Method For Supplementing a Component of a Medical Instrument

Abstract

A method for supplementing a component (20) of a medical instrument (10) by way of a plastic component comprises the steps of inserting (106) the component (20) of the medical instrument (10) into a casting mold (70) and closing (107) the casting mold (70), a first region (72) of a mold surface of the casting mold (70) being placed against the component (20) and a casting chamber (78) remaining between a second region (74) of the mold surface of the casting mold (70) and the component (20); a step of supplying (108) a liquid plastic to the casting chamber (76); and a step of coupling (111) electromagnetic radiation into the liquid plastic within the casting chamber (76) in order to trigger a solidification of the plastic and in order to form the plastic component.

Claims

1. A method for supplementing a component of a medical instrument with a plastic component, including the steps of: inserting the component of the medical instrument into a casting mold and closing the casting mold, a first region of a mold surface of the casting mold being placed against the component, and a casting chamber remaining between a second region of the mold surface of the casting mold and the component; supplying a liquid plastic to the casting chamber; and coupling an electromagnetic radiation into the liquid plastic within the casting chamber in order to trigger a solidification of the liquid plastic and form the plastic component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled into the liquid plastic through a mold insert in a mold part, where the mold insert is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation, or through a transparent mold part, or through a transparent slider, or through a transparent insert in a slider for closing a supply opening.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid plastic is supplied to the casting chamber through the component from an end of the component that faces away from the casting chamber.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is coupled from an end of the component facing away from the casting chamber into the casting chamber through the component.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion of the component comprises an insertion of an assembly, mechanically connected to the component, into the casting mold.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the insertion of the component into the casting mold comprises an insertion of an assembly, mechanically connected to the component, the assembly having at least an image sensor or any other sensor for acquiring one or more measured values, or a light-emitting diode for generating illumination light or any other light source, or a distal end region of a work channel or rinsing channel or of an optical waveguide, or a handling device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion of the component into the casting mold comprises an insertion of an electronic assembly for arrangement on a proximal end of an endoscope.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the insertion of the component into the casting mold comprises an insertion of a joint region.

9. A casting mold for supplementing a component of a medical instrument with a plastic component, comprising: a cavity, with a first region of a mold surface of the cavity, being provided for contacting a surface region of the component, a second region of the mold surface of the cavity, and the component enclosing a casting chamber to be filled with plastic; and at least either a mold part of the casting mold or a slider for closing a supply channel for supplying plastic into the casting chamber, the at least either mold part or slider being formed to be at least partly transparent to an electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation able to trigger or cause the formation of the plastic component by solidification of a liquid plastic filled into the casting chamber.

10. The casting mold of claim 9, wherein a mold part of the casting mold comprises a mold insert made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic radiation.

11. The casting mold of claim 9, wherein a mold part of the casting mold is made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic radiation.

12. The casting mold of claim 9, wherein the slider comprises a constituent part made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic radiation.

13. The casting mold of claim 9, wherein the slider is made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic radiation.

14. The casting mold of claim 9, wherein the surface of the casting chamber is made from polytetrafluoroethylene, fluorinated ethylene propylene, an amorphous fluoropolymer, or any other material which does not integrally bond with the plastic.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0091] Embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0092] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a distal end of an endoscope;

[0093] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an assembly for a proximal end of an endoscope;

[0094] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a proximal end region of an endoscope;

[0095] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a joint region of an endoscope;

[0096] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a distal end of a further endoscope;

[0097] FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a tube as a semifinished product for a shaft tube;

[0098] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a shaft tube with a connecting device;

[0099] FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of the shaft tube from FIG. 7 with an assembly at the connecting device;

[0100] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of the shaft tube and the assembly from FIG. 8 in an open casting mold;

[0101] FIG. 10 shows a further schematic illustration of the casting mold from FIG. 9;

[0102] FIG. 11 shows a further schematic illustration of the casting mold from FIGS. 9 and 10;

[0103] FIG. 12 shows a further schematic illustration of the casting mold from FIGS. 9 to 11; and

[0104] FIG. 13 shows a schematic flow chart.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0105] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a section through a distal end region 12 of an endoscope 10, specifically of the shaft 14 of the endoscope 10. The shaft 14, or at least its distal end region 12 shown in FIG. 1, is rigid and straight. Alternatively, the shaft 14 may be flexible, either flexible in sections or completely flexible, with the distal end region in particular also having a rigid embodiment in this case.

