JPH07100104A - Endoscopic photography apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an endscope photograph apparatus allowing cables not in insulation structure, and having function to effectively prevent hart from being conducted to CCD, etc., through cables. CONSTITUTION:CCD to take endoscopic images is contained inside a camera head 21, a connector 9a is installed at the end part of a camera cable 9 extended outside which is to be connected to an adapter 10 for an adapter 10 for an autoclave if contained in an autoclave apparatus. The camera head 21 and the adapter 10 for an autoclave are made in insulating structures, and the thermal conduction to the CD side is effectively prevent by setting up a mechanism to turn off at a relay contact point inside the camera head 21 depending on the detection output of a sensor for detecting temperature, although normally heat is conducted to the CD side through the signal cable of the camera cable 9, when sterilization is conducted in the autoclave apparatus.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope image pickup apparatus having an image pickup section having improved resistance to sterilization under high temperature and high pressure conditions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, optical endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field and the like. Since this optical endoscope needs to be observed with the naked eye from the eyepiece, an external TV camera as an image pickup device for an endoscope having an image pickup element built in the eyepiece of the optical endoscope is used. It may be used as an endoscope system in which an endoscopic image can be displayed on a monitor by being attached.

In particular, an endoscope to be inserted into a living body is used in a sufficiently sterilized state so as to prevent infectious diseases. Further, after this endoscope is used, it is disinfected with a disinfecting solution (chemical solution) or the like. Conventionally, the TV camera has been removed from the CCU for signal processing and subjected to chemical solution disinfection or gas sterilization.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-271823 discloses an electronic endoscope apparatus having a structure that can be washed with a waterproof cap.

[0005]

However, disinfection with a disinfectant solution requires a considerable amount of time for sufficient sterilization, so that it is substantially more effective in endoscopic examination than when it can be sterilized in a short time. The usable time will be reduced. Therefore, it is desired to have a structure that can be sterilized in high temperature and high pressure steam in a short time.

In this case, an image pickup device such as a CCD having a low temperature resistance or an electronic component is built in the image pickup portion of the TV camera, and therefore it is necessary to have a sufficient heat insulating structure. However, even if it becomes possible to make the image pickup unit have a heat insulating structure, the cable extending from the image pickup unit uses a conductor and is internally connected to a CCD or an electronic component. The temperature of the CCD and the like rises due to the heat conducted.

In this case, the cable may have a heat insulating structure, but if the entire cable has a heat insulating structure, there is a drawback that the cable becomes very difficult to use. Although the above-mentioned publication has a humidity detecting means, the output of the detecting means does not interrupt the conduction of heat.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and does not require a cable to have a heat insulating structure and effectively prevents heat from being transferred to the CCD or the like via the cable. An object is to provide a mirror imaging device.

[0009]

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] An image pickup section having a built-in image pickup element for picking up an endoscopic image, a cable connected to the image pickup section at one end, and the other end of the cable. In the endoscope imaging apparatus having a heat insulating structure, which is provided with a detachable connector in a control unit that performs signal processing with respect to the image pickup unit, the image pickup unit excludes a conducting portion inside the cable. , And at least one of the humidity, or a detection means for detecting a non-imaging state, and a shut-off mechanism for shutting off the conducting section between the image-taking section and the cable on the basis of the detected information, thereby providing at least high temperature. In the sterilized state such as high pressure, CC from the cable inside the imaging unit
The heat is blocked from being transmitted to the D side, and at the time of an endoscopic examination, the block is released to set the conductive state so that imaging can be performed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an endoscope system including the first embodiment,
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the first embodiment for the case of sterilizing with an autoclave, FIG. 3 shows the structure of the connector and the connector receiver, FIG. 4 shows the operation in the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment. 9 shows a flowchart for explaining the operation of the example.

As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope system 1 includes a rigid endoscope 2 and an external camera endoscope 5 including an external TV camera 4 mounted on the rigid endoscope 2 via an adapter 3. And a light source device 6 for supplying illumination light to the rigid endoscope 2.
A camera control unit (abbreviated as CCU) 7 for performing signal processing for the external TV camera 4 and a monitor 8 for displaying a video signal output from the CCU 7.
And an autoclave adapter 10 to which a connector 9a provided at the end of the camera cable 9 of the external TV camera 4 is detachably attached when sterilized by an autoclave device.

