WO2016174896A1

WO2016174896A1 - Connector for endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2016174896A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/054456
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真広吉野; 矢島　浩義
Original assignee: オリンパス株式会社
Priority date: 2015-04-30
Filing date: 2016-02-16
Publication date: 2016-11-03
Also published as: JP6076558B1; JPWO2016174896A1

Abstract

Provided is a connector for endoscopes, having: a light source-side fitting part that detachably fits in a light source device having an emitting end that emits illumination light for irradiating a subject; an incidence part where the illumination light enters from the light source device in a fitted state; a transmission part that transmits the illumination light that has entered the incidence part; an endoscope-side fitting part in which an endoscope having an incidence end where illumination light enters detachably fits; and an emitting part that emits the illumination light transmitted by the transmission part to the incidence end of the endoscope in a fitted state; and in the fitting part corresponding to one of the incidence part and the emitting part, a retention mechanism that retains movably in the direction of the optical axis of the illumination light or in a perpendicular direction that is perpendicular to the direction of the optical axis.

Description

Endoscope connector

The present invention relates to an endoscope connector used for connection between a light source device and an endoscope.

In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field, industrial field, and the like. In addition, a scanning endoscope that can be inserted into a small-diameter pipe to perform endoscopy and the like has been put into practical use. Conventional scanning endoscopes are reuse-type scanning endoscopes that are supposed to be used repeatedly.
However, in the medical field, in addition to the reuse type that can be reused after cleaning and sterilization, there are situations where disposable type devices that are disposable after a single use are used. In the industrial field, when used in a special environment such as an environment contaminated with radiation, the state before use cannot be recovered. Therefore, it is desirable to prepare a disposable scanning endoscope that is not used repeatedly so that it can be used for applications that are difficult to use repeatedly, so that it can appropriately respond to a wide range of needs.
As a light source device that supplies illumination light, it is desired to be able to be used in common for both a reuse type scanning scanning endoscope and a disposable type scanning scanning endoscope. It is desired that the connector receiver that emits illumination light in the apparatus can supply illumination light corresponding to each of the connectors of the scanning endoscope.
In order to cope with the repeated attachment and detachment, the connector portion connected to the connector receiver of the light source device has a non-contact structure in which the end surface thereof does not contact the end surface of the connector receiver of the light source device. Resistance can be secured.
In this case, the reuse-type scanning scanning endoscope can cope with a non-contact structure of the light source device by using a grind lens (a refractive index distribution type lens) or the like.
On the other hand, in the case of a disposable scanning-type scanning endoscope, it is difficult to reduce the cost by adopting a high-priced green lens, and a contact-type structure that is widely used in optical communication This makes it easy to reduce the cost.
When transmitting laser light used in a scanning endoscope, it is desirable that the light source device be a non-contact type connector receiver that is currently widely used from the viewpoint of ensuring durability and transmission efficiency. . In the case of this structure, in the case of a reuse type scanning endoscope, a non-contact type connector that is widely used at present can be adopted.

However, in the case of a disposable scanning endoscope, if a contact-type connector is connected to a connector receiver of a non-contact type light source device, the transmission efficiency decreases, so a connector (that is, an internal) It is considered that a reduction in transmission efficiency can be prevented by connecting via an endoscope connector.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-143414 as a first conventional example has a structure in which an endoscope connector is connected to a socket of a light source device, and the socket of the light source device is held by a first ferrule. A first fiber stub that collimates by expanding the beam diameter of the laser beam transmitted by the fiber; the second optical fiber is held by the second ferrule in the LG connector on the endoscope side; A connector is disclosed in which a second fiber stub is disposed so as to contact the second ferrule in a non-contact manner.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-152370 as a second conventional example introduces a fitting portion where a plug-side holder to be fitted to a receptacle-side holder is attached or detached, and a laser beam transmitted by a receptacle-side optical fiber. And a plug-side inner sleeve that covers the outer periphery of the ferrule that fixes the plug-side optical fiber, and that both holders are fitted and connected so as to be spaced apart from each other.

Both the first conventional example and the second conventional example disclose a light source side fitting portion that is detachably connected to the light source device, and an endoscope side fitting portion that is detachably connected to the endoscope. Not. In both conventional examples, a connector that efficiently transmits light incident through the light source side fitting portion that is detachably connected to the light source device to the endoscope through the endoscope side connection portion. Not disclosed.
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and can efficiently transmit light incident from the light source device side via the light source side fitting portion to the endoscope via the endoscope side connection portion. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope connector that can be used.

