Endoscope connector, endoscope, endoscope system, and attachment method

Abstract

This endoscope connector (5) is provided with a housing (51) in which a cable for transmitting image signals and ultrasonic signals is connected to one end section (511), and an end section (512) facing the one end section (511) is connected to a processing device for the image signals. The housing (51) has: an attachment opening (53) for an ultrasonic connector transmitting the ultrasonic signals to an external device, which is formed on one side wall (515) in a direction intersecting the direction in which the one end section (511) and the facing end section (512) face each other; and a handle (52) which is provided so as to protrude from the other side wall (516) facing the one side wall (515).

Description

Endoscope connector, endoscope, endoscope system, and installation method

[0001] The present application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-105371, filed June 28, 2024, and incorporates by reference all of the contents of said Japanese application.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Ultrasonic endoscopes equipped with an ultrasonic transducer and an imaging element at the tip of the endoscope have been widely used.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ultrasonic endoscopic device having an ultrasonic endoscope in which an endoscope connector connected to an insertion portion inserted into the body is provided with one electrical connector, and a cable connector is provided on an electrical cable electrically connecting to an image processing device and an ultrasonic observation device, and the cable connector is detachable from the electrical connector.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-166916

[0005] Some ultrasound endoscopes have an electrical cable that can be attached to or detached from the endoscope connector connected to the insertion section while the endoscope connector is plugged into an image processing device or a light source device. In such cases, an external force is applied to the endoscope connector when the electrical cable of the ultrasound observation device is attached or detached. Because this external force acts in a direction that intersects with the insertion direction of the endoscope connector, it can displace the endoscope connector and cause problems with the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device.

[0006] However, the ultrasonic endoscope device of Patent Document 1 does not devise a solution to such a problem, and is unable to solve it.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an endoscopic connector, an endoscope, an endoscopic system, and an installation method that can prevent problems with the connection between the endoscopic connector and an image processing device when attaching or detaching an accessory that connects to an external device to the endoscopic connector.

[0008] The endoscopic connector of the present invention is an endoscopic connector comprising a housing to which a cable for transmitting image signals and ultrasonic signals is connected at one end and whose opposite end is connected to a processing device for the image signals, the housing having an attachment port for an ultrasonic connector for transmitting the ultrasonic signals to an external device formed in one side wall in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the one end and the opposite end, and a handle protruding from the other side wall opposite the one side wall.

[0009] In the present invention, an attachment port and a handle for the ultrasonic connector are provided on one and the other opposing side walls of the housing, respectively. Therefore, when attaching the ultrasonic connector to the housing, by supporting the handle, it is possible to prevent any problems from occurring in the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device.

[0010] An endoscope according to the present invention includes the above-described endoscope connector and the ultrasound connector.

[0011] In the present invention, as described above, the housing is provided with an attachment port and a handle for the ultrasonic connector, which are arranged opposite each other. Therefore, by supporting the handle while attaching the ultrasonic connector to the housing, it is possible to prevent any problems from occurring in the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device.

[0012] An endoscope system according to the present invention includes the above-described endoscope and the processing device.

[0013] In the present invention, the housing is provided with an attachment port and a handle for the ultrasonic connector, facing each other. Therefore, by supporting the handle while attaching the ultrasonic connector to the housing, it is possible to prevent any problems from occurring in the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device.

[0014] The installation method of the present invention is an installation method for attaching other components to an endoscopic connector having a housing to which a cable for transmitting image signals and ultrasonic signals is connected at one end and whose opposite end is connected to a processing device for the image signals, in which a handle protruding from one of the side walls in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the one end and the opposite end is supported with one hand, and an ultrasonic connector for transmitting the ultrasonic signals to an external device is attached to an attachment port formed in the other side wall using the other hand.

[0015] In the present invention, a handle and an attachment port for the ultrasonic connector are provided on one and the other opposing side walls of the housing, respectively, and the ultrasonic connector is attached to the housing by supporting the handle with one hand while using the other hand, thereby preventing any problems with the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device.

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent problems from occurring in the connection between the endoscope connector and the image processing device when attaching or detaching an accessory that connects to an external device to or from the endoscope connector.