[0106] The shaft 14 comprises a shaft tube 20 with an, in particular, annular cross section. The shaft tube 20 has a distal end 22 in the form of an annular edge. In the depicted example, the annular edge forming the end 22 is located in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft tube 20 and orthogonal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1.

[0107] The lateral surface 24 of the shaft tube 20 has the shape of a lateral cylinder surface. As indicated in FIG. 1, the lateral surface 24 of the shaft tube 20 can be laid open or, deviating from the depiction in FIG. 1, can be surrounded by one or more further layers with electrical, chemical and/or mechanical functions.

[0108] In the depicted example, the shaft tube 20 has a lateral opening 26. The lateral opening 26 is a drilled hole in particular, the axis of which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube 20 and intersects the latter.

[0109] A tongue-shaped extension 30 extends the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 distally at one location. An assembly 40 is fastened to a distal end 32 of the tongue-shaped extension 30. In the depicted example, the assembly 40 comprises a camera unit 42 and a light source 44. The camera unit 42 comprises an objective lens for producing a real image and an image sensor for capturing the real image and for generating an image signal that represents the captured image. In particular, the light source 44 comprises one or more light-emitting diodes for producing illumination light.

[0110] Optionally, the assembly 40 may comprise further components, for example a distal end region 46 of a work channel or rinsing channel indicated in FIG. 1 by dashed lines.

[0111] A lateral surface region 48 of the assembly 40 is covered by a plastic cladding 50 and is integrally bonded to the latter in particular. The plastic cladding 50 extends up to the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 in the proximal direction. Further, the plastic cladding 50 projects into the shaft tube and fills the latter up to the point proximal of the lateral opening 26. In the process, the plastic cladding also fills the lateral opening 26 in the shaft tube 20. This creates an interlocking connection to complement the integral bonding between the plastic cladding 50 on the one hand and the distal end face of the shaft tube at its distal end 22 and the inner surface of the shaft tube 20 on the other hand.

[0112] The plastic cladding 50 does not cover a distal end surface 52 of the assembly 40 which, in particular, comprises a light-exit surface of the light source 44, a light-entrance surface of the camera unit 42 and optionally an opening of the distal end region 46 of the work channel or rinsing channel. Flexible conductor tracks and/or other electrical or optical lines connect the assembly 40 through the shaft tube 20 to a proximal end of the endoscope 10 not depicted in FIG. 1.

[0113] An optical separation layer, indicated by a dark line in FIG. 1, may be provided between the camera unit 42 and the light source 44 and suppress a direct transfer of illumination light from the light source 44 to the camera unit 42.

[0114] The assembly 40 is mechanically twice connected to the shaft tube 20. The plastic cladding 50 is integrally bonded to the shaft tube 20 and, by virtue of also filling the lateral opening 26 in the shaft tube 20, also connected in interlocking fashion. Further, the plastic cladding 50 has a mechanical integral bond-type and optionally also interlocking connection with the assembly 40. Consequently, the plastic cladding 50 mechanically and rigidly connects the assembly 40 to the shaft tube 20. Further, the assembly 40 is mechanically connected to the shaft tube 20 by way of the tongue-shaped extension before the plastic cladding 50 is formed.

[0115] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplar assembly 60 provided for arrangement in a handle at a proximal end of a mediastinoscope or any other endoscope. The assembly 60 has a horseshoe-like or semi-circular arc-shaped form in a plane orthogonal to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 2.

