LIGHT SOURCE APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPE

A light source apparatus for endoscope includes a light source configured to generate illumination light, a light source connector receiving member into or from which a light source connector provided in a connector of an endoscope is inserted or removed, a light blocking unit in which a light blocking plate configured to close an opening portion of the light source connector receiving section is disposed to be openable and closable, and an assist unit including a movable member configured to interlock with the insertion or removal of the light source connector into or from the light source connector receiving section by abutting on the light blocking plate and close the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section to press the light blocking plate in a closing direction in which the illumination light from the light source is blocked.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light source apparatus for endoscope to which an endoscope connector of an endoscope is detachably attached and contains an illumination light source.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, in a medical field, an endoscope capable of observing organs within a body cavity, for example, by inserting an elongated insertion section into the body cavity has been widely used.

The endoscope has a function of irradiating illumination light into the body cavity that external light does not enter. As the illumination light, light from a light source provided in the light source apparatus for endoscope as an external apparatus is introduced into the endoscope.

The endoscope includes an endoscope connector detachably attached to a receptacle section in the light source apparatus for endoscope, and illumination light is introduced into the endoscope via the endoscope connector.

The conventional light source apparatus for endoscope is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-20855, for example, and a technique for preventing illumination light from leaking even if a light source connector (light carrying bundle sleeve) provided in a connector of an endoscope is removed from a light source connection hole while a light source is lighting up has been known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A light source apparatus for endoscope according to an aspect of the present invention includes a light source configured to generate illumination light, a light source connector receiving member into or from which a light source connector provided in a connector of an endoscope is inserted or removed, a light blocking plate configured to be movable between a position where an opening portion of the light source connector receiving member is closed and a position where the opening portion is exposed and including an abutment surface configured to abut on the light source connector, and a movable member configured to abut on a rear surface of the abutment surface of the light blocking plate, press the light blocking plate at the position where the opening portion is closed from a side of the rear surface in a closing direction in which the opening portion is closed with the light source connector not inserted into the light source connector receiving member, and make the light blocking plate movable to the position where the opening portion is exposed against the pressing in the closing direction when the light source connector inserted into the light source connector receiving member presses the light blocking plate by abutting on the abutment surface of the light blocking plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings used for the following description, a scale is made to differ for each of components to make the size of the component recognizable on the drawings, and the present invention is not limited only to a number of the components, respective shapes of the components, a ratio of the respective sizes of the components, and a relative positional relationship of the components, described in the drawings. In the following description, a vertical direction viewed toward a plane of the drawing may be described as an upper part and a lower part of the component.

FIG. 1is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of an endoscope and a light source apparatus for endoscope,FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of a connector section provided with a light blocking unit,FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view of a connector section to which a connector of the endoscope remains connected,FIG. 4is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the light blocking unit,FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a light blocking plate unit,FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the light blocking plate unit,FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an assist unit,FIG. 8is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the assist unit,FIG. 9is a side view illustrating a configuration of a turning member,FIG. 10is a cross-sectional view in an initial state where a light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into a light source connector receiving section,FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view in a process state where the light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into the light source connector receiving section, andFIG. 12is a cross-sectional view in an in-use state where the light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into the light source connector receiving section.

A light source apparatus for endoscope1as a medical electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2is an apparatus used together with an endoscope100. The light source apparatus for endoscope1includes an image processing apparatus configured to be communicable by wire or wirelessly with an image pickup apparatus included in the endoscope100, generate an observation image based on a signal to be inputted from the image pickup apparatus, and output the generated observation image to an image display apparatus not illustrated.

The image pickup apparatus in the endoscope100has a configuration in which an optical image of a subject is picked up. A configuration of the endoscope100is known, and hence detailed description is omitted.

In the present embodiment, the light source apparatus for endoscope1includes a receptacle-shaped connector section10in a front panel3in a housing2as an example. A plug-shaped connector101of the endoscope100is connected to the connector section10. Note that an elongated light source connector102having a substantially pillar shape is provided to extend in the connector101.

The light source apparatus for endoscope1is electrically connected to an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup device such as a CCD or a CMOS provided in the endoscope100via the connector section10, to control an operation of and supply power to the image pickup apparatus.

