Patent Publication Number: US-2017347862-A1

Title: Endoscope connector

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation application of PCT/JP2016/060084 filed on Mar. 29, 2016 and claims benefit of Japanese Application No. 2015-112481 filed in Japan on Jun. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an endoscope connector of an endoscope attached to an external apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In recent years, endoscopes have been widely used in a medical field. The endoscopes used in the medical field allow for observation of organs in a body cavity through insertion of an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity, and various kinds of treatment using treatment instruments that are inserted into an insertion channel for the treatment instruments, included in the endoscopes as necessary. 
     In addition, the configuration in which an endoscope is connected to an external apparatus by attaching an endoscope connector provided on an extended end of a universal cord to, for example, a light source apparatus, is well known. 
     More specifically, the configuration in which the endoscope connector is attached to a connector receiver provided on the light source apparatus, and a light guide pipe sleeve and an air feeding pipe sleeve serving as predetermined members provided on the endoscope connector are fitted into and connected to holes provided on the connector receiver, is well-known. 
     Note that the endoscope connector includes a supporting member serving as an internal member. The internal member holds a light guide pipe sleeve and an air feeding pipe sleeve when the light guide pipe sleeve is inserted into a light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole and the air feeding pipe sleeve is inserted into an air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole, respectively. 
     In addition, the endoscope connector includes an exterior member in which the supporting member is provided. The exterior member includes a first opening and a second opening on, for example, an end surface part on end part side to be attached to the light source apparatus. The first opening exposes the light guide pipe sleeve, namely, the light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole to the outside, and the second opening exposes the air feeding pipe sleeve, namely, the air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole to the outside. 
     Here, the light guide pipe sleeve and the air feeding pipe sleeve are disposed close to each other in a radial direction of the endoscope connector due to downsizing of the endoscope connector. In other words, the first opening and the second opening are disposed close to each other in the radial direction. 
     Japanese Patent No. 5231691 discloses a configuration of an endoscope connector in which a plate-like pipe sleeve holding member is bonded and fixed to an end surface part of an exterior member of the endoscope connector. The pipe sleeve holding member is provided separately from the exterior member and reinforces a fragile part in a region between a first opening and a second opening. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An endoscope connector according to an aspect of the present invention is for connecting an endoscope to an external apparatus, the endoscope connector including: an exterior member including a first opening and a second opening on end part side, the first opening and the second opening respectively exposing, to an outside, predetermined members of the endoscope to be connected to the external apparatus; and an internal member that is disposed inside the exterior member and holds the predetermined members, in which the internal member includes an insertion hole that faces a region on the end part side of the exterior member, the region being different from the first opening and the second opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope that includes an endoscope connector according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the endoscope connector of  FIG. 1  in an enlarged manner; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a connector connection system illustrating, together with a video processor, a state in which the endoscope connector of  FIG. 2  is attached to a light source apparatus; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 2  without a light guide pipe sleeve and an air feeding pipe sleeve; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional diagram of the endoscope connector along line V-V in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 5  as viewed from a VI direction in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an internal member of  FIG. 5  in an enlarged manner; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional diagram of the internal member along line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional diagram of the internal member of  FIG. 8  as viewed from an IX direction in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of the internal member of  FIG. 9  as viewed from an X direction in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating, together with a sprue and runners, an exterior member on the end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional diagram of an internal member of an endoscope connector according to a second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a modification in which an inner peripheral surface of an insertion hole of a supporting member of  FIG. 12  is formed in a tapered shape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Some embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to drawings. Note that the drawings are schematic illustration, and relationship between a thickness and a width of each member, a thickness ratio of members, and the like are different from actual relationship, thickness ratio, and the like. Ratios and other relationships may also differ from one drawing to another as a matter of course. 
     First Embodiment 
     An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an endoscope that includes an endoscope connector according to the present embodiment, and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the endoscope connector of  FIG. 1  in an enlarged manner. 
