DE102011076077A1 - Video endoscope for use during urologic laparoscopic surgery, has video camera that is connected with contacting units via electrical conductors that are insulated by elongate support conductor - Google Patents

Abstract

The video endoscope (1) has an elongated, closed housing (2) whose distal end portion is provided with a window (6), and proximal end portion is provided with a glass plate (7). A video camera (9) is provided within a housing. The video camera is connected with contacting units (8) via electrical conductors that are insulated by an elongate support conductor (11). The elongate support conductor is divided into primary and secondary support structures along longitudinal extension. The elongate support conductor is a rigid rod.

Description

The invention relates to a video endoscope with an elongated, closed housing, in the distal end portion of a looking through a window to the outside video camera and in its proximal end portion is arranged electrically contacting the housing through the outside device, wherein the video camera and the contacting device via electrical conductors are connected, which are arranged on and / or on an elongated insulating conductor carrier.

Video endoscopes are for application reasons, e.g. for insertion into body ducts of a patient, usually elongated and formed with a small cross-section. Corresponding video endoscopes transmit video signals from the distally arranged video camera via electrical lines to a proximal end of the video endoscope, through the housing of which with a contacting device, the video signals are led to the outside. Between the contacting device and the video camera, the conductors or lines run on an insulating conductor carrier.

DE 10 2004 023 866 B3 shows a conductor carrier in the form of printed circuit boards in both flexible and rigid training. In the rigid embodiment, the conductor carrier can also be used for the transmission of forces, for example rotational forces, in order, for example, to turn the video camera from the proximal end of the video endoscope or to move it longitudinally for focusing purposes. The circuit board may also be in the form of a triangular or round tube.

In video technology, the amount of data has been increasing lately with ever higher resolution techniques. In particular, this also increases the number of printed conductors and / or the frequency of the data transmission.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a corresponding video endoscope, by means of which an increased amount of data can be transmitted and processed safely and inexpensively.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1.

According to the invention, a video endoscope is provided with an elongated, closed housing, in the distal end region of which a video camera is seen through a window, and in the proximal end region of which a device is electrically contacted by the housing, the video camera and the contacting device being connected by electrical conductors are connected, which are arranged on and / or on an elongated insulating conductor carrier, which is further developed in that the conductor carrier is designed as a rigid rod-shaped carrier body which is divided in its longitudinal extent in at least a first and a second sub-carrier body.

By dividing the rod-shaped carrier body or conductor carrier into a first and a second partial carrier body, more lines or printed conductors can be applied to the surface, since more surface area is available in total. In addition, as defined also strip lines, which are also referred to as strip strip lines or as stripline connections, are provided. Here, the conductor carrier is preferably divided to produce a stripline connection or strip line in its longitudinal extent in at least a first and a second sub-carrier body. By parts of the carrier body in a first and a second sub-carrier body is understood in particular a complete sharing.

The other areas that are available, for example, in comparison to in DE 10 2010 044 786.2 Applicant's filed patent application entitled "Rigid Video Conductor with Insulating Conductor" as compared to the conductor carrier recited therein corresponds to the surfaces of the first and second sub-carrier bodies which face each other. These are thus the correspondingly opposite surfaces of the first and the second sub-carrier body or the further sub-carrier body, which can be assigned to an adjacent sub-carrier body. These are then arranged opposite to a neighboring sub-carrier body. Together with an insulating layer, which are connected to the first and the second or further sub-carrier bodies, the conductor carrier or the carrier body, which comprises the sub-carrier bodies, then results overall.

Preferably, the video endoscope is a rigid video endoscope.

Further preferably, the sub-carrier body is configured as a solid body. The sub-carrier body is then made solid from one or more materials. The cross section of the sub-carrier body is then a solid cross-section. Preferably, at least one stripline is provided with, in particular predeterminable, impedance. In this case, the impedance is preferably constant or defined or set. The stripline preferably has a defined impedance. The conductor carrier is thus formed of several or at least two rod-shaped sub-carrier bodies and consists of several or at least two solid rods with respective full cross-section, which can be produced very easily with arbitrary shape, for example, in casting technique or spray technique. It may also be provided simple and certain surface shapes that are desired or necessary for certain design reasons, such as heels, depressions and the like. These can then be made very easily.

