Front end base, front end assembly, insertion portion, and endoscope

Abstract

The application discloses a front end seat, a front end assembly, an insertion part and a endoscope, and relates to the technical field of medical instruments. The front end seat disclosed by the application is used for the front end assembly of an endoscope. The front end seat has a device mounting cavity, a distal end opening and a proximal end opening. The device mounting cavity is used for mounting an image pickup module of the front end assembly. The distal end opening is in communication with the device mounting cavity and is used for exposing a lens side end of a camera of the image pickup module. The proximal end opening is in communication with the device mounting cavity and is used for allowing a cable connected with the image pickup module to pass through. The front end seat further has a glue accommodating groove which is arranged on a cavity wall of the device mounting cavity. The above scheme can at least be used for improving the mounting reliability of devices in the front end seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a front-end seat, a front-end component, an insertion part, and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of medical technology, endoscopes have been widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. When using an endoscope, it can be inserted into the patient's body through the insertion part, and the camera module at the distal end of the insertion part can be used to obtain images of the target area (such as lesions).

[0003] In related technologies, the distal end of the endoscope insertion section has a front-end mount and various components installed within it, such as a camera, light source, and circuit board. Adhesive is typically injected into the inner cavity of the front-end mount to ensure reliable installation of these components. However, in practice, even with this adhesive-based fixing method, internal components of the front-end mount often detach. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides a front-end socket, a front-end assembly, an insertion part, and an endoscope, which can at least improve the installation reliability of devices within the front-end socket.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a front-end mount for a front-end component of an endoscope.

[0006] The front-end mount has a device mounting cavity, a distal opening, and a proximal opening. The device mounting cavity is used to mount the camera module of the front-end assembly. The distal opening communicates with the device mounting cavity to expose the object-side end of the camera of the camera module. The proximal opening communicates with the device mounting cavity to allow the cable connected to the camera module to pass through. The front-end mount also has an adhesive groove located on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity.

[0007] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a front-end component, including the front-end socket described in the first aspect of this application.

[0008] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an insertion part, including the front-end component described in the second aspect of this application.

[0009] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an endoscope including a handle and an insertion part as described in the third aspect of this application, wherein the handle is connected to the insertion part.

[0010] The technical solution adopted in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0011] In the front-end mount disclosed in this application embodiment, a larger adhesive groove is formed in the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity to hold more adhesive. The cured adhesive has a larger bonding area with the cavity wall of the front-end mount, which can improve the bonding quality between the two and reduce the probability of the camera module and the adhesive as a whole detaching from the front-end mount. This effectively prevents the devices in the front-end mount from detaching, thus achieving the technical objective of improving the installation reliability of the devices in the front-end mount.

[0012] In addition, the adhesive reservoir forms a recessed structure on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity. After the adhesive flows into the reservoir and solidifies, the adhesive in the reservoir is embedded in the cavity wall of the front-end seat. This is equivalent to forming a mating and holding relationship between the adhesive and the front-end seat. In this way, the adhesive reservoir will limit and hinder the adhesive, further preventing relative misalignment between the adhesive and the cavity wall of the front-end seat, thereby improving the installation reliability of the device in the front-end seat. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are provided to further illustrate this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of this application and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application.

[0014] In the attached diagram:

[0015] Figure 1 Isometrics of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 2 Isometrics of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application Figure 2 ;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a front view of the front-end components disclosed in some embodiments of this application;

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Sectional view along the middle AA direction;

[0019] Figure 5 This is an isometric view of the front-end mount disclosed in the first embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 6 This is an isometric view of the front-end mount disclosed in the second embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the front-end mount disclosed in the second embodiment of this application.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 100-Front-end base, 100a-Device mounting cavity, 100a1-Camera sub-cavity, 100a2-Light source sub-cavity, 100b-Far opening, 100c-Proximal opening, 100d-First adhesive groove, 100e-Instrument port, 100f-Avoidance groove, 100g-Wire routing channel, 100h-Instrument channel, 100i-Second adhesive groove, 110-Support protrusion, 120-Proximal cavity surface;

[0024] 200 - Camera, 300 - Light source, 400 - Cable, 500 - Instrument tube. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] In various embodiments of this application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the position of the endoscope and its accessories relative to the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "distal end".

[0027] To facilitate understanding of the front-end base, front-end component, insertion part, and endoscope provided in the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies will first be introduced in conjunction with the application scenarios below.

