Endoscope, distal end frame member for endoscope, and insertion section for endoscope

Abstract

An endoscope (1) has: an imager unit mounting region (26) provided on a distal end side of a distal end frame member (21) that is provided on a distal end portion (6) of an insertion portion (2) that is inserted into a subject and is formed of a resin material and that mounts an imager unit (30); a cable connection surface (44) provided on a proximal end side; a wall portion (40) provided in a manner that connects an opening portion of the imager unit mounting region (26) and an opening portion of the cable connection surface (44); a contact pattern (51a-54a) formed on a wall surface (26a) of the imager unit mounting region (26); a wiring pattern (51-54) formed from the wall portion (40) on a surface of the cable connection surface (44) and electrically connected to the contact pattern (51a-54a); and a connection pattern (51a-54a) formed on the cable connection surface (44) and electrically connected to the wiring pattern (51-54) and electrically connected to core wires (61a-64a) of cables (61-64) in a space (A) formed inside the distal end portion (6) by the cable connection surface (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope having electronic components encapsulated in a distal end portion of an insertion portion, a distal end frame member of the endoscope, and an insertion portion of the endoscope. Background Art

[0002] In the past, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical and industrial fields to observe parts of a living body or structure that are difficult to observe directly, such as the interior of the living body or structure. The endoscopes are formed to be able to be introduced from the outside toward the inside of the living body or structure and have a structure that can form an optical image or photograph the optical image.

[0003] In such an endoscope, the front end portion provided at the front end of the insertion portion is mainly composed of a front end unit in which various functional components are provided on a rigid front end frame. In recent years, front end frames using molded interconnected device (MID) technology have been proposed as the front end frames of such front end units. For example, International Publication No. WO2015 / 082328 discloses an endoscope head as the front end unit of an endoscope. The endoscope head comprises: a head body, which is a front end frame composed of MID elements formed with multiple conductive circuits; and various electronic components such as a camera module as an imaging unit, which is an imager unit supplied with power via the conductive circuits.

[0004] Here, in MID technology, a metal pattern can be formed only on the resin surface that can be irradiated with a laser beam, etc. International Publication No. WO2015 / 082329, a prior art technology, employs a structure in which an opening is provided on one side of the camera storage space, and a conductive path serving as a wiring pattern electrically connected to the camera module is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the front end frame that is continuous with the opening.

[0005] In addition, the endoscope is configured to transmit and receive signals for either power supply or shooting signals for an electronic component, i.e., a camera module, arranged at the front end of the insertion portion, by connecting multiple cables arranged at the insertion portion from an operating portion on the hand side to electrical contacts, i.e., terminals, of the camera module.

[0006] However, in terms of electrical cabling work, a cable connection area needs to have a certain size, but there is a problem in that it is difficult to secure such space within the distal end portion of the endoscope.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and its object is to provide an endoscope, an end frame member of the endoscope, and an insertion portion of the endoscope that can improve the electrical connection workability between electronic components mounted on the distal end portion of the insertion portion and multiple cables. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Means for solving problems

[0009] An endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an insertion portion that is inserted into a subject; an imager unit that has an objective optical system and converts an optical image from the objective optical system into an electrical signal; and a front end frame member that is provided at the front end portion of the insertion portion, is formed of resin, and carries the imager unit, wherein the front end frame member comprises: an imager unit carrying area that is provided on the front end side and carries the imager unit; a cable connection surface that is provided on the base end side; a wall portion that is provided so as to connect an opening of the imager unit carrying area and an opening of the cable connection surface; a contact pattern that is formed on the wall surface of the imager unit carrying area and is electrically connected to an electrical contact of the imager unit; a wiring pattern that is formed on the surface of the cable connection surface from the wall portion and is electrically connected to the contact pattern; and a connection pattern that is formed on the cable connection surface, is electrically connected to the wiring pattern, and is electrically connected to a core wire of a cable arranged in the insertion portion within a space formed in the front end portion through the cable connection surface.

[0010] 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one end of the endoscope is configured to extend from one end of the at least one optical fiber of the endoscope to the other end of the optical fiber. The at least one end of the endoscope comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a second end portion of the at least one optical fiber. The first end portion comprises a second end portion, a second end portion, and a second end portion of the at least one optical fiber. The second end portion comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a second end portion of the at least one optical fiber.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, an insertion portion of an endoscope for observing a subject is provided with a front end frame component at the front end, and the front end frame component has: an imager unit mounting area, which is equipped with an imager unit that converts an optical image from an objective optical system into an electrical signal; a cable connection surface, which is provided on the base end side; a wall portion, which is provided between the imager unit mounting area and the cable connection surface; a contact pattern, which is formed on the wall surface of the imager unit mounting area and is electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the imager unit; a wiring pattern, which is formed on the surface of the cable connection surface from the wall portion and is electrically conductive to the contact pattern; and a connection pattern, which is formed on the cable connection surface, is electrically conductive to the wiring pattern, and is electrically connected to the core wire of the cable arranged in the insertion portion in the space formed in the front end portion through the cable connection surface.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, an endoscope, an endoscope distal end frame member, and an endoscope insertion portion can be provided that can improve the workability of electrical connection between electronic components mounted on a distal end portion of an insertion portion and a plurality of cables. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 The first embodiment of the present invention is a plan view of the appearance of an endoscope.

[0015] Figure 2 As above, this is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

[0016] Figure 3 As above, this is a perspective view showing the structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

[0017] Figure 4 As above, this is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0018] Figure 5 As above, this is a plan view showing the structure of the back side of the camera module.

[0019] Figure 6 As above, this is a front view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0020] Figure 7 As above, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0021] Figure 8 As above, this is a plan view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0022] Figure 9 As above, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

[0023] Figure 10Same as above, the front end of the insertion part is along Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the main parts along line IX-IX.

[0024] Figure 11 Same as above, the curved portion of the insertion portion is along Figure 8 Cross-sectional view of the main parts along line XX.

[0025] Figure 12 As above, regarding the first modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0026] Figure 13 As above, regarding the second modified example, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0027] Figure 14 As above, regarding the second modified example, this is a plan view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0028] Figure 15 The second embodiment of the present invention is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a front end frame member in which a through hole is formed.

[0029] Figure 16 As above, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0030] Figure 17 As above, this is a front view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0031] Figure 18 As above, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0032] Figure 19 As above, regarding the first modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0033] Figure 20 As above, regarding the first modified example, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0034] Figure 21 As above, regarding the second modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0035] Figure 22 As above, regarding the second modified example, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0036] Figure 23 As above, regarding the third modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0037] Figure 24 As above, regarding the third modified example, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0038] Figure 25 As above, regarding the fourth modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0039] Figure 26 As above, regarding the fifth modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0040] Figure 27 As above, regarding the fifth modification, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0041] Figure 28 As above, regarding the sixth modification, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a front end frame member in which a through hole is formed.

[0042] Figure 29 As above, regarding the sixth modification, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0043] Figure 30 As above, regarding the sixth modification, this is a front view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0044] Figure 31 As above, regarding the sixth modification, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0045] Figure 32 As above, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a front end frame member on which a side-view type camera module is mounted, relating to a seventh modification.

[0046] Figure 33 As above, regarding the eighth modification, this is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0047] Figure 34 As above, regarding the eighth modification, this is a front view showing the structure of the front end frame member.

