JPH1119035A - Endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope wherein signal wires are hard to break by the effect of a stress generated due to the operation, etc., of the endoscope, and a photographing device of a high durability is provided. SOLUTION: A signal transmission cable 40 is formed of a plurality of signal wires 39 one-end sides of which are connected to a circuit substrate 34, a cable shell 41, being a shell member covered on the outer peripheries of the signal wires 39, and a protective tube 42 which is a shell member to further cover the outer periphery of the cable shell 41. The tip end side of the cable shell 41 is folded in a manner to pinch the protective tube 42, and cable shell 41 and the protective tube 42 are integrally fixed by a thread winding-fixing part 46 which is constituted by winding a thread 45, which is a fixing means, on the outer periphery of the folded area, and at the same time, the cable shell 41, the protective tube 42 and the signal wires 39 are integrally fixed. In the meantime, the rear end side of the protective tube 42 is integrally bonded and fixed with the cable shell 41 with an adhesive 44.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope provided with a signal transmission cable connected to an imaging device provided at a distal end of an endoscope insertion portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, an organ or the like can be observed, and if necessary, a treatment tool can be inserted through a treatment tool channel provided in an endoscope. Medical endoscopes capable of performing therapeutic treatment are widely used. In the industrial field, boilers, turbines,
2. Description of the Related Art Industrial endoscopes capable of observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion of engines, chemical plants, and the like are widely used.

An electronic endoscope is provided with an imaging device having a solid-state imaging device, electronic components, and the like arranged near the distal end of a bending portion on the distal end side of an insertion portion. A signal line such as a coaxial cable extending from the imaging device is inserted through an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope and connected to a signal processing device which is an external device of the endoscope.

[0004] By the way, the endoscope is used during insertion or inspection.
Since twisting and pulling operations are repeatedly performed to change the direction of the tip, signal lines may be broken due to stress generated during twisting and pulling operations,
The connection between the signal line and the imaging device may be broken.

For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-177833 discloses that at least one through-hole is provided in a substrate on which an input / output circuit for a solid-state image sensor is mounted, and the input-output terminal of the solid-state image sensor is provided in this hole. The solid-state imaging device and the signal transmission cable are electrically connected to the substrate together with the conductors of the signal lines so that the input / output terminals and the signal lines can be connected to the substrate and the connection between the input / output terminals and the signal lines can be simultaneously performed at one place. Are connected to the imaging device.

[0006]

However, in the image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-177833, when a twisting operation or a pulling operation is repeatedly performed, an image pickup device to which a signal line is connected. In the vicinity of the rear end of the device, there is a problem that the signal line is easily broken.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is provided with an endoscope provided with a highly durable imaging device in which signal lines are hardly disconnected due to stress generated by operation of the endoscope. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

An endoscope according to the present invention comprises an image pickup device provided at a distal end of an endoscope insertion portion, and a plurality of signal lines connected to the image pickup device and transmitting input / output signals. And a signal transmission cable, wherein the signal transmission cable is configured to have a skin member covering a plurality of signal lines, and a distal end side and a base end side of the outer skin member, Each is integrally fixed to the signal line via fixing means.

According to this structure, the stress generated when the endoscope insertion portion is twisted or pulled is applied to both the signal line and the outer skin member integrated with the signal line. The stress applied to the signal line is dispersed, and the load applied to the connection between the signal line and the imaging device is reduced.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an imaging device arranged at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a method of connecting a cable sheath and a protective tube constituting a signal transmission cable. .

As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system includes:
An electronic endoscope (hereinafter simply referred to as an endoscope) 1 and a control device 2 containing a light source device, a video signal processing circuit, and the like.
And a monitor 3 which is connected to the control device 2 via a monitor cable 3a and is a display means for displaying an endoscope observation image.
And is mainly composed.

The electronic endoscope 1 has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 4, and a bending operation knob 5 a is provided at a base end of the insertion portion 4.
And an operation unit 5 having the following. A flexible universal cord 6 extends from the side of the operation unit 5. The universal cord 6 and the control device 2 are connected to each other via a connector 6 a provided at the base end of the universal cord 6. Are detachably connected.

The insertion portion 4 includes, in order from the distal end side, a rigid distal end portion 7, a bending portion 8 that can be connected to the distal end portion 7 and bendable, for example, vertically and horizontally, and a flexible flexible portion that is connected to the bending portion 8. And a flexible tube portion 9. The bending portion 9 is configured to bend in desired directions of up, down, left, and right by rotating the bending operation knob 5a.