The rigid endoscope 2 is formed with an elongated and rigid insertion part 11, a large-diameter gripping part 12 connected to the rear end of the insertion part 11 and a rear end of the gripping part 12. Eyepiece 1
3 and a base provided on the side of the grip portion 12, a light guide cable 15 is connected to the base, and a connector 16 provided at the end of the light guide cable 15.
Can be detachably connected to the light source device 6.

By connecting the connector 16 of the light guide cable 15 to the light source device 6, the light source device 6
White light from a lamp (not shown) is emitted to the end surface of the light guide, and the illumination light transmitted by the light guide is supplied to the light guide in the rigid endoscope 2 and the illumination window at the tip of the insertion portion 11 is illuminated. Illuminates the subject.

By the illumination light emitted from the illumination window,
The illuminated subject is imaged by an objective lens (not shown) provided at the tip, and the image thus formed is transmitted to the eyepiece 13 side by the relay optical system and can be magnified and observed through the eyepiece. ing.

A camera head 21 forming an external TV camera 4 is detachably attached to the eyepiece section 13 via an adapter 3. FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment including an external TV camera 4 and an autoclave adapter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the camera cable 9 is used in this embodiment.
Except for the above, the camera head 21 and the autoclave adapter 10 having the built-in image pickup element have a heat insulating structure.

That is, the camera head 21 is provided in a metal outer case 22 and two heat insulating cases 23 and 24.
Are accommodated via an air layer to form an adiabatic multi-layer. The rear ends of the two cases 23 and 24 are fixed to a heat insulating case fixing member 25, and the fixing member to which the exterior case 22 is fixed is connected to the rear ends of the case fixing members 25.

Exterior case 22 and case 23 inside thereof
On the front of the cover glass 26 and infrared cut filter 2
7 is attached liquid-tightly, and a CCD 28 is attached to the case 24 inside thereof. A screw is provided on the outer end of the outer case 22, and the adapter 3 is detachably mounted.

The leads on the back surface of the CCD 28 are electric circuits 29.
A signal transmission line (also referred to as a signal line) 33 is connected to a rear terminal of the electric circuit 29 via contacts a and b of the relay switch 31, and the signal line 33 reaches the connector 9a. The contacts a and b actually represent a plurality of pairs of contacts, and the signal line 33 also actually represents a plurality of signal lines.
A drive signal for driving 28 and a CCD output signal (video signal) picked up by the CCD 28 are transmitted.

The coil 32 of the relay switch 31, together with the signal line 33, is connected to the connector 9a via a switch disconnection control line 34 inserted through the camera cable 9. A seal member 35 is arranged so as to be in close contact with the cable 9 inside the camera head 21, and has a liquid-tight and air-tight structure.

On the other hand, the autoclave adapter 10 is formed of, for example, a double heat insulating outer case 36 and an inner case 37, and has a heat insulating multiple structure. A connector receiver 38 to which the connector 9a is connected is provided on the front surface of the autoclave adapter 10, and the switch disconnection control line 34 is connected to an internal disconnection switch control circuit 39.

The disconnection switch control circuit 39 includes a battery 42 housed in a heat-resistant battery case 41.
It is connected to and is supplied with the power required for operation. The disconnect switch control circuit 39 is provided in the heat insulating cases 36 and 37.
It is also connected to a sensor 44 attached via a packing 43 for holding water honey and airtightly in the opening provided in
In response to the signal output from the sensor 44, the disconnection switch control circuit 39 outputs a drive signal to the coil 32 to turn the contacts a and b ON or OFF.

FIG. 3 shows the connector 9a and the connector receiver 38.
Shows the structure of. The connector shell 43, which is an exterior member of the connector 9a provided at the end of the camera cable 9, has a substantially cylindrical shape whose rear end side is tapered and whose front end side is open. The insulator fixing frame body 44 is fixed, and the insulator 45 is fixed to the insulator fixing frame body 44 with a fixing screw 46.

