JP3665440B2 - Electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic endoscope in which an endoscopic observation image is picked up by a solid-state imaging device arranged at the tip of an insertion portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electronic endoscope, generally, an objective optical system and a solid-state imaging device for capturing an image formed by the objective optical system are arranged in a distal end portion main body constituting the distal end of the insertion portion. . A CCD (charge coupled device) is widely used as a solid-state imaging device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Endoscopes need to be cleaned and disinfected each time they are used to prevent infection. As disinfection methods, chemical disinfection and ethylene oxide gas sterilization have been widely performed so far.
[0004]
However, if disinfectant solution or ethylene oxide gas remains in the endoscope, it may be harmful to the human body or to sterilize Helicobacter pylori and other viruses that cause gastric ulcers at a higher level. High-pressure steam sterilization (autoclave) has been performed.
[0005]
Autoclaves are non-toxic and safe for the human body, but generally, an object to be sterilized is placed in a high temperature environment of about 120 ° C to 135 ° C.
However, in general, a CCD is often damaged when heated to about 80 ° C. or more due to a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between an adhesive used for assembly and an adherend. For this reason, it has been difficult to sterilize electronic endoscopes using an autoclave.
[0006]
In addition, since the pitch between pixels of the CCD is as small as about 6 to 10 μm, if the discharge occurs in the CCD due to static electricity generated while assembling the endoscope, it causes electrostatic breakdown and becomes a defective product. It may become. In such a case, all endoscopes must be disassembled and reassembled from the beginning.
[0007]
Further, when the endoscope is being used, the tip of the insertion portion may be hit or dropped on the floor, and the impact may damage the CCD. In such a case, it is necessary to replace the entire endoscope or to disassemble and repair the entire endoscope in order to replace the CCD.
[0008]
The present invention has been made to improve the above-described disadvantages, and is an electronic device that can easily replace only the solid-state imaging element portion at the tip and can be sterilized by an autoclave. An object is to provide an endoscope.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an electronic endoscope according to the present invention is an electronic device in which an objective optical system and a solid-state imaging device for imaging an image formed by the objective optical system are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion. In the endoscope, a unit to which the objective optical system and the solid-state imaging device are attached is configured to be detachable from the outside at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and a protruding portion protruding backward from the rear end of the unit is provided. The insertion portion is formed on the rear side of the solid-state imaging device, and a recess portion into which the protrusion is fitted is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion is in a state where the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. An electrical contact connected to transmit an imaging signal or the like between the front end portion and the unit is arranged in the projecting portion and the recessed portion.
[0010]
Note that a plurality of the electrical contacts may be provided on each of the unit side and the distal end portion side of the insertion portion, and in this case, the plurality of electrical contacts are provided on the protrusion and the recess. You may arrange | position at intervals in the axial direction.
[0011]
And each said electric contact may be arrange | positioned facing the axial direction and the orthogonal | vertical direction of the said unit.
It should be noted that waterproof means for preventing external moisture from entering at least the electrical contact portion in the state where the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion may be provided.
[0012]
In addition, when the unit is removed from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, the distal end portion of the insertion portion may be waterproof so that external moisture does not enter the distal end portion of the insertion portion. .
[0013]
And it is good for the said unit itself to have a waterproof structure in which external moisture does not enter the inside. .
Further, a fixing member for fixing the unit to the distal end portion of the insertion portion is screwed to the distal end portion of the insertion portion when the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. The fixing member may be a hood-like member that is detachable with respect to the distal end portion of the insertion portion.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 shows an electronic endoscope, in which a proximal end of an insertion portion 1 made of a flexible tube is connected to an operation portion 2, and a distal end unit 3 is detachably connected to a distal end portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1. ing. Reference numeral 4 denotes a bending portion that can be bent by remote operation from the operation portion 2.
[0015]
FIG. 1 shows a distal end portion 1a of the insertion portion 1, and 6 is attached to the distal end of a flexible tube (including the bending portion 4), and the distal end unit 3 is detachably connected to the front side thereof. It is a tip cap.
[0016]
An observation window 8, an illumination window (not shown), and the like are disposed on the distal end surface of the unit main body 7 constituting the block of the distal end unit 3. Reference numeral 39 denotes a treatment instrument passage hole formed through the unit body 7 in order to allow the treatment instruments to pass therethrough.
