JPS63315024A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly expel the humidity in a hermetically closed endoscope to the outside, by providing a communication passage opened to the part of the electric connector shielded by a waterproof cap to allow the interior of the endoscope main body to communicate with the outside and providing a waterproof member to said communication passage. CONSTITUTION:A screw part 19 is formed to the outer peripheral surface of a cover member 15 on the opening side thereof so as to be capable of mounting a waterproof cap 20 to the leading end part of an electric connector 4a in a freely detachable manner. A waterproof chamber 21 is provided on the back surface side of the insulator 16 of the electric connector 4a using the dead space of the cover member 15. That is, the waterproof chamber 21 is constituted using a bottomed cylindrical waterproof wall member 22 having the outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of a cap 18. A hole 22 for a communication passage allowing the inside and outside to communicate with each other is formed to the waterproof wall member 22 and a tubular porous member (waterpoof member) 27 (for example, made of a tetrafluoroethylene resin) having a capacity permitting air to pass but not a liquid closed by an opening plug member 26 at one end thereof communicates with and connects to the hole 22a for communication passage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an endoscope having a waterproof structure.

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, electronic endoscopes that use solid-state imaging devices to image the observation field have been provided (Utility Model No. 59-1).
7837, see). This type of endoscope is provided with an electrical connector for transmitting signals generated by driving the solid-state image pickup device to an external image processing circuit. This type of endoscope is maintained in an airtight and waterproof state during normal times.

The entire endoscope is then cleaned and further immersed in a disinfectant solution to disinfect the entire endoscope.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, even with the endoscopes in this building that have an airtight and waterproof structure, the outer sheath that makes up the endoscope's insertion section or light guide cable is made of rubber or plastic, so moisture can accumulate over a relatively long period of time. and penetrate.

Therefore, if an endoscope is immersed in a chemical solution for a long time, such as when sterilizing it, moisture will enter the sealed endoscope and the humidity inside the endoscope will increase. It also increases the humidity in the examination room.

This moisture impairs the functions of internal organs and significantly reduces their durability. For example, light guide 7
This impairs the flexibility of the fiber, leading to breakage and damage to electronic devices such as solid-state imaging devices.

Furthermore, the interior of the endoscope is sealed, so once moisture enters the interior, it is difficult for it to escape naturally.

This invention was made with attention to the above problem, and its purpose is to quickly drain moisture inside a sealed endoscope to the outside of the endoscope, while having a relatively simple structure. Our goal is to provide an endoscope that can

[Means and operations for solving the problems] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an endoscope body with a waterproof structure, and has an electrical connector for electrically connecting with an external device. In an endoscope in which a waterproof cap is removably attached to the electrical connector, a communication passage that opens at the part of the electrical connector that is shielded by the waterproof cap and communicates between the inside and outside of the endoscope body is connected. This communication path is provided with a waterproof member that allows moisture to escape from the inside of the endoscope body, which is a member that allows gas to pass through but not liquid.

Therefore, even if moisture enters the inside of the endoscope, this moisture can quickly escape to the outside through the communication path provided with the waterproof member that allows gas to pass through but not liquid. Also,
For example, when the endoscope Q is to be immersed in a chemical solution, a waterproof cap is attached to the electrical connector part that is vulnerable to liquids, and at this time, the above-mentioned communication path that opens to the electrical connector part can also be shielded with the waterproof cap. . Therefore, at this time, liquid does not enter into the endoscope main body through the communication path and the waterproof member. In addition to preventing the liquid from entering, the moisture that has once entered the interior of the endoscope body can be quickly released to the outside.

〔Example〕

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 schematically shows the entire endoscope device,
In the figure, I is the operation part and the 2-mine insertion part. Irokuho 2 is an insertion part formed by connecting a flexible tube, a curved tube, and a tip component in series, and 3 is a connector 3 for a light guide/air and water supply system at the tip.
It is a universal cord equipped with a, and an electric cord equipped with an electrical connector 4 at the tip of 4Fi. And the operation part I
The proximal end of the insertion section 2 is connected to the distal end side of the
The base end of the universal cord 3 is connected to the side of Bl. A base end portion of an electrical cord 4 is connected to the connector 3a. The entirety of these components constitutes a waterproof endoscope body. Further, the distal end of the insertion section 2 is provided with an objective lens 5 and an illumination window (not shown).