An endoscope connector according to one aspect of the present invention is attachable to and detachable from a light source device having an emission end that emits illumination light for irradiating a subject, and includes a light source side fitting portion that fits into the light source device. An incident portion that is provided in the light source side fitting portion, and in which the illumination light from the light source device is incident in a state where the light source side fitting portion is fitted with the light source device, and incident on the incident portion An endoscope side fitting portion that is detachable from a transmission portion that transmits the illumination light, and an endoscope having an incident end on which the illumination light is incident, and is fitted to the endoscope; Provided in the endoscope side fitting portion, the illumination light transmitted by the transmission portion in a state where the endoscope side fitting portion is fitted to the endoscope is incident on the endoscope An emission part that emits to an end, and the incident part and the emission part corresponding to at least one of the emission part A source-side fitting portion or the endoscope-side fitting portion, having a holding mechanism for holding movably in the vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction or the optical axis direction of the illumination light.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a scanning endoscope system including an endoscope connector according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a distal end portion of the scanning endoscope. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the main unit. 4A is an enlarged view showing a connector receiver of the light source unit, an endoscope connector, and a connector of a disposable endoscope in FIG. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state where a connector of a disposable endoscope is attached to the connector receiver of the light source unit via the connector for endoscope. FIG. 5A is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the emitting end of the connector receiver in FIG. 4B. FIG. 5B is a perspective view showing a sleeve. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an endoscope connector and the like according to a first modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a view showing an endoscope connector and the like according to a second modification of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
A scanning endoscope system (hereinafter abbreviated as an endoscope system) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a disposable disposable endoscope (abbreviated as a disposable endoscope) 2A that is not repeatedly used and is a disposable one. A reuse type scanning endoscope (abbreviated as reuse type endoscope) 2B, a main body device 3 to which the reuse type endoscope 2B is detachably connected, and a disposable type endoscope An image corresponding to the image signal is displayed by the endoscope connector 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention interposed when 2A is connected to the main body device 3 and the image signal generated by the main body device 3. And a monitor 5 as a display device.
The disposable endoscope 2A and the reuse type endoscope 2B have the same configuration except for the difference in the structure of a part of the illumination side connector as described below. In order to reduce costs, the disposable endoscope 2A includes a contact-type illumination side connector 16A, while the reuse-type endoscope 2B includes a non-contact type illumination-side connector 16B.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the disposable endoscope 2A, a flexible insertion portion 11 to be inserted into the subject 6 and an operation portion 12 provided at the rear end (base end) of the insertion portion 11 are provided. A flexible universal cable 13 having one end extending from the operation unit 12, a detection-side connector 14 as a first connector provided at the other end of the universal cable 13, and the detection-side connector 14 A contact-type illumination-side connector 16A serving as a second connector provided at an end portion of the cable 15 extending from the side portion.
The detection-side connector 14 detects a rear end of a detection light transmission fiber (hereinafter abbreviated as detection optical fiber) 17 that transmits (guides) the detection light inserted into the universal cable 13, the operation unit 12, and the insertion unit 11. It has an optical connector base 14a and an electrical connector 14b to which drive

lines

19a and 19b for applying drive signals to a scanner (or scanning actuator) 18 (see FIG. 2) provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion 11 are connected.
Similarly to the disposable endoscope 2A, the reuse type endoscope 2B has an insertion portion 11, an operation portion 12, a universal cable 13, a detection side connector 14, and a cable 15. At the end of the cable 15, It has a non-contact type illumination side connector 16B as a second connector. FIG. 1 shows a partial configuration of the reuse type endoscope 2B.

The main body device 3 includes a light source unit 21 that supplies illumination light to the disposable endoscope 2A or the reuse type endoscope 2B, and a control unit 22 that performs control including processing for generating an image from detection light by the detection optical fiber 17. And have.
The light source unit 21 transmits a laser diode module (abbreviated as an LD module) 23 that generates laser light serving as illumination light, and a laser beam that serves as illumination light generated through an optical fiber 24, and from the end of the optical fiber 24. And an illumination-side connector receiver 25 that emits light.
The illumination-side connector receiver 25 is connected (attached) so that the illumination-side connector 16B of the reuse type endoscope 2B is fitted to form a non-contact type connector receiver. The 2A illumination side connector 16A is connected (attached) via the endoscope connector 4 (see FIG. 4B).
The control unit 22 includes a detection-side connector receiver 26 to which the detection-side connector 14 is detachably connected, and a control board 29 connected to the detection-side connector receiver 26 via a cable 27 and a detection optical system 28.

In FIG. 1, a part of the detection optical system 28 shown in FIG. 3 is simplified. The detection-side connector receiver 26 includes a detection optical connector base 26a to which the detection optical connector base 14a of the detection-side connector 14 is detachably connected and an electrical connector receiver to which the electrical connector 14b of the detection-side connector 14 is detachably connected. 26b.
When the detection optical connector base 14a is connected to the detection optical connector base 26a, the detection light emitted from the end face of the detection optical fiber 17 held by the detection optical connector base 14a passes through the detection optical system 28 and is a photodetector. Is efficiently received (detected), converted into a detection signal as an electric signal, and input to the control board 29.
When the electrical connector 14b is connected to the electrical connector receiver 26b, the electrical power of the electrical connector receiver 26b serving as the end of the cable 27 that transmits the drive signal generated by the drive circuit 33 (see FIG. 3) in the control board 29 is obtained. The electrical contact of the electrical connector 14b that contacts the contact is conducted. Then, a drive signal is applied to the scanner 18 through

drive lines

19a and 19b (see FIG. 2) connected to the electrical contacts of the electrical connector 14b.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the disposable endoscope 2A, an illumination light transmission fiber (hereinafter abbreviated as illumination optical fiber) 31 that transmits (guides) illumination light generated in the light source unit 21 of the main body device 3 is provided. It is inserted. The illumination optical fiber 31 is inserted into the insertion portion 11 from the illumination side connector 16A through the cable 15 and the like.
The illumination optical fiber 31 is attached to the scanner 18 through the ferrule 32 in the distal end portion 11 a of the insertion portion 11 in the vicinity of the distal end thereof.
The scanner 18 is applied with a drive signal generated by the drive circuit 33 in the main unit 3 so that the tip of the illumination optical fiber 31 can be swung in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. A set of

piezoelectric elements

34a, 34b; 34c, 34d is provided. FIG. 2 shows one of the

piezoelectric elements

34a and 34b that swing in the vertical direction along the plane of the paper and the piezoelectric elements 34c and 34d that swing in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper.
By applying a drive signal having a phase difference of 90 degrees to the

piezoelectric elements

34a, 34b and 34c, 34d while changing the amplitude, the tip of the illumination optical fiber 31 is swung so as to draw a spiral trajectory. .