The insulator fixing frame body 44 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a fitting portion for fitting near the front end of the connector shell 43. The fitting portion is housed in a circumferential groove formed on the inner peripheral surface of the connector shell 43. The O-ring 47 has a watertight and airtight structure to prevent moisture or steam from entering from the fitting portion with the connector shell 43.

Further, the insulator fixing frame body 44 is provided with a convex portion projecting radially outward, and a convex portion projecting radially inward of the fixing ring 48 is provided between the convex portion and the front end of the connector shell 43. Is rotatably sandwiched. A fixing screw is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the fixing ring 48 so as to be detachably attached to the connector receiver 38.

Contact pins 49 are inserted into the contact pin mounting holes of the insulator 45, respectively.
9 has its tip protruding from the surface of the insulator 45,
The rear end is held in a state of protruding from the back surface of the insulator 45. The front end of the insulator fixing frame body 44 projects further forward than the contact pin 49 projecting from the surface of the insulator 45 to prevent the contact pin 49 from being deformed or broken.

At the rear end of each contact pin 49 protruding from the back surface of the insulator 45, the signal line exposed from the end of the camera cable 9 passing through the circular opening of the connector shell 43 is connected and fixed by soldering. In the vicinity of the circular opening of the connector shell 43, a cable stopper is attached which is tightly attached to the outer peripheral surface of the camera cable 9 to prevent it from coming off.

An opening is also provided in the outer peripheral surface of the connector shell 43, and a sealing resin 50 made of a material having a sealing function is filled in the inside of the connector shell 43 from the opening, and the end portion of the camera cable 9 is filled. Around the vicinity, around the soldering portion of the signal line and the contact pin 49, a gap between the contact pin 49 and the contact pin mounting hole, a fitting portion between the insulator 45 and the insulator fixing frame body 44, the insulator fixing frame body 4
The threaded portion and the like of the connector 4 and the connector shell 43 are sealed.

In this way, the connector 9a at the end of the camera cable 9 also has a watertight and airtight function. On the other hand, in the connector receiver 38 to which the connector 9a is connected, the connector receiver outer casing 51 is fixed to the opening of the outer case 36 with a screw 52, and an O-ring 53 is interposed therebetween to form a liquid-tight and airtight structure. This connector receiving exterior 51
An insulator 54 is attached to the inside of the switch 54, and a switch disconnection control line 34 is attached to the insulator 54.
Contact pin receiver 5 connected to the contact pin 49 connected to
5 is provided.

An opening is also provided in the inner case 37 opposite to the opening in which the connector receiver 38 is attached, and is connected to the connector receiver outer casing 51 by the packings 56a and 56b made of a heat insulating resin and connected to the contact pin receiver 55. The signal line 57 thus drawn is led to the disconnect switch control circuit 39 side. The periphery of the wire 57 connected to the contact pin receiver 55 is filled with a sealing resin 58, which has a structure of maintaining watertightness and airtightness.

The connector receiver 38 is not provided with a contact pin receiver connected to the contact pin 49 connected to the signal line 33. On the other hand, the signal line 3 is connected to the connector of the CCU 7.
There is provided a contact pin receiver connected to the contact pin 49 connected to 3.

FIG. 4 shows an outline of the operation description of FIG.
4A shows the state at room temperature and normal pressure, and FIG. 4B shows the state at high temperature and high pressure. When the sensor 44 detects the room temperature and the normal pressure, the disconnection switch control circuit 39 does not output the drive signal, and the contacts a and b are turned on as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the sensor 44 has a high temperature (for example, a breaking temperature of the electronic component is 80 ° C.) or a high pressure (for example, 1200 hP).
At a), the disconnection switch control circuit 39 outputs a drive signal to the coil 32 and opens the contacts a and b of the relay switch 31. By opening the contacts a and b, heat is blocked from being transmitted to the CCD 28 side in the camera head 21 through the signal line 33, and destruction or deterioration of the components of the CCD 28 and the electric circuit 29 due to heat is prevented.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. 5A shows a case where a pressure detection sensor is used as the sensor 44, and FIG. 5B shows a case where a heat detection sensor (temperature sensor) is used as the sensor 44.
As in step S1, the connection of the autoclave adapter 10 is awaited, and when it is connected, the power switch of the autoclave circuit is turned on. This turns on the sensor 44
Is activated, and its detection output is output to the disconnect switch control circuit 39.

