JP2001046323A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope having autoclave sterilization resistance without maximizing the length of an image pickup unit. SOLUTION: The circumference at the front end of a solid-stage image pickup element 31, first substrate 35, second substrate 37, signal line 36 and signal cable 38 arranged in the image pickup unit 20 is provided with a first sealing layer formed by packing a non-water absorptive insulating and sealing member 41 which is a fluorine rubber packing material as a first packing and sealing member having a high gas barrier property and high insulatability. A packing and sealing member 42 of the epoxy adhesive, silicone adhesive, etc., having the relatively higher water absorptivity than that of the non-water absorptive insulating and sealing member 41 is packed as a packing and sealing member forming a second sealing layer on the circumference of the non-water absorptive insulating and sealing member 41. Further, the circumference of the packing and sealing member 42 is covered with a heat shrinkable tube 43 of a fluororesin, etc., having low moisture vapor permeability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope having a flexible insertion portion for sterilizing after use by an autoclave.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Endoscopes, which can be inserted into a body cavity or the like to observe a deep part inside the body cavity or the like, and perform a medical treatment or the like by using a treatment tool as needed, are widely used in the medical field.

[0003] For endoscopes used in the medical field, it is essential to surely sterilize and sterilize an endoscope once used in order to prevent infectious diseases and the like. Conventionally, this disinfection sterilization treatment involves exposing to a gas such as ethylene oxide or immersing in a disinfectant solution.

As is well known, sterilizing gases are highly toxic. For this reason, the sterilization operation process has been complicated in order to ensure the safety of the sterilization operation. Further, after sterilization, it takes a long time to aerate for removing gas adhering to the device, and there is a problem that the device cannot be used immediately after sterilization.
Furthermore, the adverse effect of the gas on the environment has been regarded as a problem. Another problem is that the running cost is high.

On the other hand, in the case of a disinfectant, the management of the disinfectant is complicated, and there is a disadvantage that disposal of the disinfectant after use requires a great deal of cost.

Therefore, recently, without complicated work,
Autoclave sterilization (high-pressure steam sterilization), which can be used immediately after sterilization and has a low running cost, is becoming mainstream in the field of endoscopes.

In this autoclave sterilization, an object to be sterilized is exposed to high-temperature steam at about 120 ° C. to 135 ° C. under high pressure to sterilize the object. However, high-pressure steam permeates most polymer materials such as resin, rubber, and resin adhesive. For this reason, when autoclaving inside the endoscope, water vapor penetrates and the objective lens, solid-state image sensor, substrate, signal line,
This water vapor may enter the imaging unit in which the signal cable and the like are arranged.

In the structure of the conventional imaging unit, the substrate is generally sealed with a filler such as an epoxy-based adhesive or a silicone-based adhesive. However, since these fillers have high water absorption and low vapor impermeability (hereinafter referred to as gas barrier properties), the invasion of water vapor causes defects in solid-state imaging devices and electronic components on substrates, When the adhesive contains moisture, there is a possibility that the wiring of the substrate and the core of the signal line are rusted, which may cause a conduction failure.

For this reason, there has been proposed an endoscope that completely hermetically seals the inside of an imaging unit including an objective lens, a solid-state imaging device, a substrate, and the like using a hermetic connector. For example, in the case of a rigid scope, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-234649 discloses an image pickup unit including an objective lens, a solid-state image pickup device, a substrate, and the like inserted into an inner cylinder constituting an insertion section in an airtight manner. Further, an electronic endoscope device is disclosed which protects a solid-state imaging device, a substrate, and the like from high-temperature and high-pressure steam in an autoclave by sealing with a hermetic connector.

[0010]

However, in the electronic endoscope disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-234649, an imaging unit is inserted into an inner cylinder having a cover glass hermetically attached to the tip, and the inner cylinder is further inserted into the inner cylinder. Hermetic connectors are hermetically assembled on the base end side to make the imaging unit an airtight package. For this reason, the size of the hermetic package is inevitably increased. That is, in the above-described configuration example, the rigid package that can set the airtight package length of the objective optical system to be long can be adopted. However, the airtight package of the objective optical system must be housed at the distal end side from the curved portion. For example, in the case of an endoscope with a curved portion, the length of the rigid portion on the distal end side becomes long, which not only deteriorates the insertability but also increases the burden on the patient. Therefore, this airtight package is adopted for the endoscope with the curved portion. It is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having autoclave sterilization resistance without increasing the length of an imaging unit.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An endoscope according to the present invention includes an objective lens, a solid-state imaging device for receiving an image of a subject formed by passing through the objective lens, and electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device. A substrate, a signal line wired to the substrate,
An endoscope including an image pickup unit constituted by a signal cable formed by arranging the signal line east, at least a part of the image pickup unit including the substrate is sealed by a sealing layer formed by a filling sealing member. Wherein the sealing layer is formed by a first sealing layer formed by a first sealing member provided on the substrate side, and a second sealing member provided outside the first sealing layer. Formed with the second sealing layer to be formed, the first filling sealing member forming the first sealing layer,
It is formed of a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member having lower water absorption than the second filling sealing member forming the second sealing layer.

