Electric endoscope and endoscope system

• US 8,654,184 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2012
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Murayama, Masahiko, Hijihara, Kunihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Rao, Andy
• Application Number:
  US13/584,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20130050457A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 375 65- 76
• US Class Current: 348/65
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00124 electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70

Abstract

An electronic endoscope includes an insertion portion including an insulative distal end hard portion main body at a distal end thereof, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion and including a connector connection electrically connected to a ground portion, a ground metal member provided between the main body and the operation portion, forming a structure of the insertion portion, and being electrically conductive to the ground portion through the connector connection, an observation optical system including an optical element and a frame member having conductive properties and holding the optical element, and being extended from the distal end of the insertion portion toward the operation portion, and a conductive connecting portion allowing the frame member of the observation optical system to become electrically conductive with respect to the ground metal member.

Claims

1. An electronic endoscope comprising:

an insertion portion which includes an insulative distal end hard portion main body at a distal end thereof and which is configured to be inserted into a hole;

an operation portion which is provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion and which includes a connector connecting portion electrically connected to a ground portion;

a ground metal member which is provided between the distal end hard portion main body of the insertion portion and the operation portion, which forms a structure of the insertion portion, and which is electrically conductive with respect to the ground portion through the connector connecting portion;

an observation optical system which includes an optical element and a frame member having conductive properties and holding the optical element, and which is extended from the distal end of the insertion portion toward the operation portion; and

a conductive connecting portion which allows the frame member of the observation optical system to become electrically conductive with respect to the ground metal member,

wherein an adhesive with conductive properties is filled between the ground metal member and the frame member.

2. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein

the ground metal member has a cylindrical shape,

the frame member is arranged on the inner side of the cylindrical ground metal member, and

the conductive connecting portion includes a contact portion with conductive properties which is formed on a part of the ground metal member and protrudes toward the frame member to abut on the frame member.

3. An endoscopic system comprising:

the electronic endoscope according to claim 1; and

an external device having the ground portion.

4. The electronic endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion has a tongue-like shape, and is configured to be folded toward the frame member arranged on the inside of the ground metal member and brought into contact with the frame member.

5. The electronic endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the frame member has a cockscomb shape configured to be closer to the ground metal member.