     In addition,  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a connector connection system illustrating, together with a video processor, a state in which the endoscope connector of  FIG. 2  is attached to a light source apparatus. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 , a connector connection system  100  includes, as a main part, a connector receiver  20  and an endoscope connector  5  of an endoscope  1 . The connector receiver  20  is provided on a front surface  50   f  of a light source apparatus  50  that is an external apparatus supplying light to the endoscope  1 . The endoscope connector  5  is detachable to the connector receiver  20 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the endoscope connector  5  is provided at an extended end of a universal cord  4  that is extended from an operation section  3  provided on proximal end side of an insertion portion  2  in the endoscope  1 . The insertion portion  2  is inserted into a subject. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a video processor  60  that performs operation control of the endoscope  1  is provided on, for example, a top surface of the light source apparatus  50 . Note that the video processor  60  is electrically connected to the light source apparatus  50  through an unillustrated connection cable. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the endoscope connector  5  includes a roughly columnar exterior member  15  that is made of, for example, a resin. 
     Further, end part side of the exterior member  15  is attached to parts other than the end part side of the exterior member  15 . The end part side of the exterior member  15  is distal end side in a direction S in which the endoscope connector  5  is fitted into the connector receiver  20  (hereinafter, simply referred to as a fitting direction). 
     Moreover, end part side of the endoscope connector  5  includes a first fitting part  15   a  and a second fitting part  15   b . The first fitting part  15   a  has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of a part other than the end part side in a radial direction K. The second fitting part  15   b  projects forward from a distal end surface  15   af  of the first fitting part  15   a  in the fitting direction S and has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the first fitting part  15   a  in the radial direction K. 
     In other words, the end part side of the endoscope connector  5  is formed in a two-stage shape including the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b.    
     The first fitting part  15   a  is fitted into an unillustrated outer receptacle of the connector receiver  20  when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . In addition, the second fitting part  15   b  is fitted to an unillustrated inner receptacle of the connector receiver  20  when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . 
     A plurality of electrical contacts  7  are so provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first fitting part  15   a  through, for example, insert molding, as to be arranged along a circumferential direction R of the endoscope connector  5 . In addition, a plurality of electrical contacts  8  are so provided on an outer peripheral surface of the second fitting part  15   b  through, for example, insert molding, as to be arranged along the circumferential direction R. 
     The electrical contacts  7  are electrically connected to unillustrated electrical contacts that are provided on an inner peripheral surface of the outer receptacle when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . Moreover, the electrical contacts  8  are electrically connected to unillustrated electrical contacts that are provided on an inner peripheral surface of the inner receptacle when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . This causes the endoscope connector  5  to be electrically connected to the light source apparatus  50 . 
     Further, key parts  6  are provided at respective positions that face each other in the radial direction K on the distal end side of the first fitting part  15   a  in the fitting direction S. 
     Each of the key part  6  has a function of being fitted into an unillustrated keyway of the connector receiver  20  to prevent rotation of the endoscope connector  5  with respect to the connector receiver  20  in the circumferential direction R when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . 
     Furthermore, a light guide pipe sleeve  10  and an air feeding pipe sleeve  11  are extended forward in the fitting direction S from a distal end surface  15   bf  that is an end surface part of the second fitting part  15   b . The light guide pipe sleeve  10  is a predetermined member made of, for example, a metal. The air feeding pipe sleeve  11  is a predetermined member made of, for example, a metal. 
     The light guide pipe sleeve  10  is fitted into a hole of an unillustrated light guide socket provided inside the connector receiver  20  when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . 
     In addition, the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  is fitted into a hole of an unillustrated air feeding pipe sleeve protection socket provided inside the connector receiver  20  when the endoscope connector  5  is attached to the connector receiver  20 . 
