JP4533757B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope incorporating a wireless communication device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope incorporating a wireless RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag as a transponder has been proposed for the purpose of managing unique information such as the history of use of the endoscope. Further, as a configuration for fixing the wireless RFID tag in the watertightness of the connector portion, in the eighth embodiment of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-327458, it is housed on the inner wall surface of the exterior part and further sealed with a seal. Has been proposed.

  By the way, since an electrical contact or the like for connecting to a video processor or a light source device is provided inside the connector portion of the endoscope, a shield member or the like for protecting the contact portion is disposed.

  On the other hand, a wireless RFID tag has a restriction that communication cannot be performed when it is covered with metal. In addition, even when the wireless RFID tag is arranged at a position not covered with metal, it cannot communicate when it is in contact with the metal, or has a characteristic that the communication distance is shortened when the distance from the metal is short. Metals such as shield members may affect communication performance.

  Furthermore, when fixing a wireless RFID tag to an exterior part with a seal, it is difficult to fix without shakiness, and it is necessary to take into account variations in relative position with the shield member. There was a problem of becoming.

As a method for managing unique information including the history of use of an endoscope, there is a method in which a wired ID board is built in an endoscope. The wired ID has a merit that there are few restrictions on arrangement such as a positional relationship with a metal or the like like a wireless RFID tag. On the other hand, there is a demerit that information cannot be read / written unless a cable is connected. For this reason, whether the wireless or wired ID is built in the endoscope has been selected depending on how it is used including the combination with peripheral devices. In recent years, there has been a problem that it is difficult to determine which ID is built in due to diversification of how endoscopes are used.
JP 2001-327459 A

  In the configuration in which the wireless RFID tag is fixed in a watertight manner to the connector portion described in the above-mentioned publication, when the wireless RFID tag is attached or detached, the fixing member is exposed to the outside by removing the shield member or the like. It was necessary to work in a state, and the detachment work was troublesome. In addition, since it is necessary to apply and peel off the seal in a narrow space from which the shield member is removed, there is a problem that workability is poor. On the other hand, since the exterior component uses a resin material for insulation, it is difficult to fix the wireless RFID tag to the exterior component by a method that is easy to attach and detach, such as screwing.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope that maintains desired communication performance and can be easily attached and detached with a wireless RFID tag or the like.

  An endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope including a wireless communication device that communicates information in a non-contact manner, and includes a non-metallic exterior member and a first metallic member housed in the exterior member. A shield member and a metal second shield member fixed to the first shield member in a detachable manner, and the wireless communication device is not covered by the first and second shield members It is a position and it was provided in the said 2nd shield member so that attachment or detachment was possible.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope that maintains desired communication performance and can be easily attached and detached with a wireless RFID tag or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
1 to 7 relate to the first embodiment, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a distal end of an endoscope insertion portion, and FIG. 3 is an endoscope. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connecting portion between the connecting cord and the connector portion, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state in which the electric connector portion is removed from the connector portion when a wireless communication device, which will be described later, fails. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing how the ID unit is removed when the wireless communication device fails. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of the wireless communication device and the device that writes data to the wired communication device. is there.

  An endoscope apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an endoscope 2 having a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and a light guide (not shown) provided in the endoscope 2 that is detachably connected to the endoscope 2. A light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to a video processor 5, a video processor 5 for controlling a solid-state image sensor of the endoscope 2 and processing a signal obtained from the solid-state image sensor, and a signal output from the video processor 5 And a monitor 6 that displays the image corresponding to the subject image. The endoscope apparatus 1 also includes an endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 101 for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 2 and endoscope information management for managing the history of cleaning and disinfection of the endoscope 2. Device 102.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 7 having flexibility, an operation portion 8 connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion 7, and a flexible connection extending from a side portion of the operation portion 8. Code 9. The endoscope 2 is provided at an end portion of the connecting cord 9 and is detachably connected to the light source device 3, and is provided at a side portion of the connector portion 10 and is connected to the video processor 5. The connected signal cable 4 has an electrical connector portion 11 that can be detachably connected.

