Front end assembly and endoscope

Abstract

The utility model provides a front end assembly and an endoscope, relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and solves the problem that the pipe diameter of an instrument pipe in the front end assembly is limited in the prior art. The endoscope comprises an insertion part, wherein a front end assembly of the insertion part comprises a front end seat and a camera module; an axially-through pipe cavity is formed in the front end seat, a window is formed in the peripheral wall of the front end seat, and the window penetrates through the peripheral wall of the front end seat so that the pipe cavity can be communicated with the outer side of the front end seat; the camera module is arranged in the tube cavity, the peripheral wall of the camera module is provided with an extending part, and the extending part extends into the window. Compared with the prior art, the peripheral wall of the front end seat is provided with the window, so that the layout limitation of the peripheral wall on the camera module is broken, the whole camera module can be arranged farther away from the center of the front end seat, the layout compactness of the camera module and the front end seat is improved, and a larger arrangement space can be reserved for an instrument tube; the problem that the pipe diameter of an instrument pipe in a front end assembly of an endoscope is limited can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of endoscopes, in particular to a front end component and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] The working principle of an endoscope is to insert it into the human body through the natural or artificially constructed cavities for inspection or treatment. In order to extract or treat the lesions in the human body, it is usually necessary to observe the lesions with the help of a camera module, and to use an instrument tube to insert a treatment instrument to perform some operations on the lesions. The instrument tube is a slender tube arranged along the insertion part. The diameter of the tube determines the type and size of the treatment instrument that can be inserted. The larger the diameter of the instrument tube means that more types and larger sizes of treatment instruments can be inserted, because this allows the endoscope to have a wider range of application.

[0003] In the prior art, the diameter of the instrument tube is limited by the size of the camera module and its layout in the front-end assembly. Usually, the camera module in the front-end assembly is made as small as possible and arranged as close to the inner wall of the front-end seat as possible to leave more space for the instrument tube. However, in the existing endoscope, the camera module in the front-end assembly is not compact enough, and there is a problem of limited diameter of the instrument tube. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to design a front end component and an endoscope, so as to solve the problem that the diameter of the instrument tube in the front end component is limited.

[0005] The utility model is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0006] The utility model provides a front end component, including a front end seat and a camera module; an axially through-going tubular cavity is formed in the front end seat, and a window is provided on the peripheral wall of the front end seat, and the window penetrates the peripheral wall of the front end seat to connect the tubular cavity with the outside of the front end seat; the camera module is arranged in the tubular cavity, and the peripheral wall of the camera module has an extending portion, and the extending portion extends into the window.

[0007] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the front seat is a component constituting the front assembly, and its distal end is used to install the lens seat, and the proximal end is used to connect the distal end of the active bending section of the insertion part. After the window is set on the peripheral wall of the front seat, the layout restriction of the peripheral wall of the front assembly on the camera module is broken, so that part of the structure on the peripheral wall of the camera module can be extended into the window, so that the camera module as a whole can be set further away from the center of the front seat, improving the compactness of the layout of the two, and reserving a larger setting space for the instrument tube, which can solve the problem of limited diameter of the instrument tube in the front assembly of the endoscope.

[0008] In order to further better realize the present invention, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the window forms an opening at the distal end surface of the front end seat.

[0009] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, after the opening is formed at the far end of the window, the extended part of the camera module can be allowed to slide from the far end to the near end into the window of the front seat during assembly, so as to facilitate the assembly of the two.

[0010] To further better realize the present invention, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the extending portion passes through the window.

[0011] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, after the extended part of the camera module passes through the window, it can be set further away from the center of the front end seat, thereby reserving a larger setting space for the instrument tube.

[0012] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: in the radial direction of the front end seat, the size of the window is greater than or equal to the size of the camera module.

[0013] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, when the width of the window set on the front end seat is greater than or equal to the width of the camera module, the camera module can be moved as far away from the center of the front end seat as possible.

[0014] In order to further better realize the present invention, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the proximal end of the window forms a support surface, and the protruding portion is axially abutted against the support surface.