The light source apparatus for endoscope1includes a light source not illustrated configured to generate illumination light for irradiating an object of the image pickup apparatus. Examples of the light source include a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp, and an LED, and illumination light is incident on a light guide fiber bundle provided in the endoscope100via the connector101of the endoscope100connected to the connector section10.

The light guide fiber bundle has its one end disposed within the light source connector102and has its other end disposed within a distal end portion104of an insertion section103of the endoscope100. Illumination light is irradiated onto the subject from an illumination window provided in the distal end portion104.

Note that the housing2in the light source apparatus for endoscope1is in a shape of a box having a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the connector section10is arranged in the front panel3standing substantially upright with respect to a ground surface with the housing2placed on a surface substantially parallel to the ground surface in a usable posture.

The connector section10in the light source apparatus for endoscope1will be described below.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, in the connector section10, a substantially cylindrical light source connector receiving section11into or from which the light source connector102provided in the connector101of the endoscope100is inserted or removed is fitted in a block-shaped frame12. The frame12is provided with a heat sink13having a hole section14, via which an end portion of the light source connector102is inserted into the apparatus, formed therein, for example.

In the light source connector receiving section11, an end surface15within the apparatus is an inclined surface inclined at a predetermined angle to a longitudinal axis. Note that the end surface15may be a surface in a vertical direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the light source connector receiving section11.

In the frame12, a light blocking unit20configured to block light from a light source by closing an opening portion on the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11is disposed with the connector101of the endoscope100not inserted into the connector section10.

The light blocking unit20is movable by abutting on the light source connector102to be inserted into the light source connector receiving section11, and the light source connector102is inserted into the light source apparatus for endoscope1.

A configuration of the light blocking unit20in the present embodiment will be described in detail below.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the light blocking unit20includes a light blocking plate unit30including an openable and closable light blocking plate31configured to close the opening portion on the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11and an assist unit40configured to press the light blocking plate31in the light blocking plate unit30in a closing direction toward the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11under its own weight.

The light blocking plate unit30includes a light blocking plate31having a substantially rectangular shape and a support plate32having an L shape in cross section, as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6. The light blocking plate31and the support plate32are turnably connected to each other by a hinge section33.

A torsion spring34as an urging member is interposed in the hinge section33, and the light blocking plate31is urged to be upright vertically upward with respect to the support plate32by the torsion spring34.

The support plate32has a notched groove section35formed in its one side portion. The groove section35is for avoiding the assist unit40contacting the support plate32. A bottom section36folded in an L shape is pierced with a plurality of screw holes not illustrated, and is to be a bottom surface portion to be secured to the frame12with screws.

The assist unit40includes a turning member50as a movable member and a support base60configured to turnably support the turning member50, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8.

In the turning member50, a main body section51as a plate-shaped block body is provided with a turning shaft52. The main body section51has an abutment end portion54in its upper end portion, and a circular arc-shaped recess53is formed below the turning shaft52.

The abutment end portion54is a site configured to abut on the light blocking plate31. The recess53is formed to avoid contact with the support plate32in the light blocking plate unit30when the main body section51has been turned around the turning shaft52. Note that a lower portion of the main body section51enters the groove section35formed in the support plate32in the light blocking plate unit30to avoid contact with the light blocking plate unit30.

The support base60includes two arm sections62and63provided to extend with a predetermined separation distance therebetween on an upper side of a base main body section61, and turning holding grooves64and65on which the turning shaft52in the turning member50is mounted are respectively formed in the two arm sections62and63.

Each of the turning holding grooves64and65has a groove width slightly smaller than a diameter of the turning shaft52, and has a circular arc surface of substantially the same size as the size of an outer periphery of the turning shaft52formed in its groove bottom portion. In other words, when the turning shaft52is pressed into the groove bottom portion of each of the turning holding grooves64and65, the turning member50is turnably held without dropping off the support base60.

In the support base60, a groove section67configured to house a lower portion of the turning member50is formed along respective opposing surfaces of the two arm sections62and63, and photosensors68as detection sections are contained with the groove section67sandwiched therebetween.

