Handle for endoscope, endoscope having such handle and method for disposing such handle on an endoscope

Abstract

Provided are a handle for an endoscope comprising an endoscope housing and a lens tube and wherein on the endoscope housing at least one operating element for changing a setting of the endoscope is provided, wherein the handle comprises a receiving section for receiving and retaining the endoscope and a grip section connected with the receiving section for retaining the endoscope, in which the handle further comprises at least one manipulator for operating the operating element when the handle is disposed on the endoscope, wherein the manipulator is movable relative to the receiving section and relative to the grip section, an endoscope with such a handle and a method for disposing such a handle on an endoscope.

Claims

1. An endoscope handle, comprising: a cylindrical section with an aperture narrowing distally and that is configured to receive an endoscope, a grip section connected with the cylindrical section, a manipulator, comprising: a trigger pullable toward the grip section and pivotable within a support section below the cylindrical section; a linkage having an endoscope operating lever receiving aperture, the linkage attached directly to and configured to be actuated by the trigger to advance and retreat along a longitudinal direction of the aperture of the cylindrical section, thereby manipulating an operating lever of the endoscope after the cylindrical section has been disposed on the endoscope, wherein the manipulator is movable relative to the cylindrical section and relative to the grip section.

2. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, further comprising a channel for changing a position of the cylindrical section relative to the grip section.

3. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical section comprises two parts with a first receiving section part and a second receiving section part and wherein the grip section, the manipulator, or both the grip section and manipulator, are retained between the first receiving section part and the second receiving section part.

4. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical section comprises a one- or multi-part support section on which the grip section, the manipulator, or both the grip section and the manipulator, are supported.

5. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the manipulator has a first manipulator receiver for the insertion of at least sections of the endoscope operating lever.

6. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the manipulator comprises a second manipulator receiver for introduction of at least portions of a finger of an operator of the endoscope.

7. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the manipulator extends at least in sections in an interior volume of the handle.

8. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the manipulator comprises a first manipulator section and a second manipulator section, wherein the first manipulator section is rotatable about a first rotational axis relative to the second manipulator section, and wherein the second manipulator section is rotatable relative to the cylindrical section, the grip section, or both the cylindrical section and the grip section, about a second rotational axis, wherein the second rotational axis extends parallel to the first rotational axis.

9. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the manipulator is reversibly separable from the handle and securable again on the handle.

10. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a display screen mount.

11. The endoscope handle as in claim 10, wherein the display screen receiving section is detachably disposed on the handle.

12. The endoscope handle as in claim 1, further comprising: an endoscope housing having a lens tube and the endoscope operating lever for changing a setting of the endoscope.

13. A method for disposing a handle on an endoscope with an endoscope housing having a lens tube and an endoscope operating lever for changing a setting of the endoscope comprising: providing an endoscope handle, comprising: a cylindrical section with an aperture narrowing distally and that is configured to receive the endoscope, a grip section connected with the cylindrical section, a manipulator, comprising: a trigger pullable toward the grip section and pivotable within a support section below the cylindrical section, a linkage having an endoscope operating lever receiving aperture, the linkage attached directly to and configured to be actuated by the trigger to advance and retreat along a longitudinal direction of the aperture of the cylindrical section, thereby manipulating an operating lever of the endoscope after the cylindrical section has been disposed on the endoscope, wherein the manipulator is movable relative to the cylindrical section and relative to the grip section; receiving the endoscope in the aperture of the cylindrical section; and connecting the endoscope lever with the manipulator.

14. The method as in claim 13, wherein while the manipulator is being connected with the endoscope operating lever is detached from the handle and, after the connection with the endoscope operating lever, is again or for the first time secured on the handle.

