Endoscope

• US 6,095,970 A
• Filed: 02/18/1998
• Issued: 08/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Ouchi, Teruo, Hidaka, Tsuneo
• Primary Examiner(s): LEUBECKER, JOHN P
• Application Number:
  US09/025,632
• Time in Patent Office: 895 Days
• Field of Search: 600/109, 600/110, 600/112, 600/129, 600/130, 600/172, 600/175
• US Class Current: 600/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports

Abstract

An endoscope includes a insertion tube which is inserted into a human body, an imaging device, an object optical system which forms image on the imaging device, a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system. The detachable unit is detachably mounted to a mounting portion of the insertion tube. At least one first contact is provided to the detachable unit. At least one second contact is provided to the mounting portion. The first and second contacts are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion. A waterproof arrangement is provided to prevent water from entering a connecting potion of the first and second contacts.

Claims

1. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion tube which can be inserted into a human body;

an imaging device;

an object optical system which forms an image on the imaging device;

a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system and having a first surface;

a mounting portion provided on a tip of the insertion tube, to which the detachable unit is detachably mounted, the mounting portion having a second surface which mates with the first surface of the detachable unit when the detachable unit is mounted;

at least one first contact formed on the first surface of the detachable unit; and

at least one second contact formed on the second surface of the mounting portion;

wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

wherein the second surface is curved so that the second surface is elastically deformed when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion, and

wherein the second contact is urged against the first contact, ensuring the connection between the first and second contacts.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a waterproof arrangement which prevents water from entering into a connecting portion of said first and second contacts when said detachable unit is mounted to said mounting portion.

3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said mounting portion has a waterproof structure, in a state said detachable unit is removed from said mounting portion.

4. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said detachable unit has a waterproof structure, in a state said detachable unit is removed from said mounting portion.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said detachable unit further comprises an first engaging member, and

wherein said mounting portion further comprises a second engaging member which engages said first engaging member.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said first and second engaging members respectively comprise thread portions.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said first and second engaging members respectively comprise end surfaces of said detachable unit and said mounting portion, said end surfaces mating with each other.

8. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein a direction in which said detachable unit is mounted to said mounting portion is in parallel to a longitudinal axis of said detachable unit.

9. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein said first contact comprises a plurality of contact elements, and said second contact comprises a plurality of contact elements.

10. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein said first and second contacts mate with each other in a direction of a longitudinal axis of said detachable unit.

11. The endoscope according to claim 7, wherein one of said first and second contacts comprises a pin, and the other comprises a tube that receives said pin therein.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, said detachable unit further comprising a first engaging member, said mounting portion further comprising a second engaging member,

wherein said first and second engaging members constitute an bayonet mechanism.

13. The endoscope according to claim 1, said detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating said imaging device and said optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being slidable in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion,

wherein said hood is slidable so as to engage said mounting portion.

14. The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising:

a fiber support pipe extending from the mounting portion, the fiber support pipe being provided to accommodate a fiber bundle for providing illumination light,

wherein the detachable unit further has a hole that receives the fiber support pipe when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

15. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion tube which can be inserted into a human body;

an imaging device;

an object optical system which forms an image on the imaging device;

a mounting portion provided on a tip of the insertion tube and having a hole;

a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system, the detachable unit being detachably mounted to the mounting portion;

a protrusion that extends from the detachable unit and received by the hole of the mounting portion when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

at least one ring-shaped first contact surrounding the protrusion; and

at least one second contact formed on an inner surface of the hole of the mounting portion,

wherein the ring-shaped first contact and second contact are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

16. The endoscope according to claim 15, said detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating said imaging device and said optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being slidable in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion,

wherein said hood is slidable so as to engage said mounting portion.

17. The endoscope according to claim 16, wherein said hood extends from a front of the unit body, the front being the direction in which said insertion tube is inserted into the human body.

18. The endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the hood has an arcuate shape in a length direction.

19. The endoscope according to claim 17, wherein the hood has an arcuate shape in a length direction.

20. The endoscope according to claim 15, further comprising a waterproof arrangement which prevents water from entering into a connecting portion of said first and second contacts, when said detachable unit is mounted to said mounting portion.

21. The endoscope according to claim 15, wherein said first contact comprises a plurality of contact elements, and said second contact comprises a plurality of contact elements.

22. The endoscope according to claim 21, wherein said plurality of contact elements are arranged along the direction of a longitudinal axis of said detachable unit.

23. The endoscope according to claim 15, wherein said detachable unit further comprises an first engaging member, and

wherein said mounting portion further comprises a second engaging member which engages said first engaging member.

24. The endoscope according to claim 23, wherein said first and second engaging members respectively comprise threads engaging with each other.

