JP4313627B2 - Endoscope connector device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope connector device, and more particularly to an endoscope connector device provided at a distal end portion of a universal cable of an endoscope and connected to a processor or a light source device.

  The electronic endoscope system includes an endoscope and external devices such as a processor and a light source device to which the endoscope is connected. In an electronic endoscope system, light emitted from a light source device is transmitted by a light guide to irradiate an observed portion, the observed portion is imaged by a solid-state imaging device (CCD), and the electric power output from the CCD The signal is image-processed by the processor, and the observation image is displayed on the monitor TV. In such an electronic endoscope system, a light guide connector (hereinafter referred to as LG connector) is provided at the distal end portion of a universal cable extending from a hand operation portion of the endoscope, and this LG connector is connected to the light source device. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, a universal cable extended from the hand-operated part of the endoscope, a light guide that transmits the irradiation light from the light source device to the irradiation window of the hard tip part, and a signal cable that transmits an electrical signal from the CCD Etc. are inserted. The light guide is connected to the connector on the light source device side via the LG connector. Thereby, the irradiation light from the light source device is transmitted through the light guide, and is irradiated to the observed portion from the irradiation window of the distal end hard portion constituting the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope. On the other hand, the signal cable is connected to the connector of the processor via the connection connector of the control cable extended from the LG connector. Thereby, the electrical signal output from the CCD is transmitted to the processor.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 11, the LG connector 10 for an endoscope is provided with various connectors such as a suction connector 12, an air / water supply connector 14, a ventilation connector 16, and an S terminal 18. The suction connector 12 and the air / water supply connector 14 are disposed on the base 20, and the ventilation connector 16 and the S terminal (conductor connector) 18 are disposed on the case body 30.

  Among these, the suction connector 12 is a connector for connecting a tube from a suction device (not shown), and a suction tube (not shown) is connected to the inside of the base portion 20. The suction tube is inserted into the universal cable 40, and the suction port (not shown) of the hard distal end that constitutes the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion that is inserted into the body cavity via the suction valve provided in the hand operation portion Connected to. Then, by operating the suction valve, the excised lesion or the like can be sucked from the suction port.

  The ventilation connector 16 is a connector for connecting an airtight tester when inspecting the airtightness of the endoscope. The S terminal 18 is a terminal for connecting an S cord that returns a high-frequency current leaked to the endoscope to the control unit of the electrosurgical device when, for example, an electrosurgical device (electric knife) is used. The case body 30 is connected to the substrate via a lead wire inside.

JP 2002-214539 A

  By the way, in general, the endoscope needs to be cleaned including the LG connector 10 after use. Conventionally, since the control cable itself cannot be removed, a waterproof cap is attached only to the connection connector provided at the end of the control cable extending from the LG connector 10 at the time of cleaning so that no cleaning liquid such as water or chemicals is attached to the connection connector. I was doing.

  However, since the LG connector 10 is provided with various terminals as described above, there has been a problem that these connectors become an obstacle during cleaning. In addition, some of these connectors do not require cleaning. For example, the ventilation connector 16 and the S terminal 18 do not need to be cleaned, and it is preferable that no cleaning liquid such as water or chemicals be attached.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to reduce the number of terminals that obstruct the cleaning, thereby facilitating the cleaning, and to reduce the labor required for the cleaning. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope connector device that can be made to operate.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to an aspect of the present invention, a control device that performs signal processing of an electrical signal from an endoscope and a light source device that supplies light to the endoscope are connected to the endoscope. An endoscope connector device for connecting a first cable connected to a hand operation unit of the endoscope and a detachable connection of a second cable connected to the control device; A light guide rod provided on the apparatus main body for connecting the apparatus main body to the light source device; and an apparatus main body side connector to which the second cable is connected. An endoscope connector device is provided in which an electrical connector that transmits an electrical signal from a mirror and a connector that does not require cleaning are collectively provided.

  According to the present invention, the functions of the electrical connector and the terminal that does not need to be cleaned (for example, the S terminal that is a conduction terminal, the ventilation connector for performing an airtight inspection, etc.) are collectively provided on the apparatus body side connector. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the S terminal and the ventilation connector that have conventionally protruded from the side surface of the LG connector. This facilitates cleaning when the endoscope is cleaned by being immersed in a cleaning solution together with the endoscope connector device. Further, when the endoscope is cleaned, it is sufficient to attach a cap to the apparatus main body side connector, so that the labor for cleaning can be reduced.