An illumination lens 35 is provided so as to face the tip of the illumination optical fiber 31, and the illumination light emitted from the tip of the oscillated illumination optical fiber 31 is collected by the illumination lens 35, and the inner surface of the subject 6. As a subject, a light spot is formed on the inner surface of the subject 6.
A part of the light reflected at the irradiation position where the light spot is formed is incident on the distal end surface of the detection optical fiber 17 arranged in a ring shape on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion 11a, and the detection optical fiber 17 is incident. The transmitted light is transmitted to the detection optical connector base 14a of the detection side connector 14 at the rear end.
The illumination-side connector 16A provided at the proximal end of the illumination optical fiber 31 has

ferrules

36a and 36b that hold the illumination optical fiber 31 concentrically in the illumination-side connector 16A and the illumination optical fiber 31 in a state of passing therethrough. A flange 37 that holds the

ferrules

36a and 36b and a holding member 38 that concentrically holds the flange 37 and the ferrule 36b on the front surface side of the flange 37 are provided.

The lengths from which the illumination optical fiber 31 and the ferrule 36a protrude rearward (base end) from the base end face of the flange 37 are provided to be equal. This length is set to be slightly longer than the length of the endoscope side fitting portion or the length of the endoscope side fitting portion provided in the endoscope side connector receiver 72 in the endoscope connector 4. Is set.
Further, the end portion of the illumination optical fiber 31 protruding rearward from the base end surface of the flange 37 serves as an incident end 31a serving as an incident portion on which the illumination light is incident.
When the illumination-side connector 16A is connected to the endoscope-side connector receiver 72 as shown in FIG. 4B, the incident end 31a of the illumination-side connector 16A is in contact with the optical fiber emitting portion of the endoscope connector 4 or It is in a state of contact.
In FIG. 2, the illumination side connector 16B in the reuse type endoscope 2B is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

The illumination side connector 16B in the reuse type endoscope 2B is formed by integrating a green lens 39 as a gradient index lens at the end of the illumination optical fiber 31 with the same outer diameter as the illumination optical fiber 31 in the illumination side connector 16A. It has a structure provided automatically. That is, the illumination side connector 16B holds the

ferrules

36a and 36b that hold the proximal end portion of the illumination optical fiber 31 concentrically and the illumination optical fiber 31 in the same manner as the illumination side connector 16A. In addition, a flange 37 that holds the

ferrules

36a and 36b and a holding member 38 that concentrically holds the flange 37 and the ferrule 36b on the front surface side of the flange 37 are provided.
The end portion of the green lens 39 that protrudes rearward from the base end surface of the flange 37 and is provided at the end portion of the illumination optical fiber 31 becomes an incident end 31b that forms an incident portion on which the illumination light is incident.
Further, the length from the base end surface of the flange 37 to the incident end 31b which is the end of the green lens 39 is connected to the green lens 30 on the side of the illumination side connector receiver 25 when connected to the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21. It is set (adjusted) so as to be in a non-contact and opposing arrangement state. In addition, although

ferrule

36a, 36b shown in FIG. 2 etc. has shown the thing from which an outer diameter differs, you may comprise by one common ferrule.

The illumination side connector 16B has basically the same structure as the light source side connector 71 in the endoscope connector 4 described later.
FIG. 3 shows the detailed configuration of the main unit 3 and the configuration of the endoscope connector 4.
The LD module 23 in the main unit 3 includes R-LD 41a, G-LD 41b, and B-LD 41c that form three laser light sources that respectively generate red (R), green (G), and blue (B) laser beams. A laser drive circuit 42 that emits these laser light sources in a pulsed manner, and R, G, and B laser beams emitted from the R-LD 41a, G-LD 41b, and B-LD 41c are transmitted through an optical fiber and combined. And a container 43. The R, G, and B laser beams combined by the multiplexer 43 are emitted from the emission end of the optical fiber 24 held by the illumination side connector receiver 25 that holds the vicinity of the emission end of the optical fiber 24.
Further, the drive circuit 33 in the control board 29 generates a drive signal, and the

drive elements

19a and 19b connected to the drive lines 27a and 27b forming the cable 27 in the main body device 3 are passed through the

piezoelectric elements

34a and 34b of the scanner 18. A drive signal is applied to 34c and 34d, and the tip of the illumination optical fiber 31 is two-dimensionally swung.

The control circuit 45 on the control board 29 refers to the information in the memory 46 to control the operation of the drive circuit 33 and to control the operation of the laser drive circuit 42 in synchronization with the generation of the drive signal. During the operation in which the tip of the illumination optical fiber 31 draws a spiral trajectory, the control circuit 45 controls the laser drive circuit 42 so that the three laser light sources emit pulses, and the pulse light emission causes the subject 6 to move toward the subject 6 side. A light spot is formed. The memory 46 stores information on the timing at which the laser light source emits pulses in association with the time when the drive signal is generated or the amplitude position of the drive signal.
The light reflected on the subject 6 side is detected as detection light by the detection optical fiber 17, and is emitted from the end face of the detection optical connector base 14a connected to the detection side connector base receiver 26a. A detection optical system 28 is arranged to face the end face of the detection optical connector base 14a.
The detection optical system 28 is disposed on an optical path facing the end face of the detection optical connector base 14a, and the detection light emitted from the end face is generated by the first lens 28a that generates parallel light, and the first lens 28a. The first dichroic mirror 28b, the second dichroic mirror 28c, the second lens 28d, and the third dichroic mirror 28b, which are sequentially arranged along the optical path of the collimated light, are arranged on the reflected light path of the first dichroic mirror 28b. Lens 28e, and a fourth lens 28f disposed on the reflection light path of the second dichroic mirror 28c.

The first dichroic mirror 28b selectively transmits light in the R wavelength band, and the first photodetector 28g disposed at a position where the light collected by the third lens 28e is detected is detected. R light in the light is received, photoelectrically converted, and an R detection signal is output.
The second dichroic mirror 28c selectively transmits light in the G wavelength band, and the second photodetector 28h disposed at a position where the light collected by the fourth lens 28f is detected is detected. G light in the light is received, photoelectrically converted, and a G detection signal is output.
The light that has passed through the second dichroic mirror 28c receives the B light in the detection light, and the third photodetector 28i disposed at the position where the light collected by the second lens 28d is detected, A B detection signal is output after photoelectric conversion.
The R, G, and B detection signals detected by the first photodetector 28g, the second photodetector 28h, and the third photodetector 28i are amplified by the amplifiers 47a, 47b, and 47c, respectively. The A / D converters 48a, 48b, and 48c convert the digital signals.

