JP2007135956A - Connector of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To protect a connector of an endoscope in the maintenance so that internal members and cords in the connector are not injured. <P>SOLUTION: A casing 10 of the light source connector 4 is divided into three sections: a first fixed part case 11 to which the distal end of a universal cord 3 is connected, a second fixed part case 12 from which an electric cord 6 is drawn out, and a detachable part case 13. A connector body 14 is fixed to the second fixed part case 12 by a connection plate 19 with a prescribed distance to be used as the space for maintenance, and a screw part is formed on the outer surface of the largest diameter part 14b of the connector body 14 to fix the the connector body 14 in such a state that the connector body 14 presses an end face 13a of the detachable part case 13 to be brought into contact with an end face 12a of the second fixed part case 12. A presser ring 23 is screw-engaged with the largest diameter part 14b, and a stepped wall 13b is formed near the distal end of the detachable part case 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector that is attached to the tip of an endoscope cord and is detachably connected to a light source device or the like, and more particularly to a connector having a structure that is convenient for maintenance inside the connector.

  The endoscope is provided by connecting a main body operation portion with an insertion portion into a body cavity or the like, and a universal cord extends from the main body operation portion. A connector is provided at the tip of the universal cord, and this connector is detachably connected to a light source device and a video signal processing device (processor). In the universal cord, at least a light guide connected to the light source device and a signal cable connected to the video signal processing device are inserted, and usually a light source connector for connecting the light guide to the light source device and a signal cable Is generally configured as a separate connector from an electrical connector for connecting the video signal processing apparatus to the video signal processing apparatus. Therefore, it is branched into two cords in the middle of the universal cord, and a connector is provided at the tip of each cord, or the universal cord is connected to the light source connector, and the electric cord is extended from the light source connector. An electrical connector is provided at the tip of the electrical cord.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a light source connector. This light source connector has a casing made of hard plastic, to which a distal end of a universal cord is connected, and a connector body that is detachably connected to the light source device is provided. A relay board is provided in the casing, and the end of the universal cord is fixed to the relay board. The relay board is connected to the connector main body, and the connector main body is connected to the light source device. The light guide is mounted with a light guide rod, and a light guide made of an optical fiber bundle inserted through the universal cord. Inserted into the light guide rod. On the other hand, a large number of signal cables inserted through the universal cord are connected to a relay board, and appropriate electronic components and the like are mounted on the relay board as necessary. A predetermined number of wires are drawn from the relay board, and these wires are inserted into an electric cord connected to the relay board, and an electric connector is provided at the tip of the electric cord.

The inside of the casing needs to have an airtight structure. For this purpose, the connecting portion of the casing to the connector body, the connecting portion of the universal cord, and the lead portion of the electric cord are held in an airtight state. For this purpose, one end of the casing is fixed to the connector body so as to apply a pressure contact force, and a seal mechanism is provided at the connection portion of the universal cord and the electric cord formed on the other end side. .
JP 2002-214539 A

  By the way, in the light source connector, the casing is detachable from the connector main body in order to enable internal maintenance such as repair, inspection, replacement of parts, etc. of the relay board and the connector main body. In the light source connector of Patent Document 1 described above, since the relay board is connected to the connector body, the casing is moved to obtain a maintenance space when the casing and the connector body are separated. ing. Therefore, the direction in which the casing is moved is the side through which the universal cord and the electric cord are inserted. For this reason, if there is rough handling, it cannot be said that there is no possibility that the edge generated in the insertion portion of the casing slides against the outer skin of the universal cord or the electric cord and damages the outer skin.

  It is also possible to fix the relay board to the casing side. Then, if a member connected to the connector body such as a light guide is provided with an extra length in the casing, and if the connector body is pulled out of the casing during maintenance, the end of the casing is opened and maintenance is performed. Space can be secured. If comprised in this way, there is no possibility of damaging the outer skin of a universal cord or an electric cord. However, after the maintenance is completed, the drawn light guide or the like should be pushed into the casing, and then the connector body must be fixed to the casing. For this reason, the operation of fixing the connector main body to the casing is in a blind state where the light guide or the like cannot be seen. For this reason, a part of the light guide or the like may be fixed in a state of being sandwiched between the connector main body and the casing, and there is a risk of disconnection of an optical fiber constituting the light guide.

