Endoscope

Abstract

This endoscope comprises: a tip frame; a fitted part provided on the base end side of the tip frame and having an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the tip side of the tip frame; a connecting ring that fits with the fitted part; a recessed part provided in the connecting ring; a projecting part projecting in the radial direction of the tip frame from a part of the fitted part and engaging with the recessed part; and an imaging module built in the tip frame in the vicinity of the projecting part and disposed in a region overlapping the projecting part in the radial direction of the tip frame.

Description

Endoscopy

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope having a connecting member fitted to the proximal end side of the distal end portion.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used in the medical field, industrial field, etc. An endoscope is capable of observing and treating the inside of a subject by inserting an insertion portion into the subject.

[0003] The distal end of the insertion section is formed by a rigid distal end frame. The distal end frame has a plurality of through-holes that penetrate the insertion section in the longitudinal axis direction. Each through-hole receives an imaging module, an illumination optical system, a forceps channel tube, and other components. Each component is fixed to its corresponding through-hole in a liquid-tight manner using an adhesive or the like.

[0004] The base end side of such a distal frame is connected to the bending portion via a connecting ring. Here, the connecting ring is adhesively fixed to the distal frame in a fitted state. In order to realize the fitting of the distal frame and the connecting ring, for example, WO 2021 / 175093 discloses a technology in which a joint portion (fitted portion) having a circumferential surface with an outer diameter dimension smaller than the outer peripheral surface of the distal side of the distal frame is formed at the base end of the distal frame.

[0005] However, if the base end of the tip frame is formed with a circumferential surface having a smaller outer diameter than the tip side of the tip frame in order to achieve the fitting of the tip frame and the connecting ring, the layout for installing each component such as the imaging module on the tip frame is limited. In other words, if the base end of the tip frame is formed with a circumferential surface having a smaller outer diameter than the tip side of the tip frame, the through holes for inserting each component must be laid out more inward than the circumferential surface of the base end of the tip frame.

[0006] In contrast, by cutting out a portion of the wall on the base end side of each through hole, it is possible to relax the restrictions on the layout of each component relative to the distal end frame without increasing the outer diameter dimension of the entire distal end frame.

[0007] On the other hand, when a portion of the wall of each through hole is cut out, the skill required of the worker is particularly high when adhesively fixing the imaging module to the through hole. That is, when a portion of the through hole is cut out, the worker is required to have a high level of skill to adhesively fix the imaging module to the through hole in a liquid-tight manner. Furthermore, when a portion of the through hole is cut out, the worker is required to have a high level of skill to position the optical axis direction of the imaging module along the wall surface of the through hole.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an endoscope that can accurately adhesively fix an imaging module to a tip frame without increasing the outer diameter dimension of the entire tip frame.

[0009] An endoscope according to one aspect of the present invention includes a tip frame that constitutes the tip of an insertion section, a mating portion provided on the base end side of the tip frame and having an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the tip side of the tip frame, a connecting member that matings with the mating portion, a recess provided on the connecting member, a convex portion that protrudes from a part of the mating portion in the radial direction of the tip frame and engages with the concave portion, and an imaging module that is built into the tip frame near the convex portion and is arranged in a region that overlaps with the convex portion in the radial direction of the tip frame.

[0010] 1 is a front view of an endoscope according to a first embodiment; 2 is a front view of a parent-child endoscope system according to a first embodiment; 3 is a perspective view showing the distal end of the endoscope according to a first embodiment; 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the distal end frame and each component such as an imaging module from the rear side according to a first embodiment; 5 is a rear view of the distal end frame according to a first embodiment; 6 is a perspective view showing the distal end frame to which each component such as an imaging module is assembled from the rear side according to a first embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the tip portion according to a first modified example of the first embodiment, showing a cross-sectional view of a main part of the tip portion along the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion; 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tip frame and a connecting ring from the rear side according to a second modified example of the first embodiment; 3 is a perspective view of a tip frame assembled with components such as an imaging module and a connecting ring from the rear side according to a second modified example of the first embodiment; 4 is a plan view of a tip portion with the outer skin removed according to a third modified example of the first embodiment;

[0011] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present technology will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG.

[0012] 1 is a biliary-pancreatic endoscope for observing and treating the biliary duct or pancreas. Although the present embodiment is described using a biliary-pancreatic endoscope as an example, the technology described below can be applied to various other endoscopes, such as those for the digestive system and surgery.

