Endoscope

• US 6,605,035 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co. Ltd (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kobayashi, Tadasu, Ando, Tadashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak, Linda C. M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAM, JOCELYN DEBRA
• Application Number:
  US09/945,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20020028983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 706 Days
• Field of Search: 600/127, 600/129, 600/175
• US Class Current: 600/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/267 for the respiratory tract, e.g. laryngoscopes, bronchoscopes

Abstract

The insertion part of the endoscope has a cap fixed to the distal end face of a distal end body. A projecting part of the cap is inserted in a receiving hole formed on the distal end face. The inserted projecting part is fixed to the distal end body with a screw inserted in an attachment hole, which is formed on the periphery of the distal end body and connects with the receiving hole. Bending rubber covers the attachment hole as well as the outer periphery of the distal end body.

Claims

1. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion part to be inserted in a subject, a distal end portion of the insertion part having a projecting part receiving hole on a distal end face of the insertion part, an axis of the projecting part receiving hole being in a longitudinal direction of the insertion part, the projecting part receiving hole receiving a projecting part of a cap member attached on the distal end face of the insertion part, the distal end portion having an attachment hole on an outer periphery of the distal end portion, the attachment hole connecting with the projecting part receiving hole, the attachment hole receiving a fixing member fixing the projecting part of the cap member to the distal end portion;

the cap member which is attached on the distal end face of the insertion part, the cap member and projecting part being monolithic, the projecting part being on a face of the cap member facing the distal end face of the insertion part, the projecting part being inserted in the projecting part receiving hole of the distal end portion of the insertion part and fixed by the fixing member to securely fix the cap to the insertion part by way of the projecting part; and

a covering member which covers an outer periphery of the insertion part including an opening of the attachment hole on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the insertion part.

2. The endoscope as defined in claim 1, wherein an axis of the attachment hole intersects with the axis of the projecting part receiving hole at a substantially right angle.

3. The endoscope as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the projecting part of the cap member has a fixing member receiving hole; and

when the projecting part is inserted in the projecting part receiving hole of the distal end portion of the insertion part, the fixing member receiving hole connects with the attachment hole of the distal end portion of the insertion part and receives the fixing member.

4. An endoscope, comprising:

an insertion part to be inserted in a subject, a distal end portion of the insertion part having a projecting part receiving hole on a distal end face of the insertion part, the projecting part receiving hole receiving a projecting part of a cap member attached on the distal end face of the insertion part, the distal end portion having an engagement pin receiving hole on an outer periphery of the distal end portion, the engagement pin receiving hole connecting with the projecting part receiving hole and receiving a first portion of an engagement pin engaging the projecting part of the cap member to the distal end portion, the distal end portion having a receiving groove on the outer periphery of the distal end portion, the receiving groove receiving a second portion other than the first portion of the engagement pin, the receiving groove including a detachment groove for detachment of the engagement pin;

the cap member which is attached on the distal end face of the insertion part, the cap member having the projecting part on a face of the cap member facing to the distal end face of the insertion part, the projecting part being inserted in the projecting part receiving hole of the distal end portion of the insertion part; and

a covering member which covers an outer periphery of the insertion part including openings of the engagement pin receiving hole and the receiving groove on the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the insertion part.

5. The engagement pin which is used in the endoscope as defined in claim 4.

6. The endoscope as defined in claim 4, wherein:

the engagement pin is bent at at least one part thereof;

the engagement pin receiving hole of the insertion part receives the first portion including a first end of the engagement pin;

the receiving groove of the insertion part receives the second portion including a second end of the engagement pin; and

the detachment groove of the receiving groove adjoins a position where the second end of the engagement pin is received.

7. The engagement pin which is used in the endoscope as defined in claim 6.

8. The endoscope as defined in claim 4, wherein:

the engagement pin is bent at at least two parts thereof;

the engagement pin receiving hole of the insertion part includes two holes in which the first portion including a first end and the second portion including a second end of the engagement pin are respectively inserted; and

the detachment groove of the receiving groove adjoins a position where a third portion between the first portion and the second portion of the engagement pin is received.

9. The engagement pin which is used in the endoscope as defined in claim 8.

10. The engagement pin as defined in claim 9, wherein the third portion of the engagement pin has a thinner part.