[0015] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the window supports the camera module through the support surface at its proximal end, which can provide a limit for the camera module during assembly to ensure the assembly quality.

[0016] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: the front end component also includes a lens mount, the proximal end of the lens mount is inserted into the tube cavity from the distal end of the front end mount, the distal end of the camera module is inserted into the lens mount, and the lens mount is provided with an instrument tube mounting hole for inserting the instrument tube.

[0017] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: the proximal surface of the lens mount is provided with a groove, the camera module is inserted into the groove and axially abuts against the bottom of the groove, and the peripheral wall of the camera module abuts against the groove wall of the groove to prevent circumferential rotation.

[0018] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the lens mount is stopped from rotating with the camera module through the sink groove, so that the camera module assembled with the lens mount can be conveniently moved axially, thereby ensuring the installation accuracy with the front end seat.

[0019] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: the outer peripheral surface of the lens seat radially protrudes from the peripheral wall of the front end seat to form a second annular step for resisting the skin.

[0020] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the second annular step limits the distal position of the skin by axially abutting the skin, which can be used to improve the setting accuracy of the skin.

[0021] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: along the radial direction of the front end seat, the instrument tube mounting hole, the sink groove and the window are arranged in sequence.

[0022] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: the peripheral wall of the front end seat is provided with a baffle, and the baffle is located in the window, dividing the window into two sub-windows arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction, the camera module is radially abutted against the baffle, and the camera module is provided with two circumferentially arranged extension portions, and the two extension portions respectively extend into one of the sub-windows on the corresponding side.

[0023] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the baffle set on the front end seat is located in the window, which can stop and limit the camera module extended into the window, and can effectively prevent the camera module from being tilted during the injection process. In this way, the camera module can be kept as far away from the center of the front end seat as possible, thereby ensuring the assembly stability of the camera module.

[0024] The utility model also provides an endoscope, which comprises the above-mentioned front end component, and the front end component is arranged at the distal end of the active bending section of the endoscope.

[0025] In order to further better implement the present invention, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the window is located on the side of the distal bending direction of the active bending section.

[0026] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the window on the front seat is arranged on the side of the bending direction of the distal end of the active bending section, which will make the instrument tube with the largest diameter possible be located on the side of the bending direction of the distal end of the active bending section. During the bending process of the active bending section, the bending radius of the distal end of the instrument tube can be ensured to be moderate, which is beneficial to reduce the possibility of collapse of the distal end of the instrument tube due to excessive bending.

[0027] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following setting structure is particularly adopted: a flexible circuit board extending along the active bending section is provided in the active bending section, the distal end of the flexible circuit board is connected to the camera module, and the proximal end of the flexible circuit board is located outside the active bending section and connected to the cylindrical cable.

[0028] When the above-mentioned arrangement structure is adopted, the flexible circuit board directly connected to the camera module is arranged along the entire active bending section to make the bending resistance of the active bending section smaller and reduce the space occupied between the instrument tube and the camera module. The proximal end of the flexible circuit board located outside the active bending section is connected to the cylindrical cable, which can reduce the cost of the circuit connected to the camera module without affecting the bending resistance of the active bending section.

[0029] In order to further better realize the present utility model, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the distal end of the active bending section is inserted into the lumen from the proximal end of the front end seat.

[0030] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the active bending section is plugged into the front end seat, which reduces the exclusive length of the front end component, can make the turning radius of the distal end of the insertion part of the endoscope smaller, and improve the passability of the front end component in the human body cavity.

[0031] In order to further better realize the utility model, the following configuration structure is particularly adopted: the distal end surface of the active bending section is flush with the support surface formed by the proximal end of the window, and is axially abutted against the protruding portion.

[0032] When the above-mentioned setting structure is adopted, the distal end face of the active bending section is flush with the support surface formed by the proximal end of the window, which can maximize the use of the axial space of the tubular cavity in the front end seat, further reduce the exclusive length of the front end component, and improve the passability of the front end component in the human body cavity.

