Plug, connector, endoscope device, and endoscope

Abstract

A plug that is a plug of a connector that connects one or a plurality of optical waveguides provided in a medical instrument, wherein the plug includes a coupling portion that is inserted into a receptacle of the connector, a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle, a hole portion that is opened at the connection surface, and a holding portion that is disposed in the hole portion to hold the optical waveguides with end surfaces of the one or a plurality of optical waveguides facing the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides being disposed at a position on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a plug connecting optical waveguides of an endoscope, a connector, an endoscope apparatus, and an endoscope. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-131192, an endoscope is connected to a processor via a connector at the time of use. The endoscope is provided with a plug that is inserted into a receptacle provided to the processor. The plug and the receptacle, in a connected state, transmit illumination light emitted from a light source apparatus to the endoscope, or perform transmission of electric power, signals between the endoscope and the processor. In the state in which the plug and the receptacle are connected, the illumination light is incident on an optical waveguide such as an optical fiber provided to the endoscope.

[0003] At the time of use of the endoscope, heat emitted from the light source apparatus is transmitted to the plug of the endoscope, and therefore, the temperature in the vicinity of a portion in which the illumination light of the optical waveguide is incident rises, in particular. Therefore, when the plug is pulled out of the receptacle immediately after use of the endoscope, the user has to handle the endoscope in such a manner that the portion of the plug that becomes high temperature does not come into contact with other objects, and the handling is complicated.

[0004] The present application is to solve the above-described problem, and aims to provide a plug, a connector, an endoscope apparatus, and an endoscope that make the handling of an endoscope immediately after use easy. SUMMARY

[0005] Means for solving the problem

[0006] The plug of one embodiment of the present application is a plug of a connector that connects one or a plurality of optical waveguides provided to a medical instrument, and includes a coupling portion that is inserted into a receptacle of the connector, a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle, an opening portion that is provided in a concave shape in the connection surface, and a holding portion that is disposed in the opening portion and holds the optical waveguides in such a manner that end surfaces of the optical waveguides face the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides being disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface.

[0007] In addition, the connector of one embodiment of the present application includes a socket and a plug that connect one or a plurality of optical waveguides included in a medical instrument, the plug includes a coupling portion that is inserted into the socket, a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the socket, an opening portion that is provided in a recessed shape in the connection surface, and a holding portion that is disposed in the opening portion and holds the optical waveguides with end surfaces of the optical waveguides facing the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, and the socket includes a recess into which the coupling portion is inserted.

[0008] In addition, the endoscope device of one embodiment of the present application includes an endoscope and an endoscope processor, the endoscope includes a plug, the endoscope processor includes a socket, one or a plurality of optical waveguides included in the endoscope are connected in a state where the plug is inserted into the socket, and the endoscope includes the plug including a coupling portion that is inserted into the socket, a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the socket, an opening portion that is provided in a recessed shape in the connection surface, and a holding portion that is disposed in the opening portion and holds the optical waveguides with end surfaces of the optical waveguides facing the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, the endoscope processor includes a socket including a recess into which the coupling portion is inserted and one or a plurality of emission holes that are formed at positions facing the end surfaces of the one or a plurality of optical waveguides in a state where the coupling portion is fitted into the recess, and a light source device that emits light toward the one or a plurality of emission holes in a state where the coupling portion is fitted into the recess.

[0009] In addition, the endoscope of one embodiment of the present application includes a plug of a connector that connects one or a plurality of optical waveguides, the plug includes a coupling portion that is inserted into a socket of the connector, a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the socket, an opening portion that is provided in a recessed shape in the connection surface, and a holding portion that is disposed in the opening portion and holds the one or a plurality of optical waveguides with end surfaces of the optical waveguides facing the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline structure of an endoscope device including a connector.

[0011] Figure 2is a perspective view of the connector showing a disconnected state.

[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection surface of the plug.

[0013] Figure 4 is a view of the receptacle from the opening direction side.

[0014] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a V-V cross-sectional view of

[0015] Figure 6 is Figure 4 a VI-VI cross-sectional view of

[0016] Figure 7 is a view of the plug from the first direction side.

[0017] Figure 8 is Figure 7 an VIII-VIII cross-sectional view of

[0018] Figure 9 is Figure 7 an IX-IX cross-sectional view of

[0019] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the holding portion unit.

