TIP PART FOR A VIDEOSCOPE AND A VIDEOSCOPE INCLUDING SAID TIP PART

Abstract

A videoscope and an articulated tip part for the videoscope. The tip part has a bending section with hingedly connected segments. At least one segment includes a surface having an area profile with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, S.sub.a, of at least 0.9 microns as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

Claims

1. A steerable videoscope, comprising: a bending section having a distal end and segments including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and intermediate segments positioned between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment, the segments being hingedly connected to each other, at least one of the segments including an outer surface having an area profile with a two-dimensional arithmetical mean height parameter, S.sub.a, of at least 0.9 microns; and a tubular sleeve covering the intermediate segments.

2. The videoscope of claim 1, wherein the Sa in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns as measured by standard ISO 25178.

3. The videoscope of claim 2, wherein the S.sub.a is in the range of 1.8 microns to 4.5 microns as measured by the ISO 25178 standard.

4. The videoscope of claim 3, wherein S.sub.a is in the range of 1820 nanometers to 2860 nanometers as measured by the ISO 25178 standard.

5. The videoscope of claim 1, wherein each of the intermediate segments has an outer surface with an S.sub.a in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns.

6. The videoscope of claim 5, further comprising a proximal outer edge surface and a distal outer edge surface, wherein the tubular sleeve has a proximal end with a proximal rim surface facing the proximal outer edge surface and a distal end with a distal rim surface facing the distal outer edge surface, the proximal outer edge surface and the distal outer edge surface preventing displacement of the tubular sleeve from the bending section.

7. The videoscope of claim 5, further comprising a handle with an articulation lever, and steering wires extending from the articulation lever through the bending section to the distal end segment, wherein actuation of the articulation lever causes the steering wires to bend the bending section along a bending plane.

8. The videoscope of claim 7, wherein the outer surfaces with the S.sub.a in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns of each of the intermediate sections traverse the articulation plane to enable the tubular sleeve to slide on the outer surfaces of the intermediate segments.

9. The videoscope of claim 7, further comprising a flexible tube between the handle and the intermediate segments, wherein the proximal end segment has a proximal end comprising a bonding surface having an S.sub.a of at least 0.9 microns, and wherein the flexible tube has a distal end bonded to the bonding surface of the proximal end of the proximal end segment.

10. The videoscope of claim 9, wherein the proximal end segment comprises the proximal outer edge surface.

11. The videoscope of claim 10, wherein the distal end of the flexible tube is positioned within the proximal end of the proximal end segment, and the bonding surface is an inner surface of the proximal end of the proximal end segment.

12. The videoscope of claim 9, wherein bonding surface is proximal of the tubular sleeve.

13. The videoscope of claim 7, further comprising a cap, wherein the distal end segment has a distal end comprising a bonding surface having an S.sub.a of at least 0.9 microns, and wherein the cap has a proximal end bonded to the bonding surface of the distal end of the distal end segment.

14. The videoscope of claim 13, wherein the distal end segment comprises the distal outer edge surface.

15. The videoscope of claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the cap is positioned within the distal end of the distal end segment.

16. The videoscope of claim 15, wherein bonding surface is distal of the tubular sleeve.

17. The videoscope of claim 13, wherein the distal end of the distal end segment is positioned within the proximal end of the cap.

18. The videoscope of claim 1, further comprising a handle with an articulation lever, a flexible tube extending from the handle to the bending section, and a cap supported by the bending section, wherein the bending section further comprises flexible hinges connecting adjacent segments, the flexible hinges being integrally molded with the segments in a one-piece part.

19. The videoscope of claim 18, wherein the proximal end segment comprises a proximal circumferential wall forming a collar, a distal circumferential wall having a smaller diameter than the proximal circumferential wall, and a proximal outer edge surface between the proximal circumferential wall and the distal circumferential wall, and wherein the flexible tube comprises a distal end positioned within and affixed to the collar.

