Medical instrument

• US 9,138,128 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2012
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH (Richard & Annemarie Wolf- Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH (Richard & Annemarie Wolf- Stiftung)
• Inventors: Teichtmann, Elmar
• Primary Examiner(s): HENDERSON, RYAN N
• Application Number:
  US13/423,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20120238808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/109, 600/130, 600/131, 600160-181, 606/169, 606/171, 606/180, 173213-218, 324/207.25, 335/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00025 characterised by power management
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/045 Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/97 using a magnetic movable element
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/94068 with magnetic detection

Abstract

A medical instrument includes a handle, on which at least one electric switch is arranged. The switch has an annular mechanical actuation unit whose outer side forms a grip surface running peripherally of the handle.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

a handle (2); and

at least one electric switch arranged on the handle, the switch comprising an annular mechanical actuation unit (8), an outer side of the annular mechanical actuation unit forming a grip surface (36) running peripherally of the handle (2), the switch further comprising two rod magnets (30) magnetically connected via a first yoke element (32) and movable relative to a stationarily arranged second yoke element (40), the first yoke element (32) being formed of a ferromagnetic material, the switch being a combined push and rotary switch wherein the mechanical actuation unit (8) is displaceable in a radial direction as well as rotatable about a rotation axis,

wherein a magnetic sensor is arranged between the mechanical actuation unit (8) and electric components of the switch.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a multitude of rod magnets (30) are distributed over a periphery of the switch.

3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein adjacent rod magnets (30) have an alternatingly arranged poling.

4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a sensor for detecting a magnetic field is arranged on the second yoke element (40).