JP2011019570A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope having a means for effectively radiating heat generated in a light emitting element while acquiring a sufficient quantity of light from the light emitting element without increasing the diameter of an insertion part. <P>SOLUTION: At least one projection 56 is formed at the distal end of a curving member 51 of a curving part 5. A substrate 62 on which an LED 61 as the light emitting element is mounted is fixed to each projection 56. The substrate 62 is formed of a member whose heat conductivity is higher than that of a distal-end hard part 6, and the heat generated in the LED 61 as the light emitting element can be conducted from the substrate 62 to the curving member 51. Since the curving member 51 is formed of a member whose heat conductivity is equal to or higher than that of the distal-end hard part 6, the heat conducted from the substrate 62 to the curving member 51 is conducted not to the distal-end hard part 6 but further to the proximal end side of the curving member 51 and to a helical tube of a flexible tube 4 connected to the proximal end side of the curving member 51. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope widely used for various uses such as medical use and industrial use.

  Generally, a light source device that is a peripheral device to which an endoscope is connected is used as a light source of an endoscope. The emitted light from the light source device is irradiated to the subject from an illumination window provided at the distal end rigid portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope through a light guide inserted into the insertion portion of the endoscope.

  In recent years, instead of using a light guide, instead of using a light guide, an LED is attached to the distal rigid portion of the endoscope in order to simplify (miniaturize) and save power in an endoscope system including an endoscope and peripheral devices. And the like, which illuminate a subject from an illumination window. In patent document 1, the endoscope which incorporated LED in the front-end | tip hard part main body of a front-end | tip hard part is disclosed.

  In the case where the light emitting element is disposed at the distal end hard portion, means for preventing the temperature rise of the distal end hard portion due to heat generation of the light emitting element is provided. Patent Document 2 discloses an endoscope in which an LED and a heat sink are provided at a distal end rigid portion. Heat generated in the LED is conducted to the operation unit side through the heat sink. Patent Document 3 discloses an endoscope in which a conduit for circulating liquid is provided in the distal end rigid portion, and Patent Document 4 discloses an endoscope in which a conduit for circulating air is provided in the distal rigid portion. Yes. The heat generated by the LED at the distal end hard portion is radiated through the liquid or air inside the pipe.

JP 2002-51971 A JP 2009-11612 A JP 2007-7322 A JP 2007-7321 A

  In the endoscope of Patent Document 1, an LED that is a light emitting element is provided at the distal end rigid portion, but no means for effectively dissipating heat generated by the LED is provided. For this reason, when the heat generated by the LED is conducted to the imaging element built in the hard end portion of the tip, there is a possibility that problems such as generation of noise in the endoscopic image may occur.

  As means for radiating the heat generated in the light emitting element, the heat sink is provided in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, and the pipe line through which air or liquid is circulated is provided in the distal end rigid portion in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4. However, the provision of the heat sink or the pipe line complicates the configuration of the endoscope system and increases the diameter of the insertion portion. Thereby, the insertion property which inserts the insertion part of an endoscope in a body cavity may fall.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and the object thereof is to effectively use the heat generated in the light emitting element while obtaining a sufficient amount of light without increasing the diameter of the insertion portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope including means for radiating heat.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope according to the present invention includes a bending portion including a bending member, a distal end rigid portion provided on a distal end side of the bending portion, and a light emitting element that emits light to irradiate a subject. At least one light emitting element unit, and the bending member is provided with a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit is attached, and the distal end rigid portion is provided with light emitted from the light emitting element as a subject. A light guide portion for guiding is provided.

  Since the light emitting element unit including the light emitting element is fixed to each light emitting element fixing portion, the heat generated in the light emitting element is conducted to the bending member. The heat conducted to the bending member is conducted from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. Thereby, the heat generated in the light emitting element can be effectively radiated.

  In addition, since the heat generated in the light emitting element is effectively radiated as described above, it is not necessary to provide a separate means for radiating the heat generated in the light emitting element inside the distal end rigid portion or the bending member. For this reason, while the structure of an endoscope system becomes simple, it can prevent that the diameter of an insertion part becomes thick. Thereby, the insertion property which inserts the insertion part of an endoscope in a body cavity can be improved.

  The light emitting element unit includes a substrate to which the light emitting element is attached and is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion, and the light emitting element fixing portion is more proximal than the distal end of the bending member. It is preferable to have a protrusion provided on the side where the substrate is disposed.

  Since the substrate disposed on the protruding portion provided on the light emitting element fixing portion of the bending member is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the hard end portion, heat generated in the light emitting element is conducted from the substrate to the bending member. The Thereby, the heat generated in the light emitting element can be effectively radiated.

  The distal end rigid portion is provided with an image sensor that captures an image of a subject irradiated on the light emitting element, and the substrate of the light emitting element unit extends from the protruding portion toward the distal end side of the distal end rigid portion. It is preferable that the element has a length that is arranged closer to the distal end side of the distal end rigid portion than the imaging element.

  Since the substrate to which the light emitting element is attached is formed long in the longitudinal direction, when the bending member is connected to the distal end rigid portion, the light emitting element is disposed at a more distal end side portion. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the subject with light having a higher intensity without the need for a light guide.

  The light emitting element unit includes a substrate to which the light emitting element is attached and is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion, and the light emitting element fixing portion is distal to the distal end of the bending member. It is preferable to have a protrusion that extends to the side and on which the substrate is disposed.

  When the bending member is connected to the distal end rigid portion, the light emitting element is disposed at the protruding portion that protrudes toward the distal end side from the distal end of the bending member provided on the light emitting element fixing portion. Is done. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the subject with light having a higher intensity without the need for a light guide.

