JP6779663B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an image pickup device is built in a tip portion of an insertion portion.

Endoscopes are used for in-vivo observation and treatment, or for inspection and repair in industrial plant equipment.

There are two types of endoscopes: optical endoscopes and electronic endoscopes (hereinafter, also referred to as electronic endoscopes). Optical endoscopes are used on the illumination unit that illuminates the observation target area, the objective lens that faces the observation target area, the image guide fiber bundle that guides the subject light captured by the objective lens, and the base end surface of the image guide fiber bundle. It is configured to include eyepieces and the like provided facing each other.

On the other hand, the electronic endoscope detects the illumination unit that illuminates the observation target part, the image pickup optical system that collects the observation image of the observation target part, and the photographing light collected by the image pickup optical system, and performs photoelectric conversion. It is configured to include an image sensor, a signal cable for transmitting a photoelectrically converted image signal, and the like.

In an electronic endoscope, the leakage current generated from the high-frequency treatment tool flows into the image sensor, and the image signal imaged contains noise, or the static electricity charged to the user flows into the image sensor. It is necessary to prevent the image sensor including the image sensor from being destroyed.

Therefore, in a conventional electronic endoscope, the metal tip body constituting the tip is replaced with a metal member constituting the exterior of the endoscope, or a metal mesh tube or spiral tube arranged in the insertion portion. , And further conducted to the patient ground of the video processor so that leakage current and static electricity do not affect the imaging element.

In recent years, an electronic endoscope in which the rigid portion at the tip of the insertion portion is made of resin has been proposed, and Patent Document 1 shows that the leakage current affects the image of the image sensor while suppressing the increase in size as much as possible. An electronic endoscope, which can prevent the above, is disclosed. In this electronic endoscope, a lead wire connecting the CCD reinforcing frame and the cable general shield is arranged. The tip side of the lead wire is electrically connected to the CCD reinforcing frame by soldering, and the hand side is electrically connected to the cable general shield by soldering.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-089888

However, when the conducting wires are electrically connected by solder as shown in the electronic endoscope of Patent Document 1, the joint portion by the solder can be a factor of increasing the diameter of the insertion portion. For this reason, the work of electrically connecting the conducting wires with solder is one of the complicated work for the worker.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an endoscope having a tip frame formed of an insulating member which is excellent in workability and surely prevents leakage current and static electricity from flowing to an image pickup device. The purpose is to do.

The endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention is provided with a long insertion portion having a conductive member conductive to the ground inside, and a metal lens frame and light connected to the tip side of the insertion portion. An imaging unit having an imaging element to be imaged, a tip frame formed of an insulating material provided on the tip side of the insertion portion and having a fixing hole for fixing the lens frame, and the fixing hole of the tip frame. A circuit pattern formed on the inner peripheral surface and electrically connected to the conductive member is provided, and the lens frame is electrically connected to the circuit pattern and the tip frame is fixed. It is characterized in that it is fixed in a hole.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an endoscope having a tip frame formed of an insulating member which is excellent in workability and surely prevents leakage current and static electricity from flowing to the image pickup device.

Diagram illustrating an endoscope The figure explaining the structure of the tip side of the insertion part The figure explaining the tip frame The figure explaining another configuration example of the tip frame

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In each of the figures used in the following description, the scale may be different for each component in order to make each component recognizable on the drawing. That is, the present invention is not limited to the number of components, the shape of the components, the ratio of the sizes of the components, and the relative positional relationship of each component shown in these figures.

The endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1 mainly includes a small-diameter insertion portion 2, an operation portion 3, and a universal cord 4. The insertion portion 2 is long and is configured by connecting the tip portion 2a, the curved portion 2b, and the flexible tube portion 2c in order from the tip side. The curved portion 2b is configured to be curved in the vertical direction, for example. The flexible tube portion 2c is a tube body that is flexible and can be passively curved.

The operation unit 3 provided on the base end side of the flexible tube portion 2c includes, for example, an L-shaped curved operation lever 5, an opening 6 such as a treatment tool insertion port, a plurality of remote switches 7, and a suction port. (Not shown) and the like are provided.