A solid-state image pickup device 6 such as 8ID or COD is installed downstream of the objective lens 5 and facing the objective lens 5. Further, a light guide fiber 7 is disposed at the rear stage of the illumination window with the ends facing toward the ore field facing each other. A signal line 8 connected to the solid-state image sensor 6 is connected to an electrical connector 41 through the insertion section 2, the operation Rr1 universal cord 3, the connector 3a, and the electrical cord 4 in sequence.

In addition, on the incident side of the light guide fiber 7, the insertion section 2,
Control section! and the universal cord 3 and are connected to the connector 3a, and the connector 3a
A light source device 9 equipped with an air and water supply device (not shown)
connected to. Further, by connecting the electrical connector 4& to the video processor io, the signal of the optical image captured by the solid-state image sensor 6 can be outputted to the video processing circuit 11 of the video processor 10. Note that a video processing circuit rNctd of the video processor IO and a monitor 12 are connected, and an optical image is displayed based on a signal image-processed by the video processing circuit II. Although not shown, an air/water supply tube is inserted from the distal end of the insertion section 2 to the connector 3a, and an operating wire is inserted from the curved section of the insertion section 2 to the operation section I. The bending section can be bent by operating the operation wire through a bending operation knob (not shown).

Further, by connecting the connector 3a to the light source device 9, an air and water supply function is formed.

Furthermore, the operation unit l includes an air/water supply operation button 13 & 1 suction operation button 13b1 for operating the air/water supply function.
Electric switches 14, etc. for operating the electrical system are provided.

Here, to explain the structure of the electrical connector 4a, in FIG. 1, 15 is an exterior member formed into a substantially cylindrical shape, 16 is a disc-shaped insulator, 17...
・ is the insulator 16 to that insulator 16
A plurality of pin contacts 18 are provided on the opening side of the exterior member 15 and are fi-insulating caps. Then, the insulator I6 is placed inside the cap 18, and the pin contact 1
In addition to arranging the tips of the exterior members I5 with their tips facing outward, the rear ends of the exterior member I5 are connected to the tips of the electrical cords 4, and the signal lines 8... connected to the solid-state image sensor 6 are connected. The pin contacts 17 are connected to the base ends of the pin contacts 17 so that signals are exchanged between the solid-state image sensor 6 and the video processing circuit 11 through the pin contacts 17 . Although not shown in the video processor 10, a video process circuit II
A connection portion consisting of a plurality of electrically conductive pin holders is provided to be electrically connected to the terminal.

Then, by inserting the pin contact I7... of the electrical connector 4a into the pin receiver, the pin contact I7...
and the endoscope side and the video processor I0 through the pin holder.
It is now possible to perform signal transmission and transmission between the two. Of course, in order to ensure a good and smooth connection between each pin contact I7..., there is a slight clearance (not shown) between the insulator I6 and each pin contact I7... is formed to give each tip side of the pin contacts 17 a degree of freedom. Further, a threaded portion I9 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the exterior member 15 on the opening side.
and attach a waterproof cap 2 to the tip of the electrical connector 4a.
0 can be detachably attached.

