ENDOSCOPE

• US 20090018392A1
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH
• Original Assignee: Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH
• Inventors: Paul, Steffen, Schlenker, Stefan, Grimmig, Volker, Scholly, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 8,197,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/109
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00188 with focusing or zooming features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2453 of the proximal end
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/26 using light guides for illumination G02B23/2469

Abstract

An endoscope (1) has a handle (2) as well as a probe part (3) that can be connected thereto via a coupling (4), with an illumination device as well as an eye-piece (17) with an imaging optic being arranged in the handle (2) and image conductors and light conductors in the probe part (3). The coupling includes an image interface and a light interface. In the coupling area, at least one axially engaging guide (6, 8) as well as bayonet-like engaging coupling parts (6, 5) are provided, one of which is embodied as a rotational locking part (5). In the final locked position the locking part (5) is secured by a snap. Preferably, the coupling (4) is provided with an axially engaging guide and additionally axially engaging guides (13, 15; 14, 16) are provided of the illumination system and the image transmission system, which are particularly arranged side-by-side.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising a handle (2) and a probe part (3) that can be connected thereto via a coupling (4), with an illumination device as well as an eye-piece (17) with an imaging optic being arranged in the handle (2) and image conductors and light conductors being arranged in the probe part (3), a coupling comprising an image interface and a light interface between the handle and the probe part including at least one axially engaging guide (6, 8) as well as bayonet-type engaging coupling parts (6, 5) provided in a coupling area, one of which comprises a rotational locking part (5).

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein in a locked position, the locking part (5) is secured by a snap.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the coupling (4) comprises an axially engaging guide and additional axially engaging guides (13, 15;

14, 16) of the illumination system and the image transmission system, which are arranged side-by-side.

4. An endoscope according to claim 3, wherein the coupling (4) with the engaging coupling parts (5, 6) is arranged coaxially in reference to the axially engaging guides (14, 16) of the eye-piece (17).

5. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the locking part (5) is has a sheath-like form with at least one interior locking protrusion (7) and the other coupling part is embodied for an axial engagement in the locking part (5) and for being engaged behind by the at least one locking protrusion (7).

6. An endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the locking part (5) comprises an receiving opening (8) deviating form a round shape, the other coupling part has a coupling counterpart (6) with a shape approximately equivalent to the shape of the receiving opening (8) that is adapted to enter the receiving opening and for being engaged behind by the at least one locking protrusion (7).

7. An endoscope according to claim 5, wherein in an area of the receiving opening (8), the sheath-like locking part (5) is provided with an approximately round shape and includes two of the locking protrusions (7) that point inwardly and are positioned diametrically opposite one another and are segment-shaped, with inclines (10) being arranged inside for a rear impingement of the coupling counterpart (6).

8. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rotational locking part (5) is arranged at the handle (2) and the coupling counterpart (6) is arranged at the probe part (3).

9. An endoscope according to claim 8, wherein the locking part (5) is provided with a flange-like appendage (21) as the handle for rotating the locking part (5).

10. An endoscope according to claim 9, wherein the flange-like appendage (21) of the locking part (5) is located in a locked position at least largely within a perimeter contour of the housing (22) of the handle.

11. An endoscope according to claim 10, wherein for snapping the locking part (5) into the locked position, the flange-like appendage (21) of the locking part (5) snaps over a protrusion in the locked position, which is formed by a sheath-shaped guide part (20) of the illumination system at the handle (2) and a pin (13) located at the probe part (3).

12. An endoscope according to claim 11, wherein the coupling (4) comprises an axially engaging guide and additional axially engaging guides (13, 15;

14, 16) of the illumination system and the image transmission system, which are arranged side-by-side and the guides of the illumination system and the image transfer system that engage each other in the area of the coupling (4) are provided with openings (15, 16) at the handle and with pins (13, 14) or similar protrusions that engage the openings at the probe part (3).

13. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device comprises a light source located in the handle (2), which is connected to a carrier element (24) as a heat conducting body, and the carrier element (24) is in a thermal contact at least to the coupling (4) between the handle (2) and the probe part (3), including the locking part (5) and a flange-like appendage (21) connected thereto, as well as additional parts of the handle (2) and the probe part (3) and/or the housing parts.

14. An endoscope according to claim 13, wherein in the locked position of the locking part (5), the flange-like appendage (21) bridges and thermally couples engaging parts of the handle (2) and the probe part (3), including a tubular guide part (20) of the handle (2) for supporting the carrier element (24) and a fiber-optic pin (13) of the probe part (3).

15. An endoscope according to claim 14, wherein the carrier element (24) is supported for movement in a longitudinal direction and is supported at a rear thereof by a spring (33).