[0116] In addition to a printed circuit board with electronic and electro-optic structural elements, the assembly 60 comprises a plastic cladding 50. The plastic cladding 50 covers the printed circuit board and encloses the electronic and electro-optic structural elements. As a result, the plastic cladding 50 protects the printed circuit board and the structural elements from mechanical action, from physical action (for example, contact with a current-carrying object) and from chemical action of a surrounding fluid. Further, the plastic cladding 50 encloses a proximal end of optical fibers 62 and connects these to the printed circuit board in an integrally bonded and/or interlocking fashion. As a result, the plastic cladding 50 creates a permanent mechanical connection between the assembly 60 and the proximal end of the optical fibers 62. In the process, the plastic cladding also prevents, in particular, an ingress of a fluid between the ends of the optical fibers 62 and an electro-optic component of the assembly 60.

[0117] In the illustrated example, the plastic cladding 50 covers the assembly 60 only on one side. Deviating from the illustration in FIG. 2, the plastic cladding 50 may also cover the assembly 60 on a plurality of sides, or completely envelope the latter.

[0118] The plastic cladding 50 is a plastic component which, in particular, is produced directly on the remaining constituent parts of the assembly 60 by way of a casting process and, in the process, is integrally bonded and/or connected in interlocking fashion therewith from the outset.

[0119] FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of a proximal end region 16 of an endoscope 10. The proximal end region 16 is formed by a handling device 18. A proximal end of the shaft tube 20 is arranged in a corresponding cutout in the distal end of the handling device 18.

[0120] A plastic cladding 50 surrounds the transition region between the shaft tube 20 and the handling device 18 and fills the ring-shaped gap between the two. The plastic cladding 50 creates an integral bond-type, mechanical connection between the proximal end of the shaft tube 20 and the distal end of the handling device 18 and prevents an ingress of a fluid between the two.

[0121] The plastic cladding 50 is a plastic component which, in particular, is produced directly in the ring-shaped gap between the proximal end of the shaft tube 20 and the distal end of the handling device 18 and which, in the process, is integrally bonded and/or connected in interlocking fashion to the latter.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a flexible joint region of the shaft tube 20 of a medical instrument. In the depicted example, the flexible joint region 28 of the shaft tube 20 is formed by numerous flexible webs between numerous cutouts. As an alternative and deviating from the illustration in FIG. 4, the flexible joint region 28 of the shaft 14 may be formed by one or more pairs of sliding surfaces resting against one another.

[0123] The flexible joint region 28 is cladded by a flexible plastic cladding 50. The plastic cladding prevents an ingress of a fluid into the joint region 28.

[0124] The plastic cladding 50 is a plastic component which, in particular, is produced directly on the flexible joint region 28 and, in the process, is integrally bonded and/or connected in interlocking fashion therewith from the outset.

[0125] FIG. 5 shows a schematic illustration of a section through a distal end region 12 of an endoscope 10, specifically of the shaft 14 of the endoscope 10. The sectional plane of FIG. 5 corresponds to the sectional plane of FIG. 1. The endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the endoscope presented on the basis of FIG. 1 in terms of a few features, properties, and functions. Features, properties, and functions in terms of which the endoscope shown in FIG. 5 differs from the endoscope presented in FIG. 1 are described below.

[0126] The endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 5 differs from the endoscope presented on the basis of FIG. 1 in that, in particular, no tongue-shaped extension is provided at the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20. Instead, a heat pipe 38 is arranged in the shaft tube 20. The proximal end of the heat pipe 38, not visible in FIG. 5, is arranged at a proximal end of the endoscope 10, in particular. The distal end of the heat pipe 38 is thermally coupled to the assembly 40. To this end, the distal end of the heat pipe 38 is mechanically connected to the assembly 40 directly or indirectly. In this case, a distal end region of the heat pipe 38 at the same time forms a connecting device for mechanically connecting the assembly 40 to the shaft tube 20, in particular to the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20.

[0127] FIGS. 6 to 13 are used to present a method and a mold for producing one of the plastic claddings 50 from FIGS. 1 to 4. By way of example, the production of the plastic cladding 50 on the distal end 12 of an endoscope 10, depicted on the basis of FIG. 1, is described.