The photosensor68is electrically connected to a control section not illustrated provided in the light source apparatus for endoscope1. The photosensor68detects the main body section51in the turning member50configured to be turned within the groove section67in the support base60and outputs a detection result to the control section.

Note that the turning member50has a center of gravity G set vertically below the turning shaft52, as illustrated inFIG. 9, and takes a posture in which the abutment end portion54in the main body section51is positioned on an upper side under its own weight while remaining assembled to the support base60.

The assist unit40in which the turning member50is assembled to the support base60is fixed to the frame12with screws, for example, such that the turning member50in the assist unit40abuts on a region outside a region where the light blocking plate31in the light blocking plate unit30abuts on the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11, as illustrated inFIG. 4.

An operation of the light blocking unit20performed when the connector101of the endoscope100is inserted into or removed from the connector section10in the light source apparatus for endoscope1configured as described above will be described below.

As illustrated inFIG. 10, in an initial state where the light source connector102of the connector101of the endoscope100does not contact the light blocking plate31in the light blocking plate unit30at the time of insertion or removal when the light source connector102is inserted into or removed from the light source connector receiving section11(including the time of not-in-use), a stress to be turned in a direction in which the abutment end portion54in the main body section51abuts on and pushes up the light blocking plate31under an own weight of the turning member50is generated in addition to an urging force of the torsion spring34.

As a result, the light blocking plate31is pressed in a closing direction toward the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11, and the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed. As a result, there occurs a state where illumination light at the time of lighting of the light source is reliably blocked without leaking out of the light source connector receiving section11.

As illustrated inFIG. 11, in a process state where the light source connector102is inserted into or removed from the light source connector receiving section11, there occurs a state where the light source connector102contacts the light blocking plate31so that the light blocking plate31is turned away from the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11against the urging force of the torsion spring34and the stress to be turned under the own weight of the turning member50.

Note that in an in-use state where the light source connector102is inserted into the light source connector receiving section11so that the connector101of the endoscope100is connected to the connector section10in the light source apparatus for endoscope1, as illustrated inFIG. 12, there occurs a state where the light blocking plate31is urged and turned to fall downward against the urging force of the torsion spring34and the stress to be turned under the own weight of the turning member50.

At this time, when the photosensor68provided in the support base60detects an open state where a lower end portion of the main body section51is out of the groove section67in the support base60by the turning of the turning member50, it is detected that the connector101of the endoscope100has been connected to the connector section10.

Note that when the lower end portion of the main body section51is within the groove section67in the support base60, a state where the connector101of the endoscope100is disconnected to the connector section10is detected as a close state by the photosensor68.

The light source apparatus for endoscope1may be configured to control ON/OFF of lighting of the light source depending on a detection result by the photosensor68of a state where the connector101of the endoscope100is connected/disconnected to the connector section10.

As described above, the light source apparatus for endoscope1according to the present embodiment is configured such that illumination light reliably does not leak because the light blocking plate31in the light blocking plate unit30blocks the illumination light by abutting on the end surface15of the light source connector receiving section11upon receiving the urging force of the torsion spring34and the stress to be turned under the own weight of the turning member50even if the light source is lighting up in an initial state at the time of not-in-use and at the time of insertion or removal of the connector101of the endoscope100.

Even if the urging force is weakened or lost because a malfunction or the like occurs in the torsion spring34, the light blocking plate31is turned to be pushed up under the own weight of the turning member50by the assist unit40so that the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed.

On the other hand, even if the stress for pushing up the light blocking plate31is weakened or lost because a malfunction or the like occurs in the assist unit40, the light blocking plate31is turned to be pushed up by the urging force of the torsion spring34in the light blocking plate unit30so that the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed.

Accordingly, the light source apparatus for endoscope1is configured such that illumination light from the light source at the time of lighting can be more reliably blocked not to leak when the connector101of the endoscope100is inserted or removed, including the time of not-in-use, by the light blocking unit20configured to urge the light blocking plate31and close the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11.

Note that the light blocking plate unit30need not necessarily be provided with the torsion spring34configured to urge the light blocking plate31in a direction in which the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed. In other words, the light blocking plate31may be configured to receive a stress to be turned in the direction in which the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed only by the assist unit40.

