This endoscope is provided with: a main housing unit that is formed from a material having a surface resistance of 1 GΩ or less; a display unit that is mounted on one surface of the external surfaces of the main housing unit and displays images of an observation subject; an operating input portion that is mounted on the one surface of the main housing unit; and a sun-blocking shade that is fixed to the one surface of the main housing unit and protrudes from the one surface in a direction that intersects the one surface so as to surround a portion of the periphery of the display unit, and that is formed from a flexible resin whose surface resistance is 1 GΩ or less, and is characterized by the fact that the entire display unit and operating input portion are located within a space that is defined by the main housing unit and the shade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An endoscope1according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described.FIG. 1is a perspective view showing the endoscope1of the present embodiment.FIG. 2is a side view of the endoscope1.FIG. 3is a side cross-sectional view of the endoscope1.

The endoscope1is a device that is used to observe locations that are difficult for an observer to view directly such as the interior of an observation subject and the like. As is shown inFIG. 1, the endoscope1is provided with an elongated insertion portion2that is inserted from its distal end2ainto the interior of an observation subject, and with a main unit10to which a proximal end2bof the insertion portion2is fixed.

The endoscope1of the present embodiment has a structure in which at least the main unit10has an intrinsically safe explosion-proof structure as stipulated by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). A drop test is defined as one of the requirements of the intrinsically safe explosion-proof structure defined by the IEC. This drop test is a test in which the device is oriented such that the weakest portion thereof faces downwards and the device is then dropped from a predetermined height onto a concrete ground surface G. In the drop test, after the device has been dropped onto the concrete ground surface G, it is deemed to have passed the test if the integrity of a protective structure specified as IP20 by the IEC is maintained.

Moreover, in order to satisfy the intrinsically safe explosion-proof structure requirements, of the components that are exposed on the external surface of the endoscope1, the surface resistance of those components whose exposed surface area exceeds 400 mm2is 1 GΩ or less. In the present embodiment, of the external surface of the insertion portion2and the external surface of the main unit10, the surface resistance of those components whose exposed surface area exceeds 400 mm2is 1 GΩ or less and the structure is one that makes it difficult for static electricity to accumulate.

The insertion portion2is a flexible, cylindrical component. A bending portion3that performs a bending operation is provided on the distal end2aportion of the insertion portion2. An operating input portion17that is used to cause the bending portion3to perform a bending operation (described below in more detail) is provided in the main unit10. In addition, angle wires4that are used to cause the bending portion3to perform a bending operation are provided inside the insertion portion2.

An optical adaptor5that is able to be removably attached to the insertion portion2is also provided at the distal end2aof the insertion portion2.

An illumination portion6that irradiates illumination light onto an observation subject, and an image acquisition portion7that acquires images of the observation subject onto which the illumination light has been irradiated are provided in the optical adaptor5. The illumination portion6irradiates the illumination light onto the observation subject using, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode (LD) or the like as a light source. The image acquisition portion7has an area image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS or the like, and acquires images of the observation subject that it then transmits these images to the main unit10.

As is shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the main unit10is provided with a main housing unit11, a display unit21, an operating input portion17, and a shade24.

The main housing unit11has a substantially plate-shaped base portion12, a gripping operating portion15that has a first angle θ1relative to the base portion12, and a rear surface portion13that has a second angle θ2relative to the base portion12. The first angle θ1is smaller than the second angle θ2, and the main housing unit11has a substantially triangular external configuration when viewed from a side thereof. As is shown inFIG. 3, a circuit substrate14and wiring and the like are housed within the respective interiors of the base portion12, the gripping operating portion15, and the rear surface portion13.

The base portion12has a battery mounting portion12bthat is used to mount a battery B, and a bottom surface12athereof is formed as a flat surface. Moreover, when the battery B is mounted on the base portion12, the bottom surface12aof the base portion12and the battery B are substantially flush with each other. As a result, the endoscope1can be placed on the ground or the like using the bottom surface12aof the base portion12as the placement surface.