15. The method as in claim 14, wherein the manipulator comprises a first manipulator section and a second manipulator section, wherein the first manipulator section is rotatable relative to the second manipulator section about a first rotational axis, wherein the second manipulator section is rotatable relative to the cylindrical section, the grip section, or both the cylindrical section and the grip section, about a second rotational axis that extends parallel to the first rotational axis, wherein the endoscope operating lever is connected with the manipulator such that the endoscope operating lever is inserted into a first manipulator receiving section provided on the first section of the manipulator, wherein the manipulator is placed into an interior channel in the cylindrical section and is connected across a structural element that connects the second rotational axis with the cylindrical section.

16. The method as in claim 15, wherein the inner channel is closed with a cover after the manipulator connected with the endoscope operating lever has been emplaced and after the connection across the second rotational axis with the cylindrical section has been established.

17. The method as in claim 13, wherein the endoscope handle has a display screen mount and at least one signal communication is established with the endoscope.

18. The method as in claim 13, wherein the endoscope handle has a detachable display screen receiving section that is only connected with the endoscope handle after the endoscope has been received in an aperture in the receiving section of the endoscope handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) In the disclosure will be described in greater detail in conjunction with Figures that show an embodiment example. Therein show:

(2) FIG. 1: an embodiment example of a handle in cooperation with an operating element of an endoscope,

(3) FIG. 2: an exploded view of the arrangement comprising handle and operating element of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 3: a side view of an endoscope with a handle as depicted in FIG. 1 in a first position of the operating element,

(5) FIG. 4: a side view of an endoscope with a handle as depicted in FIG. 1 in a second position of the operating element,

(6) FIG. 5: a back view of a first variant of the handle of FIGS. 1 and 2, and

(7) FIG. 6: a back view of a second variant of the handle of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a handle 10 for an endoscope 1, not depicted in these Figures however shown by example in FIGS. 3 and 4, together with an operating element 3, here implemented by example in the form of a bow-shaped bracket, of the endoscope 3 which is actuatable across the handle 10, more specifically across a manipulator 14 disposed thereon.

(9) The handle 10 comprises a receiving section 11 and has, further, a grip section 12 whose position is changeable relative to the receiving section 11 in oblong holes 13a, 13b, and specifically in particular also with respect to a tilt angle relative to the receiving section 11.

(10) The manipulator 14 comprises a first section 14a with a receiver 14b for the insertion, at least of sections, of the operating element 3 and a second section 14c with a receiver 14d for the introduction, at least of portions, of a finger of an operator of the endoscope 1. As is especially clearly evident in FIG. 2, the portion of the second section 14c, facing the first section 14a, is provided with a slot 14e for receiving the end region, opposite to the end region of receiver 14b, of the first section 14a and here fixed with a pin 18 guided through both sections such that it is rotatable about the first rotational axis D defined by the pin 18 such that the first section 14a of the manipulator 14 is rotatable relative to the second section 14b of the manipulator [14] about the first rotational axis D1.

(11) The receiving section 11 encompasses—in this case with a unitary edge which, however, also can be composed of several parts or segments—annularly an aperture 15 for receiving the endoscope 1. The aperture 15 is herein adapted to the shape of the endoscope housing 2 of endoscope 1. As is discernible in the representation of FIGS. 3 and 4, in this example an endoscope housing 2 tapering conically in the direction toward a lens tube 4, whose outer contours can be described as circles flattened on two opposing sides, such that the aperture 15 as a consequence of its adaption to the endoscope housing 3, has a conically tapering inner contour which can be described as circles flattened on two opposingly located sides. This defines simultaneously how far the endoscope housing 3 can be slid into the aperture 15.

(12) Formed unitarily onto the receiving section 11 and, to this extent, interpretable as a section of the receiving section 11, is a first part 16a of a support section 16 which cooperates with a cover-shaped second parts 16b, separable from the first part 16a and consequently also from receiving section 11, of the support section 16.