[0048] Figure 35 As above, regarding the eighth modification, this is a cross-sectional view of the front end frame member for explaining a state where the camera module is reflow-soldered to the front end frame member.

[0049] Figure 36 As above, regarding the eighth modification, this is a plan view showing the structure of the mounting surface of the module storage room.

[0050] Figure 37 As above, regarding the ninth modification, this is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the front end frame member and the bending piece.

[0051] Figure 38 As above, regarding the ninth modification, this is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion.

[0052] Figure 39As above, regarding the ninth modification, it is to show that the front end portion is along Figure 38 A cross-sectional view of the structure along line XXXVIII-XXXVIII.

[0053] Figure 40 As above, regarding the tenth modification, the structure of the distal end frame member is shown, and it is a perspective view viewed from the proximal end side.

[0054] Figure 41 As above, regarding the tenth modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of a front end frame member in which a slope is formed on one side portion within the rib.

[0055] Figure 42 As above, regarding the tenth modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of a front end frame member in which inclined surfaces are formed on both side portions within the rib.

[0056] Figure 43 As above, regarding the eleventh modified example, the structure of the distal end frame member is shown, and it is a perspective view viewed from the proximal end side.

[0057] Figure 44 As above, regarding the eleventh modified example, this is a rear view showing the structure of the front end frame member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The following describes a distal end frame member, distal end unit, and endoscope according to one embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the drawings illustrating the various embodiments are schematic, and it should be noted that the relationship between the thickness and width of each component, the ratio of the thickness of each component, and the like may differ from reality. Furthermore, the drawings may also include components with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0059] In addition, regarding the endoscope in the following structural description, a so-called soft endoscope with a flexible insertion portion is used for insertion from the bronchi, urinary tract, and esophagus of a living body into the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, etc., but it can also be applied to a so-called rigid endoscope with a hard insertion portion used for surgery.

[0060] (First embodiment)

[0061] An endoscope according to one aspect of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment is configured to include: a long and slender insertion portion 2 to be inserted into a subject, an operating portion 3, and a universal cable 4 as a composite cable. The insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 is configured to include, in order from the distal end, a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 7, and a flexible tubular portion 8.

[0063] At the operating portion 3, a bending operation knob 14 for performing bending operation on the bending portion 7 of the insertion portion 2 is rotatably provided, and switches 15 and 16 for switching observation images such as various endoscopic functions, near-point observation, far-point observation, release, and still images, as well as a fixing rod 17 for fixing the rotation of the bending operation knob 14 are provided.

[0064] The bending operation knob 14 is arranged so that two substantially disc-shaped rotation knobs, namely, a UD bending operation knob 12 for vertically bending the bending portion 7 and an RL bending operation knob 13 for horizontally bending the bending portion 7, overlap.

[0065] In addition, the connection portion between the insertion portion 2 and the operating portion 3 is constructed to include: a grip portion 11 for the user to grip; and a treatment instrument insertion channel insertion portion 18 arranged on the grip portion 11, and the treatment instrument insertion channel insertion portion 18 is an opening portion of a treatment instrument insertion channel for inserting various treatment instruments arranged on the insertion portion 2.

[0066] The universal cable 4 extending from the operating portion 3 has an endoscope connector 20 at its extension end that is detachably connected to a light source device (not shown). In addition, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment transmits illumination light from the light source device (not shown) to the distal end portion 6 via a light guide (not shown) of an illumination unit provided through the insertion portion 2, the operating portion 3, and the universal cable 4.

[0067] Although not shown here, the endoscope connector 20 is connected to a coiled cable, and an electric connector that is detachably connected to a video processor (not shown) is provided at an extended end of the cable.

[0068] Here, the following Figure 2 and Figure 3 The structure of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the known structure of the insertion portion 2 will be simplified or omitted.

[0069] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the front end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 has a front end frame component 21 serving as a front frame (also called a front end structural portion or a front end hard portion), and the front end frame component 21 is provided with an observation window 31, a lighting window 25 and a channel opening portion 24 on the front end surface 21a, and is a frame component formed of a resin material having an insulating, non-conductive, and roughly cylindrical block.

[0070] The front end frame member 21 has a generally circular cross-section perpendicular to the central axis X at its front end. A tubular bending rubber 23 is applied from midway toward the base end, with the front end of the bending rubber 23 secured by a wire-wound adhesive portion 23a. Furthermore, the bending rubber 23 integrally covers the bending tubes, or multiple bending pieces 22 (22A), provided in the bending portion 7. The multiple bending pieces 22 (22A) are rotatably connected to one another by pivotal supports 22a, such as rivets.

[0071] In the front end portion 6 of the present embodiment, a rigid and substantially cylindrical front end frame member 21 made of a molded circuit member (MID: Molded Interconnect Device) is provided. Figure 4 As shown, various functional components such as a camera module 30 as an imaging unit are provided on the front end frame member 21 .

[0072] Here, the camera module 30, which is one of the functional components in this embodiment and is provided on the front end frame component 21, is composed of, for example, a camera lens unit, a glass cover, and a CSP (Chip Size Package). The camera lens unit is composed of a lens stack produced using wafer-level optical technology, and the CSP is formed by integrally stacking and packaging a lens unit 32 and an imaging element 33 adhered to the glass cover via an adhesive layer.

[0073] In such a camera module 30 , the lens unit 32 is manufactured by, for example, preparing a plurality of lens wafers each having lenses formed on a base material such as a glass substrate, laminating these lens wafers, and dicing them.

[0074] Therefore, the lens unit 32 of this embodiment is a lens unit that has a rectangular shape when viewed from above and does not have a lens frame. Furthermore, the imaging element 33 is also formed into a rectangular shape when viewed from above by cutting or the like. The camera module 30 of this embodiment has an overall, generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, with a lens surface of approximately 1 mm square, which is very small.

[0075] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the camera module 30 is provided with a plurality of terminals 33 a serving as electrical contacts on the back surface of the imaging element 33 , in this case, four terminals 33 a .

[0076] The distal end frame member 21 is formed into a generally columnar shape (specifically, a generally cylindrical shape in the present embodiment) by injection molding using, for example, a resin material. Furthermore, the distal end frame member 21 has a large diameter portion 35 on the distal end side, and a first small diameter portion 36 is formed from the large diameter portion 35 toward the proximal end side. The first small diameter portion 36 has a step radially inward from the large diameter portion 35 and is covered by the bending rubber 23. A second small diameter portion 37 is formed further from the first small diameter portion 36 toward the proximal end side, serving as a fitting portion. The second small diameter portion 37 has a step radially inward from the first small diameter portion 36 and is fitted with the distal end portion of the distalmost bending piece 22A.

[0077] The diameter of the large-diameter portion 35 of the distal end frame member 21 is very small, for example, approximately 2 mm to 5 mm. The distal end surface 21a, which forms the distal end surface of the distal end portion 6, and a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 35, located distally of the wire-wound adhesive portion 23a, form the outer peripheral shape of the distal end portion 6. Therefore, the resin material constituting the distal end frame member 21 is selected to be not only suitable for MID technology but also biocompatible. Furthermore, the diameter of the insertion portion 2 of this embodiment is also thin, for example, approximately 2 mm to 5 mm.