In the present embodiment, the display unit21and the operating input portion17are sandwiched between the battery mounting portion12band the shade24, and the battery mounting portion12bis located opposite to the shade24. The battery mounting portion12bis formed as a protruding portion that protrudes towards the outside of the main housing unit11.

As is shown inFIG. 3, the interior of the battery mounting portion12bis formed as a hollow structure, and functions as a housing portion in which a portion of the internal structural elements of the endoscope1are housed. In the present embodiment, a portion of the circuit substrate14is housed within the battery mounting portion12b.A gap is provided between an internal surface of the battery mounting portion12band an external surface of the circuit substrate14so that, for example, even if an external force is applied to the battery mounting portion12bresulting in the battery mounting portion12bbeing deformed, the internal surface of the battery mounting portion12bdoes not come into contact with the circuit substrate14.

The gripping operating portion15has a rod-shaped gripping portion16that is gripped by an observer who is using the endoscope1, and also has the aforementioned operating input portion17and display unit21. The gripping portion16is shaped such that an observer is able to grip the gripping portion16by placing four of their fingers (excluding the thumb) on a surface of the gripping portion16that faces towards the base portion12side (i.e., the surface indicated by the symbol16ainFIG. 2andFIG. 3, hereinafter, referred to as a bottom surface16aof the gripping portion16), and placing their thumb on a surface of the gripping portion16that is on the opposite side from the bottom surface16a(i.e., the surface indicated by the symbol16binFIG. 2andFIG. 3, hereinafter, referred to as a top surface16bof the gripping portion16).

The bottom surface16aand the top surface16bof the gripping portion16are both inclined at the first angle θ1relative to the base portion12.

The operating input section17, the display unit21, and the shade24are each placed on a surface that is substantially on the same plane as the top surface16bof the gripping portion16out of the external surfaces of the gripping operating portion15. The operating input portion17and the display unit21are arranged next to each other at one end in the longitudinal direction of the gripping portion16. The operating input portion17is placed closer to the gripping portion16than is the display unit21.

The operating input portion17is provided at the main unit10in order to enable an observer to input operations into the endoscope1, and has, for example, an operating lever18that is used to cause the bending portion3to perform a bending operation, and a push button19such as a freeze button or the like that is used to acquire a still image of an observation subject.

The operating lever18has a support point inside the gripping operating portion15, and protrudes in a direction that intersects the top surface16bof the gripping portion16. As is shown inFIG. 3, a pulling mechanism20that pulls the angle wires4is connected to the operating lever18. The pulling mechanism20employs a mechanism that, for example, pulls the angle wires using power from a servo motor or the like, or employs a mechanism that, for example, mechanically pulls the angle wires4using the operating power of the operating lever18via a link mechanism or pulleys or the like.

As a result of the operating lever18being tilted from a neutral position, the bending portion3(seeFIG. 1) is bent in a predetermined direction that corresponds to the direction in which the operating lever18has been tilted. Note that it is also possible to employ a structure in which, when the observer releases their fingers from the operating lever18after having tilted it from a neutral position, the operating lever18is returned to the neutral position by restorative force.

An observer is able to press their thumb against a protruding end of the operating lever18, and can use their thumb to operate the operating lever18while gripping the gripping portion16with their hand. Note that it is also possible for pits or bumps that function as an anti-slippage device to be formed on the protruding end of the operating lever18.

The display unit21has a display panel22such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display that is exposed on the external surface of the gripping operating portion15, and a control circuit23that is provided inside the gripping operating portion15and controls the display panel22. Note that it is also possible for the control circuit23of the display panel22to be provided inside the rear surface portion13or base portion12. The display unit21displays images of an observation subject on the display panel22. As a result, an observer who is using the endoscope1is able to view images of the observation subject using the display unit21. The display unit21is provided together with the operating input section17on one of the external surfaces (i.e., near the top surface16bof the gripping portion16in the present embodiment) of the gripping operating portion15. As a result, the operator is able to view images displayed on the display unit21while operating the operating lever18and push button19of the operating input portion17.