  The substrate may be connected to electrical wiring that is inserted into the bending member.

  In addition, the light emitting element unit includes a flexible substrate on which at least a part is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the bending member and to which the light emitting element is attached, and the distal end portion of the bending member includes an inner peripheral side of the bending member and It is preferable that a notch portion penetrating the outer peripheral side is provided, and the light emitting element fixing portion is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the notch portion of the bending member.

  In addition, the flexible substrate includes a bent portion that is inserted into the cutout portion while being bent from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the bending member, and the light emitting element fixing portion is formed from a base end of the cutout portion. You may provide the protrusion part which protrudes toward the inner peripheral side of the said bending member, and the said bending part is fixed.

  Since the flexible substrate to which the light emitting element is attached is fixed to the bending member, heat generated in the light emitting element is conducted from the flexible substrate to the bending member. Thereby, the heat generated in the light emitting element can be effectively radiated.

  In addition, it is preferable that the bending member is formed by providing a plurality of slit portions in a predetermined pattern with a certain interval in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion.

  Since the bending member has a configuration that can be bent by forming a plurality of slit portions in a predetermined pattern with a certain interval in the longitudinal direction, a plurality of the same material, the same thickness, and the same diameter The thermal conductivity is higher than that of the bending tube in which the bending pieces are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. For this reason, the heat conducted to the bending member is further conducted to the base end side, and is conducted to the spiral tube of the flexible tube connected to the base end side of the bending member. Thereby, the heat generated in the light emitting element can be effectively radiated.

  Further, the bending member is a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion and are connected to each other so as to be rotatable. An element fixing part may be provided.

  In addition, it is preferable that a reticulated tube formed of a member having the same or higher thermal conductivity as the bending tube is provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending tube.

  Since a mesh tube equal to or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending member is provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending member, heat is conducted from each bending piece of the bending member to the mesh tube. The heat conducted to the mesh tube is further conducted to the proximal end side, and then to the flexible tube spiral tube connected to the bending member and the proximal end side of the mesh tube. Thereby, the heat generated in the light emitting element can be effectively radiated.

  In addition, it is preferable that the bending member is formed of a member having the same or higher thermal conductivity as the distal end hard portion. In addition, the tip rigid portion is provided at an observation optical system accommodation portion that accommodates an imaging element that captures an image of a subject irradiated with light from the light emitting element, and at a position separated from the observation optical system accommodation portion. It is preferable to include a light emitting element housing portion in which the light emitting element is disposed when the distal end rigid portion is connected to the bending member.

  When the distal rigid portion is connected to the bending member, the light emitting element accommodating portion in which the light emitting element is disposed is disposed at a position separated from the observation optical system accommodating portion in which the imaging element is accommodated, and the distal rigid portion is bent By forming the member with a member equivalent to or lower in thermal conductivity, heat conduction from the light emitting element to the imaging element can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an endoscope including means for effectively radiating heat generated in a light emitting element while obtaining a sufficient amount of light by the light emitting element without increasing the diameter of the insertion portion.

The perspective view which shows the endoscope system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the bending part and front-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the AA line in FIG. 2 which shows the curved part and front-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line in FIG. 2 which shows the curved part and front-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on 1st Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the bending part and front-end | tip rigid part which are shown in FIG. 4 of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment into a bending part, a front-end | tip part main body, and a front-end | tip cover. The perspective view which shows the structure of the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the light emitting element unit arrange | positioned at the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of 1st Embodiment, and the helical tube of a flexible tube. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line in FIG. 2 which shows the curved part and distal-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the bending member and mesh tube of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line in FIG. 2 which shows the curved part and front-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the light emitting element unit in the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The top view which shows the structure of the light emitting element unit arrange | positioned at the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the state which has arrange | positioned the light emitting element unit in the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of 3rd Embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows the state which attached the light emitting element unit to the curved part of the endoscope which concerns on the modification of 3rd Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line in FIG. 2 which shows the structure of the bending part and distal-end | tip hard part of the endoscope which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the bending member of the bending part of the endoscope which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the BB line | wire in FIG. 2 which shows the structure of the bending part and distal-end | tip rigid part of the endoscope which concern on the 5th Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1A according to this embodiment includes an endoscope 1, an image processing / illumination power supply device 21, a monitor 22, a water supply tank 23, a suction tank 24, and a suction device. 25.

  The endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion portion 2 that is inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 3 that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 2, and a universal cord 16 that is provided on the proximal end side of the operation portion 3. . The insertion portion 2 includes a long and flexible flexible tube 4, a bending portion 5 connected to the distal end side of the flexible tube 4, and a distal end rigid portion 6 provided on the distal end side of the bending portion 5 (see FIG. 2). ). The operation unit 3 is provided with an operation knob 11 for performing a bending operation of the bending unit 5, a forceps port 12 for inserting forceps, a suction operation button 13 for performing a suction operation, an air / water supply button 14 for performing an air / water supply operation, and the like. Yes. Between the distal end rigid portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 and the operation portion 3, a channel, an air supply / water supply path (both not shown) and the like are disposed through the flexible tube 4 and the bending portion 5 of the insertion portion 2. .