[0078] Here, in this embodiment, the front end frame part 21 refers to a resin part formed by injection molding, for example, and the surface of the front end frame part 21 has various wiring patterns of metal patterns (described later), and the various wiring patterns of the metal patterns are obtained using MID technology to form circuits by plating the part activated by irradiating a laser beam onto the surface.

[0079] The large diameter portion 35 of the front end frame member 21 is formed with a rectangular recessed module storage chamber 26 as an imaging unit mounting area. The module storage chamber 26 is a storage chamber for storing a camera module 30 as an optical functional component; and a lighting component storage chamber 28 for storing a light guide bundle 72 as an optical functional component from the base end side (see FIG. Figure 10 ) of the front end portion, and the front end side is embedded into the lighting window 25 of the lighting lens 34 of the storage chamber; and the channel holding chamber 27, which is provided with the disposal instrument channel 71 (reference Figure 9 ) is inserted through the front end portion and held.

[0080] The channel holding chamber 27 and the lighting component storage chamber 28 are through-holes having a circular cross section that penetrate from the distal end surface 21 a of the distal end frame member 21 through the proximal end surface 21 b.

[0081] The module storage chamber 26 has a front end opening portion at the front end surface 21a of the front end frame member 21, and is Figure 6As shown, the module housing chamber 26 has a planar wall, or mounting surface 26a, perpendicular to the central axis X (insertion axis) in the depth direction. The side of the module housing chamber 26 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X (upward when viewed on the page) is open. The module housing chamber 26 is a rectangular recessed portion having a shape generally similar to the outer shape of the camera module 30. Furthermore, the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21 coincides with the longitudinal central axis of the insertion portion 2 when the insertion portion is in a straight position.

[0082] Four contact patterns 51a to 54a are formed on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26. These four contact patterns 51a to 54a are wiring patterns that electrically connect to the four terminals 33a (here, four in number), which are electrical contacts, provided on the back surface of the imaging element 33 of the camera module 30. Of these four contact patterns 51a to 54a, the contact patterns 51a and 54a on both sides are formed so that their midsections are aligned with the terminals 33a of the camera module 30 and are bent inward. These four contact patterns 51a to 54a are also formed using MID technology.

[0083] When the camera module 30 is housed in the module housing chamber 26, the front end frame member 21 is fastened with a cover 29 (see FIG. 2 ) that closes the opening on the side thereof by bonding or the like. Figure 4 ) In addition, the camera module 30 is installed in the module storage chamber 26 in such a manner that the optical axis O of the photographic light is parallel to the central axis X.

[0084] In addition, the front end frame member 21 may also be structured such that the opening on the side is not covered by the cover 29, but is filled with a resin material such as a bottom filler material in the same range as the area covered by the cover 29, or in the range corresponding to covering the camera module 30 and the wirings 51 to 54 described later.

[0085] The cover 29 is formed to have a semilunar cross-section with stepped arcuate surfaces 35a and 36a, so that when the cover 29 is mounted on the front end frame member 21, its outer circumference coincides with the large diameter portion 35 and the small diameter portion 36. Furthermore, a joining surface 41 is formed on the large diameter portion 35 of the front end frame member 21 to join with the bottom surface of the cover 29.

[0086] In addition, if Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the front end frame component 21 has: a first wiring forming surface 42, which is a plane parallel to the central axis X and has a slight step difference from the joint surface 41 of the large diameter portion 35 to the radial inner side (in the direction of the central axis X); a second wiring forming surface 43, which is an inclined surface inclined radially inward at a prescribed angle from the first wiring forming surface 42 toward the base end side in the first small diameter portion 36; and a third wiring forming surface 44, which is a plane parallel to the central axis X and from the second wiring forming surface 43 toward the base end side from the middle of the first small diameter portion 36 to the second small diameter portion 37.

[0087] Specifically, the front end frame member 21 is formed with two planes (first and third wiring forming surfaces 42 and 44) ​​extending in the direction of the central axis X and at different horizontal positions, and an inclined surface (second wiring forming surface) connecting these two planes is formed. Therefore, the front end frame member 21 forms a wall portion 40 between the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 and the second wiring forming surface 43.

[0088] Furthermore, the second wiring forming surface 43 , which is the sloped surface of the proximal end surface of the wall portion 40 , is inclined from the proximal end side of the first wiring forming surface 42 toward the distal end side of the third wiring forming surface 44 .

[0089] In addition, the third wiring forming surface 44 on the base end side constitutes a cable connection surface, on which four rectangular solder pads 51b to 54b serving as cable connection electrodes for connecting the core wires 61a to 64a of the four cables 61 to 64 for power supply and signal are arranged in parallel with a prescribed separation distance in a direction perpendicular to the center axis X.

[0090] Four wiring patterns 51 to 54, or conductive paths, are formed on the first to third wiring forming surfaces 42 to 44. These paths electrically connect the four contact patterns 51a to 54a formed on the mounting surface 26a to the four pads 51b to 54b formed on the third wiring forming surface 44. Specifically, the four wiring patterns 51 to 54 are formed from the first wiring forming surface 42 across the third wiring forming surface 44.

[0091] Here, the four wiring patterns 51-54 formed on the first wiring forming surface 42 are aligned with the four terminals 33a, which are electrodes of the camera module 30, which are very small, for example, 1 mm square. The distance d between the adjacent longitudinal center axes e1-e4 is set to be short (small). Furthermore, the distance d between the four wiring patterns 51-54 on the first wiring forming surface 42 is set to be, for example, the same as the width of the terminals 33a of the camera module 30.

[0092] On the other hand, regarding the four wiring patterns 51 to 54 formed on the third wiring forming surface 44, taking into account the operability of connecting the core wires 61a to 64a of the four cables 61 to 64 to the four pads 51b to 54b by solder, etc., the separation distance D of the adjacent length center axes E1 to E4 is set to be longer (larger) than the separation distance d of the four wiring patterns 51 to 54 of the first wiring forming surface 42.

[0093] Therefore, four wiring patterns 51 to 54 are formed on the second wiring forming surface 43 , which is the slope connecting the first wiring forming surface 42 and the third wiring forming surface 44 , and extend radially inward, ie, in the direction of the central axis X.

[0094] That is, Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the front end frame member 21 is configured such that the width W of the third wiring-forming surface 44 is greater (larger) than the width w of the first wiring-forming surface 42 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X (W>w). Furthermore, the width w of the first wiring-forming surface 42 is equal to the width of the mounting surface 26a. In other words, the width W of the third wiring-forming surface 44 is greater (larger) than the width of the camera module 30.

[0095] Furthermore, the length of the third wiring forming surface 44 in the direction along the central axis X is also set to be longer than that of the first wiring forming surface 42 , and the third wiring forming surface 44 has a larger surface area than the first wiring forming surface 42 .

[0096] Therefore, the surface area of ​​the four pads 51b to 54b formed on the third wiring forming surface 44 can also be increased, thereby improving the connection workability of the core wires 61a to 64a of the four cables 61 to 64.

[0097] The front end frame component 21 constructed as described above is installed with a camera module 30, and is assembled with an illumination lens 34, a light guide bundle 72 and a treatment instrument channel 71. The core wires 61a~64a of the four cables 61~64 are connected to the four pads 51b~54b of the corresponding third wiring forming surface 44 through solder or the like.

[0098] When the camera module 30 is mounted on the front end frame member 21 , the four terminals 33 a of the imaging element 33 are electrically connected to the corresponding four contact patterns 51 a to 54 a on the mounting surface 26 a by reflow soldering.

