JP2007325705A - Ultrasonic signal connector of ultrasonic endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope having a compact configuration which achieves good routine operability and maintains excellent air-tightness even when the pressure of an inner space is higher than that of the outside. <P>SOLUTION: A waterproof cap 30 covers a group of electric contacts 18 water-tightly. A waterproof cap engaging groove 19 is formed on a contact group attached wall 17 so that the groove and the edge of the waterproof cap engages detachably. In addition, a pressing nail 23 is formed on the outer edge of the contact group attached wall 17 for pressing the edge of an open end of a connector case 14. With such a configuration, when the pressure of an inner space surrounded by a connector case 14 and the contact group arrangement wall 17 becomes higher than that of the outside, the pressing nail regulates an outward expansion of the open end of the connector case 14 due to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope.

  In an ultrasonic endoscope, an ultrasonic probe is disposed at the distal end of an insertion portion, and an electric contact group for transmitting and receiving electric signals input to and output from the ultrasonic probe is provided in the ultrasonic signal connector.

And, when cleaning and disinfecting the device after use, the edge of the connector case is formed to protrude so that the electrical contact group does not get wet and water does not enter the ultrasonic signal connector. A cap can be attached (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-5-285133

  However, if the edge of the connector case is greatly protruded as in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the connector case becomes large for cleaning and disinfection after use, and the daily handling performance is significantly reduced. Become difficult to use.

  Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the connector case 93 is compactly formed so that the connector case 93 does not protrude from the contact group disposition wall 92 in which the electric contact group 91 is disposed outward. By attaching the waterproof cap 94 for watertightly covering the group 91 to the contact group arranging wall 92 so as to be freely attached and detached, it is possible to improve the daily handling of the ultrasonic signal connector.

  The connector case 93 is formed in a box shape in which only one surface is opened. A contact group disposition wall 92 is fitted along the inner periphery of the open end, and a sealing O-ring 95 is disposed on the fitting surface. ing.

  However, simply taking such a configuration, in order to perform an airtight test prior to cleaning and disinfection, the pressure in the inner space surrounded by the connector case 93 and the contact group arranging wall 92 is set to a positive pressure compared to the outside. Sometimes, due to the difference between the internal and external pressures, the open end 93a of the connector case 93 spreads outward as shown in FIG. It may disappear.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a superconducting ultrasonic endoscope capable of maintaining excellent airtightness even when the pressure in the internal space becomes positive compared to the outside, with a compact configuration and good daily handling. An object is to provide a sonic signal connector.

  In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope according to the present invention transmits and receives electrical signals input to and output from the ultrasonic probe disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope. And an ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope that is detachably connected to an ultrasonic signal controller disposed outside the ultrasonic endoscope. A configuration in which the contact group disposition wall disposed outward is fitted along the inner periphery of the open end of the box-shaped connector case with only one surface opened, and a sealing member is provided on the mating surface An ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope having a waterproof cap engaging groove in which a rim of a waterproof cap for covering the electrical contact group in a watertight manner is freely detachable on the contact group arranging wall; and a connector case Inside surrounded by contact group placement wall Pressing claws that hold the edge of the connector case's open end from the outside so as to restrict the open end of the connector case from spreading outward due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside when the pressure between them becomes positive compared to the outside. , Formed on the outer edge of the contact group disposition wall.

  In addition, the outer edge shape of the contact group arrangement wall may be formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the pressing claws may be formed at least on each of the two long sides of the contact group arrangement wall. It may be formed at least near the center position of each of the two long sides. Alternatively, the pressing claws may be formed at substantially symmetrical positions on both sides of the two long sides of the contact group arrangement wall with the center position therebetween.

  Further, the presser claw may be formed in a shape in which the outer end portion of the contact group arrangement wall is bent in the direction of the wall surface of the connector case, and the portion pressed from the outside by the presser claw at the edge of the open end of the connector case is The presser claw may be formed in a concave shape corresponding to the shape of the presser claw so that the presser claw does not protrude outward from the outer edge of the opening end of the connector case.

  The seal member may be an O-ring, and an O-ring mounting groove in which the O-ring is mounted may be formed on the entire contact surface of the contact group disposition wall with respect to the connector case.