According to this configuration, when the endoscope is exposed to high-temperature and high-pressure steam for sterilization, even if the water vapor enters the watertight endoscope and enters the image pickup unit, the image pickup unit is removed. The water vapor that has penetrated into the second filling and sealing member penetrates and is absorbed by the second filling and sealing member, so that the high-temperature and high-pressure steam passes through the first filling and sealing member, which is a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member, and the electronic components on the substrate, This prevents direct exposure of the wiring on the substrate, the nearby signal line, and the conductor fixing portion made of solder, etc., to high-temperature and high-pressure steam.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a distal end side portion of an insertion portion, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a flexible tube part constituting the unit, and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is a watertight structure endoscope in which water does not penetrate into the endoscope. The operation section 3 is mainly constituted by an operation section 3 provided also on the base end side and also serving as a grip section, and a flexible cord 4 extending from the base end side of the operation section 3.

The insertion section 2 is constituted by connecting a distal end portion 5, a bending portion 6, and a flexible tube portion 7 in this order from the distal end side.
The operation section 3 is provided with an angle lever 3a for remotely operating the bending section 6. A light source connector 8 detachably connected to a light source device (not shown) and a video connector 9 connected to a video system (not shown) are provided at the base end of the flexible cord 4.

An endoscope 1 is provided on the side of the light source connector 8.
Is provided with an on-off valve 8a which can be opened and closed by an adapter (not shown). The on-off valve 8a has a check valve structure that allows communication between the inside and the outside when the pressure in the endoscope internal space becomes higher than the external pressure by a predetermined pressure, or a check valve (not shown) for the on-off valve 8a. It may have a structure to which a valve adapter can be attached.

Even if the inside of the chamber is evacuated by the above-mentioned on-off valve 8a during the autoclave sterilization process or the like, an endoscope such as a later-described curved rubber (reference numeral 18 in FIG. 2) constituting the bending portion 6 of the endoscope 1 is used. The flexible portion inside the mirror 1 is prevented from bursting. The video connector 9
Is provided with a waterproof cap 9a for retaining the electrical contact portion in a watertight manner.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 5 of the insertion portion 2 is provided with a distal end member 11 formed of a hard member in a substantially cylindrical shape. The hole is provided with an imaging unit 20 and a light guide fiber 12 for transmitting illumination light, which will be described later.
At the tip of the light guide fiber 12, an illumination lens 13 for irradiating illumination light toward an observation site is arranged.

A distal end cover member 14 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end component member 11, and a plurality of bending pieces 15,... It is rotatably assembled by rivets 16. The outer periphery of each of the plurality of bending pieces 15,..., 15 is coated with a metal mesh pipe 17 and a bending rubber 18 in order from the inner surface side.

The range indicated by the dashed arrow of the image pickup unit 20 is the hard portion 21, which is disposed so as to be located on the tip side of the rivet 16 located at the most distal end, that is, inside the tip end cover member 14.

As shown in FIG. 3, the flexible tube portion 7 includes a metal spiral tube 71 and a metal mesh tube 72 in this order from the inner surface side.
, A skin resin 73 made of a polymer material, and a top coat 74. The top coat 74 uses a fluorine coat having high resistance to steam.

In consideration of flexibility and resilience, the outer shell resin 73 is made of polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer, polyester thermoplastic elastomer, or polyamide thermoplastic elastomer instead of silicone rubber or fluorine rubber having high resistance to steam. A plastic elastomer or the like is used. Since these resin members are resins having a hydrolyzable molecular bond, when the endoscope 1 is subjected to autoclave sterilization, the endoscope 1 is hydrolyzed by steam to reduce flexibility, elasticity and surface properties. Deterioration such as change may occur. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the skin resin 73 obtained by adding dimer diol to the polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, and polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer is used.