20. The videoscope of claim 19, wherein the diameter of the distal circumferential wall of the proximal end segment is equal to a diameter of an intermediate segment.

21. A visualization system comprising: the videoscope of claim 1, further comprising a camera assembly; and a monitor including a display screen, wherein the videoscope is connectable to the monitor and the monitor is operable to present images corresponding to image data provided by the camera assembly of the videoscope.

22. The visualization system of claim 21, wherein each of the intermediate segments has an outer surface with an S.sub.a in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] In the following, non-limiting exemplary embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, on which:

[0105] FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of an endoscope in which a tip part according to the present disclosure is implemented,

[0106] FIG. 1b shows a perspective view of a monitor to which the endoscope of FIG. 1a is connectable,

[0107] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a tip part according to the present disclosure in which a proximal portion of a flexible tube is omitted,

[0108] FIG. 3a shows a side view of the tip part of FIG. 2,

[0109] FIG. 3b shows a side view the tip part of FIG. 2 in which a tubular sleeve is omitted,

[0110] FIG. 4a shows a side detail view of a proximal end segment of the detail view A of FIG. 3b,

[0111] FIG. 4b shows a side detail view of a distal end segment of the detail view B of FIG. 3b, and

[0112] FIG. 4c shows a side detail view of some intermediate segments of the detail view C of FIG. 3b.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] Referring first to FIG. 1a, an endoscope 1 is shown. The endoscope is disposable, and not intended to be cleaned and reused. The endoscope 1 comprises an elongated insertion tube 3 comprising a flexible tube 7 and a, extending distally from the flexible tube 7, a bending section 5. The insertion tube 3 is suitable for insertion into a cavity of a body. The body can be a natural or artificial body, for instance a human or animal body. At the proximal end 3a of the insertion tube 3 an operating handle 2 is arranged. The operating handle 2 has an articulation lever 21 for maneuvering an articulated tip part 5 at the distal end 3b of the insertion tube 3 by means of a steering wire 31a. Actuation of the articulation lever causes the steering wires to bend the bending section of the tip part along a bending plane. A camera assembly 61 (shown in FIG. 2) is positioned in the tip part 5 and is configured to transmit an image signal through a monitor cable 10 of the endoscope 1 to a monitor 11. A proximal-distal axis PD is indicated.

[0114] In FIG. 1b, a monitor 11 is shown. The monitor 11 may allow an operator to view an image captured by the camera assembly of the endoscope 1. The monitor 11 comprises a cable socket 12 to which a monitor cable 10 of the endoscope 1 can be connected to establish a signal communication between the camera assembly 61 of the endoscope 1 and the monitor 11.

[0115] Turning to FIG. 2, the distal end 3b of the insertion tube 3 is shown and more specifically the articulated tip part 5. The tip part 5 comprises a sub-assembly 50 including a bending section 4, a cap 6, the camera assembly 61, and the flexible tube 7. A tubular sleeve 8 wraps around the bending section 4 of the sub-assembly 50. The tip part 5 has a substantially uniform outer circumference from the distal end 3b of the tip part 5 to the proximal end 43a of a proximal end segment 43 of the bending section 4. The bending section 4 allows the tip part 5 to bend relative to the flexible tube 7, so as to allow an operator to manipulate the tip part 5 while inserted into the body cavity.

[0116] The cap 6 includes a circumferentially extending side wall 6a enclosing a spacing accommodating the camera assembly 61. The distal end of cap forms the distal end 3b of insertion tube 3 and the tip part 5. The proximal end 6b of the cap 6 is positioned adjacent and is secured to the distal end segment 41 by a hardened adhesive positioned in a gap in the overlap of the proximal end 6b of the cap 6 and the distal end 41a of the distal end segment 41 as better seen in FIG. 4b. The outer surface 85 of the tubular sleeve 8 is arranged substantially flush with the outer surface 6c of the outer circumferentially extending side wall 6a of the cap 6.