[0028] Regarding the issue of distal components easily detaching from endoscopes, the inventors discovered through research that this is primarily due to insufficient adhesion between the front-end seat and the related components after the adhesive cures within the front-end seat. Specifically, after injecting the adhesive into the front-end seat cavity, the cured adhesive will bond the front-end seat and related components together. However, due to size limitations and other factors, the bonding area between the adhesive and the inner wall of the front-end seat cavity is usually small. This results in poor performance of the adhesive between the front-end seat and the related components in terms of mechanical strength, stress distribution, and process tolerance, thus preventing reliable installation of the components inside the front-end seat.

[0029] In view of this, some embodiments of this application provide a front-end mount for a front-end component of an endoscope.

[0030] Please see Figures 1-7The front-end mount 100 disclosed in this application has a device mounting cavity 100a, a distal opening 100b, and a proximal opening 100c. The device mounting cavity 100a is used to mount the camera module of the front-end assembly. The distal opening 100b communicates with the device mounting cavity 100a to expose the object side of the camera 200 of the camera module. The proximal opening 100c communicates with the device mounting cavity 100a to allow the cable 400 connected to the camera module to pass through. The front-end mount 100 also has an adhesive receiving groove, which is disposed on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity 100a.

[0031] The front-end mount 100 is the basic component of the endoscope's front-end assembly, serving as the mounting base for other structures within the assembly. The front-end mount 100 provides mounting space for the camera module of the front-end assembly through a device mounting cavity 100a. The camera module includes a camera 200 to acquire images at the distal end of the insertion section. The camera module may also include at least part of components such as a light source 300 (typically an LED), a circuit board, etc. The light source 300 provides illumination to improve image quality, and the circuit board optimizes the layout between components. For example, a flexible circuit board can connect both the camera 200 and the light source 300 simultaneously and can be bent to adapt to the compact layout requirements within the front-end mount 100. Furthermore, the front-end mount 100 also provides protection for these components.

[0032] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the distal opening 100b and the proximal opening 100c make the front-end base 100 open at both its distal and proximal ends, corresponding to the device mounting cavities 100a, so that the object-side end of the camera 200 is exposed to acquire images, while the camera module cable 400 is led out from the proximal end of the front-end base 100.

[0033] In the embodiments of this application, an additional adhesive-receiving groove is formed on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity 100a of the front end 100. This provides more space for the adhesive to be contained when adhesive is injected into the device mounting cavity 100a (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 4 As shown, after the adhesive is injected into the device mounting cavity 100a from the proximal opening 100c of the front end seat 100, the adhesive will not only occupy the original space, but will also flow into the adhesive reservoir. The cured adhesive will become a whole and bond the front end seat 100 and the camera module together, thus effectively increasing the bonding area with the cavity wall of the front end seat 100.

[0034] It should be understood that a larger bonding area provides higher peel and shear strength between the adhesive and the front seat 100, resulting in superior connection reliability when the distal end of the insertion part is subjected to vibration, impact, or long-term load. Secondly, a larger bonding area between the adhesive and the cavity wall of the front seat 100 reduces localized stress concentration, thereby lowering the risk of debonding. Furthermore, with an increased bonding area between the adhesive and the cavity wall of the front seat 100, the proportion of localized adhesive defects (such as air bubbles, uneven thickness, etc.) decreases, thus reducing the negative impact on the overall connection strength.

[0035] Therefore, the embodiments of this application increase the bonding area between the front-end seat 100 and the adhesive by using an adhesive groove, which can improve the bonding quality between the adhesive and the front-end seat 100. This reduces the probability of the camera module and the adhesive as a whole separating from the front-end seat 100, thereby effectively preventing the camera module from separating from the front-end seat 100, and thus achieving the technical objective of improving the installation reliability of the components in the front-end seat 100.