The digital R, G, B detection signals converted by the A / D converters 48 a, 48 b, 48 c are input to the pixel array processing circuit 49. The pixel array processing circuit 49 generates a pixel signal (image signal) of a pixel array corresponding to the spiral trajectory with reference to the position information of the irradiation position stored in advance in the memory 46.
Note that the memory 46 stores information in which the order in which the three laser light sources emit pulses and information on the irradiation position corresponding to each order are associated with each other. Further, the pixel array processing circuit 49 converts a pixel signal (image signal) corresponding to the spiral trajectory into an image signal having a standard pixel array corresponding to the raster scan method (used in a standard display device). I do.
The image signal of the standard pixel array generated by the pixel array processing circuit 49 is automatically adjusted in gain so as to be an image signal having an amplitude suitable for observation by the AGC circuit 50 and is output to the correction circuit 51. The The correction circuit 51 outputs an image signal after performing contour enhancement, gamma correction, pixel defect correction, and the like to the monitor 5. The monitor 5 displays a color image corresponding to the image signal.

Further, the pixel array processing circuit 49 generates, for example, a luminance signal Y (by Y = 0.3R + 0.59G + 0.11B) from the R, G, and B color signals forming the image signal, and further, the luminance signal Y is a number. The average value Yav in the frame period is calculated as the brightness of the image signal, and is output to the dimming circuit 52. The dimming circuit 52 generates a difference from the reference brightness in the brightness of the input average value Yav as a dimming signal, and outputs the generated dimming signal to the laser driving circuit 42. The laser drive circuit 42 adjusts the amount of light emitted when the laser light source emits light according to the dimming signal. Then, the laser driving circuit 42 adjusts the light emission amount so that the brightness of the detected (calculated) image signal becomes the reference brightness.
4A and 4B are enlarged views showing a state where the configuration of the endoscope connector 4 of FIG. 3 is not connected to the illumination-side connector receiver 25 and the connected state, respectively.
The illumination-side connector receiver 25 holds the vicinity of the exit end of the optical fiber 24 that transmits the illumination light generated by the LD module 23 in the cylindrical space of the cylindrical member 61. At the exit end of the optical fiber 24, a green lens 30 as a gradient index lens is integrally provided on the optical fiber 24 with the same outer diameter as the optical fiber 24. Then, the light transmitted through the optical fiber 24 is expanded by the green lens 30 to be converted into parallel light (beam), and is emitted from the emission end 30 a of the green lens 30.

FIG. 5A shows an explanatory view of the action of the green lens 30. FIG. 5A shows an explanatory diagram of the operation of the green lens 30 and the like in a state where the endoscope connector 4 is connected to the illumination side connector receiver 25 in FIG. 4B.
The optical fiber 24 transmits laser light as illumination light in a single mode in the core 24b covered with the clad 24a having different refractive indexes, and the laser light emitted from the end face of the core 24b is expanded by the green lens 30. The parallel light (beam) is emitted from the emission end 30a.
The optical fiber 24 passes through a hole in the center of a disk-shaped first flange 62 fixed to the inner surface of the rear end (base end) of the cylindrical member 61 and faces the first flange 62 in the cylindrical member 61. The disc-shaped second flange 63 is held by the second flange 63 so as to pass through the center hole of the arranged disc-shaped second flange 63 and protrude from the front surface of the second flange 63 by a predetermined length.
Further, the optical fibers 24 on both sides passing through the second flange 63 are held by the first ferrule 64 and the second ferrule 65, and one end face of the first ferrule 64 and the second ferrule 65 is the second ferrule. The flange 63 is fixed.

The outer diameter of the second flange 63 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical member 61, and the outer diameter of the first ferrule 64 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second flange 63.
In addition, a coil-shaped or helical spring 66 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first ferrule 64 is disposed between the first flange 62 and the second flange 63 in a compressed state. The second flange 63 is biased in a direction away from the first flange 62 by the elastic force (restoring force) of the spring 66.
Further, the cylindrical member 61 has a stepped inner surface so that the inner diameter thereof becomes a small diameter, for example, from a tip surface to a position at a predetermined distance, and the second flange 63 is formed by the elastic force of the spring 66. Is elastically positioned at a position in contact with the stepped inner surface.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the longitudinal direction of the central axis of the optical fiber 24 or the optical axis direction of the illumination light transmitted by the optical fiber 24, the optical axis direction is the Z axis, and the direction perpendicular to the Z axis is the X axis. In the case of the Y axis, the second flange 63 holding the exit end side portion including the exit end of the optical fiber 24 is urged so as to elastically contact the stepped inner surface.

By energizing in this way, the Z-axis direction or light with respect to the center position of the front surface of the second flange 63 in the illumination side connector receiver 25 (or the optical fiber 24 held in the through hole of the second flange 63). It is structured to perform axial positioning.

Further, both ends of the spring 66 are in the arrangement state in which the optical fiber 24 held in the through hole by the second flange 63 abutted against the stepped inner surface by the elastic force of the spring 66 is the central axis of the cylindrical member 61. The first flange 62 and the second flange 63 are fixed.
Thus, the second flange 63 is positioned in the optical axis direction so as to contact the stepped inner surface by the elastic force of the spring 66, and in the state of contacting the stepped inner surface, It is also movably held in the vertical X-axis and Y-axis directions.
The second ferrule 65 that holds the optical fiber 24 and the green lens 30 protruding from the front surface of the second flange 63 coaxially with the same length is held coaxially by a sleeve 67 having a C-ring cross section, The base end of the sleeve 67 is fixed to the second flange 63.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the sleeve 67 is provided with a notch 67a along the longitudinal direction, and has a structure in which the inner diameter can be slightly changed compared to the inner diameter when the notch 67a is not provided.