  In addition, the connector that does not require cleaning provided in the connection portion of the apparatus main body side connector is a conductive connector that is electrically connected to the metal portion of the endoscope via a frame disposed in the apparatus main body. May be included. The function of the S terminal can be achieved by such a conductive connector. In this case, a second cable side connection connector connected to the device main body side connector and a side surface of the second cable side connection connector are provided at the end of the second cable, and the device main body side connector By connecting the second cable side connection connector, a terminal portion electrically connected to the conduction connector of the apparatus main body side connector may be provided.

  By providing the terminal portion on the second cable that is detachable from the apparatus main body in this way, when the endoscope is used, the second cable is connected to the apparatus main body. Since the second cable is removed from the apparatus main body when cleaning the endoscope not using the function of the S terminal, the cleaning can be facilitated.

  In addition, a connector that does not require cleaning provided in the connection portion of the apparatus main body side connector communicates with the internal space of the endoscope through the first cable, and the internal space of the endoscope and the apparatus main body A switching valve capable of switching between a communication state and a cutoff state with the connection portion side of the side connector, and the switching valve is in a cutoff state between the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector An urging member for urging the switching valve is provided, and the switching valve is pushed by a switching protrusion provided on a connection body connected to the connector on the apparatus body side, thereby resisting the urging member. The internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector may be switched so as to be in a communication state.

  As a result, if the connection side of the apparatus main body side connector is open to the atmosphere, the connection body of the second cable having a switching projection on the apparatus main body and a connection body such as a cap are connected to the apparatus main body side connector. The interior space of the mirror is open to the atmosphere. Thereby, the apparatus main body side connector can be functioned as a ventilation connector.

  The connection body is a connection connector provided at an end of the second cable and connected to the apparatus main body side connector, and the connection connector is connected when the second cable is connected to the apparatus main body side connector. A switching protrusion for pressing the switching valve may be provided so that the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector are in communication with each other. According to this, the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector can be brought into communication with each other only by connecting the connection body, for example, the second cable to the apparatus main body side connector.

  The connection body is a cap that covers a connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector, and the cap is connected to the internal space of the endoscope and the apparatus when the cap is connected to the apparatus main body side connector. You may make it provide the switching protrusion which pushes the said switching valve, and the through-hole which penetrates the inside of the said cap so that the connection part side of a main body side connector may be in a communication state. According to this, only by attaching this cap to the apparatus main body side connector, the internal space of the endoscope communicates with the outside of the cap through the through hole of the cap from the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector. Thereby, even if the endoscope is placed in an atmosphere of sterilization gas for performing gas sterilization or the like, it is possible to prevent a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope from occurring.

  The connection body is a cap that covers a connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector, and the cap is connected to the internal space of the endoscope and the apparatus when the cap is connected to the apparatus main body side connector. You may make it provide the switching protrusion which pushes the said switching valve so that the connection part side of a main body side connector may be in a communication state, and the ventilation | gas_flowing connector connected to the said cap inside. According to this, only by attaching this cap to the apparatus main body side connector, the internal space of the endoscope can be communicated with the ventilation connector of the cap via the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector. As a result, the inside of the endoscope can be inspected for airtightness by attaching, for example, an airtight tester to the ventilation connector.

  The switching valve may also serve as a conductive connector that is electrically connected to a metal portion of the endoscope via a frame disposed in the apparatus main body. Thereby, the space inside the apparatus main body side connector can be saved, and the apparatus main body side connector itself can be reduced in size.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the connector that does not need to be cleaned and the connector that needs to prevent the cleaning liquid from being attached are collectively provided, so that the number of connectors that obstruct the cleaning can be reduced, so that cleaning is easy. It becomes. In addition, since the necessary waterproof cap can be reduced by concentrating the connectors, it is possible to reduce the trouble of cleaning.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope system 100 to which an endoscope connector device according to the present invention is applied. The electronic endoscope system 100 is roughly divided into an endoscope 200 and a control device 300 connected to the endoscope 200.