25. The endoscope according to claim 15, said mounting portion further comprising a first pipe in which a first fiber bundle is provided,

said detachable unit further comprising a second pipe in which a second fiber bundle is provided,

wherein said first and second pipes are aligned with each other when said detachable unit is mounted to said mounting portion, so that an illustration light is carried through said first and second fiber bundles.

26. An endoscope comprising:

an insertion tube which can be inserted into a human body;

an imaging device;

an object optical system which forms an image on the imaging device;

a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system, and having a hole;

a mounting portion provided on a tip of the insertion tube, to which the detachable unit is detachably mounted;

a fiber support pipe extending from the mounting portion and received by the hole of the detachable unit when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion, the fiber support pipe accommodating a fiber bundle carrying illumination light;

at least one first contact provided on an inner surface of the hole of the detachable unit; and

at least one second contact formed on an outer surface of the fiber support pipe;

wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

27. The endoscope according to claim 26, wherein said first contact comprises a plurality of contact elements, and said second contact comprises a plurality of contact elements.

28. The endoscope according to claim 26, wherein the fiber support pipe comprises a plurality of fiber support pipes, and the hole provided on the detachable unit comprises a plurality of holes.

29. The endoscope according to claim 26, said detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating said imaging device and said optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being slidable in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion,

wherein said hood is slidable so as to engage said mounting portion.

30. The endoscope according to claim 26, wherein the detachable unit has a second hole,

the endoscope further comprising a channel through which fluid can be fed, the channel extending from the mounting portion, the channel being inserted into the second hole when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

at least one third contact provided on an inner surface of the second hole of the detachable unit; and

at least one fourth contact provided on an outer surface of the channel;

wherein the third and fourth contacts are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

31. The endoscope according to claim 26, the detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating the imaging device and the optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being made of a plastic and having a hook;

wherein the mounting portion has a recess;

wherein the hood is deformable so that the hook engages the recess upon urging of the hood onto the mounting portion, when the detachable unit is mounted on the mounting portion.

32. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion tube which can be inserted into a human body;

an imaging device;

an object optical system which forms an image on the imaging device;

a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system and having a hole along the central longitudinal axis of the detachable unit;

a mounting portion provided on a tip of the insertion tube, to which the detachable unit is detachably mounted;

a fiber support pipe extending from the mounting portion and aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the mounting portion, the fiber support pipe accommodating a fiber bundle for carrying illumination light and being inserted into the hole of the detachable unit when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

at least one first contact provided to the detachable unit; and

at least one second contact provided on the mounting portion,

wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connect when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

33. The endoscope according to claim 32, the detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating the imaging device and the optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being slidable in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion,

wherein the hood is slidable so as to engage the mounting portion.

34. The endoscope according to claim 32, wherein the at least one first contact is provided on an inner surface of the hole of the detachable unit, and the at least one second contact is provided on an outer surface of the fiber support pipe.

35. The endoscope according to claim 32, wherein

the detachable unit has a recess that receives a front portion of the mounting portion, the front being a direction in which the insertion tube is inserted in the human body,

the endoscope further comprising;

a first claw protruding outward from the front portion of the mounting portion; and

a second claw protruding inward from an inner surface of the recess,

wherein the first claw and the second claw are engaged by fitting the front portion of the mounting portion into the recess of the detachable unit and rotating the detachable unit, when the detachable portion is mounted to the mounting portion.

36. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion tube which can be inserted into a human body;

an imaging device;

an object optical system which forms an image on the imaging device;

a mounting portion provided on a tip of the insertion tube and having a recess that has a first side wall extending in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

a detachable unit accommodating the imaging device and the object optical system and detachably mounted to the mounting portion, the detachable unit having a rear portion that has a second side wall extending in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion and is received by the recess when mounted;

at least one first contact formed on the outer surface of the second side wall of the rear portion; and

at least one second contact formed on the inner surface of the first side wall of the recess;

wherein the first and second contacts are electrically connected when the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion.

37. The endoscope according to claim 36, wherein said recess comprises a cylindrical recess into which said rear portion of said detachable unit fits.

38. The endoscope according to claim 36, wherein said first contact comprises a plurality of contact elements, and said second contact comprises a plurality of contact elements.

39. The endoscope according to claim 38, further comprising a waterproof arrangement which prevents water from entering into a connecting portion of said first and second contacts when said detachable unit is mounted to said mounting portion.

40. The endoscope according to claim 36, the detachable unit comprising:

a unit body accommodating the imaging device and the optical system; and

a hood surrounding the unit body, the hood being slidable in a direction in which the detachable unit is mounted to the mounting portion;

wherein the hood is slidable so as to engage said mounting portion.

41. The endoscope according to claim 36, further comprising:

a fiber support pipe extending from the mounting portion,

wherein the detachable unit has a hole that receives the fiber support pipe when the detachable unit is mounted on the mounting portion.