[0036] It is worth noting that the adhesive reservoir forms a recessed structure on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity 100a. After the adhesive flows into the adhesive reservoir and solidifies, the adhesive in the adhesive reservoir is embedded in the cavity wall of the front end seat 100. This is equivalent to forming a mating and holding relationship between the adhesive and the front end seat 100. In this way, the adhesive reservoir will limit and hinder the adhesive, further preventing relative misalignment between the adhesive and the cavity wall of the front end seat 100, thereby improving the installation reliability of the device in the front end seat 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the adhesive receiving groove of the front-end base 100 includes a first adhesive receiving groove 100d, which is located on the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity 100a. It should be understood that the camera module is inserted into the device mounting cavity 100a along the axial direction of the front-end base 100. For example, it is inserted axially from the distal opening 100b or the proximal opening 100c of the front-end base 100. Therefore, any detachment of the camera module typically occurs along the axial direction. In this example, the cured adhesive will embed itself into the first adhesive receiving groove 100d. Since the first adhesive receiving groove 100d is located on the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity 100a, the adhesive embedded in the first adhesive receiving groove 100d will engage axially with the mounting base and mutually limit each other, providing engagement resistance against the overall axial displacement trend of the camera module and the adhesive. This effectively prevents the device in the front-end base 100 from detaching axially, improving the installation reliability of the device in the front-end base 100.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the device mounting cavity 100a includes a camera sub-cavity 100a1 and a light source sub-cavity 100a2. On the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity 100a, a support protrusion 110 is defined between the camera sub-cavity 100a1 and the light source sub-cavity 100a2. A first adhesive groove 100d is provided on the support protrusion 110.

[0039] It should be understood that in this example, the support protrusion 110 is located between the camera sub-cavity 100a1 and the light source sub-cavity 100a2, serving as a partition between them. The side wall of the support protrusion 110 corresponding to the camera sub-cavity 100a1 acts as the cavity wall of the camera sub-cavity 100a1, providing support and positioning for the camera 200. Similarly, the side wall of the support protrusion 110 corresponding to the light source sub-cavity 100a2 acts as the cavity wall of the light source sub-cavity 100a2, providing support and positioning for the light source 300. The support protrusion 110 protrudes relative to its adjacent area. From the overall structure of the front end 100, the wall thickness of the portion corresponding to the support protrusion 110 in the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity 100a is greater than the wall thickness of its adjacent portion. In this case, the first adhesive groove 100d in this example is opened in the area with a larger wall thickness in the front end 100. This can avoid reducing the wall thickness and causing the structural strength to be lower than required, thereby taking into account both the structural strength requirements of the front end 100 and the installation reliability of the device in the front end 100.

[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figures 3-5 As shown, the front-end seat 100 has an instrument port 100e, and the device mounting cavity 100a includes a camera sub-cavity 100a1 and a light source sub-cavity 100a2. Along the arrangement direction of the device mounting cavity 100a and the instrument port 100e, the light source sub-cavity 100a2 extends into the sidewall of the instrument port 100e distributed in a first direction, defining a clearance groove 100f. The first direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the device mounting cavity 100a and the instrument port 100e. It should be noted that, for ease of illustrating the layout and orientational relationships between structures, a spatial coordinate system is constructed as shown in Figure 3, but this is not intended to limit the structural layout and orientational relationships in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 In the middle, the arrangement direction of the device mounting cavity 100a and the instrument port 100e can be roughly referred to the Y-axis direction, and the first direction can be roughly referred to the X-axis direction.

[0041] It should be understood that the instrument channel 100h within the front-end seat 100 is typically a circular channel, and the side walls of the instrument opening 100e distributed along the first direction will have a relatively large wall thickness. In this example, the light source sub-cavity 100a2 is correspondingly positioned to the side walls of the instrument opening 100e distributed along the first direction, and is recessed into the corresponding side walls via the clearance groove 100f. With this layout, the size of the light source sub-cavity 100a2 can be increased, allowing for the installation of a larger light source 300 and achieving a better lighting effect; simultaneously, it is equivalent to increasing the size of the device mounting cavity 1. By maintaining the original specifications of the light source 300, a larger camera 200 can be installed in the size of 00a, which will result in better shooting quality. In essence, this example improves the space utilization of the front-end seat 100 by constructing an avoidance groove 100f on the side wall of the instrument port 100e. On this basis, if the original specifications of the light source 300 and the camera 200 are maintained, that is, the overall size of the device mounting cavity 100a remains roughly unchanged, the outer peripheral size of the front-end seat 100 can be reduced, thereby improving its insertion performance.

[0042] Of particular note is that, in this example, the clearance groove 100f forms a recessed structure that avoids the mounting of the light source 300 relative to the original corresponding device mounting cavity 100a. It can also accommodate the adhesive, which can further increase the bonding area after the injected adhesive has cured, improve the bonding quality between the adhesive and the front end seat 100, and further optimize the anti-detachment performance of the device in the front end seat 100.