[0020] Figure 11 is a view of the plug and the receptacle in a connected state in a cross section of Figure 5 and Figure 8 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in each of the drawings used in the following description, the scale is sometimes different for each constituent element in order to set each constituent element to a size that can be recognized on the drawing, and the present application is not limited only to the number of constituent elements, the shape of the constituent elements, the ratio of the size of the constituent elements, and the relative positional relationship of each constituent element described in these drawings.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1 , an endoscope apparatus 100 includes an endoscope 1 and an endoscope processor 2 as medical instruments. The endoscope 1 is a so-called electronic endoscope, and has an imaging device that captures an image. The endoscope 1 and the endoscope processor 2 are connected via a connector 4 described later.

[0023] ​The connector 4 includes a plug 10 provided to the endoscope 1 and a socket 50 provided to the endoscope processor 2. The plug 10 and the socket 50 are detachable. Hereinafter, a state in which the connection of the plug 10 and the socket 50 is established in the connector 4 is referred to as a connected state. In addition, a state in which the plug 10 and the socket 50 are separated is referred to as a separated state.

[0024] The endoscope 1 includes the plug 10, one or a plurality of optical waveguides 20, and a circuit 30. The structure of an electronic endoscope is known, and thus detailed explanation is omitted, but the endoscope 1 has an insertion portion that can be inserted into the inside of a human body, a structure, or the like. The insertion portion of the endoscope 1 can be of a type that can be bent and deformed, or can be of a type that cannot be bent and deformed.

[0025] The endoscope 1 has one or a plurality of image pickup devices that capture an image from an observation window provided to the insertion portion. The image pickup device is configured to have an image sensor and an objective lens that forms an object image on a light-receiving surface of the image sensor. The image sensor is also referred to as an imager or an image pickup element.

[0026] The circuit 30 includes a circuit that constitutes the image pickup device. That is, the circuit 30 includes the image sensor. In addition, although not illustrated, in the present embodiment, the circuit 30 includes a storage element that stores characteristic information of a color deviation of the image sensor. In addition, the number and the structure of the circuit 30 provided to the endoscope 1 are not particularly limited. The circuit 30 may, for example, include an electrical switch operated by a user. The circuit 30 is electrically connected to a circuit 2b provided to the endoscope processor 2 in a case where the connector 4 is in the connected state.

[0027] In addition, an illumination window that emits illumination light that illuminates an object of the image pickup device is provided to the insertion portion of the endoscope 1. The illumination light is emitted from a light source device 2a provided to the endoscope processor 2. The illumination light emitted from the light source device 2a is transmitted to the illumination window via the optical waveguide 20 in a case where the connector 4 is in the connected state.

[0028] In the present embodiment, the endoscope 1 has two optical waveguides 20 as an example. In the present embodiment, the optical waveguide 20 is an optical fiber as an example. As described later, as illustrated in FIG. 2, one end surface 20a of the optical waveguide 20 is exposed in the plug 10. The end surface 20a of the optical waveguide 20 is held at a position at which the illumination light emitted from the light source device 2a is incident on the optical waveguide 20 in a case where the connector 4 is in the connected state. In addition, the structure of the optical waveguide 20 is not limited to an optical fiber as long as the optical waveguide 20 has a structure that transmits light incident on the end surface 20a to the illumination window. For example, the optical waveguide 20 can be a relay lens. Figure 3

[0029] ​The endoscope processor 2 includes a socket 50, a light source device 2a, and a circuit 2b. Electric power to drive the endoscope processor 2 can be externally supplied from a commercial power source or the like, or can be supplied from a battery provided in the endoscope processor 2.

[0030] The light source device 2a includes a light source 2c that emits light. The kind of the light source 2c is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, the light source 2c is an LED as an example. In addition, the light source 2c can also be a laser diode, a halogen lamp, or the like. The light source device 2a can also include optical elements such as a lens, a prism, a mirror, a filter, or the like.

[0031] The circuit 2b performs communication with and electric power supply to the circuit 30 provided in the endoscope 1 when the connector 4 is in the connected state. The circuit 2b includes an image processing device. The image processing device processes an image signal output from an imaging device provided in the endoscope 1, and converts the image signal into a signal that can be displayed on an image display device not shown.