[0099] And, as Figure 9 As shown, the distal end frame member 21 is assembled to the distal end portion 6 of the insertion section 2. At the distal end portion of the insertion section 2, four cables 61 to 64 extending from the distal end frame member 21 toward the proximal end of the insertion section 2 are bent radially inward, i.e., toward the central axis X, within the distalmost bending piece 22A according to a predetermined direction. The four cables 61 to 64 are then bundled and inserted along the central axis X from the distal end portion of the bending section 7 into the proximal end of the insertion section 2.

[0100] For example, one of the cables 61 to 64 is arranged so that the central axis B2 of the portion extending from the bending portion 7 toward the proximal end is offset radially inward by a predetermined distance B relative to the central axis B1 of the distal end connected to the distal frame member 21. That is, the central axis B2 is arranged closer to the central axis X by the distance B than the central axis B1.

[0101] The treatment instrument channel 71 is also bent radially inward, i.e., toward the center axis X, from the distal end portion of the distal frame member 21 , and is inserted into the insertion portion 2 on the proximal side in a direction along the center axis X from the distal end portion of the bending portion 7 .

[0102] That is, the treatment instrument channel 71 is arranged so that the central axis C2 of the portion extending from the curved portion 7 toward the proximal end is offset radially inward by a predetermined distance C relative to the central axis C1 of the distal end portion attached to the distal frame member 21. That is, the central axis C2 is arranged closer to the central axis X by the distance C than the central axis C1. Furthermore, regarding the central axes C1 and C2, which are the axial cores of the treatment instrument channel 71, the portions outside the curved portion are substantially parallel to the central axis X, which is the axial core of the distal member 21.

[0103] Thus, the positions where the four cables 61 to 64 and the treatment instrument channel 71 are inserted from the distal end portion of the bending portion 7 toward the proximal end are offset radially inward (arranged so as to be closer to the central axis X) than the positions where they are connected to the distal end frame member 21. Thus, the four cables 61 to 64 and the treatment instrument channel 71 are inserted into the insertion portion 2 at positions where they do not interfere with the four bending operation wires 65a to 65d that rotate the plurality of bending pieces 22 (22A).

[0104] Furthermore, four bending operation wires 65a to 65d are provided at the inner circumference of the proximal end of the distalmost bending piece 22A and are connected to four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d protruding radially inward by brazing 68 or the like. Furthermore, the four bending operation wires 65a to 65d are freely inserted and retained in a plurality of wire guides 67a to 67d provided so as to protrude radially inward from the inner circumference of the plurality of bending pieces 22.

[0105] Furthermore, the four cables 61 to 64 and the treatment instrument channel 71 are arranged in the bending portion 7 so as not to interfere with the four wire fixing portions 66 a to 66 d and the plurality of wire guides 67 a to 67 d protruding radially inward.

[0106] That is, the four cables 61 to 64 and the disposal instrument channel 71 are arranged so that, starting from the front ends of the four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d that fix the front ends of the bending operation wires 65a to 65d that perform bending operations on the bending portion 7, the shape further toward the front end side is bent so as to move away from the central axis X of the front end frame member 21 in the peripheral direction (radially outward).

[0107] like Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d and the four wire guides 67a to 67d are provided at approximately equal intervals in the upper, lower, left, and right positions of the curved portion 7 at positions rotated 90° about the central axis X. In other words, the four wire guides 67a to 67d are provided at positions rotated 45° with respect to a line perpendicular to the central axis X and the third wiring forming surface 44 (plane), or at positions rotated 45° with respect to a line perpendicular to the central axis X and parallel to the third wiring forming surface 44 (plane).

[0108] For example, when the bending portion 7 is bent upward, the two bending operation wires 65a and 65b on the upper side are pulled, and the two bending operation wires 65c and 65d on the lower side are relaxed. On the other hand, when the bending portion 7 is bent downward, the two bending operation wires 65a and 65b on the upper side are relaxed, and the two bending operation wires 65c and 65d on the lower side are pulled.

[0109] When the bending portion 7 is bent leftward, the two bending operation wires 65b and 65c are pulled, and the two bending operation wires 65a and 65d are relaxed. On the other hand, when the bending portion 7 is bent rightward, the two bending operation wires 65b and 65c are relaxed, and the two bending operation wires 65a and 65d are pulled.

[0110] By performing various combinations of pulling and loosening operations on the four bending operation wires 65a to 65d, the bending portion 7 can be bent in all directions around the central axis X. Figure 11 As shown, the light guide bundle 72 is covered by an outer sheath 72 a in the insertion portion 2 .

[0111] The endoscope 1 of the present embodiment constructed as described above is constructed such that the MID technology is used in the front end frame member 21 provided at the front end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 to form four contact patterns 51a to 54a electrically connected to the terminal 33a of the camera module 30, and conductive paths, i.e., wiring patterns 51 to 54, are formed on the first wiring forming surface 42 on the plane and the second wiring forming surface 43 on the slope to electrically connect these four contact patterns 51a to 54a with the four pads 51b to 54b of the third wiring forming surface 44 serving as the cable connection surface.

[0112] Furthermore, the front end frame member 21 is formed so that the third wiring forming surface 44, on which the four pads 51b to 54b are formed, has a stepped portion radially inwardly toward the center axis X relative to the first wiring forming surface 42. Consequently, the front end frame member 21 can secure space above the third wiring forming surface 44 for arranging and connecting the four cables 61 to 64 in a laterally aligned manner. Specifically, a space A can be formed above the third wiring forming surface 44 of the front end frame member 21 in the front end portion 6, allowing the four cables 61 to 64 to be connected within this space A.

[0113] Therefore, the distal end frame member 21 does not need to be expanded radially outward to ensure space for connecting the four cables 61 to 64, and thus, any increase in the diameter of the distal end frame member 21 is suppressed. Specifically, the proximal end portion of the distal end frame member 21 (particularly the distal ends of the wire fixing portions 66a to 66d) often constitutes dead space. By effectively utilizing this dead space by forming a stepped portion, it is possible to ensure space (space A) within the distal end portion 6 for connecting the four cables 61 to 64 without increasing the diameter of the distal end frame member 21. As a result, in the endoscope 1, any increase in the diameter of the distal end portion 6 is suppressed, allowing the insertion portion 2 to be reduced in diameter.

[0114] Furthermore, a space A for connecting the four cables 61 to 64 is formed on the distal side of the four wire fixing portions 66 a to 66 d for fixing the distal ends of the four bending operation wires 65 a to 65 d .

[0115] Therefore, although they overlap with the four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d in the projection along the central axis X, they are located at positions offset in the front-to-back direction along the central axis X. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the connection portions where the four solder pads 51b to 54b of the third wiring forming surface 44 are connected to the core wires 61a to 64a of the four cables 61 to 64 from interfering with the four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d.

[0116] Furthermore, since the third wiring forming surface 44 is wider (larger) than the width of the camera module 30, the area for forming the four pads 51b to 54b can be expanded. Therefore, the surface area and the pitch (interval) between the four pads 51b to 54b can be increased.

[0117] Therefore, with respect to the endoscope 1, even if the electronic component mounted on the front end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2, namely the camera module 30, is a very small imaging unit of a CSP (Chip Size Package) in which the lens unit 32 and the imaging element 33 are stacked together and packaged, the connection operation of the core wires 61a to 64a of the four cables 61 to 64 using solder or the like becomes easy.