A waterproof chamber 2Z is provided on the back side of the insulator 16 of the electrical connector 41 using the dead space of the exterior member I5. That is, the waterproof chamber 21 constitutes a waterproof chamber 2I using a bottomed cylindrical waterproof wall member 22 having an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of the cap 18. For details, see waterproof wall member 22.
td, it has a signal line insertion hole (not shown) in the wall on the bottom side and is formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape. This waterproof wall member 22 is airtightly installed in the base 18 with its opening facing outward. Then, the insulator I6 is airtightly attached to the open end inside this waterproof wall member 22,
Each signal line 8... is inserted into each signal line insertion hole and wired. Then, for example, an adhesive 23 is filled between each signal line 8... and the signal line insertion hole, and the f, 1-segment lines 8... are bonded, and at the same time, the gap is waterproofed, and the insulator I6
A waterproof chamber 21 is formed on the back surface of the housing 21, and an air opening] faces the base end of each pin contact I7. That is, although the liquid enters the back side of the insulator 16 through the clearance between the pin contacts I7... and the fixed part of the insulator I6, the liquid does not enter the endoscope side further in the airtight waterproof chamber 2I. I try not to have anything to do. A drain hole 24 is formed in the plate surface of the insulator 16 to communicate the inside and outside of the waterproof chamber 21, so that liquid that has entered the waterproof chamber 21 can be easily drained. Of course, it goes without saying that this drain hole 24 is formed in a location that has no effect on the installation of the pin contacts 17... Further, this waterproof structure is provided with a waterproof check structure that can check the waterproofness of the waterproof cap mounting portion using the waterproof structure. Here, the waterproof check structure will be explained. A communication passage hole 22m is formed in the waterproof wall member 22, and the communication passage hole 22m communicates between the inside and the outside.
A tube-shaped porous member (waterproof member) 22 (eg, tetrafluoroethylene resin, etc.), which is closed by one opening plug member 26 and has the ability to allow air to pass through but not to allow liquid to pass therethrough, is connected to the opening plug member 26 . Furthermore, the exterior member I5 is provided with a cap 28 that communicates between the inside and outside of the electrical connector 4a, and the cap 28 is provided with a check valve portion 29 that allows fluid to flow from the outside into the interior of the electrical connector 4. However, when the waterproof cap 20 is attached to the tip of the electrical connector 4, a pressure source such as an air pressure bonder 3 is connected to the cap 28.
By connecting the connector 4a and immersing the entire connector 4a in liquid in that state, and then pressurizing air into the electrical connector 4a, air bubbles coming out from the threaded joint between the waterproof cap 20 and the exterior member 15 can be removed. Waterproofing can be checked based on the presence or absence of water.

Note that 3I in FIG. 1 indicates an O-ring provided on the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof cap 20.

Therefore, when performing disinfection (chemical solution immersion, water immersion) in the waterproof endoscope constructed in this way, the tip of the electrical connector 4a is used to prevent corrosion of the pin contacts 17, etc. After waterproofing the entire electrical connector 4a by attaching the waterproof cap 20 to the endoscope, the endoscope and the electrical connector 4a are immersed in a chemical solution. There is a risk of immersion, and if this occurs, the pin contact Z2
Through the clearance formed between the outer housing member 15 and the insulator 16, liquid enters various parts of the endoscope that communicate with the exterior member 15, damaging the entire endoscope.

However, according to the above configuration, the waterproof chamber 21 is provided on the back side of the insulator 16. This means that pin contact I
Liquid (chemical solution, water) that enters through the clearance formed between the insulator z6 and the insulator z6 enters the airtight waterproof chamber 21, and is prevented from entering the endoscope. In this way, it is possible to prevent damage to the endoscope caused by forgetting to attach the waterproof cap 20 while improving the connection performance of the pin contacts I7. If the chemical liquid gets into the waterproof chamber 21 due to immersion, shake the electrical connector 4a well to drain the chemical liquid to the outside from the drain hole 24. If you wash it, shake it well again, drain the water from the waterproof chamber 21, and send it for repair immediately, the damage will be minimal (pin contact 11...corrosion).
You will be able to eat more.

When checking the waterproofness of the part where the waterproof cap 20 is attached, in addition to attaching the waterproof cap 20 to the tip of the electrical connector 4a as shown in FIG. The pressure pump 30 is connected, and in this state, the electrical connector 4a and the entire endoscope are immersed in the liquid (water) in the tank 33, and then the air pressure pump 30 is used to immerse the electrical connector 4a together with the entire endoscope. Electrical connector 4a inside the endoscope
All you have to do is pressurize the air through the That is, waterproofness can be checked by checking the presence or absence of air leaking from between the waterproof cap 20 and the threaded portion 12. In addition, when checking this waterproofness, the connection chain 32 is connected directly to the waterproof cap 20 as shown in FIG. It's okay. In this case, the cap 28 is not required, which simplifies the waterproof check structure, and the electrical connector 4a is small and inexpensive.

By the way, even in general endoscopes with this type of airtight and waterproof structure, the parts that make up the outer skin of the endoscope's insertion section 2 or universal cord 3 are made of mineral rubber or plastic snack sea bream, so it can last for a relatively long time. Water impregnates and permeates between them.