This dimer diol is a diol compound having a long-chain and branched alkyl group. A resin having a hydrolyzable bond, such as a polyurethane-based thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, or a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer, or a blend of these resins contains the dimer diol in an amount of 2% by weight to 10%.
% By weight. This is because when the amount of the dimer diol is less than 2% by weight, the effect of preventing the hydrolysis such as a decrease in flexibility and resilience due to the hydrolysis of the shell resin and a deterioration in the surface properties is reduced, and the amount of the dimer diol is reduced. 10% by weight
This is because the performance as the soft part is deteriorated when the above is satisfied.

As a result, a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer and a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer which can bring out the optimal flexibility and elasticity as members constituting the flexible tube portion 7 of the insertion portion 2 are used for autoclaves. An endoscope can be provided.

The configuration of the present embodiment is not limited to the flexible tube 7 of the insertion section 2, but may be used for the configuration of the flexible cord 4 connecting the light source connector 8 and the operation section 3. Good.

Although the resin material of the outer cover resin 73 is made of a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester thermoplastic elastomer, or a polyamide thermoplastic elastomer, it is a polyester thermoplastic elastomer which is relatively hard to hydrolyze. It is more preferable to configure the outer cover resin 73 by a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer or a blend thereof.

The configuration of the image pickup unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, a cover glass 22 made of sapphire glass, which is an optical window exposed on the outer surface side of the distal end component member 11 constituting the insertion portion 2, is provided on the distal end side of the imaging unit 20. Are hermetically joined to the inner peripheral surface of the tip portion by soldering, brazing, welding, molten glass, or the like.

An insulating frame 24 made of an insulating material such as ceramics is hermetically joined to the inner peripheral surface of the base end portion of the distal end cover frame 23 by soldering, brazing, welding, molten glass, or the like.

On the other hand, behind the rear end face of the cover glass 22, there is arranged an optical unit 27 in which an objective lens group 26 constituted by arranging a plurality of lenses and an optical system such as an aperture on a lens frame 25 is assembled.

The lens frame 25 is adhered and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the insulating frame 24 after adjusting the focus, and an aperture 28 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the insulating frame 24.
Are adhesively fixed.

A metallic imaging frame 29 is hermetically joined to the outer periphery of the base end of the insulating frame 24 by soldering, brazing, welding, molten glass, or the like. Similar to the cover glass 22, a cover glass 30 made of sapphire glass is hermetically joined to the inner peripheral surface of the base end portion of the imaging frame 29 by soldering, brazing, welding, molten glass, or the like.

A solid-state image sensor 31 positioned by a reticle or the like is adhesively fixed to the base end surface of the cover glass 30. Further, a lens group 32 composed of a plurality of lenses or the like is bonded and fixed to the front end surface side of the cover glass 30 in a state where the lens group 32 is positioned.

A first substrate 35 on which electronic components such as an IC 33 and a capacitor 34 are mounted is electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device 31. A plurality of signal lines 36 are connected to the first substrate 35 by soldering or the like. The electrically connected second substrate 37 is electrically connected. Note that these signal lines 3
,..., 36 together constitute a signal cable 38.

Around the distal ends of the solid-state imaging device 31, the first substrate 35, the second substrate 37, the signal lines 36 and the signal cables 38, a first filling sealing member having a high gas barrier property and an insulating property is provided. A first sealing layer formed by filling a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41 such as a filler containing a fluorosilicone resin as a main component as a certain fluorine rubber-based filler is provided.

Around the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41, a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 4 is provided as a second filling sealing member.
A second sealing layer is formed by filling a filling sealing member 42 such as an epoxy adhesive or a silicone adhesive having a relatively higher water absorption than that of the first sealing layer. Further, a heat-shrinkable tube 43 having a low vapor permeability such as a fluororesin is coated around the filling and sealing member 42.

The filling / sealing member 42 is provided with a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41 and a substrate 3
5, 37, etc., that is, at least not to directly attack the high-temperature and high-pressure steam, and to ensure the strength of the imaging unit 20.

The operation of the endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described. First, the used endoscope 1 is placed in a chamber of an autoclave sterilizer (not shown) for sterilization. Then, the inside of the chamber is evacuated in the process before sterilization of the autoclave.

During the sterilization process, the inside of the chamber is filled with high-temperature and high-pressure steam. As a result, even in the endoscope 1 having a watertight structure as a whole, high-temperature and high-pressure steam enters from a portion made of a polymer material such as an O-ring or an adhesive (not shown).

The high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has entered the inside of the endoscope slightly passes through the heat-shrinkable tube 43 constituting the image pickup unit 20. The high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has passed through the heat-shrinkable tube 43 permeates the filling and sealing member 42,
It is absorbed to some extent by the filling and sealing member 42. Therefore, intrusion of high-temperature and high-pressure steam into the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41 is prevented.

