ENDOSCOPE

• US 20090036742A1
• Filed: 07/28/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Watanabe, Katsushi
• Granted Patent: US 8,840,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/07 using light-conductive means, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements

Abstract

An endoscope includes an insertion portion which is to be inserted into a subject, and an operation portion which is connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion, and held by a user. A light source is provided in the operation portion. A heat transmission frame is provided with the light source in the operation portion, is able to transmit heat generated by the light source, and is at least partially electrically insulated. An external heat radiation part is connected to the heat transmission frame, is at least partially exposed to the outside of the operation portion, and radiates heat transmitted to the heat transmission frame to the outside of the operation portion.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject;

an operation portion which is connected to a proximal end of the insertion portion, and held by a user;

a light source provided in the operation portion;

a heat transmission frame which is at least partially electrically insulated, the heat transmission frame provided with the light source in the operation portion, and being able to transmit heat generated by the light source; and

an external heat radiation part which is connected to the heat transmission frame, at least partially exposed to the outside of the operation portion, and radiates the heat transmitted to the heat transmission frame to the outside of the operation portion.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the heat transmission frame includes an insulating part to cover the light source with an insulator.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a channel connecting between the operation portion and a distal end of the insertion portion, and

wherein the external heat radiation part includes a mouthpiece forming an opening of the channel in the operation portion.

4. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein a:

forceps plug having electrical insulation is attachable to and detachable from the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part,

the forceps plug includes;

a substantially cylindrical outer casing having an engaging part, the outer casing attachable to and detachable from the external heat radiation part; and

a valve which are provided in the outer casing, and interrupt flowing of fluid between the inside of the channel and the outside of the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part, and

clearance is provided between the outer casing of the forceps plug and the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part.

5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein an end portion of the outer casing of the forceps plug close to the heat transmission frame is enlarged like a flare with respect to the mouthpiece.

6. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein

the operation portion includes an outer casing on the outside of the heat transmission frame, and an extension provided in the outer casing,

the light source includes an LED, and

the external heat radiation part includes the opening of the channel in the extension.

7. The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a channel connecting between the operation portion and a distal end of the insertion portion, and

wherein the external heat radiation part includes a mouthpiece forming an opening of the channel in the operation portion.

8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein a forceps plug having electrical insulation is attachable to and detachable from the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part,

the forceps plug includes:

a substantially cylindrical outer casing having an engaging part, the outer casing attachable to and detachable from the external heat radiation part; and

a valve which are provided in the outer casing, and interrupt flowing of fluid between the inside of the channel and the outside of the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part, and

clearance is provided between the outer casing of the forceps plug and the mouthpiece of the external heat radiation part.

9. The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein an end portion of the outer casing of the forceps plug close to the heat transmission frame is enlarged like a flare with respect to the mouthpiece.

10. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein

the operation portion includes an outer casing on the outside of the heat transmission frame, and an extension provided in the outer casing,

the light source includes an LED, and

the external heat radiation part includes the opening of the channel in the extension.

11. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein

the operation portion includes an outer casing on the outside of the heat transmission frame, and

space is provided between the heat transmission frame and the outer casing.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein

the heat transmission frame has aluminum nitride having insulation and good thermal conductivity, in at least a part between the light source and external heat radiation part.

13. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the heat transmission frame includes:

a light source fixing member having insulation and good thermal conductivity, in which the light source is provided, and

a frame having good thermal conductivity which is provided with the light source fixing member, and connected to the external heat radiation part.

14. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the heat transmission frame is extended in the operation portion, from the side far from the light source to the side close to the light source with respect to the distal end of the insertion portion.