The disconnection switch control circuit 39 determines that the output value of the sensor 44 is 12 as shown in step S3, for example.
It is determined whether or not the reference pressure value is 00 hPa or more, and when the reference pressure value or more is exceeded, a drive signal is applied to the relay switch 31 to disconnect the contacts a and b to disconnect the camera cable 9 as shown in step S4. Put in a state.

Thereafter, if the connection state of the autoclave adapter 10 is maintained, that state is maintained (step S5), and if it is removed, step S6.
Turn off the power switch of the autoclave circuit as shown in
Then, the process returns to step S1.

When operating with a temperature sensor, FIG.
It is determined whether or not the sensor output detected in step S11 of (b) is equal to or higher than the destruction temperature of the electronic component, and if the temperature is equal to or higher than this temperature, a drive signal is applied to the relay switch 31 to execute step S12. Then, the camera cable 9 is cut. FIG. 5B is shown in a simplified manner with respect to FIG.

According to the first embodiment, the camera head 21 has a heat insulating structure except for the portion of the camera cable 9, and the signal switch 33 of the camera cable 9 prevents the heat from being conducted to the CCD 28 side and enters the relay switch. Since it is cut off by 31, the camera cable 9 can be used even when sterilized in high temperature and high pressure steam in the autoclave.
It is possible to effectively prevent the heat from being transferred to the CCD 28 side through the conducting wire.

Therefore, the resistance of the CCD 28 to heat can be improved more than in the case of the camera head 21 in which the signal line 33 is not cut off, and the destruction or deterioration due to heat can be prevented as compared with the conventional example.

FIG. 6 shows the structures of the optical adapter 61 and the camera head 62 in the modification of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the imaging optical system is housed on the side of the optical adapter 3, whereas in this modification, the imaging optical system 63 is housed on the side of the camera head 62.

Also in this modified example, the camera head 62 includes the first, second and third covering members 64a, 64b and 64c.
It has a heavy coating structure. A cover glass 65a is airtightly bonded to the opening on the front surface of the first covering member 64a with a heat-resistant adhesive. In addition, the second covering member 6
The cover glass 65b is also airtightly adhered to the opening on the front surface of 4b with a heat-resistant adhesive.

A part of the third covering member 64c is formed by a lens frame, and an imaging optical system is attached to this lens frame. A CCD 67 is arranged behind this imaging optical system via an optical filter. The leads on the back surface of this CCD 67 are connected to a substrate, and a U-shaped flexible substrate 68 is further connected to this substrate.

The rear end of the flexible substrate 68 is connected to the first fixed contact 72 of the relay switch 71 through a plurality of leads 70 embedded in the insulating member 69, and the rear end of the other movable contact 73 is It is connected to the signal line in the camera cable 74.

Two control lines in the camera cable 74 are coils 75 forming the relay switch 71.
(See FIG. 7A). The periphery of the connection between the movable contact 73 and the signal line is filled with a sealing resin 76, which prevents moisture from being transmitted through the inside of the cable 74.

FIG. 7 shows the structure of the relay switch 71.
A plurality of fixed contacts 72 are fixed to the insulating frame on one end surface side of the iron core of the coil 75, and a second contact is provided above each fixed contact 72.
Fixed contacts 76 are attached. The movable contact 73 so that the tip side is located between the two fixed contacts 72 and 76.
Are arranged.

When the coil 75 is energized, the iron core is magnetized, attracting the movable contact 73 and contacting the contact 72.
When not energized, it is urged upward by a spring (not shown),
It is in contact with the upper contact 76. In FIG. 6, the contact 76 is not used. The other parts of this modification have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the operation and effect thereof are almost the same as those of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a camera head 81 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This camera head 81 has an outer coating 8
2 is provided with an inner coating 83, and the inner coating 8
3 has a multiple heat insulation coating structure in which an internal coating 85 accommodating the CCD 84 is provided. A cover glass is provided in the front opening of the coatings 82 and 83, and a CCD 84 is housed inside them.