As described above, the high-temperature and high-pressure steam that has penetrated through the heat-shrinkable tube is absorbed to some extent by the filling sealing member, and is prevented from entering the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member. It is possible to prevent the high-temperature and high-pressure steam from directly attacking the solid-state imaging device, the substrate, the signal line, and the like covered by the conductive insulating sealing member. Thus, during autoclave sterilization, high-temperature and high-pressure steam passes directly through the heat-shrinkable tube, the filling sealing member, and the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member, and is directly connected to the solid-state imaging device, the electronic components on the substrate, the wiring of the substrate, and the substrate. Touching the signal line connected to the wire and the signal line connecting portion made of solder to prevent failure or rusting is surely prevented.

Also, a solid-state image sensor, electronic components on a substrate,
The configuration is such that the first filling sealing member and the second filling sealing member cover the wiring of the substrate, the signal lines connected to the substrate, and the solder as an electrical connection portion with the first filling sealing member and the second filling sealing member. The solid-state image sensor can be connected to the signal cable by reinforcing the periphery of the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member having a low adhesive strength with a second filling sealing member such as an epoxy adhesive having a sufficient strength. Up to a sufficient strength.

Further, since the first sealing layer made of an expensive non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is generally made thin because it is reinforced by a filling sealing member made of an epoxy adhesive or the like, it can be used for autoclaves. Can be manufactured at low cost.

Also, since the insulation is performed by the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member, high insulating properties are not required for the second filling sealing member, so that the second filling sealing member is non-insulating or insulating. By adopting an inexpensive member irrespective of the characteristics, an autoclave-compatible imaging unit can be manufactured at a lower cost.

In the above-described embodiment, a fluororubber filler is used as the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member. However, the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is not limited to the fluororubber filler. Instead, a ceramic adhesive, ceramics, or glass having high insulating properties and gas barrier properties may be used as the non-water-absorbing insulating member. However, it is difficult to form a thick layer of the ceramic and glass-based inorganic materials, and therefore, they are formed in a two-layer structure as described above. As a result, it is possible to prevent the necessity of forming the sealing member entirely with the non-water-absorbing member, and prevent the imaging unit from being expensive if the sealing member is entirely formed with the non-water-absorbing sealing member.

When ceramics or glass is used as the non-water-absorbing insulating member, the filling and sealing member is made of various polymer materials such as an epoxy adhesive, a silicone adhesive, and a fluorine rubber filler. Fillers can be used.

Further, when a polymer material having low water absorption and high gas barrier properties is used as the non-water-absorbing insulating member, a polymer having a higher water-absorbing property than the non-water-absorbing insulating member is used as a filling and sealing member. If the material is used, the effects of the present invention can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the medical endoscope for performing autoclave sterilization has been described. However, another endoscope for performing steam sterilization, an endoscope immersed in a chemical solution, or used in a high humidity environment. For example, it is effective to use the configuration of the present invention in an industrial endoscope or the like.

The present configuration may be applied to a portion of the endoscope where electronic components are arranged, a portion where electric wiring is made by soldering or the like, for example, a switch portion (not shown), a wiring portion in a connector, or the like. It may be.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a modification of the image pickup unit. As shown in the figure, the imaging unit 20 of the present embodiment
A is a solid-state imaging device 51, a substrate 52 on which electronic components are mounted, a signal cable 53 electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device 51 through the substrate 52, and a front of the solid-state imaging device 51. An objective lens group 54 composed of a plurality of optical systems arranged, a metal lens frame 55 to which the objective lens group 54 is attached, and a metal lens frame 55 for positioning and holding the lens frame 55 in the optical axis direction. Lens frame indication frame 56
And a cover glass 57 made of sapphire disposed in front of the objective lens group 54, and a metal front cover frame 58 to which the cover glass 57 is air-tightly joined.

The joining between the cover glass 57 and the tip cover frame 58, the joining between the tip cover frame 58 and the lens holding frame 56, and the joining between the exterior of the solid-state image sensor 51 and the lens frame indicating frame 56 are performed by soldering. Airtightly joined by brazing, welding, molten glass and the like.

On the exposed surface of the substrate 52, a first sealing layer is provided by using a ceramic coating or a silica coating as the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41 having a high gas barrier property and an insulating property. I have. Around the coating of the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41, an epoxy-based adhesive, a silicone-based adhesive, etc. having a relatively higher water absorption than the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 41, a fluoro rubber-based filler, etc. The second sealing layer is provided by filling the filling sealing member 42 made of the above polymer material. The filling and sealing member 42
Is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube 43 having low vapor permeability such as fluororesin.