  The connecting portion between the insertion portion 7 and the operation portion 8 is provided with an insertion portion side folding preventing member 12 that prevents a sudden bending of the connecting portion. A similar operation side folding member 13 is provided at the connecting portion between the operating portion 8 and the connecting cord 9, and a similar connector side folding preventing member 14 is provided at the connecting portion between the connecting cord 9 and the connector portion 10. . Further, a connecting member 15 is provided between the connector portion 10 and the connector side folding preventing member 14.

  The insertion portion 7 is connected to the insertion portion side folding preventing member 12 and has a flexible flexible tube portion 16 that is flexible, and is provided on the distal end side of the flexible tube portion 16 and is bent by the operation of the operation portion 8. It comprises a possible bending portion 17 and a distal end portion 18 provided on the distal end side of the bending portion 17 and provided with an observation optical system (not shown) and an illumination optical system.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a cleaning liquid or gas is ejected to the distal end portion 18 of the insertion portion 7 by an air feeding operation or a water feeding operation toward the objective optical lens 19 located on the distal end surface side of the observation optical system. An air supply / water supply nozzle 20 for insertion, a suction port 21 which is a distal end side opening of a treatment instrument channel (not shown) for inserting a treatment instrument or sucking a liquid in a body cavity, and a distal end side of an illumination optical system (not shown) Two illumination optical lenses 22 are provided.

  The connector 10 includes a gas supply base 23 that is detachably connected to a gas supply source (not shown) built in the light source device 3, and a water supply tank pressurization that is detachably connected to a water supply tank 24 that is a liquid supply source. A base 25 and a liquid supply base 26 are provided. Further, the connector portion 10 is provided with a suction cap 27 connected to a suction source (not shown) for performing suction from the suction port 21.

  The operation unit 8 includes an air / water supply operation button 29 for performing an air supply operation and a water supply operation, a suction operation button 30 for performing a suction operation, and a bending operation knob 31 for performing a bending operation of the bending unit 17. And a plurality of remote switches 32 for remotely operating the video processor 5 and a treatment instrument insertion port 33 which is an opening communicating with the treatment instrument channel.

Next, the structure of the connector part 10 and the electrical connector part 11 is demonstrated using FIG.
The outer surface of the connector portion 10 is covered with a connector case 34 as an exterior member made of an insulating material such as a resin material. The connector case 34 includes a substantially cylindrical storage portion 34a that stores a shield member and an imaging signal cable, which will be described later, and a cylindrical light source side connection portion 34b that is connected to and communicates with a side portion of the storage portion 34a. On the opposite side of the light source side connection portion 34b on the side portion 34a, there is a cylindrical cord side connection portion 34c that is connected to and communicates with the storage portion 34a. Further, the light source side connecting portion 34b of the connector case 34 has a light source side opening 35 at an end thereof and is a side to which the light source device 3 is connected. Further, the cord side connecting portion 34c has a connecting cord side opening 36 at an end thereof and is a side to which the connecting cord 9 is connected. Further, one end of the storage portion 34a of the connector case 34 is closed, and an electrical connector side opening 37 is provided at the other end. The electrical connector side opening 37 is a side to which the signal cable 4 is connected.

  Further, the connector case 34 is provided with a substantially cylindrical first shield member 38 formed of a metal material such as lightweight aluminum having an electrical shielding effect inside the housing portion 34a. Further, in the first shield member 38, an O-ring receiver 39 formed of a material having high chemical resistance such as stainless steel is fixed to the inner wall of the end portion on the electric connector side opening 37 side by a screw 40. Between the outer wall which is the outer peripheral surface of the O-ring receiver 39 and the inner peripheral surface of the electrical connector side opening 37 of the connector case 34, an O-ring 41 is interposed in the outer wall of the O-ring receiver 39 to form a watertight structure. .