The bending operation lever 5 is a bending operation device for bending the bending portion 2b, and is pivotally supported with respect to the operating portion 3. When the operator rotates the bending operation lever 5, for example, a stainless steel bending wire (see reference numeral 2w in FIG. 2) inserted in the insertion portion 2 is pulled and relaxed, and the bending portion 2b is moved upward. It curves in the direction or downward.

A forceps plug (not shown), a T-shaped tube (not shown), or the like is attached to the opening 6. The suction port is provided on a surface (also referred to as a back side) opposite to one surface of the operation unit 3 provided with the curved operation lever 5, which is not shown.

A remote switch (not shown) having a function different from that of the remote switch 7 described above may be provided on the surface opposite to the operation unit 3. These plurality of remote switches are switches for stopping the endoscopic image displayed on the screen of the display device, recording, enlarging the image, switching the illumination light, and the like.

The universal cord 4 extends from the side portion of the operation unit 3. An endoscope connector (not shown) is provided at the base end of the universal cord 4. The endoscope connector is connected to a light source device which is an external device.

An electric cable (not shown) extends from the side of the endoscope connector. An electrical connector (not shown) is provided at the end of the electrical cable. The electrical connector is electrically connected to a control unit that is an external device. A display device (not shown) for displaying an endoscopic image is connected to the control unit.

The configuration of the tip end side of the insertion portion 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, a tip frame 10 made of a hard member is provided on the tip portion 2a constituting the tip end side of the insertion portion 2.
The tip frame 10 is a molded circuit component (Molded Interconnect Device) shown in FIG. The tip frame 10 is integrally provided with a circuit pattern 12 on a tip frame main body 11 which is an injection-molded product made of an insulating resin.

The tip frame main body 11 has, for example, a large diameter portion 11a, an intermediate portion 11b, and a small diameter portion 11c in order from the tip side. The large diameter portion 11a constitutes a part of the exterior of the tip portion 2a. The intermediate portion 11b is an exterior member disposing portion. The small diameter portion 11c is a curved pipe mounting portion.

A first pattern 12a, which is a circuit pattern 12, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 11c. In the present embodiment, the first pattern 12a is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 11c.

As shown in FIG. 2, an inner surface of the tip portion of the exterior member 13 having an insulating property is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate portion 11b. The tip of the curved tube 2p is attached to the small diameter portion 11c.
The curved pipe 2p can be curved, for example, by forming a plurality of slots in a curved piece set in which a plurality of curved pieces which are conductive members are rotatably connected, or a hard pipe (not shown) which is a conductive member. It is a curved pipe.

In the present embodiment, the curved pipe 2p is a curved piece set, and the tip curved piece 2mf, which is the tip end portion of the curved piece set and is located at the most advanced end, is arranged in the small diameter portion 11c. Specifically, the inner surface of the tip curved piece 2mf is arranged on the first pattern 12a of the small diameter portion 11c, is integrally fixed by a conductive adhesive, and is electrically connected. The first pattern 12a is a curved pipe connecting portion to which the curved pipe 2p is electrically connected.

A wire fixing portion 2 mb is provided at a predetermined position on the inner surface side of the tip curved piece 2 mf. The tip of the curved wire 2w, which is a conductive member, is arranged on the wire fixing portion 2mb, and is integrally joined by, for example, solder. Therefore, the curved wire 2w and the tip curved piece 2mf are electrically connected.

The base end portion of the curved wire 2w is conducted to the patient ground via a conductive member provided in the operation portion 3.
When the curved pipe is a curved pipe, the inner surface of the pipe tip portion, which is the tip portion, is arranged on the first pattern 12a of the small diameter portion 11c and is integrally fixed by the conductive adhesive. A wire fixing portion for joining the curved wire 2w is also provided on the inner surface side of the bending pipe.
Reference numeral 2g is a curved rubber, and the tip portion of the curved rubber 2g is fixed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral surface on the base end side of the tip bending piece 2mf by providing a pincushion adhesive portion 14.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tip frame main body 11 is provided with a plurality of through holes such as an observation hole 15, a hole for an illumination unit (not shown), and a hole for a treatment tool (not shown). The central axes of these plurality of through holes are parallel to the central axis a11 of the tip frame main body 11.