[0017]
An objective optical system 11 is built inside the observation window 8 of the unit main body 7, and an imaging surface of a solid-state imaging device 12 made of, for example, a CCD is disposed on the imaging surface of a subject by the objective optical system 11. Yes.
[0018]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a circuit board to which the solid-state image sensor 12 is attached. In addition to the solid-state image sensor 12, an electronic component (not shown) for driving the solid-state image sensor 12 is attached.
[0019]
The unit main body 7 is formed in a columnar shape, is detachable from the front end base 6 of the insertion portion 1 from the front, and has a cylindrical hood-like member 21 provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the unit main body 7 and the front end. By screwing the screw part 22 formed on the base 6, the unit main body 7 is fixed in a state of being pressed against the tip base 6 from the front.
[0020]
A plurality of electrical contacts 24 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical projection 19 projecting rearward from the rear end portion of the front end unit 3 behind the solid-state imaging device 12. A recess 20 having a size to fit is formed in the distal end face of the distal end cap 6.
[0021]
The plurality of electrical contacts 24 on the tip unit 3 side are arranged at intervals in the axial direction, and are provided so as to surround the projecting portion 19 made of an electrical insulating material in a circumferential shape. And it is connected with the circuit of the circuit board 13 by the connecting line 23 which let the inner side of the protrusion part 19 pass.
[0022]
On the other hand, the plurality of electrical contacts 25 on the distal end cap 6 side are arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the recessed portion 20 so as to face the electrical contact 24 on the distal end unit 3 side in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the unit body 7. And connected to the electrical wiring 26 in the insertion portion 1.
[0023]
As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, in a state where the tip unit 3 is coupled to the tip portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1, both the electrical contacts 24 and 25 are connected, and the solid-state imaging device 12 and the insertion portion 1 are connected. Signals (imaging signal, CCD drive signal, etc.) are transmitted to and from the electrical wiring 26. Further, the recessed portion 20 and the projecting portion 19 also serve to position the unit body 7 with respect to the tip cap 6 and to prevent rotation.
[0024]
Then, when the coupling of the screw portion 22 between the hood-like member 21 and the tip cap 6 is released and the unit body 7 is pulled forward with respect to the tip cap 6, the tip unit 3 is moved to the tip cap 6 as shown in FIG. The electrical contacts 24 and 25 are disconnected.
[0025]
Returning to FIG. 1, a sealing O-ring 37 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface near the rear end of the unit body 7. And the front-end | tip part of the front-end | tip base 6 is formed in the cylindrical shape with a shallow bottom, and the O-ring 37 closely_contact | adheres to the internal peripheral surface.
[0026]
As a result, in a state where the distal end unit 3 is connected to the distal end portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1, external moisture does not enter the electrical contacts 24 and 25 due to the sealing effect of the O-ring 37.
[0027]
Therefore, when the distal end unit 3 is attached to the distal end portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1, there is no possibility that moisture adheres to the electrical contacts 24 and 25 and a signal failure or the like occurs.
[0028]
Reference numeral 38 denotes a forceps channel inserted through the insertion portion 1, and the distal end thereof is fixed to the distal end cap 6. When the tip unit 3 is attached to the tip cap 6, the forceps passage hole 39 formed in the unit main body 7 is connected to the forceps channel 38 in a straight line. Reference numeral 40 denotes an O-ring for sealing the connecting portion.
[0029]
In the middle of the inner peripheral surface of the hood-like member 21, an inner protruding portion 21 b is formed to protrude inward, and an intermediate small diameter portion 29 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the inner protruding portion 21 b is formed in the unit body 7. It is formed on the outer peripheral surface.
[0030]
Accordingly, the hood-like member 21 can move in the axial direction only within the range in which the inner protruding portion 21 b hits the step portions 29 a and 29 b at both the front and rear ends of the intermediate small diameter portion 29, and does not come off the unit body 7. ing.
[0031]
When the tip unit 3 is connected to the tip cap 6, first, the hood-like member 21 is shifted to the front side until the inner projecting portion 21 b hits the front stepped portion 29 a, and in this state, the unit body 7 The rear end portion is connected to the front end portion of the front end cap 6. Positioning is performed by engagement between the convex portion 19 and the concave portion 20.
[0032]
Next, the hood-like member 21 is shifted rearward (in the direction approaching the front end cap 6), the hood-like member 21 and the front end cap 6 are screwed together by the screw portion 22, and the rear stepped portion 29b is firmly secured by the inner protruding portion 21b. The hood-like member 21 is tightened until it is pressed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the unit body 7 is firmly pressed against the front end face of the tip cap 6 and fixed.
