ENDOSCOPE APPARATUS

• US 20110034773A1
• Filed: 08/09/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Evident Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: INADA, Ayumu, ISHIGAMI, Takakazu
• Granted Patent: US 8,900,132 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/160
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0669 at proximal end of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports

Abstract

The endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes: an insertion portion having a bending portion; an observation device that is provided at the insertion portion; an illumination unit that is provided at the insertion portion, and that illuminates a visual field of the observation device; a main body unit that is formed having a size that enables it to be held and operated by one hand of a user; an operating section that is used to operate the bending portion; a display unit that is connected to the insertion portion, and that displays images acquired by the observation device; a light emitting component that is provided in the main body unit, and that is connected via a light guide to the illumination unit; a heat discharge unit that is provided at the main body unit such that at least a portion thereof is exposed, and that is thermally connected to the light emitting component; and a shielding portion that is provided at the main body unit, and that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the heat discharge unit, and that also inhibits the heat discharge unit contacts with external portions thereof.

Claims

1. An endoscope apparatus comprising:

an insertion portion having a bending portion;

an observation device that is provided at the insertion portion;

an illumination unit that is provided at the insertion portion, and that illuminates a visual field of the observation device;

a main body unit that is formed having a size that enables it to be held and operated by one hand of a user;

an operating section that is used to operate the bending portion;

a holding portion that when it is held by a user enables the user to operate the operating section;

a display unit that is connected to the insertion portion, and that displays images acquired by the observation device;

a light emitting component that is provided in the main body unit, and that is connected via a light guide to the illumination unit;

a heat discharge unit that is provided at the main body unit such that at least a portion thereof is exposed, and that is thermally connected to the light emitting component; and

a shielding portion that is provided at the main body unit, and that covers at least a portion of the periphery of the heat discharge unit, and that also inhibits the heat discharge unit contacts with external portions thereof.

2. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shielding portion is formed so as to include a flexible, belt-shaped component.

3. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, by changing its configuration, the shielding portion is able to switch between a state in which at least a portion of the periphery of the heat discharge unit is covered, and a state in which the heat discharge unit is uncovered.

4. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shielding portion includes a telescopic structure in which a plurality of tubular components are joined together such that they can move relatively in an axial direction.

5. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shielding portion includes a plurality of retractable portions having plate-shaped components that are pivotably joined together.

6. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shielding component includes a through hole that promotes air circulation around the periphery of the heat discharge unit.

7. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main body unit includes:

a casing portion including the display unit, the operating section, and the holding portion; and

an insertion portion unit that includes the insertion portion, the observation device, and the illumination unit, and that is removably fitted onto the casing portion.

8. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shielding portion is provided at the insertion portion unit such that an operation to separate the insertion portion unit from the casing portion is not affected by the heat discharge from the heat discharge unit.

9. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the shielding portion includes a removable holding portion that is used to separate the insertion portion unit from the casing portion.

10. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the shielding portion includes a through hole that promotes air circulation around the periphery of the heat discharge unit, and

the removable holding portion is provided at a different position from the through hole in the shielding portion.