[0118] As described above, the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment can improve the connection workability of the plurality of cables 61 to 64 provided in the distal end frame member 21 of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 .

[0119] (First Modification)

[0120] like Figure 12 As shown, by making the third wiring forming surface 44 of the front end frame member 21 an arcuate surface rather than a flat surface, the pitch (interval) between the four pads 51b to 54b can be further increased.

[0121] (Second Modification)

[0122] like Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the front end frame member 21 can also be constructed to have a third wiring forming surface 44a formed from the second wiring forming surface 43 toward the base end side, and a fourth wiring forming surface 44b having a step portion formed at a predetermined height H toward the center axis X side relative to the third wiring forming surface 44a.

[0123] The front end frame member 21 has two inner pads 52b and 53b formed on the third wiring forming surface 44a, and two outer pads 51b and 54b formed on the fourth wiring forming surface 44b. Furthermore, the two pads 51b and 54b and the two pads 52b and 53b are formed so as to be offset by a predetermined distance L1 in the front-to-back direction along the central axis X, about axes Y1 and Y2 passing through the center.

[0124] In addition, two outer solder pads 51b and 54b can be formed on the third wiring forming surface 44a, and two inner solder pads 52b and 53b can be formed on the fourth wiring forming surface 44b, or four solder pads 51b~54b can be formed alternately in a direction perpendicular to the center axis X.

[0125] By setting it as such a structure, the four solder pads 51b~54b are located in two directions orthogonal to the central axis X, namely, in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. Therefore, the connection workability of each core wire 61a~64a of the four cables 61~64 by soldering or the like can be further improved.

[0126] Furthermore, since the distance between the connection portions of the four cables 61 to 64 is long, they are less likely to be affected by noise.

[0127] (Second embodiment)

[0128] Next, an endoscope 1 according to one aspect of a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the endoscope 1 according to this embodiment, detailed descriptions of the components described in the first embodiment will be omitted, and the same reference numerals will be used.

[0129] like Figure 15 As shown, the front end frame part 21 provided at the front end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 of this embodiment is formed with through holes 73 (here 4), and the through holes 73 are penetrated to the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 by irradiating the laser beam L for activating the surface of the specified area of ​​the circuit pattern from the base end direction along the center axis X toward the inclined surface located on the base end side of the wall portion 40, that is, the second wiring forming surface 43.

[0130] Furthermore, since the four through-holes 73 are irradiated with a laser beam L substantially parallel to the central axis X from the second wiring forming surface 43, each of the four through-holes 73 has a substantially tapered shape, with a larger diameter on the second wiring forming surface 43 side and a smaller diameter on the mounting surface 26a side. In other words, the through-holes 73 have a hole axis parallel to the central axis X of the front end frame member 21, and are tapered at the distal end.

[0131] Furthermore, a metal film is also deposited on the inner peripheral surface of the four through holes 73 of the front end frame member 21 which are activated during the electroless plating process for forming the metal pattern. Figure 16 As shown, four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a are formed, each having a front end opening 73 a and a base end opening 73 b of the same diameter.

[0132] The four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a conform to the shape of the through hole 73 and have a tapered tubular shape with a small diameter distal opening 73 a and a large diameter proximal opening 73 b and a hole axis parallel to the central axis X of the distal frame member 21 .

[0133] In addition, if Figure 17 As shown, the front end frame member 21 has four circular ring-shaped contact pads 81 to 84 formed as a pattern on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26. These four contact pads 81 to 84 are electrically connected to the four terminals 33a, which are electrical contacts of the camera module 30.

[0134] And, as Figure 18 As shown, the front end frame member 21 has four wiring patterns 51 to 54 formed as patterns on the second wiring forming surface 43 and the third wiring forming surface 44, which are conductive paths respectively connected to the through electrodes 81a to 84a. These four wiring patterns 51 to 54 are also conductively connected to the four pads 51b to 54b of the third wiring forming surface 44.

[0135] Furthermore, the four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a have a cross-sectional shape in which the base end opening 73 b is larger than the front end opening 73 a , and are therefore arranged wider on the second wiring forming surface 43 side than the interval between the terminals 33 a of the camera module 30 (the width between the terminals 33 a ).

[0136] Furthermore, the four through electrodes 81a to 84a are widened by increasing the spacing between the four pads 51b to 54b formed on the third wiring forming surface 44 and conducting through the four wiring patterns 51 to 54. This facilitates connection of the core wires 61a to 64a of the cables 61 to 64 with solder or the like.

[0137] Thus, in the front end frame member 21 of this embodiment, compared to the structure of the first embodiment, by providing four through-electrodes 81a to 84a on the wall portion 40, the distance between the four contact pads 81 to 84 on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 and the four pads 51b to 54b on the third wiring forming surface 44 can be shortened. This improves resistance to electrical noise from the surrounding environment.

[0138] Furthermore, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a, which are part of the conductive path for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the camera module 30 serving as the imaging unit, are formed radially inward of the distal end frame member 21, i.e., on the central axis X side, away from the outer surface of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2. Therefore, the through-electrodes 81a to 84a are less susceptible to surrounding electrical noise. Therefore, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment can reduce the influence of surrounding electrical noise on the camera module 30 mounted on the distal end frame member 21.

[0139] Furthermore, the four through holes 73 of the wall portion 40 of the front end frame member 21 are bored by the laser beam L during surface activation when metal patterning is performed using the MID technique, thereby reducing the number of processing steps.

[0140] In addition, here, the laser beam L is irradiated to the position where the four through holes 73 are formed and the position where the wiring patterns 51 to 54 are formed, and by setting the irradiation direction of the laser beam L to one direction from the base end side, the irradiation angle of the laser beam that forms the four through holes 73 is set to the same, thereby improving the processing efficiency.

[0141] (First Modification)

[0142] like Figure 19 and Figure 20 As shown, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a can be arranged in a row horizontally across the base end opening 73b provided in the second wiring forming surface 43. This allows the height of the wall portion 40 of the distal end frame member 21 (a direction along one periphery of the distal end frame member 21) to be kept low, thereby preventing an increase in the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6. Specifically, the through-electrodes 81a and 84a on both sides are formed to face upward at a predetermined angle relative to the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21.

[0143] In addition, the two contact pads 81 and 84 arranged on the upper side of the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 can also be formed so that the height of the upper end of the front end opening 73a and the base end opening 73b is approximately the same. Thus, interference between the two contact pads 81 and 84 and between the wiring patterns 51 and 54 can be prevented, and the influence on the outer diameter can be suppressed, which can suppress the enlargement of the diameter of the front end frame part 21.

[0144] (Second Modification)

[0145] like Figure 21 and Figure 22 As shown, the four through electrodes 81a to 84a may be arranged so that the intervals between the base end openings 73b of the second wiring forming surface 43 are increased. That is, the four through electrodes 81a to 84a are formed so that the distance between the centers of the respective base end openings 73b is increased.

[0146] Furthermore, the position of the base end opening 73b can be determined so that the lengths of the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a in the longitudinal direction are substantially the same. By matching the lengths of the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a in the longitudinal direction, the diameter of the opening on the incident side formed by the laser beam L can be made constant, and the diameters of the four base end openings 73b can also be made substantially the same.