[0117] The camera assembly 61 is positioned at a distal end 3b of the insertion tube 3 and tip part 5 in the spacing of the cap 6 so that an image sensor (not shown) is viewing out through an opening in a distal end wall of the cap 6 to allow an operator to inspect a distal body cavity when the insertion tube 3 is inserted into the body cavity. The camera assembly 61 comprises an image sensor configured to capture an image, at least one lens (not shown) configured to alter light received by the image sensor, a camera housing (not shown) for supporting the parts of the camera assembly 61, two light sources (not shown) configured to provide illumination for the image sensor in the form of light emitting diodes, a printed circuit board (not shown), signal cables (not shown) configured for carrying an image signal from the camera assembly 61 to the operator, and power cables configured for supplying power to the printed circuit board. The signal cables and the power cables are accommodated in a cable tube 32a (shown in FIG. 4c) and are connected to a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is configured to process a signal from the image sensor and transmit the signal via signal cables to the monitor cable 10 of the handle 2 for output to the monitor 11.

[0118] The flexible tube 7 comprises a circumferentially extending side wall 7a with an outer surface 7c and an inner surface (not shown). The flexible tube 7 comprises a proximal end configured for connection with the operating handle 2 of the endoscope 1 as seen in FIG. 1a. The flexible tube 7 is integrally provided in one piece and consists essentially of a second, polymeric, material different from the bending section 4. The flexible tube 7 surrounds and encloses the steering wire 31a (shown in FIG. 4c) and the cable tube 32a with the signal cables and power cables. The flexible tube 7 is positioned in the spacing (not shown) of the proximal end segment 43 by inserting the flexible tube 7 through an opening 43d of the proximal end segment 43 so that the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7 and the proximal end 43a of the proximal end segment 43 overlaps. The distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7 is secured to the proximal end 43a of the proximal end segment 43 by an adhesive injected into a through hole provided in an outer circumferentially extending side wall 43b of the proximal end segment 43 thereby distributing the adhesive between the side wall 43b and the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7 and thereafter caused to harden by exposure to ultraviolet light.

[0119] The tubular sleeve 8 includes a circumferentially extending side wall 83 with an outer surface 85 and an inner surface (not shown). The circumferentially extending side wall 83 of the tubular sleeve 8 extends between a distal rim surface 82 at a distal end and a proximal rim surface 81 at a proximal end. The rim surfaces 81, 82 define the elongate extent of the tubular sleeve 8. The tubular sleeve 8 wraps around and covers a sleeve surface 90 of the sub-assembly 50 as can be seen on FIG. 3b. The tubular sleeve 8 extends from the proximal end segment 43 to the distal end segment 41 via the intermediate segments 42 and thus covers and seals all gaps between adjacent segments 41, 42, 43 of the bending section 4. The tubular sleeve 8 is attached to the proximal end segment 43 and the distal end segment 41 by a hardened adhesive sealing and adhering the inner surface 84 of the tubular sleeve 8 to the outer surface 43e, 41e of the proximal end segment 43 and the distal end segment 41, respectively. The tubular seal 8 may, thereby, seal the connections between the bending section 4 and the flexible tube 7 and the cap 6. In an alternative embodiment, the proximal end of the tubular sleeve 8 is attached to the flexible tube 7 and the distal end of the tubular sleeve 8 is attached to the distal end segment 41. The outer surface 85 of the tubular sleeve 8 is arranged substantially flush with the remaining outer surface of the tip part 5. The tubular sleeve 8 is made of transparent thermoplastic polyurethane. Generally, the tubular sleeve 8 may be attached to the bending section 4 or the flexible tube 7 by a hardened adhesive or by laser welding.

[0120] FIG. 3a is a side view of FIG. 2 and illustrates the sub-assembly 50 including a proximal outer edge surface 91 extending around the entire circumference of the proximal end segment 43. The proximal edge surface 91 is positioned at and is integrally formed in one piece by the outer circumferentially extending surface 43e of the proximal end segment 43. The proximal edge surface 91 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4a. The sub-assembly 50 also includes a distal outer edge surface 92 extending around the entire circumference of the distal end segment 41. The distal outer edge surface 92 is positioned at and is integrally formed in one piece by the outer circumferentially extending surface 41e of the distal end segment 41. The tubular sleeve 8 is disposed between the proximal edge surface 91 and the distal edge surface 92. The proximal edge surface 91 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 4b. A through-hole 43f is shown. An adhesive may be provided through the through-hole 4f to bond the proximal end segment 43 with the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7.

