Opening/closing and flow rate controller for an endoscope pipe

Abstract

An endoscope is provided 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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.