[0128] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a tube, from which a shaft tube 20 is manufactured. In particular, the tube exhibits an annular cross section. The longitudinal axis and, in the case of an annular cross section, the axis of symmetry of the tube is parallel to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 6.

[0129] The hatching in the figure indicates a region that is removed in order to lay open the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 and the tongue-shaped extension 30.

[0130] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of the shaft tube 20 in a later stage of the method. The type of representation, in particular the plane of the drawing, corresponds to that of FIG. 6. Unlike in FIG. 6, the inner contours of the shaft tube 20 are represented by dashed lines.

[0131] The region depicted by hatching in FIG. 6 has been removed, and so the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 and the tongue-shaped extension 30 have been developed. The tongue-shaped extension 30 is deformed such that it now has two bends. The proximal bend of the tongue-shaped extension creates a distance between the distally adjoining regions of the tongue-shaped extension 30 and the distally continued outer lateral surface of the shaft tube 20 indicated by dashed lines. The distal bend of the tongue-shaped extension 30 causes the distal end 32 of the tongue-shaped extension 30 to have a predetermined orientation relative to the shaft tube 20.

[0132] FIG. 8 shows a further schematic illustration of the shaft tube 20. The type of representation, in particular the sectional plane, corresponds to that of FIG. 7. Like in FIG. 7, the inner contours of the shaft tube 20 are represented by dashed lines.

[0133] The assembly 40 with the camera unit 42 and the light source 44 is permanently mechanically connected to the distal end 32 of the tongue-shaped extension 30, for example by adhesive bonding.

[0134] FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of the unit of the shaft tube 20 and assembly 40, shown in FIG. 8, at the distal end 32 of the tongue-shaped extension 30 of the shaft tube 20. The unit of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40 is depicted in an open casting mold 70. The shaft tube 20, the assembly 40 and the casting mold 70 are depicted in a section along a plane parallel to the planes of the drawing of FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 8. The sectional plane of FIG. 9 contains the axis of symmetry of the shaft tube 20.

[0135] The casting mold 70 has a mold surface with a first region 72 for planar contact with the outer surface 24 of the shaft tube 20, and a second region 74. The mold surface 72, 74 surrounds a cavity 76, which in the open state of the casting mold 70 depicted in FIG. 9 comprises two portions.

[0136] The casting mold 70 comprises a first mold part 82 and a second mold part 84, which each have a share of both the first region 72 of the mold surface and the second region 74 of the mold surface. The mold parts 82, 84 have mold inserts 86, which each form part of the first region 72 or the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold and which reach as far as the outer surface regions of the casting mold 70 in the illustrated example. The mold inserts 86 are manufactured from materials that are transparent to electromagnetic radiation with predetermined spectral properties. Consequently, electromagnetic radiation can be coupled into the cavity 76 through the mold insert 86.

[0137] The casting mold 70 has a supply device 88 for supplying liquid plastic 54 to the cavity 76. The supply device 88 may consist of a fluid connector that may be able to be connected or may be connected to a heating and metering device for liquefying a thermoplastic and for metering the liquefied plastic. Alternatively, the supply device may comprise a heating and metering device for liquefying and metering a thermoplastic, said supply device being able to be integrated in the casting mold 70.

[0138] By contrast, the casting mold 70 depicted in FIG. 9 is provided for a plastic that is not a thermoplastic, but rather one that is liquid at room temperature, and the solidification of which is caused or triggered by the action of electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined wavelength range. Therefore, the supply device 88 does not comprise a heating device but only a metering device for the liquid plastic. The metering device is indicated by a piston in a cylindrical cavity.

[0139] A supply channel 90 connects the supply device 88 to the cavity 76 of the casting mold 70. The supply channel 90 is T-shaped in the illustrated example. A sliding plug element, referred to throughout as a “slider”, 92 with an optically transparent core 94 within a sleeve made of a mechanically robust material, for example steel, is arranged in the supply channel 90 and is able to slide longitudinally along one arm of the supply channel 90. The slider 92 is guided in the supply channel 90 with little play and friction and can adopt various positions. In FIG. 9, the slider 92 is depicted in a position in which the end thereof facing the cavity 76 forms part of the mold surface of the casting mold 70, specifically part of the second region 74 of the mold surface. At the end distant from the cavity 76, the optically transparent core 94 merges into the light guiding cable which is optically coupled to a light source 96.