FIG. 13is a side view illustrating a configuration of a turning member in a first modification,FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view in an initial state where a light source connector of a connector of an endoscope is inserted into a light source connector receiving section in the first modification, andFIG. 15is a cross-sectional view in an in-use state where the light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into the light source connector receiving section in the first modification.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, a turning member50may have a posture in which an abutment end portion54in a main body section51is positioned on a lower side under its own weight while remaining assembled to a support base60by providing the abutment end portion54below a turning shaft52, contrary to the turning member50in the above-described embodiment, and having a center of gravity G set vertically below the turning shaft52.

When the turning member50is thus configured, a light blocking unit20can be arranged on an upper side in a connector section10, contrary to the light blocking unit20in the above-described embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 14.

In an initial state where a light source connector102in a connector101of an endoscope100does not contact a light blocking plate31in a light blocking plate unit30at the time of insertion or removal when the light source connector102is inserted into or removed from a light source connector receiving section11(including the time of not-in-use), a stress to be turned in a direction in which the abutment end portion54in the main body section51abuts on and pushes down the light blocking plate31under an own weight of the turning member50is generated in addition to an urging force of a torsion spring34and a stress under an own weight of the light blocking plate31.

As illustrated inFIG. 15, in an in-use state where the light source connector102is inserted into the light source connector receiving section11so that the connector101of the endoscope100is connected to the connector section10in the light source apparatus for endoscope1, there occurs a state where the light blocking plate31is urged and turned to be raised upward against the urging force of the torsion spring34, the stress under the own weight of the light blocking plate31, and the stress to be turned under the own weight of the turning member50.

Thus, an installation position of the light blocking unit20can be changed to an upper side (in the present modification) and a lower side (in the above-described embodiment) in the connector section10depending on a position of the center of gravity G with respect to the turning shaft52in the turning member50.

As a result, the light source apparatus for endoscope1can selectively determine the installation position of the light blocking unit20on the upper side or the lower side in the connector section10to match a layout space restricted by an internal object.

FIG. 16is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of an assist unit in a second modification.

As illustrated inFIG. 16, in an assist unit40, a turning shaft52may be provided with a torsion spring55as an urging member configured to urge the turning member50in a direction in which an abutment end portion54in a main body section51abuts on the light blocking plate31. Note that the main body section51is provided with a protrusion56configured to lock one end of the torsion spring55, and a support base60is also provided with a protrusion not illustrated configured to lock the other end of the torsion spring55.

As a result, in the assist unit40, a stress to be turned by the abutment end portion54in the main body section51abutting on the light blocking plate31is increased so that the light blocking plate31can more reliably close an opening portion of a light source connector receiving section11to block light.

FIG. 17is a cross-sectional view in an initial state where a light source connector of a connector of an endoscope is inserted into a light source connector receiving section in a third modification, andFIG. 18is a cross-sectional view in an in-use state where the light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into the light source connector receiving section in the third modification.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, an assist unit70includes a compression coil spring72as an urging member configured to urge a vertical direct-acting member71as a movable member, and the vertical direct-acting member71abuts on a light blocking plate31to close an opening portion of a light source connector receiving section11in addition to an urging force of a torsion spring34in a light blocking plate unit30.

More specifically, the assist unit70includes a case body73as a drop preventing member configured to linearly guide the vertical direct-acting member71and prevent the vertical direct-acting member71from dropping out.

The vertical direct-acting member71is urged in such a direction as to protrude from the case body73by the compression coil spring72, and includes an abutment section74configured to abut on the light blocking plate31and a protrusion75provided to extend in a horizontal direction from the opposite side to the abutment section74. A photosensor76as a detection section configured to detect the protrusion75is provided.

The assist unit70enters a state where the light blocking plate31abutting on the abutment section74is pushed up not to be turned downward so that the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed with the vertical direct-acting member71protruding from the case body73by the urging force of the compression coil spring72, illustrated inFIG. 17. At this time, the protrusion75is at a position where the photosensor76enters an open state, and it is detected that the connector101of the endoscope100has not been connected to the connector section10.

