ENDOSCOPE
An endoscope reduces a diameter of an insertion portion, and cleanses an observation optical system with a guide wire being inserted. The endoscope includes: an elongated insertion portion to be inserted into a body cavity; an observation optical system at a distal end of the insertion portion to collect light from a subject; a channel portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, through which a fluid is passed and a guide wire is inserted; a seal portion in the channel portion to seal a gap between the channel portion and the guide wire where the guide wire is inserted through the channel portion; and an opening portion on a proximal end side of the seal portion to discharge a fluid flowing through the channel portion toward the observation optical system.
1 . An endoscope comprising:
an elongated insertion portion that can be inserted into a body cavity;
an observation optical system that is placed at a distal end of the insertion portion, and collects light from a subject;
a channel portion that is formed in a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, through which a fluid is passed, and through which a guide wire is inserted;
a seal portion that is provided in the channel portion, and seals a gap between the channel portion and the guide wire in a state where the guide wire is inserted through the channel portion; and
an opening portion that is provided on a proximal end side of the seal portion, and discharges a fluid flowing through the channel portion toward the observation optical system.
2 . The endoscope according to claim 1 , further comprising a closing portion that is provided on a distal end side of the opening portion, and closes the channel portion in a state where the guide wire is not inserted through the channel portion.
3 . The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the closing portion is a check valve that allows the guide wire to be inserted from the distal end side to the proximal end side, while preventing the fluid from flowing from the proximal end side to the distal end side.
4 . The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the closing portion is an elastic body having an insertion hole that expands radially outward when the guide wire is inserted, while contracting radially inward when the guide wire is drawn.
5 . The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the closing portion is a plurality of pressing members to be pressed radially inward of the channel portion.