The sleeve 67 is set to the same length as the length in the longitudinal direction of the small diameter portion that has a small diameter from the stepped inner surface of the cylindrical member 61. Further, as shown in FIG. 4A and the like, the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 61 outside the sleeve 67 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 67, and a space having a gap is formed outside the outer diameter of the sleeve 67. The sleeve 67 has a structure that can respond to changes in the inner diameter. The sleeve 67 in FIGS. 4A and 4B is shown, for example, in a cross-section (only the lower side is a cross-sectional view) on the plane including the notch in FIG. Further, since a sleeve 87 provided in the endoscope connector 4 to be described later has the same structure as FIG. 5B, the sleeve of FIG. 5B is indicated by 67 (87). A notch is also indicated by 67a (87a).
The inner space of the sleeve 67 that is the front side of the end face of the second ferrule 65 that holds the optical fiber 24 provided with the green lens 30 coaxially is the light source side that serves as the light source side fitting portion of the endoscope connector 4. A connector connecting outer fitting portion 68 (see FIG. 4A) is formed which is detachably connected in a state where the connector 71 or the illumination side connector 16B of the reuse type endoscope 2B is fitted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, a tapered lead-in portion 69 having an enlarged diameter on the end side is provided at the opening end of the connector connecting outer fitting portion 68 of the sleeve 67, and is inserted for connection. The light source side connector 71 or the illumination side connector 16B to be easily fitted to the inner diameter on the deep side.
For example, when the light source side connector 71 is inserted into the connector connecting outer fitting portion 68 in an eccentric state slightly deviated from the center of the connector connecting outer fitting portion 68, it is moved to the center side by the tapered introduction portion 69. Thus, the eccentricity can be corrected and fitted to the inner diameter on the deep side.
The endoscope connector 4 is fitted with a light source side connector 71 which is detachably connected by fitting to an illumination side connector receiver 25 provided in the light source section 21, and an illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A. And an endoscope-side connector receiver 72 having an endoscope-side fitting portion that is detachably connected.
The light source side connector 71 has almost the same structure as the illumination side connector 16B shown in FIG.

The optical fiber 73 forming the optical transmission part in the endoscope connector 4 is held in a state where the base end side thereof is concentrically held, and the optical fiber 73 being penetrated, and the

ferrules

74a and 74b. And a holding member 76 that concentrically holds the flange 75 and the ferrule 74b on the front side (terminal side) of the flange 75. Further, the ferrule 74 a is set to an outer diameter that fits into the inner diameter of the sleeve 67.
Further, a green lens 77 is integrally provided at the base end of the optical fiber 73 with the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the optical fiber 73. The base end portion of the green lens 77 becomes an incident end 77a that forms an incident portion on which illumination light emitted from the emission end 30a of the illumination-side connector receiver 25 is incident. As shown in FIG. 5A, the

green lenses

30 and 77 have the same outer diameter, and the

optical fibers

24 and 73 have the same outer diameter. The outer diameter of the optical fiber 73 or the green lens 77 may be set to be equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber 24 or the green lens 30.
The length of the columnar shape from the base end surface of the flange 75 to the incident end 77a that is the end of the green lens 77 is connected to (attached to) the illumination-side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21. It is set (adjusted) so as to be in an arrangement state facing the green lens 30 in a non-contact manner. That is, as shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. 5A, both the

green lenses

30 and 77 are in a disposition state facing each other in a non-contact state. In this state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the parallel light (beam) emitted from the green lens 30 is collected from the parallel light (beam) by the green lens 77 and concentrically covered by the clad 73 a in the optical fiber 73. It is incident on the end surface of the broken core 73b.

In the endoscope connector 4, an optical fiber 73 that forms a light transmission portion in the light source side connector 71 extends toward the distal end along the center of the holding member 76, and transmits light in the endoscope side connector receiver 72. Part.
The endoscope side connector receiver 72 has a structure similar to the illumination side connector receiver 25 shown on the left side of FIG. 4A. That is, the endoscope side connector receiver 72 replaces the optical fiber 24 in which the green lens 30 in the illumination side connector receiver 25 is provided and the emission end 30a is formed with the optical fiber 73 in which the emission end is formed without providing the green lens. It is almost the same as the structure.
The endoscope-side connector receiver 72 is a first disc-shaped first member in which an optical fiber 73 extending forward (terminal side) along the center of the holding member 76 is loosely fitted through a hole in the center. A flange 81, a second flange 82 through which the optical fiber 73 passing through the first flange 81 passes and is fixed (held), and an optical fiber 73 that passes through the second flange 82 are coaxial on both sides. A first ferrule 83 and a second ferrule 84 that are held in a shape, and the end portions of the first ferrule 83 and the second ferrule 84 are fixed (or held) by a second flange 82. Yes.

The first flange 81 has a base end face connected to the holding member 76, and the outer peripheral face of the first flange 81 is fitted and fixed to the inner peripheral face of the base end of the cylindrical member 85 as a cylindrical member. Has been. Note that the cylindrical base end of the cylindrical member 85 is fixed to the front end of the holding member 76.
The outer diameter of the second flange 82 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical member 85, and the outer diameter of the first ferrule 83 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second flange 82.
A coil-shaped or helical spring 86 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first ferrule 83 is disposed between the first flange 81 and the second flange 82 in a compressed state. The second flange 82 is biased in the direction away from the first flange 81 (that is, the direction of the central axis of the optical fiber 73 or the direction of the optical axis of the illumination light) by the elastic force (restoring force) of the spring 86. ing.
Due to the elastic force of the spring 86, the second flange 82 is in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 73 (or the light of the illumination light) so as to abut the stepped inner surface having a small diameter in the middle of the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical member 85. The position in the axial direction is elastically positioned.