  Further, the connector case 34 is provided with a light source side connection member 42 that is a connection portion with the light source device 3 in the light source side opening 35. The light source side connection member 42 is fixed to the first shield member 38 in a state where the space between the light source side opening 35 of the connector case 34 and the light source side connection member 42 is watertight by an O-ring (not shown). . The connection cord side opening 36 of the connector case 34 is provided with a connection code side base member 44 therein. A connecting cord side connecting member 46 made of a material having high chemical resistance such as stainless steel is disposed in contact with the connecting cord side base member 44 at a side end portion on the connecting cord 9 side. The connection cord side base member 44 and the connection cord side connection member 46 are fixed to the first shield member 38 by screws 45. Between the inner peripheral surface of the connecting cord side opening 36 of the connector case 34 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting cord side connection member 46, an O-ring 47 is interposed on the outer peripheral surface of the connection cord side connection member 46 to form a watertight structure. ing.

  Openings 38a and 46a are provided on the side wall of the first shield member 38 and the connecting cord side connection member 46 so as to face each other. The openings 46 a and 38 a are disposed so as to communicate with a through hole 44 a that penetrates the connecting cord side base member 44 in the longitudinal direction. An imaging signal cable 50 is inserted through the opening 46a, the through hole 44a, and the opening 38a to send a signal output from the solid-state imaging device provided at the distal end portion 18 of the insertion portion to the video processor 5.

  The first shield member 38 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and a second shield member 48 formed of a metal material such as aluminum having an electrical shielding effect is fixed by a screw 49 at the closing side end of the storage portion 34a. Has been. The second shield member 48 is detachably fixed to the first shield member 38 by screws 49. The second shield member 48 has a substantially disk shape, and its outer diameter is set smaller than the inner diameter of the first shield member 38.

  On the surface of the second shield member 48 facing the inner surface of the connector case 34, a separation member 53 made of a non-metallic material such as elastic rubber is disposed in contact with the second shield member 48. Yes. Further, a radio frequency identification (Radio Frequency Identification) tag 54 that is a transponder is disposed on the surface of the separating member 53 that faces the inner side surface of the connector case 34 on the closing side. The RFID is a wireless communication device using a non-contact automatic recognition technology using electromagnetic waves, and can perform information communication without contact. The separation member 53 and the wireless RFID tag 54 are accommodated in a case member 55 formed of a non-metallic material such as resin, and the case member 55 is fixed to the second shield member 48 by a screw 56. . The thickness of the separation member 53 is set to be thicker than the width of the space formed between the second shield member 48 and the wireless RFID tag 54. Therefore, the wireless RFID tag 54 is arranged in a state in which the wireless RFID tag 54 is urged in the direction in which the compressive force is applied in the case member 55. As described above, the wireless RFID tag 54 is detachably provided on the second shield member 48 at a position not covered by the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48.

  The wireless RFID tag 54 is a tag that can be communicated in a non-contact state in combination with a reader 103 described later, and is commercialized by Texas Instruments. An IC chip (not shown) is built in the wireless RFID tag 54, and unique information such as the model name, serial number, and management information of the endoscope 2 is written therein. The wireless RFID tag is generally called a transponder, an automatic wireless transponder, or a radio wave reflection device.

  A wired ID device (hereinafter referred to as a wired ID) 57 is fixed to a surface of the second shield member 48 opposite to the wireless RFID tag 54 side by a screw 58. The wired ID 57 is a position covered by the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48 and is detachably provided on the second shield member 48. The wired ID 57 includes an ID main body 59 and a communication cable 60. The wired ID 57 is a wired communication device that performs information communication via the communication cable 60. The ID main body 59 has an IC chip built therein as in the case of the wireless RFID tag 54, and is written with unique information such as the model name, serial number, and management information of the endoscope 2. Therefore, at least a part of the unique information written in the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 is the same. Further, the ID main body 59 is provided with an area where information for history management such as a record of repair history information and a record of inspection history can be written later. The information written in each of the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 is determined depending on the use, but the minimum model name and serial number necessary to identify an individual endoscope are ID It is written in both the tag 54 and ID 57. As described above, the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 are built in the connector portion 10 of the endoscope 2, and the two IDs of the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 are attached to and detached from the second shield member 48. The RFID tag 54, the wired ID 57, the separation member 53, the case member 55, and the like constitute the ID unit 61.