[0140] Further, a magnet 80 is arranged in the second mold part 84 of the casting mold 70. In the illustrated example, the magnet 80 is a permanent magnet which is embedded in the mold part 84. Alternatively, the magnet 80 may be arranged at, and in particular fastened to, an outer surface of the casting mold 70, and/or be in the form of an electromagnet.

[0141] FIG. 10 shows a further schematic illustration of the unit of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40, and the casting mold 70. The type of representation corresponds to that of FIG. 9.

[0142] FIG. 10 depicts the casting mold 70 closed and the unit of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40 is arranged in the cavity of the casting mold 70 in a predetermined position and with a predetermined orientation. In this case, the outer surface 24 (cf. FIG. 9) of the shaft tube 20 extensively contacts the first region 72 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70. The second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70 bounds a casting chamber 78, which merges into the lumen of the shaft tube 20.

[0143] Arranged in the casting chamber 78 is the assembly 40, the distal end surface 52 of which extensively contacts the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70. To ensure the planar contact of the distal end surface 52 of the assembly 40 on the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70, the shaft tube 20 is arranged in the casting mold 70 and the tongue-shaped extension at the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 is dimensioned in such a way that the tongue-shaped extension is elastically deformed and its elastic restoring force presses the distal end surface 52 of the assembly 40 against the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70. Alternatively or in addition, the magnet 80 produces an attractive force at the distal end 32 of the tongue-shaped extension 30 at the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 and/or at the assembly 40 such that the distal end face 52 thereof is pressed extensively against the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70.

[0144] In the predetermined position of the unit made of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40 in the casting mold 70 shown in FIG. 10, the lateral opening 26 in the shaft tube 20 is flush with one of the transparent mold inserts 86. Electromagnetic radiation produced by a light source 96 can therefore be coupled into the lumen of the shaft tube 20 through this transparent mold insert 86 and through the lateral opening 26. The second transparent mold insert 86 is arranged in the region of the casting chamber 78 such that electromagnetic radiation from a light source 96 can be coupled into the casting chamber 78 through this second transparent mold insert 86.

[0145] In FIG. 10, the slider 92 is depicted in the supply channel 90 in a position distant from the casting chamber 78, the supply channel 90 forming an open connection between the supply device 88 and the casting chamber 78 in said position. As a result of the movement of the piston of the supply device 88, as indicated by an arrow, liquid plastic can be displaced from the supply device 88 and forced into the casting chamber 78 through the supply channel 90.

[0146] FIG. 11 shows a further schematic illustration of the unit of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40 in the casting mold 70. The type of representation corresponds to that of FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0147] FIG. 11 shows a situation in which, by means of the supply device 88, the casting chamber 78 has been completely filled with liquid plastic and the lumen of the shaft tube 20 has been filled with liquid plastic to such an extent that the lateral opening 26 in the shaft tube 20 is also filled with the liquid plastic 54. The slider 92 has once again been inserted fully into the supply channel 90 such that the end of the slider facing the casting chamber 78 forms part of the second region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70.

[0148] In this situation, the light sources 96 are activated for the purposes of producing light, that is, electromagnetic radiation with a predetermined wavelength, said light being coupled into the liquid plastic 54 through the transparent mold inserts 86 and through the transparent core 94 of the slider 92. The light causes the solidification of the liquid plastic 54, for example by way of polymerization. Alternatively, the light triggers solidification of the liquid plastic 54, for example by releasing a catalyst that brings about or accelerates polymerization.

[0149] FIG. 12 shows a further schematic illustration of the unit of shaft tube 20 and assembly 40, and the casting mold 70. The type of representation in FIG. 12 corresponds to that of FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0150] The liquid plastic has solidified to form the solid plastic cladding 50 by the aforementioned action of electromagnetic radiation, the plastic cladding enclosing the assembly 40 and the tongue-shaped extension 30, protruding into the shaft tube 20, being integrally bonded to the shaft tube 20, and further being connected to said shaft tube in interlocking fashion by way of engagement in the lateral opening 26 in the shaft tube 20. The casting mold 70 is open, and the shaft tube 20 with the completed distal end can be removed.