As described above, the diameter of the imaging unit can be reduced by providing the thin first sealing layer using the ceramic coating or the silica coating. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a ceramic coating and a silica coating are used as the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member. However, similarly to these coatings, polyparaxylylene resin and fluorine having high insulating and gas barrier properties are used. Coating with resin or the like may be used. These resin members are obviously higher in gas barrier properties than epoxy-based adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, and fluororubber-based fillers that are generally used as fillers,
Low water absorption.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) An objective lens, a solid-state image sensor for receiving an image of a subject formed through the objective lens, a substrate electrically connected to the solid-state image sensor, and a signal wired to the substrate An image pickup unit constituted by a line and a signal cable formed by lining up the signal line,
In an endoscope in which at least a part including the substrate of the imaging unit is sealed by a sealing layer formed by a filling sealing member, the first sealing layer is provided on the substrate side.
The first sealing layer is formed by a first sealing layer formed by a filling and sealing member and a second sealing layer formed by a second filling and sealing member provided outside the first sealing layer. The first filling sealing member forming the layer is replaced with the second filling sealing member forming the second sealing layer.
An endoscope formed of a non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member having lower water absorption than a filling sealing member.

(2) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is made of ceramic or glass, and the second filling sealing member is made of a polymer material.

(3) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is a ceramic coating or a silica coating.

(4) The endoscope according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is a ceramic adhesive.

(5) The endoscope according to appendix 2, wherein the polymer material is an adhesive or a filler.

(6) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the adhesive is an epoxy adhesive or a silicone adhesive, and the filler is at least one of an epoxy filler and a silicone filler.

(7) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the second filling and sealing member is made of a polymer material, and the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is a polymer material having a lower water absorption than the polymer material. .

(8) The non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is made of polyparaxylene resin or fluorine resin.
8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein the filling sealing member is a polymer material having higher water absorption than the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member.

(9) The second filling and sealing member is at least one of an epoxy adhesive, an epoxy filler, a silicone adhesive, a silicone filler, a fluorine adhesive or a fluorine filler. The endoscope according to attachment 8.

(10) The non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member is a fluorine-based adhesive or a fluorine-based adhesive, and the filling and sealing member is a polymer material having a higher water absorption than the non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member. 8. The endoscope according to supplementary note 7, wherein

(11) The endoscope according to appendix 10, wherein the filling and sealing member is at least one of an epoxy-based adhesive, an epoxy-based filler, a silicone-based adhesive, and a silicone-based filler.

(12) An endoscope having a soft portion in the insertion portion and using a resin having a hydrolyzable bond as an outer resin of the soft portion, wherein the outer resin is added with dimer diol. .

(13) The endoscope according to appendix 12, wherein the dimer diol is a diol compound having a long chain and an alkyl group having a branched structure.

(14) The endoscope according to appendix 12, wherein the dimer diol is added to the outer skin resin of the soft part in an amount of 2% by weight to 10% by weight.

(15) The endoscope according to appendix 12, wherein the outer shell resin of the flexible portion is a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer or a polyamide-based thermoplastic elastomer.

[0072]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope having autoclave sterilization resistance without increasing the length of the imaging unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a distal end side portion of an insertion portion.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a flexible tube constituting an insertion portion.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an imaging unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the imaging unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 imaging unit 22 cover glass 23 tip cover frame 24 insulating frame 27 optical unit 29 imaging frame 31 solid-state image sensor 35 first substrate 36 signal line 37 second substrate 38 signal cable 41 Non-water-absorbing insulating sealing member 42 ... filling sealing member 43 ... heat-shrinkable tube

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An objective lens, a solid-state imaging device for receiving an image of a formed subject passing through the objective lens, a substrate electrically connected to the solid-state imaging device, and a signal line wired to the substrate And an image pickup unit constituted by a signal cable formed by arranging the signal line to the east, wherein at least a part of the image pickup unit including the substrate is sealed by a sealing layer formed by a filling sealing member. In the endoscope, the sealing layer is formed by a first sealing layer formed by a first sealing member provided on the substrate side, and a second sealing member formed outside the first sealing layer. A first sealing member forming the first sealing layer, wherein the first sealing member forming the first sealing layer has a lower water absorption than the second sealing member forming the second sealing layer. It is characterized by being formed with a water-absorbing insulating sealing member Endoscope.