[0013] Here, the endoscope 1 of this embodiment constitutes a parent-child endoscope together with a duodenoscope 100, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the endoscope 1 is used as a child endoscope of a parent-child endoscope system in which the duodenoscope 100 is the parent endoscope.

[0014] Therefore, prior to describing the endoscope 1 of this embodiment, the general configuration of a duodenoscope 100 (hereinafter referred to as the mother endoscope 100) will be described.

[0015] The mother endoscope 100 is, for example, a side-viewing endoscope, and includes an insertion section 101 and an operation section 102 connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 101.

[0016] The insertion section 101 includes a tip section 111 located at the tip of the insertion section 101, a bending section 112 configured to be freely bendable, and a flexible tube section 113 having flexibility. The tip section 111, the bending section 112, and the flexible tube section 113 are connected in this order from the tip side of the insertion section 2101. Although not shown, the tip section 111 is provided with an imaging module, an illumination optical system, a treatment tool opening, a treatment tool elevator, and the like.

[0017] The mother endoscope 100 further has a treatment instrument channel 114 provided inside the insertion section 101 and the operation section 102. The treatment instrument channel 114 communicates with a mouthpiece 105 provided in the operation section 102 and a treatment instrument opening in the distal end section 111. The treatment instrument channel 114 is designed to allow treatment instruments such as forceps and the like, as well as the insertion section of the endoscope 1 described below, to be inserted therethrough.

[0018] The operation section 102 includes an operation section main body 121. The flexible tube section 113 of the insertion section 101 is connected to the operation section main body 121.

[0019] The operation section 102 further includes a plurality of operation members provided on the operation section main body 121. The plurality of operation members are used to operate the mother endoscope 100. The plurality of operation members include two bending operation knobs 123 and 124 for operating the bending of the bending section 112, and a treatment instrument raising lever 125 for operating a treatment instrument raising stand provided on the distal end portion 111.

[0020] The mother endoscope 100 further has a universal cord 103 extending from the operation section 102. The universal cord 103 is connected to an endoscope unit (not shown) for controlling the mother endoscope 100.

[0021] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the endoscope 1 of this embodiment. The endoscope 1 has an insertion section 2 and an operation section 3 connected to the proximal end of the insertion section 2.

[0022] The outer diameter of the insertion section 2 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the treatment instrument channel 114 of the mother endoscope 100. This allows the insertion section 2 inserted into the mouthpiece 105 of the mother endoscope 100 to protrude from the treatment instrument opening of the mother endoscope 100 via the treatment instrument channel 114 of the mother endoscope 100. Furthermore, when protruding from the treatment instrument opening of the mother endoscope 100, the insertion section 2 can be raised by a treatment instrument elevator provided at the tip end 111 (see FIG. 2 ).

[0023] The insertion section 2 includes a tip section 5 located at the tip of the insertion section 2, a bending section 6 configured to be freely bendable, and a flexible tube section 7. The tip section 5, bending section 6, and flexible tube section 7 are connected in this order from the tip side of the insertion section 2.

[0024] 4, the tip portion 5 incorporates an imaging module 21 and two illumination lenses 22. The imaging module 21 forms an observation window 32 (see FIG. 3) on a tip surface 31 of the tip portion 5. The two illumination lenses 22 also form two illumination windows 33 (see FIG. 3) on the tip surface 31.

[0025] 4, for example, a treatment instrument channel 23, two light guides 24, and two water supply channels 25 are connected to the distal end portion 5. The treatment instrument channel 23 communicates with a treatment instrument opening 34 (see FIG. 3) provided on the distal end surface 31. The two light guides 24 are optically connected to two illumination lenses 22, respectively. The two water supply channels 25 communicate with two water supply ports 35 (see FIG. 3) provided on the distal end surface, respectively.

[0026] The bending section 6 has a bending tube 55 made of, for example, a superelastic alloy (see FIG. 3 ). The bending tube 55 has, for example, multiple slits (not shown) formed by laser processing. This allows the bending section 6 to be actively bent in four directions: up, down, left, and right. Here, the up, down, left, and right directions of the distal end section 5 and the bending section 6 are directions defined in correspondence with the up, down, left, and right directions of the endoscopic image captured by the imaging module 21.

[0027] The bending portion 6 can also be formed using a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces are connected by connecting pins. Alternatively, the bending portion 6 can also be formed using a multi-lumen tube.

[0028] The flexible tube section 7 is made of, for example, a tubular member that is flexible so as to be passively flexible. The flexible tube section 7 can also be made of a multi-lumen tube.