The carrier body or the sub-carrier body may be made of any insulating material such as plastic or ceramic. The attachment of the electrical conductors on the surface or surfaces of the carrier body or the sub-carrier body can be effected by conventional means, for example those known from the 3D-MID technique (of three-dimensional molded interconnected devices) or from the MIPTEC technology (microscopic integrated processing technology). Preference is given to applying the conductors by means of a laser direct structuring method (LDS), as offered, for example, by the company LPKF Laser & Electronics AG of Garbsen near Hanover, Germany.

The carrier body preferably has a round cross-section, so that the first and second sub-carrier body in cross-section represent a pitch circle. In the case of two sub-carrier bodies, it is then substantially equivalent to semicircles in cross-section and, in the case of three sub-carrier bodies, for example, to one-third of a circle in cross-section. The round overall cross section of the conductor carrier or the rod-shaped carrier body is particularly well suited for conventional video endoscope constructions.

Preferably, the at least one stripline is formed between the first and the second sub-carrier body. As a result, the impedance can be set precisely in a targeted manner. The stripline preferably comprises a conductor track on the first subcarrier body, a ground track on the second subcarrier body and a separator which is arranged between the first and the second subcarrier body and especially between the conductor track and the ground track. The conductor track on the first subcarrier body is arranged on the surface of the first subcarrier body, which is opposite to the second subcarrier body, and the ground track is hereby preferably arranged on the surface of the second subcarrier body, which is arranged opposite to the first subcarrier body.

Preferably, the separator defines a defined distance between the first and second sub-carrier bodies. In particular, this results in the defined impedance.

Preferably, the separator is electrically insulating and in particular the separator comprises polyimide, polyethylene and / or polytetrafluoroethylene. Particularly preferably, the separator consists of these just mentioned materials, either individually or in combination. The thickness of the separator is preferably between 10 and 200 .mu.m, in particular at 100 microns. The surface roughness should preferably be less than 5 μm, in particular preferably less than 2 μm, in particular preferably less than 1 μm. A very smooth surface results in a very accurate adjustment of the impedance.

Preferably, the separator comprises a cement material whose relative dielectric constant or relative permittivity is between 1.5 and 10, in particular between 4 and 6, at 18 ° C and 50 Hz. The putty material may be glass potting, epoxy or polyester resin or a similar material. Should a putty material be used, it makes sense to provide a spacer for the sub-carrier body so that they comply with a defined distance from each other. Due to the putty material, a correspondingly good bonding of the subcarrier body takes place. In addition, there is also a good insulating effect of the interconnects to each other.

Preferably, at least one further conductor track is provided on a mating surface of the first or second subcarrier body, wherein the mating surface of the first subcarrier body is disposed opposite a mating surface of the second subcarrier body, or wherein the mating surfaces of the subcarrier bodies face each other.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a longitudinal section through the housing of a video endoscope with a carrier body arranged therein,

2 a schematic perspective view of a carrier body 1 .

3 a schematic perspective view of a part carrier body seen from the inside and

4 a schematic sectional view through a carrier body transversely to the longitudinal extent of the carrier body.

In the following figures, identical or similar elements or corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that a corresponding renewed idea is dispensed with.

1 shows a rigid video endoscope 1 with an existing example of metal housing part 2 , The housing part 2 is of round cross-section and has a distal shaft portion 3 with a narrower cross-section on and a proximal shaft part 4 with a larger cross-section, attached to a paragraph 5 merge.

A light guide illuminating the observed area, inside the housing 2 or could be located next to it, is not shown to simplify the drawing. The illustrated rigid video endoscope 1 can be used for example in urological or laparoscopic surgery.

The distal end surface 13 the case is covered by a see-through window 6 , eg made of suitable glass, sealed. The proximal end face 15 is from a glass plate 7 closed, in which this passing through pins 8th are melted down. The contact pins 8th together form a contacting device 8th , The window 6 and the glass plate 7 are with the existing example of metal housing part 2 each soldered on the edge. This results in a hermetically sealed housing, which is not only liquid, but also vapor-tight and are protected in the optical and electronic components even in hot steam sterilization of the video endoscope.

Near the window 6 is in the housing part 2 a video camera 9 arranged, with a correspondingly schematically indicated objective 10 through the window 6 looks in the distal direction. When tilting the video camera 9 and the window 6 can the video endoscope 1 also be designed obliquely. The video camera 9 is on a carrier body 11 attached, on which also the contact pins 8th are attached. The illustrated carrier body 11 corresponds in its basic form of the housing 2 with slightly smaller dimensions.