The operating section 5 is provided with a treatment tool insertion port 5b communicating with a forceps channel inserted through the endoscope. A treatment tool (not shown) such as a biopsy forceps can be guided to a treatment site through a forceps channel through the treatment tool insertion port 5b. Reference numeral 5c denotes an air / water button for controlling a cleaning liquid or air spouted from an air / water nozzle to be described later.

Referring to FIG. 2, the structure of the tip 7 will be described.
As shown in the figure, the distal end portion 7 is provided with a distal end portion 11 on a substantially cylindrical shape formed of a metal member, for example, a stainless material, and a cover made of resin, for example, polysulfone is provided on the end side of the distal end portion 11. Numeral 12 is fixed by an adhesive so as to maintain insulation from the distal end component 11.

The distal end portion 11 has an illumination through-hole 13, an observation through-hole 14, which penetrates in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope insertion section 4,
A through hole (not shown) for the forceps channel and a through hole 15 for the air / water supply channel are formed.

An illumination lens frame 17 provided with an illumination lens 16 on the distal end side is fixed to an opening on the distal end side of the illumination through hole 13. The illumination lens 16 of this illumination lens frame 17
A rear end of the light guide 18 has a rear end connected to the light source device. The front end of the light guide 18 is fitted and fixed to the illumination lens frame 17. The light guide 18 is provided for the illumination lens 1.
6 is fixed and held in the illumination through hole 13 by a screw (not shown) having a center axis orthogonal to the optical axis.

A lens cover 20 disposed on the distal end side of the first lens frame 19 constituting the image pickup device 10 is disposed at the distal end opening of the observation through hole 14.

The through-hole 15 for the air / water supply channel has a tip opening 2 with respect to the surface of a lens cover 20 disposed in the through-hole 14 for observation via a first lens frame 19.
1a is directed to the air supply / water supply nozzle 21
2 is fixed. Further, a metal pipe 23 is integrally fixed to the distal end component 11 by soldering or the like on the rear side of the air / water channel through hole 15. At the base end side of the pipe 23, as a resin member that is inserted through the inside of the insertion portion 4 and whose rear end is connected to an air supply / water supply pump (not shown), for example, an air supply / supply member formed of polytetrafluoroethylene flexibly. The distal end of the water supply tube 24 is connected.

Accordingly, by appropriately operating the air / water supply button 5c, a cleaning liquid for washing away, for example, dirt attached to the lens cover 20, and air for blowing off water droplets attached to the surface of the lens cover 20 are not shown. A tip opening 21a of an air / water nozzle 21 from an air / water tank through an air / water tube 24 and a pipe 23.
From the surface of the lens cover 20.

The imaging device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The imaging device 10 includes the first lens frame 19 and the first lens frame 19.
A second lens frame 29 provided with a plurality of lenses fixed with an insulating member 28 disposed substantially at the center of the lens frame 19, and an outer periphery of the second lens frame 29 on the base end side. An image sensor frame (hereinafter, referred to as an element frame) which is fitted and fixed and protrudes rearward from a rear end surface of the second lens frame 29.
A shield frame 33 formed on a base end side outer periphery of the element frame 30 at an inner peripheral surface at a distal end portion thereof and formed in an elongated tubular shape, and covering an outer periphery with an insulating cover 32 formed of a heat-shrinkable tube or the like; A signal transmission in which a plurality of signal lines are inserted through the insertion portion 4, the operation portion 5, the universal cord 6, and connected to the control device 2 via the connector 6 a, the distal end portion of which is externally fitted to the cover 32. It mainly comprises a cable 40.

The first lens frame 19 is provided with
The O-ring 27 is fixed between the observation through-hole 14 and the first lens frame 19 by a fixing screw 26 and is fixed to the observation through-hole 14. The watertight state in the through hole 14 is maintained.

The lens group provided in the second lens frame 29 has an object having an optical axis coinciding with the central axis of the observation through hole 14 and the optical axis of the lens cover 20. A solid-state imaging device 31 is bonded and fixed to a lens system 29a at a base end side of the element frame 30 which is an image forming position of the objective lens system 29a.

On the inner peripheral surface side of the shield frame 33, for example, a circuit board 34 made of a flexible material such as polyimide or polyester is held and fixed in a positional relationship inclined with respect to the optical axis. Electronic components such as a capacitor 36 and an IC 37 are connected to a circuit pattern formed on the circuit board 34 by soldering or the like. The capacitor 36 and the IC 37
Are mounted on the circuit board 34 while being covered with a sealing resin 38.

