CONNECTING DEVICE FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD

Abstract

A connection device for surgical instruments includes a housing, a head part coupling which is arranged at the housing and is configured for a mechanical coupling of a head part. The head part coupling includes a pin element, which is configured such that the head part can be fixed to the housing in a non-displaceable manner. The pin element is fixed non-detachably to the housing via a weld seam. A surgical instrument includes the connection device and an accessory, which is guided through the head part. A process fixes the connection device with the pin element non-detachably fixed to the housing by a laser welding process.

Claims

1. A connection device for surgical instruments, comprising: a housing; a head part; a head part coupling, which is arranged at the housing and is configured for a mechanical coupling of the head part, wherein the head part coupling comprises a pin element, which is configured to non-dispacelably fix the head part to the housing, and a weld seam, wherein the pin element is fixed non-detachably to the housing via the weld seam.

2. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pin element extends through the housing through a hole and meshes with a formation in the head part.

3. A connection device in accordance with claim, wherein the pin element connects the head part to the housing with a positive-locking connection.

4. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the housing and/or the head part have a tubular configuration.

5. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the head part is configured such that an accessory can be guided through the head part.

6. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pin element is oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

7. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the head part contains ceramic or is made of ceramic.

8. A connection device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connection device is configured for a resectoscope.

9. A surgical instrument comprising: a connection device comprising: a housing; a head part; and a head part coupling, which is arranged at the housing and is configured for a mechanical coupling of the head part, wherein the head part coupling comprises a pin element, which is configured to non-dispacelably fix the head part to the housing, and a weld seam, wherein the pin element is fixed non-detachably to the housing via the weld seam; and an accessory, which is guided through the head part.

10. Process for fixing a connection device, the process comprising the steps of: providing the connection device, wherein the connection device comprises: a housing; and a head part coupling, which is arranged at the housing and is configured for a mechanical coupling of a head part, wherein the head part coupling comprises a pin element, which is configured to non-dispaceably fix the housing to the head part, and a weld seam, wherein the pin element is fixed non-detachably to the housing via the weld seam; fixing the pin element non-detachably to the housing by means of a laser welding.

11. A process in accordance with claim 10, further comprising configuring the pin and the head part such that the non-dispaceable fixation of the housing to the head part is comprised by a positive-locking connection of the head part to the housing.

12. A process in accordance with claim 10, wherein the housing and the head part have a tubular configuration.

13. A process in accordance with claim 12, wherein the head part is configured to guide an accessory through the head part.

14. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the pin element extends through the housing through a hole and meshes with a formation of the head part.

15. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the pin element connects the head part to the housing with a positive-locking connection.

16. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the housing and/or the head part have a tubular configuration.

17. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the accessory comprises a monopolarly and/or bipolarly operable accessory.

18. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the pin element is oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing.

19. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the head part comprises a ceramic.

20. A surgical instrument in accordance with claim 9, wherein the connection device is configured for a resectoscope.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on the exemplary embodiments mentioned in the schematic figures of the drawings. In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a side view and enlarged view showing an exemplary embodiment of a surgical instrument with a head part and with an accessory guided in the head part; and

[0039] FIG. 2 is a side view and enlarged view showing an exemplary embodiment of a surgical instrument during the welding of the head part coupling.

[0040] The attached figures of the drawings shall convey a further understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. They illustrate embodiments and are used in conjunction with the description for explaining the principles and concepts of the present invention. Other embodiments and many of the mentioned advantages appear in regard to the drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily shown on a scale true to one another.

[0041] Identical, functionally identical and similarly acting elements, features and components are, unless stated otherwise, each provided with the same reference numbers in the figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0042] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a surgical instrument 100 with a head part 3 and with an accessory 7 guided in the head part 3. Only a front area of the surgical instrument 100, in which front area a partial area of the housing 2 can be seen, is shown. The head part coupling 10 is arranged at a distal end of the surgical instrument 100 or of the housing 2. The head part coupling 10 is configured for the non-detachable mechanical connection of the head part 3 to the housing 2.

[0043] The housing 2 forms a shaft, which is configured for the mounting of a head part 3. An accessory 7 that projects over the head part 3 at the distal end is guided through the housing 2 as well as through the head part 3. In the drawing of FIG. 1, the accessory 7 is configured as a cold snare. It is also conceivable to arrange as an accessory 7 a diagnostic hysteroscope, optionally with 5 Fr. instruments, or a high-frequency electrode for different indications, as well as other instruments.

[0044] The accessory is a bipolarly operable accessory here. Of course, a monopolarly or a monopolarly and bipolarly operable accessory may also be connected to the surgical instrument 100.

[0045] The head part 3 is especially configured as a ceramic insert and is dimensionally stable and durable as a result.

[0046] The connection device 1 is shown in detail as an enlarged detail. The enlarged detail shows a sectional view, so that the meshing of the head part 3 with the housing 2 can be seen. The head part coupling 10 has a pin element 4, which forms a positive-locking connection between the housing 2 and the head part 3. The pin element 4 is guided through a hole 5 in the housing 2 and is held in a formation (recess) 6 in the head part 3. As a result, the pin element 4 cannot pierce the head part 3. Therefore, the pin element 4 is held non-displaceably in a radial direction.

[0047] The pin element 4 forms especially a local, i.e., punctiform, fixation and as a result needs little space for installation. The pin element 4 is oriented transversely to a longitudinal axis of the housing 2. In particular, the area without the head part, which is configured as a hollow cross section, is not affected by the pin element 4. Furthermore, the pin element 4 closes flush with an outer surface of the housing 2.

[0048] The housing 2 has a tubular configuration in a front area of the surgical instrument 100. The head part 3 likewise has a tubular configuration, wherein a diameter of the head part 3 or of the housing 2 may be in a range of 5 mm. Therefore, a very precise welding process is necessary for preparing a weld seam, which fixes the pin element 4 to the housing 2.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a welding tool 8 for preparing such a weld seam. The weld seam is preferably prepared by means of a laser welding process, so that very low tolerances can be implemented. The weld seam may be configured as a continuous seam. In this case, for example, a V seam, an HV seam or a Y seam may be formed. Other weld seam shapes are likewise conceivable.

[0050] A detachment of the head part 3 and a remaining portion of the head part 3 in a patient can be effectively avoided due to the positive locking between the head part 3 and the housing 2 in conjunction with the weld seam, and in particular compared to a bonded connection from the state of the art. The connection device 1 can, furthermore, be embodied in a cost-effective and rapid manner, and thus likewise in a cost-effective manner compared to an embossing of both components.

[0051] Even though the present invention was described in full above on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in a variety of ways.

[0052] For example, the head part 3 may also be guided outside of the housing 2. In such an embodiment, the hole 5 would be formed in the head part 3 and the formation 6 would be formed in the housing 2. In another embodiment, not shown, the connection device 1 may have two or more head part couplings 10, which are arranged along the circumference of the housing 2 or of the head part 3 in the front area of the surgical instrument 100. The stability of the connection can be increased further as a result.

[0053] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0054] 1 Connection device [0055] 2 Housing [0056] 3 Head part [0057] 4 Pin element [0058] 5 Hole [0059] 6 Formation (Recess/Bulge) [0060] 7 Accessory [0061] 8 Welding tool [0062] 10 Head part coupling [0063] 100 Surgical instrument