Endoscope

• US 20070099500A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Storz Endoskop Produktions GmbH (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Original Assignee: Storz Endoskop Produktions GmbH (Karl Storz Se & Co. Kg)
• Inventors: Wimmer, Viktor, Pilvisto, Tonis
• Granted Patent: US 7,846,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/584
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00098 Deflecting means for inserted tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to an endoscope having a shaft in which at least one working channel is positioned and having on the distal end of the shaft an endoscope head, such that the part of the working channel contained in the endoscope head can be rotated with respect to the related working channel by a Bowden cable that is mounted on a control handle on the proximal end by a collet. To configure an endoscope in such a manner that it ensures simple construction as well as a constantly even tension of the Bowden cable, it is proposed with the invention that the depth of insertion of a cable cord of the Bowden cable into the collet can be limited by a pressure element acting on the cable cord and collet.

Claims

1. An endoscope having a shaft in which at least one working channel is positioned and having on the distal end of the shaft an endoscope head, such that the part of the working channel contained in the endoscope head can be rotated with respect to the related working channel by a Bowden cable that is mounted on a control handle on the proximal end by a collet, characterized in that the depth of insertion of a cable cord of the Bowden cable into the collet can be limited by a pressure element that acts on the cable cord and collet.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that on the collet at the proximal end a cone is configured that engages with a counter-cone configured in a nut that can be screwed onto the collet.

3. An endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one clamping slit is configured, running in the longitudinal direction of the collet, in the cone of the collet.

4. An endoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that the pressure element is pre-tensioned contiguous to the counter-cone by at least one spring element.

5. An endoscope according to claim 24, characterized in that the counter-cone is configured on a sleeve that can be inserted into the nut.

6. An endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve, for instance by cementing, can be fixed in the nut so that it cannot rotate.

7. An endoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that the sleeve has a non-threaded recess on the distal end.

8. An endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure element takes the form of a cap-shaped component, such that the axial length of the pressure element corresponds to the preferred and maximum depth of insertion of the cable cord into the collet.

9. An endoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that a closed rear wall of the cap-shaped pressure element is configured tapering toward the outside.

10. An endoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that the spring element is contiguous with a surrounding collar of the cap-shaped pressure element.

11. An endoscope according to claim 10, characterized in that the spring element is supported on the distal end on the collar of the pressure element and on the proximal end on a rear wall of the nut that is configured as a cap nut.