JP3207130B2 - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope, and more particularly to an electronic endoscope having an objective optical system, imaging means, and signal transmission means for transmitting an electric signal of the imaging means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an elongated insertion portion is inserted into a body cavity to observe organs in the body cavity, etc., and to perform various treatments using a treatment tool inserted into a treatment tool channel as necessary. An endoscope that can be used has an objective optical system, imaging means, and signal transmission means for transmitting an electric signal of the imaging means, and a solid-state imaging device such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) is used as the imaging means. The used electronic endoscope is widely used.

In such an electronic endoscope, even if a small amount of moisture such as moisture enters the distal end portion of the endoscope, the objective optical system is fogged from the inside or the color filter of the solid-state image sensor is deteriorated. There is a risk of causing it to occur. Further, there is a possibility that a connection terminal or the like for connecting the solid-state imaging device and the signal transmission line is corroded or short-circuited. Then, the endoscope image obtained in such a state has significantly reduced image quality.

[0004] Therefore, various means have been proposed for preventing intrusion of moisture such as moisture into the endoscope, thereby preventing deterioration of the constituent members provided inside the endoscope.

For example, in US Pat. No. 4,491,865,
The distal end of the signal cable connected to the image sensor provided at the endoscope end is connected to the camera control unit (CCU), and electricity (video) is transmitted between the image sensor and the camera control unit (CCU). In an image sensor structure in which a signal is transmitted, a resin is filled in a vicinity of a connection portion between the image sensor and a signal cable, thereby preventing water (moisture) from entering the inside of the endoscope. It is shown.

[0006]

However, the above USP
With the technical means disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4,491,865, it is possible to prevent the invasion of moisture and the like into the endoscope in a normal use environment, but it is conventionally used as a safe and simple sterilization method. When exposed to the environment of high-pressure and high-temperature steam during the autoclave sterilization that has been performed, it is difficult to completely prevent invasion of steam and the like into the endoscope.

[0007] In the signal cable, a signal line in which a stranded wire is covered with an insulating material is further wrapped in a jacket. Therefore, a gap is formed between the core wire and the insulating material, and between the signal wire and the jacket. Therefore, even if the pressure is increased / decreased in the autoclave sterilization, steam enters through this gap.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to surely prevent vapor or the like from entering the endoscope even when performing autoclave sterilization. To provide an electronic endoscope.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention comprises an elongated insertion portion, an operation portion connected to a base end of the insertion portion, and an insertion portion. an objective optical system and the imaging means being arranged, inserted from the insertion portion to the operation portion, a signal line for transmitting an electric signal of the imaging means, inserted from the insertion portion to the operation portion, the inside objective An optical system, the photographing means, and the signal line ,
By joining the tip to the cover glass, the tip side
And an elongate tube which is hermetically sealed, and which is disposed in the operation section and hermetically seals a base end side of the tube.
And because of the partition wall main body, is inserted into the partition wall main body, and a terminal portion to be connected to the signal line, the filled between the partition wall main body and the terminal portion, the distal end portion side airtight by the cover glass
A sealing member that forms the inside of the tube in the insertion portion in an airtight space together with the sealed tube and the partition wall main body.

As described above, the partition is provided not on the insertion portion but on the operation portion.
Is provided, the terminal portion is inserted through the partition, and the terminal portion and the partition are
Airtightly seal the gap with a sealing member, and
The inside of the endoscope insertion part is an airtight space, and the tip
A signal line connected to the photographing means on the side is hermetically inserted into the partition.
Electrical connection with the terminal
Therefore, the airtightness of the airtight space is ensured, and
It can be completely prevented.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the entire electronic endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This electronic endoscope 1
Is an endoscope insertion section 2 inserted into a body cavity, an operation section 3 connected to the insertion section 2 and gripped by an operator, and a base end connected to the operation section 3 and internally. A universal cord 4 through which a signal line, a light guide and the like are inserted, and a light guide connector (hereinafter referred to as LG) provided at the distal end of the universal cord 4 and connected to the light source device 31
A camera cable 6 extending from the side of the LG connector 5 and through which the signal line from the universal cord 4 is inserted; and a camera cable 6 provided at the tip of the camera cable 6. A camera connected to a control unit (hereinafter referred to as CCU) 32
It is composed of a connector 7 and the like.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of the insertion part 2 and the operation part 3 of the electronic endoscope 1 in an enlarged manner.

The endoscope insertion portion 2 has a two-tube structure of an outer tube 8 and an inner tube 9 having a substantially cylindrical shape, and a light guide for transmitting illumination light to a gap between the two tubes. A fiber (LG fiber) 10 is provided.