  The electrical connector portion 11 shown in FIG. 3 is formed of a material having high chemical resistance such as stainless steel, and has a substantially cylindrical mounting bracket 62 to which the signal cable 4 is mounted. A resin insulator 64 in which a plurality of contact pins 63 are insert-molded is bonded and fixed to an inner wall of the connector case 34 in the vicinity of the electrical connector side opening 37 of the connector case 34. One end of the contact pin 63 is electrically connected to the video processor 5 via the signal cable 4. Further, the other end of the contact pin 63 is disposed so as to protrude into a shield space 65 formed by the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48 and electrically shielded. A cylindrical protective cylinder 66 is disposed around the other end of the contact pin 63 on the shielding space 65 side. One end of the protective cylinder 66 is screwed and fixed to the end of the mounting bracket 62. A protective plate 67 is fixed to the opening of the protective cylinder 66 on the ID unit 61 side by a screw 68.

  The imaging signal cable 50 and the communication cable 60 guided into the shielding space 65 are wound around the outer periphery of the protective cylinder 66 and then guided to the inside of the protective cylinder 66 through the cable insertion hole 69 provided in the protective plate 67. Are electrically connected to the contact pin 63. The mounting bracket 62 is detachably fixed to the O-ring receiver 39 by a screw 70, and an O-ring 71 is provided on the outer periphery of the mounting bracket 62, and the O-ring 71 is interposed between the O-ring receiver 39. In this way, it has a watertight structure.

The structure of the connection part of the connection cord 9 and the connector part 10 is demonstrated using FIG.
The connecting cord 9 is provided with a connecting cord base 72 at the end on the connector portion 10 side. The connecting cord base 72 and the connecting cord side connecting member 46 of the connector portion 10 have a connecting tube 73 interposed therebetween, and are fixed to both ends of the connecting tube 73 by screws 74a and 74b. The connecting member 73 and the connector-side folding member 14 are sequentially packaged on the connecting tube 73 from the connector 10 side to the connecting cord 9 side. The connector side folding preventing member 14 is provided with a metal insert member 75 on the inner side. In the insert member 75, the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the connecting cord 9 is screwed with the outer peripheral surface of the end portion of the connecting tube 73 on the side of the connecting cord 9. The connecting member 15 is sandwiched between the connector side folding preventing member 14 and the connector portion 10, and the connecting member 15 is connected between the connector side folding preventing member 14 side end and the insert member 75 on the connecting cord 9 side. In addition, on the connector part 10 side, the outer peripheral surfaces of the connecting cylinder 73 and the connecting cord side connecting member 46 are provided with O-rings 76a and 76b so as to form a watertight structure, respectively. The imaging signal cable 50 is inserted into the connecting cylinder 73 and led to the opening 46a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a reading device 103 for reading information written in the wireless RFID tag 54 is electrically connected to the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting device 101 by a connection cable 104a. Is electrically connected to the endoscope information management apparatus 102 by a connection cable 104b. The reading unit 105 is a reading unit of the reading device 103. The waterproof cap 110 is attached to the electrical connector portion 11 when the endoscope 2 is cleaned and disinfected by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 101, and the inside of the opening of the mounting bracket 62 including the contact pin 63 is in a watertight state. Is.

The configuration of an apparatus for writing data to the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 will be described with reference to FIG.
The data writing device 106 includes a wireless communication unit 107 for non-contact communication with the wireless RFID tag 54, an electrical connector unit 11, and an ID main body 59 via the contact pin 63 and the communication cable 60. And a communication cable portion 108 which is electrically connected. Further, a display monitor 109 for displaying information written in the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 and information to be rewritten and a keyboard 111 for performing data editing are connected to the data writing device 106, respectively. Has been.

