HYBRID ENDOSCOPE WITH ROTARY DRUM FOR STERILE MEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Hybrid endoscope, in particular for sterile medical applications, wherein the endoscope comprises a receiving device for an imaging system and a shaft tube, wherein the receiving device is arranged, in a mounted state, on a distal end of the shaft tube. The endoscope is divided into at least two sub-assemblies, wherein a first sub-assembly comprises at least the receiving device, the imaging system and preferably a supply line of the imaging system as re-usable parts, and a second sub-assembly comprises at least the shaft tube as a part for single use, wherein the two sub-assemblies are able to be brought into releasable operative connection by means of an interface.

Claims

1. A hybrid endoscope, for sterile medical applications, wherein the endoscope comprises a receiving device for an imaging system and a shaft tube, wherein the receiving device is arranged, in a mounted state, on a distal end of the shaft tube, characterized in that the endoscope is divided into at least two sub-assemblies, wherein a first sub-assembly comprises at least the receiving device, the imaging system, and a second sub-assembly comprises at least the shaft tube as a part for single use, wherein the two sub-assemblies are able to be brought into releasable operative connection by means of an interface.

2. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the supply line of the imaging system runs on an outer face of the shaft tube.

3. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the parts of the first sub-assembly are hermetically sealed and therefore autoclavable.

4. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in, claim 1, characterized in that the receiving device of the first sub-assembly is produced from a metal, and/or the shaft tube of the second sub-assembly is produced from a plastic, and/or the supply line is connected to an autoclavable plug connector.

5. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the imaging system contains an electronic image recorder and/or an imaging optical unit and/or an illumination device, in particular with LEDs, and/or special assemblies such as laser projectors.

6. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the receiving device of the first sub-assembly receives the imaging system in a rotation drum, and the second sub-assembly has an interface in a bearing fork in order to bear the rotation drum rotatably, wherein the supply line of the imaging system serves as at least a control line of the rotation drum.

7. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second sub-assembly has, as interface, a rotatable joint with an adjustment mechanism for fastening the receiving device.

8. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shaft tube of the second sub-assembly has at least one work channel for the guiding of at least one fluid line and/or of at least one instrument.

9. The hybrid endoscope as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the second sub-assembly has, on an outer face of the shaft tube, a displaceable handle, which is displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube, and wherein the handle has a recess for receiving a driver pin on the at least one control line of the first sub-assembly.

10. A method for using a hybrid endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, having the following steps: production and subsequent sterile packaging of at least a second sub-assembly, mounting of a first sub-assembly, on the second sub-assembly in a sterile state, in particular directly before use, in particular for a medical operation, disassembly of the two sub-assemblies, treatment of the first sub-assembly, for renewed sterile use, in an autoclave and/or with a chemical liquid, disposal of the second sub-assembly and/or marking after use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Further advantages and details of the invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and on the basis of purely schematic drawings, in which:

[0049] FIG. 1a shows a side view of a hybrid endoscope in an assembled state with a rotation drum, which is mounted in a shaft tube,

[0050] FIG. 1b shows a side view, as per FIG. 1a, of a first sub-assembly with a rotation drum, and an imaging system shown by dashed lines,

[0051] FIG. 1c shows a side view, as per FIG. 1a, of a second sub-assembly with the shaft tube,

[0052] FIG. 2a shows a side view of the hybrid endoscope in an assembled state, with a receiving device, the shaft tube and a rotatable joint,

[0053] FIG. 2b shows a side view, as per FIG. 2a, of the first sub-assembly,

[0054] FIG. 2c shows a side view, as per FIG. 2a, of the shaft tube with a rotatable joint.

[0055] The same elements, or elements with the same function, have been provided with the same reference signs in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a each show a hybrid endoscope 10, in particular for a sterile medical application, wherein the endoscope 10 comprises a receiving device 12 for an imaging system 14 and a shaft tube 16. The hybrid endoscope 10 is shown in an assembled state in FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a, wherein the receiving device 12 is arranged at a distal end 55 of the shaft tube 16. The endoscope 10 is divided into two sub-assemblies 18, 20, each of which are shown individually in FIG. 1b and FIG. 1c and in FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c, respectively. FIG. 1b and FIG. 2b each show a first sub-assembly 18, which comprises at least the receiving device 12 and the imaging system 14, and also preferably a supply line 22 of the imaging system 14 as re-usable parts. FIG. 1c and FIG. 2c each show a second sub-assembly 20 which comprises at least the shaft tube 16 as a part for single use. As is shown in the mounted state in FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a, the two sub-assemblies 18, 20 can be brought into a releasable operative connection by means of an interface 24.

[0057] FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a show that the supply line 22 of the imaging system 14 preferably runs on an outer face 48 of the shaft tube 16. In this way, a work channel 34 in the interior of the shaft tube 16 is not restricted by this supply line 22. Furthermore, by virtue of the supply line 22 being routed along the outer face, the two sub-assemblies 18, 20 are particularly easy to assemble and disassemble, in particular being more easily releasable than a supply line 22 which is guided in a complex manner in the interior of the shaft tube 16.