  The control device 300 includes a processor 340 with a built-in light source device 320, a monitor TV 360, and the like. These processor 340 and monitor TV 360 are housed in a rack 380 that can run freely.

  The endoscope 200 includes a hand operation unit 220. The hand operation unit 220 is provided with, for example, a suction valve 222, an air / water supply valve 224, a bending operation knob 226, and the like. An insertion portion 240 to be inserted into the body is connected to the hand operation portion 220, and a distal end rigid portion 280 is provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 240 via a bending portion 260. The bending portion 260 is bent by turning a bending operation knob 226 provided in the hand operation portion 220. An objective lens (not shown), an irradiation window, and the like (not shown) are provided on the end surface of the distal end hard portion 280, and a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is provided inside the objective lens. A signal cable for transmitting an electrical signal from the CCD is connected to each terminal of the substrate on which the CCD is provided. This signal cable is arranged toward the hand operation unit 220 via the insertion unit 240.

  A universal cable 290 is extended from the hand operation unit 220. The universal cable 290 is inserted with a light guide for transmitting irradiation light from the light source device 320 to the irradiation window of the distal end hard portion 280, the signal cable from the CCD, and the like. An endoscope connector device 400 according to the present invention is attached to the end of the universal cable 290.

  The endoscope connector device 400 is detachably connected to a device main body (LG connector) 410 provided at an end of a universal cable 290 as a first cable as shown in FIG. And a control cable 500 as a second cable.

  The apparatus main body 410 is detachably connected to a connector 322 on the light source apparatus 320 side. As a result, the light guide disposed in the universal cable 290 is connected to the light source device 320 via the device main body 410. In this way, the irradiation light from the light source device 320 is transmitted through the light guide, and is irradiated to the observed portion from the irradiation window of the distal end hard portion 280.

  A connection connector 520 for connecting to the connector 342 on the processor 340 side is provided at one end of the control cable 500 of the endoscope connector device 400, and the device main body 410 is connected to the other end of the control cable 500. A control cable side connector 540 for connection is provided. The connection connector 520 and the control cable side connector 540 are connected by a cord 530 configured to be extendable. Details of the configuration of the control cable side connector 540 will be described later.

  By connecting the apparatus main body 410 to the processor 340 via the control cable 500, the signal cable disposed in the universal cable 290 is connected to the signal cable in the control cable 500, and the processor 340 is connected via the connection connector 520. To the side connector 342. In this way, an electrical signal output from the CCD of the hard tip portion 280 is transmitted to the processor 340.

  Next, the configuration of the endoscope connector device 400 according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an assembly diagram of the endoscope connector device 400. 3 is a view in which a part of the apparatus main body 410 is a longitudinal section, and FIG. 4 is a view in which a part of the apparatus body 410 is a cross section.

  The endoscope connector device 400 according to the present invention eliminates connectors that are not required for cleaning, such as S terminals and ventilation connectors, which are conventionally provided protruding from the side surface of the device body 410 from the side surface of the device body 410. The device main body side connector 460 for detachably connecting these functions to the control cable 500 is provided together with an electrical connector (for example, a connector pin 466).

  First, the detailed structure of the apparatus main body 410 which comprises the connector apparatus 400 for endoscopes concerning this embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus body 410 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by a synthetic resin base 420 and a case body 440. The base part 420 is provided with a connection part 422 connected to the connector 322 of the light source device 320, and a light guide bar 423 projects from the connection part 422.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a frame 424 is supported on the base 420 of the apparatus main body 410 on the opposite side of the connection portion 422. An electronic substrate (hereinafter simply referred to as “substrate”) 426 provided with a signal processing circuit for processing an electrical signal into a video signal is attached inside the frame 424. Further, an end 292 of the universal cable 290 and an apparatus main body side connector 460 for detachably connecting to the control cable 500 are fixed to the frame 424 by screws 428 and 429. The detailed configuration of the apparatus main body side connector 460 will be described later.

  The case body 440 of the apparatus main body 410 has a storage space for storing the frame 424 therein, and an opening 442 is formed on the base 420 side. The opening 442 is detachably attached to the base 420. . Note that an O-ring (not shown) for maintaining airtightness is provided at a connection portion between the case body 440 and the opening 442. A mounting hole 444 for the universal cable 290 and a mounting hole 446 for the control cable 500 are formed on the surface of the case body 440 facing the opening 442. These mounting holes 444 and 446 are also provided with O-rings and the like for maintaining airtightness with the universal cable 290 and the control cable 500, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus body 410 is provided with a suction connector 452 and an air / water supply connector 454. The suction connector 452 and the air / water supply connector 454 protrude from the side surface of the base 420. Both the suction connector 452 and the air / water supply connector 454 are connectors that require cleaning after use.