An external lead 35 projecting from the solid-state image pickup device 31 is electrically connected to a circuit pattern (not shown) on the distal end formed on the opposite side of the surface of the circuit board 34 on which electronic components are mounted. The core wire 39 a of the signal transmission cable 40, which is inserted through the signal transmission cable 40, is obtained by removing the coating of the distal ends of the signal wires 39.

The signal transmission cable 40 includes a plurality of signal lines 39 each having one end connected to the circuit board 34, a cable outer cover 41 which is an outer covering member of the plurality of signal lines 39, and a cable outer cover 41. And a protective tube 42, which is a skin member that further covers the outer periphery.

The end of the cable sheath 41 is folded so as to sandwich the protective tube 42, and a thread winding fixed as a fixing means is wound around the outer periphery of the folded portion. The cable outer cover 41 and the protection tube 42 are integrally fixed by the portion 46, and the cable outer cover 41 and the protection tube 42 and the signal line 39 are integrally fixed.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear end side of the protective tube 42 is integrally bonded and fixed to the cable outer cover 41 and an adhesive 44. The adhesive 44 may be, for example, any of an epoxy-based adhesive and a silicon-based elastic adhesive.

That is, in this embodiment, the front end and the rear end of the protection tube 42 are connected to a plurality of signal lines 39, respectively.
And is integrally fixed to a cable jacket 41 covering the same.

The signal transmission cable 40 has a plurality of signal lines 39 inserted therein.
For example, there are a plurality of coaxial lines and / or single lines, and the signal transmission cable is a so-called composite coaxial cable. Also,
Protective tube 42 constituting signal transmission cable 40
Is a length covering at least the plurality of signal lines 39 passing through the inside of the curved portion 9. Further, a circuit board 34 and a signal line 39 disposed in the shield frame 33 are provided.
Are reinforced and protected by a reinforcing adhesive 43 covering the circuit board 34 and the signal lines 39.

The operation of the endoscope 1 configured as described above will be described. For example, when the bending operation knob 5a is operated to bend the bending portion 9 in the left, right, up and down directions, the signal transmission cable 40 extending from the imaging device 10 and passing through the bending portion 9 is axially moved. Tensile stress and bending stress are applied. At this time, the stress acting on the signal transmission cable 40 is caused by the signal transmission cable 40 and the circuit board 3.
It mainly works in the vicinity of the connection part with No. 4. However, since the distal end and the rear end of the protective tube 42 constituting the signal transmission cable 40 are integrally fixed to the cable outer cover 41, respectively, the axial pulling force and bending applied to the signal transmission cable 40 are increased. Since the directional force is transmitted to the protection tube 42 through the thread winding fixing portion, the stress directly applied to the signal line 39 is reduced.

As described above, the bending portion is operated to bend by integrally fixing the front end and the rear end of the protective tube constituting the signal transmission cable to the cable sheath covering a plurality of signal lines. When the stress generated at the time acts as a tensile or bending stress in the axial direction on the signal transmission cable inserted into the insertion section, the tensile or bending force applied to this signal transmission cable is applied to the pincushion fixing section. Since it can be transmitted to the protective tube and dispersed, the stress applied to the vicinity of the connection between the signal transmission cable and the circuit board can be reduced. As a result, the stress directly acting on the signal line passing through the signal transmission cable is reduced, and the disconnection of the signal line and the destruction of the connection portion between the signal line and the circuit board are prevented. The durability is greatly improved.

In the above-described embodiment, instead of the cable sheath 41 and the protective tube 42 constituting the signal transmission cable 40 being integrally fixed by the adhesive 44, as shown in FIG. By winding a thread 45 around the outer periphery of a protective tube 42 constituting an outer peripheral portion of the cable outer cover, a thread winding fixing portion 46 is formed, thereby integrally fixing the cable outer cover 41 and the protective tube 42, and simultaneously securing the cable outer cover 41 and the protection. The same operation and effect can be obtained by integrally fixing the tube 42 and the signal line 39.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a signal transmission cable according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the signal transmission cable 50 according to the present embodiment, the plurality of signal lines 39 are covered with a protective tube 42 as an outer member. The core wire 39a of the signal line 39 is exposed at the distal end of the signal line 39 in a circuit pattern (not shown) on the front and back sides of the circuit board 51 provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the shield frame 33. 39a are respectively connected and fixed.

The distal end of the protective tube 42 is extended to the vicinity of a portion where the core wire 39a at the distal end of the signal line 39 is exposed. A fixing portion 46 is formed, and a tip portion of the protection tube 42 is connected to a core wire 39a of the signal wire 39.
Are integrally fixed to the circuit board 51 to which the terminal is connected.