[0058] Preferably, the parts of the first sub-assembly 18, in particular the receiving device 12, are hermetically sealed and thus autoclavable.

[0059] Particularly preferably, the receiving device 12 of the first sub-assembly 18 is produced from a metal, and the shaft tube of the second sub-assembly 20 is preferably produced from a plastic, and the supply line 22 is preferably connected to an autoclavable plug connector 32. This plug connector 32 is preferably connected to an attachment which is not in contact with the operation region and undergoes less complicated cleaning processes.

[0060] As is shown in FIG. 1b and FIG. 2b, the imaging system 14 can preferably comprise an electronic image recorder 26, an imaging optical unit 28 and an illumination device 30, in particular with LEDs. The imaging optical unit 28 of the imaging system 14 is oriented in a viewing direction 58, in order to detect in this viewing direction 58 an image on the image recorder 26.

[0061] Furthermore, in addition to or as an alternative to the imaging system 14, special sub-assembles such as laser projectors can be arranged in the receiving device 12.

[0062] Particularly preferably, the receiving device 12 of the first sub-assembly 18 is designed as a rotation drum 38, as per FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, which at least receives the imaging system 14. As per FIG. 1a, the rotation drum 38 can be mounted in an interface 24 of a bearing fork 40 at the distal end 55 of the shaft tube 16 of the second sub-assembly 20, in particular mounted rotatably in this bearing fork 40, wherein the supply line 22 of the imaging system 14 serves as a control line 22, 44 of the rotation drum 38, and the rotation drum 38 preferably with bearing pins 56 can be pushed into and locked in the interface 22, preferably with form-fit engagement.

[0063] A first rotation axis 59 of the rotation drum 38 runs approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft tube 16, wherein the endoscope 10, as per FIG. 1a, has at least one, preferably one, control line 22, 44 on an underside 62 of the shaft tube 16. This at least one control line 22, 44 is routed on an outer face 48 of the shaft tube 16 and is fastened to the rotation drum 38 at a lever distance a from the first rotation axis 58. The rotation drum 38 is rotatable by a linear movement of the at least one control line 22, 44 parallel to the longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft tube 16.

[0064] The rotation drum 38 preferably has a spherical or cylindrical shape, with the rotation drum 38 preferably being flattened in a direction perpendicular to a viewing direction 58 of the imaging system 14 in order to receive the imaging optical unit 28 and the illumination device 30, preferably in the form of two LEDs, in a flattened region 66, as per FIG. 1b.

[0065] The at least one control line 22, 44 is preferably windable on at least one winding curve 68 along the outer circumference of the rotation drum 38. Particularly preferably, the at least one control line 22, 44 is windable in such a way that the rotation drum 38 is rotatable from a viewing direction 58 along the longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft tube 16 through at least an angle α of 0° to 180° and hence the viewing direction 58 is alignable with the interior of the shaft tube 16 and a work channel 34. The viewing angle β of the imaging system 14 is preferably 50° to 70°, particularly preferably 60°. As a result, a preferred observation region β′, in which the imaging system 14 can record the operation region by pivoting of the rotation drum 38 through an angle α, is between −35° and 215°, particularly preferably between −30° and 210°, wherein the angle of the observation region β′, just like the angle α, relates to a 0° direction along the longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft tube 16. For the purpose of pivoting the rotation drum 38, the at least one control line 22, 44 has an at least partially flexible configuration, in order to wind said control line on the at least one winding curve 68 of the rotation drum 38. In this case, the at least one winding curve 68 along the outer circumference can preferably have a circular or oval shape.

[0066] Particularly preferably, the at least one control line 22, 44 of the rotation drum 38 forms a supply line 22 for the imaging system 14, which is preferably designed as a flexible printed circuit board 70 illustrated in FIG. 1a or FIG. 1b, for supplying electronic circuits in the interior of the rotation drum 38. Particularly when using the flexible printed circuit board 70 as a control line 22, 44, the corresponding winding curve 68 is designed in such a way that the bending radius is greater than 0.5 mm. Alternatively, the imaging system 14 can also be electrically supplied by way of a cable.

[0067] The at least one control line 22, 44 is guided on the circumference of the rotation drum 38 in interlocking fashion, preferably in a depression 72, as per FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, so that said control line is protected but at the same time the external diameter of the rotation drum 38 is not increased further, and so injury to tissue in an operation region can also be reduced.

[0068] In addition or alternatively, the second sub-assembly 20, as per FIG. 2a and FIG. 2c, has at the distal end 55 of the shaft tube 16 a rotatable joint 42 for fastening the receiving device 12. Preferably, the receiving device 12 shown in FIG. 2b can be fastened with supply line 22 to the rotatable joint 42, the supply line 22 serving as a control line 22, 44 of the rotatable joint 42.

[0069] This rotatable joint 42 can also be provided in addition to the embodiment in FIG. 1a, wherein the bearing fork 40 is configured as rotatable joint 42, and the rotation drum 38 is pivotable about a first rotation axis 59 and a second rotation axis 60 of the rotatable joint 42.