A flexible substrate 86 is arranged in a U shape on the back side of the CCD 84.
The rear end of 6 is connected to a lead 87 embedded in an insulating member. Each lead 87 is connected to one terminal of a reed switch 88. The other terminal of each reed switch 88 is connected to the signal line of the camera cable 90 via a lead 89 embedded in an insulating member.

In this embodiment, a switch button 91 is embedded in the side of the camera head 81 facing the reed switch 88. Figure 9 shows the structure of this part.
It shows in (a). This switch button 91 has an outer coating 82.
A button 93 biased outward by a spring 92 is housed in a recess formed in the inner cover 83.

The button 93 is connected via an arm 94 to an internal magnet 96 having a liquid-tight structure with a packing 95. The magnet 96 faces the reed switch 88 inside the inner coating 83. Then, when the button 93 is pushed in as shown in FIG. 9B, the movable contact 97 of the reed switch 88 is attracted and comes into contact with the fixed contact 98 to be in a conductive state.

When the pushing operation is further performed in the state shown in FIG. 9 (b), the button 93 is projected from the recess as shown in FIG. 9 (c), and the movable contact 97 also comes into contact with the fixed contact 98 by the urging force. Return to the position where it does not touch. That is, the switch button 91 has a toggle switch structure.

In this embodiment, at least when the sterilization process is performed by the autoclave, the reed switch 88 portion is heated by setting the state as shown in FIG. 9C.
Conduction to the CD84 side can be effectively prevented. On the other hand, when it is used for endoscopic examination, it is set in the state shown in FIG.

The effect of this second embodiment is almost the same as that of the first embodiment, but this embodiment has the advantage that the autoclave adapter 10 can be made unnecessary. Further, the control line is also unnecessary, and this line can prevent the function of conducting heat inside the camera head.

FIG. 10 shows a camera head 101 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the camera head 101 has a structure in which, for example, a bimetal type disconnection switch 102 is provided instead of the relay switch 88 that is turned on / off by operating the switch button 91.

The lead 87 connected to the flexible substrate 86 is connected to the pattern 105 of the substrate 104 attached to the substrate fixing member 103. This substrate 104 has a pattern 105 and a pattern 10 as shown in FIG.
5, a bimetal 107 having a flexible substrate 106 in contact / non-contact with 5 is attached at a fulcrum.

The flexible substrate 106 provided on the bimetal 107 is provided with a contact portion 108, and the end portion of the pattern of the flexible substrate 106 on the fulcrum side is the connector 1.
09 contact pins, and each contact pin is connected to the signal line of the camera cable 90. The bimetal 107 comes into contact with the pattern 105 at room temperature, and when it reaches a temperature higher than room temperature, as shown in FIG.
And not in contact with. The other structure is almost the same as that of the second embodiment.

This embodiment has substantially the same effect as the second embodiment, and has an advantage that it is not necessary to manually operate the button switch 91. That is, the disconnection switch 102 is used in a state where it is used in a normal endoscopy.
Is in an ON state and can be used in the same manner as a normal camera head.

On the other hand, in an environment in which it is placed in an autoclave and sterilized, the disconnection switch 102 is turned off as shown in FIG. 11 due to an increase in temperature, and heat conduction is cut off. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the CCD 84 and the like from rising compared to the conventional example in which the disconnection switch 102 is not provided.

FIG. 12 shows the structure in the vicinity of the scope adapter 111 in the modification of the third embodiment, and FIG. 13 shows an equivalent circuit for explaining the operation of the modification. In this modification, for example, the cover glass 11 at the tip of the camera head 112 is used.
The push switch 11 is provided with a recess at one location on the outer circumference of the switch 3.
4 is provided. A screw is provided outside the tip of the camera head 112, and the scope adapter 111 is detachably attached.

The scope adapter 111 is detachably connected to the eyepiece 116 of the rigid endoscope 115. The push switch 114 is housed in the recess so as to slightly project from the front surface of the cover glass 113, and
When 1 is attached to the eyepiece 116 of the rigid endoscope 115, the push switch 114 is set to be pressed and the switch contact is turned on, and when it is removed, the push switch 114 is turned off. Is set to.