[0147] The laser beam L forming the through hole 73 is irradiated toward the second wiring forming surface 43 , which is the slope on the proximal side of the wall portion 40 , at a position inclined relative to the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21 , and is irradiated radially outward away from the central axis X toward the distal end.

[0148] The two upper through-holes 73 and the two lower through-holes 73 are formed to have different inclination angles with respect to the central axis X, and the inclination directions of the two left and right through-holes 73 are opposite to each other.

[0149] Furthermore, the four through-electrodes 81 a to 84 a are formed in directions matching the inclinations of the through-holes 73 formed therein.

[0150] In addition, the two upper sides of the base end openings 73b of the four through electrodes 81a to 84a are formed so that the height of the upper ends is approximately the same as that of the front end opening 73a, or is formed so that it becomes lower toward the radial inner side of the front end frame member 21, that is, the center axis X side. This can prevent interference between the two contact pads 81 and 84 and between the wiring patterns 51 and 54, and can suppress the influence on the outer diameter, thereby suppressing the increase in the diameter of the front end frame member 21.

[0151] (Third Modification)

[0152] like Figure 23 and Figure 24 As shown, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a may be arranged in a row in the horizontal direction so that the intervals between the proximal openings 73b of the second wiring forming surface 43 are large. Here, the irradiation position of the laser beam L for forming the through-hole 73 toward the second wiring forming surface 43, which is the inclined surface on the proximal side of the wall portion 40, is also inclined relative to the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21, and is irradiated radially outward away from the central axis X toward the distal end.

[0153] The two upper through-holes 73 and the two lower through-holes 73 are formed at different angles relative to the central axis X, and the two left and right through-holes 73 are inclined in opposite directions. Furthermore, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a are formed in directions that match the inclinations of the through-holes 73 formed therein.

[0154] In the distal end frame member 21 , the proximal end openings 73 b of the four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a are arranged in a row, so that the height of the wall portion 40 can be kept low, thereby preventing the distal end frame member 21 from increasing in diameter.

[0155] (Fourth Modification)

[0156] like Figure 25 As shown, four through electrodes 81a to 84a are formed in a manner such that the spacing (pitch) P2 between the centers of the base end opening 73b is increased relative to the spacing (pitch) P1 between the centers of the front end opening 73a and is smaller than the spacing (pitch) P3 between the centers of the four pads 51b to 54b of the third wiring forming surface 44 (P1 < P2 < P3). As a result, the height of the wall portion 40 of the front end frame component 21 can be suppressed to a low level, and the difference in length in the longitudinal direction of the four through electrodes 81a to 84a can be reduced.

[0157] (Fifth Modification)

[0158] like Figure 26 and Figure 27 As shown, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a may be arranged with the base end opening 73b of the second wiring forming surface 43 positioned above the front end opening 73a in the height direction. In other words, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a are formed so as to be inclined in the direction of the central axis X of the front end frame member 21 from the base end side toward the front end side.

[0159] The laser beam L forming the through hole 73 here is irradiated onto the second wiring forming surface 43 , which is the slope on the base end side of the wall portion 40 , and is inclined relative to the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21 , and is irradiated radially inward toward the distal end side close to the central axis X.

[0160] Thus, when forming the through hole 73 , the laser beam L can be irradiated obliquely from above the base end side toward below. Therefore, considering that the irradiation direction of the laser beam L can be irradiated only toward the wall portion 40 , irradiation to other parts of the distal end frame member 21 can be prevented.

[0161] (Sixth Modification)

[0162] like Figure 28As shown, the laser beam L may be irradiated from the front end side of the front end frame member 21 toward the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 to form four through holes 73. The laser beam L is irradiated substantially parallel to the central axis X of the front end frame member 21.

[0163] And, as Figure 29 As shown, four through-electrodes 81a to 84a are formed in the four through-holes 73 formed in the wall portion 40. The four through-electrodes 81a to 84a have a tapered shape in which the diameter becomes thinner toward the base end.

[0164] That is, regarding the four through electrodes 81a to 84a, Figure 30 As shown, the front end opening 73a of the mounting surface 26a is large, as shown in FIG. Figure 31 As shown, the base end opening 73b of the second wiring forming surface 43 is small.

[0165] In this way, the irradiation direction of the laser beam L when forming the four through electrodes 81a~84a is carried out from the mounting surface 26a side of the module storage chamber 26 on the front end side of the camera module 30, so that the positions of the contact pads 81~84 can be formed with high precision in a manner consistent with the terminals 33a of the camera module 30.

[0166] (Seventh Modification)

[0167] like Figure 32 As shown, the camera module 30 mounted on the front end frame member 21 can also be configured to have a field of view in a direction perpendicular to the central axis X of the front end frame member 21. The lens unit 32 of the camera module 30 has a glass cover serving as an observation window 31 provided at a side opening of the front end frame member 21. The lens unit 32 includes a prism 32a for reflecting the optical axis O and a protective glass 32b for protecting the reflecting surface of the prism 32a.

[0168] That is, the endoscope 1 is configured as a side-viewing endoscope by providing the distal end frame member 21 to which the camera module 30 is mounted at the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2. Alternatively, the camera module 30 may be mounted in a so-called three-dimensional endoscope 1, having a field of view in a direction having a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis X of the distal end frame member 21.

[0169] And, in Figure 32 In the embodiment, the front end frame member 21 is shown as an example in which four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a are formed. However, the side view or stereoscopic camera module 30 can also be mounted on the front end frame member 21 of the first embodiment.

[0170] (Eighth Modification)

[0171] like Figure 33 as well as Figure 34As shown, in the front end frame member 21 , the module storage chamber 26 for mounting the camera module 30 may be a bottomed rectangular hole portion opened at the front end and having a mounting surface 26 a covered around the periphery as the bottom surface.

[0172] The module storage chamber 26 also has arcuate cross-sectional grooves 91 formed on the left and right sides thereof in the direction along the central axis X. These two grooves 91 form a gap into which a needle (injection needle) is inserted when injecting liquid curing resin (underfill) to secure the camera module 30 mounted in the module storage chamber 26 .

[0173] Furthermore, when the camera module 30 is mounted on the front frame member 21 and the terminals 33a of the camera module 30 are electrically connected to the four contact pads 81 to 84 of the mounting surface 26a by reflow soldering, as shown in FIG. Figure 35 At this time, the camera module 30 is stably placed on the mounting surface 26a in the module storage chamber 26.

[0174] In addition, the four through-electrodes 81a to 84a formed on the front end frame member 21 are tubular with a front end opening 73a. Therefore, during reflow soldering, there is a possibility that the solder required for joining with the terminal 33a of the camera module 30 will flow into the interior of the through-electrodes 81a to 84a, resulting in poor electrical connection or poor mechanical connection.

[0175] Therefore, if Figure 36 As shown, the four contact pads 81 to 84 formed on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 are preferably formed in such a shape that the front end opening 73a is provided at a position away from the position where the terminal 33a of the camera module 30 is soldered by a predetermined distance T1 to T4.

[0176] (Ninth Modification)

[0177] like Figure 37 As shown, the front end frame member 21 may also form a relief groove 92 in the second small diameter portion 37 engaged with the front end bending piece 22A. The relief groove 92 accommodates the two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c provided on the left and right sides of the front end portion of the frontmost bending piece 22A.