  A connector 17 connected to the image processing / illumination power supply device 21 is disposed at an end portion of the universal cord 16 which is distal to the operation unit 3. The image processing / illumination power supply device 21 is connected to a monitor 22 that displays an endoscopic image of a subject. An air / water supply base 26 is attached to the connector 17, and one end of a tube 27 is connected to the air / water supply base 26. The other end of the tube 27 is connected to the water supply tank 23. A suction base 28 is attached to the connector 17, and one end of a tube 29 is connected to the suction base 28. The other end of the tube 29 is connected to the suction tank 24. The suction tank 24 is connected to a suction device 25.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the distal end rigid portion 6 includes a substantially columnar distal end main body 30 connected to the bending portion 5 and a distal end cover 31 disposed on the distal end side of the distal end main body 30. Have. The tip end body 30 and the tip cover 31 are formed of a member having low thermal conductivity such as resin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tip cover 31 has a channel tip opening 32 formed therein. A channel hole (not shown) communicating with the tip opening 32 of the tip cover 31 is formed in the tip body 30. A distal end of a channel tube (not shown) is fixed to the proximal end of the channel hole. The channel tube extends into the operation unit 3 through the bending portion 5 and the flexible tube 4. For example, the channel tube is divided into two parts inside the operation unit 3. One of the channel tubes divided into two is connected to the forceps port 12 of the operation unit 3, and the other is connected to the suction cap 28 through the universal cord 16 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the air supply / water supply hole 33 of the air supply / water supply passage is formed in the distal end portion main body 30 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. A nozzle 35 attached to the front end cover 31 is connected to the front end side of the air / water supply hole 33. A distal end portion of an air / water supply tube 37 is connected to the proximal end side of the air / water supply hole 33 through a connecting pipe 36. The air / water supply tube 37 is connected to the air / water supply base 26 through the inside of the bending portion 5 and the flexible tube 4, the operation portion 3 and the universal cord 16 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the tip body 30 is provided with an imaging unit (observation optical system) for imaging a subject. The imaging unit includes an objective lens 43 that forms an image of a subject, an imaging device 41 such as a CCD that captures an image formed by the objective lens 43, and an imaging cable 45 connected to the imaging device 41. The objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41 are disposed on the same optical axis. The objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41 are accommodated in an observation optical system accommodating portion 42 formed in the distal end portion main body 30 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. The distal end cover 31 is provided with an observation window 43 a at a position corresponding to the objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41. The observation window 43 a is disposed on the distal end side of the objective lens 43 and on the same optical axis as the objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41. An imaging cable 45 is connected to the proximal end side of the imaging element 41. The imaging cable 45 is connected to the image processing / illumination power supply device 21 through the bending portion 5, the flexible tube 4, the operation portion 3, and the universal cord 16 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the bending portion 5 includes a substantially cylindrical bending member 51 connected to the distal end portion body 30 by, for example, fitting, and a resin-made outer skin coated on the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 51. 52. The bending member 51 is formed of a member having the same or higher thermal conductivity as the tip hard portion 6 made of resin, such as SUS or a superelastic alloy. That is, the distal end rigid portion 6 is equivalent to the bending member 51 or has a lower thermal conductivity.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the bending member 51 is provided with a plurality of slit portions 53 formed by laser processing or the like with a predetermined pattern in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. Each slit portion 53 of the bending member 51 of the present embodiment is formed with a length approximately half of the circumference of the bending member 51 along the direction around the axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2.

  Note that an operation wire (not shown) is disposed between the bending member 51 of the bending portion 5 and the operation knob 11 of the operation portion 3. The bending member 51 can be bent in two directions if the slit portions 53 are alternately provided at two positions facing each other around the axis with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction. If four positions are sequentially provided at predetermined intervals and shifted by 90 degrees in the direction around the axis, bending is possible in four directions. Thus, by providing the slit portion 53 in the bending member 51, the bending member 51 can be bent. With such a configuration, bending pieces having the same material, the same thickness, and the same diameter as the bending member 51 are connected in parallel at two points in the longitudinal direction, and are connected so as to be rotatable with respect to each other. Thermal conductivity is higher than that of a bending member (bending tube) 81 (see FIG. 10) of a second embodiment to be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the bending member 51 is provided at the distal end thereof at a position approximately 180 ° away from the axis so that two (one pair) cutout portions 55 face each other by cutting. It has been. For this reason, the protrusion 56 protrudes toward the inner peripheral side (center axis side) of the bending member 51 at the base end of each notch 55. That is, the protruding portion 56 protrudes toward the central axis side of the bending member 51 by bending the portion of the bending member 51 where the cutout portion 55 is formed toward the inner peripheral side at the base end of the cutout portion 55. Is formed. 56 A of front-end | tip surfaces of the protrusion part 56 are formed in planar shape. At this time, it is preferable that the direction in which the distal end surface 56 </ b> A faces coincides with the direction of the central axis of the bending member 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light emitting element unit 60 is attached to the tip surface 56 </ b> A of the protrusion 56. That is, the protruding portion 56 is a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit 60 is fixed. As shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting element unit 60 includes an LED 61 that is a light emitting element, and a substrate 62 to which the LED 61 is attached. At this time, the LED 61 is disposed so as to emit light in the same direction as the central axis of the bending member 51.