In the assist unit70, in an in-use state where a light source connector102is inserted into a light source connector receiving section11so that a connector101of an endoscope100is connected to a connector section10in a light source apparatus for endoscope1, illustrated inFIG. 18, the vertical direct-acting member71is housed in the case body73and the light blocking plate31is turned downward against the urging force of the compression coil spring72. At this time, when the protrusion75moves to bring the photosensor76into a close state, it is detected that the connector101of the endoscope100has been connected to the connector section10.

Thus, the assist unit70is configured such that the vertical direct-acting member71is urged by the compression coil spring72in addition to the urging force of the torsion spring34in the light blocking plate unit30so that the light blocking plate31closes the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11to block light.

Even if thus configured, the light source apparatus for endoscope1is configured such that a light blocking unit20configured to urge the light blocking plate31by the assist unit70in addition to the urging force of the torsion spring34in the light blocking plate unit30can reliably block illumination light from a light source at the time of lighting such that the illumination light does not leak when the connector101of the endoscope100is inserted or removed, including the time of not-in-use.

Although a configuration in which the assist unit70is provided on a lower side in the connector section10is illustrated, a configuration in which the assist unit70is provided on an upper side in the connector section10may be used, like in the first modification.

FIG. 19is a cross-sectional view in an initial state where a light source connector of a connector of an endoscope is inserted into a light source connector receiving section in a fourth modification, andFIG. 20is a cross-sectional view in an in-use state where the light source connector of the connector of the endoscope is inserted into the light source connector receiving section in the fourth modification.

As illustrated inFIGS. 19 and 20, an assist unit80includes a plate spring81as an urging member folded at a plurality of positions as a movable member, and the plate spring81abuts on a light blocking plate31to close an opening portion of a light source connector receiving section11in addition to an urging force of a torsion spring34in a light blocking plate unit30. Note that a photosensor83as a detection section configured to detect an end portion82of the plate spring81is provided.

The assist unit80is brought into a state where the light blocking plate31is pushed up not to be turned downward by the plate spring81abutting on the light blocking plate31by an urging force of the plate spring81so that the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11is closed, illustrated inFIG. 19. At this time, the end portion82of the plate spring81is at a position where the photosensor83enters an open state, and it is detected that a connector101of an endoscope100has not been connected to a connector section10.

In the assist unit80, in an in-use state where a light source connector102is inserted into the light source connector receiving section11so that the connector101of the endoscope100is connected to the connector section10in a light source apparatus for endoscope1, illustrated inFIG. 20, the light blocking plate31is turned downward against the urging force of the plate spring81. At this time, when the end portion82of the plate spring81moves to bring the photosensor83into a close state, it is detected that the connector101of the endoscope100has been connected to the connector section10.

Thus, the assist unit80is configured such that the light blocking plate31closes the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11to block light by the plate spring81in addition to the urging force of the torsion spring34in the light blocking plate unit30.

Even if thus configured, the light source apparatus for endoscope1is configured such that the light blocking unit20configured to urge the light blocking plate31by the assist unit80in addition to the urging force of the torsion spring34in the light blocking plate unit30to close the opening portion of the light source connector receiving section11can reliably block illumination light from a light source at the time of lighting such that the illumination light does not leak when the connector101of the endoscope100is inserted or removed, including the time of not-in-use.

Although a configuration in which the assist unit80is provided on a lower side in the connector section10is illustrated, a configuration in which the assist unit80is provided on an upper side in the connector section10may be used, like in the first modification.

The invention described in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the forms, but various modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, each of the above-described forms includes inventions in various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by an appropriate combination in a plurality of constitutional requirements to be disclosed.

For example, even if some constitutional requirements are deleted from all constitutional requirements illustrated in each of the forms, when described problems can be solved, and described effects are obtained, a configuration in which the constitutional requirements are deleted can be extracted as the invention.

According to the present invention, a light source apparatus for endoscope configured to more reliably block illumination light from a light source at the time of lighting such that the illumination light does not leak when a connector of an endoscope is inserted or removed, including the time of not-in-use, can be implemented.