DE102015001003B4 - endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

Endoscope (1) having a shaft (2) and a handle (3) arranged at the proximal end of the shaft (2), wherein the handle (3) has at least one working channel entrance (5) for at least one through the handle (3) into the working channel (4) extending the shank (2) and at least one suction / irrigation connection (9) for at least one suction / irrigation channel (8) extending through the handle (3) into the shank (2), wherein the at least a working channel input (5) is arranged in a module (10) which can be fixed interchangeably in the handle (3), and wherein a module housing (12) in the position of the module (10) inserted into the handle (3) forms part of the at least one suction / Rinsing channel (8), characterized in that the underside of the module housing (12) in the inserted into the handle (3) position, the upper channel wall of the at least one suction / flushing channel (8).

Description

The invention relates to an endoscope with a shaft and a handle arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the handle at least one working channel input for at least one extending through the handle into the shaft working channel and at least one suction / irrigation connection for at least one through the Handle has up to the shaft extending suction / irrigation channel, wherein the at least one working channel input is arranged in a replaceable fixable in the handle module and wherein a module housing forms in the inserted into the handle position of the module forms part of the at least one suction / irrigation channel ,

It is generally known to equip endoscopes in the region of the handle with working channel inputs and to insert the various medical instruments into the working channels formed in the handle and further in the endoscope shaft. The working channel inputs are arranged at an angle to the handle at the proximal end and have a kink in the transition to the working channel.

The cleaning of the working channel inputs and the working channels is done in practice by means of small brushes, which are introduced via the working channel inputs in the working channels. In the area of the bend, which represents the transition from the working channel entrance into the working channel, a kind of cavity is created, which is difficult to completely reach and clean with the usual brushes.

From the EP 0 998 212 B1 is an endoscope with an arranged on the handle suction valve, in which the suction valve is arranged in a usable in the handle module. A disadvantage of this known construction is that the suction / flushing channel leading via the suction valve to the suction / flushing connection is completely interrupted by the module, whereby the sealing insertion of the module into the handle is made more difficult, since for each input and output of the module separate seals are required.

A generic endoscope is from the JP H10-262901 A known. In this known endoscope of the working channel input is arranged together with a portion of the suction / flushing channel in a replaceable fixable in the handle module. Although this known construction facilitates the cleaning in the transition region from the working channel inlet into the working channel, it has the disadvantage that separate seals are required on both sides for the connection of the part of the suction / flushing channel formed in the module to the suction / irrigation channel formed in the handle are.

Based on this, the present invention seeks to provide an endoscope of the type mentioned, the working channel input with a simple structure allows a possible death-free cleaning.

The solution to this problem is inventively characterized in that the underside of the module housing in the position inserted into the handle forms the upper channel wall of the at least one suction / irrigation channel.

By laying the working channel input in a replaceable insertable into the handle module, which may be formed, for example, as a disposable component, the cleaning of the working channel input and the working channel is facilitated, since on the one hand the working channel input-containing module is easy to clean as a separable component and on the other When removed from the handle module and the working channel is easy and complete to clean.

Due to this design, in which the housing of the module forms part of the suction / irrigation channel, the suction / irrigation channel is not interrupted by the module, so that it requires no flange connections to be sealed.

Furthermore, it is proposed with the invention that a receptacle for insertion of the module is formed in the handle. The insertion of the module into a receptacle of the handle is particularly advantageous with respect to the sealing of the module relative to the handle housing, since the module is completely up to the outer top receiving in the handle.

Due to the insertion of the module provided with the working channel input into the handle, it is possible according to the invention that in each case one working channel input of the module is seal-free connected to the at least one working channel in the handle.

For sealing the module relative to the handle, the invention proposes that the module can be sealed off from the receptacle of the handle by means of at least one peripheral sealing element, wherein the at least one circumferential sealing element is advantageously arranged in a circumferential groove of the module housing.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is proposed that the suction / irrigation channel forms the proximal side continuation of the working channel.

Finally, it is proposed with the invention that the transitions are formed by the formed in the handle receptacle to the working channel and the suction / irrigation channel arcuate. The arcuate rounded contour of the channels in the transition to the axial extent through the handle and the shaft is particularly well suited for cleaning by means of a brush, since no dead spaces arise that complicate the cleaning.

• 1 eine teilweise geschnittene schematische Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Endoskops;
• 2 eine vergrößerte Schnittdarstellung des Details II gemäß 1 und
• 3 eine Darstellung gemäß 2, jedoch den demontierten Zustand darstellend.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, in which an embodiment of an endoscope according to the invention is shown only by way of example, without limiting the invention to this embodiment. In the drawings shows:

• 1 a partially sectioned schematic side view of an endoscope according to the invention;
• 2 an enlarged sectional view of the detail II according to 1 and
• 3 a representation according to 2 but showing the disassembled state.

The illustration 1 shows schematically and partially cut the structure of an endoscope 1 with a shaft 2 , at the proximal end of a handle 3 is arranged. At the endoscope 1 It can be a flexible endoscope 1 or a rigid endoscope 1 act.

How to continue 1 can be seen, is in the shaft 2 in the axial direction of the endoscope 1 extending working channel 4 formed, which continues on the proximal side. To medical instruments in the working channel 4 to be able to introduce, is at the handle a working channel input 5 arranged as an obliquely pointing proximally connecting piece 6 is trained. If no instrument in the working channel 4 is inserted, is the working channel input 5 over a cap 7 closable.