     Next, a configuration of the end part side of the endoscope connector  5  is illustrated with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 2  without the light guide pipe sleeve and the air feeding pipe sleeve.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional diagram of the endoscope connector along line V-V in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 6  is a plan view of the end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 5  as viewed in a VI direction in  FIG. 5 . 
     Further,  FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating an internal member of  FIG. 5  in an enlarged manner.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional diagram of the internal member along line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional diagram of the internal member of  FIG. 8  as viewed from an IX direction in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a plan view of the internal member of  FIG. 9  as viewed from an X direction in  FIG. 9 . 
     Furthermore,  FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating, together with a sprue and runners, an exterior member on the end part side of the endoscope connector of  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , a supporting member  30  that holds the light guide pipe sleeve  10  and the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  is provided inside the exterior member  15  on the end part side of the endoscope connector  5 , more specifically, inside the exterior member  15  of the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b . The supporting member  30  is an internal member made of, for example, a metal. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 10 , the supporting member  30  includes a light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   a  into which the light guide pipe sleeve  10  is inserted. The light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   a  penetrates through the supporting member  30  in the fitting direction S so as to face the distal end surface  15   bf.    
     In addition, the supporting member  30  includes an air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   b  into which the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  is inserted. The air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   b  penetrates through the supporting member  30  in the fitting direction S so as to face the distal end surface  15   bf.    
     Moreover, the supporting member  30  includes an insertion hole  30   c  that is filled with a portion of the exterior member  15 . The insertion hole  30   c  penetrates through the supporting member  30  in the fitting direction S so as to face a region that is different from a first opening  15   h   1  and a second opening  15   h   2  (detail of the openings is described later) of the distal end surface  15   bf.    
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  are provided close to each other in the radial direction K on the distal end surface  15   bf  of the exterior member  15  of the second fitting part  15   b . The first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  respectively expose the light guide pipe sleeve  10  and the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  to the outside of the exterior member  15  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     Note that the first opening  15   h   1  communicates with the light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   a , and the second opening  15   h   2  communicates with the air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   b.    
     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the distal end surface  15   bf  includes a filling part  15   j  as a portion of the exterior member  15 . The filling part  15   j  projects from the distal end surface  15   bf  toward the insertion hole  30   c  and is provided integrally with the distal end surface  15   bf.    
     Note that a length of the filling part  15   j  in the fitting direction S is varied depending on a length of the insertion hole  30   c  in the fitting direction S. When the insertion hole  30   c  has an extremely short length, the filling part  15   j  may not be provided. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the distal end surface  15   bf  includes a first region A, a second region B, and a third region C. The first region A is provided between the first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  in the radial direction K. The second region B faces the first region A with the first opening  15   h   1  in between in the radial direction K. The third region C faces the first region A with the second opening  15   h   2  in between in the radial direction K. 
     Here, as illustrated in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 10 , the insertion hole  30   c  provided in the supporting member  30  is so provided as to face a region that is different from the second region B and the third region C, of the distal end surface  15   bf . More specifically, the insertion hole  30   c  is so provided as to face the first region A. 
     Injection molding in which a resin P is injected into an unillustrated mold that molds the exterior member  15  of the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b  is performed while the supporting member  30  is set in the mold. As a result, the supporting member  30  is inserted into the end part side and the entire end part side of the exterior member  15  having the above-described configuration is integrally formed. 
     Note that, when the resin P is injected into the mold, the resin P is injected into the mold through, for example, a sprue E, six runners F, six gates G, a runner F′, and a gate G′ as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , in order to be uniformly injected into the mold. The sprue E is an injection port of the resin P into the mold. The runners F are branched from the sprue E and are disposed with equivalent intervals in the circumferential direction R to face respective sites that are proximal ends, in the fitting direction S, on an outer periphery of exterior member of the first fitting part  15   a  after the molding. The six gates G are injection ports of the resin P to the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b  after molding. The runner F′ is branched from the sprue E and faces the insertion hole  30   c . The gate G′ is an injection port of the resin P to the insertion hole  30   c . As a result, the end part side of the exterior member  15  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6  is integrally formed. 