[0017] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the main configuration of an endoscopic system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 2 is a plan view of an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a side view of an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment; FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment is connected to a processor; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of attaching an ultrasonic connector to an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of attaching a suction tube to an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method of attaching a water supply tube to an endoscopic connector of an ultrasonic endoscope according to the present embodiment.

[0018] An endoscope connector, an endoscope, an endoscope system, and an installation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0019] 1 is a configuration diagram showing the main components of an endoscopic system 1 according to this embodiment. The endoscopic system 1 includes an ultrasonic endoscope 10, a processor 7 (processing device), an ultrasonic connector 6, and an external device 8 such as an ultrasonic observation device.

[0020] The ultrasonic endoscope 10 is used in the medical field and has a small-diameter insertion section 11 that is inserted into the patient's body, and a control section 12 that is connected to the base of the insertion section 11. The control section 12 is connected to the endoscope connector 5 via a universal tube 13, which is a flexible tubular body.

[0021] An image signal cable (not shown) and an ultrasound signal cable (not shown) are inserted through the universal tube 13. The universal tube 13 also includes a water channel through which water sent from the endoscope connector 5 passes and an air channel through which air passes.

[0022] The endoscope connector 5 is detachably attached to a processor 7 that receives and processes image signals via the image signal cable. An ultrasound connector 6 that transmits ultrasound signals from the ultrasound signal cable to an external device 8 is attached to the endoscope connector 5 as needed. That is, the endoscope connector 5 and the external device 8 are connected by the ultrasound connector 6.

[0023] 1, the insertion section 11 has, in order from the front where it is inserted into the patient's body, a tip section 20, a bending section 21 that is bent by remote control from the operation section 12, and a flexible tube 22. The flexible tube 22 is passively bent by contact with an object.

[0024] The operation unit 12 is provided with a bending operation knob 23 for bending the bending portion 21, a treatment tool insertion port 24 for inserting a flexible linear treatment tool such as a puncture needle or forceps, a suction button 25 for performing suction operation at the tip portion 20, an air and water supply button 26 for performing air and water supply operation at the tip portion 20, and a plurality of operation buttons 27 for inputting signals for image capture, ultrasonic measurement, etc.

[0025] An imaging lens system (not shown) and an imaging element (not shown) are provided within the tip 20 of the insertion section 11. The imaging lens system forms an image of the object to be observed, and the imaging element converts it into a signal. This signal is sent to the endoscope connector 5 via an image signal cable and processed by image processing circuits provided within the endoscope connector 5 and the processor 7, allowing the image to be displayed on a monitor (not shown) or image data to be recorded on a recording medium. The ultrasonic endoscope 10 and the processor 7 further include an illumination means for distributing illumination light from the tip 20.

[0026] The ultrasonic endoscope 10 is capable of acquiring ultrasonic tomographic images of an object to be observed in addition to images obtained by an imaging lens system and an imaging element. As shown in Fig. 1, an ultrasonic probe (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the tip 20 of the insertion section 11. One end of the ultrasonic signal cable is connected to the ultrasonic probe. As described above, the other end of the ultrasonic signal cable is connected to the ultrasonic connector 6, and ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic probe are transmitted to an external device 8 via the ultrasonic connector 6.

[0027] More specifically, the ultrasound connector 6 is inserted into the endoscope connector 5 and includes a socket 61 having a terminal portion 62 that is connected to the ultrasound signal cable, and a transmission cable 63 that has one end connected to the terminal portion 62 and transmits ultrasound signals to the external device 8. When the terminal portion 62 is inserted into the endoscope connector 5, the terminal portion 62 connects to the ultrasound signal cable, enabling acquisition of ultrasound signals. The acquired ultrasound signals are sent to the external device 8 via the transmission cable 63.

[0028] Fig. 2A is a plan view of the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, Fig. 2B is a bottom view of the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, Fig. 3A is a side view of one side of the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3B is another side view of the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment.

[0029] The endoscope connector 5 extends in one direction and has a substantially rectangular housing 51. The universal tube 13 is connected to one end 511 of the housing 51 in the longitudinal direction, and the other end 512 (opposing end) opposite the one end 511 is configured to be insertable into and removable from the processor 7. The longitudinal direction of the housing 51 is the opposing direction of the one end 511 and the other end 512.