[0029] The operation section 3 includes an operation section main body 10 and a breakage prevention section 11. The flexible tube section 7 of the insertion section 2 is connected to the operation section main body 10. The breakage prevention section 11 covers the connection portion of the flexible tube section 7 with the operation section main body 10 and the vicinity thereof.

[0030] The operation section 3 includes a mouthpiece 14 provided on the operation section body 10. The mouthpiece 14 is connected to a treatment instrument channel 23 inside the operation section body 10.

[0031] The operation unit 3 includes a plurality of operation members provided on an operation unit main body 10. The plurality of operation members are used to operate the endoscope 1. The plurality of operation members include two bending operation knobs 15, 16 used to operate the bending of the bending portion 6 of the insertion section 2.

[0032] The operation section 3 also includes a fixing member 17 provided on the operation section main body 10. The fixing member 17 has a belt-like shape that can be wrapped around the operation section 102 of the mother endoscope 100. One end of the fixing member 17 is connected to the operation section main body 10. The fixing member 17 also has a locking hole 17a near the other end of the fixing member 17. The locking hole 17a can be locked onto a protrusion 18 provided on the operation section main body 10. When the fixing member 17 is wrapped around the operation section 102 of the mother endoscope 100, the locking hole 17a locks onto the protrusion 18. In this way, the fixing member 17 secures the endoscope 1 to the mother endoscope 100.

[0033] A universal cord 20 is connected to the operation unit 3. The universal cord 20 includes various signal lines 26, a light guide 24, a water supply channel 25, and the like, which extend from the imaging module 21. The universal cord 20 can be connected to an endoscope unit (not shown) for controlling the endoscope 1.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the tip portion 5 will be described in detail.

[0035] The distal end portion 5 has a distal end frame 30 made of, for example, a hard resin. The distal end frame 30 is a hard frame member having a basic cylindrical shape.

[0036] The distal end surface 31 of the distal end frame 30 has a first surface 31a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second surface 31b inclined relative to the first surface 31a. This gives the distal end frame 30 a generally bullet-like shape. The distal end surface 31 may alternatively be formed solely by the first surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0037] The distal end frame 30 has a plurality of through holes that penetrate the distal end frame 30 in the longitudinal axis O direction of the insertion section 2. For example, the distal end frame 30 has a first through hole 36, two second through holes 37, a third through hole 38, and two fourth through holes 39.

[0038] The first through-hole 36 is a through-hole for incorporating the imaging module 21 into the tip frame 30. In this embodiment, the first through-hole 36 is configured as, for example, a rectangular hole. A plurality of ribs 36a extending in the longitudinal axis O direction of the insertion portion 2 are provided on the inner wall of the first through-hole 36.

[0039] In the following description, the up, down, left, and right directions of the tip frame 30 are defined to correspond to the up, down, left, and right directions of the endoscopic image captured by the imaging module 21 (see, for example, FIG. 5).

[0040] The two second through holes 37 are through holes for incorporating the illumination lens 22 and the distal end portions of the light guide 24 into the distal end frame 30. In this embodiment, each second through hole 37 is formed, for example, by a circular hole. These two second through holes 37 are disposed, for example, on both the left and right sides of the first through hole 36.

[0041] The third through hole 38 is a through hole for incorporating the distal end portion of the treatment instrument channel 23 into the distal end frame 30. In the present embodiment, the third through hole 38 is configured as, for example, a round hole. The distal end of the third through hole 38 is formed as the treatment instrument opening 34. The third through hole 38 is disposed, for example, below the first through hole 36. More specifically, the first through hole 36 and the third through hole 38 are disposed next to each other above and below in the diameter direction of the distal end frame 30.

[0042] The two fourth through holes 39 are through holes for incorporating the tip portions of the water supply channels 25 into the tip frame 30. In this embodiment, each fourth through hole 39 is configured as, for example, a round hole. The tip of each fourth through hole 39 is formed as a water supply port 35. These two fourth through holes 39 are, for example, located on both the left and right sides of the first through hole 36 and the third through hole 38.

[0043] The distal end frame 30 is connected to the distal end side of the insertion section 2 via a connecting ring 50 serving as a connecting member. The connecting ring 50 is adhesively fixed to the distal end frame 30 in a state where it is fitted onto the proximal end side of the distal end frame 30.

[0044] For this reason, the distal end frame 30 has a fitted portion 40 on the base end side for fitting the connecting ring 50. The outer diameter R2 of this fitted portion 40 is set smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the distal end side of the distal end frame 30.