     Note that, when the end part side of the exterior member  15  into which the supporting member  30  has been inserted is removed from the mold, the sprue E and the runners F and F′ are detached from the exterior member  15 , and only the gates G and G′ remain in the exterior member  15 . 
     Further, the light guide pipe sleeve  10  is inserted into the light guide pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   a  of the supporting member  30 , and the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  is inserted into the air feeding pipe sleeve insertion hole  30   b  of the supporting member  30 . 
     At this time, the reason why the resin P is injected into the mold from the proximal end side of the first fitting part  15   a  in the fitting direction S is to prevent the remaining gates G and G′ from appearing on an outer surface such as the distal end surfaces  15   af  and  15   bf  on the end part side of the exterior member  15  and the outer peripheral surface, because the end part side of the exterior member  15  is an outside appearance member as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . 
     Note that the other configuration on the end part side of the endoscope connector  5  is the same as the existing configuration, and the description of the configuration is therefore omitted. 
     As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, in the supporting member  30 , the insertion hole  30   c  that penetrates through the supporting member  30  in the fitting direction S so as to face the distal end surface  15   bf  and is filled with the filling part  15   j  integral with the distal end surface  15   bf , is so provided as to face the region that is different from the second region B and the third region C. More specifically, the insertion hole  30   c  is so provided as to face the first region A as described above. 
     Accordingly, when the resin P is injected into the mold through the sprue E, the runners F and F′, and the gates G and G′ to form the end part side of the exterior member  15 , the resin P flows from the first region A into a part that becomes the distal end surface  15   bf , through the insertion hole  30   c , in addition to the outer periphery on the end part side of the exterior member  15 . This makes it possible to shift an occurrence position of the above-described weld line from the narrow first region A. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it is possible to shift the occurrence position of the weld line to a region D having a large area on the distal end surface  15   af.    
     Accordingly, strength on the end part side of the exterior member  15  is not deteriorated when the weld line occurs in the region D having the large area on the distal end surface  15   af . This eliminates deterioration of chemical resistance on the end part side of the exterior member  15  due to the strength deterioration. 
     Therefore, it is possible to provide the endoscope connector  5  having the configuration that makes it possible to sufficiently secure the strength of the end part side even when the end part side of the exterior member  15  in the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b  is formed integrally with the other part of the exterior member  15  in the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b.    
     Note that a modification is described below. In the above-described embodiment, the insertion hole  30   c  is so provided as to face the region that is different from the second region B and the third region C of the distal end surface  15   bf , more specifically, as to face the first region A. 
     Furthermore, the insertion hole  30   c  may be so provided as to face, for example, one of a fourth region H and a fifth region I of the distal end surface  15   bf  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  without being limited to the first region A as long as the region is different from the second region B and the third region C of the distal end surface  15   bf.    
     This causes the resin P to flow into the part that becomes the distal end surface  15   bf  from the fourth region H or the fifth region I through the insertion hole  30   c , in addition to the outer periphery of the end part side of the exterior member  15  when the resin P is injected into the mold through the sprue E, the runners F and F′, and the gates G and G′. Accordingly, the weld line occurs in a region shifted from the first region A, which makes it possible to produce effects similar to the effects of the present embodiment. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional diagram of an internal member in an endoscope connector according to the present embodiment. 
     A configuration of the endoscope connector according to the second embodiment is different from the configuration of the endoscope connector according to the above-described first embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 11  in that a step part is provided in the insertion hole. 
     Therefore, only the difference is described, and components similar to the components of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description of such components is omitted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in the present embodiment, the insertion hole  30   c  is formed in a shape that increases a contact area between an inner peripheral surface  30   cn  and the exterior member filled in the insertion hole  30   c , namely, the filling part  15   j . More specifically, the insertion hole  30   c  is formed in an undercut shape having a step  30   cd . The step  30   cd  is formed when a part  30   c   2  is formed so as to be larger in diameter than a part  30   c   1  on the distal end side in the fitting direction S. 