[0030] A rectangular terminal portion 513 extending in the width direction of the housing 51 and intersecting the length direction is provided on the underside of the other end portion 512 of the housing 51 (see FIG. 2B ), and the terminal portion 513 is connected to the image signal cable. When the other end portion 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is inserted into a connection port 72 (described later) of the processor 7, the terminal portion 513 is configured to connect to a corresponding terminal on the processor 7. In addition, a light source insertion port 514 is protruded from the end face of the other end portion 512 of the housing 51.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. For convenience, some components inside the housing 51 are omitted from FIG. 4. The housing 51 is provided with an attachment opening 53 for attaching the ultrasonic connector 6 (terminal portion 62). The attachment opening 53 is provided in one side wall 515 (the other side wall) of the housing 51 in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the width direction. More specifically, a circular first through-hole 515a is formed in the one side wall 515 of the housing 51, and the substantially cylindrical attachment opening 53 is fitted into the first through-hole 515a. The attachment opening 53 has a cylindrical portion fitted into the first through-hole 515a and a flange portion protruding radially outward from the outer edge of the cylindrical portion.

[0032] Furthermore, a handle 52 is provided on the housing 51 so as to protrude from the other side wall 516 (one of the side walls) that is opposite the one side wall 515 in the width direction and faces the one side wall 515. The handle 52 is disposed in the width direction of the housing 51 so as to correspond to the mounting opening 53.

[0033] More specifically, the handle 52 has a cylindrical support cylinder 522 and a cap 521 that covers one end of the support cylinder 522. A second through-hole 516a is formed in the other side wall 516 of the housing 51 at a position that aligns with the first through-hole 515a (mounting opening 53), and the other end of the support cylinder 522 is fitted into the second through-hole 516a. In other words, the support cylinder 522 protrudes outward from the other side wall 516 and is covered by the cap 521, so it cannot be seen from the outside.

[0034] In other words, the handle 52 is hollow and communicates with the housing 51 via the second through-hole 516a. The support cylinder 522 (handle 52), the second through-hole 516a, the first through-hole 515a, and the mounting opening 53 are arranged on the same axis (see FIG. 2A).

[0035] The cap 521 of the handle 52 has a truncated cone shape. That is, the cap 521 protrudes from the other side wall 516 and has a cone shape that tapers toward the tip, with the tip surface being circular. Therefore, in the axial direction of the cap 521, a ridge line RL connecting the vertices on the outer peripheral surface 523 of the cap 521 is oblique to the axial direction of the cap 521. Furthermore, the ridge line RL of the outer peripheral surface 523 of the cap 521 faces obliquely to the axial direction of the mounting tube portion 54 (described later) (see FIG. 2A ).

[0036] Furthermore, the cap 521 has an uneven portion 523a formed on the outer circumferential surface 523. The uneven portion 523a is formed on at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface 523 that is closer to the other end 512 of the housing 51. Alternatively, the uneven portion 523a may be formed on the entire outer circumferential surface 523.

[0037] Furthermore, the housing 51 has a mounting tube 54 for fitting the suction tube S (first tube) (see FIG. 1). More specifically, the mounting tube 54 is provided near the mounting opening 53 and closer to one end 511 of the housing 51 than the mounting opening 53. The mounting tube 54 has a cylindrical shape, and has sawtooth steps formed on its outer circumferential surface in a cross-sectional view along the axial length direction, e.g., a hose nipple.

[0038] The mounting tube portion 54 is arranged so that its axial length direction is inclined with respect to the length direction of the housing 51 (the opposing direction of one end 511 and the other end 512) and the width direction of the housing 51 (the penetrating direction of the mounting opening 53).

[0039] More specifically, a slanted surface 56 is formed closer to one end 511 of the housing 51 than the mounting opening 53, facing in a direction between the length direction of the housing 51 and the width direction of the housing 51, and the mounting cylinder 54 protrudes perpendicularly from the slanted surface 56. Therefore, the axial direction of the mounting cylinder 54 is slanted with respect to the ridge line RL of the outer peripheral surface 523 of the cap 521. For example, the angle θ between the axial direction of the mounting cylinder 54 and the width direction of the housing 51 (the penetration direction of the mounting opening 53) is 65±25 degrees (see FIG. 2A ). Preferably, the angle θ is 50 degrees.