[0178] like Figure 38 and Figure 39 As shown, the distal-most bending piece 22A is configured with four wire fixing portions 66a to 66d arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. Two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c are located on the distal end, while two wire fixing portions 66b and 66d are located on the proximal end. Specifically, the two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c, and the two wire fixing portions 66b and 66d are located at opposing positions rotated 180° about the central axis X.

[0179] That is, the wire fixing portions 66a to 66d adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the bending piece 22A are sequentially staggered and arranged at approximately equal intervals at positions rotated 90° about the central axis X. Similarly, the bending piece 22 is provided with wire guides 67a to 67d in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0180] Furthermore, the bending piece 22A at the most distal end is provided with two wire fixing portions 66b and 66d in the vertical direction at the proximal end portion.

[0181] Thus, by providing the front end frame member 21 with the escape groove 92 for accommodating the two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c of the bending piece 22A, the front end frame member 21 and the bending piece 22A can be easily positioned in the vertical and horizontal directions around the central axis X when they are fitted together.

[0182] In addition, regarding the four cables 61 to 64, the connection portions connected to the four pads 51b to 54b of the third wiring forming surface 44 are arranged at approximately the same positions as the two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c housed in the retreat groove 92 on the front end side in the direction of the central axis X (positions perpendicular to the central axis X).

[0183] Therefore, the front end frame member 21 is constructed so that the length of the center axis X direction of the second small diameter portion 37 formed with the welding pads 51b~54b is fitted with the front end bending piece 22A without extending the front end portion 6 which becomes the hard part of the insertion portion 2, thereby ensuring the connection strength with the bending piece 22A.

[0184] Furthermore, by bonding and fixing the second small diameter portion 37 to the fitting portion of the curved piece 22A, the airtightness (watertightness) within the front end frame member 21 can be improved. This ensures electrical insulation at the connection portions between the four cables 61 to 64 and the four pads 51b to 54b.

[0185] Furthermore, the second small-diameter portion 37, including the connection portions where the four cables 61-64 connect to the pads 51b-54b on the third wiring forming surface 44, is bonded and fixed to the fitted curved piece 22A. In this state, the two wire fixing portions 66a and 66c are also bonded and fixed to the escape groove 92, thereby enhancing the bonding strength between the front end frame member 21 and the curved piece 22A.

[0186] (Tenth Modification)

[0187] like Figure 40 as well as Figure 41As shown, the front end frame member 21 may also have an arc-shaped rib 37a of a predetermined length formed along the central axis X at the front end portion of the second small diameter portion 37, which serves as a fitting portion into which the front end portion of the curved piece 22A at the front end fits. Furthermore, the second wiring forming surface 43A is not an inclined surface, but rather a vertical surface parallel to the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 and perpendicular to the central axis X.

[0188] Thus, in the distal frame member 21 , the distal end portion of the second small diameter portion 37 has the entire outer periphery formed as a fitting surface for the distalmost bending piece 22A to fit therein, thereby increasing the fixing force with the bending piece 22A.

[0189] In addition, regarding the front end frame member 21, four solder pads 51b to 54b are formed in an area extending toward the base end side from the rib 37a in the third wiring forming surface 44 serving as the cable connection surface. As a result, the rib 37a does not become an obstacle, and the core wires 61a to 64a of the cables 61 to 64 can be easily electrically connected to the four solder pads 51b to 54b using solder or the like.

[0190] Furthermore, the front end frame member 21 has an inclined surface 43a formed on one side portion inside the rib 37a, here on the left side as viewed toward the front end, extending from the second wiring forming surface 43A to the third wiring forming surface 44. Four wiring patterns 51 to 54 are formed on this inclined surface 43a, extending from the second wiring forming surface 43A, which is a surface perpendicular to the central axis X, toward the third wiring forming surface 44, which is a surface parallel to the central axis X.

[0191] Regarding the front end frame component 21, by providing a slope 43a within the rib 37a, the slope 43a having an angle relative to the center axis X is more easily irradiated with the laser beam L than when the inner peripheral surface of the rib 37a parallel to the center axis X is irradiated with the laser beam L, and a guide path constituting the four wiring patterns 51 to 54 can be easily formed along the slope 43a.

[0192] That is, the front end frame component 21 can easily irradiate the laser beam L onto the second wiring forming surface 43A, which is a surface perpendicular to the center axis X, and the third wiring forming surface 44 extending from the rib 37a toward the base end side, but it is difficult to irradiate the laser beam onto the inner circumferential surface of the rib 37a. Therefore, an inclined surface 43a with an angle relative to the center axis X can be formed in the rib 37a to facilitate irradiation of the laser beam L.

[0193] In addition, if Figure 42 As shown, inclined surfaces 43a and 43b may be formed on the left and right sides of the front end frame member 21, respectively, with two wiring patterns 53 and 54 formed on the inclined surface 43a on the left side of the paper, and two wiring patterns 51 and 52 formed on the inclined surface 43b on the right side of the paper.

[0194] (Eleventh Modification)

[0195] Figure 43 and Figure 44 The front end frame member 21 shown is a structure formed by combining the ninth modification and the tenth modification. Figure 36 As shown, a front end opening 73a is provided at a position of the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 that is separated from the portion where the terminal 33a of the camera module 30 is welded, thereby enabling the four through electrodes 81a to 84a to be formed close to one side (radially outer side of the front end frame member 21), which is the right side when viewed from the base end direction.

[0196] Therefore, on the second wiring forming surface 43A, which is a surface of the front end frame member 21 perpendicular to the central axis X, four through electrodes 81 a to 84 a each having a base end opening 73 b are also formed close to one side portion.

[0197] Thus, the second wiring forming surface 43A only needs to have a predetermined surface area on one side portion, and therefore the inclined surface 43 a in the rib 37 a can be formed with a larger surface area from the center side.

[0198] Furthermore, by increasing the area of ​​the inclined surface 43a, the distal end frame member 21 can form a portion of the lighting component storage chamber 28, which is a hole through which the light guide bundle 72 is inserted. The lighting component storage chamber 28 is formed as a recessed portion 28a having an arcuate cross section in the third wiring forming surface 44.

[0199] Furthermore, the four pads 51 b to 54 b are provided in parallel on the third wiring forming surface 44 in one direction (outward in the radial direction of the front end frame member 21 ) from the recessed portion 28 a to avoid interference with the light guide bundle 72 .

[0200] This structure allows the distal end frame member 21 to position the light guide bundle 72 so that it does not interfere with the escape grooves 92 of the wire fixing portions 66a to 66d of the bending piece 22A, thereby reducing its diameter. Consequently, the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 can also be reduced, allowing the insertion portion 2 to be made thinner.

[0201] In the embodiments and variations described above, when the surface pattern of the front end frame part 21 of the MID structure is welded to the terminal of the camera module 30, the most efficient production method is to use a reflow soldering process with the surface pattern of the front end frame part 21 facing upward and the terminal side of the camera module 30 facing downward.

[0202] However, in the case of a direct-view endoscope 1, the terminal side of the camera module 30 is the base end direction side of the endoscope 1. Therefore, a loading surface 26a is formed on the base end side of the module storage chamber 26: the camera module 30 can be loaded during reflow soldering and a surface pattern can be formed at a position that can be connected to the terminal of the camera module 30.

