Endoscope and tip structure thereof

Abstract

The utility model relates to an endoscope and a tip structure thereof. The tip structure of the endoscope comprises a camera shooting assembly, a lighting assembly, a first hard circuit board, a flexible circuit board and a second hard circuit board. An endoscope includes a housing and a tip structure of the endoscope. In the actual using process of the endoscope and the tip structure thereof, the flexible circuit board and the second hard circuit board are arranged in the shell in a penetrating mode, the camera shooting assembly and the lighting assembly partially extend out of the shell and are used for imaging of the endoscope, and due to the fact that the second hard circuit board is attached to the flexible circuit board capable of being bent, the imaging effect of the endoscope is improved. Therefore, the flexible circuit board not only can realize signal transmission of data, electric energy and the like, but also can realize real-time bending in the use process, so that the stability of the endoscope in the normal use process is ensured, meanwhile, the second hard circuit board can locally reinforce one end, close to the first hard circuit board, of the flexible circuit board, and the service life of the endoscope is prolonged. And the stability of the reinforcing part of the flexible circuit board is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to an endoscope and its distal end structure. Background Art

[0002] In existing endoscopes, the front-end device usually includes a camera assembly and a lighting assembly. The camera assembly and the lighting assembly are connected to other circuits through cables, and the camera assembly and the lighting assembly are usually fixed to the front end by welding.

[0003] Due to the small size of the tip, the camera component and lighting component are also small, and the cable size is also small. The tip device needs to be bent at a specific angle. Traditional welding methods can easily cause it to break or be damaged during the bending process at the corresponding angle. Utility Model Content

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an endoscope and its tip structure to address the problem that due to the small size of the tip, the camera component and lighting component are also small, the cable size is also small, the tip device needs to be bent at a specific angle, and traditional welding methods are prone to cause it to break or be damaged during the bending process of the corresponding angle.

[0005] A tip structure of an endoscope, the tip structure of the endoscope comprising:

[0006] Camera components;

[0007] lighting components;

[0008] a first rigid circuit board, the camera assembly and the lighting assembly being connected to the same side of the first rigid circuit board;

[0009] a flexible circuit board, one end of which is connected to the other side of the first rigid circuit board, and the other end of which is used to connect to the end of the endoscope closest to the operator;

[0010] The second rigid circuit board is attached to a side surface of the flexible circuit board close to one end of the first rigid circuit board, and electronic components are arranged on the second rigid circuit board.

[0011] During actual use of the endoscope, the flexible circuit board and the second rigid circuit board are inserted into the housing, and the camera assembly and the lighting assembly are partially extended out of the housing for endoscopic imaging. Since the second rigid circuit board is attached to the flexible flexible circuit board, and one end of the flexible circuit board is connected to the side of the first rigid circuit board facing away from the lighting assembly, signal transmission and control of the camera assembly and the lighting assembly can be carried out through the first rigid circuit board, the flexible circuit board, and the second rigid circuit board. Furthermore, during use, the flexible circuit board bends in real time at the end facing away from the first rigid circuit board, thereby ensuring that the endoscope can observe in different directions. Furthermore, the connection between the end of the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board can replace the wire connection method, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the end of the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board during normal use of the endoscope during bending, making the connection less likely to break or damage. Furthermore, the second rigid circuit board can locally reinforce the end of the flexible circuit board near the first rigid circuit board, ensuring the stability of the reinforced portion of the flexible circuit board.

[0012] In one embodiment, the distal end structure of the endoscope includes two second rigid circuit boards, and the two second rigid circuit boards are respectively attached to two side surfaces of the flexible circuit board.

[0013] In one embodiment, the distal end structure of the endoscope further includes a reinforcing structure, and the reinforcing structure is connected to both the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board.

[0014] In one embodiment, the tip structure of the endoscope includes two reinforcing structures, and the flexible circuit board extends out of the second rigid circuit board at one end close to the first rigid circuit board. The two reinforcing structures are respectively arranged on both sides of the flexible circuit board, and the reinforcing structures are connected to the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board at the same time.

[0015] In one embodiment, the reinforcement structure is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board and connected to the flexible circuit board, one end of the reinforcement structure is connected to the first rigid circuit board, and the other end is connected to an end of the second rigid circuit board close to the first rigid circuit board.

[0016] In one embodiment, the angle between the second rigid circuit board and the first rigid circuit board is 0-90°.