(13) The support section 16 serves, on the one hand, for supporting the grip section [12] between two extensions 17a of the first part 16a of support section 16 on the one hand and 17b of the second part 16b of bearing section 16 on the other hand, in which the oblong holes 13a, 13b are disposed. The grip section 12 is inserted with its connection region 12a such between the extensions 17a, 17b that the bore 12b is aligned with the oblong holes, brought into the ergonomically most favorable position for the operator by sliding and tilting and fixed, which can take place, for example, through a locking screw or by being clamped together which can be brought about by connecting the parts 16a, 16b of support section 16 using clamps, detents or threaded fasteners.

(14) The support section 16 defines, on the other hand, through its first part 16a and the second part 16b a channel 19 for receiving subregions of manipulator 14. In a first section 19a of channel 19 is received a subregion of the first section 14a of the manipulator 14. It should be pointed out that the width b of channel 19 in section 19a is selected to be markedly greater than the width of the received region of section 14a such that the section 14a at different positions of the operating element 3 extends at different positions of the operating element 3 at different angles through channel 19. It becomes thereby feasible to control an operating element 3 moved on a circular path with the manipulator 14.

(15) In a second section 19b of channel 19 a subregion of the second section 14c of manipulator 14 is received. The support section 16 has in particular in this region a bore 20 in which the manipulator 14, for example by means of an axle, formed onto the cover-like second part 16b of support section 16 and not visible in the Figures, that is inserted through a bore 14f in the second section 14c of manipulator [14] into the bore 20, is supported such that the second section 14c of manipulator 14 is rotatable relative to the receiving section 11 about a second rotational axis D2 that extends parallel to the first rotational axis D1.

(16) The described structure of the handle 10 in particular enables establishing separately from one another the connection between receiving section 11 and endoscope 1, or endoscope housing 2, on the one hand, and manipulator 14 and actuation element 3 on the other hand, and only subsequently to connect the manipulator 14 with the handle 10 which, for example, is required for bow-form actuation elements 3 of endoscopes whose endoscope housing does not have a rotationally symmetrical geometry and which therefore cannot be rotated in the receiving section 11.

(17) In FIGS. 3 and 4 is evident in each instance the same endoscope 1 with endoscope housing 2, on which the operating element 3 is disposed, with lens tube 4 and with endoscope head 5. The operating element 3 serves herein, as can be seen immediately when comparing FIGS. 3 and 4, for swivelling the endoscope head 5. When the operating element 3 is at its left, in the perspective FIGS. 3 and 4, abutment the endoscope head 5 is maximally curved downward; if it is at its right, in the perspective of FIGS. 3 and 4, abutment, the endoscope head 5 is maximally curved upward.

(18) When viewing FIGS. 3 and 4, discernible is further the handle 10, structured as described above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, with receiving section 11, grip section 12, whose position relative to the receiving section 11 can be changed by means of oblong hole 13 and which preferably, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, that represent an actual application situation, extends at an angle relative to the receiving section 11. On handle 10 is further evident the manipulator 14, which comprises a first section 14a with receiver 14b for the insertion of at least sections of the operating element 3 and a second section 14c with receiver 14d for the introduction of at least portions of a finger of an operator of the endoscope 1.

(19) If the operator of endoscope 1 moves the second section 14c of manipulator 14 as far as is possible to the grip section 12, as is shown in FIG. 3, the operating element 3 is pulled to its left abutment and the endoscope head 5 is swiveled maximally downwardly. If he moves it as far as possible away from the grip section 12, the operating element 3 is shifted to its right abutment and the endoscope head 5 is swiveled maximally upwardly. The operator can accordingly with his finger introduced quite simply, with the same hand in which he holds the endoscope 1, by moving the finger over the manipulator 14 control the operating element 3 and can move the endoscope head 5 into a desired position.

(20) FIGS. 5 and 6 show each handles 10′, 10″ which represent variants of handle 10 from FIGS. 1 and 2 and only differ from handle 10 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the handle comprises additionally a display screen receiving section 21′ or 21″, respectively. Therefore in FIGS. 5 and 6 the same reference numbers as in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used for components of the particular variant of handle 10′, 10″ as were already used in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 and reference is made to the corresponding description.