The space between the protective tube 42 and the plurality of signal lines 39 is filled with an elastic adhesive 52 made of, for example, silicone rubber from the vicinity of the distal end to the proximal end of the protective tube 42. The protection tube 42 and the signal line 39 are integrally bonded by an elastic adhesive 52.

Further, an insulating cover 32 for covering the outer periphery of the shield frame 33 is provided on the outer periphery of a middle portion of the protective tube 42.
The insulating cover 32 has a thread 4
5, the thread winding fixing portion 46 is formed, and the intermediate portion of the protective tube 42 is integrally fixed to the signal line 39. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The signal transmission cable 5 configured as described above
The operation of 0 will be described. For example, when the bending section 9 is bent in the left, right, up and down directions by operating the bending operation knob 5a, the signal transmission cable 50 extending from the imaging device 10 and inserted through the bending section 9 is pulled in the axial direction. Stress or bending direction stress acts. At this time, the signal transmission cable 50
Is applied to the signal transmission cable 50 and the circuit board 5.
This force acts mainly in the vicinity of the connection with the cable 1, but this force propagates through the elastic adhesive 52 filled between the signal transmission cable 50 and the protection tube 42 and is dispersed to the protection tube 42.

The force dispersed through the elastic adhesive 52 is further distributed to the circuit board 51 through the thread fixing portion 46 wound around the distal end of the protective tube 42 and The stress is also distributed to the insulating cover 32 fixed to the protective tube 42 by the thread fixing portion 46, so that the stress directly applied to the signal line 39 is greatly reduced.

As described above, the plurality of signal lines of the signal transmission cable are covered with the protective tube, and the elastic adhesive is filled between the protective tube and the signal line. By forming a thread winding fixing portion and integrally fixing the protective tube and the circuit board and the protective tube and the insulating cover, the force applied to the signal transmission bundle cable is dispersed to the protective tube, the circuit board, and the insulating cover, respectively. In addition, the force applied to the vicinity of the connection portion of the circuit board to which the signal line is connected can be greatly reduced. This improves the durability of the imaging device. Other operations and effects are the same as those of the above embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining another configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, the shield frame is a first frame arranged on the distal end side.
And a second shield frame 62 disposed on the base end side.
A predetermined gap is provided between the shield frame 61 and the second shield frame 62. Further, a distal end portion of a first circuit board 65 made of, for example, a flexible material such as polyimide or polyester is connected to the upper external lead 64 protruding from the solid-state image sensor 63, and the lower external lead 64 in the figure is connected. 66 is connected to a distal end of a second circuit board 67 made of polyimide or polyester, on which electronic components such as a capacitor 36 and an IC 37 are mounted.
The core wires 39a of the plurality of signal wires 39 are connected to the base ends of 5, 67.

The signal transmission cable 68 of the present embodiment includes the plurality of signal lines 39 and a protective tube 42 which is an outer covering member for covering the signal lines 39. The thread 45 is wound to form a thread fixing portion 46, and the protective tube 42 is integrally fixed to the signal line 39.

The second thread fixing part 4 is provided behind the thread fixing part 46 provided on the distal end side of the protective tube 42.
6a and a third pinch fixing portion 46b are formed,
The thread 45 is wound, and the protection tube 42 and the signal line 39 are integrally fixed by thread winding fixing portions 46a and 46b. An insulating cover 32 covers the outer periphery of the first shield frame 61, the second shield frame 62, and the distal end of the protective tube 42. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The signal transmission cable 6 configured as described above
8 will be described. For example, when the bending operation knob 5a is operated to bend the bending portion 9 in the left, right, up, and down directions, the signal transmission cable 68 extending from the imaging device 10 and inserted through the bending portion 9 has an axial tensile stress. And bending direction stress. At this time, the stress acting on the signal transmission cable 68 is the signal transmission cable 68 and the circuit board 65,
This force mainly acts near the connection to the connecting tube 67, but this force is distributed to the protective tube 42 via the thread winding fixing portions 46, 46 a, 46 b.

Further, in the present embodiment, the shield member integrally formed in the above-described embodiment is replaced with a first member which is a separate member.
And a second shield frame 62,
Since a gap is provided between the first shield frame 61 and the second shield frame 62 and the flexible circuit boards 65 and 67 are disposed in the internal space of the shield frames 61 and 62, the gap is used as a boundary. The first shield frame 61 and the second
And the shield frame 62 are inclined relative to each other. That is, the force applied to the signal transmission cable 68 is distributed to the protection tube 42 and the insulating cover 32 and further distributed by the circuit boards 65 and 67.