  Furthermore, the endoscope is configured such that the connector body and the casing are joined together and a seal member is interposed at the joined portion because the entire structure including the connector has an airtight structure. For example, when the casing is damaged or broken, this casing will be replaced. For this purpose, it is necessary to disassemble the connector body and to cut the wiring connected to the relay board. There is a problem that it is necessary to repair.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and the object of the present invention is to protect the internal members and cords of the connector from being damaged when performing maintenance on the connector of the endoscope. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a connecting portion to a cord on one end side of a casing, a connector main body on the other end side, and a predetermined number of linear members inside the casing. A connector of an attached endoscope, wherein the casing includes a fixed part case having a connection part to the cord, and an insertion / removal part case provided so as to be detachably brought into contact with an end part of the fixed part case The fixing part case and the connector main body are connected by a connecting member, and a space is formed between an end of the fixing part case and the connector main body, and the insertion / removal part case is the connector It is inserted through the main body and is mounted so as to cover the space portion, and by screwing a presser ring into the connector main body, the insertion / removal portion case is brought into pressure contact with the fixing portion case, The presser foot It is an its features that it has a configuration in which the seal member between the outer surface and inner surface of the insertion and removal portion casing of said connector body and.

  Here, in the present invention, the connector of the target endoscope is a light source connector that is detachably connected to the light source device or an electrical connector that is detachably connected to the video signal processing device. Furthermore, for example, in an ultrasonic endoscope, a connector connected to an ultrasonic observation apparatus is also included, and various connectors connected to an endoscope cord are targeted. In the case of the light source connector, the connector main body is provided so that a connector base portion inserted into the socket portion of the light source device and a light guide rod through which the light guide is inserted project from the connector base portion. In the case of an electrical connector, the connector base portion inserted into the socket portion of the video signal processing device is provided with electrode pins.

  Examples of the cord provided in the endoscope include a light guide for transmitting illumination light and a universal cord through which a signal cable provided for transmitting and receiving video signals is inserted. In addition to the light guide and the signal cable described above, the universal cord is provided with tubes such as an air / water fluid tube and a suction tube. The electric cord is one in which a signal cable is inserted among the various insertion members described above. In short, the cord is a long member that is provided in the endoscope and is detachably connected to various devices. The linear members provided in the casing are light guides, signal cables, and the like, and include fragile members that can be easily damaged when an external force is applied. In the connector of the present invention, these fragile members To be able to protect.

  The connector casing provided at the end of the cord is divided into a fixed part case and an insertion / removal part case. The fixed part case is fixedly attached to the connector body, and the insertion / removal part case is a connector. It is provided so as to be removable from the main body. To remove the insertion / removal unit case, the presser ring is removed and the connector main body is separated. Each of the fixed part case and the insertion / removal part case can be formed of a single member, but one or both of them can be further divided as required. As described above, the reason why the insertion / removal case can be removed by dividing it into the fixed part case and the insertion / removal part case is to allow the space part to be formed in the sealed casing. This space can usually be used as a space for maintenance. Therefore, for example, when a relay board to which a cable is connected is provided, it is desirable to form a maintenance space that can open the relay board as a whole. Moreover, by making most of the parts of the casing into the insertion / removal part case, the damage is mainly caused on the insertion / removal part case side when an impact or the like acts on the casing. Since the insertion / removal case can be completely separated from other parts of the connector, the replacement becomes easy.

  When another cord is pulled out from the connector, for example, in the case of a light source connector, and the electric cord is pulled out from the light source connector, the electric cord is pulled out through the fixing portion case. This electric cord is provided not only in the case where it is fixedly provided in the casing, but also in the case where the electric cord is detachably connected to the casing. Further, in the light source connector, for example, a suction pipe connection portion or the like is provided, but no connection portion is provided in the insertion / removal portion case. However, it is possible to provide one that does not have a member that extends into the casing, such as an air-conducting adapter for airtightness inspection.

  As described above, the casing of the connector is composed of the fixed part case and the insertion / removal part case, so that the insertion / removal part case is removed from the connector body side and separated, so that it does not slide with respect to the cord. A space for maintenance or the like can be secured, and the insertion / removal case can be assembled so that various members mounted in the casing do not protrude.

    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the endoscope. In the figure, 1 is a main body operation part, and 2 is an insertion part into a body cavity. As is well known, an illumination unit for illuminating the inside of the body cavity and an observation window for observing the inside of the body cavity are provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 2. Illumination light to the illumination unit is transmitted through a light guide made of an optical fiber bundle. Further, as an observation means in the body cavity, an imaging device provided at the imaging position of the objective lens is provided. This imaging device converts an optical image in the body cavity into an electrical signal, and a video signal processing device via a signal cable. The video signal processing apparatus performs signal processing.

  A universal cord 3 is connected to the main body operation unit 1, and the light guide and signal cable described above are inserted into the universal cord 3, and tubes such as an air supply / water supply tube and a suction tube are also inserted. Has been. A light source connector 4 is connected to the distal end portion of the universal cord 3, and the light source connector 4 is detachably connected to a socket portion 5 a of the light source device 5. An electric cord 6 is connected to the light source connector 4, and an electric connector 7 that is detachably connected to a video signal processing device (not shown) is connected to the tip of the electric cord 6.