(21) The display screen receiving sections 21′, 21″ serve for the purpose of being able to dispose a not depicted display screen on handle 10′, 10″. This display screen can, in particular, also be formed by the display of a tablet PC or of a smartphone. As a rule, it is not an inherent component of the handle and/or of the endoscope 1 and is brought at least into data communication with the endoscope 1 in order to enable the visual data obtained with the endoscope 1 to be displayed directly to the operator. If this data communication with the endoscope 1 takes place through a wired connection between endoscope 1 and display screen, the endoscope 1 can also be provided with power required for its operation across this wired connection, which power can subsequently be provided through the power supply, in particular a battery, of the display screen.

(22) The display screen receiving section 21′ depicted in FIG. 5 is simply comprised of a display screen retainer 22″, which is schematically simply depicted as U-shaped, wherein the limbs of the U-shaped display screen retainer 22′ comprise each in the perspectives of FIG. 5 a non-visible receiving slot into which the display screen is inserted and optionally can be fixed preferably with fixing means or by a clamping effect between the inner faces of the wall of the receiving slot.

(23) The display screen receiving section 21′ is disposed on the side, opposite the grip section 12, of the receiving section 11 and is preferably detachably connected with the receiving section 11. This can be accomplished for example through magnetic interaction, in particular between a magnet disposed at the corresponding site of the receiving section 11 thereon or therein and a magnet disposed on the display screen receiving section 21′, and/or through mechanical interaction, in particular by forming it through connections using emplacement, detents or threaded fasteners. The connection is preferably only established after the endoscope 1 has already been inserted into the receiving section 11 of the handle 10′.

(24) The display screen receiving section 21″ depicted in FIG. 6 also comprises a display screen retainer 22″ which is schematically simply depicted in the form of a U.

(25) The limbs of the U-shaped display screen retainer 22″ also comprise each a receiving slot, not visible in the perspective of FIG. 6, into which the display screen can be inserted and optionally be fixed preferably using fixing means or by clamping effects between the inner wall faces of the receiving slot. In the display screen receiving section 21″ the display screen retainer 22″ is however connected with a support arm 22″ across a pivot joint 24″.

(26) The display screen receiving section 21″ in the embodiment example shown in FIG. 6 is disposed laterally on the receiving section 11, for example at its support section 16, and, like the display screen receiving section 21′, is preferably detachably connected with the receiving section 11 or the support section 16. This is here also accomplished, for example, by magnetic interaction, in particular between a magnet disposed at the corresponding site of the receiving section 11 on or in the latter and a magnet disposed on the display screen receiving section 21′ and/or through mechanical interaction, in particular by connection using emplacement, detents or threaded fasteners. The connection is in this case also preferably only established after the endoscope 1 has already been inserted into the receiving section 11 of handle 10″.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

(27) 1 Endoscope

(28) 2 Endoscope housing

(29) 3 Operating element

(30) 4 Lens tube

(31) 5 Endoscope head

(32) 10, 10′, 10″ Handle

(33) 11 Receiving section

(34) 12 Grip section

(35) 12a Connection region

(36) 12b Bore

(37) 13a, 13b Oblong hole

(38) 14 Manipulator

(39) 14a First section

(40) 14b Receiver

(41) 14c Second section

(42) 14d Receiver

(43) 14e Slot

(44) 14f Bore

(45) 15 Aperture

(46) 16 Support section

(47) 16a First part

(48) 16b Second part

(49) 17a, 17b Extension

(50) 18 Pin

(51) 19 Channel

(52) 19a First section

(53) 19b Second section

(54) 20 Bore

(55) 21′, 21″ Display screen receiving section

(56) 22′, 22″ Retainer

(57) 23″ Support arm

(58) 24″ Pivot joint

(59) b Width

(60) D1 First rotational axis

(61) D2 Second rotational axis