[0033] The utility model has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0034] In the utility model, in the front end assembly at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope, after a window is provided on the peripheral wall of the front end seat, the layout restriction of the peripheral wall of the front end assembly on the camera module is broken, so that part of the structure on the peripheral wall of the camera module can extend into the window, so that the camera module as a whole can be arranged farther away from the center of the front end seat, thereby improving the compactness of the layout of the two, reserving a larger setting space for the instrument tube, and solving the problem of limited diameter of the instrument tube in the front end assembly of the endoscope. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the utility model or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the utility model. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0036] Figure 1 The connection structure between the front end assembly and the active bending section in the endoscope is shown;

[0037] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The structure shown is the structure after the skin is removed;

[0038] Figure 3 It is the end layout diagram of the instrument tube and the camera module;

[0039] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 The local structure of the CC section view;

[0040] Figure 5 The structure of the distal end side of the front end assembly is shown;

[0041] Figure 6 The structure of the proximal side of the front end assembly is shown;

[0042] Figure 7 The installation structure of the front end seat and the camera module is shown;

[0043] Figure 8 The installation layout of the front end seat and the camera module is shown (the dotted line enclosed figure in the figure indicates the installation position of the instrument tube);

[0044] Fig. 9 The mounting structure of the lens mount and the proximal side of the camera module is shown;

[0045] Fig.10 The structure of the proximal side of the lens mount is shown.

[0046] The markings in the figure are:

[0047] 10. Front-end components;

[0048] 11, front end seat; 111, lumen; 112, window; 112a, first sub-window; 112b, second sub-window; 1121, support surface; 113, baffle;

[0049] 12. Camera module; 121. Insertion part;

[0050] 13. lens seat; 131. instrument tube mounting hole; 132. lens mounting hole; 133. sink; 134. first annular step; 135. second annular step;

[0051] 20. Instrument tube;

[0052] 30. Skinning;

[0053] 40, active bending segment; 41a, first segment; 41b, second segment;

[0054] 50. Flexible circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the utility model clearer, the technical solution of the utility model will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the utility model, all other implementation methods obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work belong to the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0056] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more; the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "head", "tail" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" and the like are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0057] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0058] The inventor found in the research that the diameter of the instrument tube is limited by the size of the camera module and its layout in the front-end assembly. Usually, the camera module in the front-end assembly is made as small as possible and arranged as close to the inner wall of the front-end seat as possible to leave more space for the instrument tube. However, the miniaturization of the camera module has been achieved to the extreme on the basis of existing technical capabilities while considering the cost. At the same time, in the front-end assembly, the layout compactness of the camera module and the instrument tube has also been achieved to the extreme, making it difficult for us to leave more space for the instrument tube by adjusting the layout and size of the camera module in the internal space of the front-end assembly.

[0059] To this end, the inventor creatively turned his attention to the external space of the front-end assembly, and tried to start from the front-end seat connecting the lens seat and the active bending section, in order to gain a larger installation space for the instrument tube inside the front-end assembly.

[0060] On the one hand, the present application provides a front-end assembly 10 that can break through the limitation of the front-end seat size on the layout of the camera module, and reserve a larger setting space for the instrument tube, so that the instrument tube can be made larger, such as Figure 1-Figure 10 As shown, it is particularly configured as follows:

[0061] In this embodiment, the front end assembly 10 includes a front end seat 11 , a camera module 12 , a lighting module and a lens seat 13 .

[0062] like Figure 5 As shown, the distal end of the front end seat 11 is fixedly connected to the lens seat 13, and the camera module 12 is simultaneously connected to the lens seat 13 and the front end seat 11 to be fixed.

[0063] like Figure 5-Figure 8 As shown, the front end seat 11 is composed of a peripheral wall enclosed around its axis, and an axially penetrating lumen 111 is formed inside the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11. A window 112 is provided on the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11, and the window 112 penetrates the peripheral wall in the radial direction to connect the side of the lumen 111 with the outside of the peripheral wall.

[0064] The front seat 11 is an important component of the front assembly 10, and its distal end is used to install the lens seat 13, and the proximal end is used to connect the distal end of the active bending section 40 of the insertion part. The front seat 11 is generally a metal part, and can also be a hard plastic part if it meets the use requirements.