     This is because, if the insertion hole  30   c  does not have the step  30   cd , the inner surface of the first opening  15   h   1  and the inner surface of the second opening  15   h   2  may stick to the mold when the end part side of the exterior member  15  is removed from the mold as described above. 
     In contrast, when the insertion hole  30   c  has the step  30   cd , the filling part  15   j  formed integrally with the distal end surface  15   bf  is caught by the step  30   cd  when the end part side of the exterior member  15  is removed from the mold. This causes the inner surface of the first opening  15   h   1  and the inner surface of the second opening  15   h   2  to be easily detached from the mold without sticking to the mold. Note that the other configuration is the same as the configuration of the above-described first embodiment. 
     As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the insertion hole  30   c  is formed in the undercut shape having the step  30   cd.    
     Therefore, the filling part  15   j  formed integrally with the distal end surface  15   bf  is caught by the step  30   cd  when the end part side of the exterior member  15  is removed from the mold. 
     Accordingly, the inner surface of the first opening  15   h   1  and the inner surface of the second opening  15   h   2  are easily detached from the mold without sticking to the mold, which makes it possible to improve the strength of the exterior member  15 . Note that other effects are the same as the effects of the above-described first embodiment. 
     In addition, another modification is described below with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a modification in which the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the supporting member of  FIG. 12  is formed in a tapered shape. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the insertion hole  30   c  is formed in the shape that increases the contact area between the inner peripheral surface  30   cn  and the filling part  15   j  filled in the insertion hole  30   c . More specifically, the insertion hole  30   c  is formed in the undercut shape having the step  30   cd.    
     Alternatively, the insertion hole  30   c  may be formed in a tapered shape as illustrated in  FIG. 13  without limitation as long as the shape makes it possible to increase the contact area between the inner peripheral surface  30   cn  and the filling part  15   j  filled in the insertion hole  30   c.    
     Note that, a cross-sectional surface of the tapered inner peripheral surface  30   cn  is not limited to a linear shape, and may be a shape provided with a plurality of steps although not illustrated. 
     Such a tapered inner peripheral surface  30   cn  makes it possible to produce effects similar to the effects by the shape of the inner peripheral surface  30   cn  having the step  30   cd  illustrated in  FIG. 12 , and the contact area between the tapered inner peripheral surface  30   cn  and the filling part  15   j  is increased as compared with the shape of the inner peripheral surface  30   cn  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     Therefore, when the end part side of the exterior member  15  is removed from the mold as mentioned above, the filling part  15   j  formed integrally with the distal end surface  15   bf  is easily caught by the inner peripheral surface  30   cn . This allows the end part side of the exterior member  15  to be easily removed from the mold without sticking of the distal end surface  15   bf  to the mold. 
     In addition, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the end part side of the exterior member  15  is formed in the two-stage shape having the first fitting part  15   a  and the second fitting part  15   b.    
     The shape of the end part side of the exterior member  15  is not limited to the shape described above. A shape configured of only the first fitting part  15   a  or only the second fitting part  15   b  is adoptable as long as the first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  are provided close to each other. 
     Further, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the light source apparatus  50  has been described as an example of the external apparatus. In other words, the case in which the connector receiver  20  to be attached with the endoscope connector  5  is provided in the light source apparatus  50  has been described as an example. Alternatively, the connector receiver  20  may be provided in the video processor  60  or other external apparatus without limitation. 
     In addition, in the above-described first and second embodiments, the first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  of the exterior member  15  respectively expose the light guide pipe sleeve  10  and the air feeding pipe sleeve  11  as the predetermined members to the outside; however, the first opening  15   h   1  and the second opening  15   h   2  of the exterior member  15  may expose other predetermined members to the outside without limitation as a matter of course.