[0151] For the production of a plastic component or plastic cladding 50 as depicted on the basis of FIGS. 2 to 4, the casting mold has features and properties that deviate from those presented on the basis of FIGS. 9 to 12. This includes an appropriate geometric design of the region 74 of the mold surface bounding the casting chamber 78, specifically a geometric design corresponding to the outer surface of the plastic component or of the plastic cladding 50 to be produced. This further includes an appropriate geometric design of the region 72 of the mold surface bounding the casting chamber 78, specifically a geometric design corresponding to the lateral surface 24 of the shaft 20 (cf. FIGS. 2, 3), the handling device 18 (cf. FIG. 3), the assembly 60 and the proximal end of the optical fibers 62 (cf. FIG. 4). To this end and as illustrated on the basis of FIGS. 9 to 12, the cavity 76 of the casting mold may have an opening at one end, through which the shaft tube 20 extends out of the casting mold, or may be open at two ends, such that, for example in the case of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, said shaft tube can protrude from both ends.

[0152] FIG. 13 shows a schematic flow chart of a method for supplementing a component of a medical instrument with a plastic component, in particular a plastic cladding. The method can be carried out using a casting mold 70 having the features, properties and functions presented on the basis of FIGS. 9 to 12 or using a casting mold with features, properties and functions deviating therefrom. The method can be used to produce a medical instrument with features, properties and functions presented on the basis of FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or a medical instrument with features, properties and functions deviating therefrom. Reference signs from FIGS. 1 to 12 are used below in exemplary fashion. The method is presented in exemplary fashion on the basis of a shaft tube that should be supplemented with a plastic component.

[0153] A tube provided for the formation of a shaft tube 20 is provided in a first step 101. A part is removed from one end of the tube in an optional second step 102 in order to lay open and form a distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 and a tongue-shaped extension 30, respectively. The tongue-shaped extension 30 is deformed, more particularly bent, in an optional third step 103.

[0154] Alternatively, a shaft tube 20 is provided with a joint region. By way of example, this is implemented by forming cutouts, between which narrow elastic webs remain. Alternatively, a joint region may comprise one or more interlocking joints, which each facilitate pivoting or tilting about one or two axes.

[0155] In a fourth step 104, an assembly 40 or a handling device 18 or any other assembly that is to be connected to the shaft tube 20 by way of a plastic cladding is provided. In a fifth step 105, the assembly 40 or the handling device 18 is mechanically connected to the shaft tube 20. By way of example, this is implemented by way of adhesive bonding, or else merely by a plug-in connection, which only brings about an alignment between firstly the shaft tube 20 and secondly the assembly 40 or the handling device 18.

[0156] If the method is intended to clad a joint region of the shaft, the fourth step 104 and the fifth step 105 may also be dispensed with.

[0157] In the case of a sixth step 106, the shaft tube 20 is inserted into a casting mold 70 together with the assembly 40 or the handling device 18. The casting mold 70 is closed in a seventh step 107. Subsequently, the shaft tube 20 may protrude from the casting mold 70 on one side or on two opposing sides. In the case of the connection to a handling device, the handling device may also protrude from the casting mold 70.

[0158] In an eighth step 108, liquid plastic is supplied to a casting chamber 78 through a supply channel 90. In a ninth step 109, a slider 92 in the supply channel 90 is moved in order to close the supply channel.

[0159] A force is exerted on the assembly 40 in an optional tenth step 110 in order to move said assembly into a predetermined position, for example with extensive contact to a region 74 of the mold surface of the casting mold 70. By way of example, the force may be an elastic restoring force of a tongue-shaped extension, as a mechanical connecting device, on account of an elastic deformation during the inserting 106 and/or closing 107 step. Alternatively, the force can be generated by a magnet, for example.