As shown in FIG. 13, when ON, current is supplied from the relay power source to the coil 122 of the relay switch 121, the switch contacts a and b are turned ON, and each signal line is electrically connected to the electric circuit 123 and the CCD 124. It becomes a state.

On the other hand, when the rigid endoscope 115 is removed, as shown by the dotted line in FIG.
4 is turned off. In this case, no current is supplied from the relay power source to the coil 122 of the relay switch 121, so the switch contacts a and b are turned off and each signal line is cut off from the electric circuit 123 and the CCD 124. Become.

In FIG. 12, the camera head 112 is formed of first, second and third covering members 125, 126 and 127, and a relay switch 121 as shown in FIG. 6 is arranged on the back side of the CCD 124. .

In such a structure, when the sterilization process is performed by the autoclave device, the rigid endoscope 115 and the camera head 112 side are separated from each other, and in this case, the switch contacts a and b as described above. Is in an OFF state, and it is possible to effectively prevent heat from being conducted to the electric circuit 123 and the CCD 124 side through each signal line.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope image pickup device 131 of this embodiment has a TV camera 134 in which a relay switch 133 is housed in an image pickup section 132, and a connector 136 attached to the end of a camera cable 135 extended from the image pickup section 132.
And a CCU 137 that is detachably connected.

A CCD 138, an electronic circuit 139 connected to the CCD 138, and a relay switch 133 connected to the electronic circuit 139 and one contact a are incorporated in the image pickup section 132. This relay switch 133
The other contact b is connected to a signal line, and this signal line is connected to the connector 136. The coil 140 of the relay switch 133 is connected to the connector 136 via the control line.
Connected with.

The CCU 137 includes a video signal processing circuit 141, a power supply circuit 142 for supplying power to the video signal processing circuit 141, and a plug 1 connected to a commercial power supply.
43, and a power transformer 145 connected via a power switch 144.

When the connector 136 is connected to the CCU 137, a drive current is supplied to the coil 140 from the power supply circuit 142 via the control line.
As shown in FIG. 14A, the contacts a and b of the relay switch 140 are O when the drive current is not supplied to the coil 140.
It is set to be FF. Therefore, when the connector 136 is not connected to the CCU 137,
The contacts a and b are always turned off.

On the other hand, when the connector 136 is connected to the CCU 137 and the power switch 144 is turned on, a drive current is supplied to the coil 140 from the power circuit 142 in the CCU 137, and the contacts a and b are turned on.

That is, in this embodiment, since the connector 136 is connected to the CCU 137 in a state where it is used for endoscopic examination, the contacts a and b are turned on and the video signal processing circuit 1 is turned on.
41 and the electronic circuit 139 are electrically connected. Further, when sterilized in the autoclave device, the connector 136 is removed from the CCU 137, so that the contacts a and b are turned off, and it is possible to effectively prevent heat from being transmitted through the signal line.

FIG. 15 shows a TV according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
A sterilization tray 152 in which the camera 151 and the TV camera 151 are stored is shown.

In this embodiment, the tray 152 is provided with an accommodating portion 153 for accommodating the TV camera 151. The TV camera 151 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 153, and the lid 154 is used to put the lid in the autoclave device. By storing in the sterilization tray 152 and performing sterilization in this way, it is possible to prevent the camera cable 155 and the like from being damaged by another knife during sterilization.

Further, in this embodiment, a projection 159 is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the switch button 158 provided on the camera head 156 in the head storage portion 157 which can be stored according to the outer shape of the camera head 156 in the tray 152. When the camera head 156 is stored in the head storage portion 157, the switch button 158 is pushed by the projection 159 so that the switch is turned off.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, the switch button 158 of the camera head 156 is the protrusion 1 of the tray 152.
When pressed against the spring 160 by 59, the pressing portion 16
1, the switch body 162 inside is pushed to turn off the switch contact. When this switch contact is turned off, the signal line is cut off inside the camera head 156.

In FIG. 15, the camera head housing portion 157 is also provided with a shape restricting portion for positioning the camera head 156 to be housed and for restricting its movement. Also, the enlarged view of the camera head 156 in FIG.
8 is provided. The switch button 158 is formed small so that it cannot be turned off even if it is touched by a finger.