[0045] That is, the fitted portion 40 is provided inside a circular region A (see, for example, the two-dot chain line in FIGS. 4, 5, and 8 ) having an outer diameter R2 that is smaller than the outer diameter R1 on the distal end side of the distal frame 30. More specifically, in this embodiment, the fitted portion 40 is provided in an area inside and above the circular region A on the proximal end side of the distal frame 30. At least a first through-hole 36 is formed in the area where the fitted portion 40 is provided. Here, the outer diameter R2 of the circular region A is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the connecting ring 50.

[0046] Furthermore, the tip frame 30 has a protrusion 41 that protrudes from a part of the fitted portion 40 in the outer diameter direction of the tip frame 30. Specifically, this protrusion 41 protrudes from a part on the upper side of the fitted portion 40 in the outer diameter direction of the tip frame 30. As a result, the protrusion 41 is arranged in a position aligned with the first through hole 36 and the third through hole 38 in the radial direction of the tip frame 30. In other words, the first through hole 36 is arranged between the third through hole 38 and the protrusion 41 in the radial direction of the tip frame 30.

[0047] In this embodiment, the convex portion 41 has a substantially arcuate shape in rear view. The outer diameter R3 of the substantially arcuate convex portion 41 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the connecting ring 50.

[0048] Furthermore, when the distal end frame 30 is viewed in plan from above, the width W2 of the convex portion 41 is set to be larger than the width W1 of the first through-hole 36. As a result, even when the first through-hole 36 is positioned closer to the upper side of the distal end frame 30, the inner wall of the first through-hole 36 is formed around the entire circumference without interruption even on the base end side of the distal end frame 30 (the fitted portion 40).

[0049] In the tip frame 30 configured in this manner, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10, the imaging module 21 is inserted into the first through-hole 36.

[0050] Here, as shown in FIG. 4 , the imaging module 21 of this embodiment is primarily configured with a CSP (Chip Size Package) in which a lens unit 21a and an imaging element 21b are stacked and packaged together. The lens unit 21a is configured with a lens stack or the like fabricated using wafer-level optics technology. That is, the lens unit 21a is manufactured by, for example, stacking and dicing multiple lens wafers, each having lenses formed on a base material such as a glass substrate. Therefore, the lens unit 21a has a rectangular shape in a plan view and does not have a lens frame.

[0051] When the imaging module 21 is inserted into the first through-hole 36, a plurality of ribs 36a provided on the inner wall of the first through-hole 36 guide the imaging module 21. Furthermore, the plurality of ribs 36a form a gap between the first through-hole 36 and the imaging module 21. The gap between the first through-hole 36 and the imaging module 21 is filled with adhesive 43. As a result, the imaging module 21 is adhesively fixed to the first through-hole 36 in a liquid-tight manner.

[0052] Here, a plurality of signal lines 26, four in this example, are connected to the rear surface of the imaging element 21b. The tip side of each of these signal lines 26 is covered with a protective member 26a formed on the rear surface side of the imaging element 21b using an adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, the tip portion of the signal line 26 covered with the protective member 26a is inserted into the first through-hole 36 as part of the imaging module 21.

[0053] An illumination lens 22 is inserted into each second through-hole 37. Each illumination lens 22 is fixed to the tip frame 30 using an adhesive or the like at the tip side of each second through-hole 37. By fixing these illumination lenses 22, the tip side of each second through-hole 37 is liquid-tightly closed.

[0054] Furthermore, the tip portion of each light guide 24 is inserted into each second through-hole 37. Each light guide 24 is fixed to the tip frame 30 using an adhesive or the like while being in contact with each illumination lens 22. As a result, each light guide 24 is connected to the tip frame 30 while being optically connected to each illumination lens 22.

[0055] The distal end portion of the treatment instrument channel 23 is inserted into the third through-hole 38. The distal end portion of the treatment instrument channel 23 is fixed to the distal end frame 30 using an adhesive or the like. As a result, the treatment instrument channel 23 is connected to the distal end frame 30 in a state where it communicates with the treatment instrument opening 34 formed on the distal side of the third through-hole 38.

[0056] The tip portion of each water supply channel 25 is inserted into each fourth through-hole 39. The tip portion of each water supply channel 25 is fixed to the tip frame 30 using an adhesive or the like. As a result, each water supply channel 25 is connected to the tip frame 30 in a state where it communicates with the water supply port 35 formed on the tip side of each fourth through-hole 39.