[0065] Lens mount 13 Fig.10 As shown, it is provided with an axially penetrating lens mounting hole 132 and an instrument tube mounting hole 131. Fig.10 It can be seen that the lens mounting hole 132 is arranged as close as possible to the edge of the lens seat 13, providing ample space for the instrument tube mounting hole 131. The proximal end of the lens seat 13 is inserted into the tube cavity 111 from the distal end of the front seat 11.

[0066] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 7 and Fig. 9 As shown, the camera module 12 includes a lens and a base. The lens seat is located at the far end of the base. The lens is axially inserted into the lens mounting hole 132 of the lens seat 13. The base is located in the tubular cavity 111 of the front end seat 11 and is fixed to the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 by glue injection.

[0067] Part of the peripheral wall structure of the base of the camera module 12 located inside the tube cavity 111 extends into the window 112 provided on the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11, and the part of the structure extending into the window 112 serves as the insertion portion 121 of the camera module 12. The shape and structure of the window 112 are not limited, but should be designed according to the shape and structure of the camera module 12, as long as part of the structure of the camera module 12 can be extended into the window 112, for example, the window 112 can be a circular window, a rectangular window, an elliptical window that is closed on all sides, or a window 112 that is closed on all sides. Figure 7 The shape structure shown has one edge open.

[0068] The lens in the camera module 12 can be Figure 7 The base of the camera module 12 may be cylindrical, or may be square. Figure 7 and Figure 8 The square column shape shown in the figure can also be a cylindrical shape.

[0069] like Figure 7 , Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the lighting module includes LED lamps arranged on both sides close to the camera module 12, and the LED lamps are connected to the circuit board together with the base of the camera module 12. The LED lamps are inserted into the LED mounting holes arranged on the lens holder 13. The lens holder 13 is a light-transmitting body, and the LED lamps are located below the distal end surface of the lens holder 13.

[0070] In this embodiment, the peripheral wall of the front seat 11 in the front assembly 10 is structurally improved, and a window 112 is provided to connect the inner and outer sides of the peripheral wall, so that part of the structure of the camera module 12 extends into the window 112. This breaks the layout restriction of the peripheral wall of the front assembly 10 on the camera module 12, so that the camera module 12 as a whole can be arranged further away from the center of the front seat 11, improves the compactness of the layout between the camera module 12 and the front seat 11, and can reserve a larger installation space for the instrument tube 20 in the tube cavity 111 of the front seat 11. In this way, the problem of limited diameter of the instrument tube 20 in the front assembly 10 of the endoscope can be solved.

[0071] According to some optional embodiments, the window 112 is designed to be open, such as Figure 7 As shown, the distal edge of the window 112 extends to the distal surface of the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 to form an opening, so that the distal end of the window 112 is open to allow the insertion portion 121 of the camera module 12 to slide from the distal end to the proximal end into the window 112 of the front end seat 11 during assembly, so as to facilitate the assembly of the camera module 12 and the front end seat 11.

[0072] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 5-Figure 8As shown, in the front-end assembly 10 , the insertion portion 121 of the camera module 12 not only extends into the window 112 but also further passes through the window 112 .

[0073] Exemplarily, if the base of the camera module 12 is cylindrical, the curvature of the base is greater than the curvature of the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 , so that the circumferential surface of the base of the camera module 12 can pass through the window 112 .

[0074] For example, if the base of the camera module 12 is Fig. 9 In the square column shape shown, at least one corner of the base of the camera module 12 can pass through the window 112.

[0075] In this embodiment, the insertion portion 121 of the camera module 12 is allowed to pass through the window 112 , so that the camera module 12 can be further arranged away from the center of the front end seat 11 , thereby reserving a larger installation space for the instrument tube 20 .

[0076] According to some optional embodiments, the width of the window 112 is greater than or equal to the width of the camera module 12. In this embodiment, the width of the window 112 is specifically greater than or equal to the width of the base of the camera module 12 because the base size of the camera module 12 is generally larger than the size of the lens.