Although the switch is turned off by the protrusion 159 in this embodiment, a magnet may be provided on the tray 152 to turn off the reed switch or the like. In this embodiment, when the camera head 156 is housed in the sterilization tray 152, the contacts are turned off and heat can be effectively prevented from being transferred to the CCD side via the signal line.

FIG. 17 shows a camera head 171 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the camera head 17
The front end opening of the exterior 172 forming part 1 is covered with a cover glass, and the CCD 173 is arranged inside the cover 172. FIG. 17
In the above, a single coating structure is shown, but a double or triple coating structure may be used to further improve the heat insulating function.

A substrate 174 is provided on the back side of the CCD 173.
Are arranged in the longitudinal direction, and the tip of the pattern formed on the substrate 174 is connected to the CCD 173 by a lead wire.

The rear end of the pattern of the board 174 is connected to the signal line of the camera cable 175. The rear end of the outer casing 172 is fixed to the cable break stop 176 with a sealing material interposed, and the outer periphery of the camera cable 175 inserted through the hole of the cable break stop 176 is also made of a sealing material in a honey structure.

In this embodiment, a heat storage member 178 is attached to the substrate 174 via a heat insulating support member 177. The heat storage member 178 is formed of, for example, a bimetal or a shape memory alloy, and when heated, the heat storage member 178 bends from the state indicated by the solid line to the substrate surface as indicated by the chain double-dashed line, and conducts to the CCD 173 side via the substrate 174. Heat storage member 1
The heat is stored on the 78 side to prevent the temperature rise of the substrate 174 and the CCD 173.

When the temperature decreases, the state indicated by the two-dot chain line is restored to the state indicated by the solid line, and the heat storage member 178 becomes
Get away from. According to this embodiment, when the autoclave is used for sterilization in high-temperature, high-pressure steam, the camera head 171 has a heat insulating structure, but the cable 175 does not have a heat insulating structure, and the transmission member of this cable 175 is used. CCD1 inside camera head 171 via (metal wire)
Since heat is transferred to the 73 side by conduction by the heat storage member 178 and the temperature rise of the CCD 173 can be prevented, it is possible to prevent the CCD 173 from being destroyed or deteriorated by heat.

Note that, for example, the disconnection switch 102 shown in FIG. 11 may be provided on the substrate 174 as shown by the dotted line so that the temperature rise of the CCD 173 can be prevented more effectively. The disconnection switch 102 is provided in the middle of the pattern, and when the temperature rises, the substrate 17
The pattern 4 and the pattern on the bimetal side are turned off.

FIG. 18 shows the structure of the heat storage member 181 in the modification of the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 18A, the flexible pattern 184 is formed on the bimetal 182 via the insulating member 183.
By providing the flexible pattern 184 with the pattern of the substrate 174, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of a short circuit.

In FIG. 18B, the heat storage pattern portion 187 is also formed on the flexible substrate 186 provided on the bimetal. Further, the pattern 188 on the substrate 174 side is provided with a contact pattern portion 189 having a large contact area so that the efficiency of heat conduction can be improved when the pattern 188 contacts the flexible substrate 186.

Further, in FIG. 18 (c), the manual selection switch 191 provided on the exterior 172 turns on / off the heat storage.
You can select and set. This switch 191
By pressing, the internal heat storage member 192 can be pressed and brought into contact with the substrate 172.

FIG. 19A shows the structure around the camera head 201 in the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the inner coating 203 is provided inside the outer coating 202 to form a double coating structure. A lens 204 is attached to the tip of the inner coating 203, and a CCD 205 is arranged behind it.

The signal lines 206 connected to the leads on the back surface of the CCD 205 are connected to the connector section 208 attached to the covering fixing member 207. This connector part 208
In, the signal line 206 and each cable core wire 211 of the camera cable 209 are connected.

In this embodiment, as shown in the enlarged view, the thickness of the connector portion 208 on the signal line 206 side is made smaller than the thickness of the cable core wire 211 to increase the thermal resistance, and heat is less likely to be transmitted to the camera head 201 side. are doing.