  The suction connector 452 is a connector for connecting a tube from a suction device (not shown), and a suction tube 453 is connected to the inside of the base 420. The suction tube 453 is inserted into the universal cable 290 and connected to a suction port (not shown) of the distal end hard portion 280 via the suction valve 222 shown in FIG. Then, by operating the suction valve 222, the excised lesion or the like can be sucked from the suction port.

  The air / water supply connector 454 is a connector for connecting a tube from a water supply tank (not shown), and an air / water supply tube 455 is connected to the inside of the base 420. The air / water supply tube 455 is inserted into the universal cable 290 and connected to an air / water supply hole (not shown) formed in the distal end hard portion 280 via the air / water supply valve 224 shown in FIG. Then, by operating the air / water supply valve 224, air or water from the water supply tank is injected from the air / water supply hole.

  Next, a configuration of a connection portion between the apparatus main body 410 and the control cable 500 will be described with reference to the drawings. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the configuration of the control cable side connector 540. FIG. 5A is a view of the control cable side connector 540 viewed from the end side, and FIG. 5B is the control cable side connector. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of 540. FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the control cable side connector 540 is connected to the apparatus body side connector 460 of the apparatus body 410. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the central portion of each connector 460, 540 when each device body side connector 460, 540 is connected, and FIG. 7 (a) is a diagram before connection. FIG. 7B is a diagram after connection.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the apparatus main body side connector 460 includes a cylindrical body 462 constituting the outer peripheral portion of the apparatus main body side connector 460, and a terminal main body 464 attached in the cylindrical body 462. The terminal main body 464 is provided with a central terminal 470 protruding from the terminal main body 464 at a central portion thereof, and an electrical connector such as a connector pin 466 is provided around the central terminal 470 so as to protrude from the terminal main body 464. The connector pin 466 is electrically connected to a signal cable from the CCD of the hard tip portion 280. The control cable side connector 540 is connected to a connecting portion formed by an end portion of the cylindrical body 462 in the apparatus main body side connector 460 and a central terminal 470 and a connector pin 466 provided so as to protrude from the terminal main body 464.

  The central terminal 470 has the function of the ventilation connector 16 shown in FIG. 11 and the function of the S terminal 18. The center terminal 470 includes a cylindrical cylinder portion 472 and a cylindrical support body 474 that supports the cylinder portion 472. Both the cylinder part 472 and the support body 474 are made of metal and are electrically connected. The support body 474 is electrically connected to the frame 424 in the apparatus main body 410 by an electric wire, for example, a lead wire. When the central terminal 470 having such a configuration is electrically connected to, for example, a control cable side connector 540 described later, an electric terminal 580 described later of the control cable side connector 540 exhibits the function of the S terminal 18 shown in FIG. can do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7A, the center terminal 470 is provided with a sliding member 480 that can slide in the cylinder portion 472. The sliding member 480 has a convex portion 482 at its tip. A hole 473 into which the convex portion 482 of the sliding member 480 can be inserted is formed at the tip of the cylinder portion 472. The hole 473 of the cylinder portion 472 is blocked from the inside of the cylinder portion 472 by the convex portion 482 of the sliding member 480 when the sliding member 480 is located at the most distal end. The sliding member 480 is provided with a biasing member such as a coil spring 475 that biases the hole 473 at the tip of the cylinder portion 472 in a closing direction.

  A central portion of the base end of the sliding member 480 is opened, and a vent hole 486 is formed from the opening 484 toward the tip. The ventilation hole 486 communicates with the space of the apparatus main body 410, and the space in the apparatus main body 410 is connected to the inside of the hand operation part 220, the insertion part 240, and the distal end hard part 280 of the endoscope 200 via the universal cable 290. It communicates with space.

