Endoscope apparatus and method for releasing heat generated by imaging element of the endoscope apparatus

Abstract

An endoscope apparatus includes an imaging element, a flexible substrate, and a flexible heat release sheet. The imaging element is built in an endoscope front end portion so as to receive incident light from a subject. The imaging element and components of a circuit for driving the imaging element are mounted on the flexible substrate and the flexible substrate is built in the endoscope front end portion. The flexible heat release sheet includes a first region attached to a given region of the imaging element other than a light receiving surface of the imaging element and a second region thermally contacted to a heat release member disposed in the endoscope front end portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoscope apparatus comprising:
 an objective lens group provided in a lens tube for receiving an observation image and directing light;   a prism member connected to the objective lens group and changing an optical path at right angle through a reflection surface;   an imaging element which is built in a front end portion of an endoscope so as to receive incident light from a subject;   a transparent resin member covering a portion between the prism member and the imaging element, and   a flexible substrate, which is connected to the imaging element and which is mounted with components of a circuit and built in the front end portion of the endoscope.   
     
     
         2 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible substrate is bent by means of stacking more than two layers in a back of the prism member. 
     
     
         3 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a cable connection position for connecting a part of a plurality of signal cables transmitting image signals is provided on a surface of the flexible substrate different from a surface of the flexible substrate on which components of a circuit is provided. 
     
     
         4 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a cable connection position for connecting a part of a plurality of signal cables transmitting image signals is provided on a surface of the flexible substrate different from a surface of the flexible substrate on which components of a circuit is provided. 
     
     
         5 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a cable connection position for connecting all of a plurality of signal cables transmitting image signals is provided on a surface of the flexible substrate different from a surface of the flexible substrate on which components of a circuit is provided. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein a cable connection position for connecting all of a plurality of signal cables transmitting image signals is provided on a surface of the flexible substrate different from a surface of the flexible substrate on which components of a circuit is provided. 
     
     
         7 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member. 
     
     
         9 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 3 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member. 
     
     
         10 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscope apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a plate member covering two side surfaces, upper surface of the prism member.