The operation of the present embodiment in preparation for the inspection by the endoscope 2, after completion of the inspection, and in cleaning and disinfection will be described.
First, prepare for endoscopy. The signal cable 4 is connected to the electrical connector section 11, the light source side connection member 42 of the connector section 10 is connected to the light source device 3, the water supply tank 24 is connected to the water supply tank pressurizing base 25 and the liquid supply base 26, and the suction base 27 is not shown. By connecting to, the connection of equipment necessary for the inspection using the endoscope 2 is completed. When the power of each device is turned on in this state, the unique information of the endoscope 2 written in the ID main body 59 of the wired ID 57 is read, and the read information is the communication cable 60 shown in FIG. The signal is sent to the video processor 5 via the contact pin 63 and the signal cable 4 and displayed on the monitor 6. On the other hand, the subject image that has passed through the objective optical lens 19 is converted into an electrical signal by the solid-state imaging device, and this signal is sent to the video processor 5 via the imaging signal cable 50, the contact pin 63, and the signal cable 4 to be monitored. 6 is displayed as an endoscopic image and can be inspected. Here, each electrical connection portion between the contact pin 63 and the imaging signal cable 50 and the communication cable 60 is disposed in a shielding space 65 formed by the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48. Accordingly, electromagnetic waves from the outside are shielded by the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48, so that no malfunction or the like occurs in the solid-state imaging device or the like.

Next, a procedure for cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope 2 performed after the inspection is completed will be described.
After the inspection is completed, the water supply tank 24 and the suction pump (not shown) connected to the endoscope 2 are removed. Further, after the power of the light source device 3 and the video processor 5 is turned off, the signal cable 4 is removed from the electrical connector portion 11 of the endoscope 2, and the connector portion 10 is pulled out from the light source device 3. Before attaching the endoscope 2 to the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 101, the side surface of the connector unit 10 in which the wireless RFID tag 54 is disposed is brought close to the reading unit 105 of the reading apparatus 103, thereby The unique information of the endoscope 2 written in the RFID tag 54 is read out in a non-contact manner. At this time, since there is no non-metallic case member 55 and connector case 34 between the wireless RFID tag 54 and the reading unit 105, non-contact communication is possible. Further, since the wireless RFID tag 54 is separated from the second shield member 48 by the separation member 53 and is disposed in a state of maintaining a certain distance, the metal second shield member 48 is communicated with the wireless RFID tag 54. It does not hinder performance. Information read by the reading unit 105 of the reading device 103 is sent to the endoscope information management device 102 via the connection cable 104b, and it is recorded that the endoscope 2 is not cleaned and disinfected. .

Next, the endoscope 2 is mounted on the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 101 to perform cleaning / disinfecting.
By attaching the waterproof cap 110 to the mounting bracket 62 of the electrical connector portion 11, the chemical solution does not touch the contact pin 63. The other openings of the endoscope 2 have a watertight structure as described above. For example, like the O-ring receiver 39, the watertight part is formed of a material having high chemical resistance such as resin or stainless steel. Therefore, a washing machine using various chemicals can be applied. Further, since the wireless RFID tag 54 is urged so as to be compressed in the case member 55 by the separation member 53, even when vibration is applied by, for example, ultrasonic cleaning, vibration is caused by the elastic separation member 53. It is absorbed and the fixed part of the wireless RFID tag 54 is not displaced and the wireless RFID tag 54 is not damaged.

  When the cleaning and disinfection process by the endoscope cleaning / disinfecting apparatus 101 is completed, the information is sent from the disinfecting apparatus 101 to the endoscope information management apparatus 102 via the connection cable 104a, the reading apparatus 103, and the connection cable 104b. It is recorded that the endoscope 2 is in a state where the cleaning and disinfection is completed.

  As described above, the endoscope 2 being used is recognized by the wired ID 57 functioning during the endoscopy. Further, when the cleaning and disinfection is performed, the wireless RFID tag 54 functions to recognize the endoscope 2 to be cleaned and disinfected, and the endoscope information management apparatus 102 manages the history of cleaning and disinfection.