  The substrate 62 is formed of a hard member such as graphite, aluminum metal, aluminum nitride, or the like, which has higher thermal conductivity than the distal end hard portion 6. The curved member 51 is preferably formed of a member having high thermal conductivity in order to prevent the heat received from the substrate 62 from staying at the protruding portion 56 and to conduct heat efficiently.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the substrate 62 is attached to the distal end surface 56 </ b> A of the protruding portion 56 with an adhesive or the like having high thermal conductivity. At this time, the entire base end surface 62 </ b> A of the substrate 62 is not in contact with the front end surface 56 </ b> A of the protruding portion 56. That is, the substrate 62 is attached to the protruding portion 56 in a state where a part of the base end surface 62A does not contact the distal end surface 56A of the protruding portion 56. The tip end portion of the lead wire 63 is connected to the portion of the base end face 62A of the substrate 62 that is not in contact with the tip end surface 56A of the protruding portion 56 as two plus and minus electric wires. The lead wire 63 is connected to the image processing / illumination power supply device 21 through the bending member 51 and the flexible tube 4, the operation unit 3, and the universal cord 16 (see FIG. 1). For this reason, the LED 61 is lit by supplying power from the image processing / illumination power supply device 21 via the lead wire 63.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a space (hereinafter referred to as an illumination space) in which the illumination optical system (light emitting element unit 60) is disposed in the distal end body 30 along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 2. ) 66 is formed at a position corresponding to the light emitting element unit 60. The illumination space 66 is formed at a position separated from the observation optical system housing part 42 in which the objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41 are housed. When the tip body 30 is connected to the bending member 51, the LED 61 is disposed inside the illumination space 66. In other words, the illumination space 66 is a light emitting element accommodating portion that accommodates the LED 61 that is a light emitting element. The tip cover 31 is provided with an illumination lens 67 and an illumination window 68 at a position corresponding to the illumination space 66. Light emitted from the LED 61 is emitted from the illumination window 68 through the illumination space 66 and the illumination lens 67 and is irradiated onto the subject. That is, the illumination space 66 and the illumination lens 67 serve as a light guide unit that guides light emitted from the LED 61 that is a light emitting element to the subject, and the light guide unit is provided in the distal end body 30 and the distal end cover 31 that constitute the distal end rigid portion 6. It has been.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

  The LED 61 emits light by the power supplied from the image processing / illumination power supply device 21 through the lead wire 63. Light emitted from the LED 61 is emitted from the illumination window 68 through the illumination space 66 of the distal end body 30 and the illumination lens 67 of the distal end cover 31, and is irradiated onto the subject.

  At this time, if power is continuously supplied to the LED 61 through the lead wire 63, the LED 61 gradually generates heat. Since the substrate 62 is formed of a member having high thermal conductivity such as graphite, aluminum metal, and aluminum nitride, and the bending member 51 is also formed of a member having high thermal conductivity, the heat generated by the LED 61 is generated by the substrate. Conducted from 62 to the bending member 51. At this time, since an adhesive having a high thermal conductivity is interposed between the substrate 62 and the protruding portion 56 of the bending member 51, heat is efficiently conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 51. To go.

  Since the bending member 51 is formed of a member equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat conducted to the bending member 51 is not in the distal end rigid portion 6 on the distal end side of the bending member 51. Then, conduction is performed from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the bending member 51. Then, it is conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the proximal end side of the bending member 51. As described above, the heat generated in the LED 61 is diffused through the substrate 62 and the bending member 51 (and also the spiral tube), and thus is radiated.

  In addition, the illumination space 66 that is a light emitting element accommodating portion in which the LED 61 is disposed is disposed at a position separated from the observation optical system accommodating portion 42 in which the imaging element 41 is accommodated, and the distal end rigid portion 6 is a resin material or the like. It is formed of a member equivalent to the bending member 51 or a member having lower thermal conductivity. For this reason, conduction of heat from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 is prevented.

  Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects.

  In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, two protruding portions 56 are formed at the distal end portion of the bending member 51 of the bending portion 5, and a substrate 62 on which an LED 61 as a light emitting element is attached to each protruding portion 56. It is fixed. The substrate 62 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the hard end portion 6, and heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element can be conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 51 having high thermal conductivity. Since the bending member 51 is formed of a member equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 51 is not in the distal end rigid portion 6 but further in the bending member 51. Conducted to the base end side and can be conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the base end side of the bending member 51. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be effectively radiated.

  In the endoscope 1, when the distal end main body 30 is connected to the bending member 51, the illumination space 66 that is a light emitting element accommodating portion in which the LED 61 is disposed accommodates the objective lens 43 and the imaging element 41. It is arranged at a position separated from the observation optical system housing part 42. Since the distal end rigid portion 6 is formed of a member equivalent to the bending member 51 or a member having lower thermal conductivity, heat conduction from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to prevent heat from being applied to the image sensor 41 and to prevent the influence of the heat of the LED 61 on the image sensor 41.