A cover glass 11 is provided on the distal end surface of the inner tube 9 made of metal. The peripheral surface of the cover glass 11 is coated with a metal, and is a joining means such as soldering, and is joined to the inner surface of the distal end portion of the inner tube 9 by a sealing means. Thereby, the distal end side of the inner tube 9 is hermetically sealed.

In the insertion section 2, the cover glass 1 is provided.
1, an objective lens group 12 which is an objective optical system formed by a plurality of optical lenses and the like, and an objective lens group 12
A charge-coupled device (CC) which is an imaging means for converting an optical image in a body cavity into an electric signal
An image pickup device 13 (hereinafter, referred to as a CCD 13) such as D) is provided. The CCD 13 is connected to a signal line 14 which is a signal transmission unit for transmitting an electric signal. This signal line 14 is inserted to the operation unit 3 and
The terminal portion is connected to a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as FPC) 18 in the operation section 3.

The CCD 13 and the signal line 14 are covered by a shield member 15 which is a shielding means made of a substantially cylindrical metal member.
The CD 13 and the signal line 14 are shielded from electromagnetic waves and the like.
The shield member 15 is further connected to a shield member 26 made of a similar member.

The outer peripheral surface of the shield member 15 is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 16 which is an insulating means, thereby insulating the shield member 15 from the inner tube 9.

A hermetic connector 17 forming a partition is connected to the rear end of the shield member 15 inside the operation section 3. The hermetic connector 17 is disposed at the rear end of the shield member 26,
A connector body 17a formed of a metal member for performing electromagnetic shielding, and a terminal portion 17b provided through the center of the connector body 17a and including a plurality of conductive pin shafts for transmitting an electric signal from the signal line 14. And is constituted by. A space between the plurality of terminal portions 17b and the connector main body 17a is filled with a glass sealing member 17c which is a sealing means and an insulating means, whereby the plurality of terminal portions 17b are hermetically sealed from the outside. In addition, the terminals 17b are insulated between the terminals 17b and the connector main body 17a and between the terminals 17b. The signal line 14 and one end of each terminal 17b are electrically connected via the FPC 18.

In the vicinity of the connection between the FPC 18 and each terminal 17b, the signal lines 14 and the shield member 15 and each terminal 17b are connected by the following insulating means.
Are insulated from each other.

That is, the outer periphery of the FPC 18 is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 19 to insulate between the shield member 15 and each terminal 17b, and a resinous insulator 20 is provided between the FPC 18 and the connector body 17a. The insulator 20 is further disposed along the inner peripheral surface side of the shield member 26 up to a position facing the FPC 18. A potting 21 made of an adhesive or the like is provided near the connection between the FPC 18 and each terminal 17b.

The other end of each of the terminals 17b of the hermetic connector 17 is connected to each of the signal lines 22a in the signal cable 22 as signal transmission means. Are inserted up to the camera connector 7 (see FIG. 1). Thus, when the camera connector 7 is connected to the connector unit (not shown) on the CCU side, an electric signal output from the CCD 13 is transmitted to the CCU.

On the other hand, the connector main body 17a is connected to the overall shield member 22b of the signal cable 22 via a metal coating tube 17d.

The outer peripheral side of the connector main body 17a is covered with a thin cylindrical portion 17e. The cylindrical portion 17e is fitted on the inner peripheral surface of a connecting member 23 made of a thin cylindrical metal member, and the fitting portion between the connecting member 23 and the cylindrical portion 17e is soldered all around. Thereby, the rear end side of the inner tube 9 is hermetically sealed. Note that, instead of the above soldering, airtight sealing may be performed by joining means such as brazing or laser welding.

Also, the inner tube 9 and the connecting member 23
A cylindrical heat-resistant insulating member 24 made of ceramics or the like is interposed therebetween, and insulates the inner tube 9 from the connecting member 23 and the hermetic connector 17.

The joint 24a between the heat-resistant insulating member 24 and the inner tube 9, and the heat-resistant insulating member 24 and the connecting member 2
Each of the third bonding portions 24b is provided with a metal coating, and is hermetically bonded by bonding means (sealing means) such as soldering.

The vicinity of the outer peripheral side of the hermetic connector 17 is covered without gaps by insulating members 25a and 25b, and the hermetic connector 17 is completely insulated from other components and the like in the operation section 3.

The operation of the thus configured electronic endoscope 1 of the first embodiment will be described below.

The electric video signal picked up by the CCD 13 in the insertion section 2 includes a signal line 14, an FPC 18, a terminal 17 b of a hermetic connector 17, a signal cable 22.
Is transmitted to the CCU via the signal line 22a.

