ENDOSCOPE DEVICE

Abstract

For determining a precise orientation and positioning of an endoscope in an electromagnetic field, an endoscope device has a proximal insertion head and has a shaft extending distally therefrom having a center axis. The shaft extends with at least one elongated lumen through the device. A sensor rod has at least two sensor coils arranged with finite spacing in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction. The at least two sensor coils are oriented in relation to one another at a finite angle.

Claims

1. An endoscope device comprising: a proximal insertion head; a shaft extending distally from the insertion head, the shaft having a center axis; at least one elongate lumen extending through the device; and a sensor rod having at least two sensor coils arranged at a finite spacing in relation to one another in a sensor rod longitudinal direction, the at least two sensor coils being oriented in relation to one another at a finite angle.

2. An endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two sensor coils comprise a first sensor coil oriented in parallel to the center axis and a second sensor coil oriented at a finite angle in relation to the center axis.

3. An endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two sensor coils comprise a first sensor coil arranged in the shaft.

4. An endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the insertion head includes an attachment and the at least two sensor coils comprise a sensor coil arranged in the attachment of the insertion head.

5. An endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the rod bearing the two sensor coils extends through the lumen.

6. An endoscope device according to claim 1, further comprising a holder, wherein the insertion head includes an attachment, the holder is attachable to the attachment of the insertion head and the rod is connected axially fixed to the holder.

7. An endoscope device according to claim 6, wherein the attachment of the insertion head and the holder comprise corresponding Luer adapter parts facing toward one another forming a Luer adapter, and the attachment and the holder are fixedly connectable to one another by the Luer adapter.

8. An endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor rod further comprises a connecting wire that extends from each sensor coil through the rod up to a sensor rod proximal end for connection to an analysis unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] In the drawings:

[0012] The only FIGURE is a longitudinal sectional view of an endoscope device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring to the drawings, an endoscope device 1 according to the invention comprises in the illustrated exemplary embodiment a proximal insertion head 2 and a shaft 3 extending distally therefrom. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the insertion head 2 comprises three branches or attachments 2.1 to 2.3, namely one attachment 2.1 for introducing a light guide from the proximal end of the device 1 up to its distal end and also two attachments 2.2, 2.3, which each also comprise a lumen or a channel which extends from the distal end of the elongated shaft 3 with a center axis A up to an exit from the respective adapter 2.2, 2.3.

[0014] A rod 4, which bears two coils 4.1 and 4.2 with spacing in its longitudinal extension, extends through the lumen 2.3.1 of the attachment 2.3. The rod can be formed as a solid or flexible rod or also as a rod coiled in a helix. A connecting wire (not shown) extends from each of the coils 4.1, 4.2 in the proximal direction up to a respective proximal connecting or contact end of the respective wire, possibly in the formation of a plug for connection of the wires to an analysis unit (not shown).

[0015] The coil 4.1 is located at the distal end of the rod 4 and thus inside the shaft 3 extending in parallel to its center axis A and is therefore also oriented in parallel to the center axis A or axially-parallel. The coil 4.2 arranged with spacing in relation to the coil 4.1 on the rod 4 is located in the attachment 2.3 of the insertion head extending at a finite angle in relation to the center axis A. In that the lumen section of the lumen 2.3.1 also extends at a finite angle in relation to the center axis A, the orientation or extension of the coil 4.2 in the attachment 2.3 also encloses a finite angle in relation to the center axis A. The two coils 4.1, 4.2 are therefore not parallel to one another, but rather are oriented at a finite angle in relation to one another.

[0016] In the case of an externally applied inhomogeneous electromagnetic field, in which the coils 4.1, 4.2 are located, these coils therefore perceive the field differently and transmit different signals to the analysis unit. Due to this different orientation of the coils 4.1, 4.2, the orientation of the endoscope device in the electromagnetic field and thus in space can therefore be exactly determined.

[0017] The rod 4 is arranged axially fixed in a holder 5. The holder 5 and the attachment 2.3 are connectable to one another by a Luer adapter 6, wherein each of the parts bears a respective part 6.1, 6.2 corresponding to one another of the Luer adapter 6, so that the attachment 2.3 and the holder 5 can be fixedly connected to one another like a bayonet by the Luer adapter 6 in a way known per se. The location of the holder 5 in relation to the attachment 2.3 and also in relation to the head 2 and the shaft 3 of the endoscope device 1 is thus defined in the fastened state. Since the shaft 4, as stated, is arranged axially fixed in the holder 5, the longitudinal position of the coils 4.1, 4.2 and in particular of the distal coil 4.1 in the shaft 3 and thus the endoscope device 1 is therefore also defined and therefore the spacing, in particular the axial spacing of the coil 4.1 from the distal end 3.1 of the shaft 3, is also defined. By way of the sensor signal of the coil 4.1 in the applied electromagnetic field, its location and, because of the fixed spacing in relation to the distal end 3.1 of the shaft 3, the location of the distal end 3.1 of the shaft 3 in the electromagnetic field and thus in space can also thus be determined.

[0018] An operator therefore recognizes, on the basis of the analysis of the sensor signals and an image display on a display screen of the analysis unit, the position of the distal end 3.1 of the shaft 3 and thus also of the endoscope device 1 accurately and thus knows where exactly they are working with their instruments, which they possibly introduce into other lumens of the endoscope device and through them.

[0019] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.