Plug, connector, endoscope apparatus, and endoscope

A connector for connecting one or a plurality of optical waveguides provided in 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;
• a connecting surface formed at an end in a first direction of the coupling portion, the first direction being a direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening portion provided on the connecting surface, the opening portion having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening portion, the holding portion being configured to hold the one or the plurality of optical waveguides such that an end face of each of the one or the plurality of optical waveguides is directed in the first direction,
• wherein the holding portion and the one or the plurality of optical waveguides are disposed on a side of a second direction with respect to the connecting surface, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, and
• the receptacle includes a recessed portion in which the coupling portion is inserted.

An endoscope apparatus comprising an endoscope including a plug, and an endoscope processor including a receptacle, the endoscope apparatus being configured such that one or a plurality of optical waveguides provided in the endoscope are connected in a state where the plug is inserted into the receptacle,

• wherein the endoscope comprises:
• the plug comprising:
• a coupling portion configured to be inserted into the receptacle,
• a connecting surface formed at an end in a first direction of the coupling portion, the first direction being a direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening portion provided on the connecting surface, the opening portion having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening portion, the holding portion being configured to hold the one or the plurality of optical waveguides such that an end face of each of the one or the plurality of optical waveguides is directed in the first direction,
• wherein the holding portion and the one or the plurality of optical waveguides are disposed on a side of a second direction with respect to the connecting surface, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, and
• the endoscope processor comprises:
• 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 each of the one or the plurality of optical waveguides in a state where the coupling portion is fitted in the recessed portion;
• and
• a light source apparatus configured to emit light toward the one or the plurality of emission holes in the state where the coupling portion is fitted in the recessed portion.

An endoscope comprising a plug of a connector for connecting one or a plurality of optical waveguides,

• the plug comprising:
• a coupling portion configured to be inserted into a receptacle of the connector;
• a connecting surface formed at an end in a first direction of the coupling portion, the first direction being a direction in which the coupling portion is inserted into the receptacle;
• an opening portion provided on the connecting surface, the opening portion having a recessed shape;
• and
• a holding portion disposed in the opening portion, the holding portion being configured to hold the one or the plurality of optical waveguides such that an end face of each of the one or the plurality of optical waveguides is directed in the first direction,
• wherein the holding portion and the one or the plurality of optical waveguides are disposed on a side of a second direction with respect to the connecting surface, the second direction being opposite to the first direction.