[0032] In addition, the image processing device corrects a color deviation of an image displayed on the image display device based on characteristic information of a color deviation of an image sensor stored in a storage element of the circuit 30. This correction of the color deviation is generally called white balance correction.

[0033] Next, the structure of the connector 4 will be described in detail. As described above, the connector 4 includes the plug 10 provided in the endoscope 1 and the socket 50 provided in the endoscope processor 2.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the plug 10 includes a coupling portion 11 that is inserted into the socket 50 provided in the endoscope processor 2. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 The socket 50 is provided with a recess 51. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 The plug 10 includes a coupling portion 11 that is inserted into the recess 51. Figure 11 A connected state in which the coupling portion 11 is inserted into the recess 51 is shown.

[0035] The recess 51 opens at the outer surface of the endoscope processor 2 in a depth direction along a prescribed first axis A. The coupling portion 11 is insertable along the prescribed first axis A fixed to the recess 51 from the front end 11a side. A bottom surface 51a of the recess 51 is planar and orthogonal to the first axis A.

[0036] When the connector 4 is connected, the mating portion 11 is inserted into the recess 51 to a predetermined depth. A planar connecting surface 12 is formed at the front end 11a of the mating portion 11. The connecting surface 12 faces the bottom surface 51a of the recess 51 when the connector 4 is connected.

[0037] In the following description, the straight axis along the insertion direction of the cylindrical joint 11 into the recess 51 is referred to as the second axis B. Furthermore, the second axis B is an imaginary axis fixed to the plug 10. In the connected state of the connector 4, the first axis A and the second axis B are approximately parallel. Additionally, in the following description, in the plug 10, the direction along the second axis B toward the front end 11a side of the joint 11 is referred to as the first direction D1, and the direction opposite to the first direction D1 is referred to as the second direction D2. The first direction D1 when transitioning from the separated state to the connected state refers to the direction in which the joint 11 of the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50. In the connected state, the first direction D1 is the direction relative to the plug 10 along the second axis B (which is a straight axis) toward the bottom surface 51a side of the socket 50. In this embodiment, the connecting surface 12 is a plane orthogonal to the second axis B.

[0038] The recess 51 and the connecting portion 11 are a hole and a shaft that fit together with a predetermined gap, in a so-called clearance fit relationship. The shaft here is, for example, shaft-shaped or rod-shaped, and is a component with a shape that fits into the hole. In addition, the recess 51 and the connecting portion 11 have a structure that restricts relative rotation about the shaft when they are in the fitted state.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, when viewed from a direction parallel to the first axis A, the recess 51 is a D-shaped hole. A D-shaped hole refers to a hole in which, when viewed from a direction parallel to the first axis A, a portion of the cylindrical surface 51b of the circular hole, centered on the first axis A, has a planar portion 51c that is substantially parallel to and separates from the first axis A. The distance between the first axis A and the planar portion 51c is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical surface 51b. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example, the inner circumferential surface of the recess 51 is tapered, tapering towards the bottom surface 51a along the first axis A.

[0040] In addition, such as Figure 7As shown, the coupling portion 11 is a shaft having a D-shaped cross section similar to the inner peripheral shape of the recess 51 when viewed in a direction parallel to the second axis. The D-shaped shaft refers to a shaft in which, when viewed in a direction parallel to the second axis B, a flat portion 11c parallel to and separate from the second axis B is provided in a portion of a cylindrical surface 11b having the second axis B as a central axis. The distance between the second axis B and the flat portion 11c is smaller than the radius of the cylindrical surface 11b. Note that in the present embodiment, the outer peripheral surface of the coupling portion 11 is tapered so as to have a smaller diameter toward the front end 11a along the second axis B.

[0041] When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50 from the separated state, the user visually confirms the flat portion 11c of the coupling portion 11 so that the orientation of the flat portion 11c coincides with the flat portion 51c of the recess 51, whereby the posture of the plug 10 with respect to the rotation direction around the second axis B can be determined.

[0042] In the connected state, the flat portion 51c of the recess 51 opposes the flat portion 11c of the coupling portion 11. Note that the structure for restricting the relative rotation of the recess 51 and the coupling portion 11 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the structure for restricting the relative rotation of the recess 51 and the coupling portion 11 can be such that the recess 51 and the coupling portion 11 are provided as a non-circular hole and a shaft, such as a rectangular or polygonal hole and shaft.