The treatment tool hole also serves as a treatment tool insertion hole through which the treatment tool is inserted and a suction hole for sucking filth and the like. An illumination lens is arranged in the hole for the illumination unit. The front end surface of the fiber bundle for illumination light or the irradiation surface of a light emitting element such as an LED faces the base end surface side of the illumination lens. The observation hole 15 is, for example, a stepped hole in which the imaging unit 20 is arranged.

As shown in FIG. 3, the observation hole 15 which is a stepped hole includes a small diameter hole 15a having an opening on the distal end side, a large diameter hole 15b having an opening on the proximal end side, and an intermediate hole 15c. The intermediate hole 15c is provided between the small diameter hole 15a and the large diameter hole 15b, and the opening is set to be larger than the small diameter hole 15a and smaller than the large diameter hole 15b. The small diameter hole 15a is a fixing hole for fixing the objective lens frame (see reference numeral 24 in FIG. 2). On the other hand, the intermediate hole 15c and the large diameter hole 15b are relief holes.

In the present embodiment, a predetermined pattern forming a circuit pattern 12 is formed on the small diameter hole 15a, the large diameter hole 15b, the intermediate hole 15c, the base end opening side end surface 15d, the first step surface 15e, and the second step surface 15f. Provided.

The first stepped surface 15e is a flat surface located between the base end side opening of the small diameter hole 15a and the tip end side opening of the intermediate hole 15c. On the other hand, the second stepped surface 15f is a flat surface located between the base end side opening of the intermediate hole 15c and the tip end side opening of the large diameter hole 15b. In the present embodiment, the intermediate hole 15c and the large diameter hole 15b are eccentric.

In the present embodiment, the circuit pattern 12 has a first pattern 12a, a second pattern 12b, a third pattern 12c, a fourth pattern 12d, a fifth pattern 12e, a sixth pattern 12f, and a seventh pattern 12g. ..

Specifically, the first pattern 12a is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 11c as described above. The second pattern 12b is provided on the entire surface of the base end opening side end surface 15d. The third pattern 12c is provided on the entire inner circumference of the large diameter hole 15b. The fourth pattern 12d is provided on the entire surface of the second stepped surface 15f. The fifth pattern 12e is provided on the entire inner circumference of the intermediate hole 15c. The sixth pattern 12f is provided on the entire surface of the first stepped surface 15e. The seventh pattern 12g is provided on the entire inner circumference of the small diameter hole 15a.

Then, the 7th pattern 12g and the 6th pattern 12f are electrically connected, the 6th pattern 12f and the 5th pattern 12e are electrically connected, and the 5th pattern 12e and the 4th pattern 12d are electrically connected. The fourth pattern 12d and the third pattern 12c are electrically connected, the third pattern 12c and the second pattern 12b are electrically connected, and the second pattern 12b and the first pattern 12a are electrically connected. It is connected to the.

Therefore, the 7th pattern 12g and the 1st pattern 12a are electrically connected via the 6th pattern 12f, the 5th pattern 12e, the 4th pattern 12d, the 3rd pattern 12c, and the 2nd pattern 12b. That is, the sixth pattern 12f, the fifth pattern 12e, the fourth pattern 12d, the third pattern 12c, and the second pattern 12b are connection patterns that electrically connect the seventh pattern 12g and the first pattern 12a. ..

The imaging unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 includes an objective optical unit 21, an imaging unit 22, and a transmission unit 23.
The objective optical unit 21 includes an objective lens frame 24 and an optical member fixed to a through hole of the objective lens frame 24. The objective lens frame 24 is made of metal such as stainless steel. The optical members include an optical lens 25, a diaphragm (not shown), an interval ring (not shown), and the like, and are arranged in a predetermined state.

The image pickup unit 22 includes an image pickup frame 26 and an optical member 27 or the like fixedly provided in a through hole of the image pickup frame 26. The image pickup frame 26 is made of metal such as stainless steel. The optical member 27 is a cover glass, a protective glass, or the like, and an image sensor, for example, a CCD 28, is fixed to the optical member 27. A circuit board (not shown) on which a plurality of electronic components (not shown) are mounted is electrically connected to the CCD 28.