  Further, in the endoscope 1, the heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is effectively radiated by the substrate 62 and the bending member 51 as described above, and thus is generated by the LED 61 inside the distal end rigid portion 6 or the bending member 51. There is no need to provide a separate means for dissipating heat. For this reason, the configuration of the endoscope system 1A can be simplified and the diameter of the insertion portion 2 can be prevented from becoming thick. Thereby, the insertion property which inserts the insertion part 2 of the endoscope 1 in a body cavity can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, the tip end body 30 and the tip cover 31 have been described as being formed separately, but may be integrally formed. In the present embodiment, the notch 55 is provided, but it is not always necessary. In this case, the protruding portion 56 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the bending member 51 toward the inner peripheral side.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the bending member 51 and the spiral tube 71 of the flexible tube 4 may be integrally formed on one tubular member 70. Thereby, the thermal conductivity between the bending member 51 and the spiral tube 71 is improved, and the heat generated by the LED 61 can be radiated more effectively.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is suitably attached | subjected to the member same as 1st Embodiment, and the member which has the same function, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the bending portion 5 of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment is provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending member 81 and the bending member 81 connected in a state of being fitted to the distal end portion main body 30. It has a mesh tube (blade) 82 and a resin outer skin 52 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the mesh tube 82.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the bending member 81 includes a bending tube formed by arranging a plurality of ring-shaped bending pieces 85 side by side in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5 and rotatably connecting the two at two points. It has become. Each bending piece 85 is formed of a member having a higher thermal conductivity, such as SUS, a super elastic alloy, or the like, for example, the same as the tip hard portion 6 made of resin. Of the plurality of bending pieces 85, the tip bending piece 85A arranged on the most distal side is provided with two notches 55 at positions separated by approximately 180 ° in the direction around the axis. At the base end of each notch 55, a protrusion 56 projects toward the inner peripheral side. 56 A of front-end | tip surfaces of the protrusion part 56 are formed in planar shape. As shown in FIG. 9, a substrate 62 to which an LED 61 as a light emitting element is attached is fixed to the distal end surface 56 </ b> A of the protruding portion 56. That is, the protruding portion 56 is a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit 60 including the LED 61 and the substrate 62 which are light emitting elements is fixed. The curved member 81 is preferably formed of a member having high thermal conductivity in order to prevent the heat received from the substrate 62 from staying at the protruding portion 56 and efficiently conduct the heat.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the mesh tube 82 is formed by weaving a plurality of strands 83 in a plurality of directions. The strand 83 is formed of a member that is equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending tube that is the bending member 81, such as beryllium copper or carbon fiber.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, when the LED 61 is caused to emit light as described in the first embodiment, heat generated from the LED 61 is conducted to the substrate 62. Since the distal end bending piece 85A of the bending member 81 is formed of a member having high thermal conductivity, heat is conducted from the substrate 62 to the distal bending piece 85A of the bending member 81. Since the bending member 81 is covered with a reticulated tube 82 that is the same as or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending piece 85 from the distal bending piece 85A to the most proximal bending piece 85, the distal bending piece 85A is covered with the bending piece 81. A part of the transmitted heat is conducted to the mesh tube 82, and the remaining part is a bending piece (second bending piece) 85 adjacent to the proximal end side from the distal bending piece (first bending piece) 85A. Conducted by

  Since the second bending piece 85 connected to the proximal end side of the distal bending piece 85A is also covered with the mesh tube 82, part of the heat is conducted to the mesh tube 82, and the remaining part is Further, it is conducted to a bending piece (third bending piece) 85 adjacent to the base end side.

  Thus, the heat generated from the LED 61 is conducted from the tip bending piece (first bending piece) 85A to the mesh tube 82 through the substrate 82, and the second, third,... Conducted to the bending piece 85 on the end side. Further, a part of the heat conducted to the second, third,..., Most proximal proximal bending piece 85 is conducted to the mesh tube 82.

  Since the bending member 81 is a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces 85 are connected to each other so as to be able to rotate, heat is only transmitted from two connecting portions of adjacent bending pieces 85 between the bending pieces 85. Conducted. For this reason, thermal conductivity is lower than, for example, the bending member 51 (see FIG. 6) of the first embodiment, which has the same material, the same thickness, and the same diameter as the bending member 81. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a mesh tube 82 formed of a member equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending member 81 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending member 81, and the mesh tube is formed from each bending piece 85 of the bending member 81. Heat is conducted to 82. The heat conducted to the mesh tube 82 is further conducted to the proximal end side, and then conducted to the bending member 81 and the spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the proximal end side of the mesh tube 82. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 is dissipated.

  Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects.

  In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 81. Further, the net-like tube 82 provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending member 81 is formed of a member equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending member 81. For this reason, heat is conducted from the respective bending pieces 85 of the bending member 81 to the mesh tube 82. The heat conducted to the mesh tube 82 is conducted from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and then conducted to the bending member 81 and the spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the proximal end side of the mesh tube 82. Is done. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be effectively radiated.

  In this embodiment, a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces 85 are rotatably connected to each other is used as the bending member 81, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of slit portions 53 are provided in the tubular member in a predetermined pattern with a certain interval in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5, thereby bending as shown in the first embodiment. The member 51 may be formed, and the mesh tube 82 may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the bending member 51. In the present embodiment, the notch 55 is provided, but it is not always necessary. In this case, the protrusion 56 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the distal bending piece 85A toward the inner peripheral side.

  Further, if each bending piece 85 is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity, the mesh tube 82 is not necessarily required. When the bending member 51 (see FIG. 6) described in the first embodiment and the bending piece 85 have the same material, the same thickness, and the same diameter, the bending member 85 is connected to the adjacent bending piece 85 so as to be rotatable at two points. When the bending piece 85 is used, since the area of the connecting portion is smaller, the thermal conductivity to the adjacent bending piece 85 is lower than when the bending member 51 is used. However, by selecting the material so as to have the same thermal conductivity between the case where the bending member 51 described in the first embodiment is used and the case where the bending pipe 81 having the bending piece 85 is used, the mesh tube is selected. A configuration that does not necessarily require 82 can be realized.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is suitably attached | subjected to the member same as 1st Embodiment, and the member which has the same function, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the distal end rigid portion 6 is a member having low thermal conductivity such as resin, and the distal end portion main body and the distal end cover are integrally formed. The distal end rigid portion 6 is provided with an illumination space 66, an illumination lens 67, an illumination window 68, an imaging unit, and the like.