  The vent hole 486 is formed partway along the sliding member 480, and a plurality of communication holes 488 are formed from the tip of the vent hole toward the side surface. A hole 476 that communicates with the vent hole 486 when the sliding member 480 moves to a predetermined position on the base end side is formed on the side surface of the cylinder portion 472. The sliding member 480 of the central terminal 470 having such a configuration is pushed by, for example, a control cable side connector 540, which will be described later, and moved to a predetermined position on the proximal end side, and the vent hole 486 communicates with the hole 476 of the cylinder portion 472. Thus, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 is opened to the atmosphere. Thereby, the center terminal 470 can exhibit the function of the ventilation connector shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the control cable side connector 540 includes a casing 542 and a connector main body 544 provided at the tip of the casing 542 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The connector main body 544 has a shell 546 constituting an inner cylinder and a release sleeve 548 constituting an outer cylinder. The release sleeve 548 is configured to be slidable in the arrow direction shown in FIG. 5B with respect to the shell 546 and is urged toward the distal end side of the control cable side connector 540 by an urging member such as a coil spring 547.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is inserted between the shell 546 of the control cable side connector 540 and the release sleeve 548, the release sleeve 548 resists the urging force of the coil spring 547. 6 moves to the right in FIG. 6, and the projection 463 formed outside the cylinder 462 of the apparatus body side connector 460 engages with the groove 549 formed inside the release sleeve 548, the coil spring 547 is attached. The release sleeve 548 returns to the left in FIG. 6 due to the force, and the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is locked. Conversely, when the release sleeve 548 is moved to the right in FIG. 6 by a finger or the like, the lock of the cylinder 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is released, and the control cable side connector 540 can be pulled out from the apparatus main body side connector 460. it can.

  In the shell 546 of the control cable side connector 540, as shown in FIG. 5B, an engagement body 560 that engages with the terminal main body 464 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is attached. A central engaging portion 570 that engages with the central terminal 470 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is attached to the central portion of the engaging body 560. A pinhole 552 as shown in FIG. 5A is formed around the center engaging portion 570 to engage with the connector pin 466 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. The pinhole 552 is electrically connected to a terminal 532 that protrudes from the proximal end side of the center engaging portion 570. A signal cable 534 is connected to the terminal 532, and the signal cable 534 passes through the cord 530 as described above and is connected to the processor 340 via the connection connector 520.

  The central engaging portion 570 is made of metal, and the base end portion of the central engaging portion 570 is electrically connected to an electric terminal 580 as a terminal portion by an electric wire, for example, a lead wire 576. The electric terminal 580 has the same function as the S terminal 18 shown in FIG. 11, and an electric cord 582 as shown in FIG. 2 is connected as necessary. The electric cord 582 includes a terminal 584 that can be connected to the electric terminal 580 at one end, and a terminal 586 that is connected to another control device such as an electrosurgical unit, for example, a control unit of an electric knife. The electric cord 582 is used to release a high-frequency current leaked to the endoscope 200 to a control unit such as an electric knife.

  Thus, by providing the electrical terminal 580 that can function as the S terminal on the control cable 500 side, when the endoscope 200 is used, the control cable 500 is connected to the apparatus main body 410. An electric terminal (terminal portion) 580 having a terminal function can be used, and the control cable 500 is removed from the apparatus main body 410 when cleaning the endoscope 200 not using the S terminal function. The endoscope 200 including the endoscope connector device 400 can be easily cleaned.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7A, the tip of the center engaging portion 570 has an opening 572 and a protrusion 574 formed at the center of the bottom of the opening 572. The opening 572 is formed so that the cylinder part 472 of the central terminal 470 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 can be inserted, and the protrusion 574 is formed so that it can be inserted into the hole 473 at the tip of the central terminal 470.

  By inserting the protrusion 574 into the hole 473 at the tip of the center terminal 470, the sliding member 480 is pushed, and the sliding member 480 slides along the inner wall of the cylinder portion 472 against the urging force of the coil spring 475. Move. When the control cable side connector 540 is connected to the apparatus main body side connector 460, the sliding member 480 moves to a predetermined position on the base end side as shown in FIG. 472 communicates with hole 476.

  Therefore, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 communicates with the connection portion side space provided with the connector pins 466 and the like in the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. Therefore, if the connection side space communicates with the atmosphere, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 is opened to the atmosphere. Thereby, the center terminal 470 can exhibit the function of the ventilation connector shown in FIG.