2 shows schematically the carrier body 11 in perspective view. This has according to the shape of the housing 2 an elongate, thinner stem portion and a thicker proximal portion 104 ' on. Overall, the carrier body 11 also of round cross-section. On the surface of the carrier body 11 are electrical conductors 21 respectively. 21 ' intended. The tracks 21 run from the proximal end face in 2 is hidden, to the distal end in the longitudinal extension of the carrier body 11 and in this embodiment almost to the distal end faces 113 . 113 ' ,

In the area of the distal end are contact points 22 and 22 ' represented by means of which a contacting of electronic components, for example a video camera 9 is possible. For this purpose, also on the front side according to the DE 10 2010 044 786.2 a contact area on the distal end side 113 respectively. 113 ' or the distal end faces 113 and 113 ' be provided. The tracks 21 ' connect the contact points 22 ' over the distal end face 113 respectively. 113 ' with conductor tracks on the inner surface or counter surface 26 . 26 ' , ie the respective area of in 2 assembled or glued together Teilträgerkörper 111 . 111 ' , are provided. Circuit traces may also be provided which extend from the proximal end to the distal end and into the distal end face in order to provide a contact there with, for example, a video camera or a CCD chip. However, this is not shown in the figures so, but could be analogous to the representation in the DE 10 2010 044 786.2 and there in 2 be provided. The printed conductors can also be between the two sub-carrier bodies 111 and 111 ' be arranged.

The distal end surface 113 of the subcarrier body 111 is also still with two metallized areas 23 provided, usually as ground lines or ground planes 24 be used. This is better in 3 shown.

Moreover, in 2 nor the separator 20 shown, the continuous from the distal end to the proximal end a predetermined and constant distance of the two sub-carrier body 111 and 111 ' allows. In the separator 20 , between the two half-shells or the two sub-carrier bodies 111 and 111 ' is arranged, it may be a polyimide film of a defined thickness, which is known for example from the PCB manufacturing.

The polyimide film may have a thickness of, for example 100 be configured microns.

In 3 is schematically a partial carrier body 111 viewed from the inside. There are two ground planes 24 and 24 ' shown by the proximal part 104 to the distal end face 113 pass. Accordingly, the ground plane can 24 and the ground plane 24 ' also extend to the not shown due to the perspective representation proximal end face. In addition, there are four more tracks 12 on the opposite surface 26 of the subcarrier body 111 arranged. Thus, both, in particular in the carrier body, inside conductor tracks may be provided as well as outside of the jacket of the Part carrier body or the carrier body. In order to ensure a defined signal transmission at high-frequency signals, some of the tracks or the ground surfaces are used to be designed as a strip line or strip strip line (stripline connection).

In 4 is shown very schematically a cross section through a carrier body 11 , the two sub-carrier body 111 and 111 ' includes and on the corresponding mating surfaces 26 . 26 ' corresponding tracks 12 . 12 ' or a ground plane 24 having. These tracks are also applied with the appropriate techniques, for example with the LDS technology or MIPTEC or 3D-MID technology.

It is also a separator 20 for example, a polyimide film having a thickness of approximately 100 μm and a smooth surface provided by a defined distance between the conductor track 12 ' and the ground plane 24 provided. This allows a defined impedance of the stripline 25 comprising the conductor track 12 ' , the separator 20 and the ground plane 24 ' , be achieved. In 4 are the corresponding elements 12 ' . 20 and 24 still shown pulled apart. This serves for better presentation. In fact, these elements are of course contiguous, ie the track 12 ' to the separator 20 adjacent and the conductor surface 24 to the separator 20 arranged adjacent.

The separator 20 For example, with a thin adhesive layer with the corresponding components of the sub-carrier body 111 and 111 ' be connected. Instead of the separator in the form of a polyimide film or a film made of another material, it is also possible to use cement materials, as already indicated above. The conductor tracks or ground areas, which lead to the proximal end region of the sub-carrier body 111 respectively. 111 ' can range on the respective proximal end face with contact pins 8th be contacted, which can be done for example by conventional soldering or bonding.

In the figures, the video endoscope is a thin shaft part 3 and a thicker proximal part 4 shown. Accordingly, the carrier body 11 or the sub-carrier body 111 and 111 ' shaped. However, the video endoscope can also have the same cross section throughout. Also the carrier body 11 may be of the same cross-section regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the video-endoscope. Instead of a round cross section of the carrier body and thus a part-circular cross section of the sub-carrier body, the cross-sectional shape may also be polygonal or have any free form.