[0017] Specifically, one connection method is that the reinforcement structure is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board and connected to the flexible circuit board, with one end of the reinforcement structure connected to the first rigid circuit board and the other end connected to the end of the second rigid circuit board close to the first rigid circuit board. When connecting the reinforcement structure, the flexible circuit board can be first connected to the first rigid circuit board, and then the connection between the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board can be bent so that the first rigid circuit board and the flexible circuit board form a certain angle, wherein the angle between the second rigid circuit board and the first rigid circuit board ranges from 0 to 90 degrees. Then, the reinforcement structure is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board and connected to the flexible circuit board, with one end of the reinforcement structure connected to the first rigid circuit board and the other end connected to the end of the second rigid circuit board close to the first rigid circuit board, thereby achieving an angled connection between the first rigid circuit board and the flexible circuit board, thereby meeting observation requirements in different situations and increasing the strength of the bend.

[0018] In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board and the second rigid circuit board are both connected to the first rigid circuit board at one end close to the camera assembly, the second rigid circuit board is connected to the flexible circuit board, and the reinforcement structure is connected to both the second rigid circuit board and the first rigid circuit board.

[0019] In one embodiment, the flexible circuit board and the two second rigid circuit boards are arranged perpendicular to the first rigid circuit board.

[0020] In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure is spaced apart from the second rigid circuit board, that is, the flexible circuit board extends out of the second rigid circuit board and is connected to the first rigid circuit board, and then the connection between the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board is strengthened by the reinforcing structure, so that the connection between the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board is more stable, and the reinforcing structure does not contact the second rigid circuit board, thereby providing a bending angle for the end of the flexible circuit board close to the first rigid circuit board, so that during actual use of the endoscope, the first rigid circuit board can be bent at more angles relative to the second rigid circuit board, so that the lighting component and the camera component can be bent in real time and face the corresponding direction according to actual conditions, thereby achieving both a stable connection between the first rigid circuit board and the first board and real-time bending of the tip, providing more bending angles for the endoscope during use.

[0021] An embodiment of the present application further provides an endoscope, comprising: a housing and a distal end structure of the endoscope.

[0022] During actual use of the endoscope, the flexible circuit board and the second rigid circuit board are inserted into the housing, and the camera assembly and the lighting assembly are partially extended out of the housing for endoscopic imaging. Since the second rigid circuit board is attached to the flexible flexible circuit board, and one end of the flexible circuit board is connected to the side of the first rigid circuit board facing away from the lighting assembly, signal transmission and control of the camera assembly and the lighting assembly can be carried out through the first rigid circuit board, the flexible circuit board, and the second rigid circuit board. Furthermore, during use, the flexible circuit board bends in real time at the end facing away from the first rigid circuit board, thereby ensuring that the endoscope can observe in different directions. Furthermore, the connection between the end of the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board can replace the wire connection method, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between the end of the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board during normal use of the endoscope during bending, making the connection less likely to break or damage. Furthermore, the second rigid circuit board can locally reinforce the end of the flexible circuit board near the first rigid circuit board, ensuring the stability of the reinforced portion of the flexible circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a distal end structure of an endoscope according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Side view of the tip structure of the endoscope.

[0025] Figure 3 A side view of the distal end structure of an endoscope according to another embodiment.

[0026] Figure 4 A side view of the distal end structure of an endoscope according to another embodiment.

[0027] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0028] 100-The tip structure of the endoscope;

[0029] 110 - camera assembly; 111 - lighting assembly; 112 - first rigid circuit board; 113 - reinforcement structure;

[0030] 120-flexible circuit board;

[0031] 130-Second rigid circuit board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0033] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. appear, the orientation or position relationship indicated by these terms is based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing this application 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 this application.

[0034] In addition, if the terms "first" or "second" appear, these terms are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of this application, if the term "plurality" appears, "plurality" means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0035] In this application, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "connected," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, these terms may refer to fixed connections, removable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components or interaction between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, if a first feature is described as being "above" or "below" a second feature, or similar descriptions, this may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, when a first feature is described as being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is described as being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0037] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. If any, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only embodiment.

[0038] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 A structural schematic diagram of the distal end structure 100 of an endoscope in one embodiment of the present application is shown. The distal end structure 100 of the endoscope provided in one embodiment of the present application includes: a camera component 110, a lighting component 111, a first rigid circuit board 112, a flexible circuit board 120 and a second rigid circuit board 130.

[0039] In the aforementioned endoscope tip structure 100, the camera assembly 110 and the lighting assembly 111 are connected to the same side of a first rigid circuit board 112. One end of a flexible circuit board 120 is connected to the side of the first rigid circuit board 112 facing away from the lighting assembly 111. The flexible circuit board 120 is flexible. A second rigid circuit board 130 is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board 120 near one end of the first rigid circuit board 112. Electronic components are mounted on the second rigid circuit board 130, and the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 are used to transmit signals between the camera assembly 110 and the lighting assembly 111.