[0121] The tubular sleeve 8 is shown positioned in the recess or cut-out 9 formed by the edge surfaces 91, 92 and the sleeve surface 90 and positioned to cover most of the sleeve surface 90. The proximal rim surface 81 of the sleeve 8 is positioned adjacent and distally in relation to the proximal edge surface 91. Additionally, the proximal rim surface 81 faces and is oriented towards the proximal edge surface 91. Further, the proximal rim surface 81 and the proximal edge surface 91 could be positioned to abut but is shown positioned at a distance from each other. The second circumference 91b of the proximal edge surface 91 is substantially equal to the circumference of the inner surface 84 of the sleeve 8 when the tubular sleeve 8 is positioned on the sleeve surface 90. The first circumference 91a of the proximal edge surface 91 is substantially equal to the circumference of the outer surface 85 of the sleeve 8 to ensure a substantially uniform outer circumference along the length of the tip part 5 including the bending section 4, however in practice there might be slight differences. A difference of less than plus/minus 5% may be considered substantially equal.

[0122] In this embodiment, the lower bound of the maximum outer circumference or diameter is partially defined by the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7, thus by positioning the proximal rim surface 81 distally in relation the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7 it is ensured that the sleeve 8 does not overlap with the distal end 7b of the flexible tube 7. In other embodiments, other parts of the sub-assembly 50 may define the lower bound of the maximum outer circumference or diameter of the tip part 5.

[0123] The distal rim surface 82 of the sleeve 8 is positioned adjacent and proximally in relation to the distal edge surface 92. Additionally, the distal rim surface 82 faces and is oriented towards the distal edge surface 92. Further, the distal rim surface 82 and the distal edge surface 92 could be positioned to abut but is shown positioned at a distance from each other. The fourth circumference 92b of the distal edge surface 92 is substantially equal to the circumference of the inner surface 84 of the sleeve 8. The third circumference 92a of the distal edge surface 92 is substantially equal to the circumference of the outer surface 85 of the sleeve 8 to ensure a substantially uniform outer circumference along the length of the tip part 5 including the bending section 4, however in practice there might be slight differences. A difference of less than plus/minus 5% may be considered substantially equal.

[0124] In this embodiment, the lower bound of the maximum outer circumference or diameter is partially defined by the image sensor of the camera assembly 61, thus by positioning the distal rim surface 82 proximally in relation to the image sensor of the camera assembly 61 it is ensured that the sleeve 8 does not overlap with the image sensor. In other embodiments, other parts of the sub-assembly 50 may define the lower bound of the maximum outer circumference or diameter of the tip part 5.

[0125] Turning now to FIG. 3b, the proximal edge surface 91 and the distal edge surface 92 delimits a recess or cut-out 9 of a smaller circumference relative to the most proximal and distal portions of the bending section 4. The floor of the recess or cut-out 9 is defined by a sleeve surface 90 extending circumferentially around the bending section 4. The circumferentially extending, outer surface 42a of each of the intermediate segments 42 forms part of the sleeve surface 90 along with narrow portions of the end segments 41, 43 adjacent to the edge surfaces 91, 92. The sleeve surface 90 thus has a substantially constant circumference along the proximal-distal axis of the tip part excluding the gaps between adjacent segments 41, 42, 43. The gaps between adjacent segments 41, 42, 43 form breaks in the sleeve surface 90. An outer circumference of the sleeve surface 90 is substantially smaller than the outer circumference of the remaining parts of the bending section 4 and cap 6 to accommodate the tubular sleeve 8. Sections A, B, and C are shown in expanded form in FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c, respectively.