[0043] In addition, the socket 50 includes a locking claw 52, a release lever 53, a plurality of connection pins 54, a guide portion 55, and one or more ejection holes 56. The plug 10 includes a locking hole 11d, a plurality of electrical contacts 15, a hole portion 13, and a holding portion 21.

[0044] The locking claw 52 protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the recess 51 toward the radial inner side and engages with the coupling portion 11 in the connected state. The locking claw 52 restricts the movement of the coupling portion 11 in a direction in which the coupling portion 11 is pulled out of the recess 51 (second direction D2) in the connected state. That is, the locking claw 52 prevents the plug 10 from being detached from the socket 50 in the connector 4 in the connected state.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the locking claw 52 protrudes from the flat portion 51c of the recess 51 toward the direction close to the first axis A. On the other hand, the flat portion 11c of the coupling portion 11 is formed with a concave-shaped locking hole 11d. The locking claw 52 is recessed into the locking hole 11d in the connected state.

[0046] The locking claw 52 releases the engagement with the coupling portion 11 in response to the operation of the release lever 53. In the present embodiment, the locking claw 52 is urged by a spring or the like in the direction approaching the first axis A. Therefore, in the case where no force is applied to the release lever 53 by the user in the connected state, the locking claw 52 maintains the state of engaging with the locking hole lid. Also, in the case where a force is applied to the release lever 53 by the user in the connected state, the locking claw 52 moves in the direction away from the first axis A, and releases the engagement with the locking hole lid. Further, in the mechanism for preventing the plug 10 from falling out of the socket 50, the release lever 53, which is an operation for releasing the engagement of both, can also be provided on the plug 10 side.

[0047] By the fitting of the coupling portion 11 and the recess 51 and the engagement of the locking hole lid and the locking claw 52 as described above, the coupling portion 11 of the plug 10 is held at a predetermined position in the recess 51 of the socket 50 in the connected state.

[0048] Next, the structure for electrically connecting between the plug 10 and the socket 50 will be described.

[0049] A plurality of electric contacts 15 are arranged in the exposed state on the connecting surface 12 of the coupling portion 11 of the plug 10. The plurality of electric contacts 15 are electrically connected to the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1. The surface of each electric contact 15 is a planar surface that is substantially parallel to the connecting surface 12.

[0050] On the other hand, a plurality of connecting pins 54 are arranged on the bottom surface 51a of the recess 51 of the socket 50. The plurality of connecting pins 54 are electrically connected to the circuit 2b of the endoscope processor 2. Each connecting pin 54 protrudes from the bottom surface 51a in the direction parallel to the first axis A toward the opening direction of the recess 51. Each connecting pin 54 is stretchable in the direction parallel to the first axis A. The connecting pin 54 is generally in a form called a spring pin, a spring contact, or the like.

[0051] The plurality of connecting pins 54 are arranged at positions that contact the plurality of electric contacts 15 of the plug 10 in the connected state. The positioning of the plurality of electric contacts 15 and the plurality of connecting pins 54 is performed by the fitting of the coupling portion 11 and the recess 51 and the engagement of the locking hole lid and the locking claw 52 as described above.

[0052] By the contact of the plurality of electric contacts 15 of the plug 10 and the plurality of connecting pins 54 of the socket 50, the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1 and the circuit 2b of the endoscope processor 2 are electrically connected.

[0053] In the present embodiment, in the separated state, one or a plurality of power pins and one or a plurality of ground pins, which are part of the plurality of connection pins 54, protrude toward the opening direction of the recess 51 more than the other connection pins. The power pins are electrically connected to a prescribed potential of the power supply circuit in the circuit 2b. In addition, the ground pins are electrically connected to a ground potential. That is, the power pins and the ground pins are used to supply electric power from the circuit 2b to the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1. Also, the other pins of the plurality of connection pins 54, other than the power pins and the ground pins, are used to perform communication between the circuit 2b and the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1.

[0054] When the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50 from the separated state, the power pins and the ground pins of the plurality of connection pins 54 are electrically connected to the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1 before the other pins. That is, when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50, electric power supply to the circuit 30 is performed first, and then communication between the circuit 2b and the circuit 30 is established. In addition, when the plug 10 is pulled out of the socket 50 from the connected state, electric power supply to the circuit 30 is cut off after communication between the circuit 2b and the circuit 30 is released.