[0040] See Figure 1 and Figure 2In actual use of the above-mentioned endoscope tip structure 100, the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 are inserted into the shell, and the camera component 110 and the lighting component 111 are partially extended out of the shell for endoscopic imaging. Since the second rigid circuit board 130 is attached to the bendable flexible circuit board 120, one end of the flexible circuit board 120 is connected to the side of the first rigid circuit board 112 away from the lighting component 111, so that signals can be transmitted and controlled to the camera component 110 and the lighting component 111 through the first rigid circuit board 112, the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130. At the same time, the flexible circuit board 120 is bent in real time by one end away from the first rigid circuit board 112 during use, thereby ensuring that the endoscope can observe in different directions. At the same time, the connection between one end of the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 can replace the wire connection method, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between one end of the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 during the bending process when the endoscope is in normal use, making the connection less likely to break or be damaged. At the same time, the second rigid circuit board 130 can locally reinforce the end of the flexible circuit board 120 close to the first rigid circuit board 112 to ensure the stability of the reinforced part of the flexible circuit board 120.

[0041] Specifically, an arc-shaped groove is formed on the side surface of the first rigid circuit board 112 for installing or fixing other equipment.

[0042] Specifically, the flexible circuit board 120 is an FPC board, and may also be other flexible and bendable circuit boards, and the second rigid circuit board 130 is a circuit board.

[0043] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the tip structure 100 of the endoscope includes two second rigid circuit boards 130, which are respectively attached to the two side surfaces of the flexible circuit board 120, thereby ensuring the symmetry of the tip structure 100 of the endoscope on both sides of the bending direction of the flexible circuit board 120, and at the same time enabling multiple types of signal analysis and transmission, while ensuring that the reinforcement on both sides of the flexible circuit board 120 is uniform and symmetrical, thereby improving the stability of the flexible circuit board 120 during the bending process.

[0044] In one embodiment, the tip structure 100 of the endoscope further includes a reinforcing structure 113 , which is connected to both the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 , thereby ensuring that the flexible circuit board 120 can be more stably connected to the first rigid circuit board 112 .

[0045] Specifically, the lighting component 111 and the camera component 110 are welded to the side of the first rigid circuit board 112 facing away from the flexible circuit board 120 through machine patch welding. After welding, the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 are further fixed by the reinforcing structure 113, wherein the reinforcing structure 113 is glue reinforcement or a reinforcement plate, reinforcement block, etc., and the specific method is not limited.

[0046] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the tip structure 100 of the endoscope includes two reinforcing structures 113, and the second rigid circuit board 130 extends from one end of the flexible circuit board 120 close to the first rigid circuit board 112. The two reinforcing structures 113 are arranged on both sides of the flexible circuit board 120, and the reinforcing structures 113 are connected to the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 at the same time.

[0047] See Figure 3 Specifically, one connection method is that the reinforcement structure 113 is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board 120 and connected to the flexible circuit board 120, one end of the reinforcement structure 113 is connected to the first rigid circuit board 112, and the other end is connected to the end of the second rigid circuit board 130 close to the first rigid circuit board 112. When connecting the reinforcement structure 113, the flexible circuit board 120 can be first connected to the first rigid circuit board 112, and then the connection between the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 can be bent so that the first rigid circuit board 112 and the flexible circuit board 120 form a certain angle, wherein the angle range between the second rigid circuit board 130 and the first rigid circuit board 112 is 0-90°, and then the reinforcement structure 113 is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board 120 and connected to the flexible circuit board 120, one end of the reinforcement structure 113 is connected to the first rigid circuit board 112, and the other end is connected to the end of the second rigid circuit board 130 close to the first rigid circuit board 112, thereby realizing an angled connection between the first rigid circuit board 112 and the flexible circuit board 120, so as to meet the observation requirements in different situations, while increasing the strength of the bend.

[0048] See Figure 1 and Figure 2In one embodiment, another connection method is that the ends of the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 close to the camera assembly 110 are both connected to the first rigid circuit board 112, the second rigid circuit board 130 is connected to the flexible circuit board 120, and the reinforcement structure 113 is connected to the second rigid circuit board 130 and the first rigid circuit board 112 at the same time. That is, the composite board assembly after the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 are bonded and connected is directly connected to the first rigid circuit board 112, and then the reinforcement structure 113 is connected to the second rigid circuit board 130 and the first rigid circuit board 112 at the same time, which is equivalent to the reinforcement structure 113 being indirectly connected to the flexible circuit board 120, thereby achieving a further stable connection between the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second rigid circuit boards 130 are connected to both sides of the flexible circuit board 120. Therefore, the flexible circuit board 120 and the two second rigid circuit boards 130 are arranged perpendicular to the first rigid circuit board 112. That is, the end of the flexible circuit board 120 close to the first rigid circuit board 112 is flush with the end of the second rigid circuit board 130 close to the first rigid circuit board 112.