[0126] The bending section 4 comprises a number of hingedly connected segments including the proximal end segment 43, the distal end segment 41, and a plurality of the intermediate segments 42 positioned between the proximal end segment 43 and the distal end segment 41. In the present embodiment, the number of intermediate segments 42 is eleven, but may in principle be less or even greater. The proximal end segment 43 comprises the outer, circumferentially extending, side wall 43b enclosing a spacing (not shown) into which an opening 43d in the proximal end 43a of the proximal end segment 43 provides access. The side wall 43b includes an outer surface 43e. The distal end segment 41 comprises the outer, circumferentially extending side wall 41b (e.g. a collar) enclosing a spacing (not shown) into which an opening (not shown) in the distal end provides access. The side wall 41b includes an outer surface 41e. Each segment 41, 42, 43 is substantially cylindrically shaped and each intermediate segment 42 is cylindrically disc-shaped. Two hinge members 44 of the living hinge type interconnects adjacent segments with each other. The hinge members 44 bridge a gap between adjacent segments. The hinge members, or flexible hinges, may be molded with the segments in a single-piece construction as disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,804, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The bending section 4 and each hingedly interconnected segment 41, 42, 43 consist essentially of the same material and are integrally formed in one piece. The material is polypropylene (PP) but may be any suitable material, such as polyethylene (PE) or polyoxymethylene (POM). Embodiments of bending sections including hingedly connected intermediate segments are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,804, U.S. Pat. Publ. No. 2019/0216294, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/584,503, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0127] Referring now to FIG. 4a, the proximal edge surface 91 extends from a first, proximal, outer circumference 91a (e.g. collar) of the proximal end segment 43 to a second, smaller, distal, outer circumference 91b of the proximal end segment 43 by gradually tapering off. The edge surface 91 could also extend with other shapes between the circumferences, for instance abruptly or taper linearly off by an angle measured in relation to the central, proximal-distal axis PD or form a step similar to the distal edge surface 92. The proximal edge surface 91 is connected to and directly transitions to the sleeve surface 90 at the second outer circumference 91b. The flexible tube comprises a distal end positioned within and affixed to the collar. Affixation may be due to an adhesive disposed between the distal end of the flexible tube and the collar of the proximal end segment.

[0128] In a variation of the present embodiment, the distal end of the flexible tube comprises the collar and the proximal end of the proximal end segment 43 is positioned within the collar. Either or both of the overlapping surfaces, or portions thereof, may be roughened or textured to an Sa of at least 0.9 microns and may be referred to as bonding surface(s). Roughening or texturing may be achieved via any of the methods described herein, including during the molding process, laser etching, etc. Preferably, the Sa in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns as measured by standard ISO 25178.

[0129] In another embodiment, the distal end of the flexible tube comprises the collar and the proximal end of the proximal end segment 43 is positioned within the collar. In the present embodiment the proximal end segment only has one diameter that is equal to the diameter of the intermediate segments. Therefore, the proximal outer edge surface facing the tubular sleeve is provided by the flexible tube. Because the proximal end segment does not provide the larger distal end diameter, the tubular sleeve can more easily be slid over the bending section from the direction of the proximal end section.

[0130] As best seen in FIG. 4b, the distal edge surface 92 extends abruptly forming a step from a third, proximal, outer circumference 92a of the distal end segment 41 to a fourth, larger, distal, outer circumference 92b of the distal end segment 41. The edge surface 92 could also extend with other shapes, for instance taper linearly off by an angle measured in relation to the central, proximal-distal axis PD or be rounded. The distal edge surface 92 is connected to and directly transitions to the sleeve surface 90 at the fourth outer circumference 92b. As seen in FIG. 4b, the distal edge surface 92 does not extend around the entire circumference of the distal end segment 41.