  The bending portion 5 includes a substantially cylindrical bending member 91 that is connected in a state of being fitted to the distal end rigid portion 6, and a resin outer skin 52 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 91. The bending member 91 is formed of a member having a higher thermal conductivity, such as SUS, a superelastic alloy, or the like, for example, equivalent to the resin hard tip portion 6.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the bending member 91, as described in the first embodiment, a plurality of slit portions 53 formed by laser processing or the like have a constant interval in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5. Are provided in a predetermined pattern. At the distal end of the bending member 91, two (one pair) cutout portions 55 are provided at a position approximately 180 ° apart in the direction around the axis by cutting and bending. The notch 55 is formed along the longitudinal direction including the tip of the bending member 91. A portion including the distal end of the bending member 91 is cut and bent at the base end of each notch portion 55, and the protruding portion 56 protrudes toward the inner peripheral side (center axis side) of the bending member 91. 56 A of front-end | tip surfaces of the protrusion part 56 are formed in planar shape. At this time, it is preferable that the direction in which the distal end surface 56A faces coincides with the direction of the central axis of the bending member 91. In the longitudinal direction of the bending member 91, a hole portion 93 that penetrates the inner side and the outer side of the bending member 91 is formed at a portion between the notch 55 and the most distal slit 53.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light emitting element unit 95 is attached to the bending member 91. As shown in FIG. 13, the light emitting element unit 95 includes an LED 61 that is a light emitting element, and a thin flexible substrate 96 to which the LED 61 is attached. The LED 61 is a top view type LED. The tip of a lead wire 63 is connected to the LED 61 as electrical wiring. The lead wire 63 is fixed to the flexible substrate 96.

  The flexible substrate 96 includes a substrate body 101 and a bifurcated portion 102 provided on the distal end side of the substrate body 101. As shown in FIG. 12, the substrate body 101 is inserted into the bending member 91 through the hole 93 and extends to the inside of the bending member 91 or further to the proximal end side. The lead wire 63 fixed to the flexible substrate 96 extends from the proximal end of the substrate body 101 toward the proximal end side, and passes through the inside of the flexible tube 4, the operation unit 3, and the universal cord 16 to perform image processing / illumination. It is connected to the power supply device 21 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the bifurcated portion 102 of the flexible substrate 96 is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 91. A bent portion 105 that is inserted into the notch 55 in a state of being bent toward the inner peripheral side of the bending member is provided at the distal end portion of the bifurcated portion 102. An LED 61 is attached to the bent portion 105. Further, the bent portion 105 of the flexible substrate 96 is fixed to the distal end surface 56 </ b> A of the protruding portion 56. At this time, the LED 61 is arranged to emit light in the same direction as the central axis of the bending member 91. With this configuration, the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the cutout portion 55, and the protruding portion 56 is a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit 95 including the LED 61 and the flexible substrate 96 is fixed. It has become.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, the emitted light from the LED 61 passes through the illumination space 66 and the illumination lens 67 of the distal rigid portion 6 and is irradiated to the subject from the illumination window 68. At this time, since the flexible substrate 96 is thin, heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the bent portion 105 of the flexible substrate 96 to the bending member 91. Since the thermal conductivity of the distal end rigid portion 6 is equal to or lower than that of the bending member 91, the heat conducted to the bending member 91 is conducted from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the bending member 91, and Conduction is conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the end side. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 is dissipated.

  Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects.

  In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, two protruding portions 56 are formed at the distal end portion of the bending member 81 of the bending portion 5. A bent portion 105 of a flexible substrate 96 to which the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is attached is fixed to each protruding portion 56. Since the flexible substrate 96 is formed thin, heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the bent portion 105 of the flexible substrate 96 to the bending member 91. Since the bending member 91 is formed of a member equivalent to the distal end rigid portion 6 or a member having higher thermal conductivity, the heat conducted to the bending member 91 is further conducted to the base end side, and the base end of the bending member 91 Conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the side. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be effectively radiated from the flexible substrate 96 to the bending member 91.

  In the present embodiment, a top-view type LED is used as the LED 61. However, as a modification of the present embodiment, a side-view type LED may be used as shown in FIGS. In this case, the flexible substrate 96 includes a substrate main body 101 and a substrate front end portion 107 provided on the front end side of the substrate main body 101. The substrate front end portion 107 is disposed so as to pass through the outer peripheral sides of the two cutout portions 55 in a state of being fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 91 along the circumferential direction. An LED 61 that is a light emitting element is attached to a position corresponding to each notch portion 55 on the inner peripheral surface of the substrate front end portion 107. With this configuration, the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the notch 55.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is suitably attached | subjected to the member same as 1st Embodiment, and the member which has the same function, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the distal end hard portion 6 is a member having low thermal conductivity such as resin, and the distal end portion main body and the distal end cover are integrally formed. The distal end rigid portion 6 is provided with an illumination space 66, an illumination window 68, an objective lens 43, an image sensor 41, and the like.

  The bending portion 5 includes a substantially cylindrical bending member 111 that is connected in a state of being fitted to the distal end rigid portion 6, and a resin outer skin 52 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 111. The bending member 111 is formed of a member such as SUS, a superelastic alloy, or the like that has the same or higher thermal conductivity as the distal end hard portion 6. As shown in FIG. 17, in the bending member 111, as described in the first embodiment, a plurality of slit portions 53 formed by laser processing or the like have a constant interval in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5. It is provided in a predetermined pattern.

