DE102015111810A1 - endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an endoscope with an optics, in which the image information and the lighting required for lighting over a common optical path / optical path are performed.

Description

The invention relates to an endoscope according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such an endoscope is for example from the DE 10 2004 005 709 A1 the applicant known. This endoscope has a catheter probe or a cannula in which an optical system for illuminating and observing an object is arranged. D. h., In this known solution, an observation optics with an image guide and a lighting optics with a light guide are arranged, which are each guided in a separate lumen. The image and light guides are usually designed as a fiber strand. The disadvantage is that a relatively large proportion of the cross section of the catheter probe or the cannula is claimed by the separate lumens for the illumination optics, so that there is little space available for a possibly existing control lumen and a working channel or the like.

On the other hand, the object of the invention is to provide an endoscope in which the space required for the illumination optics and for the observation optics is reduced.

This object is achieved by an endoscope having the features of patent claim 1.

Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the endoscope has a catheter probe or cannula, in which an optics for image acquisition / image transfer is arranged, this optic also having means for directing light for illumination of the object to be detected. According to the invention, the image transmission and the illumination via a common optical path.

This solution differs from the conventional endoscopes in that instead of two separate optical paths (image conductor / optical fiber), a common optical path is used, so that the installation space for the image transmission / illumination optics is significantly reduced compared to conventional solutions.

In one embodiment, a filter is arranged in the optical path, which is transparent to the object for the light and in the opposite direction for the image information.

In an alternative solution, a prism is provided, which has a coupling surface for the light and a coupling-out surface for the image information, wherein both surfaces are in operative connection with the optical path.

This optical path is preferably designed as a fiber bundle.

The filter or prism is preferably located at a proximal end portion of the cannula / catheter probe.

At a distal end portion of the cannula / Kathetersonde optics may be provided for focusing on the object to be detected.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic diagram of the basic structure of an endoscope;

2 a schematic representation of an optical path of a first embodiment and

3 a schematic diagram of an optical path of a second embodiment.

The invention will be explained below with reference to a flexible endoscope, as for example in the EP 1 714 606 B1 is shown. Of course, the invention can also be realized in rigid or semi-flexible endoscopes, as for example in the WO 2009 024 107 A1 the applicant are described.

This in 1 illustrated flexible endoscope 1 has a catheter probe 5 , which is designed as a multi-lumen probe and, for example, one or more working lumens for surgical tools and an optical lumen 2 for an optics strand 3 having. About this optics strand 3 , which will be explained in more detail below, should be an object 14 For example, illuminated to be treated organ and a corresponding image of the organ detected and directed to an evaluation, such as an eyepiece or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible catheter probe 5 over a handle 4 to be controlled. The optical lumen 2 is towards the object by means of a translucent cover 6 Covered so that the lighting / image capture through this cover 6 occurs through and contamination of the optical strand 3 is reliably prevented.

The position of the optics string 3 with reference to the cover 6 can via a length compensation device 7 be set. To capture the image information is an eyepiece 8th or the like provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling of the light for the illumination of the object via its own lighting connection 10 , The basic structure of this endoscope 1 corresponds to the one he used in the EP 1 714 606 B1 is described, so that can be dispensed with further explanation with reference to this document.

2 shows a first embodiment in which in the beam path of the optics strand (optical path), a filter 12 is arranged. This can, for example, as in 2 represented in the region of the distal end portion of the optical strand 3 be arranged.

In principle, however, it is also possible to arrange this filter in a proximal region of the beam path. This filter 12 is in by the common optics strand 3 predetermined beam path for the illumination and the image transmission arranged. In other words, the optics strand 3 serves as a light guide as well as an image guide.

To avoid a superposition of the signals, the filter is 12 formed such that it receives image signals only in the direction of the cover 6 towards the eyepiece or the like permits. For that over the side lighting connection 10 coupled light is the filter 12 only towards the cover 6 permeable. In this way, the signals for image transmission and the light required for illumination via the common optics strand 3 be guided.

3 shows a variant in which instead of a filter 12 a prism or similar optical device 16 is used to over the common optical strand 3 to carry both the image information and the lighting. The prism 16 for example, has a prism surface 18 that the lighting connection 10 is assigned and that via the lighting connection 10 coupled light into the optical strand 3 initiates. About another prism surface 20 the image information becomes the object 14 passing over the beam path from the cover 6 over the optical strand 3 to the eyepiece connection 8th is guided, deflects, leaving an illustration 14 ' of the object is visible on a connected optical evaluation unit. That is, over this common optical strand 3 the introduction of the light and the discharge of the image information takes place, wherein the optical strand 3 - As I said - may be formed by a fiber bundle.

The above variants allow an endoscope 1 with minimal catheter or cannula diameter, since only one lumen for the optics (illumination and image information) must be provided.

Disclosed is an endoscope with an optics, in which the image information and the lighting required for lighting over a common optical path / optical path are performed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 endoscope

2

 optic lumen

3

 optical strand

4

 handle

5

 catheter probe

6

 cover

8th

 Eyepiece

10

 lighting connection

12

 filter

14

 object

14 '

 image

16

 prism

18

 prism surface

20

 prism surface

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 102004005709 A1 [0002]
• EP 1714606 B1 [0017, 0020]
• WO 2009024107 A1 [0017]

Claims (6)

Endoscope with a catheter probe or cannula, in which an optics for image acquisition / image transmission is arranged, wherein the optics also means for directing light for illuminating the object to be detected ( 14 ), characterized in that the image acquisition / transmission and illumination take place via a common optical path. Endoscope according to claim 1, wherein in the optical path a filter ( 12 ) which is directed towards the object ( 14 ) for the light and in the opposite direction for the image information is permeable. Endoscope according to claim 1, with a prism ( 16 ), which has a coupling surface for the light and a coupling-out surface for the image information, wherein both prism surfaces ( 18 . 20 ) are in operative connection with the optical path. Endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical path is a fiber bundle ( 3 ) Has. Endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter ( 12 ) or the prism ( 16 ) is disposed at a proximal or distal end portion of the catheter probe or cannula. Endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, having an optical device for image display.

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