[0131] The proximal end of the cap can be positioned within and affixed to the distal end of the distal end segment. Affixation may be due to an adhesive disposed between the distal end of the distal end segment and the proximal end of the cap. Alternatively, the proximal end of the cap can be sized to receive the distal end of the distal end segment. Thus, the proximal rim surface 92 could be provided by the proximal end 6d of the cap 6 as the proximal end 6b of the cap 6 could extend further and thus would achieve similar results. Either or both of the overlapping surfaces, or portions thereof, may be roughened or textured to an Sa of at least 0.9 microns. Preferably, the Sa in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns as measured by standard ISO 25178.

[0132] In another embodiment, the distal end of the distal end segment 41 is positioned within the proximal end of the cap. In the present embodiment the distal end segment only has one diameter that is equal to the diameter of the intermediate segments. Therefore, the distal outer edge surface facing the tubular sleeve is provided by the cap. Because the distal end segment does not provide the larger distal end diameter, the tubular sleeve can more easily be slid over the bending section from the direction of the distal end section.

[0133] In a further embodiment, one of the distal and proximal end segments has an external diameter along its entire length no larger than the diameter of the intermediate segments. The other of the distal and proximal end segments can provide the edge surface, if desired, by including a proximal or distal end, respectively.

[0134] The bonding surfaces of the bending section 4, including the sleeve surface 90, the outer surfaces 41e, 42a, 43e of proximal end segment 43, distal end segment 41, and the intermediate segments 42 may have been roughened by molding the bending section in a mold with a roughened mold surface specified to an electrical discharge machining (EDM) finish scale of 29.

[0135] In order to confirm the roughness of the surfaces of the bending section, an experiment was set up and carried out in the following way:

[0136] two different mold samples each configured for molding a different type of bending section sample were provided. The mold samples included a mold surface defining the entire surface facing a molding cavity. The mold samples were manufactured with a roughened mold surface specified to an electrical discharge machining (EDM) finish scale of 29 which in theory approximately corresponds to an R.sub.a value of 2.84 microns.

[0137] Two types of bending sections were then molded in the mold cavity of the respective mold sample to obtain two different types of bending section samples with roughened outer surfaces.

[0138] An area profile was then obtained at three different locations I, II, III on the mold sample and three corresponding locations I, II, III on each of the bending section samples. In this case, a corresponding location is a location on the bending section sample facing and adjacent to the location on the mold sample during molding of the bending section sample. The second location II was located on the outer surface of a hinge member adjacent to an intermediate segment 42. The third location III is located on the outer surface of an intermediate segment 42 approximately at the midpoint between two hinge members. The three locations I, II, III are shown in FIG. 4c.

[0139] The mold surface of the mold sample and the outer surface of each of the bending section samples were measured using a Sensofar Plu Neox optical confocal microscope which acquires a well-defined set of images obtained by varying the focal depth of a 50/NA 0.80 objective. The objective had a lateral resolution of approximately 0.3 micron and a vertical resolution equal to or less than 3 nanometers. The set of images were converted into a 3D image using SensoScan 3.6 software package.

[0140] From the 3D image, three area profiles corresponding to the three locations I, II, III were obtained for the mold sample and for each of the bending section samples. Any unphysical points of the area profiles were levelled and disregarded and the area profiles were then filtered using a Gaussian S filter (1 micron) and a L filter (250 microns). From these filtered area profiles both a one-dimensional, R.sub.a, and a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, S.sub.a, were calculated using the previously described formula in accordance with ISO 25178. The resulting parameters and a measurement uncertainty in parenthesis for each location and an overall average for all three locations are provided in the following tables. The measurement uncertainty comprises contributions from amplification error, the experimental stitching error, repeatability and reproducibility, and is stated as the standard uncertainty multiplied by the coverage factor, k, of two, which for a normal distribution corresponds to a coverage probability of approximately 95%. The standard uncertainty of measurement is determined in accordance with the EA-4/02 standard. The measurement uncertainty may be used to form a range of confidence, i.e. a number given as X (Y) in any of the below tables may form a range of XY.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Average arithmetical mean height parameter results in nanometers for the mold samples. Mold type 1 Mold type 2 Location S.sub.a[nm] R.sub.a[nm] S.sub.a[nm] R.sub.a[nm] I 1882 1650 2784 2409 II 1962 1860 3166 2265 III 2193 1927 2301 1976 Average 1999 1777 2686 2203 (140) (403) (364) (480)

