Patent ID: 8517922
Filing Date: 2013-08-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising: an endoscope insertion section; an endoscope main body assembled with the endoscope insertion section detachably; and an optical connector for connecting a first light guide and a second light guide for introducing light emission, the first light guide being inserted into the endoscope main body, and the second light guide being inserted into the endoscope insertion section, wherein the endoscope insertion section and the endoscope main body are configured to be detachable from each other, the optical connector is formed by a first connector section, supported in the endoscope main body, and fixed to an end section of the first light guide inserted into the endoscope main body; and a second connector section, supported by the endoscope insertion section and engageable with the first connector section, and fixed to an end of the second light guide inserted into the endoscope insertion section, and one of the first connector section and the second connector section is supported movably in the endoscope main body or in the endoscope insertion section, so as to enable it to be axially aligned with respect to the other connector section, wherein one of the first connector section and the second connector section is supported movably in a direction approximately orthogonal with respect to the insertion direction of the other connector section, the first light guide and the second light guide are formed by optical fibers, and the first light guide and the second light guide are connected to each other when the first connector section and the second connector section are connected, and further comprising an attachment-detachment-detecting section for detecting a state of attachment or detachment of the endoscope insertion section and the endoscope main body, wherein the attachment-detachment-detecting section is disposed so that a detecting movement is conducted during detaching the endoscope insertion section from a position where the first connector section and the second connector section engage with each other to a position where the first connector section and the second connector section are fully separated, wherein the first connector section is supported movably in the endoscope main body and formed in a cylindrical socket shape which has a bottom section and an aperture section, the second connector section is supported in the endoscope insertion section and formed in a cylindrical shape which can be inserted in the aperture section of the first connector section, the endoscope insertion section is provided with a circular-projecting section formed in a cylindrical shape which has a lager diameter than a diameter of the second connector section, the endoscope main body is provided with a connector-receiving section which can receive circular-projecting section, the aperture section of the first connector section is located in the bottom section and facing toward the endoscope insertion section, an end face of the circular-projecting portion is facing toward the endoscope main body and the second connector section is supported so as to protrude from the end face of the circular-projecting portion, the attachment-detachment-detecting section is provided with a detector which is capable of freely protruding and recessing from a side wall of the connector-receiving section in a radial direction of the circular-projecting portion, and a length between the aperture section of the first connector section and the detector in the insertion direction of the second connecter section is shorter than a projection length of the second connector section projecting from the circular-projecting section.