[0040] The housing 51 has a threaded portion 55 (see FIG. 1 ) on the other side wall 516, closer to the one end 511 of the housing 51 than the handle 52, for threading onto the end of the water supply tube W (second tube). The threaded portion 55 is cylindrical, has a thread formed on its outer circumferential surface, and protrudes perpendicularly from the other side wall 516.

[0041] The threaded portion 55 is spaced a distance d from the handle 52 in the longitudinal direction (opposing direction) of the housing 51. The distance d corresponds to the average thickness of an adult's index finger (thickness of the distal interphalangeal joint). Specifically, the distance d is 12.4 to 14.8 mm.

[0042] 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is connected to the processor 7. For convenience, the universal tube 13 and the transmission cable 63 of the ultrasonic connector 6 are not shown in FIG.

[0043] The other end 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is connected to a connection port 72 of the processor 7. More specifically, the connection port 72 is a rectangular recess that is long in the width direction of the endoscope connector 5 (housing 51), and is provided on one surface 73 of the processor 7 on which the screen 75 is provided, and the other end 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is inserted into the connection port 72. When the endoscope connector 5 is connected to the processor 7, the terminal portion 513 is electrically connected to the terminal portion of the processor 7, and the light source socket 514 is connected to the light source of the processor 7.

[0044] As described above, when the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment is connected to the processor 7, the handle 52 is configured so as not to protrude in a direction intersecting with the side surface 74 of the processor 7, which is the side surface adjacent to the one surface 73 and on which the water supply tank connection port 71 is provided.

[0045] That is, the dimensions of the handle 52 in the width direction of the housing 51 are determined so that when the endoscopic connector 5 is inserted into the connection port 72, the position P1 of the protruding end of the handle 52 does not protrude outside the housing 51 beyond the side surface 74 in the direction perpendicular to the side surface 74, i.e., in the horizontal direction.

[0046] However, this is not limited to this, and the dimensions of the handle 52 need only be determined so that when the endoscope connector 5 is inserted into the connection port 72, the position P1 of the protruding end of the handle 52 does not protrude laterally outside the housing 51 beyond the position P2 of the protruding end of the water supply tank connection port 71.

[0047] 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for attaching the ultrasonic connector 6 to the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience, the ultrasonic connector 6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6. For example, an operator holds the socket 61 of the ultrasonic connector 6 with his or her right hand and inserts the terminal portion 62 into the housing 51 through the attachment opening 53.

[0048] During this installation, the worker first inserts the other end 512 of the endoscopic connector 5 into the connection port 72 of the processor 7. Next, the worker supports the endoscopic connector 5 (housing 51) in the width direction of the housing 51 (the direction of the dashed arrow in FIG. 6 ) by placing the palm of his left hand H against the tip surface of the handle 52. While supporting the endoscopic connector 5 with his left hand H in this manner, the worker inserts the terminal portion 62 of the ultrasonic connector 6, which he is holding with his right hand, into the mounting port 53 of the endoscopic connector 5 in the width direction of the housing 51 (the direction through which the mounting port 53 penetrates) (the direction of the solid arrow in FIG. 6 ). The worker then rotates the rotation lock on the tip side of the socket 61 to install the ultrasonic connector 6 in the mounting port 53.

[0049] 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for attaching the suction tube S to the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience, the suction tube S is indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 7. For example, the operator holds the end of the suction tube S with his / her right hand and fits it into the mounting tube portion 54 of the housing 51.

[0050] During this installation work, the worker first inserts the other end 512 of the endoscopic connector 5 into the connection port 72 of the processor 7. Next, as shown in Figure 7 , the worker bends the palm of his left hand H and supports the endoscopic connector 5 (housing 51) by placing it against the portion of the handle 52 where the uneven portion 523a is provided, in the axial direction of the mounting tube 54 (the direction of the dashed arrow in Figure 7 ). While supporting the endoscopic connector 5 with the left hand H in this way, the worker presses the end of the suction tube S, which he has been holding with his right hand, against the mounting tube 54 along the axial direction of the mounting tube 54 (the direction of the solid arrow in Figure 7 ), and fits it onto the outer circumferential surface of the mounting tube 54.

