Endoscope

• US 8,197,398 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH
• Original Assignee: Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH
• Inventors: Scholly, Werner, Schlenker, Stefan, Paul, Steffen, Grimmig, Volker
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Philip R
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOU, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US12/170,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20090018392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 600/136, 600/125, 600/164, 600/132, 600/176
• US Class Current: 600/112
• 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 and a probe part that can be connected thereto via a coupling, with an illumination device as well as an eye-piece with an imaging optic being arranged in the handle and image conductors and light conductors being arranged in the probe part, the coupling comprising an image interface and a light interface between the handle and the probe part including at least one axially engaging guide as well as bayonet-type engaging coupling parts provided in a coupling area, one of which comprises a rotational locking part, wherein, in a locked position, the rotational locking part is secured by a snap, wherein the rotational locking part is arranged at the handle and an other of the bayonet-type engaging coupling parts comprises a coupling counterpart that is arranged at the probe part, the rotational locking part is provided with a flange-like appendage as a handle for rotating the rotational locking part, and the flange-like appendage of the rotational locking part is located in a locked position at least largely within a perimeter contour of the housing of the handle, wherein for snapping the rotational locking part into the locked position, the flange-like appendage of the rotational locking part snaps over a protrusion in the locked position, which is formed by a sheath-shaped guide part of the illumination system at the handle and a pin located at the probe part.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises an axially engaging guide and additional axially engaging guides of the illumination system and the image transmission system, which are arranged side-by-side.

3. An endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the coupling with the engaging coupling parts is arranged coaxially in reference to the axially engaging guides which are located on an eye-piece.

4. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rotational locking part has a sheath-like form with at least one interior locking protrusion and the other coupling part of the bayonet-type engaging coupling parts is embodied for an axial engagement in the rotational locking part and for being engaged to by the at least one locking protrusion.

5. An endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the rotational locking part forms the at least one axially engaging guide and includes a receiving opening deviating from a round shape, the other coupling part that comprises the coupling counterpart has a shape approximately equivalent to the shape of the receiving opening that is adapted to enter the receiving opening and for being engaged to the at least one locking protrusion.

6. An endoscope according to claim 4, wherein in an area of a receiving opening of the rotational locking part, the rotational locking part is provided with an approximately round shape and includes two of the locking protrusions that point inwardly and are positioned diametrically opposite one another and are segment-shaped, with inclines being arranged inside for impingement of the coupling counterpart.

7. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the coupling comprises an axially engaging guide and additional axially engaging guides 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 are provided with openings at the handle and with the pin and an additional pin that engage the openings at the probe part.

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

9. An endoscope according to claim 8, wherein in the locked position of the locking part, the flange-like appendage bridges and thermally couples engaging parts of the handle and the probe part, including the tubular guide part of the handle for supporting the carrier element and the fiber-optic pin of the probe part.

10. An endoscope comprising a handle and a probe part that can be connected thereto via a coupling, with an illumination device as well as an eve-piece with an imaging optic being arranged in the handle and image conductors and light conductors being arranged in the probe part, the coupling comprising an image interface and a light interface between the handle and the probe part including at least one axially engaging guide as well as bayonet-type engaging coupling parts provided in a coupling area, one of which comprises rotational locking part, and wherein, in a locked position, the rotational locking part is secured by a snap, wherein the illumination device comprises a light source located in the handle, which is connected to a carrier element as a heat conducting body, and the carrier element is in a thermal contact at least to the coupling between the handle and the probe part, including the rotational locking part and a flange-like appendage connected thereto, as well as additional parts of the handle and the probe part and/or the housing parts, wherein in the locked position of the locking part, the flange-like appendage bridges and thermally couples engaging parts of the handle and the probe part, including a tubular guide part of the handle for supporting the carrier element and a fiber-optic pin of the probe part, and wherein the carrier element is supported for movement in a longitudinal direction and is contacted at one end thereof by a spring.