  One side wall portion of such an O-ring mounting groove may be formed by a plate-like member formed separately from the contact group placement wall, and the pin-like projections that protrude from the contact group placement wall side are plates. The plate-like member may be fixed to the contact group arranging wall by passing through a hole formed in the like-like member and crushing the head of the pin-like protrusion into a rivet shape.

  In addition, the waterproof cap engaging groove is formed in a ring shape at a position surrounding the electrical contact group of the contact group arrangement wall so that the edge of the waterproof cap is fitted in the waterproof cap engaging groove. The sealing member for sealing the fitting part of the edge part of a waterproof wall and a waterproof cap engagement groove | channel may be provided.

  According to the present invention, a waterproof cap engaging groove is provided in the contact group disposition wall so that the edge of the waterproof cap for covering the electrical contact group in a watertight manner is freely detachable, and is surrounded by the connector case and the contact group disposition wall. Presser that holds the edge of the connector case's open end from the outside so as to restrict the open end of the connector case from spreading outward due to the internal / external pressure difference when the internal space pressure becomes positive compared to the outside. By forming the claws on the outer edge of the contact group placement wall, it has a compact structure and is easy to handle on a daily basis, and maintains excellent airtightness even when the internal space pressure is positive compared to the outside. can do.

  An ultrasonic signal controller disposed outside the ultrasonic endoscope, provided with an electrical contact group for transmitting and receiving an electric signal input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope An ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope that is detachably connected to a contact-group arrangement wall in which electrical contact groups are arranged outwardly, a box-like shape in which only one surface is opened In an ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope having a configuration in which a fitting member is fitted along the inner periphery of the opening end of the connector case and a sealing member is provided on the fitting surface, A waterproof cap engagement groove that allows the edge of the waterproof cap to freely engage and disengage is provided on the contact group placement wall, and the pressure in the internal space surrounded by the connector case and the contact group placement wall is positive compared to the outside. When the connector cable Open end a pressing claw for pressing the edge of the open end of the connector case so as to restrict the spread outwardly from the outside, is formed on the outer edge of the contact group locating wall.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows an ultrasonic endoscope, and an ultrasonic probe 2 is arranged at the tip of a flexible insertion portion 1 to be inserted into a body cavity. Reference numeral 50 denotes an ultrasonic signal controller arranged outside the ultrasonic endoscope.

  The operation unit 3 is coupled to the proximal end of the insertion unit 1, and the ultrasonic signal connector 10 that is detachably connected to the connector receiver 51 provided in the ultrasonic signal controller 50 extends from the operation unit 3. It is attached to the tip of the sex cord 4.

  At the center position of the front surface of the ultrasonic signal connector 10 (that is, the surface connected to the ultrasonic signal controller 50), a connecting rod 11 is disposed so as to be rotatable around the axis line. For example, a pin-like protruding member 12 protrudes from the side surface near the protruding end.

  The projecting member 12 is detachably engaged with a cam groove (not shown) formed in the connector receiver 51 of the ultrasonic signal controller 50 to maintain a connection state with the connector receiver 51. An operating lever 13 for rotating the connecting rod 11 around the axis from the other end side to rotate the protruding member 12 is disposed on the back side of the ultrasonic signal connector 10. Reference numeral 5 denotes a connector of an optical observation system connected to a video processor (also a light source device) not shown.

  FIG. 3 shows an ultrasonic signal connector 10. Reference numeral 14 denotes a substantially cubic box-shaped connector case having only one surface opened, and a number of wirings and the like arranged therein are not shown. .

  An O-ring 15 for sealing is mounted in a hole portion that is inserted so as to allow the connecting rod 11 to freely pass therethrough. The O-ring 15 is shown in a cross-sectional shape before being crushed by mounting. The same applies to other O-rings 21 and 31 described later.

  On the contact group disposition wall 17 fitted along the inner periphery of the open end of the connector case 14, an electric contact group 18 for transmitting / receiving an electric signal input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe 2 protrudes outward. It is attached to the state.

