Patent ID: 6348035
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: A61B,G02B

Abstract:
A connection system for establishing a detachable connection between a scope and a video-signal processing unit which form an electronic endoscope, said scope having a solid-state image sensor to produce image-pixel signals, said video-signal processing unit having a processor for processing said image-pixel signals to produce a video signal, said scope including a first power line, a first group of signal lines and a first ground line which are utilized to feed said image-pixel signals to said unit, said unit including a second power line, a second group of signal lines and a second ground line which are utilized to receive said image-pixel signals from said scope, said connection system comprising:a connector that includes a first connector half provided on said scope, and a second connector half provided on said unit, said first power line, first group of signal lines and first ground line being connected to said second power line, second group of signal lines and second ground line, respectively, by establishing a connection between said first and second connector halves; a power switch element provided in one of said first and second power lines; and a power controller that changes an OFF-state of said power switch element to an ON-state after the respective connections are completely established between said first power line, first group of signal lines and first ground line and said second power line, second group of signal lines and second ground line.