It is preferable for the display panel22to have as wide a display screen as possible as long as it does not hinder the portability of the endoscope1. However, if the area of the display screen of the display panel22exceeds 400 mm2, then it falls into the category of screens whose surface resistance upper limit is limited in accordance with explosion-proof standards. In the present embodiment, a display panel22having a rectangular display screen whose area exceeds 400 mm2is employed, and either an anti-static film is laminated onto the display screen of the display panel22or surface processing to prevent static electricity is performed on the display screen of the display panel22. By doing this, the surface resistance of the display panel22is limited to 1 GΩ or less.

In the present embodiment, by performing processing or implementing measures in order to limit the surface resistance of the display panel22to 1 GΩ or less, the display panel22satisfies the requirements demanded of an intrinsically safe explosion-proof structure. There may also be cases in which the AG (antiglare) processing or the AR (antireflection) processing that is performed in order to prevent outside light or other objects being reflected in the display screen of the display panel22is insufficient. Because of this, if the endoscope1is used under strong illumination or in sunlight, then the possibility should be considered that images displayed on the display panel22will become difficult to see due to the external light directly striking the display screen of the display panel22.

In order to make images displayed on the display screen of the panel22of the display unit21easy to see even under strong illumination or in sunlight, the sun-blocking shade24is mounted on the gripping operating portion15so as to surround a portion of the periphery of the display panel22.

The shade24is placed around three of the four sides of the display panel22except for the side that is located closest to the operating input portion17. The shade24is formed substantially in a U shape when viewed from a direction that is perpendicular to the top screen16bof the gripping portion16, and is fixed to the gripping operating portion15.

The shade24protrudes from an external surface of the gripping operating portion15in a direction that intersects the surface of the display panel22. The direction in which the shade24protrudes from the gripping operating portion15is substantially the same as the direction in which the operating lever18protrudes from the gripping operating portion15. As is shown inFIG. 3, when measured in a perpendicular direction relative to the top surface16bof the gripping portion16, a length L2that the shade24protrudes is longer than a length L1that the operating lever18protrudes. The shade24is formed from a flexible resin having a surface resistance of 1 GΩ or less. The shade24also has elasticity so that if, for example, the endoscope1is dropped so that the shade24strikes the ground G, then even if this causes the shade24to be deformed, it is restored to its original shape by its own restorative force.

The shade24has sufficient resilience that, if the potential energy of the endoscope1if the endoscope1is dropped onto the ground G from a height that exceeds a predetermined height from the ground G at which it is presumed that the endoscope1will be used is applied to the endoscope1, or if the kinetic energy if the endoscope1strikes the ground G from a height that exceeds the predetermined height is applied to the shade24, then the display unit21or the operating input portion17will come into contact with the ground G Note that the aforementioned predetermined height may be determined, for example, based on a height determined in a drop test that is performed in order to satisfy the requirements of an intrinsically safe explosion-proof construction that are sought in the endoscope1.

The flexibility of the shade24can be set to the optimum flexibility by appropriately selecting the material, thickness and shape of the shade24. For example, if ribs that reinforce the shade24are formed in the shade24, the flexibility of the shade24is reduced compared with when such ribs are not provided. Moreover, the greater the thickness of the shade24, the more the flexibility of the shade24is reduced.

As is shown inFIG. 2, the entire display unit21and operating input portion17are placed inside a space that is defined by the main housing unit11and the shade24. As a result, if the endoscope1is placed on the ground G such that both the shade24and the base portion12are in contact with the ground G, the positions of the display unit21and the operating input portion17are away from the ground G In the present embodiment, because a protruding end12xof the battery mounting portion12bthat is provided in the base portion12and a protruding end24xof the shade24both protrude from the top surface16bof the gripping portion16, the space that is defined by the main housing unit11and the shade24has a square shape profile when seen in side view.

An action of the endoscope1having the above-described structure will now be described.FIG. 4is an explanatory view illustrating an action of the endoscope1.

When the endoscope1is put to use, an observer holds the gripping portion16in one hand and, for example, holding the insertion portion2in the other hand guides the image acquisition portion7to the observation subject.

At this time, the observer operates the operating lever18and the push-button19and the like that are provided in the operating input portion17while viewing images displayed on the display panel22of the display unit21that is provided in the main unit10.