[0057] 8, the connecting ring 50 has a recess 51 on the tip side. The recess 51 is configured as a notch provided in a portion of the circumference on the tip side of the connecting ring 50. This recess 51 is intended to avoid interference with the protrusion 41 when the connecting ring 50 is fitted into the fitted portion 40 of the tip frame 30.

[0058] 9, the tip side of the connecting ring 50 is fitted into the fitted portion 40 of the tip frame 30 with the recessed portion 51 engaged with the protruding portion 41. Then, the tip side of the connecting ring 50 is fixed to the fitted portion 40 using an adhesive or the like.

[0059] 10, the base end side of the connecting ring 50 is fitted into the tip side of the bending tube 55. The base end side of the connecting ring 50 is then fixed to the bending tube 55 using an adhesive or the like.

[0060] As a result, the distal end frame 30 (distal end portion 5 ) is connected to the bending portion 6 of the insertion portion 2 via the connecting ring 50 .

[0061] Here, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the outer peripheries of the connecting ring 50 and the bending tube 55 are covered with an outer cover 56 made of resin or the like.

[0062] Note that, for example, when the bending section 6 is configured using a bending tube 55 made of a superelastic alloy, the bending tube 55 can also serve as the connecting ring 50. In this case, a recess 51 is provided on the distal end side of the bending tube 55 to avoid interference with the protrusion 41. Alternatively, for example, when the bending section 6 is configured using a bending tube in which a plurality of bending pieces are connected by connecting pins, the bending piece located at the forefront can also serve as the connecting ring 50. In this case, a recess 51 is provided on the distal end side of the forefront bending piece to avoid interference with the protrusion 41.

[0063] According to this embodiment, the endoscope 1 includes a distal frame 30, a fitted portion 40 provided on the base end side of the distal frame 30 and having an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the distal end side of the distal frame 30, a connecting ring 50 that fits into the fitted portion 40, a recess 51 provided in the connecting ring 50, a protrusion 41 that protrudes from a part of the fitted portion 40 in the radial direction of the distal frame 30 and engages with the recess 51, and an imaging module 21 that is built into the distal frame 30 near the protrusion 41 and is arranged in an area that overlaps with the protrusion 41 in the radial direction of the distal frame 30.

[0064] This allows the imaging module 21 to be accurately adhesively fixed to the tip frame 30 without increasing the outer diameter dimension of the entire tip frame 30 .

[0065] That is, the distal end frame 30 has a protrusion 41 that protrudes radially from a portion of the fitted portion 40 into which the connecting ring 50 is fitted. By providing such a protrusion 41, it is possible to expand the area in the distal end frame 30 for arranging components such as the imaging module 21 without increasing the outer diameter of the fitted portion 40 (and consequently, without increasing the outer diameter of the entire distal end frame 30). The first through-hole 36 for incorporating the imaging module 21 into the distal end frame 30 is disposed near the protrusion 41 and in an area that overlaps with the protrusion 41 in the radial direction of the distal end frame 30. As a result, even when the first through-hole 36 is disposed closer to the end (upper side) of the distal end frame 30, the inner wall of the first through-hole 36 can be formed around the entire circumference without being interrupted, even on the base end side (fitted portion 40) of the distal end frame 30. This reduces the skill required of an operator when adhesively fixing the imaging module 21 to the first through-hole 36. Furthermore, the skill required of the worker when positioning the optical axis direction of the imaging module 21 along the wall surface of the first through-hole 36 can be alleviated.

[0066] In this case, the connecting ring 50 has a recess 51 that engages with the protrusion 41. The recess 51 makes it possible to avoid interference between the connecting ring 50 and the protrusion 41 when fitting the connecting ring 50 to the fitting portion 40.

[0067] Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, the imaging module 21 inserted into the first through-hole 36 may be configured not to include the tip end sides of the signal lines 26 and the protective member 26a.

[0068] Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the connecting ring 50 is fitted and adhered to the fitting portion 40 of the tip frame 30, it is possible to provide an engagement mechanism for temporarily fixing the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30.

[0069] The engagement mechanism of this modification has a pair of claws 52 provided in the recess 51 of the connecting ring 50 and a pair of grooves 42 provided in the protrusion 41 .

[0070] Each of the claws 52 is provided so as to protrude in the circumferential direction of the connecting ring 50. Each of the grooves 42 is provided so as to be recessed in the circumferential direction of the protrusion 41.