FIG. 19B shows a camera head 221 of a modification of the seventh embodiment. In this modification, in FIG. 19A, the connector section 208 is provided with an isolation wall 222.
The signal line 206 is connected to the cable core 211 through the thin pattern 224 of the PCB 223. The operation and effect of this modification is almost the same as that of the seventh embodiment. In the camera head 231 of the second modified example shown in FIG.
The terminal plates 233 and 234 are provided on both sides of the terminal 2, and a thin signal line 235 connects them. The operation and effect of this modification is almost the same as that of the seventh embodiment.

In the first embodiment and the like, it has been described that the sensor detects temperature or pressure. However, in order to detect the environment of the autoclave processing, the humidity is detected and the switch is turned off. Is also good.

[0090]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image pickup section having a built-in image pickup element for picking up an endoscopic image, a cable to which the image pickup section and one end are connected, and a cable of the cable. An endoscope image pickup device provided at the other end and provided with a detachable connector for a control unit that performs signal processing for the image pickup unit, and the image pickup unit has a heat insulating structure except for a conducting portion inside the cable. In at least one of temperature, pressure, and humidity, or a detection means for detecting a non-imaging state, and a shutoff mechanism for shutting off a conducting portion between the image pickup section and the cable based on the detected information. Therefore, when sterilizing with an autoclave, it has a function that can effectively prevent heat from being transferred to the image sensor etc. via the conducting part of the cable, and the image sensor etc. will be destroyed by heat or the characteristics will deteriorate. Can be prevented There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope system including a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a structure of a connector and a connector receiver.

FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera head according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a side view showing the structure of a relay switch inside the camera head.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera head according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a switch button provided on the camera head.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera head according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a bimetal type disconnection switch inside the camera head.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the structure of an adapter peripheral portion in a modification of the third embodiment.

13 is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit for explaining the operation of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a TV camera and a sterilization tray according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera head according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a heat storage mechanism and the like in a modified example of the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing the structure of a camera head according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Endoscope system 2 ... Hard endoscope 3 ... Adapter 4 ... External TV camera 5 ... Camera external endoscope 7 ... CCU 9 ... Camera cable 9a ... Connector 10 ... Autoclave adapter 13 ... Eyepiece 21 ... camera head 22 ... exterior case 28 ... CCD 31 ... relay switch 32 ... coil 33 ... signal line 34 ... control line 38 ... connector receiving 39 ... disconnection switch control circuit 41 ... battery 44 ... sensor a, b ... contact

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ───

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 8, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The disconnection switch control circuit 39 includes a battery 42 housed in a heat-resistant battery case 41.
It is connected to and is supplied with the power required for operation. The disconnect switch control circuit 39 is provided in the heat insulating cases 36 and 37.
Via a packing 43 to retain the water-tight and gas-tight also connected to a sensor 44 which is mounted in an opening provided in,
In response to the signal output from the sensor 44, the disconnection switch control circuit 39 outputs a drive signal to the coil 32 to turn the contacts a and b ON or OFF.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0042

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0042] This is a rear end portion of the flexible substrate 68 is connected to the first fixed contact 7 6 of the relay switch 71 through a plurality of leads 70 yelling embedded in the insulating member 69, the rear end of the other movable contact 73 Is connected to the signal line in the camera cable 74.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0045

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

By energizing the coil 75, the iron core is magnetized and the movable contact 73 is attracted to contact the contact 72.
When not energized, it is urged upward by a spring (not shown),
It is in contact with the upper contact 76. The contact 7 2 6
Is not connected to wiring . The other part of this modification has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the operation and effect thereof are also the first.
It is almost the same as the embodiment.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 14

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 14

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Shinkichi Tanizawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yu Tatsuno 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masao Uehara 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masahiro Hagiwara 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideki Koyanagi 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An imaging unit having a built-in imaging device for picking up an endoscopic image, a cable to which the one end of the imaging unit is connected, and an imaging unit provided at the other end of the cable. In the endoscope image pickup device having a heat insulating structure, the image pickup unit is provided with a detachable connector in a control unit that performs signal processing for the, and the image pickup unit excludes a conducting portion inside the cable. An endoscopic image pickup apparatus comprising at least one or a detection unit for detecting a non-imaging state, and a cutoff mechanism for cutting off a conduction section between the image pickup section and a cable based on the detected information. .