PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent problem occurrence due to misoperation of a vent valve capable of switching between a cutoff state and a communication state between the internal space and external space of an endoscope.SOLUTION: In a state that the outer surface of an endoscope is dry, an actuator 53 of a lock mechanism part 51 is not carried with a current not to disturb downward movement of a valve element 31 of a pressure recovery valve unit 30. On the other hand, when the endoscope is immersed in a liquid such as water or a liquid medicine by water leak inspection, washing/disinfection or the like, a liquid component of the outer surface of the endoscope is detected in a liquid detection part 55, the actuator 53 of the lock mechanism part 51 is carried with a current and is driven by a drive control part 60, a lock plate 52 slides, an opening hole 52a of the lock plate 52 comes off a lower end position of the valve element 31, a non-opening portion is positioned in the lower end of the valve element 31, and the downward movement of the valve element 31 is blocked. Thus, ventilation between the inside and the outside of the endoscope caused by misoperation of the pressure recovery valve unit 30 is blocked to prevent penetration of the liquid into the endoscope.COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT【課題】内視鏡の内部空間と外部空間とを遮断状態と連通状態とに切り換え可能な通気弁の誤操作による不具合発生を防止する。【解決手段】内視鏡の外表面が乾燥している状態では、ロック機構部51のアクチュエータ53が通電されず、復圧弁ユニット30の弁体31の下方向への動きを妨げない。一方、漏水検査、洗浄・消毒等で内視鏡が水や薬液等の液体に浸漬されると、内視鏡の外表面の液体分が液体検出部55で検出され、駆動制御部60によってロック機構部51のアクチュエータ53が通電・駆動されてロック板52がスライドし、ロック板52の開口孔52aが弁体31の下端位置から外れて非開口部分が弁体31の下端に位置し、弁体31の下方向への動きが阻止される。これにより、復圧弁ユニット30の誤操作による内視鏡内外の通気を阻止して内視鏡内部への液体の浸入を防止することができる。【選択図】図4