Therefore, as mentioned above, if the endoscope is immersed in a chemical solution for a long period of time, moisture will enter the sealed endoscope and the humidity inside the endoscope will rise even higher than the humidity in a typical endoscopy room. let Moreover, this humidity impairs the function of the inner material and significantly reduces its durability. For example, the flexibility of the light guide fiber may be impaired, resulting in breakage or damage to electronic devices. Moreover, since the interior of the internal mirror body is sealed, once moisture enters the interior,
It doesn't go away naturally.

However, in the above configuration, the communication passage hole 22&, which opens at the part of the electrical connector 4a that is shielded by the waterproof cap 20 and communicates the inside and outside of the endoscope body, is connected to a member that allows gas to pass through but not liquid. Since the porous AM material 27 is provided to allow moisture inside the endoscope body to escape to the outside, moisture that has entered the inside of the endoscope can be quickly released to the outside through this.

Note that when cleaning and disinfecting this endoscope, the waterproof cap 20 is usually attached to the electrical connector 4a as described above. There is no. Therefore, the donated body does not reach the porous member 27 through the communication passage hole 22a. Therefore, it is possible to prevent moisture from penetrating into the endoscope body through the porous member 27 during immersion in the chemical solution. It can be prevented.

5 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a waterproof chamber 2I is constructed using a cylindrical waterproof wall member 22 and a PC board (printed circuit board) 36. Specifically, a cylindrical waterproof wall member 22 is provided in place of the previous waterproof wall member, and PCCs2O is placed in the opening on the electrical cord 4 side of this waterproof wall member 22, and the electrical cord 4 of PC$36 is installed.
The waterproof wall member 2I is made waterproof by soldering between a circular land (not shown) formed near the outer periphery of the side surface and the inner peripheral surface of the waterproof wall member 2I. Furthermore,
Because the outer circumferential side of PCCs2O has many unevenness and is difficult to waterproof,
Not only the outer circumference of PCCs2O but also the pattern surface is used to make it waterproof. In addition, for soldering, the waterproof wall member 22 can be used as a ground (GND) L, and the waterproof wall member 22 can be used as a shield. Incidentally, instead of solder, a flexible adhesive may be used to bond and fix the PCCs2O, and furthermore, a second waterproof wall member (not shown) may be adhered in advance, and after a waterproofing test, The waterproof wall member 22 and the second waterproof wall member may be bonded to each other, and a ring may be used for waterproofing. In FIG. 5, 37... indicates a signal line connecting the pin contacts 17... and the PCCs2O.

Furthermore, the pin contacts z7... and each signal #M37... are connected using electric wire connecting members. For details, see Wire connection member 44m, 44bl
ζ is an electric wire IM8& (constituting the signal @8) with an insulating coating 42b provided around the core lvV2m, a shield 43b around the insulated core wire 43a, and an insulating part &43C on the shield 4Jb. There are two types: one for connecting the coaxial shielded wire 8b (constituting the signal #I18) formed by the above-mentioned method.

Here, before explaining the structure of the porous member 27, the structure of each part will be explained.The structure of the connection part of the video processor IO is as follows. is the exterior metal of the video processor IO, 6Ia is an insulating tube formed from an insulating material such as plastic, 62 is a base, 63h is a pin contact 11...
This is an insiator equipped with a pin receiver 64 for receiving the pin receiver 64 and a pin receiver 65 for the coaxial pin contact. Then, an insulating tube 61m is attached to the opening edge of the mounting opening formed in the exterior metal 60.
The opening side of the insulating tube 6I is fixed with screws, and the insulating tube 6I is attached to the exterior metal 6.
It is installed within 0&. Further, an insulator 63 is installed on the opening side of the cap 62. And this cap 62
The rear side of the insulating tube 6Z is screwed and fixed to the inner bottom of the insulating tube 6Z, and the cap 62 is concentrically housed inside the insulating tube 61&. The tabs and other parts are connected through an insulating member. In addition, 6
6 is a signal line connected to each pin receiver 64, 65, and both signal lines 66 are connected to the video processing circuit 11. Of these signal lines 66, the signal line 66& of the pin receiver 65 connected to the shield is also connected to the base 62, so that the base 62 functions as a shield. Further, the peripheral wall at the rear of the cap 62 is inclined in a direction that closes the opening, and this inclined portion 61 and further the cap 62
The entire structure is shielded to prevent noise from entering from the outside. Note that 67a is a positioning protrusion formed on the outer periphery of the mouthpiece 62 on the opening side. On the other hand, to explain the rotation of the electrical connector 4, 15d is the exterior member of the connector described in the previous embodiment, and its rear end is connected to the exterior member 68# of the electrical cord 4. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, 69 is an exterior member! A support tube 69 is disposed in the support tube 5. A cylindrical waterproof wall member 22 is connected to the tip of the support tube 69, and a fixing plate 70 is provided at the rear end.