In the present embodiment, the cover glass 27c and the prism 27p that bends the optical axis are provided as the optical member 27, and the imaging surface of the CCD 28 is fixed at a predetermined position of the prism 27p. The image sensor is not limited to the CCD 28, and may be a C-MOS.

The transmission unit 23 is a signal cable, and a plurality of signal lines and electric wires (not shown) are inserted in the signal cable. A plurality of signal lines are connected to predetermined contact portions provided on a circuit board (not shown).

Reference numeral 29 is an insulating heat-shrinkable tube, and the circuit board is arranged in the heat-shrinkable tube 29. Reference numeral 30 is an insulating sealing resin, and the sealing resin 30 is filled in the heat-shrinkable tube 29.
Further, the imaging surface of the CCD 28 may be fixed to the base end surface of the cover glass or the protective glass without providing the prism 27p as the optical member 27.

In the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, the objective lens frame 24 constituting the objective optical unit 21 of the imaging unit 20 is arranged in the small diameter hole 15a and electrically connected to the seventh pattern 12g by a conductive adhesive. In this state, it is integrally fixed in the small diameter hole 15a. The seventh pattern 12g is an image pickup unit connection portion to which the objective lens frame 24 is electrically connected.

In this way, the objective lens frame 24 constituting the objective optical unit 21 of the image pickup unit 20 is provided with a conductive adhesive in the small diameter hole 15a provided with the seventh pattern 12g electrically connected to the first pattern 12a. By being integrally fixed, the objective lens frame 24 is securely electrically connected to the circuit pattern 12.

As a result, according to the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment, when static electricity or leakage current is conducted in the objective lens frame 24, the static electricity or leakage current is the seventh pattern 12g from the objective lens frame 24. Then, it is conducted to the first pattern 12a via the sixth pattern 12f, the fifth pattern 12e, the fourth pattern 12d, the third pattern 12c, and the second pattern 12b which are electrically connected to each other.

After that, static electricity or leakage current is conducted to the tip curved piece 2mf integrally fixed to the first pattern 12a by a conductive adhesive, and from the wire fixing portion 2mb provided on the tip bending piece 2mf to the curved wire 2w. It will be conducted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent static electricity and leakage current from adversely affecting the image sensor.

In the above description, it is said that the conduction is ensured by fixing with a conductive adhesive. However, if the impedance is much smaller than that flowing through the CCD, static electricity and leakage current will be conducted to the circuit pattern 12 even if it is fixed with a normal adhesive instead of the conductive adhesive, and the tip curved piece 2mf, wire. The same action and effect can be obtained by being conducted from the fixed portion 2 mb to the curved wire 2 w.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first pattern 12a is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the small diameter portion 11c, the second pattern 12b is provided on the entire surface of the base end opening side end surface 15d, and the third pattern 12c is provided in the large diameter hole 15b. The fourth pattern 12d is provided on the entire surface of the second step surface 15f, the fifth pattern 12e is provided on the entire inner circumference of the intermediate hole 15c, and the sixth pattern 12f is provided on the entire surface of the first step surface 15e. It is said.

However, although not shown, the seventh pattern 12g is provided on the entire inner circumference of the small diameter hole 15a, while, for example, the sixth pattern 12f, the fifth pattern 12e, the fourth pattern 12d, the third pattern 12c, and the second pattern. The circuit pattern 12 may be formed with the 12b and the first pattern 12a as a pair or one strip pattern parallel to the central axis a11 of the tip frame main body 11 with a predetermined width. Further, the circuit pattern 12 may be formed by using the seventh pattern 12g to the first pattern 12a as a strip pattern. Further, a strip pattern and a full surface pattern are appropriately provided on the small diameter hole 15a, the large diameter hole 15b, the intermediate hole 15c, the base end opening side end surface 15d, the first step surface 15e, and the second step surface 15f, and the circuit pattern 12 is provided. It may be formed. Further, the band-shaped pattern is not limited to one or a pair, and a plurality of band-shaped patterns may be arranged in the circumferential direction to form the circuit pattern 12.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the observation hole 15 in which the imaging unit 20 is arranged is a stepped hole. However, the observation hole is not limited to the stepped hole, and the observation hole 16 may be formed by a straight hole as shown in FIG.