[0050] See Figure 4 In one embodiment, the reinforcing structure 113 is spaced apart from the second rigid circuit board 130. That is, the flexible circuit board 120 extends out of the second rigid circuit board 130 and is connected to the first rigid circuit board 112. The reinforcing structure 113 then strengthens the connection between the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112, making the connection between the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 more stable. The reinforcing structure 113 does not contact the second rigid circuit board 130, thereby providing a bending angle for the end of the flexible circuit board 120 close to the first rigid circuit board 112. During actual use of the endoscope, the first rigid circuit board 112 can be bent at more angles relative to the second rigid circuit board 130. As a result, the lighting assembly 111 and the camera assembly 110 can be bent and oriented in the corresponding direction in real time according to actual conditions, thereby achieving both a stable connection between the first rigid circuit board 112 and the first board and real-time bending of the tip, providing more bending angles for the endoscope during use.

[0051] An embodiment of the present application further provides an endoscope (not shown), which includes a housing (not shown) and a distal end structure 100 of the endoscope.

[0052] The flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 are inserted into the housing, and the camera assembly 110 and the lighting assembly 111 partially extend out of the housing.

[0053] During actual use of the above-mentioned endoscope, the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130 are inserted into the outer shell, and the camera component 110 and the lighting component 111 are partially extended out of the outer shell for endoscopic imaging. Since the second rigid circuit board 130 is attached to the flexible flexible circuit board 120, one end of the flexible circuit board 120 is connected to the side of the first rigid circuit board 112 away from the lighting component 111, so that signals can be transmitted and controlled to the camera component 110 and the lighting component 111 through the first rigid circuit board 112, the flexible circuit board 120 and the second rigid circuit board 130. At the same time, the flexible circuit board 120 is bent in real time by one end away from the first rigid circuit board 112 during use, thereby ensuring that the endoscope can observe in different directions. At the same time, the connection between one end of the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 can replace the wire connection method, thereby ensuring the stability of the connection between one end of the flexible circuit board 120 and the first rigid circuit board 112 during the bending process when the endoscope is in normal use, making the connection less likely to break or be damaged. At the same time, the second rigid circuit board 130 can locally reinforce the end of the flexible circuit board 120 close to the first rigid circuit board 112 to ensure the stability of the reinforced part of the flexible circuit board 120.

[0054] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0055] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tip structure of an endoscope, characterized in that: The tip structure of the endoscope includes: Camera components; lighting components; a first rigid circuit board, the camera assembly and the lighting assembly being connected to the same side of the first rigid circuit board; a flexible circuit board, one end of which is connected to the other side of the first rigid circuit board, and the other end of which is used to connect to the end of the endoscope closest to the operator; The second rigid circuit board is attached to a side surface of the flexible circuit board close to one end of the first rigid circuit board, and electronic components are arranged on the second rigid circuit board.

2. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front end structure of the endoscope includes two second rigid circuit boards, and the two second rigid circuit boards are respectively attached to two side surfaces of the flexible circuit board.

3. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: The distal end structure of the endoscope further includes a reinforcing structure, and the reinforcing structure is connected to both the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board.

4. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tip structure of the endoscope includes two reinforcing structures. The flexible circuit board extends out of the second rigid circuit board at one end close to the first rigid circuit board. The two reinforcing structures are respectively arranged on both sides of the flexible circuit board. The reinforcing structures are connected to the flexible circuit board and the first rigid circuit board at the same time.

5. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reinforcement structure is attached to the side of the flexible circuit board and connected to the flexible circuit board. One end of the reinforcement structure is connected to the first rigid circuit board, and the other end is connected to an end of the second rigid circuit board close to the first rigid circuit board.

6. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that: The angle between the second rigid circuit board and the first rigid circuit board is 0-90°.

7. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board and the second rigid circuit board are both connected to the first rigid circuit board at one end close to the camera assembly, the second rigid circuit board is connected to the flexible circuit board, and the reinforcement structure is connected to the second rigid circuit board and the first rigid circuit board at the same time.

8. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 7, characterized in that: The flexible circuit board and the two second rigid circuit boards are all arranged perpendicular to the first rigid circuit board.

9. The tip structure of the endoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reinforcement structure is spaced apart from the second rigid circuit board.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that: The endoscope comprises the tip structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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