Then, an insulator 16 is provided on the tip side of the waterproof wall member 22.
In addition, PCCs 2 are installed on the rear end side of the waterproof wall member 22.
It is installed using O-fixing screws 36&, and forms a waterproof chamber 21 on the back side of the insulator 16. In addition, PC
A mineral strip porous member 27 is provided at $36, which will be described later.

Then, the bottle contact 17 mentioned earlier is attached to the insulator I6.
are provided as in the conventional case, and a bottle contact 17m for a coaxial contact is also provided. Furthermore, an insulating post 71 formed of an insulating material is provided protrudingly between the pin contacts I7..., 17h, and is screwed onto the electrical connector 4.
By inserting it into the connecting portion of the video processor IO in a, the insulating post 21 can be connected to each bin receiver 64, 65 as a guide. Of course, the insulator 63 on the connection side has a guide hole 12 corresponding to the insulating boss 71.
is provided. Note that the insulating post 71 not only has a guiding function, but also prevents a statically charged person from contacting the bottle contact I7 by installing the insulating post 71.

17h to prevent damage to electronic components such as the solid-state image sensor 6 due to static electricity.

Of course, insulation boss) 71 is not limited to one #! As shown in Fig. 11, a plurality of insulators may be provided, and the mounting method is not by screwing, but by fixing them using divided insulators I6 as shown in Fig. 9, or integrally with insulator I6 as shown in Fig. 1θ. It may also be formed into

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a cutout 73 is provided in a portion of the insulator Z6 directly below the bottle contact 77&, and serves as a drain hole 24 facing the waterproof chamber 2Ii.

Further, the waterproof wall member 22 is fixed to the exterior member I5 via a cylinder 74 made of an insulating material such as plastic coated on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and furthermore, one outer peripheral surface of the support cylinder 69 is covered with a heat-shrinkable chain 75. has been done.

A groove 7 is formed on the inner periphery of the tip end of the cylinder 74, into which the base 62 of the previous connection part can be inserted and inserted, and into which the protrusion 67a can be inserted and removed.
A circular positioning member 76 having a length of 6 m is provided, and allows the electrical connector 4a to be connected to the video processor IO using the positioning member 26 and the base 62 as a guide. The tabs are fitted as shown in FIG. 8 so that the electrical connector 4a can be connected. In this way, all conductors are attached via insulating members,
In addition to eliminating the danger of electric shock, it also prevents electronic components from being destroyed when a charged person touches a conductor. Note that 77a is a rotation stopper for stopping unnecessary rotation of the insulator 16. On the other hand, 8 wires are signal lines made by winding the electric mttas coaxial shield 1jJJ8b mentioned earlier into multiple threads. Then, the tip side of the signal line led out from the tip side of the electric cord 4 is led out into the support tube 69 through the through hole 70m provided in the fixed plate 70 and connected to the PCCaB6. Further, the led-out signal line is fixed using a bush 78 provided on the fixing plate 70 and a binder 79 made of plastic, for example, as shown in FIG. Specifically, a rubber member as shown in FIG. 13 is made of a cylindrical shape with a support seat 80 formed at one end, and the external shape of which decreases stepwise from the support seat 80 toward the other end. A cylindrical bushing 79 with a cutout 79m along the axial direction is used on the outer circumference of the body, and is fixed to the outer surface of the fixing plate 70 using a fixing tool 8I. The signal wire 8 is inserted through the portion 79m, and the entire signal wire is fixed by wrapping two binders 79 around the smooth outer peripheral surface of the pusher 579g and tightening them. Incidentally, after tightening is performed, the remaining end of the binder 79 is removed. The alignment of the i1 wires and the fixing using the Pushsiev 8 and the binder 79 are as follows:
At Rubber Putsiev 8? ! Binder 75 while preserving the postmarginal area! , 79, and the high frictional resistance of the bushing 28 allows secure fixation, preventing the axial movement of the 8m1 coaxial shielded wire 8b from being transmitted to the connection part of the PCCaB6. hand,
Improves bonding reliability. Moreover, the signal line group is pushed to 8L.
All you have to do is insert it from the side of 78 and fix it, making it easy to work.