  When the electronic endoscope system including the endoscope connector device 400 according to the present embodiment is used, the device main body side connector 460 of the endoscope connector device 400 is controlled as shown in FIG. The cable side connector 540 is connected. Then, the connection portion 422 of the apparatus main body 410 is connected to the connector 322 of the light source device 320, and the connection connector 520 of the control cable 500 is connected to the connector 342 of the processor 340. Thereby, the light from the light source device 320 can be transmitted to the endoscope 200, and the image signal from the endoscope 200 can be processed by the processor 340 and displayed on the screen of the monitor TV 360.

  By connecting the control cable side connector 540 to the apparatus main body side connector 460, as shown in FIG. 6, the frame 424 in the apparatus main body 410 has a lead wire 468, a central terminal 470, a central engagement portion 570, a lead wire. 576 is electrically connected to the electric terminal 580 of the control cable 500 through the respective terminals 576. Thus, when an electrosurgical device such as an electric scalpel is used, the electric cord 582 is connected to the electric terminal 580 and connected to the control unit of the electrosurgical device, thereby controlling the electric terminal 580 such as an electric scalpel. It can be made to function as an S terminal for letting out a high-frequency current leaking to the endoscope.

  Further, when the control cable side connector 540 is connected to the apparatus main body side connector 460, as shown in FIG. 6, the projecting portion 574 of the central engagement portion 570 in the control cable side connector 540 slides in the central terminal 470. When the member 480 is pushed, the internal space of the endoscope 200 communicates with the connecting portion side space provided with the connector pins 466 and the like in the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. At this time, since the connection portion side space communicates with the atmosphere, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 is opened to the atmosphere. In this way, the internal space of the endoscope 200 and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector 460 can be brought into communication only by connecting the connection body, for example, the control cable 500 to the apparatus main body side connector 460.

  According to the endoscope connector device 400 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration, terminals that do not require cleaning, for example, the central terminal 470 having functions such as the ventilation connector 16 and the S terminal 18 shown in FIG. By providing the connector 460, it is possible to eliminate the S terminal and the vent connector that conventionally protruded from the side surface of the LG connector. This facilitates cleaning when the endoscope 200 is cleaned by being immersed in a cleaning solution together with the endoscope connector device 400. Further, when cleaning the endoscope 200, it is only necessary to attach a cap to the apparatus main body side connector 460, so that the labor required for cleaning can be reduced.

  Next, a cap attached to the apparatus main body side connector 460 of the endoscope connector apparatus 400 as described above will be described with reference to the drawings. Various caps can be attached depending on the application.

  A cap 600 shown in FIG. 8 is a waterproof cap that prevents the cleaning liquid from being attached to the apparatus main body side connector 460 when the endoscope 200 is attached to the cleaning liquid for cleaning. The cap 600 shown in FIG. 8 has a groove 620 into which a convex portion 463 provided on the outer side of the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is inserted. The groove 620 is formed from one end 622 on the opening side of the cap 600 toward the axial direction of the cap 600, and is formed from the middle to the other end 624 along the inner peripheral surface of the cap 600 in the axial direction. ing. When attaching the cap 600 to the apparatus main body side connector 460, the cap 600 is inserted into the apparatus main body side connector 460 from the opening of the cap 600, and at this time, the convex portion 463 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is connected to one end 622 of the groove 620 of the cap 600. Try to get in. Then, by rotating the cap 600, the convex portion 463 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 stops at the other end 624 along the groove 620. At this time, the front end of the apparatus main body side connector 460 is pressed against the bottom surface of the cap 600, and an airtight member such as an O-ring provided on the bottom surface of the cap 600 is connected to the front end side surface of the apparatus main body side connector 460 and the inner peripheral surface of the cap 600. It intervenes between. Thereby, the cap 600 is attached to the apparatus main body side connector 460 in an airtight manner.

  When cleaning the endoscope 200, the control cable 500 is pulled out from the apparatus main body side connector 460, and a cap 600 that covers the connection side is attached to the apparatus main body side connector 460, for example, together with the endoscope 200. The main body side connector 460 is immersed in the cleaning liquid.