It can not just two sub-carrier body 111 . 111 ' be provided, but three, four or more. These are all preferably divided in the longitudinal direction and all preferably form, in the assembled state, a carrier body which is elongate. The respective sub-carrier bodies are then formed correspondingly by division of the carrier body in the longitudinal direction. The division in the longitudinal extent can be made possible by first producing a solid carrier body and then cutting a corresponding number of sub-carrier bodies in longitudinal extension out of this carrier body or even fabricating them from the outset into corresponding sub-carrier bodies. The sub-carrier bodies should then be designed so that they each have at least one surface which can be arranged parallel to a surface of another sub-carrier body so as to allow a defined distance between the sub-carrier bodies and thus to enable a stripline with a defined impedance.

The sub-carrier bodies, including the separator, are preferably fixed together by pressing rings or a heat-shrinkable tube. In the case where the separator is made of a glass mold, it is possible to adjust the dielectric constant by adding dopants. This is also advantageous for achieving a defined impedance. The frontal contact with the video camera 9 or a CCD module can be made via a rigid or a flexible printed circuit board or another component to be attached to the front side or by introducing Kontaktierungsstiften in the rod-shaped carrier body. Preferably, the carrier body is made of a stiff solid material. For contacting the printed conductors with contact pins, the video camera or a component 16 , which can already be used for processing video signals, all contacting techniques such as soldering, welding, screwing, conductive bonding and the like can be applied. The component for further processing of the video data can also be integrated into a mating surface or inner surface of the carrier body in order to enable high-frequency video data processing. For this purpose, the counter surface of a sub-carrier body, that is, the or a surface of the sub-carrier body, which is arranged opposite to an adjacent sub-carrier body, be provided with a recess receiving the component.

All the above features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual characteristics, in combination with others Characteristics are disclosed, are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 Videoscope

2

 housing part

3

 distal shaft part

4

 proximal part

5

 paragraph

6

 window

7

 housing part

8th

 contacting

9

 video camera

10

 optics

11

 support body

12, 12 '

 conductor path

13

 distal end face

15

 proximal end face

16

 module

20

 separator

21, 21 '

 conductor path

22, 22 '

 contact point

23

 metallized area

24, 24 '

 ground plane

25

 stripline

26, 26 '

 counter surface

104, 104 '

 proximal part

111, 111 '

 Part support body

113, 113 '

 distal end face

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004023866 B3 [0003]
• DE 102010044786 [0009, 0030, 0030]

Claims (9)

Video endoscope ( 1 ) with an elongated, closed housing ( 2 . 6 . 7 ), in the distal end portion of which through a window ( 6 ) looking outward video camera ( 9 ) and in the proximal end region of an electrically through the housing ( 2 . 6 . 7 ) outward-contacting device ( 8th ), wherein the video camera ( 9 ) and the contacting device ( 8th ) via electrical conductors ( 12 . 12 ' ) are mounted on and / or on an elongate insulating conductor carrier ( 11 ) are arranged, characterized in that the conductor carrier ( 11 ) as a rigid rod-shaped support body ( 11 ) is formed, which in its longitudinal extent in at least a first and a second sub-carrier body ( 111 . 111 ' ) is shared. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one partial carrier body ( 111 . 111 ' ) is designed as a solid body. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one stripline ( 25 ) with, in particular predeterminable, impedance is provided. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least one stripline ( 25 ) between the first and the second sub-carrier body ( 111 . 111 ' ) is formed. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the stripline ( 25 ) a conductor track ( 12 ' ) on the first part body ( 111 ), a mass track ( 24 ) on the second part body ( 111 ' ) and a separator ( 20 ), which between the first and the second partial body ( 111 . 111 ' ) is arranged. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that the separator ( 20 ) a defined distance between the first and the second sub-carrier body ( 111 . 111 ' ) pretends. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the separator ( 20 ) is electrically insulating and in particular comprises polyimide, polyethylene and / or polytetrafluoroethylene. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that the separator ( 20 ) comprises a cement material whose relative dielectric constant is between 1.5 and 10, in particular between 4 and 6, at 18 ° C and 50 Hz. Video endoscope ( 1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that at least one further conductor track ( 12 ) on a counter surface ( 26 . 26 ' ) of the first or second sub-carrier body ( 111 . 111 ' ) is provided, wherein the counter surface ( 26 ) of the first subcarrier body ( 111 ) opposite a mating surface ( 26 ' ) of the second subcarrier body ( 111 ' ) is arranged.

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