On the other hand, the waterproof wall member 22 is connected to a ground 36* connected to the PC wire 36, and components such as the support tube 69 and the fixed IC 70 that are electrically connected to the waterproof wall member 22 have shielding performance. A shield formed around the electronic components within the connector 4a eliminates the influence of noise.

Next, I will explain the rotation of the porous member 22.
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 85 is a tube member having a seat surface having a concave shape. Then, on the seat surface of the pipe member 85,
The porous member 27 formed into a sheet shape is fixed using the sheet presser 86. Then, the tube member 85 is held at its tip end by PCC so that the porous negative member 27 exits from the waterproof chamber 2I.
It is made by passing s2O through and fixing it to PCC s2O using solder. This makes it possible to perform a waterproof check in the same way as described above, and allows moisture to enter the endoscope body and be removed through it. In addition, as mentioned above, the surroundings of PCCs2O are joined to the waterproof wall member 22 with solder, and in addition, the PCCs2O is
Adhesive 86 is applied to the entire back surface of CCs2O to improve its waterproof property, which is not reliable in terms of waterproofing.

In addition, in all of the embodiments described above, the present invention was applied to an electrical connector provided separately from the air/water supply connector.
The present invention may be applied to a connector 91 that combines air/water supply and electrical connection as shown in FIG. 15(t). Of course, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to endoscopes that do not use solid-state image sensors.

[Results of the invention]

As explained above, the present invention has a waterproof structure for the endoscope body, an electrical connector for electrically connecting to an external device, and a moss-proof cap attached to the electrical connector to be detachably attached. In the endoscope, a communication passage is provided that opens at the part of the electrical connector that is shielded by the waterproof cap and communicates the inside and outside of the endoscope body, and the communication passage allows gas to pass through but not liquid. A waterproof member is provided to allow moisture inside the endoscope body to escape to the outside.

Therefore, even if moisture enters the interior of the endoscope, this moisture can quickly escape to the outside through the communication path provided with the waterproof member that allows gas to pass through but not liquid. In addition, if the endoscope is to be immersed in liquid, for example, attach a waterproof cap to the part of the electrical connector that is sensitive to liquid.
At this time, the communication path that opens to the electrical connector can also be covered by the waterproof cap. therefore,
At this time, no liquid enters into the endoscope body through the communication path and the waterproof member. Tsumashi,
When the endoscope is immersed in liquid, it is possible to prevent the liquid from entering, and once the moisture inside the endoscope main body is immersed in liquid, it can be quickly released to the outside.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 3 show a first embodiment of this invention,
Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the waterproof chamber together with the structure of the connector.
@Figure 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the entire endoscope, Figure 3 is a side view showing the waterproof structure of the waterproof cap attachment part tested, and Figure 4 is the attachment of a different waterproof cap. 5 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the structure on the tip side of the connector,
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the rear side of the connector, Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the connecting part of the external device to which the connector is connected, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the connected state. , FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are cross-sectional views showing different insulating posts, FIG. 11 is a front view showing the arrangement of different insulating posts, FIG. 12 is a front view showing a water drain hole provided in the insulator, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a pusher for fixing a signal line, FIG. 4a... Electrical connector (connector), 21... Waterproof chamber, 22... Waterproof wall member, 27... Waterproof member. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Jun Tsuboi Figure 4 Figure 10 Figure 11 M Figure 12 Figure 15 Figure 14

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an endoscope in which the endoscope body has a waterproof structure and has an electrical connector for electrically connecting with an external device, and a waterproof cap is detachably attached to the electrical connector, the above-mentioned waterproof structure is used. A communication path is provided that opens at the part of the electrical connector that is shielded by the cap and communicates the inside and outside of the endoscope body, and this communication path is made of a member that allows gas to pass through but not liquid. An endoscope characterized by being provided with a waterproof member that allows moisture inside to escape to the outside.