  The external appearance of the light source connector 4 is shown in FIG. 2, and its cross section is shown in FIG. In these drawings, reference numeral 10 denotes a casing of the light source connector 4, and the casing 10 includes a first fixing portion case 11 to which the distal end portion of the universal cord 3 is connected and a second portion from which the electric cord 6 is drawn out. The fixed part case 12 and the insertion / removal part case 13 are divided into three parts. The connection portion 3 a of the universal cord 3 is inserted into the first fixed portion case 11, and the second fixed portion case 12 is screwed into the first fixed portion case 11.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a connector main body. The connector main body 14 is an annular member and is detachably connected to the light source device 5. The connector main body 14 is provided with a connector base portion 14a. A light guide rod 16 through which a light guide 15 made of an optical fiber bundle is inserted projects from the connector base portion 14a by a predetermined length. The light guide rod 16 is disposed to face the light source lamp built in the light source device 5. The connector base portion 14a is provided with a pipe connection portion 18 to which a fluid tube 17 is connected. When the connector main body 14 is connected to the light source device 5, for example, cleaning water or pressurized air for cleaning the observation window is supplied. A liquid supply pipe and an air supply pipe are connected. A connecting plate 19 is connected to the connector main body 14, and the other end of the connecting plate 19 is fixed to the second fixing portion case 12. Therefore, the connector main body 14 is fixed to the second fixing portion case 12 with a predetermined interval by the connecting plate 19.

  In addition, in the space between the second fixing part case 12 and the connector main body 14 to which the connecting plate 19 is mounted, as shown in FIG. The signal cable inserted through the universal cord 3 is connected to the relay board 20. The relay board 20 is equipped with electronic parts or the like as necessary, and a predetermined number of wirings 21 are drawn out from the relay board 20, and these wirings 21 are inserted into the electric cord 6. ing. The space formed between the second fixing part case 12 and the connector main body 14 described above can be used as a maintenance space.

  The insertion / removal case 13 is provided to seal the maintenance space and keep the inside of the casing 10 in an airtight state. The insertion / removal portion case 13 has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the connector main body 14, and can be inserted into the connector main body 14 from the front end side of the light guide rod 16. And the end surface 13a of the insertion / removal part case 13 can contact | abut to the end surface 12a of the 2nd fixing | fixed part case 12 over a perimeter. Engaging claws 22 protrude from the end face 13 a of the insertion / removal case 13 at several locations, and these engaging claws 22 are engaged with recesses formed on the end face 12 a of the second fixing part case 12. It comes to match. A sealing material is applied to the abutting portions of the both end surfaces 12a and 13a. Therefore, the abutting portions are sealed by bringing the end surfaces 12a and 13a into a pressure contact state. In addition, it can also comprise so that an elastic sealing member may be interposed in parts, such as between this end surface 12a, 13a.

  The end surface 13a of the insertion / removal unit case 13 is fixed in a state of pressing so as to be in pressure contact with the end surface 12a of the second fixing unit case 12. For this purpose, a screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the maximum diameter portion 14b of the connector main body 14, and a presser ring 23 is screwed to the maximum diameter portion 14b. And the level | step difference wall 13b is formed in the front end side of the insertion / extraction part case 13, ie, the edge part vicinity on the opposite side to the end surface 13a. Therefore, when the insertion / removal part case 13 is mounted so as to cover the maintenance space, and the presser ring 23 is screwed into the maximum diameter part 14b from the distal end side of the connector main body 14 and tightened, the insertion / removal part case 13 is 2, the insertion / removal part case 13 is mounted and fixed, and the joint between the insertion / removal part case 13 and the second fixing part case 12 is fixed. The seal function is exhibited by being pressed. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the presser ring 23 has seal grooves formed on the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side thereof, and the presser ring 23 is inserted into the presser ring 23 by the seal ring 24 attached to the seal groove on the outer peripheral side. The space between the inner peripheral surface of the removal case 13 is sealed, and the space between the presser ring 23 and the outer peripheral surface of the connector main body 14 is sealed by a seal ring 25 attached to the inner peripheral seal groove. .

  Here, the seal structure between the insertion / removal case 13 and the connector main body 14 is not limited to that shown in FIG. That is, an annular seal groove 30 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the connector main body 14, and an elastic seal member 31 is mounted in the seal groove 30 so that the elastic seal member 31 is in close contact with the inner surface of the insertion / removal case 13. To. In this case, the presser ring 32 can be formed in a ring shape in which a threaded portion that is screwed into the maximum diameter portion 14 b of the connector main body 14 is formed on the outer peripheral surface.