Thus, the cylindrical member 85 is provided with an inner surface that is stepped so that a small diameter portion having a small inner diameter is formed at a predetermined distance from the base end face, and the spring Due to the elastic force of 86, the second flange 82 is elastically positioned at a position where it abuts against the stepped inner surface. In this state, the base end surface of the first ferrule 83 is set to be separated by a small distance d without contacting the first flange 81 (see FIG. 4A). In this state, the second flange 82 is disposed on the central axis of the cylindrical member 85, and is concentric between the outer peripheral surface of the second flange 82 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 85. A gap g1 (see FIG. 4A) is formed.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the direction of the central axis of the

optical fibers

24 and 73 or the optical axis direction of the illumination light is the Z axis, and the directions perpendicular to the Z axis are the X axis and the Y axis, the optical fiber 73 emits light. The center position of the front surface of the second flange 82 in the endoscope-side connector receiver 72 (by elastically contacting the second flange 82 holding the emission end side portion including the end 73c with the stepped inner surface ( Alternatively, the optical fiber 73) held in the through hole of the second flange 82 is positioned in the Z-axis direction or the optical axis direction.

Further, both ends of the spring 86 are in the arrangement state in which the optical fiber 73 held in the through hole by the second flange 82 abutted against the stepped inner surface by the elastic force of the spring 86 is the central axis of the cylindrical member 85. The first flange 81 and the second flange 82 are respectively fixed.
In this manner, the second flange 82 is positioned in the optical axis direction so as to contact the stepped inner surface of the cylindrical member 85 by using the elastic force of the spring 86 and in contact with the stepped inner surface. A holding mechanism (or an elastic positioning mechanism) 90 is provided that is movably held in the optical axis direction and that is also movable in the X axis and Y axis directions perpendicular to the optical axis direction by the gap g1. .

Note that a frictional force acts between the second flange 82 that holds the optical fiber 73 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction and a step surface with which the flange 82 is elastically contacted. When a large force (in the vertical direction) acts, it can move in the vertical direction.

For this reason, the emission end 73c that forms an emission part for emitting illumination light in the optical fiber 73 held so as to pass through the center hole of the disc-shaped second flange 82 is also formed on the disposable endoscope 2A. An optical axis direction for transmitting (light guiding) illumination light in a connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 (described later) that forms an endoscope side fitting portion that is detachably connected so that the illumination side connector 16A is fitted. And movably held in a vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the endoscope connector 4 transmits the illumination light to the emission end 73c that forms the emission part for emitting the illumination light in the optical fiber 73 by the holding mechanism 90 using the spring 86 ( It has a function of holding (moving by a spring 86, a flange 82, and the like) so as to be movable in an optical axis direction for guiding light and a vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. Note that the optical fiber 73 is arranged in the peripheral portion including the inside of the hole of the first flange 81 so as to be slightly deformable in the longitudinal direction (optical axis direction) and the vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The second ferrule 84 that holds the optical fiber 73 protruding from the front surface of the second flange 82 concentrically with the same length is held coaxially by a sleeve 87 having a C-ring cross section. The proximal end is fixed to the second flange 82.
As shown in FIG. 5B, this sleeve 87 has a notch 87a along the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 5B, and has a structure in which the inner diameter can be slightly changed compared to the inner diameter when no notch 87a is provided. Yes. The sleeve 87 is set to have the same length as the length in the longitudinal direction of the small diameter portion that has a small diameter from the stepped inner surface of the cylindrical member 85.
4A and the like, the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 85 outside the sleeve 87 is larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve 87, and a space having a gap g2 is formed outside the outer diameter of the sleeve 87. The sleeve 87 has a structure that can respond to changes in the inner diameter of the sleeve 87. 4A and 4B, the sleeve 87 is shown in a cross-section (only the lower side is a cross-sectional view) on the surface including the notch 87a.

The inner space of the sleeve 87 on the front side of the end face of the second ferrule 84 that holds the optical fiber 73 coaxially is detachably connected by fitting (inserting) the illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A. The connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 (see FIG. 4A) having the endoscope side fitting portion to be formed is formed.
Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, a tapered lead-in portion 89 having an enlarged diameter on the end side is provided at the opening end of the connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 of the sleeve 87, and is inserted for connection. The illumination side connector 16A is structured to be easily fitted to the inner diameter on the deep side.
For example, when the illumination side connector 16A is inserted into the connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 in an eccentric state slightly deviated from the center of the connector connecting outer fitting portion 88, it is moved to the center side by the tapered introduction portion 89. Thus, the eccentricity can be corrected and fitted to the inner diameter on the deep side.

The endoscope connector 4 of the present embodiment is detachable from a light source unit 21 forming a light source device having an emission end that emits illumination light for irradiating a subject, and the light source device (the illumination side connector thereof). A light source side connector 71 that forms a light source side fitting portion that is fitted (or fitted and connected) to the receiver 25), and the light source side fitting portion is provided on the light source side fitting portion. Light that forms an incident end 77a that forms an incident portion on which the illumination light from the light source device is incident and a transmission portion that transmits the illumination light incident on the incident portion in a state of being fitted to the device. An illumination side connector 16A in a disposable endoscope 2A as an endoscope having an incident end 31a to which the illumination light is incident can be attached and detached, and the illumination side connector 16A in the endoscope is fitted. Match ( Is connected to the endoscope side), and is provided on the endoscope side fitting portion, and has an endoscope side connector receiver 72 having a connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 that forms an endoscope side fitting portion. An emitting unit that emits the illumination light transmitted by the transmission unit to the incident end of the endoscope in a state where the endoscope side fitting unit is fitted to the endoscope (the illumination side connector 16A). And the light source side fitting portion or the endoscope side fitting portion corresponding to at least one of the incident portion and the emitting portion, the optical axis direction of the illumination light or the optical axis. And a holding mechanism 90 that holds the elastic member 90 so as to be movable in a vertical direction perpendicular to the direction.