  On the outer surface of the contact group disposition wall 17, a waterproof cap engagement groove 19 is provided that allows the edge of the waterproof cap 30 to cover the electrical contact group 18 in a watertight manner during cleaning and disinfection. The O-ring 31 (sealing member) for sealing the fitting portion between the edge of the waterproof cap 30 and the waterproof cap engaging groove 19 is formed in a ring shape at a position surrounding the entire circumference of the waterproof cap 30. Attached to the edge.

  Inside the waterproof cap 30, a cam groove (not shown) for engaging and disengaging the protruding member 12 of the connecting rod 11 is formed similarly to the connector receiver 51, and is attached to the edge of the waterproof cap 30. The waterproof cap 30 can be fixed to the contact group arranging wall 17 in a sealed state in which the sealing O-ring 31 is pressed against the inner wall surface of the waterproof cap engaging groove 19.

  On the outer periphery of the fitting surface of the contact group disposition wall 17 fitted into the opening end of the connector case 14, an O-ring 21 (seal member) for sealing the fitting surface over the entire circumference is mounted, and is waterproof. If the waterproof cap 30 is attached to the cap engagement groove 19, the internal space surrounded by the connector case 14 and the contact group disposition wall 17 is in a state of being watertightly sealed from the outside. The O-ring mounting groove 22 in which the O-ring 21 is mounted is formed continuously in a continuous manner over the entire circumference of the fitting surface of the contact group disposition wall 17 with respect to the connector case 14.

  FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of this portion, and the pressure in the inner space surrounded by the connector case 14 and the contact group placement wall 17 is positive at the outer edge of the contact group placement wall 17 compared to the outside. When this happens, a holding claw 23 for restricting the opening end of the connector case 14 from spreading outward due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the connector case 14 is formed to press the edge of the opening end of the connector case 14 from the outside.

  The presser claw 23 is formed in a shape in which the outer end portion of the contact group arranging wall 17 is bent in the direction of the wall surface of the connector case 14. On the other hand, the portion pressed from the outside by the pressing claw 23 at the edge of the opening end of the connector case 14 has a recessed shape 24 that corresponds to the shape of the pressing claw 23. It is comprised so that it may not protrude outside from the outer edge of an opening end. Therefore, the outer edge of the contact group disposition wall 17 does not protrude outward from the outer wall surface of the connector case 14.

  The contact group disposition wall 17 is formed of a plastic material by die molding. However, since the pressing claw 23 as described above is formed, one side wall portion of the O-ring mounting groove 22 (upward in FIG. 1) is formed. The side wall portion is formed by a metal plate-like member 26 that is formed separately from the contact group arranging wall 17 and attached thereto.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, a pin-like protrusion 27 'protruding from the contact group arranging wall 17 is passed through a hole formed in the plate-like member 26, and the head of the pin-like protrusion 27' is shown. As shown in FIG. 1, the plate-like member 26 is fixed to the contact group arrangement wall 17 to form one side wall portion of the O-ring mounting groove 22 by being crushed into a rivet 27 shape.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the contact group arrangement wall 17 alone before the plate-like member 26, the electrical contact group 18 and the like are attached to the contact group arrangement wall 17, and the outer edge shape of the contact group arrangement wall 17 is substantially rectangular. The pin-shaped protrusions 27 ′ that are formed and crushed into a rivet 27 shape are formed at a total of about 12 positions at intervals. Reference numeral 27 ″ denotes a pin-shaped projection dedicated for positioning that does not crush the head.

  Further, the presser claws 23 are equally spread over both sides of the center positions of the two long sides of the contact group arranging wall 17 formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and are about one third of the length of the long sides. 6 is a state in which the contact claw disposition wall 17 is simply fitted along the inner periphery of the open end of the connector case 14, as shown in FIG. It has become.

  Note that the presser claws 23 may be divided into substantially symmetrical positions on both sides of the center positions of the two long sides of the contact group disposition wall 17, and a plurality of presser claws 23 may be formed if necessary. The pressing claw 23 may be formed also on the short side of 17, or the pressing claw 23 may be formed over the entire circumference of the outer edge of the contact group arranging wall 17.