Next, a repair method when the wireless RFID tag 54 or the wired ID 57 fails will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the wireless RFID tag 54 or the wired ID 57 fails, the screw 70 is removed, and the entire electrical connector unit 11 is pulled up. At this time, by unscrewing the imaging signal cable 50 and the communication cable 60 wound around the protective cylinder 66, the electrical connection portion between the imaging signal cable 50 and the communication cable 60 and the contact pin 63 is not removed. The entire electrical connector portion 11 is pulled out together.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6, the screw 49 that fixes the first shield member 38 and the second shield member 48 is removed. By pulling the communication cable 60, the entire ID unit 61 to which the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 are fixed is pulled up. At this time, the imaging signal cable 50 is moved close to the inner surface of the first shield member 38, and the communication cable 60 is pulled while the ID unit 61 is tilted so as to avoid the imaging signal cable 50. The entire ID unit 61 is pulled out.

  When the wireless RFID tag 54 is out of order, the screw 56 is removed, and the case member 55 is removed from the second shield member 48. In this state, the wireless RFID tag 54 is replaced with a new one, and the screw 56 is closed again, whereby the new wireless RFID tag 54 is fixed to the second shield member 48. Next, the communication cable unit 108 of the data writing device 106 is attached to the electrical connector unit 11 drawn to the outside, and the information written in the wired ID 57 is read out and displayed on the display monitor 109. Based on the information, the information written in the wireless RFID tag 54 by the data writing device 106 is edited by operating the keyboard 111. The model name and serial number necessary for specifying the individual are the ID tag 54 Since the same information was originally written in both ID 57 and ID 57, editing of that portion is unnecessary. When the editing of information is completed, the edited information is written to the wireless RFID tag 54 by bringing the surface of the ID unit 61 on the case member 55 side closer to the wireless communication unit 107 of the data writing device 106. Finally, replacement of the wireless RFID tag 54 is completed by assembling the ID unit 61 and the electrical connector unit 11 to the connector unit 10 in the reverse order of the above disassembly.

  Even when the wired ID 57 is out of order, the ID unit 61 is pulled out as in the case of the wireless RFID tag 54. The screw 58 is removed, the wired ID 57 is removed from the second shield member 48, and the connection portion between the communication cable 60 and the contact pin 63 is removed. In this state, the wired ID 57 is replaced with a new one, the communication cable 60 and the contact pin 63 are connected, and the screw 58 is closed again, whereby the new wired ID 57 is fixed to the second shield member 48. Next, the surface of the ID unit 61 on the case member 55 side is brought close to the wireless communication unit 107 of the data writing device 106 to read information written on the wireless RFID tag 54 and display it on the display monitor 109. Based on the information, the keyboard 111 is operated to edit information to be written in the wired ID 57 by the data writing device 106. However, as described above, it is not necessary to edit the minimum part necessary for specifying the individual. Next, the edited information is written in the wired ID 57 by attaching the communication cable unit 108 of the data writing device 106 to the electrical connector unit 11 drawn out to the outside. Finally, the exchange of the wired ID 57 is completed by assembling the ID unit 61 and the electrical connector portion 11 to the connector portion 10 in the reverse order of the disassembly. Data may be written after the ID unit 61 and the electrical connector unit 11 are assembled to the connector unit 10.

  According to the present embodiment, since the electrical connection portion of the wired ID 57 and the imaging signal cable 50 is disposed in the shielding space 65 covered with the shield, it is not affected by electromagnetic waves from the outside, A good endoscopic image can be obtained.

  In addition, since the wireless RFID tag 54 is disposed outside the first and second shield members 38 and 48, communication with the reading device 103 is possible. At the same time, it is separated from the metal surface by the separating member 53 and is arranged in a state of maintaining a constant distance, so that stable communication performance can be obtained. Further, since the wireless RFID tag 54 is urged so as to be pressed by the separation member 53, even when a vibration due to ultrasonic cleaning or an inadvertent impact is applied, those loads are absorbed by the separation member 53. The fixed position of the wireless RFID tag 54 is not shifted, and functional problems do not occur.