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Average arithmetical mean height parameter results in nanometers for the bending section samples. Sample type 1 Sample type 2 Location S.sub.a[nm] R.sub.a[nm] S.sub.a[nm] R.sub.a[nm] I 2353 (131) 2129 (178) 2265 (374) 1849 (172) II 2199 (150) 1909 (196) 2223 (117) 1887 (172) III 2500 (291) 2246 (208) 2145 (320) 1868 (177) Average 2340 (520) 2100 (1100) 2200 (640) 1860 (940)

[0141] Surprisingly, a tubular sleeve could then be manually slid over the distal end segment and onto the intermediate segments of the bending section samples to arrive at an arrangement as shown in FIG. 3a (omitting the cap and the flexible tube) without conventional use of a pressure differential, such as an air blast or vacuum. This significantly simplified the assembly process as the tubular sleeve did not need to be mounted in a rig in order to apply a pressure differential.

[0142] However, the bending section samples and tubular sleeve were assembled using the conventional method and thereafter attached to a cap and a flexible tube by adhesion to arrive at an assembled tip part as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3a. A significantly better adhesion was obtained compared to adhesion between a conventional bending section and a cap and a flexible tube.

[0143] Afterwards, each assembled tip part was then fitted onto an endoscope to arrive at an arrangement similar to FIG. 1a. It was found that the bending manipulation of these endoscopes having roughened bending sections were improved compared to conventional endoscopes not having a roughened bending sections. It is contemplated that this is due to a reduced friction between the roughened surface of the bending section and the interior surface of the tubular sleeve.

[0144] Following are additional examples of the foregoing aspects and embodiments:

[0145] 1. A bendable articulated tip part for an endoscope, comprising a bending section having a number of hingedly connected segments including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and a plurality of intermediate segments positioned between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment, wherein the tip part comprises a camera assembly positioned at a distal end of the tip part and allows an operator to inspect a body cavity, when the tip part is inserted into the body cavity, and wherein at least one segment chosen from the group consisting of the proximal end segment, the distal end segment, and the plurality of intermediate segments includes a surface having an area profile with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of at least 0.9 microns as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

[0146] 2. A bendable articulated tip part according to example 1, wherein the two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of the area profile is in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

[0147] 3. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of the area profile is in the range of 1.8 microns to 4.5 microns as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

[0148] 4. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of the area profile is 2340520 nanometers or in the range of 1820 nanometers to 2860 nanometers as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

[0149] 5. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the surface is a first, outer surface forming part of at least one of the number of hingedly connected segments, and the area profile is a first area profile, and the tip part comprises a tubular sleeve covering at least the intermediate segments of the bending section and being positioned on the bending section so that the tubular sleeve is in contact with and slides across the first area profile of the first surface during a bending movement of the bending section.

[0150] 6. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the area profile is a second area profile and is attached by a hardened adhesive to another, separate element of the tip part, for instance a tubular sleeve, a cap, and/or a flexible tube.

[0151] 7. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the area profile is a second area profile and is located on the proximal end segment, and wherein the tip part comprises a flexible tube attached to the second area profile of the bending section by a hardened adhesive.

[0152] 8. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, wherein the area profile is a third area profile and is located on the distal end segment, and wherein the tip part comprises a cap attached to the third area profile of the bending section by a hardened adhesive.

[0153] 9. A bendable articulated tip part according to any of the previous examples, further comprising: a sub-assembly having the bending section and a circumferentially extending, outer edge surface which extends from a first outer circumference of the sub-assembly to a second, smaller, outer circumference of the sub-assembly; and a tubular sleeve including a rim surface, the tubular sleeve at least covering the intermediate segments of the bending section; wherein the rim surface of the tubular sleeve faces the edge surface of the sub-assembly.

