Plug, connector, endoscope apparatus, and endoscope

A connector for for use with a medical instrument, the connector comprising:

• a receptacle;
• and
• a plug, wherein the plug comprises:
• a coupling portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the coupling portion;
• a connecting surface configured to face the receptacle in a state in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening provided on the connecting surface, the opening having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening, the holding portion being configured to hold the at least one optical waveguide, an end face of the at least one optical waveguide is directed to the receptacle in the state in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle,
• wherein the holding portion and the end face of the at least one of optical waveguide are spaced apart from the connecting surface in the longitudinal direction, and
• the receptacle includes a recessed portion in which the coupling portion is inserted.

An endoscope apparatus comprising:

• an endoscope comprising a plug, and
• an endoscope processor comprising a receptacle and a light source,
• wherein the plug comprising:
• at least one optical waveguide;
• a coupling portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the coupling portion;
• a connecting surface configured to face the receptacle in a state in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening provided on the connecting surface, the opening having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening, the holding portion being configured to hold the at least one optical waveguide, an end face of the at least one optical waveguide is directed to the receptacle in the state in which the coupling is inserted into the receptacle,
• wherein the holding portion and the end face of the at least one optical waveguide are spaced apart from the connecting surface in the longitudinal direction, and
• the receptacle comprising:
• a recessed portion in which the coupling portion is inserted;
• and
• one or a plurality of emission holes, each being formed at a position opposing to the end face of the at least one optical waveguide in the state in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• and
• the light source configured to emit light toward the at least one emission hole in the state where the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle.

An endoscope comprising:

• a plug of a connector for connecting at least one optical waveguide,
• the plug comprising:
• a coupling portion configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the connector in a longitudinal direction of the coupling portion;
• a connecting surface configured to face the receptacle in a state in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening provided on the connecting surface, the opening having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening, the holding portion being configured to hold the at least one optical waveguide, an end face of the at least one optical waveguide is directed to the receptacle in the state in which the coupling is inserted into the receptacle,
• wherein the holding portion and the end face of the at least one optical waveguide are spaced apart from the connecting surface in the longitudinal direction.