[0043] In some embodiments, the front-end housing 100 may have only one large chamber for mounting the camera module, instrument tube 500, and other structures. During assembly, the camera module and instrument tube 500 can be placed into this chamber and glue can be applied simultaneously. That is, the device mounting cavity 100a in this example can accommodate the instrument tube 500.

[0044] In other embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 As shown, the front end 100 has a wiring channel 100g and an instrument channel 100h. The wiring channel 100g and the instrument channel 100h are isolated from each other and set independently. The wiring channel 100g is used to pass through the cable 400. The device mounting cavity 100a is connected to the proximal opening 100c through the wiring channel 100g.

[0045] It should be understood that this example effectively divides the front-end mount 100 into a device mounting cavity 100a and an instrument channel 100h. With this layout, the device mounting cavity 100a occupies less space, and both its distal opening 100b and proximal opening 100c are smaller. This reduces the sealing range and simplifies the sealing process, thereby lowering the risk of damage to the device in the front-end mount 100 due to seal failure. Furthermore, the smaller end opening of the device mounting cavity 100a also prevents adhesive leakage, improving the ease of assembly operations.

[0046] In some embodiments, the adhesive groove extends through the corresponding sidewall of the front end seat 100 along its depth direction.

[0047] It should be understood that with this layout, the amount of adhesive that the adhesive tank can hold will be increased. After the adhesive cures, the bonding area between the adhesive and the front-end seat 100 will be further increased, thereby further optimizing the anti-detachment performance of the components inside the front-end seat 100. In addition, based on this structural layout, an outer cover (such as heat-shrink film) can be applied to the outside of the front-end seat 100 before the adhesive is fully cured, so that the adhesive is bonded and fixed to the outer cover. In this way, the adhesive connects the outer cover, the front-end seat 100, and the camera module together, inhibiting each other. This not only improves the connection reliability between the outer cover and the front-end seat 100, but also further optimizes the anti-detachment performance of the components inside the front-end seat 100.

[0048] In some embodiments, such as Figures 5-7 As shown, the front end base 100 has a proximal cavity surface 120 on the proximal side of the corresponding device mounting cavity 100a, and the wiring channel 100g passes through the proximal cavity surface 120 and communicates with the device mounting cavity 100a; the adhesive receiving groove of the front end base 100 includes a second adhesive receiving groove 100i, which is disposed on the proximal cavity surface 120.

[0049] It should be understood that in the front-end seat 100 with the wiring channel 100g, the wall thickness of the proximal sidewall of the wiring channel 100g is usually relatively thick. In this example, the second adhesive reservoir 100i is opened on the proximal cavity surface 120. This can increase the volume of adhesive held by the second adhesive reservoir 100i, thereby increasing the bonding area between the cured adhesive and the front-end seat 100. This further optimizes the anti-detachment performance of the components inside the front-end seat 100, and avoids the structural strength being lower than required due to the thinning of the wall thickness. Thus, the structural strength requirements of the front-end seat 100 and the installation reliability of the components inside the front-end seat 100 are taken into account at the same time.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 5As shown, the front-end base 100 and the wiring channel 100g are isolated from each other by a second adhesive reservoir 100i. Thus, when the adhesive contained in the second adhesive reservoir 100i solidifies, the adhesive will be embedded within the second adhesive reservoir 100i, forming a limiting effect on the cross-section of the front-end base 100. This can suppress the radial displacement tendency of the device within the front-end base 100, thereby achieving the effect of preventing device detachment.

[0051] In another embodiment, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the front-end base 100 includes a second adhesive reservoir 100i that communicates with the wiring channel 100g. With this arrangement, during the process of injecting adhesive from the proximal opening 100c of the front-end base 100, the adhesive is more likely to flow into the second adhesive reservoir 100i, which allows the adhesive in the second adhesive reservoir 100i to be filled more fully and avoids the occurrence of air bubbles and voids.

[0052] Please see Figures 1-7 Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a front-end component, which includes the front-end socket 100 mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions. Thus, the front-end component possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned front-end socket 100, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as Figures 1-4 and Figure 7 As shown, the front-end assembly also includes a camera module, an outer cover, and an adhesive. The camera module is disposed within the device mounting cavity 100a. The outer cover covers the outer periphery of the front-end base 100 and correspondingly covers at least a portion of the proximal opening 100c. The adhesive fills the device mounting cavity 100a and the proximal opening 100c to bond and fix the camera module, the front-end base 100, and the outer cover together.