[0203] In this way, if there is a mounting surface 26a on the back side of the camera module 30, in the MID manufacturing method, it is mainly possible to form a wiring pattern only on the surface of the molded body. Therefore, the front end frame part 21 is constructed to prevent the outer diameter of the front end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1 from increasing due to the difference in the connection method of the cables used to connect to the camera module 30 and the various circuits on the hand side with the wiring pattern.

[0204] Specifically, with respect to the MID-structured distal end frame member 21, by placing the camera module 30 with its rear surface facing downward on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 with its distal end facing upward and its proximal end facing downward, and performing reflow soldering, production efficiency can be improved. Furthermore, by arranging the cable connection area closer to the axial core, i.e., the central axis X, than the outer diameter of the distal end frame member 21, the connection area can be easily expanded. This configuration allows for easy connection between the distal end frame member 21 and the cable without increasing the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1.

[0205] Furthermore, in recent years, the camera module 30 has been increasingly miniaturized to meet the demand for a smaller diameter of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1. The camera module 30 is mounted on the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 of the endoscope 1, exchanges power and signals for driving, and is electrically connected to an external processor for displaying the generated imaging signals on a monitor.

[0206] This connection is typically made via a cable. However, as camera modules 30 become smaller, the size and width of the terminals of the camera modules 30 also become extremely small, making direct connection with the cables difficult. Consequently, connecting cables to accommodate the size of the terminals of the small camera modules 30 increases manufacturing costs.

[0207] Therefore, the distal end frame member 21 is placed on the mounting surface 26a of the module storage chamber 26 with the distal end facing upward and the proximal end facing downward, with the camera back (lower surface) facing downward, as an MID structure, and reflow soldering is performed. This improves production efficiency and ensures a large cable connection area, making cable connection easier. As a result, the endoscope 1 can suppress the increase in the outer diameter of the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0208] Furthermore, regarding the MID structure, in its manufacturing method, it is mainly possible to form a wiring pattern only on the surface of the molded body. Therefore, when leading the wiring pattern to the connection position between the camera module 30 and the cable, it is necessary to form a conductive path on the outer surface of the front end frame member 21, and to provide through electrodes 81a to 84a in the conductive path. This can prevent the circuit length from increasing and reduce the influence of external noise.

[0209] The inventions described in the above embodiments and modifications are not limited to these embodiments and modifications. Various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the above embodiments and modifications include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed.

[0210] For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components described in the embodiment and the modified examples, if the described problem can be solved and the described effect can be obtained, the structure without the components can be extracted as an invention.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: an insertion portion to be inserted into the subject; an imager unit having an objective optical system and converting an optical image from the objective optical system into an electrical signal; as well as The front end frame member is provided at the front end portion of the insertion portion, is formed of a resin material and carries the imager unit, and is characterized in that: The front end frame component has: an imager unit mounting area, which is provided at the front end side and mounts the imager unit; a first wiring forming surface provided on the front end side, a cable connection surface provided on the base end side; a wall portion extending from a base end side of the first wiring forming surface toward the cable connection surface as it goes toward the base end side and provided so as to connect an opening portion of the imager unit mounting area and an opening portion of the cable connection surface; a contact pattern formed on a wall surface of the imager unit mounting area and electrically connected to an electrical contact of the imager unit; a wiring pattern formed on the surface of the wall portion and the cable connection surface from the first wiring forming surface and electrically connected to the contact pattern; and a connection pattern formed on the cable connection surface, electrically connected to the wiring pattern, and electrically connected to a core wire of a cable disposed in the insertion portion within a space formed in the front end portion through the cable connection surface; The spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the cable connection surface is larger than the spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the first wiring forming surface.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The endoscope has a bending portion connected to the base end of the front end portion. The space where a connection portion where the connection pattern and the core wire of the cable are connected is located is formed between a base end of the wall portion and a front end of the bent portion.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of the wiring patterns and a plurality of the connection patterns are formed, The plurality of connection patterns are arranged at intervals greater than intervals between the plurality of wiring patterns formed on the wall portion.

4. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting portion where the connecting pattern is connected to the core wire of the cable is arranged to protrude radially inward within the bending portion, the connecting portion is located closer to the front end side than the wire fixing portion and overlaps with the wire fixing portion in a projection along the central axis of the front end frame component, and the wire fixing portion fixes the front end of a bending operation wire that performs a bending operation on the bending portion.

5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein The cable connection surface is formed at a position closer to the central axis than both the outer peripheral portion of the wall portion and the outer periphery of the front end frame member.

6. The endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that The cable connection surface is a plane along the central axis and parallel to the central axis.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein The wiring pattern includes a through electrode formed on an inner surface of a through hole penetrating the wall portion.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: A cross section of a front end portion of the front end frame member perpendicular to the central axis is substantially circular.

9. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: The wiring pattern is electrically connected to the connection pattern from the contact pattern via the outer surface of the wall portion.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein The endoscope further includes a hollow channel provided from the insertion portion to the distal end frame member. The channel is arranged to extend toward the proximal end side while being bent so that the longitudinal axis of the distal end side is located outside the distal end frame member and the proximal end side is located close to the central axis of the distal end frame member.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein: The endoscope has a bending portion connected to the base end of the front end portion. The channel is provided so as to be radially outwardly away from the central axis of the distal end frame member from a portion closer to the distal end than a wire fixing portion that fixes a distal end of a bending operation wire for bending the bending portion.

12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein The outer shape of the cable is arranged inside the outer shape of the front end frame member.

13. A distal end frame member of an endoscope, the endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into a subject, characterized in that: The front end frame member is provided at the front end portion of the insertion portion, The front end frame component has: an imager unit mounting area on which an imager unit for converting an optical image from the objective optical system into an electrical signal is mounted; a first wiring forming surface provided on the front end side, a cable connection surface provided on the base end side; a wall portion extending from a base end side of the first wiring forming surface toward the cable connection surface along the base end side and provided so as to connect an opening portion of the imager unit mounting area and an opening portion of the cable connection surface; a contact pattern formed on a wall surface of the imager unit mounting area and electrically connected to an electrical contact of the imager unit; a wiring pattern formed on the surface of the wall portion and the cable connection surface from the first wiring forming surface and electrically connected to the contact pattern; as well as a connection pattern formed on the cable connection surface, electrically connected to the wiring pattern, and electrically connected to a core wire of a cable disposed in the insertion portion within a space formed in the front end portion through the cable connection surface; The spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the cable connection surface is larger than the spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the first wiring forming surface.

14. An insertion portion of an endoscope for observing a subject, characterized in that: The insertion portion is provided with a front end frame component at the front end. The front end frame component has: an imager unit mounting area on which an imager unit for converting an optical image from the objective optical system into an electrical signal is mounted; a first wiring forming surface provided on the front end side, a cable connection surface provided on the base end side; a wall portion extending from a base end side of the first wiring forming surface toward the cable connection surface as it goes toward the base end side and provided between the imager unit mounting area and the cable connection surface; a contact pattern formed on a wall surface of the imager unit mounting area and electrically connected to an electrical contact of the imager unit; a wiring pattern formed on the surface of the wall portion and the cable connection surface from the first wiring forming surface and electrically connected to the contact pattern; as well as a connection pattern formed on the cable connection surface, electrically connected to the wiring pattern, and electrically connected to a core wire of a cable disposed in the insertion portion within a space formed in the front end portion through the cable connection surface; The spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the cable connection surface is larger than the spacing between the wiring patterns formed on the first wiring forming surface.

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