[0055] Thus, at the time of insertion of the plug 10, electric power supply to the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1 is established before communication, and at the time of pulling out of the plug 10, communication is cut off before electric power supply to the circuit 30 of the endoscope 1 is stopped, whereby even if the plug 10 is inserted and pulled out while the power of the endoscope processor 2 is on, damage to the circuit 30 can be prevented, and the circuit 30 can be caused to operate reliably.

[0056] Next, the structure in which one or a plurality of optical waveguides 20 are connected between the plug 10 and the socket 50 will be described.

[0057] Here, connection of the optical waveguide 20 means that the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20, which is an optical fiber, is held in a prescribed optical path. Specifically, connection of the optical waveguide 20 in the present embodiment means that the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 disposed on the plug 10 side is held at a position at which illumination light emitted from the light source device 2a is incident on the end face 20a.

[0058] First, the structure in the plug 10 related to connection of the optical waveguide 20 will be described.

[0059] In the plug 10, one or a plurality of optical waveguides 20 are held by a holding portion 21. The holding portion 21 holds the optical waveguide 20 in such a manner that the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 faces the first direction D1.

[0060] The end face 20a of the one or more optical waveguides 20 is disposed at a position further to the second direction D2 than the connection face 12. That is, the front end 11a of the coupling portion 11 of the plug 10 protrudes further to the front end side (first direction D1 side) than the end face 20a of the one or more optical waveguides 20.

[0061] In the present embodiment, the endoscope 1 includes two optical waveguides 20 and one holding portion 21 that holds the two waveguides 20, for example.

[0062] The holding portion 21 is disposed in a hole portion 13 that is a concave shape and that is open at the connection face 12. As described above, the connection face 12 is a plane that is orthogonal to the second axis B. The hole portion 13 is a hole that is open at the connection face 12 and that has the second direction D2 as a depth direction.

[0063] The holding portion 21 is a columnar shape that extends along the second axis B. The holding portion 21 protrudes from a bottom face 13b of the hole portion 13 toward the first direction D1. A face of an end portion of the holding portion 21 on the first direction D1 side is referred to as a front end face 21a. The front end face 21a of the holding portion 21 is a plane that is orthogonal to the second axis B. The front end face 21a is exposed in the plug 10 toward the first direction D1.

[0064] The holding portion 21 is separated from an inner side face 13a of the hole portion 13. That is, a gap is formed around the holding portion 21 when viewed from the first direction D1 along the second axis B. The front end face 21a is disposed at a position further to the second direction D2 than the connection face 12. That is, the front end face 21a is disposed at a position further to the inside than the opening of the hole portion 13.

[0065] Two through holes 21b that pass through the holding portion 21 in parallel with the second axis B are formed in the holding portion 21. One end of the through hole 21b is open at the front end face 21a, and the other end is open at an internal space of the plug 10. The internal space of the plug 10 communicates with an internal space of the endoscope 1 in which the optical waveguide 20 is inserted.

[0066] The optical waveguide 20 is inserted in the through hole 21b. The optical waveguide 20 is fixed to the holding portion 21 at a position at which the end face 20a and the front end face 21a are substantially coincident.

[0067] In addition, the holding portion 21 includes a plurality of protruding portions 21d. The plurality of protruding portions 21d protrude from an outer peripheral face 21c of the holding portion 21 and extend along the second axis B.

[0068] Specifically, the holding portion 21 of the present embodiment has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the first direction D1 along the second axis B. The plurality of protrusions 21d are respectively provided at the four corners of the rectangular holding portion 21. In the present embodiment, the holding portion 21 has a tapered shape that becomes thinner toward the first direction D1. When viewed from the first direction D1 along the second axis B, the two through-holes 21b are arranged along the length direction of the rectangular holding portion 21 at the front end surface 21a.

[0069] In addition, the holding portion 21 can be either a configuration in which one single member holds one or a plurality of optical waveguides 20 or a configuration in which a plurality of members hold one or a plurality of optical waveguides 20.

[0070] In the present embodiment, as an example, the holding portion 21 is configured of two joints 22 and one main body portion 23. Each joint 22 is a substantially cylindrical shape with an axis parallel to the second axis B as a central axis, and one through-hole 21b is formed therein. That is, one joint 22 holds one optical waveguide 20. The main body portion 23 holds two joints 22. The main body portion 23 has a columnar shape extending along the second axis B, and is provided with the plurality of protrusions 21d described above.