The working channel 4 goes to the proximal end behind the branch to the working channel entrance 5 in a suction / irrigation channel 8th about, in turn, the proximal side with a handle 3 arranged suction / rinse connection 9 connected is. Distal side of the working channel entrance 5 are the working channel 4 and the suction flushing channel 8th identical.

In alternative embodiments of the endoscope 1 Of course, you can also use several working channels 4 each with a working channel input 5 be provided. Not every work channel 4 must also be used as a suction / irrigation channel 8th be educated.

After using the endoscope 1 need the working channels 4 and suction / flushing channels 8th be cleaned, which is usually done by means of small brushes. In the endoscopes known from the prior art 1 is in the transition from arranged on the handle and obliquely backward facing working channel entrance 5 to the axial direction of the endoscope 1 running working channel 4 a kink formed. In the area of this bend creates a kind of cavity that is difficult to reach completely with the usual brushes and clean.

As in particular from the pictures 2 and 3 is apparent in the in 1 illustrated endoscope 1 the working channel entrance 5 in a replaceable in the handle 3 definable module 10 arranged. This module 10 with the working channel input 5 For example, it can be designed as a disposable component, which after use of the endoscope 1 is disposed of.

In addition, differently shaped working channel inputs 5 be made available to the operator of the endoscope 1 can exchange for each other as needed. For example, an alternative working channel input 5 a holder for a medical instrument or a guide wire, in the working channel 4 be introduced.

For receiving the module 10 is in the handle 3 a recording 11 trained in which the module 10 with its module housing 12 so usable is that only the working channel input 5 forming nozzles 6 the handle 3 surmounted.

As further in particular from 2 can be seen forms in the handle 3 inserted position of the module 10 the bottom of the module housing 12 the upper duct wall of the suction / purge line 8th ,

The training of the working channel entrance 5 in the handle 3 removable module 10 has the great advantage that the accesses to the working channel 4 and to the suction flushing channel 8th at out of the handle 3 taken out module 10 for cleaning purposes over the handle 3 trained recording 11 are freely accessible, as this particular picture 3 can be seen.

The transitions from the handle 3 trained recording 11 to the working channel 4 as well as to the suction / irrigation channel 8th are also arcuate, so that no dead spaces arise that complicate the cleaning.

The sealing of the module 10 opposite the handle 3 takes place in the illustrated embodiment such that the module 10 via a circumferential sealing element 13 opposite the recording 11 the handle 3 is sealable, wherein the circumferential sealing element 13 in a circumferential groove 14 of the module housing 12 is arranged.

Alternatively to the illustrated embodiment with only one circumferential sealing element 13 It is of course also possible, a plurality of parallel arranged sealing elements 13 provided.

The complete insertion of the module housing 12 in the recording 11 the handle 3 and the use of the circumferential sealing element 13 makes it possible for the working channel input 5 of the module 10 seal-free to the working channel 4 in the handle 3 is connectable.

The illustration 3 shows with the different arrows, such as the cleaning of the working channel 4 , the suction / rinsing channel 8th as well as the recording 11 the handle 3 when out of the picture 11 removed module 10 can be accomplished completely and thoroughly.

An endoscope designed as described above 1 is characterized by the fact that the training of the working channel entrance 5 in a replaceable in the handle 3 definable module 10 the working channel 4 as well as the suction / irrigation channel 8th are substantially cleansed free of trauma.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

endoscope

2

shaft

3

handle

4

working channel

5

Working channel input

6

Support

7

cap

8th

Suction / irrigation channel

9

Suction / flushing connection

10

module

11

admission

12

module housing

13

sealing element

14

groove

Claims (7)

Endoscope (1) having a shaft (2) and a handle (3) arranged at the proximal end of the shaft (2), wherein the handle (3) has at least one working channel entrance (5) for at least one through the handle (3) into the working channel (4) extending the shank (2) and at least one suction / irrigation connection (9) for at least one suction / irrigation channel (8) extending through the handle (3) into the shank (2), wherein the at least a working channel input (5) is arranged in a module (10) which can be fixed interchangeably in the handle (3), and wherein a module housing (12) in the position of the module (10) inserted into the handle (3) forms part of the at least one suction / Rinsing channel (8), characterized in that the underside of the module housing (12) in the inserted into the handle (3) position, the upper channel wall of the at least one suction / flushing channel (8). Endoscope (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that in the handle (3) has a receptacle (11) for insertion of the module (10) is formed. Endoscope (1) after Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that in each case one working channel inlet (5) of the module (10) is seal-free to the at least one working channel (4) in the handle (3) can be connected. Endoscope (1) after Claim 2 or after Claim 3 if this on Claim 2 is back-related, characterized in that the module (10) via at least one circumferential sealing element (13) relative to the receptacle (11) of the handle (3) is sealable. Endoscope (1) after Claim 4 , characterized in that the at least one circumferential sealing element (13) in a circumferential groove (14) of the module housing (12) is arranged. Endoscope (1) after one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the at least one suction / irrigation channel (8) forms the proximal-sided continuation of the at least one working channel (4). Endoscope (1) after Claim 2 . 4 or 5 or after Claim 3 if this on Claim 2 is back-related, characterized in that the transitions from the in the handle (3) formed receptacle (11) for at least one working channel (4) and at least one suction / irrigation channel (8) are arcuate.

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