[0054] It should be understood that with this layout, the colloid connects the outer cover, the front-end base 100, and the camera module together, inhibiting each other. This not only improves the connection reliability between the outer cover and the front-end base 100, but also further optimizes the anti-detachment performance of the components inside the front-end base 100.

[0055] In the embodiments of this application, no specific restrictions are placed on the type of the outer cover. It can be a common outer skin or a heat-shrink film, etc. When the outer cover is a heat-shrink film, it itself has a certain assembly and fixing effect with the front end seat 100 through the heat-shrink process. The above embodiments further improve the connection reliability through the adhesive, thereby making the overall connection performance between the outer cover and the front end seat 100 very excellent.

[0056] Please see Figures 1-7 Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide an insertion part, which includes the front-end component mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions. Thus, the insertion part possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned front-end component, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0057] Please see Figures 1-7 Embodiments of this application also provide an endoscope, which includes a handle and an insertion portion as mentioned in any of the foregoing solutions, with the handle connected to the insertion portion. Thus, the endoscope possesses the beneficial effects of the aforementioned insertion portion, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0058] The endoscopes involved in the embodiments of this application may be bronchoscopes, pyeloscopes, esophagoscopes, gastroscopes, colonoscopes, otoscopes, rhinoscopes, oral endoscopes, laryngoscopes, colposcopes, laparoscopes, arthroscopes, etc. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the types of endoscopes.

[0059] The above embodiments of this application focus on describing the differences between the various embodiments. As long as the different optimization features between the various embodiments are not contradictory, they can be combined to form a better embodiment. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0060] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A front-end mount for an endoscope's front-end assembly, characterized in that, The front-end mount has a device mounting cavity, a distal opening, and a proximal opening. The device mounting cavity is used to mount the camera module of the front-end assembly. The distal opening communicates with the device mounting cavity to expose the object-side end of the camera of the camera module. The proximal opening communicates with the device mounting cavity to allow the cable connected to the camera module to pass through. The front end also has an adhesive reservoir, which is located on the cavity wall of the device mounting cavity.

2. The front-end mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adhesive reservoir of the front end seat includes a first adhesive reservoir, which is disposed on the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity.

3. The front-end mount according to claim 2, characterized in that, The device mounting cavity includes a camera sub-cavity and a light source sub-cavity. On the circumferential sidewall of the device mounting cavity, a support protrusion is defined between the camera sub-cavity and the light source sub-cavity, and the support protrusion is provided with the first adhesive groove.

4. The front-end mount according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front end has an instrument port, and the device mounting cavity includes a camera sub-cavity and a light source sub-cavity. Along the arrangement direction of the device mounting cavity and the instrument port, the light source sub-cavity extends into the side wall of the instrument port in a first direction to define an avoidance groove. The first direction is perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the device mounting cavity and the instrument port.

5. The front end holder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The front end has a wiring channel and an instrument channel. The wiring channel and the instrument channel are isolated from each other and are set independently. The wiring channel is used to pass through the cable. The device mounting cavity is connected to the proximal opening through the wiring channel. And / or, the adhesive groove extends through the corresponding sidewall of the front end seat along its depth direction.

6. The front-end mount according to claim 5, characterized in that, The front-end base has a proximal cavity surface corresponding to the proximal side of the device mounting cavity, and the wiring channel passes through the proximal cavity surface and communicates with the device mounting cavity; the adhesive groove of the front-end base includes a second adhesive groove, which is disposed on the proximal cavity surface; wherein: the front-end base includes a second adhesive groove communicating with the wiring channel, and / or, the front-end base includes a second adhesive groove that is isolated from the wiring channel.

7. A front-end component, characterized in that, Includes the front end mount as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The front-end component according to claim 7, characterized in that, The front-end assembly further includes a camera module, an outer cover, and an adhesive. The camera module is disposed within the device mounting cavity. The outer cover is fitted over the outer periphery of the front-end base and correspondingly covers at least a portion of the proximal opening. The adhesive fills the device mounting cavity and the proximal opening to bond and fix the camera module, the front-end base, and the outer cover together.

9. An insertion part, characterized in that, Includes the front-end component as described in claim 7 or 8.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, It includes a handle and the insertion part as described in claim 9, wherein the handle is connected to the insertion part.

Images