In the present embodiment, as the holding mechanism 90 specifically shown in the figure, in the emitting portion, the endoscope side fitting portion is perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the illumination light and the optical axis direction in the endoscope side fitting portion. That is movable in any direction is disclosed.

Next, the operation of the endoscope connector 4 of this embodiment will be described. When performing the endoscopic examination using the reuse type endoscope 2B, the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the reuse type endoscope 2B of FIG. Connected.
On the other hand, for example, in the case of performing an endoscopy in an environment where intense radiation is generated, since it is contaminated with a substance that generates radiation in one use, the disposable endoscope 2A Is used.
Since the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21 is a contact type and the illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A is a contact type, the endoscope connector 4 is interposed as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B, the illumination side connector 16 </ b> A of the disposable endoscope 2 </ b> A is connected to the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21.

As described above, since the tapered introduction portion 69 is provided at the opening end of the connector connecting outer fitting portion of the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source portion 21, the light source side connector 71 in the endoscope connector 4 is fitted. The operation of connecting to match is facilitated.
In addition, a tapered lead-in part 89 is provided in the connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 of the endoscope side connector receiver 72 to which the illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A in the endoscope connector 4 is connected. Therefore, the operation of connecting the illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A so as to be fitted becomes easy.
4B, in the state where the endoscope connector 4 is connected to the light source side connector 71, the endoscope is used in a non-contact state in which the endoscope connector 4 is not in contact with the emission end 30a of the green lens 30 of the light source unit 21. The incident end 77a of the green lens 77 of the connector 4 is in a state of being opposed. For this reason, even when the attachment / detachment is repeated, the illumination-side connector receiver 25 and the light source-side connector 71 are less likely to be damaged and the durability and reliability can be improved as compared with the case of the contacting structure.
Further, even in a non-contact state, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5A, since the light is emitted and incident (or light is transmitted and received) by parallel light, the illumination light emitted from the light source unit 21 side. Can be efficiently transmitted to the optical fiber 73 forming the optical transmission section, and can be emitted from the emission end 73 c of the optical fiber 73.
Further, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the columnar recess of the connector connecting outer fitting portion 88 inserted so that the illumination side connector 16A of the disposable endoscope 2A in the endoscope side connector receiver 72 is fitted. Is set to a length of the ferrule 36a protruding from the flange 37 in the illumination side connector 16A, or a range slightly shorter than the length.
Therefore, when the illumination side connector 16A is fitted and connected to the illumination side connector 16A, as shown in FIG. 4B, the illumination optical fiber of the illumination side connector 16A is connected to the emission end 73c of the optical fiber 73 of the illumination side connector 16A. The incident light 31 emitted from the light emitting end 73c can be efficiently incident on the illumination optical fiber 31 from the light incident end 31a and transmitted to the illumination optical fiber 31 side.
4B, when an operation of connecting a ferrule 36a that protrudes (longer) than the length of the cylindrical concave portion is performed, the tip of the ferrule 36a comes into contact with and comes into contact with the emission end 73c of the optical fiber 73. The case of further pressing from the state can occur. In this case, the flange 82 held by the elastic force of the spring 86 according to the pressing force (so as to be urged in the optical axis direction of the illumination light) moves in the direction in which the pressing force acts as indicated by the arrow A. To do. Further, during connection operation, it is possible to reduce application of excessive force to the emission end 73c of the optical fiber 73 and the incident end 31a of the illumination optical fiber 31, and to reduce damage or the like.

Also, the ferrule 36a may be inserted into the cylindrical recess (for connection) with a slight deviation from the optical axis direction of the illumination light. For example, in FIG. 4B, in the case of being inserted eccentrically from the optical axis direction of the illumination light, it is deformed in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the illumination light and its cylindrical storage volume (storage space) is variable. The sleeve 87 can be deformed, and the flange 82 holding the base end of the sleeve 87 can also move upward as indicated by the arrow B, and the eccentric ferrule 36a can be fitted and stored.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, light incident from the light source device side via the light source side fitting portion can be efficiently transmitted to the endoscope via the endoscope side connection connector.

In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, the light source side connector 71 has a structure in which the flange 75 is rigidly fixed to the holding member 76, but the light source side connector 71 is flanged in the endoscope side connector receiver 72. The structure may be configured to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber 73 that almost coincides with the optical axis direction of the illumination light or the direction of the optical axis by an urging member such as a spring 86 as shown in FIG.
In the first embodiment described above, the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21 is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to be movable only in the optical axis direction or only in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.
Further, in the first embodiment described above, an example is shown in which the endoscope side connector receiver 72 in the endoscope connector 4 is configured to be movable in the optical axis direction and in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration example, and may be configured to be movable in the optical axis direction or a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction.

In addition, the illumination side connector receiver 25 of the light source unit 21 and the endoscope side connector receiver 72 of the endoscope connector 4 are not configured to be movable in the optical axis direction or the like, and have a rigid structure as shown below. It may be simplified.
The illumination-side connector receiver 25B of the light source unit 21 shown in FIG. 6 has a flange 63 that is rigidly fixed to the cylindrical member 61 without providing the first flange 62 in the illumination-side connector receiver 25 of FIG. 4A. It is fixed through the hole. Further, the illumination side connector receiver 25B has a structure without the ferrule 64 and the spring 66. The other structure is the same as that of the illumination side connector receiver 25 shown in FIG. 4A and the like.
In addition, an endoscope connector 4B of the first modification shown in FIG. 6 is an endoscope side connector receiver 72 having a simplified structure from the endoscope side connector receiver 72 in the endoscope connector 4 of FIG. 4A. 72B.