[0051] 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for attaching a water supply tube W to the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment. For convenience, FIG. 8 shows the state in which the suction tube S and the ultrasonic connector 6 are attached, and the water supply tube W is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

[0052] For example, an operator may grasp the end of the water supply tube W with two fingers, align the position with the threaded portion 55 of the housing 51, and then rotate the end to thread into the threaded portion 55. During this rotation, the operator inserts his or her fingertips between the handle 52 and the threaded portion 55 (see the dashed oval in Figure 8) and rotates the end of the water supply tube W.

[0053] As described above, the mounting port 53 for the ultrasonic connector 6 and the mounting tube portion 54 for the suction tube S are both provided on one side wall 515 of the housing 51. Therefore, when the ultrasonic connector 6 and the suction tube S are attached to (or detached from) the housing 51, a force is applied in the width direction of the housing 51. Furthermore, while the other end 512 of the endoscope connector 5 is inserted into the connection port 72 of the processor 7 and is constrained, the one end 511 is not constrained and has a relatively high degree of freedom.

[0054] Therefore, when a force is applied in the width direction of the housing 51 by attaching the ultrasonic connector 6 and the suction tube S, such force causes a greater positional displacement at the one end 511 than at the other end 512. Furthermore, as described above, since the terminal portion 513 is provided at the other end 512 along the width direction of the housing 51, when a positional displacement in the width direction occurs at the one end 511, there is a risk of a poor connection occurring between the terminal portion 513 and the processor 7.

[0055] In this way, the ultrasonic endoscope 10 of this embodiment can address the problem of poor connection occurring when attaching the ultrasonic connector 6, as described above, by providing the handle 52 on the opposite side of the mounting port 53 in the width direction of the housing 51 (the direction in which the mounting port 53 penetrates).

[0056] That is, in the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, when attaching the ultrasonic connector 6 to the endoscope connector 5, the operator supports the handle 52 with one hand while performing the attachment work. Therefore, as described above, it is possible to prevent the one end 511 from becoming misaligned and to prevent poor contact between the terminal portion 513 and the processor 7.

[0057] Furthermore, in the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the problem of poor connection occurring when attaching the suction tube S can be addressed by providing the mounting tube 54 so that its axial direction is oblique to the length direction and width direction of the housing 51, as described above, and by providing the handle 52 on the opposite side of the mounting tube 54 in the width direction of the housing 51 and closer to the other end 512 than the mounting tube 54.

[0058] That is, in the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the axial direction of the mounting tube portion 54 forms an angle θ (65±25 degrees) with the width direction of the housing 51, so the force applied to the housing 51 can be reduced compared to when the angle θ is zero. Furthermore, when attaching the suction tube S to the endoscope connector 5, this operation is performed while supporting the portion of the handle 52 where the uneven portion 523a is formed. Therefore, as described above, misalignment of the one end portion 511 can be prevented, and poor contact between the terminal portion 513 and the processor 7 can be prevented in advance.

[0059] Furthermore, as described above, in the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the uneven portion 523a is formed on the portion of the handle 52 where the operator's hand should rest when attaching the suction tube S to the endoscope connector 5. Therefore, when attaching the suction tube S, the operator can easily see the portion that should be supported, and the operator's hand can be prevented from slipping when supporting the handle 52.

[0060] Furthermore, in the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the threaded portion 55 is provided on the one end 511 side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 51, at a distance d from the handle 52. Therefore, when threading the end of the water supply tube W into the threaded portion 55, the operator can insert their fingertips between the handle 52 and the threaded portion 55 and rotate the end of the water supply tube W, eliminating the need for the handle 52 to get in the way and improving workability.

[0061] Furthermore, in the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the handle 52 has a truncated cone shape, so the ridge line RL of the cap 521 of the handle 52 faces obliquely to the axial direction of the mounting tube portion 54. Therefore, when attaching the suction tube S to the endoscopic connector 5, the operator can efficiently support the handle 52.