[0071] These claws 52 engage with the respective grooves 42 when the connecting ring 50 is fitted into the fitted portion 40. This temporarily fixes the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30. Then, with the connecting ring 50 temporarily fixed to the tip frame 30 in this state, the connecting ring 50 is fixed to the tip frame 30 using an adhesive or the like. This makes it possible to accurately maintain the fitted state of the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30 until the adhesive or the like hardens.

[0072] 14, the planar shapes of the convex portions 41 and the concave portions 51 as viewed from above the tip portion 5 may be partially circular. In this case, by forming the convex portions 41 and the concave portions 51 into partially circular shapes with arc lengths longer than those of a semicircle, the connecting ring 50 can be temporarily fixed to the tip frame 30 without providing the claw portions 52 and groove portions 42 as described above.

[0073] Next, a second embodiment of the present technology will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Here, this embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the shape of the recess 51 provided in the connecting ring 50. Other configurations similar to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0074] In addition, this embodiment can be particularly suitably applied to endoscopes 1 and the like that employ thick connecting rings 50 with the aim of improving the connecting strength of the tip frame 30.

[0075] 15 and 16 , the recess 51 in this embodiment is configured as an arc-shaped recess formed by radially recessing the inner circumferential surface of the connecting ring 50. When the connecting ring 50 is fitted to the fitted portion 40 of the tip frame 30, the recess 51 engages with the protrusion 41 protruding from the fitted portion 40.

[0076] According to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0077] Here, for example, as shown in Figure 17, when the connecting ring 50 is fitted and adhered to the fitting portion 40 of the tip frame 30, it is possible to provide an engagement mechanism for temporarily fixing the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30.

[0078] In this modification, the engagement mechanism includes a claw portion 47 provided on the protrusion 41 and a groove portion 57 provided in the recess 51 of the connecting ring 50 .

[0079] The claws 47 are provided so as to protrude in the radial direction of the convex portion 41. The grooves 57 are provided so as to be further recessed in the radial direction from the concave portions 51 of the connecting ring 50. In this modification, the grooves 57 penetrate the connecting ring 50 in the radial direction.

[0080] The claws 47 engage with the grooves 57 when the connecting ring 50 is fitted into the fitted portion 40. This temporarily fixes the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30. Then, with the connecting ring 50 temporarily fixed to the tip frame 30 in this state, the connecting ring 50 is fixed to the tip frame 30 using an adhesive or the like. This makes it possible to accurately maintain the fitted state of the connecting ring 50 to the tip frame 30 until the adhesive or the like hardens.

[0081] It should be noted that the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible, and these are also within the technical scope of the present technology. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the configurations of the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0082] This application claims priority from provisional application No. 63 / 538,160 filed in the United States on September 13, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, including the specification, claims, and drawings.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising: a tip frame constituting the tip of an insertion section; a fitted portion provided on the base end side of said tip frame and having an outer diameter dimension smaller than that of the tip side of said tip frame; a connecting member that fits into said fitted portion; a recess provided on said connecting member; a convex portion that protrudes radially from a part of said fitted portion of said tip frame and engages with said concave portion; and an imaging module that is built into said tip frame near said convex portion and is positioned in an area that overlaps with said convex portion in the radial direction of the tip frame.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is an annular member.

3. The endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that the recess is a notch provided in a portion of the circumferential direction of the connecting member.

4. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the recess is a recess formed in the thickness direction of the connecting member.

5. An endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaging module is disposed between a channel provided in the tip frame and the protrusion in the radial direction of the tip frame.

6. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the width of said convex portion is greater than the width of said imaging module.

7. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member connects the tip frame to the tip side of the insertion portion.

8. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting member has a claw portion in the recess, and the tip frame has a groove portion in the protrusion that engages with the claw portion.

9. The endoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that the claw portion is provided in the circumferential direction of the connecting member, and the groove portion is provided in the circumferential direction of the tip frame.

10. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip frame has a claw portion on the convex portion, and the connecting member has a groove portion in the concave portion that engages with the claw portion.

11. The endoscope according to claim 10, wherein the claw portion is provided in the radial direction of the tip frame, and the groove portion is provided in the radial direction of the recess.

12. The endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the recess has a shape in plan view obtained by cutting out a part of the connecting member into a partially circular shape having an arc length longer than that of a semicircle.

13. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging module includes a lens unit and an imaging element.

14. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the imaging module includes a lens unit, an imaging element, and a tip portion of a signal line connected to the imaging element.

Images