  A cap 600 shown in FIG. 9 is a cap used when the inside of the endoscope 200 is gas sterilized. 8 differs from the cap shown in FIG. 8 in that it has a projection 640 formed toward the opening of the cap 600 at the approximate center of the bottom surface of the cap 600 and a through-hole 630 formed around the projection 640. It is. The protrusion 640 is formed so as to be insertable into the hole 473 of the central terminal 470 of the apparatus main body side connector 460 and has the same function as the protrusion 574 provided on the control cable side connector 540 described above.

  By attaching the cap 600 having such a configuration to the apparatus main body side connector 460, the protrusion 640 of the cap 600 is inserted into the hole 473 of the central terminal 470 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. Then, the sliding member 480 is pushed by the protrusion 640 of the cap 600, and the sliding member 480 slides along the inner wall of the cylinder portion 472 against the urging force of the coil spring 475. The sliding member 480 moves to a predetermined position on the base end side as shown in FIG. 9 when the control cable side connector 540 is connected to the apparatus main body side connector 460, and the ventilation hole 486 is formed in the hole of the cylinder portion 472. 476 communicates.

  Therefore, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 communicates with the connection portion side space provided with the connector pins 466 and the like in the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. The connecting portion side space in the cylindrical body 462 communicates with the outside of the cap 600 through the through hole 630 of the cap 600. In this state, the endoscope 200 is placed in a sterilizing gas atmosphere together with the connection connector to perform gas sterilization inside the endoscope 200, so that the internal space of the insertion portion 240 and the like of the endoscope 200 is separated from the outside of the cap 600. Since the communication is established, the difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the endoscope 200 can be eliminated, so that the distortion of the insertion portion or the like due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the endoscope 200 can be prevented.

  A cap 600 shown in FIG. 10 is a cap 600 to which a ventilation connector having the same function as the ventilation connector shown in FIG. 11 is attached. 9 differs from the cap shown in FIG. 9 in that a mounting hole 650 is formed instead of the through hole 630, and a ventilation connector 652 that communicates the space in the cap 600 is provided in the mounting hole 650. An airtight tester 654 for airtightness inspection can be attached to the ventilation connector 652.

  By attaching the cap 600 having such a configuration to the apparatus main body side connector 460, the protrusion 640 of the cap 600 is inserted into the hole 473 of the central terminal 470 of the apparatus main body side connector 460. Thus, as in the case of the cap 600 shown in FIG. 8, the internal space such as the insertion portion 240 of the endoscope 200 is connected to the connection portion provided with the connector pin 466 and the like in the cylindrical body 462 of the apparatus body side connector 460. It communicates with the side space. The connecting portion side space in the cylindrical body 462 communicates with a ventilation connector 652 provided in the cap 600. As a result, an airtight inspection in the endoscope 200 can be performed by the airtight tester 654 or the like via the ventilation connector 652.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are of course within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the apparatus main body side connector 460 is provided with the central terminal 470 that functions as both the S terminal and the ventilation connector has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the apparatus main body side connector 460 is provided with the S terminal. A terminal having the above function and a terminal having the function of the ventilation connector may be provided separately. In this case, one of the control connector pins 466 may have the function of the S terminal.

  Further, the terminal (for example, the central terminal 470) that functions as the S terminal and the ventilation connector is not necessarily provided in the center of the apparatus main body side connector 460, and may be provided in any part of the apparatus main body side connector 460. Since the central terminal 470 is provided centrally in the center of the apparatus main body side connector 460 as in the present embodiment, space saving of the apparatus main body side connector 460 can be achieved. Therefore, the apparatus main body side connector 460 itself is downsized. can do.