[0077] The width of the window 112 is the dimension along the radial direction of the front end seat 11 , and the width of the camera module 12 is the dimension along the radial direction of the front end seat 11 .

[0078] In this embodiment, after the width of the window 112 set on the front end seat 11 is greater than or equal to the width of the camera module 12, the extending portion 121 on the base of the camera module 12 can pass through the window 112, and the extending portion 121 of the camera module 12 can pass through the window 112 as much as possible to stay away from the center of the front end seat 11.

[0079] Preferably, Figure 5-Figure 8 As shown, the peripheral wall of the front seat 11 is provided with a baffle 113, which is located inside the window 112 and extends along the axial direction of the front seat 11, dividing the window 112 into a first sub-window 112a and a second sub-window 112b arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. At the same time, the base of the camera module 12 is provided with two protruding parts 121 arranged in the circumferential direction. Figure 8 The rectangle shown in is suitable.

[0080] The baffle 113 is a strip-shaped member whose curvature matches the curvature of the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11. The proximal end of the baffle 113 is directly connected to a support surface 1121 formed on the proximal end of the window 112. The baffle 113 is located in the middle of the window 112, and divides the window 112 into a first sub-window 112a and a second sub-window 112b.

[0081] When the two insertion portions 121 of the base of the camera module 12 are inserted into the first sub-window 112a and the second sub-window 112b respectively and in place, the baffle 113 is radially abutted against the peripheral wall of the base of the camera module 12 to stop and limit the camera module 12 after it is inserted into the window 112. This can effectively prevent the camera module 12 from being pushed and deflected by the glue during the glue injection process, and ensure the assembly stability of the camera module 12 on the basis of allowing the camera module 12 to be as far away from the center of the front seat 11 as possible.

[0082] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 5-Figure 7 As shown, the proximal end of the window 112 supports the proximal surface of the base of the camera module 12. Specifically, the proximal end of the window 112 forms a support surface 1121, and the insertion portion 121 of the base of the camera module 12 extends into the window 112 and axially abuts against the support surface 1121.

[0083] In this embodiment, the window 112 supports the camera module 12 via the support surface 1121 at its proximal end, which can provide a limit for the camera module 12 during assembly to ensure assembly quality.

[0084] According to some optional embodiments, Fig.10 As shown, the proximal surface of the lens mount 13 is provided with a recessed groove 133, which corresponds axially to the lens mounting hole 132 and is used to limit the base of the camera module 12. Fig. 9 As shown, when the lens of the camera module 12 is inserted into the lens mounting hole, the distal end of the base of the camera module 12 is inserted into the groove 133 and axially abuts against the bottom of the groove 133. At the same time, the peripheral wall of the base of the camera module 12 abuts against the wall of the groove 133 to stop circumferential rotation.

[0085] In this embodiment, the lens mount 13 is stopped from rotating with the camera module 12 by the recessed groove 133, so that the camera module 12 assembled with the lens mount 13 can be easily moved axially, thereby avoiding deflection of the camera module 12 during assembly and ensuring the installation accuracy of the camera module 12 and the front end seat 11.

[0086] According to some optional embodiments, Fig.10 As shown, the outer peripheral surface of the lens holder 13 is provided with a first annular step 134 and a second annular step 135 which are arranged in sequence in the axial direction. The first annular step 134 is arranged closer to the proximal end of the lens holder 13 than the second annular step 135, and the diameter of the second annular step 135 is larger than the diameter of the first annular step 134. When the proximal end of the lens holder 13 is inserted into the lumen 111 from the distal end of the front end holder 11, the first annular step 134 is axially abutted against the distal end of the front end holder 11, and the second annular step 135 protrudes radially from the peripheral wall of the front end holder 11, so as to abut against the proximal end of the lens holder 13. Figure 1 The distal end of the skin 30 is shown in FIG.

[0087] In this embodiment, the second annular step 135 limits the distal end position of the skin by axially abutting the skin 30 , which can be used to improve the setting accuracy of the skin 30 .