Because the endoscope1of the present embodiment is able to be carried around by the observer, it is quite possible that, for example, the observer may accidentally drop the endoscope1, or that the endoscope1may fall after being placed in an unstable location.

If the endoscope1does fall, then it strikes the ground G or the like. At this time, it is difficult to predict which part of the external surface of the endoscope1will strike the ground G, and there are also cases in which, for example, the external surface on the side where the operating input portion17or the display unit21are located will be facing towards the ground G or the like.

In order to satisfy the requirements of an intrinsically safe explosion-proof construction as prescribed by the IEC, when, in the drop test, the device is oriented such that the weakest portion thereof faces downwards and the device is then dropped from a predetermined height onto a concrete ground surface G, it is necessary for the integrity of a protective structure specified as IP20 to be maintained. In the endoscope1of the present embodiment, the weakest portion of the device is the surface where the operating input portion17and the display unit21are provided (i.e., the surface that extends along the top surface16bof the gripping portion16).

As is shown inFIG. 4, if, for example, the endoscope1is dropped onto the ground G while the top surface16bof the gripping portion16is facing downwards, then the protruding end24xof the shade24and the protruding end12xof the battery mounting portion12bboth strike the ground G. At this time, the operating input portion17in the display unit21are also facing downwards, however, the display unit21and the operating input portion17that are located inside the space defined by the shade24and the external surfaces of the main unit10are protected so that they do not come into contact with the ground G.

Furthermore, because the shade24has elasticity, a portion of the shock imparted to the endoscope1from the ground G is absorbed as a result of the shade24being deformed. Consequently, the possibility that the electronic components such as the circuit substrate14that are located inside the main unit10of the endoscope1and the display panel22and the like will be damaged is kept to a low level.

Moreover, because the shade24has flexibility, when the endoscope1strikes the ground G, the shade24vibrates because of the energy that is transmitted thereto. Namely, a portion of the energy transmitted to the shade24is converted into kinetic energy that causes the shade24to vibrate.

Furthermore, because the shade24has elasticity, even if the shade24strikes the ground G and is deformed, the shade24is restored to its original shape.

As has been described above, according to the endoscope1of the present embodiment, even if the endoscope1is dropped with the operating input portion17in the display portion21facing downwards, the possibility that the operating input portion17and the display unit21will come into contact with the ground G is kept extremely low. As a result of this, it is possible to prevent the operating input portion17and the display unit21from being damaged if the endoscope1is dropped.

Moreover, the endoscope1of the present embodiment has a structure in which the operating input portion17and the display unit21are both located on a surface that extends along the top surface16bof the gripping portion16, and components that might be easily broken if the endoscope1were to be dropped are consolidated in a portion of the main housing unit11. Because of this, it is possible to collectively protect all of the easily broken components using the shade24, and it is therefore possible to protect the endoscope1from an impact without increasing the number of components making up the endoscope1.

Moreover, because the shade24which blocks the sunlight to the display unit21also functions as a component that protects the display unit21and the operating input portion17from an impact, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated guard or the like in order to protect the display unit21and the operating input portion17from an impact, and it is thereby possible to not only decrease the number of components, but to also reduce the size and weight of the endoscope1.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 1

Next, a modified example of the above-described endoscope1will be described. Note that in the respective modified examples described below, component elements that are the same as the component elements in the above-described endoscope1are given the same descriptive symbols and any duplicated description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the structure of an endoscope1A of the present modified example.

As is shown inFIG. 5, in the endoscope1A of the present modified example, an elastic supporting body12cthat supports the circuit substrate14is provided inside the battery mounting portion12b.

The elastic supporting body12cis positioned so as to be sandwiched between the internal surface of the battery mounting portion12band the external surface of the circuit substrate14, and supports the circuit substrate14such that the circuit substrate14does not come into contact with the internal surface of the battery mounting portion12b.In addition, the elastic supporting body12calso absorbs a portion of the impact when the battery mounting portion12bstrikes the ground G or the like so as to alleviate the impact on the circuit substrate14.

