초록 ▼

In an endoscope apparatus, an air/water switch (15) that is provided in an operating section (9) of an endoscope (5) each generate an air feed on/off signal and a suction on/off signal, and air feed flow and suction flow signals that are responsive to the amount of depression of each of the switches

In an endoscope apparatus, an air/water switch (15) that is provided in an operating section (9) of an endoscope (5) each generate an air feed on/off signal and a suction on/off signal, and air feed flow and suction flow signals that are responsive to the amount of depression of each of the switches, these signals being sent to a signal processing circuit (33). The signal processing circuit (33) controls a air/water feed control valve 40 and a suction force control valve 50, so as to control air/water feed flow and suction flow, a flow display being made by an indicator (65) on the screen (63) of a TV monitor (35).

대표청구항 ▼

1. An endoscope apparatus having an insertion part inserted into a body cavity, the insertion part including at least one of a fluid feed channel and a suction channel, the endoscope apparatus comprising:a flow controller configured to control a flow amount of at least one of fed fluid through the f

1. An endoscope apparatus having an insertion part inserted into a body cavity, the insertion part including at least one of a fluid feed channel and a suction channel, the endoscope apparatus comprising:a flow controller configured to control a flow amount of at least one of fed fluid through the feed channel and sucked fluid through the suction channel; a display controller configured to display an image of the body cavity on an observation monitor; a switch configured to generate a signal in response to an amount of depression of the switch, wherein the flow controller uses the signal from the switch to control fluid flow; and a notification apparatus configured to generate a sound notification of the flow amount. 2. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a reflection-type photo-interrupter which performs control of an amount of flow in accordance with an amount of operation of the switch.3. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switch performs on/off control of the fluid flow.4. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the switch comprises a transmission-type photo-interrupter which performs on/off control of the fluid flow.5. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification apparatus varies at least one of tone, pitch, volume and pulse of sound in response to the flow amount.6. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification apparatus comprising a speaker configured to emanate a sound that is responsive to the flow amount.7. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control valve configured to control the flow amount in accordance with a signal from the flow controller, wherein the notification apparatus comprises a leakage nozzle that is provided on the control valve, the leakage nozzle being configured to generate a sound that is responsive to the flow amount.8. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the leakage nozzle is provided with a through hole having a circular cross section for generating said sound.9. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the leakage nozzle is provided with a through hole provided with an exit having a smaller diameter than the through hole.10. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the leakage nozzle is provided with a through hole provided with an exit having a rectangular cross section.11. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the leakage nozzle is provided with a slit which forms an opening for generating said sound when the leakage nozzle is mounted.12. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow controller is configured to control the flow amount of the fed fluid through the feed channel.13. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flow controller is configured to control the flow amount of the sucked fluid through the suction channel.14. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the flow controller is further configured to control the flow amount of the fed fluid through the feed channel.15. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation section mechanically coupled to said insertion part.16. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said switch is mounted on said operation section.17. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said operation section is continuous with a rear end of said insertion part.18. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification apparatus comprises a leakage nozzle configured to generate a sound that is responsive to the flow amount.19. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the notification apparatus further comprises a microphone configured to convert said sound to an electrical signal.20. An endoscope apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the notification apparatus further comprises a speaker configured to be driven by said electrical signal from said microphone.