[0062] Furthermore, in the endoscope connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the interior of the handle 52 is hollow and communicates with the housing 51. Therefore, the interior of the handle 52 can be used as a storage space for the image signal cable and the ultrasound signal cable, which are housed in the housing 51 and connected to the insertion section 11 via the universal tube 13.

[0063] Furthermore, in the endoscopic connector 5 of the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, the dimension of the handle 52 in the width direction of the housing 51 is determined so that, when the endoscopic connector 5 is connected to the processor 7, the position P1 of the protruding end of the handle 52 does not protrude laterally outside the housing 51 beyond the position P2 of the protruding end of the water tank connection port 71. Therefore, when selecting the installation location of the processor 7, there is no need to consider connection with the endoscopic connector 5, increasing the degree of freedom.

[0064] In the ultrasonic endoscope 10 according to this embodiment, the order in which the suction tube S, the water supply tube W, and the ultrasonic connector 6 are attached to the endoscope connector 5 is not limited. For example, the suction tube S, the water supply tube W, and the ultrasonic connector 6 may be attached to the endoscope connector 5 in this order, or the water supply tube W, the suction tube S, and the ultrasonic connector 6 may be attached to the endoscope connector 5 in this order.

[0065] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0066] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent claims and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any and all combinations, regardless of the reference format. Furthermore, the claims use a format in which a claim references two or more other claims (multiple claim format), but this is not limited to this. A multiple claim (multi-multi claim) that references at least one other multiple claim may also be used.

[0067] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope system 5 Endoscope connector 6 Ultrasonic connector 7 Processor (processing device) 8 External device 10 Ultrasonic endoscope 13 Universal tube 51 Housing 52 Handle 53 Mounting port 54 Mounting tube portion 55 Threaded portion 71 Water supply tank connecting port 72 Connection port 73 One surface 74 Side surface 511 One end portion 512 Other end portion (opposite end portion) 515 One side wall (other side wall) 516 Other side wall (one side wall) 523 Outer circumferential surface 523a Concave and recessed portion S Suction tube W Water supply tube

Claims

1. An endoscope connector comprising a housing to which a cable for transmitting image signals and ultrasonic signals is connected at one end and whose opposite end is connected to a processor for processing the image signals, wherein the housing has a mounting port for an ultrasonic connector for transmitting the ultrasonic signals to an external device, formed in one side wall in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the one end and the opposite end, and a handle protruding from the other side wall opposite the one side wall.

2. The endoscope connector according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a hollow interior and communicates with the housing.

3. An endoscope connector as described in claim 1, wherein the housing is provided with a mounting tube portion for fitting a first tube near the mounting port and closer to the one end than the mounting port, and the mounting tube portion protrudes obliquely with respect to the direction in which the mounting port penetrates.

4. An endoscope connector according to claim 1, wherein the handle has a truncated cone shape that tapers toward the tip.

5. An endoscope connector according to claim 4, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the handle has an uneven shape.

6. An endoscope connector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a threaded portion that threads onto the end of the second tube is provided near the handle and closer to one end of the housing than the handle, and the threaded portion is provided 12.4 to 14.8 mm away from the handle in the opposing direction.

7. An endoscope connector as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the opposing end is connected to the connection port of the processing device, the handle does not protrude in a direction intersecting with the side surface from a water supply tank connection port provided on a side surface of the processing device adjacent to the side surface on which the connection port is provided.

8. A method for attaching other components to an endoscope connector having a housing with one end connected to a cable for transmitting image signals and ultrasonic signals and an end opposite to the one end connected to a processor for processing the image signals, the method comprising: holding with one hand a handle protruding from one of the side walls in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the one end and the opposite end; and using the other hand, attaching an ultrasonic connector for transmitting the ultrasonic signals to an external device to an attachment port formed in the other side wall.

9. The mounting method according to claim 8, wherein the circumferential surface of the handle, which has a circular tip surface and a conical shape tapering in diameter toward the tip, is supported with one hand, and the tube is fitted using the other hand into the mounting tube portion, which is located near the mounting opening and closer to the one end of the housing than the mounting opening and protrudes obliquely relative to the direction in which the mounting opening penetrates.

10. An endoscope comprising the endoscope connector according to claim 1 and the ultrasonic connector.

11. An endoscope system comprising the endoscope according to claim 10 and the processing device.

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