  As shown in FIG. 17, two substantially L-shaped projecting portions 113 project from the distal end of the bending member 111 toward the distal end side. The protruding portion 113 is provided at a position approximately 180 ° apart in the direction around the axis. Of the protrusion 113, the tip end portion is bent toward the central axis of the bending member 111 to form a tip end face 113 </ b> A. These front end surfaces 113A are formed in a planar shape. At this time, it is preferable that the direction in which the front end surface 113A faces coincides with the direction of the central axis of the bending member 111.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a substrate 62 to which an LED 61 that is a light emitting element is attached is fixed to the front end surface 113 </ b> A of the protrusion 113. That is, the protrusion 113 is a light emitting element fixing portion to which the unit 60 including the LED 61 and the substrate 62 that are light emitting elements is fixed. At this time, the LED 61 is disposed so as to emit light in the same direction as the central axis of the bending member 111. When the protruding portion 113 protruding from the distal end of the bending member 111 is provided with the distal end surface 113A of the protruding portion 113 which is a light emitting element fixing portion, the LED 61 is illuminated when the bending member 111 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6. It is disposed at a more distal portion inside the working space 66.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, when the LED 61 is caused to emit light, the distal end surface 113A of the projecting portion 113 which is a light emitting element fixing portion is provided in a state of projecting further from the distal end of the bending member 111 to the distal end side. . For this reason, when the bending member 111 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6, the LED 61 is disposed at a more distal end side in the illumination space 66. Thereby, the emitted light from LED61 is irradiated to a to-be-photographed object with the intensity | strength of stronger intensity from the illumination window 68 of the front rigid part 6 without requiring a light guide part.

  At this time, since the substrate 62 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end hard portion 6, the heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 111. Since the distal end rigid portion 6 has the same or higher thermal conductivity as the bending member 111, the heat conducted to the bending member 111 is conducted from the distal end side of the bending member 111 toward the proximal end side. Then, it is conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 connected to the proximal end side of the bending member 111. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 is dissipated.

  Further, when the distal rigid portion 6 is connected to the bending member 111, the illumination space 66 is disposed at a position separated from the observation optical system accommodation portion 42 in which the objective lens 43 and the image sensor 41 are accommodated. The distal end rigid portion 6 is formed of a member that is equivalent to the bending member 111 or has a lower thermal conductivity. For this reason, conduction of heat from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 is prevented.

  Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects.

  In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, two protruding portions 113 are formed at the distal end of the bending member 111 of the bending portion 5. A substrate 62 to which an LED 61 as a light emitting element is attached is fixed to each protrusion 113. Since the substrate 62 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the hard end portion 6, the heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the substrate 62 to the bending member 111. Since the bending member 111 has the same or higher thermal conductivity as that of the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat conducted to the bending member 111 is further conducted to the proximal end side and is connected to the proximal end side of the bending member 111. Conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of tube 4. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be effectively radiated.

  Further, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, when the distal rigid portion 6 is connected to the bending member 111, the illumination space 66 that is a light emitting element accommodating portion in which the LED 61 is disposed accommodates the imaging element 41. It is arranged at a position separated from the observation optical system housing part 42. The distal end rigid portion 6 is formed of a member equivalent to the bending member 111 or a member having lower thermal conductivity. For this reason, conduction of heat from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the protruding portion 113 that is a light emitting element fixing portion is provided in a state of protruding further from the distal end of the bending member 111 to the distal end side. For this reason, when the bending member 111 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6, the LED 61 is disposed at a more distal end side in the illumination space 66 than in the case described in the first to third embodiments. . As a result, it is possible to irradiate the subject with light having a higher intensity without the need for a light guide.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, the configuration of the first embodiment is changed as follows. In addition, the same code | symbol is suitably attached | subjected to the member same as 1st Embodiment, and the member which has the same function, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the distal end rigid portion 6 is a member such as resin, which is equivalent to the bending member 51 or has a lower thermal conductivity, and the distal end portion main body and the distal end cover are integrally formed. The distal end rigid portion 6 is provided with an illumination space 66, an illumination window 68, an objective lens 43, an image sensor 41, and the like.

  The bending portion 5 includes a substantially cylindrical bending member 51 that is connected in a state of being fitted to the distal end rigid portion 6, and a resin outer skin 52 that covers the outer peripheral surface of the bending member 51. The bending member 51 is provided with a slit portion 53, a notch portion 55, a protruding portion 56, and the like.

  The light emitting element unit 120 is attached to the front end surface 56A of the protruding portion 56. The light emitting element unit 120 includes an LED 61 which is a light emitting element, and a long substrate 121 to which the LED 61 is attached and which is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5. The long substrate 121 is fixed to the front end surface 56 </ b> A of the protruding portion 56 of the bending member 51. That is, the protruding portion 56 is a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit 120 including the LED 61 and the long substrate 121 which are light emitting elements is fixed. The long substrate 121 is formed by patterning a metal having a high thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum on an insulating layer having a high thermal conductivity such as aluminum nitride or silicon nitride. For this reason, the long substrate 121 has higher thermal conductivity than the distal end hard portion 6. The long substrate 121 is connected to the tip end portion of the lead wire 63 as two electric wirings, plus and minus. By forming the long substrate 121 to which the LED 61 is attached to be long in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5, when the bending member 51 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6, the LED 61 is located closer to the distal end side of the distal end rigid portion 6 than the imaging element 41. Placed in the site. That is, the LED 61 is arranged at a more distal end portion in the illumination space 66. Further, since the long substrate 121 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end hard portion 6, the heat generated in the LED 61 is conducted from the long substrate 121 to the bending member 51.

  Next, the operation of the endoscope system 1A according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, since the LED 61 is attached via the long substrate 121, when the bending member 51 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6, the LED 61 is more distal than the inside of the illumination space 66. It is arranged in the side part. For this reason, when the LED 61 is caused to emit light, the subject is irradiated with light of higher intensity through the illumination window 68 of the distal end rigid portion 6 without requiring a light guide portion.

  At this time, since the long substrate 121 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat generated by the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is conducted from the long substrate 121 to the bending member 51. Since the bending member 51 is equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat conducted to the bending member 51 is conducted from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and on the proximal end side of the bending member 51. Conduction is conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 to be connected. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 is dissipated.