[0088] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 5 and 8 As shown, the instrument tube mounting hole 131, the lens mounting hole 132 and the window 112 are arranged in sequence along the diameter of the front end assembly 10. The connecting line of the two insertion parts 121 on the base of the camera module 12 is perpendicular to the center connecting line of the instrument tube mounting hole 131 and the lens mounting hole 132 and is symmetrically arranged about the center connecting line.

[0089] On the other hand, the present application provides an endoscope, particularly adopting the following configuration:

[0090] In this embodiment, the endoscope includes an operating portion and an insertion portion that are connected to each other, the insertion portion includes a passive bending section, an active bending section 40 and a front end assembly 10, the distal end of the active bending section 40 is connected to the front end assembly 10 in any of the above embodiments, and the proximal end of the active bending section 40 is connected to the distal end of the passive bending section.

[0091] like Figure 2 As shown, the distal end of the active bending section 40 of the insertion part is fixedly connected to the front end assembly 10, and the front end assembly 10 and the active bending section 40 are wrapped with a skin 30 to form Figure 1 The structure shown in . From the perspective of the entire insertion portion, the skin 30 extends from the active bending section 40 to the passive bending section. Part of the instrument tube 20 is located in the insertion portion and extends along the axial direction of the insertion portion.

[0092] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 3 As shown, the instrument tube 20 and the lens of the camera module 12 are arranged in sequence along the diameter of the front end assembly 10.

[0093] According to some optional embodiments, the window 112 is located on the side of the distal bending direction of the active bending section 40. The distal bending direction refers to the bending direction of the active bending section 40 close to its own distal part. Figure 2 For the snake bone shown in , the distal bending direction refers to the bending direction from the first section to the second section of the snake bone.

[0094] For example, Figure 2 As shown, the active bending section 40 is configured as a snake bone, and the hinge axis of the first segment 41a and the second segment 41b of the snake bone is parallel to the hinge axis between the other segments, and the window 112 arranged on the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 of the front end assembly 10 is located on the side of the active bending section 40 in the bending direction, and is preferably located at the axial end of the hinge axis of each segment.

[0095] Exemplarily, the active bending segment 40 is configured as a snake bone, and the hinge axes between the segments are spirally arranged along the axial direction of the snake bone, so that when pulled by the traction rope, the snake bone will present a spirally curled shape, and the window 112 set on the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 of the front end assembly 10 is located on the side of the hinge axes of the first segment 41a and the second segment 41b of the active bending segment 40, and is preferably located at the axial end of the hinge axes of the first segment 41a and the second segment 41b.

[0096] In this embodiment, the window 112 on the front end seat 11 is arranged on the side of the bending direction of the distal end of the active bending section 40, so that the instrument tube 20 with the largest diameter is located on the side of the bending direction of the distal end of the active bending section 40. During the bending process of the active bending section 40, the bending radius of the distal end of the instrument tube 20 can be ensured to be moderate, which is beneficial to reduce the possibility of collapse of the distal end of the instrument tube 20 due to excessive bending.

[0097] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the distal end of the flexible circuit board 50 is connected to the circuit board connected to the base of the camera module 12, and can power the camera module 12 and the lighting module. The flexible circuit board 50 is located in the active bending section 40 and extends along the axial direction of the active bending section 40. The proximal end of the flexible circuit board 50 extends out of the active bending section 40 and is connected to the cylindrical cable.

[0098] In this embodiment, the flexible circuit board 50 directly connected to the camera module 12 is arranged along the entire active bending section 40 to reduce the bending resistance of the active bending section 40 and reduce the space occupied between the instrument tube 20 and the camera module 12. The proximal end of the flexible circuit board 50 located outside the active bending section 40 is connected to the cylindrical cable, which can reduce the cost of the circuit connected to the camera module 12 without affecting the bending resistance of the active bending section 40.

[0099] According to some optional embodiments, Figure 4 As shown, the active bending section 40 is plugged into the front end seat 11 of the front end assembly 10. Specifically, the distal end of the active bending section 40 is plugged into the lumen 111 from the proximal end of the front end seat 11. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first segment 41 a of the active bending segment 40 is coaxially inserted into the lumen 111 of the front end seat 11 and fixed to the peripheral wall of the front end seat 11 .