  The present invention can be applied to an endoscope connector device. More specifically, the present invention can be applied to an endoscope connector device that is provided at a distal end portion of a universal cable of an endoscope and connected to a processor or a light source device.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic endoscope system using an endoscope connector device according to the present invention. It is an assembly figure showing composition of an endoscope connector device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the structure of the apparatus main body in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the apparatus main body in this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the structure of the control cable side connector. It is a figure explaining the structure at the time of connecting the apparatus main body side connector and the control cable side connector. It is a figure explaining the effect | action at the time of connecting an apparatus main body side connector and a control cable side connector. It is a figure explaining the structure of the cap for waterproofing. It is a figure explaining the structure of the cap for gas sterilization. It is a figure explaining the structure of the cap for an airtight test | inspection. It is a figure explaining the structure of the conventional LG connector.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Electronic endoscope system 200 Endoscope 220 Hand operation part 222 Suction valve 224 Air supply / water supply valve 226 Bending operation knob 240 Insertion part 260 Bending part 280 Hard tip part 290 Universal cable (1st cable)
292 End 300 Control device 320 Light source device 322 Connector 342 Connector 380 Rack 400 Endoscope connector device 410 Device main body 420 Base 422 Connection portion 423 Light guide bar 424 Frame 426 Electronic board 440 Case body 442 Opening portion 444 Mounting hole 446 Mounting Hole 452 Suction connector 453 Suction tube 454 Air supply / water supply connector 455 Air supply / water supply tube 460 Device main body side connector 462 Cylindrical body 463 Convex part 464 Terminal main body 466 Connector pin (electric connector)
468 Lead wire 470 Central terminal (switching valve, conduction connector)
472 Cylinder part 473 hole 474 support body 475 coil spring 476 hole 480 sliding member 482 convex part 484 opening part 486 vent hole 488 communication hole 500 control cable (second cable)
530 code 532 terminal 534 signal cable 540 control cable side connector (second cable side connector)
542 Casing 544 Connector body 546 Shell 547 Coil spring 548 Release sleeve 549 Groove 552 Pinhole 560 Engagement body 570 Center engagement part 572 Opening part 574 Protrusion part 576 Lead wire 580 Electric terminal 582 Electric cord 584 terminal 586 Terminal 600 Cap 620 Groove 622 Portion 624 Other end 624 Projection 630 Through hole 640 Projection 650 Mounting hole 652 Ventilation connector 654 Airtight tester

Claims (6)

An endoscope connector device that connects a control device that performs signal processing of an electrical signal from an endoscope and a light source device that supplies light to the endoscope to the endoscope,
An apparatus main body for connecting a first cable connected to the hand operation unit of the endoscope and a detachable connection for a second cable connected to the control apparatus;
A light guide rod provided in the apparatus main body for connecting the apparatus main body to the light source device;
An apparatus body-side connector to which the second cable is connected;
With
The apparatus main body side connector is electrically connected to a metal portion of the endoscope through an electrical connector for transmitting an electric signal from the endoscope and a frame disposed in the apparatus main body. A connector that includes connectors that do not require cleaning
The end of the second cable is
A second cable side connection connector connected to the apparatus body side connector;
A terminal that protrudes from a side surface of the second cable side connection connector and is electrically connected to the conductive connector of the apparatus main body side connector by connecting the second cable side connection connector to the apparatus main body side connector. Part,
An endoscope connector device comprising: The connector provided in the connection portion of the apparatus main body side connector, which does not require cleaning, communicates with the internal space of the endoscope through the first cable, and the internal space of the endoscope and the apparatus main body side connector Including a switching valve that can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state with the connection side of
The switching valve is provided with a biasing member that biases the switching valve so that the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector are cut off, and is connected to the apparatus main body side connector. When the switching valve is pushed by the switching projection provided on the connecting body, the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector are in communication with each other against the biasing member. The endoscope connector device according to claim 1, wherein the connector device can be switched as follows. The connection body is a connection connector provided at an end of the second cable and connected to the apparatus main body side connector,
The connection connector is configured such that when the second cable is connected to the apparatus main body side connector, the switching valve is arranged so that the internal space of the endoscope and the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector are in communication with each other. The endoscope connector device according to claim 2 , wherein a switching protrusion for pressing is provided. The connection body is a cap that covers a connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector,
The cap has a switching protrusion that pushes the switching valve so that when the cap is connected to the apparatus main body side connector, the internal space of the endoscope communicates with the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector. The endoscope connector device according to claim 2 , further comprising a through hole penetrating the cap. The connection body is a cap that covers a connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector,
The cap has a switching protrusion that pushes the switching valve so that when the cap is connected to the apparatus main body side connector, the internal space of the endoscope communicates with the connection portion side of the apparatus main body side connector. The endoscope connector device according to claim 2 , further comprising a vent connector communicating with the inside of the cap. The endoscope according to claim 2 , wherein the switching valve also serves as a conductive connector electrically connected to a metal portion of the endoscope through a frame disposed in the apparatus main body. Connector device.

Images