As described above, the plurality of signal lines of the signal transmission cable are covered with the protective tube, and the protective tube and the signal line are provided integrally with the plurality of thread winding portions, and the shield member is fixed to the first member. The flexible circuit board is divided into a shield frame and a second shield frame, and the flexible circuit board is arranged in the shield frame so that the signal transmission cable can be inclined. By dispersing the components on the cover and the circuit board, the force applied to the vicinity of the connection portion of the circuit board to which the signal line is connected can be significantly reduced. This improves the durability of the imaging device. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3A, in the present embodiment, a plurality of external leads protruding from the solid-state imaging device 63,
4 is directly connected to the core wire 39a of the signal line 39, and the lower external lead 66 in the figure is connected to the tip of a circuit board 65 made of a flexible material such as polyimide or polyester. Core wires 39 a of the plurality of signal wires 39 are connected to the base end of the circuit board 69.

The signal lines 39 respectively connected to the circuit board 69 and the external leads 64 are connected to the plate-shaped cable stopper 70 fixed to the base end of the circuit board 65 as shown in FIG. The plurality of formed cable insertion holes 70a are inserted and connected. The signal line 39 inserted through the cable insertion hole 70a of the cable stopper 70 is integrally fixed to the cable stopper 70 by an adhesive 70b.

The signal transmission cable 71 of this embodiment includes a plurality of signal lines 39, an overall shield 72 serving as an outer covering member over the outer periphery of the signal lines 39, and a protection further over the outer periphery of the overall shield 72. And a tube 42.

A thread winding fixing portion 46 is formed by winding a thread 45 around the distal end side of the protection tube 42, and a signal line 39 in which the protection tube 42 is covered by a general shield 72 by the thread winding fixing portion 46. It is fixed integrally to.

Also, the signal transmission cable 71 and the air / water supply tube 24 connected to and extending from the pipe 23 projecting from the base end of the air / water supply channel through hole 15 of the distal end component 11. Are integrally fixed by thread winding fixing portions 73a, 73b,... Formed by winding the thread 45.

The overall shield 72 is configured so that the shield density gradually changes from a dense state to a rough state as it goes from the distal end to the proximal end. An insulating cover 32 is coated on the outer periphery of the distal end of the protective tube 42. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The signal transmission cable 7 configured as described above
The operation and effect of 1 will be described. For example, the bending operation knob 5
When the bending section 9 is bent in the left, right, up, and down directions by operating a, the signal transmission cable 71 extending from the imaging device 10 and passing through the inside of the bending section 9 has an axial tensile stress and a bending direction. Stress works. At this time, the stress acting on the signal transmission cable 71 is caused by the core wire 39 a and the external lead 6.
4. It mainly acts near the connection with the circuit board 65, but this force is applied to the thread winding fixing portions 73a, 73 formed by winding the yarn 45.
b and is dispersed to the air / water supply tube 24. Since the signal line 39 is fixed to the cable stopper 70, no force is directly applied to the connection between the circuit board 65 and the external lead 64 and the core wire 39a. Can be greatly reduced. This improves the durability of the imaging device.
Further, since the density of the distal end side of the overall shield 72 is made high, the strength against the bending stress at the distal end side of the overall shield 72 is strong, so that the durability of the signal transmission cable can be greatly improved.

FIGS. 9 and 10 relate to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the structure of a shield frame, and FIG. 10 is a view explaining another structure of an image pickup apparatus.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the shield frame is, for example, a first shield frame 7 arranged at the upper side in the figure.
5a and a second shield frame 75b disposed on the lower side.
The shield frames 75a, 7
The rear end side of 5b is formed as a small diameter portion 76 having a reduced diameter. Each of the small diameter portions 76 is provided with a notch 77. It should be noted that the width of the notch 77 is a width sufficient to form the thread fixing portion 46 by winding the thread 45.

As shown in FIG. 10, the signal transmission cable 80 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of signal lines 39, a cable jacket 41 covering these signal lines 39, and a protection tube 42 further covering this cable jacket 41. It is composed of The distal end of the protective tube 42 is sandwiched by the small diameter portions 76 of the shield frames 75a and 75b, and a notch 77 formed in the small diameter portion 76.
The thread 45 is wound inside to form a thread winding fixing portion 46, and the shield frames 75a and 75b, the protection tube 42, and the signal line 39 covered with the cable sheath 41 are integrally fixed.

The shield frames 75a and 75b are filled with an elastic adhesive 52 so as to cover the end of the signal line 39 and the circuit board 34. This elastic adhesive 52
Is filled in the shield frames 75a and 75b, the shield frame is evacuated from the rear end side (not shown) of the signal transmission cable 80. As a result, the elastic adhesive 5
2 penetrates into the gap between the signal wire 39 and the cable sheath 41 at a desired distance from the distal end of the signal transmission cable 80.