At the time of repair, the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57 can be exchanged without removing the connection portion of the imaging signal cable 50 or the communication cable 60, so that workability is good.
In addition, since part of the data is shared between the wireless RFID tag 54 and the wired ID 57, even if one of the IDs breaks down and the data cannot be read, an error in data input is unlikely to occur. Data writing work is easy.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 8 and 9 relate to the second embodiment, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the entire endoscope in which a part of the operation part is shown in cross section, and FIG. 9 is a part of the connector part. It is the side view shown by the cross section.

FIG. 8 shows an endoscope 77 according to the present embodiment, and the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
The connector 80 of this embodiment is not provided with the wired ID 57 described in the first embodiment, and only the wireless RFID tag 54 is arranged. Since the configuration related to fixing the wireless RFID tag 54 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. On the other hand, the operation unit 78 of the endoscope 77 incorporates a wired ID 79 similar to the wired ID 57 of the first embodiment. The communication cable 81 of the wired ID 79 is inserted through the operation unit 78 and the connecting cord 9, and is further guided to the connector unit 80, and is connected to the electrical connector unit 11 as in the first embodiment. In addition, the electrical connector part 11 is arrange | positioned and fixed to the connector part 80 similarly to 1st Embodiment.

  The connector part 80 shown in FIG. 9 is provided with a connecting member 83 with a front water supply base 82 at a position where the connecting member 15 of the first embodiment is provided. The connecting member 83 has an outer peripheral surface of the connecting tube 73 and the connecting cord side connecting member 46 on the connecting cord 9 side, between the end on the connector side folding member 14 side and the insert member 75, and on the connector portion 80 side. Further, the same O-rings 76a and 76b as those in the first embodiment are provided so as to form a watertight structure. The watertight peripheral portion of the connecting member 83 is formed so as to have the same shape as the connecting member 15. Further, the length A and the shape in the axial direction of the portion exposed on the outer surface of the connecting member 83 are also formed to be the same as those of the connecting member 15.

  By attaching a water supply tube (not shown) to the front water supply base 82, water can be jetted from a water supply port (not shown) provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 7 toward the body cavity wall. The forward water supply base 82 projects on the outer peripheral surface of the connector portion 80 in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the electrical connector portion 11 that is an electrical connection portion is provided. Further, the liquid supply base 26 for sending water to the lens surface also protrudes in the same direction as the front water supply base 82. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the drawings and description are omitted.

  In the above configuration, even when it is necessary to remove the entire connector unit 80 due to damage to the connector unit 80 or the like, the wired ID 79 remains in the operation unit 78. After attaching the new connector unit 80, the electrical connector unit 11 is connected to the communication cable unit 108 of the data writing device 106 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, thereby reading information held by the wired ID 79, Information is written to the wireless RFID tag 54 by the same method as in the first embodiment. Further, since the connecting member 83 is formed so that the shape other than the front water supply base 82 is the same as that of the connecting member 15, the same connector-side anti-folding member 14, O-ring 76a, and the like as in the first embodiment. Water tightness is ensured by using 76b. Further, the forward water supply base 82 and the liquid supply base 26 that are pressurized pipes for sending the liquid into the body cavity are disposed on the opposite side of the electrical connector part 11 on the outer peripheral surface of the connector part 80. Even if the water supply tank 24 or a water supply tube (not shown) is not sufficiently installed and water leaks, the electrical contact portion does not get wet.