The endoscope-side connector receiver 72B has a structure that does not include the first flange 81 and the spring 86 in the endoscope-side connector receiver 72 of FIG. 4A, and includes an optical fiber 73 that extends forward from the holding member 76. The second flange 82 is fixed so as to pass through the center hole of the second flange 82, and the second flange 82 is rigidly fixed to the cylindrical member 85. The ferrule 83 is also rigidly fixed to the cylindrical member 85. In addition, you may comprise the holding member 76 and the cylindrical member 85 by one member. Other configurations are the same as those of the endoscope connector 4 shown in FIG. 4A and the like.
Further, the endoscope connector 4B shown in FIG. 6 may be further simplified to have a structure as shown in FIG.
The endoscope connector 4C of the second modified example shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by sharing the

flanges

75 and 82 into one flange (82 in FIG. 7) in the endoscope connector 4B shown in FIG. The member between 75 and 82 is deleted. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 76, the

ferrules

74 b and 83, and the base end side portion disposed on the outer peripheral side of the ferrule 83 in the cylindrical member 85 are deleted.
When the structure as shown in FIG. 7 is adopted, the cost of the endoscope connector 4C can be reduced. In FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, a light source unit 21 that forms a light source device that emits illumination light that illuminates a subject and a control unit 22 that has a function of generating an image are provided in the main body device 3. However, the light source unit 21 or the light source device may be provided outside the main body device 3.
In the above-described embodiment, for example, a plurality of the illumination-side connector receiver 25, the endoscope connector 4, the contact-type illumination-side connector 16A, and the non-contact-type illumination-side connector 16B in the light source device 3 are provided. The inclusion may be defined as the endoscope connector of the present invention.

The embodiments including the case of the above-described modification may be partially combined to have different configurations.

This application is filed on the basis of the priority claim of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-093368 filed in Japan on April 30, 2015, and the above disclosure is disclosed in the present specification, claims and drawings. Shall be cited in

Claims

A light source side fitting portion that is attachable to and detachable from a light source device having an emission end that emits illumination light for irradiating a subject, and is fitted to the light source device;
An incident portion that is provided in the light source side fitting portion, and in which the illumination light from the light source device is incident in a state where the light source side fitting portion is fitted to the light source device;
A transmission unit for transmitting the illumination light incident on the incident unit;
An endoscope having an incident end on which the illumination light is incident is detachable, and an endoscope side fitting portion that fits into the endoscope;
Provided in the endoscope side fitting portion, the illumination light transmitted by the transmission portion in a state where the endoscope side fitting portion is fitted to the endoscope is incident on the endoscope An emission part that emits to the end;
The light source side fitting portion or the endoscope side fitting portion corresponding to at least one of the incident portion and the emission portion is arranged in an optical axis direction of the illumination light or a vertical direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. A holding mechanism that is movably held in
An endoscope connector characterized by comprising:
A sleeve that is provided on an outer periphery of the emission part, and holds the emission part and the incident end of the endoscope in a state where the endoscope side fitting part is fitted to the endoscope;
A cylindrical member having a space with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the sleeve, and housing the sleeve in the space;
The endoscope connector according to claim 1, further comprising:
The incident portion has an incident end on which the illumination light is incident in a non-contact state with the emitting end,
The inner surface according to claim 1, wherein the emitting unit is in contact with an incident end of the endoscope and emits the illumination light transmitted by the transmission unit to the incident end of the endoscope. Endoscope connector.
The light source side fitting portion is fitted to the light source device having an emission end of a first lens for transmitting the illumination light to the endoscope connector as the emission end,
The endoscope connector according to claim 3, wherein the incident unit includes a second lens for transmitting light from an emission end of the first lens to the transmission unit.
The transmission unit is formed by a first optical fiber that transmits the illumination light,
The endoscope side fitting portion is fitted to an endoscope having an end portion of a second optical fiber for transmitting the illumination light as the incident end,
The endoscope connector according to claim 4, wherein the emitting portion is formed by an emitting end that emits the transmitted illumination light in the first optical fiber.
The endoscope connector according to claim 4, wherein the second lens is constituted by a gradient index lens.
The sleeve has a C-ring-shaped cross section in which a volume of an internal space is deformable by cutting a cylindrical body along a longitudinal direction thereof,
The holding mechanism is configured such that the incident end of the endoscope has a proximal end of the sleeve inserted from a distal end side, an optical axis direction of the illumination light inside the cylindrical member, and a direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction. The endoscope connector according to claim 4, wherein the endoscope connector is held so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
The endoscope-side fitting portion has a disk-shaped first flange whose outer peripheral surface is fixed to the cylindrical member, and an optical fiber forming the transmission portion is loosely fitted through a central hole;
The base end of the sleeve is held, and the optical fiber disposed in the sleeve is held through a through hole, and is opposed to one surface of the first flange in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. A disk-shaped second flange having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member arranged to
Both ends are attached to the one surface of the first flange and the one surface of the second flange opposite to the one surface, and the first flange fixed to the tubular member The other surface of the second flange is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member so as to be in contact with a step surface that is smaller than the inner diameter and formed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber. A coiled spring biased by an elastic force;
Have
The holding member includes a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber that substantially matches an optical axis direction of the illumination light, and the optical fiber in the periphery of the emission portion of the optical fiber that transmits the illumination light incident on the incident portion. The endoscope connector according to claim 2, wherein the connector is held by the elastic force by the spring so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope.
The light source side fitting portion is provided in the incident portion that is fitted to face the emission end formed by the first gradient index lens, and has an outer diameter of the first gradient index lens. The endoscope connector according to claim 2, further comprising a second gradient index lens having the same outer diameter.
The light source side fitting portion has the light emitting end formed by the first refractive index distribution type lens in which the incident portion provided with the second refractive index distribution type lens is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the state where the light source side fitting portion is fitted in the cylindrical connection concave portion of the light source device and the light source side fitting portion is connected in the connection concave portion, the first gradient index lens, The length in the longitudinal direction of the light source side fitting portion is set to be shorter than the length of the concave portion for connection so that the second gradient index lens is not in contact with the second refractive index distribution type lens. The endoscope connector described.