  Further, when the distal rigid portion 6 is connected to the bending member 51, the illumination space 66, which is a light emitting element accommodating portion in which the LED 61 is disposed, is separated from the observation optical system accommodating portion 42 in which the imaging element 41 is accommodated. Placed in position. The distal end rigid portion 6 is formed of a member equivalent to the bending member 51 or a member having lower thermal conductivity. For this reason, conduction of heat from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 is prevented.

  Therefore, the endoscope 1 having the above configuration has the following effects.

  That is, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the long substrate 121 is fixed to the protruding portion 56 of the bending member 51 of the bending portion 5, and the long substrate 121 is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6. Therefore, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be conducted from the long substrate 121 to the bending member 51. Since the bending member 51 is equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion 6, the heat conducted to the bending member 51 is conducted from the distal end side toward the proximal end side, and on the proximal end side of the bending member 51. Conduction is conducted to a spiral tube (not shown) of the flexible tube 4 to be connected. As described above, the heat generated by the LED 61 can be effectively radiated.

  Further, in the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, when the distal rigid portion 6 is connected to the bending member 51, the imaging element 41 is accommodated in the illumination space 66 that is a light emitting element accommodating portion in which the LED 61 is disposed. It is arranged at a position separated from the observation optical system housing part 42. The distal end rigid portion 6 is formed of a member equivalent to the bending member 51 or a member having lower thermal conductivity. For this reason, conduction of heat from the LED 61 to the image sensor 41 can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the long substrate 121 to which the LED 61 that is a light emitting element is attached is formed long in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion 5. For this reason, when the bending member 51 is connected to the distal end rigid portion 6, the LED 61 can be disposed at a more distal end side in the illumination space 66. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the subject with light having a higher intensity without the need for a light guide.

  In the above-described embodiment, the medical endoscope has been described as an example. However, it is preferable that the industrial endoscope has the curved portion 5 and the distal end rigid portion 6 having the same configuration. Moreover, although LED is used as a light emitting element, you may use other light emitting elements, such as LEP (light emitting polymer). Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, two light emitting elements are provided and are arranged approximately 180 ° apart from each other in the direction around the axis, but the number and arrangement of the light emitting elements are not limited to this. That is, the number of light emitting elements may be one, three, or four in relation to the space in the bending members 51, 81, 91, 111 and the amount of light obtained by the light emitting elements.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Insertion part, 3 ... Operation part, 4 ... Flexible tube, 5 ... Curve part, 6 ... Tip rigid part, 30 ... Tip part main body, 31 ... Tip cover, 41 ... Imaging element, 42 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Observation optical system accommodating part, 43 ... Objective lens, 43a ... Observation window, 51 ... Curve member, 52 ... Outer skin, 55 ... Notch part, 56 ... Projection part, 60 ... Light emitting element unit, 61 ... LED, 62 ... Substrate , 63 ... lead wire, 66 ... space for illumination, 67 ... illumination lens, 68 ... illumination window.

Claims (12)

A bending portion comprising a bending member;
A distal end rigid portion provided on the distal end side of the curved portion;
At least one light-emitting element unit including a light-emitting element that emits light that irradiates the subject;
With
The bending member is provided with a light emitting element fixing portion to which the light emitting element unit is attached,
The endoscope, wherein the distal end rigid portion is provided with a light guide portion that guides light emitted from the light emitting element to a subject. The light emitting element unit includes a substrate to which the light emitting element is attached and is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element fixing portion includes a projecting portion that is provided on a proximal end side with respect to a distal end of the bending member and on which the substrate is disposed. The distal rigid portion is provided with an image sensor that images the subject irradiated on the light emitting element,
The substrate of the light emitting element unit has a length that extends from the projecting portion to a distal end side of the distal end rigid portion, and has a length for disposing the light emitting element closer to the distal end side of the distal end rigid portion than the imaging element. The endoscope according to claim 2. The light emitting element unit includes a substrate to which the light emitting element is attached and is formed of a member having higher thermal conductivity than the distal end rigid portion,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element fixing portion includes a projecting portion that extends toward a distal end side of the distal end of the bending member and on which the substrate is disposed.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an electrical wiring inserted into the bending member is connected to the substrate. The light emitting element unit includes a flexible substrate on which at least a part is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the bending member and to which the light emitting element is attached,
At the distal end portion of the bending member, a notch that penetrates the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the bending member is provided,
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element fixing portion is disposed on an inner peripheral side of the notch portion of the bending member. The flexible substrate includes a bent portion that is inserted into the notch in a state bent from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the bending member,
The light emitting element fixing portion includes a protruding portion that protrudes from a base end of the notch portion toward an inner peripheral side of the bending member and to which the bent portion is fixed. Item 6. The endoscope according to Item 6.   2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the bending member is formed by providing a plurality of slit portions in a predetermined pattern with a constant interval in a longitudinal direction of the bending portion. The bending member is a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the bending portion and connected to each other so as to be rotatable.
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting element fixing portion is provided in a bending piece at a most distal end side among the bending pieces.   The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein a reticulated tube formed of a member equivalent to or higher in thermal conductivity than the bending tube is provided on an outer peripheral side of the bending tube.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the bending member is formed of a member that is equivalent to or more thermally conductive than the distal end rigid portion. The tip rigid portion is
An observation optical system housing unit that houses an imaging device that captures an image of a subject irradiated with light from the light emitting device;
A light-emitting element housing part that is provided at a position separated from the observation optical system housing part and in which the light-emitting element is disposed when the distal end rigid part is connected to the bending member;
The endoscope according to claim 11, further comprising:

Images