According to the present embodiment, the wireless RFID tag 54 is built in the connector unit 80, while the wired ID 57 is built in the operation unit 78. Therefore, even when the connector unit 80 or the entire operation unit 78 needs to be replaced. Since any of the IDs is left, an error in data input is unlikely to occur and the data writing operation is easy. Moreover, since the opening part of the pressurization pipe line has been arrange | positioned on the opposite side to the opening part with the electrical contact part of the connector part 80, the risk that a contact part will short-circuit when water adheres can be reduced.
Note that the wireless RFID tag 54 may be built in the operation unit 78 and the wired ID 57 may be built in the connector unit 80.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a side view of the connector portion of the endoscope capable of magnifying observation according to the third embodiment.
The endoscope 87 shown in FIG. 10 can perform magnified observation by moving an objective lens with a piezoelectric element (not shown). The endoscope 87 has a connector portion 84 instead of the connector portion 80 of the second embodiment. Further, the endoscope 87 includes a connecting member 86 provided with a front water supply base 82 as in the second embodiment, instead of the connecting member 83 of the second embodiment.

In addition to the cylindrical portion, the connecting member 86 has a zoom connector portion 85 protruding in the radial direction. The zoom connector unit 85 is a connector for electrically connecting to a controller (not shown) for controlling a piezoelectric element (not shown). Further, the zoom connector portion 85 is provided so as to protrude in substantially the same direction as the electrical connector portion 11, in other words, to protrude in a direction opposite to the liquid supply base 26 and the forward water supply base 82 in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion. ing. The length of the connecting member 86, the configuration of the watertight portion, and the like are the same as those in the second embodiment.
Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given and descriptions and drawings are omitted.

  According to the above configuration, the zoom connector portion 85, the forward water supply base 82, the liquid supply base 26, and the water supply tank pressure base 25 of the configuration added to the second embodiment are electrically connected to the outer peripheral surface of the connector portion 84. Since it is arrange | positioned on the opposite side to the connector part 11, even if water leaks by the insufficient attachment of the water supply tank 24 and the water pump which is not shown in figure, an electrical contact part does not get wet.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the risk that the electrical contact portion is short-circuited due to water adhering as in the second embodiment.

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

Overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment Perspective view of the distal end of the endoscope insertion part Longitudinal sectional view of connector part and electrical connector part of endoscope Longitudinal sectional view of the connecting part of the connecting cord and connector part Longitudinal sectional view showing how the electrical connector is removed from the connector at the time of ID failure Longitudinal section showing how the ID unit is removed in the event of an ID failure The perspective view which shows the whole structure of the apparatus which writes data in wireless type ID and cable type ID The perspective view which shows the whole endoscope which concerns on 2nd Embodiment and showed a part of operation part with the cross section. Side view showing part of the connector section The side view of the connector part of the endoscope which can be enlarged observation according to 3rd Embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus, 2 ... Endoscope, 10 ... Connector part, 11 ... Electrical connector part, 34 ... Connector case, 38 ... 1st shield member, 48 ... 2nd shield member, 49, 56, 58 ... Screw 59 ... ID body, 60 ... Communication cable, 61 ... ID unit, 65 ... Shield space Agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (13)

An endoscope with a built-in wireless communication device that communicates information without contact,
A non-metallic exterior member;
A metal first shield member housed in the exterior member;
A metal second shield member detachably fixed to the first shield member;
Have
The endoscope, wherein the wireless communication device is provided at a position not covered by the first and second shield members and is detachably provided on the second shield member.   The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein unique information of the endoscope is written in the wireless communication device.   The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the unique information includes at least identification information of the endoscope.   The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the identification information includes at least a model name and a serial number of the endoscope.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the wireless communication device is housed in a non-metallic case member.   The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein a non-metallic separation member is disposed between the wireless communication device and the second shield member.   The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the wireless communication device is stored in a pressed state in the case member by forming the separation member by an elastic member.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising a wired communication device that performs wired information communication.   The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the unique information of the endoscope is written in the wired communication device.   The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of the unique information written in each of the wireless communication device and the wired communication device is the same.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the wireless communication device and the wired communication device are built in a connector portion of the endoscope.   The endoscope according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the wired communication device is provided at a position covered by the first and second shield members. 11. The wireless communication device or the wired communication device, wherein one of the wireless communication device and the wired communication device is built in the connector portion of the endoscope, and the other is built in the operation portion of the endoscope. The endoscope according to 1.

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