[0071] In the present embodiment, the holding portion 21 is a so-called floating member that allows relative movement within a prescribed range with respect to the coupling portion 11. The holding portion 21 is a floating member, and thus can accurately hold the end surfaces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 at a prescribed position regardless of the state of fitting of the coupling portion 11 and the recess 51 of the receptacle 50, the details of which will be described later. In addition, fitting of the coupling portion 11 and the recess 51 and fitting of the holding portion 21 and the guide portion 55 can be prevented from becoming a double fitting relationship.

[0072] The structure that allows relative movement of the holding portion 21 with respect to the coupling portion 11 will be described. The holding portion 21 and the coupling portion 11 are configured of separate different members. Figure 10 The holding portion 21 alone is shown. As described above, the coupling portion 11 is formed with the connection surface 12 and the hole portion 13. The through-hole 13c is formed at the bottom surface 13b of the hole portion 13. One end of the through-hole 13c is open at the bottom surface 13b, and the other end is open at the inner wall surface 11e of the plug 10. The inner wall surface 11e is a plane that faces the second direction D2 and is orthogonal to the second axis B.

[0073] The holding portion 21 is inserted from the second direction D2 side toward the first direction D1 side within the through-hole 13c. A gap of a prescribed width is formed between the outer peripheral surface 21c of the holding portion 21 and the through-hole 13c.

[0074] A protrusion 21e is formed at the end portion of the outer peripheral surface 21c of the holding portion 21 in the second direction D2. The outer shape of the protrusion 21e is larger than the through-hole 13c. In addition, the plug 10 includes an elastic member 24 that applies a force to the holding portion 21 in the first direction D1. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastic member 24 is a compression coil spring, for example. The elastic member 24 can also be a leaf spring, a tension coil spring, or the like. In addition, the elastic member 24 can be rubber, urethane foam, or the like.

[0075] In a state in which no external force is applied to the holding portion 21, the state in which the protrusion 21e is in abutment with the inner wall surface 11e is maintained by the force of the elastic member 24. In the state in which the protrusion 21e is in abutment with the inner wall surface 11e, the front end surface 21a of the holding portion 21 is orthogonal to the second axis B. In a state in which an external force is applied to the holding portion 21, the holding portion 21 moves with respect to the coupling portion 11. The movement of the holding portion 21 with respect to the coupling portion 11 includes not only movement in a direction orthogonal to the second axis B but also movement in the second direction D2, rotation about the second axis B, and rotation in which the inclination with respect to the second axis B changes.

[0076] The structure related to the connection of the optical waveguide 20 in the socket 50 will be described.

[0077] A guide portion 55 and one or a plurality of emission holes 56 are provided in the recess 51 of the socket 50.

[0078] The guide portion 55 protrudes from the bottom surface 51a of the recess 51 in the opening direction along the first axis A. The guide portion 55 is a cylindrical shape having a hole 55a parallel to the first axis A. The hole 55a of the guide portion 55 opens in the opening direction of the recess 51. In other words, the guide portion 55 is a protruding wall portion that protrudes from the bottom surface 51a of the recess 51 and is disposed along the periphery of the hole 55a.

[0079] The bottom surface 55b of the hole 55a is a plane orthogonal to the first axis A. The bottom surface 55b of the hole 55a is located at a position on the opening direction side from the bottom surface 51a of the recess 51. In the present embodiment, the hole 55a is tapered in a shape that the diameter becomes smaller as it goes toward the bottom surface 55b along the first axis A, for example.

[0080] In the connected state, the holding portion 21 of the plug 10 is fitted in the hole 55a of the guide portion 55 in a manner that has a prescribed gap. In addition, in the connected state, the front end surface 21a of the holding portion 21 is in abutment with the bottom surface 55b of the hole 55a.

[0081] In the connected state, the holding portion 21 is fitted in the hole 55a of the guide portion 55, and abuts against the bottom surface 55b, whereby the holding portion 21 is positioned at a prescribed position with respect to the recess 51 of the socket 50. That is, by the fitting of the holding portion 21 and the guide portion 55, the end face 20a of the one or more optical waveguides 20 is positioned at a prescribed position within the socket 50.

