US 4,402,313 A · Endoscope light source device

Abstract

An endoscope light source device comprises a light source device body and a connector receptacle rotatably set therein. The connector receptacle is provided with a central through hole for receiving a light guide and cylindrical holes penetrated by contact pins projecting from a base of the connector receptacle. The control pins are connected to the leads extending through the connector receptacle. The leads are connected to signal lines coupled to the signal-generating circuit provided in the light source device body. An electrical connection mechanism is mounted on the signal lines or provided between the respective signal lines and leads to ensure electrical connection between the signal lines and leads. An air-conducting passage is provided in a connection conduit formed in the connector receptacle for communication with the air conducting connection tubes. A fluid-conducting mechanism is provided between the air-conducting-connection tubes and air-conducting passage to ensure communication therebetween, regardless of the rotated position of the connector receptacle. Provision of the rotatable connector receptacle, electrical connection mechanism and fluid-conducting mechanism eliminates the necessity of removing the connector from the endoscope body for each rotation of the endoscope in order to relieve the endoscope from torsion.

In an endoscope system comprising an endoscope having a light guide and an endoscope connector having a base through which said light guide passes, said light guide projecting from said base, and said endoscope connector further having contact pins and air-conducting tubes projecting from said base substantially in parallel with said light guide,

the improvement comprising:
a light source device body including a fluid conducting means;
and means defining a fitting cavity having a substantially cylindrical portion;
a substantially cylindrical connector receptacle having:
an outer peripheral wall;
a substantially central through hole penetrated by said light guide which passes through said base of said endoscope connector;
and
axial connection holes formed in said connector receptacle so as to be penetrated by respective contact pins projecting from said endoscope connector base substantially in parallel with said light guide;
said substantially cylindrical connector receptacle being rotatably received in said fitting cavity of said light source device body in a state rotatable about said central through hole of said connector receptacle;
a light source unit provided in said light source device body in a state facing said light guide when said connector receptacle is received in said fitting cavity of said light source device body;
control circuits provided in said light source device body;
first electrical connecting leads provided in said connector receptacle, and which respectively have two ends, one end of each first electrical connecting lead being connected to a corresponding contact pin when said connector receptacle is received in said fitting cavity of said light source device body;
second electrical connecting leads in said fitting cavity defining means, and which respectively have two ends, one end of each second electrical connecting lead being connected to a corresponding control circuit;
means for electrically connecting said first electrical connecting leads to respective ones of said electrical connecting leads at their other respective ends when said connector receptacle takes any desired rotated position in said fitting cavity, including:
a plurality of contact rings mounted on and extending around the outer periphery of said connector receptacle, each contact ring being connected to the other end of a corresponding respective first electrical connecting lead;
and
a plurality of contact strips fixed in said substantially cylindrical portion of said fitting cavity of said light source device body in a state so as to contact a corresponding respective contact ring, each contact strip being further connected to the other end of a corresponding respective second electrical connecting lead;
connection conduits in said connector receptacle, and which respectively have two ends, one of said ends thereof communicating with corresponding respective air-conducting tubes projecting from said endoscope connector base;
air passages which respectively have two ends, one of said ends thereof being connected to the other ends of corresponding respective ones of said connection circuits;
and
further air-conducting tubes coupling respective ones of said air passages at the respective other ends thereof, with said fluid-conducting means when said connector receptacle takes any desired rotated position in said fitting cavity, said further air-conducting tubes each having a portion of the length thereof loosely wound about an outer surface portion of said connector receptacle.

18 more elements

Endoscope light source device

Life of this patent

Endoscope light source device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26