The above-described members interposed in the transmission path of the video signal are shielded from electromagnetic waves by shielding means such as the shield members 15 and 26, the hermetic connector main body 17a, the covering tube 17d, and the overall shield member 22b.
The shielding means has an appropriate creepage distance or space distance secured by the heat-shrinkable tube 16, the heat-resistant insulating member 24, the insulating members 25a and 25b, and the covering member of the signal cable 22, and thereby, the inside of the electron Endoscope 1
Insulated from the exterior.

On the other hand, the objective lens group 12 and the CCD 13
Is completely sealed by an airtight space formed by the cover glass 11, the inner tube 9, the heat-resistant insulating member 24, the connecting member 23, the hermetic connector 17, and the like on the distal end surface of the endoscope insertion section 2.

That is, a partition is provided by the hermetic connector 17 provided in the signal transmission path of the signal cable 22, and the hermetic connector 17 and the signal cable 22 are joined by joining means such as soldering. Thus, the inside of the endoscope insertion section 2 on the distal end side from the hermetic connector 17 is airtightly sealed to form an airtight space.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, even when performing autoclave sterilization of the electronic endoscope 1, it is possible to completely shut off high-pressure high-temperature steam or the like that enters from gaps between signal lines. Can be.

Further, since the connecting member 23 on the rear end side of the inner tube 9 and the cylindrical portion 17e of the hermetic connector 17 are formed in a thin cylindrical shape, soldering can be performed with little heating, and the assembling workability is improved. And the effect of heating on other sealing portions can be suppressed, and the reliability of hermetic sealing can be improved.

Since the sealing is performed using a heat-resistant insulating member coated with a metal, compatibility between insulation and hermetic sealing between the exterior portion of the insertion portion 2 and each shielding means can be achieved.
It can be achieved cheaper and easier.

When the electronic endoscope of the first embodiment configured as described above is subjected to an autoclave sterilization process, high-pressure high-temperature steam generated by the autoclave sterilization causes the endoscope to enter the endoscope for some reason. In consideration of the case where a small intrusion has occurred, as shown in FIG. 3, if the moisture absorbing member 27 is arranged in the hermetic space on the distal end side of the hermetic connector 17, it is arranged in this hermetic space. An adverse effect of the steam or the like on each of the constituent members provided can be more reliably prevented.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The electronic endoscope according to the first embodiment is shown in FIG. The mirror 1 is provided with a moisture absorbing member 27 in the airtight space. Therefore, the basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted (FIG. 1, FIG.
(See FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, in the second embodiment, for example, a powdery desiccant or the like is provided in an airtight space on the operation section 3 side with a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the cylindrical heat-resistant insulating member 24. The hygroscopic member 27 formed into an annular shape is provided.

On the inner peripheral surface of the heat-resistant insulating member 24, an annular holding member 28 having a concave groove whose one side is opened is disposed by an elastic ring 29 having an expanding property. The moisture absorbing member 27 is held in the groove 28.

By arranging the moisture absorbing member 27 in the airtight space as described above, in the second embodiment,
The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and even when a small amount of high-pressure and high-temperature steam enters the airtight space in the distal end portion of the endoscope at the time of autoclave sterilization, the same effect can be obtained. The steam or the like that has been absorbed
Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the invading vapor and the like from invading various constituent members such as the objective lens group 12 and the CCD 13 in the distal end portion of the endoscope.

[Supplementary Note] According to the embodiment of the present invention, an invention having the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) In an electronic endoscope having an objective lens, an image pickup device, and signal transmission means for transmitting an electric signal of the image pickup device, a partition provided in the middle of the signal transmission means; An electronic endoscope comprising: a sealing means for sealing a space between the partitioning means and the partition, wherein an inside of an insertion portion at a distal end portion from the partition is an airtight space.

(2) The electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the partition is disposed in an operation unit.

(3) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, at least the signal transmission means in the sealing means is a conductive terminal having a pin shaft.

(4) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, the sealing means includes a partition that forms part of an airtight space, a conductive terminal that penetrates through the partition, and transmits a signal; It is formed by a sealing member for sealing the terminal to the partition.

(5) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 4, the sealing member is glass.

According to Supplementary notes 1 to 5, it is possible to provide an electronic endoscope capable of performing autoclave sterilization, which is a safe and simple sterilization method, without any trouble.

(6) The electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein a moisture absorbing member is sealed in the airtight space.

(7) In the electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 6, the moisture absorbing member is a solid desiccant.

According to Supplementary Notes 6 and 7, even if a small amount of vapor enters the airtight space, the moisture is absorbed by the moisture absorbing member, so that the objective lens, the image sensor, etc., at the end of the endoscope are prevented from moisture. be able to.