[0154] 10. A bendable articulated tip part for an endoscope, comprising a bending section having a number of hingedly connected segments including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and a plurality of intermediate segments positioned between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment, wherein at least one segment chosen from the group consisting of the proximal end segment, the distal end segment, and the plurality of intermediate segments includes a surface having an area profile with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, in the range of 0.9 microns to 9.0 microns as measured by the standard ISO 25178.

[0155] 11. An endoscope comprising a tip part according to any of examples 1-9.

[0156] 12. A system for visually inspecting inaccessible places such as human body cavities, the system comprising:

[0157] an endoscope according to example 11, and a monitor, wherein the endoscope is connectable to the monitor, and the monitor allow an operator to view an image captured by a camera assembly of the endoscope.

[0158] 13. A mold configured for molding a bending section for a tip part according to any one of the examples 1 to 9, the mold comprising a mold surface configured for molding a surface of the bending section and having an area profile with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of at least 0.9 microns.

[0159] 14. A method for assembling a tip part for an endoscope, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bending section for a tip part according to any one of the examples 1 to 9, providing a tubular sleeve, and sliding the tubular sleeve over the proximal end segment or distal end segment and onto the intermediate segments during which an inner circumference of the tubular sleeve is in a frictional engagement with an outer surface of the bending section.

[0160] 15. A method for obtaining a tip part according to examples 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of: providing a bending section having a number of hingedly connected segments including a proximal end segment, a distal end segment, and a plurality of intermediate segments positioned between the proximal end segment and the distal end segment, and treating a surface of at least one segment chosen from the group consisting of the proximal end segment, the distal end segment, and the plurality of intermediate segments to provide an area profile of the surface with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of at least 0.9 microns.

[0161] 16. A method according to example 15, wherein the method further comprises: providing a mold according to example 13, and molding a bending section for a tip part according to any one of the examples 1 to 9, the bending section having a surface adjacent to the mold surface, thereby providing the bending section and treating the surface of at least one segment chosen from the group consisting of the proximal end segment, the distal end segment, and the plurality of intermediate segments to provide the area profile of the surface with a two-dimensional, arithmetical mean height parameter, Sa, of at least 0.9 microns.

[0162] The following is a list of reference numerals used throughout this disclosure. In case of any doubt, the reference numerals of the following list apply. [0163] 1 endoscope [0164] 11 monitor [0165] 12 cable socket [0166] 13 monitor cable [0167] 2 handle [0168] 21 articulation lever [0169] 3 insertion tube [0170] 3a proximal end [0171] 3b distal end [0172] 31a steering wire [0173] 32a cable tube [0174] 4 bending section [0175] 41 distal end segment [0176] 41a distal end [0177] 41b outer circumferentially extending side wall [0178] 41d opening [0179] 41e outer surface [0180] 42 intermediate segment [0181] 42a outer surface [0182] 43 proximal end segment [0183] 43a proximal end [0184] 43b outer circumferentially extending side wall [0185] 43d opening [0186] 43e outer surface [0187] 43f through hole [0188] 44 hinge member [0189] 5 tip part [0190] 50 sub-assembly [0191] 6 cap [0192] 6a circumferentially extending side wall [0193] 6b proximal end [0194] 6c outer surface [0195] 6d proximal rim surface [0196] 61 camera assembly [0197] 7 flexible tube [0198] 7a circumferentially extending side wall [0199] 7c outer surface [0200] 8 tubular sleeve [0201] 81 proximal rim surface [0202] 82 distal rim surface [0203] 83 circumferentially extending side wall [0204] 85 outer surface [0205] 9 recess or cut-out [0206] 90 sleeve surface [0207] 91 proximal edge surface [0208] 91a first circumference [0209] 91b second circumference [0210] 92 distal edge surface [0211] 92a third circumference [0212] 92b fourth circumference [0213] PD proximal-distal axis [0214] I first location [0215] II second location [0216] III third location