[0082] One or more emission holes 56 are formed in the bottom surface 55b of the hole 55a of the guide portion 55. Each of the emission holes 56 has one end opening in the bottom surface 55b and the other end opening in the internal space of the endoscope processor 2.

[0083] The light source device 2a is disposed at the other end of the emission hole 56. Illumination light emitted from the light source device 2a is incident to the emission hole 56. That is, the emission hole 56 is a window that emits the illumination light.

[0084] The one or more emission holes 56 are disposed at positions opposite to the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 in the connected state. In the present embodiment, two emission holes 56 are opened in the bottom surface 55b.

[0085] In the connected state, the illumination light emitted from the light source device 2a is incident to the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 through the emission hole 56. In this way, the guide portion 55 guides the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 to the position opposite to the emission hole 56 when the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 50. By holding the end face 20a of the optical waveguide 20 at the position opposite to the emission hole 56, the connection of the optical waveguide 20 is established.

[0086] As described above, in the present embodiment, in the plug 10, the end faces 20a of two optical waveguides 20 are held by one holding portion 21. Further, the holding portion 21 is a floating member that is allowed to move within a prescribed range with respect to the coupling portion 11 inserted into the socket 50. In the connected state, even if the coupling portion 11 slightly moves with respect to the recess 51, the front end face 21a of the holding portion 21 is maintained in a state of being pressed against the bottom surface 55b by the force of the elastic member 24. Therefore, in the connector 4 of the present embodiment, it is possible to stably hold both of the end faces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 at the positions opposite to the two emission holes 56, and it is possible to reduce variations in the transfer efficiency of the illumination light from the light source device 2a to the optical waveguides 20.

[0087] When the endoscope 1 is used, heat emitted from the light source device 2a is transferred to the end faces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 and the front end face 21a of the holding portion 21, and thus the end faces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 and the holding portion 21 become high temperatures.

[0088] In the plug 10 of the present embodiment, the holding portion 21 is disposed in the hole portion 13 that is open at the connection surface 12, and only the front end surface 21a is exposed toward the first direction Dl. In addition, the front end surface 21a of the holding portion 21 is located at a position that is closer to the second direction D2 opposite to the first direction Dl than the connection surface 12. That is, the periphery of the outer peripheral surface 21c of the holding portion 21 is surrounded by the inner side surface 13a of the hole portion 13 that is separate from the holding portion 21. The inner side surface 13a of the hole portion 13 is part of the joint portion 11. The joint portion 11 is spaced apart from the light source device 2a by a space at the time of use of the endoscope, and thus the amount of heat transferred from the light source device 2a is small, and in addition, since the joint portion 11 is in contact with the recessed portion 51 of the socket 50, heat dissipation is easy. Thus, at the time of use of the endoscope, the temperature of the joint portion 11 is lower than the end surfaces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 and the holding portion 21.

[0089] As described above, in the plug 10 of the present embodiment, the periphery of the holding portion 21 and the end surfaces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 that become high temperature after use is surrounded by the joint portion 11 that is low temperature. Thus, in the present embodiment, at the time of extraction of the plug 10 from the socket 50 after use of the endoscope 1, contact with other objects of the holding portion 21 and the end surfaces 20a of the two optical waveguides 20 that are high temperature is prevented.

[0090] As described above, the plug 10, the connector 4, and the endoscope device 100 of the present embodiment can prevent contact of the portion of the plug 10 that becomes high temperature with other objects, and thus can easily perform processing of the endoscope immediately after use.

[0091] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed within a range not deviating from the gist or the idea of the present application read from the entire claims and the specification, and a plug, a connector, an endoscope device, and an endoscope accompanying such a change are also included in the technical scope of the present application.

[0092] In the above-described embodiments, as an example of a medical instrument having an optical waveguide, an endoscope is exemplified, but the medical instrument is not limited to an endoscope. For example, the medical instrument can be a treatment instrument that emits light emitted from a light source device connected by a connector. In addition, the light emitted by the medical instrument is not limited to light for illuminating a subject of an imaging device. For example, the light emitted by the light source device can be light for sterilization, heating, or the like.

