# US 9,883,089 B2 · Imaging unit

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- Number: US 9,883,089 B2
- Document ID: US9883089B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/851,157
- Filed: 2015-09-11
- Published: 2016-01-07
- Granted: 2018-01-30
- Earliest claimed: 2014-02-21
- Assignees: Olympus Corporation
- Applicants: Olympus Corporation
- Inventors: Tsutomu Urakawa; Hideaki Kinouchi; Takamasa Mikami
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9883089B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
- A61B 1/051: {Details of CCD assembly}
- G02B 23/2484: {Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device (processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70)}
- H04N 23/74: by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/55: Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof
- H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

An imaging unit provided at a tip portion of an endoscope includes: an imaging element configured to receive light and perform photoelectric conversion on the light to generate an electrical signal; an oscillator configured to generate a clock signal for driving the imaging element; a photoelectric element configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the imaging element into an optical signal and to output the optical signal to outside; a regulator configured to convert electric power input from the outside into electric power depending on each of the imaging element, the oscillator, and the photoelectric element, and to supply the converted electric power thereto. The imaging element is spaced farther than the oscillator and the photoelectric element from the regulator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An imaging unit provided at a tip portion of an endoscope, the imaging unit comprising:
an optical system configured to form an optical image;
an imaging element configured to perform photoelectric conversion on the optical image to generate an electrical signal;
a housing for holding the optical system and the imaging element;
a board disposed inside the housing and extending along a longitudinal direction of the housing;
an oscillator disposed on the board and configured to generate a clock signal for driving the imaging element;
a photoelectric element disposed on the board and configured to convert the electrical signal generated by the imaging element into an optical signal and to output the optical signal to outside;
a regulator disposed on the board and configured to convert electric power input from the outside into electric power depending on each of the imaging element, the oscillator, and the photoelectric element, and to supply the converted electric power thereto, wherein
the regulator having a larger heating value than respective heating values of the imaging element, the oscillator, and the photoelectric element, the imaging element is spaced farther than the oscillator and the photoelectric element from the regulator,
the oscillator, the photoelectric element, and the regulator are disposed on the board along the longitudinal direction of the housing,
the oscillator and the photoelectric element disposed on the board are positioned between the imaging element and the regulator; and
wherein the oscillator is spaced farther than the photoelectric element from the regulator on the board.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The imaging unit according to claim 1, wherein the oscillator and the photoelectric element are disposed on a first surface of the board, and the regulator is disposed on a second surface of the board opposite to the first surface.