[0160] Deviating from the presentation of FIG. 13, the exertion of force may already have started before the supply of the liquid plastic in order to prevent an ingress of the liquid plastic into a gap between assembly and mold surface.

[0161] During an eleventh step 111, which is carried out during the tenth step 110, electromagnetic radiation is coupled into the liquid plastic 54 in order to bring about or trigger a solidification of the liquid plastic 54 to form a solid plastic cladding 50.

[0162] The force exerted in the tenth step is usually exerted at least until the complete solidification of the initially liquid plastic.

[0163] The casting mold 70 is opened in a twelfth step 112. The shaft tube 20 with the plastic cladding 50 is removed in a thirteenth step 113.

[0164] Although the invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The combinations of features described herein should not be interpreted to be limiting, and the features herein may be used in any working combination or sub-combination according to the invention. This description should therefore be interpreted as providing written support, under U.S. patent law and any relevant foreign patent laws, for any working combination or some sub-combination of the features herein. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0165] 10 Medical instrument [0166] 12 Distal end region of the medical instrument 10 [0167] 14 Shaft of the medical instrument 10 [0168] 16 Proximal end region of the medical instrument 10 [0169] 18 Handling device at the proximal end region 16 of the medical instrument 10 [0170] 20 Shaft tube [0171] 22 Distal end of the shaft tube 20 [0172] 24 Lateral surface of the shaft tube 20 [0173] 26 Lateral opening in the shaft tube 20 [0174] 28 Flexible joint region of the shaft 14 [0175] 30 Tongue-shaped extension at the distal end 22 of the shaft tube 20 [0176] 32 Distal end of the tongue-shaped extension 30 [0177] 38 Heat pipe [0178] 40 Assembly at the distal end 12 of the medical instrument 10 [0179] 42 Camera unit [0180] 44 Light source, more particularly light-emitting diode, for producing illumination light [0181] 46 Distal end region of work channel or rinsing channel [0182] 48 Lateral surface region of the assembly 40 [0183] 50 Plastic cladding of the assembly 40 or 60, or of the flexible joint region 28 [0184] 52 Distal end surface of the assembly 40 [0185] 54 Liquid plastic [0186] 60 Assembly at the proximal end 16 of the medical instrument 10 [0187] 62 Optical fibers, optically mechanically connected to the assembly 60 [0188] 70 Casting mold [0189] 72 First region of the mold surface of the casting mold 70 [0190] 74 Second region of the mold surface of the casting mold 70 [0191] 76 Cavity of the casting mold 70, bounded by the first region 72 and the second region 74 of the mold surface [0192] 78 Casting chamber, bounded by the second region 74 of the mold surface and the component 20 [0193] 80 Magnet [0194] 82 First mold part of the casting mold 70 [0195] 84 Second mold part of the casting mold 70 [0196] 86 Transparent mold insert of the second mold part 84 [0197] 88 Supply device for liquid plastic [0198] 90 Supply channel for supplying liquid plastic to the casting chamber 78 [0199] 92 Slider in the supply channel 90 [0200] 94 Optically transparent core of the slider 92 [0201] 96 Light source [0202] 101 First step (providing a shaft tube) [0203] 102 Second step (laying open a tongue-shaped extension and a distal end of the shaft tube) [0204] 103 Third step (plastically deforming the tongue-shaped extension) [0205] 104 Fourth step (providing an assembly) [0206] 105 Fifth step (mechanically connecting the assembly to the tongue-shaped extension) [0207] 106 Sixth step (inserting the component with the assembly into a casting mold) [0208] 107 Seventh step (closing the casting mold) [0209] 108 Eighth step (supplying liquid plastic) [0210] 109 Ninth step (moving a slider which closes a supply channel for supplying liquid plastic) [0211] 110 Tenth step (exerting a force on the assembly) [0212] 111 Eleventh step (coupling electromagnetic radiation into the liquid plastic in order to trigger solidification) [0213] 112 Twelfth step (opening the casting mold) [0214] 113 Thirteenth step (removing the shaft tube with plastic cladding made of solidified plastic)