[0033]
In addition, if the length of the fitting portion 30 between the hood-like member 21 and the unit main body 7 is long, the hood-like member 21 with respect to the unit main body 7 when the hood-like member 21 is shifted forward. Does not play.
[0034]
In the tip unit 3, the hood-like member 21 is rotatable and slidable with respect to the unit main body 7. However, all the surface portions of the unit main body 7 are sealed in a watertight manner, and moisture does not enter the inside from the outside. It is like that. Therefore, the tip unit 3 can be sufficiently cleaned and disinfected in a single state removed from the tip portion 1 a of the insertion portion 1.
[0035]
On the other hand, the insertion portion 1 also has a waterproof structure in which no moisture enters the inside from the outside when the tip unit 3 is removed. Therefore, when this electronic endoscope is used for inspection, the insertion unit 1 side (including the operation unit 2) can be placed in the autoclave device with the distal end unit 3 removed, and sterilization using high-pressure steam can be performed.
[0036]
If the tip unit 3 is thus removed and sterilized and sterilized, the solid-state image sensor 12 does not have to be placed in the autoclave device, and the solid-state image sensor 12 can be protected from thermal destruction.
[0037]
Further, since the tip unit 3 in which the solid-state image pickup device 12 is incorporated is detachable from the insertion portion 1, when the solid-state image pickup device 12 is damaged during assembly or use, only the tip unit 3 is replaced. There is no need to add any hand to the insertion portion 1 side.
[0038]
When a large number of electrical contacts 24 and 25 are required, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, an appropriate arrangement such as arranging the required number of electrical contacts 24 and 25 on the circumference may be adopted. it can.
[0039]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, the recessed part 20 may be formed in the unit main body 7 side, and the protrusion part 19 may be formed in the front-end | tip base 6 side.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when the unit to which the objective optical system and the solid-state imaging device are attached is configured to be detachable from the outside at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. In addition, since the protruding portion at the rear end of the unit is fitted in the recess at the distal end portion of the insertion portion so that the electrical contact is connected, the unit including the solid-state imaging device is removed from the distal end portion of the insertion portion, so that the solid-state imaging Only the element portion can be easily exchanged, and the electronic endoscope can be sterilized by an autoclave without exposing the solid-state imaging device to high heat. The projecting portion and the recessed portion also function as positioning and rotation prevention when the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of an electronic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the distal end unit in a state where it is removed from the distal end of the insertion portion of the electronic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of arrangement of electrical contacts according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an overall schematic diagram of an electronic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Insertion part 1a Tip part 3 Tip unit 6 Tip base 7 Unit main body 12 Solid-state image sensor 19 Protrusion part 20 Depression part 21 Hood-like members 24 and 25 Electrical contact

Claims (6)

In an electronic endoscope in which an objective optical system and a solid-state imaging device for capturing an image formed by the objective optical system are provided at the distal end of the insertion portion,
The objective optical system and the solid-state imaging device and is attached unit is configured detachably from the front tip portion of the insertion portion, the projecting portion projecting rearwardly from the rear end of the unit of the solid-state imaging device is formed on the rear Rutotomoni, the protrusion fits recessed portion is provided at a tip portion of the insertion portion, the tip portion of the insertion portion in a state in which the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion And electrical contacts connected to transmit imaging signals and the like between the unit and the unit are arranged to face each other on the outer peripheral surface of the protrusion and the inner peripheral surface of the recess ,
The electronic endoscope characterized in that the plurality of electrical contacts are distributed and arranged on the same circumference around the axis of the protrusion at a plurality of positions shifted in the axial direction of the protrusion. . Electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the external moisture is waterproof means for preventing invaded at least the electrical contact portion is provided in a state in which the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion. In the state where the unit is detached from the tip portion of the insertion portion, so that the external moisture from entering into the distal end portion of the insertion portion, claim 1 the tip portion of the insertion portion is waterproof or The electronic endoscope according to 2 . The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, 2, or 3 , wherein the unit itself has a waterproof structure in which external moisture does not enter the inside. When the unit is attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion, a fixing member for fixing the unit to the distal end portion of the insertion portion is screwed into the distal end portion of the insertion portion. The electronic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The electronic endoscope according to claim 5 , wherein the fixing member is a hood-like member that is detachable with respect to a distal end portion of the insertion portion.

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