  By configuring as described above, the insertion / removal part case 13 can be attached / detached in a state where the first and second fixing part cases 11, 12 are attached to the universal cord 3. Since the insertion / removal part case 13 covers the mounting part of the relay board 20 almost completely, by removing the insertion / removal part case 13, the relay board 20 and its periphery can be widely opened. Maintenance work such as inspection and repair and parts replacement can be easily performed. Moreover, since the insertion / removal portion case 13 is inserted / removed toward the side opposite to the side to which the universal cord 3 is connected, maintenance is easily performed without damaging the members such as the universal cord 3 and the electric cord 6. The space for use can be opened. In addition, when the insertion / removal part case 13 is remounted after the maintenance is completed, the insertion / removal part case 13 is fitted from the connector body 14 side and brought into contact with the second fixing part case 12. Therefore, since the inside of the casing 10 can be visually observed until this contact, the light guide 15, the wiring 21, etc. mounted inside the insertion / removal part case 13 and the second fixing part case 12 The insertion / removal part case 13 can be safely mounted without being sandwiched between the two.

  As described above, since the space for maintenance is secured by detaching the insertion / removal part case 13, the dimension of the insertion / removal part case 13 is increased, and the first and second fixing part cases 11, 12 are It is desirable to minimize the size. In this way, by reducing the size of the fixed part case and dividing it into the first fixed part case 11 and the second fixed part case 12, the strength increases, and even when it collides with other objects. The possibility of causing damage or breakage is extremely reduced. Further, the insertion / removal case 13 may be damaged or broken by collision with other objects, but can be easily replaced by removing the insertion / removal case.

  Here, the electric cord 6 is drawn out from the second fixing portion case 12, and the wiring 21 is inserted into the electric cord 6. From the viewpoint of maintenance, the electric cord 6 can be configured to be detachable from the second fixing portion 12. For this purpose, a substrate is provided at the connection portion of the electric cord 6 in the second fixed portion case 12, a predetermined number of electrode pins are provided on the substrate, and the electrode pins are attached to and detached from the electrode pins. A contact member is provided.

  Further, the casing 10 is provided with a suction pipe connection portion 26 to which the suction pipe is detachably connected. Since the suction pipe connection portion 26 is connected to a suction tube inserted into the universal cord 3, FIG. And as shown in FIG. 4, it connects to the 2nd fixing | fixed part case 12 (or 1st fixing | fixed part case 11), and it does not provide in the insertion / extraction part case 13. As shown in FIG. However, the air guide adapter 27 for airtightness inspection can be provided in the insertion / removal part case 13. The air guide adapter 27 is normally sealed, and is configured so that pressurized air for airtightness inspection can be sent into the casing 10 by connecting the air guide pipe. Since a tube or the like is not connected to the air guide adapter 27 on the side, even if the tube is provided in the insertion / removal case 13, the attachment / detachment of the insertion / removal case 13 is not affected.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external view of the light source connector of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the light source connector of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2. It is an expanded sectional view of the connection part of an insertion / removal case and a connector main body. FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing a connection between the insertion / removal case and the connector body using a presser ring having a configuration different from that of FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body operation part 2 Insertion part 3 Universal cord 4 Light source connector 6 Electric cord 10 Casing 11 1st fixing | fixed part case 12 2nd fixing | fixed part case 13 Insertion / removal part case 12a, 13a End surface 14 Connector main body 14a Connector base 15 Light guide 16 Light guide rod 17 Fluid tube 19 Connecting plate 20 Relay substrate 23, 32 Presser rings 24, 25 Seal ring 31 Elastic seal member

Claims (3)

In the connector of the endoscope in which a connecting portion to the cord is provided on one end side of the casing and a connector main body is provided on the other end side, and a predetermined number of linear members are mounted inside the casing.
The casing is composed of a fixed part case having a connection part to the cord, and an insertion / removal part case provided so as to be detachably contacted with an end of the fixed part case,
The fixed portion case and the connector main body are connected by a connecting member, and a space portion is formed between the end portion of the fixed portion case and the connector main body,
The insertion / removal part case is inserted through the connector body and is mounted so as to cover the space part,
By screwing a presser ring into the connector body, the insertion / removal part case is brought into pressure contact with the fixed part case,
An endoscope connector characterized by sealing between the connector main body and the insertion / removal part case. The said connector main body has a connector base part and the light guide rod which protrudes from this connector base part, This connector main body is connected to a light source device so that attachment or detachment is possible. Endoscope connector. The cord connected to the fixed portion case is a universal cord, and the fixed portion case is provided with a connecting cord lead-out portion to the electrical connector, and the cable inserted from the universal cord to the connecting cord is 3. The endoscope connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector passes through the space.

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