By providing the elastic supporting body12cit is possible to decrease the likelihood of the circuit substrate14being damaged when the endoscope1A is dropped onto the ground G.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 2

Next, another modified example of the above-described endoscope1will be described.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the structure of an endoscope1B of the present modified example.

As is shown inFIG. 6, in the endoscope1B of the present modified example, the interior of the battery mounting portion12bis filled with an elastic resin12d.The elastic resin12dthat is used to fill the interior of the battery mounting portion12bis placed so as to fill the gap between the circuit substrate14and the internal surface of the battery mounting portion12b.

In this type of structure is well, in the same way as in the above-described modified example 1, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the circuit substrate14being damaged.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 3

Next, yet another modified example of the above-described endoscope1will be described.FIG. 7is a side view showing the structure of an endoscope1C of the present modified example.FIG. 8is a perspective view showing the structure of a portion of the endoscope1C.

As is shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the endoscope1C of the present modified example differs in that a damper component25that absorbs the impact when the endoscope1C is dropped is provided in a portion of the external surface of the battery mounting portion12b.

The damper component25is formed from an elastic resin. The damper component25comes into contact with the ground G or the like (seeFIG. 4) when, for example, the endoscope1C is dropped so as to become elastically deformed. Thereafter, the damper component25is returned to its original shape by its own restorative force. The damper component25has a plurality of fins25a(vibrating portions) that are positioned with gaps provided between them.

The fins25aare shaped such that they are made to vibrate by the energy generated when the damper component25strikes the ground G Namely, if the endoscope1C is dropped, the energy from the impact that is transmitted to the endoscope1C from the ground G is converted into kinetic energy in each fin25a.

In the endoscope1C, it is sufficient for the damper component25to protrude from the top surface16bof the gripping portion16, and it is not essential for the battery mounting portion12bto also protrude from the top surface16bof the gripping portion16. Namely, in the present modified example, the damper component25corresponds to the protruding portion of the present invention.

Moreover, in the same way as in the above-described endoscope1, the endoscope1C makes it possible for any damage to the operating input portion17and the display unit21to be prevented if the endoscope1C is dropped.

Furthermore, in the present modified example, because any impact is absorbed not only by the shade24, but by the damper component25as well, it is possible to limit even further the possibility of the endoscope IC being damaged by the impact from the ground G on the endoscope1C.

MODIFIED EXAMPLE 4

Next, yet another modified example of the above-described endoscope1will be described.FIG. 9andFIG. 10are perspective views showing the structure of an endoscope1D of the present modified example.

As is shown inFIG. 9, the endoscope1D of the present modified example (seeFIG. 1) is provided with a shade24A having a different shape from that of the shade24that is provided in the endoscope1, instead of the shade24.

The shade24A is provided with a shade main body24bthat shades the sunlight to the display unit21, and with vibrating portions (i.e., fins24a) that are provided on the shade main body24band vibrate if the endoscope1D is dropped.

The shade main body24bvibrates when the endoscope1D is dropped in the same way as the above-described shade24. Furthermore, the vibrating portions are constructed such that they vibrate more easily than the shade main body24b.In the present modified example, the vibrating portions are formed by fins24athat are formed thinner than the shade main body24b.

The fins24aprotrude from the external surface of the shade main body24b,and a plurality of these fins24aare formed with gaps provided between each of them. The fins24aare more easily vibrated by a weaker impact than the shade main body24b.If the endoscope1D is dropped, the energy of the impact that is transmitted to the endoscope1D from the ground G is converted into kinetic energy in each of the fins24a.

Note that, in addition to the fins24abeing formed on the shade24, as is shown inFIG. 9, it is also possible for a portion of the shade main body24b,other than diagonally intersecting beam portions24c,to be formed extremely thinly, as is shown inFIG. 10. In this case, the thin portions vibrate in the same way as the fins24a.

While preferred embodiments of the invention as well as modified examples thereof have been described in detail above with reference made to the drawings, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention.

For example, the structural elements illustrated in the above-described embodiments and modified examples thereof may also be combined into various suitable combinations.

In addition, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.