Accordingly, the distal end portion of the signal transmission cable 80 is integrally formed with the protection tube 42 and the signal line 39 covered with the cable sheath 41 by forming the thread winding fixing portion 46, while the signal transmission cable 80 is fixed. 80
The signal wire 39 and the cable sheath 41 are firmly and integrally fixed by the elastic adhesive 52 that has penetrated between the signal wire 39 and the cable sheath 41 reaching a desired distance from the distal end side of the cable. Other configurations are the same as the above-described embodiment,
The same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

The signal transmission cable 8 configured as described above
The operation and effect of 0 will be described. For example, the bending operation knob 5
When the bending section 9 is bent in the left, right, up and down directions by operating a, the signal transmission cable 80 extending from the imaging device 10 and passing through the inside of the bending section 9 has an axial tensile stress and a bending direction. Stress is applied. At this time, the stress acting on the signal transmission cable 80 is caused by the core wire 39 a and the circuit board 5.
This force acts mainly in the vicinity of the connection with the cable 1, but this force can be distributed to the outer tube 42 and the shield frames 75 a and 76 a via the thread fixing portion 46 formed by winding the thread 45.

The distal end of the signal transmission cable 80
Since it is fixed by the elastic adhesive 52 penetrated between the signal wire 39 and the cable jacket 41, the force applied to the signal transmission cable 80 can be dispersed to the cable jacket 41. This improves the durability of the imaging device.

FIGS. 11 and 12 relate to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a view for explaining another configuration of the image pickup apparatus. FIG. 12 is an example of a connection structure between a signal line and a circuit board. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the present embodiment, external leads 82 and 83
The external leads 82 are connected to the circuit board 84.
Is fixedly connected.

The circuit board 84 and the external leads 83
Is provided with a ring pad 85 formed of a conductive member. A core wire 39a of the signal line 39 passing through the signal transmission cable 86 is connected to the circuit board 84 and the external lead 83 via the ring pad 85. It is electrically connected. The core wire 39 of the signal line 39 of the signal transmission cable 86
a is a cable tongue 87 fixed to the circuit board 84;
Is arranged at a predetermined position via the.

As shown in FIG.
At the substantially central portion thereof, the core wire 39 is parallel to the longitudinal axis direction.
A through hole 85a for core wire arrangement through which a can be inserted is formed. Therefore, when the core wire 39a is connected to the circuit board 84, the core wire 39a is passed through the core wire arrangement through hole 85a, and then a stopper 88 is provided at the tip of the core wire 39a. As a result, the core wire 39a is slidably contacted with the ring pad 85 to be electrically connected. The stopper 88 is provided by providing a stopper 88 as a separate member at the tip of the core wire 39a or by melting the tip of the core wire 39a.

With the above-described structure, for example, when the bending section 9 is bent in the left-right and up-down directions by operating the bending operation knob 5a, the pulling force or the stress in the bending direction acting on the signal transmission cable 86 is reduced. Join 39a,
The core wire 39a slides on the ring pad 85 to disperse the force.

As described above, the core wire is slidably and electrically connected to the external lead or the circuit board via the through hole for arranging the core wire of the ring pad, so that the tensile force or the stress in the bending direction acting on the signal transmission cable is obtained. When this occurs, the load acting on the core wire by sliding the core wire against the ring pad can be reduced. Other configurations, operations, and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where the hybrid IC is connected to the signal line, and FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the connection between the hybrid IC and the signal line. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing one configuration at that time.

As shown in FIG. 13, a hybrid IC (hereinafter abbreviated as HIC) 90 is composed of two members, a first IC member 90a and a second IC member 90b, and the first IC member 90a and the second IC member 90b. And a core wire at the distal end of the signal line 39 is arranged and electrically connected.

More specifically, as shown in FIG.
The shield wire 39b and the core wire 39a are exposed. For example, the cable connection groove 9 for fitting the core wire 39a and the shield wire 39b to the second IC member 90b is provided.
1 are formed. The first IC member 90a has a cable connection groove 91 formed in the second IC member 90b.
Are formed.

Therefore, the exposed core wire 39a and the shield wire 39b of the signal line 39 are connected to the IC members 90a, 90a.
After being incorporated into the cable connection groove 91 formed at 0b, the signal lines 39 are electrically connected to the HIC 90 by electrically configuring the IC members 90a and 90b by soldering or the like.