  As described above, the presser claw 23 that presses the edge of the opening end of the connector case 14 from the outside is formed on the outer edge of the contact group arranging wall 17, so that it is surrounded by the connector case 14 and the contact group arranging wall 17. Even if the pressure in the internal space becomes positive compared to the outside, the open end of the connector case 14 is restricted from spreading outward due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside, and excellent airtightness is obtained, so leak tests etc. are smooth In addition, since it is not necessary to adopt a configuration in which the connector case 14 protrudes greatly, it is possible to improve daily handling with a compact configuration.

It is a partial expanded sectional view of the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope of the Example of this invention. 1 is a side view showing an overall configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is a partial expanded sectional view in the manufacture process of the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the contact group arrangement wall simple substance of the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope of the example of the present invention. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope of the Example of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the ultrasonic signal connector of the conventional ultrasonic endoscope. It is sectional drawing which shows the state of the malfunction in the ultrasonic signal connector of the conventional ultrasonic endoscope.

Explanation of symbols

2 Ultrasonic probe 10 Ultrasonic signal connector 14 Connector case 17 Contact group arrangement wall 18 Electrical contact group 19 Waterproof cap engagement groove 21 O-ring (seal member)
22 O-ring mounting groove 23 Pressing claw 24 Dimple 26 Plate member 27 Rivet 27 'Pin-shaped protrusion 30 Waterproof cap 31 O-ring (seal member)

Claims (12)

An ultrasonic signal controller disposed outside the ultrasonic endoscope, provided with an electrical contact group for transmitting and receiving an electric signal input / output to / from the ultrasonic probe disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion of the ultrasonic endoscope An ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope that is detachably connected to
The contact group disposition wall in which the electric contact group is disposed outward is fitted along the inner periphery of the open end of the box-shaped connector case in which only one surface is opened, and the sealing member is attached to the fitting surface. In an ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope having a configuration provided with:
While providing a waterproof cap engaging groove on the wall of the contact group, the edge of the waterproof cap for covering the electrical contact group in a watertight manner is freely detachable,
When the pressure in the internal space surrounded by the connector case and the contact group placement wall becomes positive compared to the outside, the opening difference of the connector case is restricted from spreading outward due to the internal / external pressure difference. An ultrasonic signal connector for an ultrasonic endoscope, characterized in that a pressing claw for pressing the edge of the opening end of the connector case from the outside is formed on the outer edge of the contact group arrangement wall.   The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein an outer edge shape of the contact group arrangement wall is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the pressing claws are formed on at least two long sides of the contact group arrangement wall. Ultrasonic signal connector.   The ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the pressing claw is formed at least near the center position of each of the two long sides of the contact group arrangement wall.   The ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the pressing claws are formed at substantially symmetrical positions on both sides of the two long sides of the contact group arrangement wall with the central position therebetween.   5. The ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the pressing claw is formed in a shape in which an outer end portion of the contact group arrangement wall is bent toward a wall surface direction of the connector case. 6. Sonic signal connector.   A portion of the edge of the connector case that is pressed from the outside by the presser claw is formed in a concave shape corresponding to the shape of the presser claw, and the presser claw is formed from an outer edge of the connector case. 6. The ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic signal connector is configured not to protrude outward.   The ultrasonic signal connector for an ultrasonic endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seal member is an O-ring.   8. The ultrasonic signal connector for an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 7, wherein an O-ring mounting groove in which the O-ring is mounted is formed all around the fitting surface of the contact group disposition wall with respect to the connector case.   The ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 8, wherein one side wall portion of the O-ring mounting groove is formed by a plate-like member formed separately from the contact group arrangement wall.   The pin-like projections that are formed to project from the contact group arrangement wall side are passed through holes formed in the plate-like member, and the heads of the pin-like projections are crushed into rivets so that the plate-like member is The ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 9, which is fixed to the contact group arranging wall.   The waterproof cap engaging groove is annularly formed in a position surrounding the electrical contact group on the contact group disposition wall, and the edge of the waterproof cap is fitted into the waterproof cap engaging groove. The ultrasonic signal connector of the ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 1, which is attached.   The ultrasonic signal connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to claim 11, wherein a sealing member for sealing a fitting portion between an edge of the waterproof wall and the waterproof cap engaging groove is provided.

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