[0070] Preferably, the shaft tube 16 of the second sub-assembly 20 has at least one work channel 34. As per FIG. 1c or FIG. 2c, this work channel 34 can have at least one fluid line 36. Alternatively or in addition, an instrument (not shown) can be guided in the work channel 34.

[0071] An air line 36, 74 and/or preferably a liquid feed line 36, 76 and a liquid extraction line 36, 78 are preferably arranged in the work channel 34 of the shaft tube 16. The air line 36, 74 and the liquid lines 36, 76, 78 are shown in FIG. 1c and FIG. 2c. In an observation position, as per FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a, the air and/or liquid line 36 can be used for rear-side cooling of the imaging system 14.

[0072] Especially for cleaning the imaging system 22 of endoscopes 10 in a dry operation region, the rotation drum 38 is preferably rotatable to a cleaning position, wherein the rotation drum 38 with the viewing direction 58 is inclined in the direction of the work channel 34. In this cleaning position, contamination is preferably able to be rinsed from the flattened region 66 of the rotation drum 38, and hence a field of view of the imaging system 14 is cleanable, preferably by means of an air line 36, 74 in combination with the liquid feed line 36, 76, wherein the air line 36, 74 is preferably used to remove a rinsing liquid from the imaging system 14 and from the flattened region 66. Preferably, the rinsing liquid is removable using a liquid extraction line 36, 78, as a result of which an escape of rinsing liquid into a dry operation region can be minimized.

[0073] Preferably for endoscopes 10 with wet ambient conditions or in a wet operation region, the at least one fluid line 36 can be used to rinse an operation region in addition to the rear-side cooling and the cleaning of the rotation drum 38 or of the receiving device 12, in particular in order to rinse the operation region in the viewing direction 58 of the imaging system 14 in an observation position. For a medical application, a sterile fluid is preferably used to this end, for example processed air, oxygen or a physiological saline solution as liquid. However, an aqueous rinsing fluid is preferably used. The imaging system 22 can be cleaned simultaneously with the rinsing of the operation region, without having to pivot the rotation drum 38 to a cleaning position.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment as per FIG. 1a and FIG. 1c, the shaft tube 16 of the second sub-assembly 20 has, on an outer face 48, a displaceable handle 50. The handle 50 is displaceable parallel to the longitudinal axis 52 of the shaft tube 16 and preferably has a recess 54 for receiving a driver pin 46 of a control line 22, 44, in particular of the supply line 22 of the imaging system 14, of the first sub-assembly 18. By displacement of the handle 50, the rotation drum 38 is pivotable as per FIG. 1a, or also the receiving device 12 is pivotable as per FIG. 2a.

[0075] The invention also relates to a method for operating the aforementioned hybrid endoscope, wherein the two sub-assemblies 18, 20, as per FIG. 1a and FIG. 2a, are assembled in a sterile state directly before use, in particular for a medical operation, and then the first sub-assembly 18, as per FIG. 1b and FIG. 2b, is treated in an autoclave and/or with a chemical liquid to permit renewed sterile use, and the second sub-assembly 20, as per FIG. 1c and FIG. 2c, is used just once and therefore discarded.

[0076] The hybrid endoscope 10 described thus far can be modified in numerous ways without departing from the inventive concept. For example, it is conceivable to mark the two sub-assemblies 18, 20, in particular with a barcode or an electronic interface, such that, by means of an analog or electronic read-out, for example as soon as the imaging system 14 is electronically connected to a control unit, it is possible to ascertain whether one of the sub-assemblies 18, 20 is sterile or has already been used or cleaned, so as to prevent renewed use of an endoscope 10 that has already been used and is not sterile.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0077] 10 endoscope [0078] 12 receiving device [0079] 14 imaging system [0080] 16 shaft tube [0081] 18 first sub-assembly of the endoscope [0082] 20 second sub-assembly of the endoscope [0083] 22 supply line of the imaging system [0084] 24 interface [0085] 26 electronic image recorder [0086] 28 imaging optical unit [0087] 30 illumination device [0088] 32 autoclavable plug connector [0089] 34 work channel [0090] 36 fluid line [0091] 38 rotation drum [0092] 40 bearing fork [0093] 42 rotatable joint [0094] 44 control line [0095] 46 driver pin [0096] 48 outer face of the shaft tube [0097] 50 displaceable handle [0098] 52 longitudinal axis of the shaft tube [0099] 54 recess in the displaceable handle [0100] 55 distal end of the shaft tube [0101] 56 bearing pins of the rotation drum [0102] 58 viewing direction [0103] 59 first rotation axis [0104] 60 second rotation axis [0105] 62 underside of the shaft tube [0106] 66 flattened region of the rotation drum [0107] 68 winding curve [0108] 70 flexible printed circuit board [0109] 72 depression [0110] 74 air line [0111] 76 liquid feed line [0112] 78 liquid extraction line [0113] a distance between the first rotation axis and the winding curve [0114] α angle of the viewing direction of the imaging system [0115] β′ observation region