In this case, the straight holes 16a corresponding to the small diameter holes 15a, the base end opening side end surface 15d, and the small diameter portion 11c are electrically connected with the patterns 12g, 12b, and 12a constituting the circuit pattern 12A, respectively. .. Other configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment.

According to this configuration, the objective lens frame 24 constituting the objective optical unit 21 of the imaging unit 20 is integrally fixed in the straight hole 16a with a conductive adhesive, so that the objective lens frame 24 is formed into the circuit pattern 12A. It is surely electrically connected, and the same actions and effects as described above can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

1 ... Endoscope 2 ... Insertion part 2a ... Tip part 2b ... Curved part 2c ... Flexible tube part
2g ... Curved rubber 2mb ... Wire fixing part 2mf ... Tip curved piece 2p ... Curved tube 2w ... Curved wire 3 ... Operation part 4 ... Universal cord 5 ... Curved operation lever 6 ... Opening 7 ... Remote switch 10 ... Tip frame 11 ... Tip Frame body 11a ... Large diameter part 11b ... Intermediate part 11c ... Small diameter part 12 ... Circuit pattern 12a ... First pattern 12b ... Second pattern 12c ... Third pattern 12d ... Fourth pattern
12e ... 5th pattern 12f ... 6th pattern 12g ... 7th pattern 13 ... Exterior member 14 ... Pincushion adhesive part 15 ... Observation hole 15a ... Small diameter hole 15b ... Large diameter hole 15c ... Intermediate hole 15d ... Base end opening side end face 15e ... Step surface 15f ... Step surface 16 ... Observation hole 16a ... Straight hole 20 ... Imaging unit 21 ... Objective optical unit 22 ... Imaging unit
23 ... Transmission unit 24 ... Objective lens frame 25 ... Optical lens 26 ... Imaging frame 27 ... Optical member 27c ... Cover glass 27p ... Prism 29 ... Heat-shrinkable tube 30 ... Sealing resin

Claims (10)

A long insertion part with a conductive member conducting to the ground inside,
An image pickup unit provided on the tip end side of the insertion portion and having a metal lens frame and an image pickup element for forming light.
A tip frame formed of an insulating material provided on the tip end side of the insertion portion and having a fixing hole for fixing the lens frame, and a tip frame.
A circuit pattern formed on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing hole of the tip frame and electrically connected to the conductive member.
Equipped with
An endoscope characterized in that the lens frame is fixed to the fixing hole of the tip frame in a state of being electrically connected to the circuit pattern. The conductive member is a curved tube whose tip portion is electrically connected and fixed to the base end side of the tip frame, and a curved wire electrically connected to the curved tube.
The circuit pattern according to claim 1, wherein the circuit pattern includes a curved tube connecting portion electrically connected to the curved tube and an imaging unit connecting portion electrically connected to the lens frame. Endoscope. A relief hole larger than the inner diameter of the fixing hole is continuously provided on the base end side of the fixing hole.
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the circuit pattern extends from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing hole to the second inner peripheral surface of the relief hole. A first stepped surface is formed between the base end side opening of the fixing hole and the tip end side opening of the relief hole.
The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the circuit pattern extends from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing hole to the first stepped surface and extends to the second inner peripheral surface. 3. The escape hole is characterized by including an intermediate hole formed on the tip end side and a large-diameter hole having an inner diameter larger than that of the intermediate hole and formed on the base end side of the intermediate hole. The endoscope described in. A first stepped surface is formed between the base end side opening of the fixing hole and the tip end side opening of the intermediate hole.
A second stepped surface is formed between the base end side opening of the intermediate hole and the tip end side opening of the large diameter hole.
The circuit pattern extends from the inner peripheral surface of the fixing hole to the first stepped surface, the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate hole, the second stepped surface, and further to the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter hole. The endoscope according to claim 5. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein the circuit pattern is at least one band-shaped pattern parallel to the central axis of the tip frame. The sixth aspect of claim 6, wherein the circuit pattern is further extended from the inner peripheral surface of the large-diameter hole to the outer peripheral surface of the tip frame on the base end side and electrically connected to the conductive member. Endoscope. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the lens frame is fixed to the fixing hole by an adhesive. The endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a conductive adhesive.

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