[0100] Preferably, the first segment 41a of the active bending segment 40 is inserted into the tubular cavity 111, and the distal end face of the first segment 41a is flush with the support surface 1121 formed by the proximal end of the window 112, and together with the support surface 1121, they are axially abutted against the proximal end of the extension portion 121 of the base of the camera module 12 to provide support for the camera module 12.

[0101] In this embodiment, the active bending section 40 is plugged into the front seat 11, which reduces the exclusive length of the front assembly 10, and can make the turning radius of the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope smaller, thereby improving the passability of the front assembly 10 in the human body cavity. By making the distal end surface of the active bending section 40 further flush with the support surface 1121 formed at the proximal end of the window 112, the axial space of the lumen 111 in the front seat 11 can be utilized to the maximum extent, so that the exclusive length of the front assembly 10 is further reduced, and the passability of the front assembly 10 in the human body cavity is improved.

[0102] The above description is only a specific implementation of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A front-end component, characterized in that: include: A front end seat (11) having an axially penetrating lumen (111) formed therein, a peripheral wall of the front end seat (11) being provided with a window (112), the window (112) penetrating the peripheral wall of the front end seat (11) so as to connect the lumen (111) with the outside of the front end seat (11); A camera module (12) is arranged in the tube cavity (111); the peripheral wall of the camera module (12) has an insertion portion (121), and the insertion portion (121) extends into the window (112).

2. A front end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The window (112) forms an opening at the distal end surface of the front end seat (11); and / or, the protruding portion (121) passes through the window (112); And / or, in the radial direction of the front end seat (11), the size of the window (112) is greater than or equal to the size of the camera module (12).

3. A front end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The proximal end of the window (112) forms a support surface (1121), and the protruding portion (121) is axially in contact with the support surface (1121).

4. A front end assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a lens seat (13), the proximal end of the lens seat (13) is inserted into the tube cavity (111) from the distal end of the front end seat (11), the distal end of the camera module (12) is inserted into the lens seat (13), and the lens seat (13) is provided with an instrument tube mounting hole (131) for inserting the instrument tube (20).

5. A front end assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The proximal end surface of the lens holder (13) is provided with a recessed groove (133), the camera module (12) is inserted into the recessed groove (133) and axially abuts against the bottom of the recessed groove (133), and the peripheral wall of the camera module (12) abuts against the groove wall of the recessed groove (133) to prevent circumferential rotation; And / or, the outer peripheral surface of the lens seat (13) radially protrudes from the peripheral wall of the front end seat (11) to form a second annular step (135) for resisting the skin (30); And / or, along the radial direction of the front end seat (11), the instrument tube mounting hole (131), the sink groove (133) and the window (112) are arranged in sequence.

6. A front end assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The peripheral wall of the front end seat (11) is provided with a baffle (113), and the baffle (113) is located in the window (112) to divide the window (112) into two sub-windows arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The camera module (12) is radially abutted against the baffle (113), and the camera module (12) is provided with two circumferentially arranged protruding portions (121), and the two protruding portions (121) respectively extend into one of the sub-windows on the corresponding side.

7. An endoscope, characterized in that: It comprises the front end assembly (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, and the front end assembly (10) is arranged at the distal end of the active bending section (40) of the endoscope.

8. An endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: The window (112) is located on the side of the distal bending direction of the active bending section (40); and / or, The active bending section (40) is provided with a flexible circuit board (50) extending along the active bending section, the distal end of the flexible circuit board (50) is connected to the camera module (12), and the proximal end of the flexible circuit board (50) is located outside the active bending section (40) and connected to a cylindrical cable.

9. An endoscope according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The distal end of the active bending section (40) is inserted into the lumen (111) from the proximal end of the front end seat (11).

10. An endoscope according to claim 9, characterized in that: The distal end surface of the active bending section (40) is flush with the support surface (1121) formed at the proximal end of the window (112), and is axially abutted against the protruding portion (121).

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