(8) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, the partition is hermetically joined to another member constituting the hermetic space by a joining means requiring heating.

(9) In the electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 8, the joining means is soldering, brazing, or welding.

(10) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 8, the joints between the partition and other members constituting the airtight space are each formed in a thin and substantially cylindrical shape.

It is difficult to completely prevent the infiltration of high-pressure and high-temperature steam during autoclave sterilization only by filling a resin such as an adhesive when preventing the invasion of steam or the like into the endoscope. It is. In addition, since it is difficult to uniformly fill the resin, there is a possibility that a deviation occurs in the moisture-proof function, and a problem may occur in reliability.

Therefore, according to Supplementary Notes 8 to 10, the partition walls and the members constituting the hermetic space are hermetically joined by joining means requiring heating such as soldering, so that the hermetic seal can be more reliably made by simple means. A space can be formed.

(11) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 6, a part of the airtight space is a member constituting an exterior of the endoscope.

(12) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1, shielding means for electromagnetically shielding the image pickup means and the signal transmission means from the outside is provided inside the exterior member.

(13) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 12, the partition wall of the sealing unit is configured as a part of the shielding unit.

(14) In the electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 12, the shield means is insulated from an exterior member of the endoscope.

(15) In the electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 1, an insulating member is hermetically interposed between the partition and an exterior member of the endoscope.

(16) In the electronic endoscope according to Supplementary Note 15, a connecting portion between the partition wall and the exterior member of the insulating member is subjected to a metal coating treatment, and each is joined by a joining means requiring heating. I have.

(17) In the electronic endoscope according to supplementary note 15, the insulating member is ceramic.

According to Supplementary Notes 11 to 17, it is possible to reliably prevent high-pressure and high-temperature steam from entering the inside of the endoscope when performing autoclave sterilization, and to provide a CCD or the like disposed in the end of the endoscope. By providing an imaging means, a shield means for shielding each component such as a signal transmission means from an electromagnetic wave, and an insulating means for insulating the shield means from an endoscope exterior member, and reliably shielding an airtight space,
An electronic endoscope that contributes to improving safety can be provided.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an electronic endoscope having an objective optical system, an image pickup means, and a signal transmission means for transmitting an electric signal of the image pickup means, a signal transmission means is provided. By the partition provided in the middle and the sealing means for hermetically sealing between the signal transmission means and the partition, the inside of the endoscope insertion portion at the distal end portion from the partition is made an airtight space, so that safe and simple sterilization is performed. It is possible to provide an electronic endoscope that reliably prevents vapor or the like from entering the inside of the endoscope even when autoclave sterilization conventionally performed as a method is performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire electronic endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of an insertion unit and an operation unit in the endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part of an insertion unit and an operation unit in an electronic endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Endoscope insertion part 3 ... Operation part 5 ... Light guide connector (LG connector) 12 ... Objective lens group (objective optical system) 13 ... Image sensor (CCD; Imaging means) 14, 22a ... signal line (signal transmission means) 17 ... hermetic connector (partition) 15, 26 ... shield member (shielding means, shielding means) 16, 19 ... heat-shrinkable tube (insulating means) 17c ...... Glass sealing member (sealing means) 20 ... insulator (insulating means) 21 ... potting (insulating means) 22 ... signal cable (signal transmitting means) 24 ... heat-resistant insulating member (insulating means) 25a, 25b: insulating member (insulating means) 27: moisture absorbing member

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-208726 (JP, A) JP-A-59-129050 (JP, A) JP-A-61-124918 (JP, A) JP-A-7-100102 (JP, A) JP-A-7-326427 (JP, A) JP-A-7-39515 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 1/00-1/32 G02B 23/24 Practical file (PATOLIS) Patent file (PATOLIS)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An elongated insertion section, an operation section connected to a base end side of the insertion section, an objective optical system and a photographing means provided in the insertion section, and an insertion section from the insertion section to the operation section.
And a signal line for transmitting an electric signal of the photographing means, and inserted from the insertion portion to the operation portion , and the objective optical system therein,
The photographing means and the signal line are provided, and the tip is covered.
-Airtight sealing at the tip end by bonding with glass
And an elongated tube, which is disposed on the operation unit ,
A partition main body for hermetically sealing the base end side of the tube, a terminal portion inserted through the partition main body and connected to the signal line, and filled between the partition main body and the terminal portion,
The front end side is hermetically sealed by the cover glass.
That the insertion portion together with the tube and the partition wall main body
An electronic endoscope comprising: a sealing member that forms an airtight space inside the tube .