Claims

1. A plug which is a plug of a connector connecting a plurality of optical waveguides provided in a medical instrument, characterized by comprising: The plug has: a coupling portion that is inserted into a receptacle of the connector; a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle; an opening portion that is provided in a concave shape in the connection surface; and a holding portion that is provided in the opening portion, the holding portion holding the plurality of optical waveguides in a manner in which end surfaces of the plurality of optical waveguides face the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, the holding portion is a columnar shape that extends in the first direction, and has a plurality of protrusions that protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the holding portion and extend in the first direction, the holding portion holds a plurality of connectors that are formed with through holes into which the end surfaces of the plurality of optical waveguides are inserted, and the plurality of optical waveguides are fixed to the holding portion at positions at which the end surfaces of the plurality of optical waveguides coincide with a front end surface of the holding portion.

2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein a position of the coupling portion is fixed with respect to the holding portion.

3. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is a floating member that is formed separately from the coupling portion.

4. The plug according to claim 3, wherein the plug includes an elastic member that exerts a force on the holding portion in the first direction.

5. The plug according to claim 1, wherein an outer shape of the coupling portion is a non-circular shape.

6. The plug according to claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of the coupling portion is a D-shaped form.

7. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the connection surface has a plurality of electrical contacts.

8. The plug according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion has a front end surface that is orthogonal to the first direction and faces the first direction, in the front end surface, the end surfaces of the plurality of optical waveguides are exposed.

9. A connector that has a receptacle and a plug that connects a plurality of optical waveguides that are provided in a medical instrument, characterized in that the plug has: a coupling portion that is inserted into the receptacle; a connection surface that is formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle; an opening portion that is provided in a concave shape in the connection surface; and a holding portion that is provided in the opening portion, the holding portion holding the plurality of optical waveguides in a manner in which end surfaces of the plurality of optical waveguides face the first direction, the holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, the receptacle has a recess into which the coupling portion is inserted, the holding portion is a columnar shape that extends in the first direction, and has a plurality of protrusions that protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the holding portion and extend in the first direction, ​ ​ The one holding portion holds a plurality of joints formed with through holes for the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides to be inserted thereinto, and the plurality of optical waveguides are fixed to the one holding portion at positions where the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides coincide with the front end face of the one holding portion.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein The receptacle includes: a guide portion having a hole for the holding portion to be fitted in a state where the coupling portion is fitted in the recess; and a plurality of emission holes formed at positions opposite to the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides in the hole in a state where the holding portion is fitted in the guide portion.

11. An endoscope device provided with an endoscope having a plug and an endoscope processor having a receptacle, the endoscope device connecting a plurality of optical waveguides provided in the endoscope together in a state where the plug is inserted into the receptacle, characterized in that the endoscope has a plug provided with: a coupling portion inserted into the receptacle; a connection surface formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle; an opening portion provided in a recessed shape at the connection surface; and one holding portion disposed in the opening portion, the one holding portion holding the plurality of optical waveguides in a manner in which the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides face the first direction, the one holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, the one holding portion is in a columnar shape extending in the first direction and has a plurality of protrusions protruding from an outer peripheral surface of the one holding portion and extending in the first direction, the one holding portion holds a plurality of joints formed with through holes for the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides to be inserted thereinto, and the plurality of optical waveguides are fixed to the one holding portion at positions where the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides coincide with the front end face of the one holding portion, the endoscope processor has: a receptacle provided with a recess into which the coupling portion is inserted and a plurality of emission holes formed at positions opposite to the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides in a state where the coupling portion is fitted in the recess; and a light source device that emits light toward the plurality of emission holes in a state where the coupling portion is fitted in the recess.

12. A plug of a connector that connects a plurality of optical waveguides, characterized in that the plug is provided with: a coupling portion inserted into a receptacle of the connector; a connection surface formed at an end portion of the coupling portion in a first direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle; an opening portion provided in a recessed shape at the connection surface; and one holding portion disposed in the opening portion, the one holding portion holding the plurality of optical waveguides in a manner in which the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides face the first direction, the one holding portion and the optical waveguides are disposed at positions on a second direction side opposite to the first direction from the connection surface, ​ ​ The one holding portion is cylindrical in shape extending along the first direction, has a plurality of protrusions protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the holding portion and extending along the first direction, The one holding portion holds a plurality of connectors formed with through holes for the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides to be inserted, the plurality of optical waveguides being fixed to the one holding portion at positions where the end faces of the plurality of optical waveguides coincide with a front end surface of the one holding portion.

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