As described above, the hybrid IC is replaced with the first IC.
A cable connection groove for arranging a core wire and a shield wire in these IC members, and the signal wire core and the shield wire are arranged in the cable connection groove, By integrally fixing the first IC member and the second IC member, the signal line and the HIC can be electrically connected and fixed. At this time, since the core wire and the shield wire at the distal end of the signal line are fitted and arranged in the cable connection groove formed in the IC member, the force applied to the signal line is reduced by the first IC member and Distributed to the second IC member, it is possible to reduce the force applied to the connection between the cable connection groove, the shield wire, and the lead wire.

FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing another configuration for connecting a hybrid IC and a signal line, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where C and a signal line are connected.

As shown in FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the HIC 95 is formed by one member. This HIC
A plurality of cable holes 96 are provided at the rear end 95a of the cable 95. The HIC 95 has thin plate-shaped cable tors 97 and 98 attached thereto. Cable fixing portions 97a and 98a having a plurality of cable fixing grooves 99 formed in a triangular groove shape are provided at the rear ends of the cable tors 97 and 98. Other configurations are the same as in the seventh embodiment.

Here, the hybrid IC 95 and the signal line 3
9 will be described. The exposed core wire 39 a at the end of the signal line 39 is inserted into the cable hole 96 of the HIC 95 and is electrically connected. In addition, the cable fixing grooves 99 provided in the cable fixing portions 97a and 98a of the cable tors 97 and 98 respectively cause
As shown in FIG. 6, the signal line 39 is clamped and fixed to the cable fixing portions 97a and 98a at a position separated from the rear end portion 95a by a distance L.

As described above, the signal line extending from the rear end of the HIC is held at a predetermined distance from the rear end of the HIC by the cable fixing portion provided on the cable tom. Since the force applied to the wire can be dispersed from the cable fixing part to the cable toe, the HIC
The force applied to the connection between the core 95 and the core wire 39a is reduced.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an endoscope according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, an electronic endoscope 100 has a distal end portion 101 and this distal end portion 10.
1 mainly includes an insertion portion 102 connected to the operation portion 1, an operation portion 103 provided on the base end side of the insertion portion 102, and a universal cord 104 extending from a side portion of the operation portion 103.

For example, the imaging device 11
Tip component 10 provided with observation through hole 105 for disposing 0
6 is provided, and a connector 107 is provided at the base end of the universal cord 104.

The observation through-hole 105 of the distal end portion 106
A pipe 108 is fixedly mounted behind the pipe 108. One end of a tube 109 made of, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, which is made of resin and has flexibility, is connected and fixed to a base end of the pipe 108. . This tube 109
Insertion section 102, operation section 103, universal cord 10
4 to the inside of the connector 107.

In the connector 107, a partition member 111 is provided.
The other end of the tube 109 is connected and fixed to a connection pipe 112 fixed to the partition member 111.

When assembling the imaging device 110 to the distal end portion 106, the signal transmission cable 113 in which a plurality of signal lines (not shown) extending from the imaging device 110 are inserted is connected to the observation through-hole 105 and the pipe 108. , Tube 109,
It extends from the connector 107 through the connection pipe 112 and is connected to the electric connector 114. Then, after assembling and fixing the imaging device 110 at a predetermined position of the observation through hole 105 of the distal end component 106, the electric connector 114
Is fixed to the connector 107 so that the endoscope 100 is configured.

Note that the tube 109 is given a push-in amount in advance. The space through which the cable 113 is inserted is constituted by a tube 109 or the like, and the endoscope 10
0 and the watertight state is maintained.

By configuring the endoscope as described above, even if the bending portion is bent, even if a tensile stress or a bending stress acts on the signal transmission cable,
Since the signal transmission cable is inserted through the tube, a direct force is not applied to the signal transmission cable, so that the signal line inserted through the signal transmission cable can be protected from external force.

Further, since a space for inserting the signal transmission cable is secured inside the endoscope by the tube,
When exchanging the imaging device, it is possible to easily remove and reinsert the signal transmission cable from the endoscope.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a signal line according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the signal transmission cable 120 is in the middle of assembly,
The plurality of signal lines 39 are connected and fixed at predetermined positions on the circuit board 121 one by one. At this time, the signal transmission cable 120 has a part of the overall coating 122 removed, and the outer sheaths 39b of the plurality of signal lines 39 are exposed.

In this state, for example, a laser beam is applied to the vicinity of the tip of the overall coating 122. Then, the overall coating 122 is heated and melted by the heat of the laser light,
As shown in FIG. 3B, the composite covering portion 12 in which the overall covering 122 and the outer skin 39b of the plurality of signal lines 39 are integrated.
3 is formed.

