or PEEK, the valve unit will not be damaged due to autoclaving. Even when the autoclaved valve unit is put to use though it is not yet cooled down, an operator will not perceive heat very much but can manipulate the endoscope as he/she intends.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An endoscope, comprising:channels lying through said endoscope; anda channel switching means for switching communicating states of said channels, wherein said channel switching means is located between said channels, said channel switching device comprising a cylinder uni

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An endoscope, comprising:channels lying through said endoscope; anda channel switching means for switching communicating states of said channels, wherein said channel switching means is located between said channels, said channel switching device comprising a cylinder unit and a valve unit, wherein said valve unit is detachable from said cylinder unit, said valve unit is comprised of a plurality of members such that all members of said plurality of members comprising said valve unit are made of a material which is both durable to disinfection, when exposed to a disinfectant solution, and durable to autoclaving, and said valve unit has an outer surface made of a material other than a metal when mounted on said cylinder unit.