As described above, by melting and integrating the overall coating and the outer sheaths of the plurality of signal lines, it is possible to prevent the misalignment (so-called shrinkage) between the overall coating and the outer sheath.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the following configuration can be obtained.

(1) An image pickup apparatus provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section, and a signal transmission cable connected to the image pickup apparatus and integrating a plurality of signal lines for transmitting input / output signals. In the endoscope, the signal transmission cable includes:
An endoscope comprising an outer cover member covering a plurality of signal lines, and a distal end side and a base end side of the outer cover member are integrally fixed to the signal lines via fixing means.

(2) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein an outer cover member covering the signal line is provided in a curved portion of the endoscope insertion section.

(3) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the fixing means is an elastic adhesive.

(4) The endoscope according to appendix 1, wherein the fixing means is a thread winding fixing portion formed by winding a thread.

(5) The signal line of the signal transmission cable is
The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the endoscope is a composite coaxial cable composed of a coaxial line and / or a single line, wherein the fixing means is an elastic adhesive filled between the signal line and an outer covering member covering the signal line. mirror.

(6) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the elastic adhesive is filled from the tip of the signal transmission cable to a distance located in the curved portion.

(7) The endoscope according to appendix 5, wherein the elastic adhesive is a silicone-based adhesive.

(8) In an endoscope having an image pickup device at the distal end and a signal transmission cable for connecting the image pickup device to a connector provided on the base end side, the signal transmission cable is connected from the distal end to the connector. Endoscope inserted into an airtight space that leads to

(9) The endoscope according to appendix 8, wherein the space through which the signal transmission cable passes from the distal end to the connector is formed of an elastic tube, and the elastic tube is set to a length having a pushing amount. mirror.

(10) The endoscope according to appendix 8, wherein the imaging device is attached to the distal end from the distal end side.

(11) An image pickup device provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section, and a signal transmission cable connected to the image pickup device and integrating a plurality of signal lines for transmitting input / output signals. In the endoscope, the signal transmission cable is configured to have an outer cover member that covers a plurality of signal lines, and a distal end side of the outer cover member and a base end side spaced a predetermined distance from the distal end side, and fixing means. Endoscope that is integrally fixed to the signal line via

(12) An image pickup apparatus provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion section, and a signal transmission cable connected to the image pickup apparatus and integrating a plurality of signal lines for transmitting input / output signals. In the endoscope, the signal transmission cable includes an outer cover member that covers the plurality of signal lines, and is integrated with the signal line via fixing means from the distal end side to the base end side of the outer cover member. Fixed endoscope.

(13) An image pickup device provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and a signal transmission cable connected to the image pickup device and integrating a plurality of signal lines for transmitting input / output signals. In the endoscope, the signal transmission cable is configured to have an outer cover member that covers a plurality of signal lines, and at least a part of a distal end side and a proximal end side of the outer cover member,
Endoscopes that are integrally fixed to signal lines via fixing means.

[0102]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope provided with a highly durable imaging device in which a signal line is hardly disconnected due to the stress generated by the operation of the endoscope. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic endoscope system.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an imaging device disposed at a distal end portion of an insertion section.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of connecting a cable sheath and a protective tube constituting a signal transmission cable.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a modified example of the signal transmission cable.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a signal transmission cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another configuration of the imaging apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining another configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are related to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of a shield frame.

FIG. 10 illustrates another configuration of an imaging device.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 relate to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a view for explaining another configuration of the imaging apparatus.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection structure between a signal line and a circuit board.

FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where a hybrid IC and a signal line are connected.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing one configuration when connecting a hybrid IC and a signal line;

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are related to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration when connecting a hybrid IC and a signal line.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which a hybrid IC and a signal line are connected.

FIG. 17 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an endoscope according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a signal line according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Imaging device 31 ... Solid-state image sensor 33 ... Shield frame 34 ... Circuit board 39 ... Signal line 40 ... Signal transmission cable 41 ... Cable sheath (skin member) 42 ... Protection tube (skin member) 45 ... Thread (fixing means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Yoshimitsu 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Koji Takamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Haruhiko Kaiya 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An endoscope comprising: an imaging device disposed at a distal end portion of an endoscope insertion portion; and a signal transmission cable connected to the imaging device and integrating a plurality of signal lines for transmitting input / output signals. In the mirror, the signal transmission cable is configured to have an outer cover member that covers a plurality of signal lines, and a distal end side and a base end side of the outer cover member are integrally fixed to the signal lines via fixing means, respectively. An endoscope characterized in that: