DE102015113020B4 - Endoscope head - Google Patents

Abstract

Endoscope head (1) with an endoscope head body (11A, 11B), in which at least one working channel (13) is formed, a pivotable Albaran lever (2) being provided on the distal working channel end section; a cable pull body (7, 71) on the Albaran lever (2). is anchored, through which the Albaran lever (2) can be pivoted while supported on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B); a protective sheath (8 ) is arranged and the cable pull body (7, 71) runs inside the protective jacket (8); an articulated body (41) is arranged on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B), on which the Albaran lever (2) is articulated; the proximal End of the joint body (41) sits on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B) and the distal end of the joint body (41) together with a proximal section (22) of the Albaran lever (2) forms a joint on which the Albaran lever (2) is relative to the endoscope head body (11A, 11B) can pivot; andwherein the joint body (41) and the proximal section (22) of the Albaran lever (2) are surrounded by the protective jacket (8), the protective jacket (8) being elastic.

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope head with an endoscope head body in which at least one working channel is formed, a pivotable Albaran lever being provided on the distal side of the endoscope head body.

Such an endoscope head body can be used in a duodenoscope, i.e. an endoscope for examining, for example, the esophagus or the duodenum, the bile duct, the gall, the pancreatic duct, the pancreas, etc.

With the help of the duodenoscope it is possible to get into the duodenum through the esophagus, stomach and gastric exit.

The duodenoscope has side-facing (lateral) optics (illumination device and camera). This can make insertion and advancement through the esophagus more difficult, as forward viewing is not easily possible. There is only enough space in the stomach or duodenum to angle the distal end of the duodenoscope by approximately 90° in order to be able to look forward.

The duodenoscope also has an Albaran lever at the exit of the working channel, which, by pivoting, enables targeted deflection of the tools that are pushed through the working channel.

After using the duodenoscope, it undergoes processing. This must reliably exclude the transmission of all microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, worms and also spores. During reprocessing, the duodenoscope is first cleaned manually in order to remove organic material or chemical residues without leaving any residue. After cleaning, mechanical disinfection or sterilization takes place.

document US 2008/0 021 269 A1 reveals an endoscope. In this endoscope, a cable pull body is anchored to an Albaran lever supported on the endoscope head body. The cable pull body runs on the outside of the Albaran lever and is anchored to a side surface of the Albaran lever.

In document US 2007/0 208 219 A1 A cable pull body is anchored to an Albaran lever supported on the endoscope head body. The cable pull body also runs on the outside of the Albaran lever and is anchored to a side surface of the Albaran lever.

In document US 5,860,913 A A cable pull body is also anchored to an Albaran lever supported on the endoscope head body. The cable body runs on the outside of the Albaran lever and is also anchored to a side surface of the Albaran lever.

In document US 4,706,655 A a head of an insertion tube element is disclosed. The head has a biopsy channel which is formed inside the head and extends in the axial direction. An elevator is provided near the distal end portion of the biopsy channel. A rotating element of the elevator enables the elevator to be raised. The elevator rotating element is positioned on the proximal side of the elevator. A control wire is connected to the elevator at a point spaced from the elevator's rotating member. The control wire is covered by a sleeve.

In document US 5,569,157 A discloses an endoscope having an insertion section, an instrument insertion channel and a lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is actuated by an operating wire using an actuator. The actuation wire can be separated from the actuation device.

It is the object of the present invention to create an endoscope head with an endoscope head body which makes it difficult for organic material, etc. to adhere.

This task is solved by an endoscope head with an endoscope head body with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further training is the subject of the dependent claims.

In the endoscope head according to the invention with an endoscope head body in which at least one working channel is formed, a pivotable Albaran lever is provided on the distal working channel end section. A cable pull body is anchored to the Albaran lever, through which the Albaran lever can be pivoted while supported on the endoscope head body. A protective sheath is arranged between the endoscope head body and the anchoring location of the cable pull body on the Albaran lever and the cable pull body runs inside the protective jacket.

The Albaran lever can thus pivot relative to the endoscope head body by being actuated directly by the cable pull.

This greatly simplifies the entire structure of the endoscope head. On undercuts and hard-to-clean areas related to the complicated shape of an earlier Albaran lever, which had a separate pivoting element was waived. Therefore, the endoscope head can be cleaned more easily. Contamination on the endoscope head can be removed more easily. Patients are better protected from germs that come from previous use of an endoscope head.

A joint body is arranged on the endoscope head body, on which the Albaran lever is articulated. The proximal end of the joint body sits on the endoscope head body and the distal end of the joint body, together with a proximal section of the Albaran lever, forms a joint at which the Albaran lever can pivot relative to the endoscope head body. The Albaran lever can pivot around the joint body. This leads to a simple structure in which the Albaran lever is pivoted directly using the end of the cable located in it.

The joint body and the proximal section of the Albaran lever are surrounded by an elastic protective sheath. The elastic protective cover bends with the joint body and the proximal section of the Albaran lever when it is swiveled out. This means that any undercuts in the joint body and the proximal section of the Albaran lever are not exposed to the environment. Germs and foreign substances do not penetrate through the protective casing to the joint body and the proximal section of the Albaran lever, both in the non-swung-out position and in the swung-out position. The protective jacket preferably has a cuboid or tube-like shape. The outer surface of the protective jacket is easy to clean. The endoscope head can therefore be reprocessed even more easily.

The joint body can have a guide for a cable pull of the cable pull body. The guide can be hidden inside the joint body. This allows the cable to be guided safely and protected from the environment inside the joint body. This makes a structure possible through which the cable pull is not exposed to contamination.

The endoscope head can also have a distal, push-on cap. The working channel end piece can be arranged pivotably relative to the cap. The distal push-on cap may have an opening that corresponds to a working channel end opening.

When pushed onto the endoscope head, the distal push-on cap can surround the distal end of the endoscope head and the pivotable working channel end piece. The distal push-on cap may be suitable for single use. For example, it is made of a cost-effective silicone material.

The interaction of the endoscope head body with the Albaran lever and the cap, which can be pivoted relative to it, creates a solution which combines good reprocessability of the simply constructed endoscope head body and disposable use of the protective cap surrounding the endoscope head body.

The aspects of the present invention explained above can be suitably combined.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 shows a perspective view of an endoscope head according to the invention of a first exemplary embodiment in the assembled state.
• 2 shows a perspective view of the endoscope head according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment with the cap loosened.
• 3 shows a cut perspective view of the endoscope head according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment, viewed from the proximal side.
• 4 shows a cut perspective view of the endoscope head according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment, viewed from the distal side.
• 5 shows a side view of the endoscope head according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment, in which the Albaran lever is in the rest position.
• 6 shows a side view of the endoscope head according to the invention of the first exemplary embodiment, in which the Albaran lever is pivoted.
• 7 shows a top view of the endoscope head according to the invention in the rest position 5 .
• 8th shows a top view of the endoscope head according to the invention similar to that in 7 with attached protective hose 8.

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings using an exemplary embodiment.

First of all, with reference to the 1 until 8th the structure of the endoscope head of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. The 1 until 8th show each view of the exemplary embodiment of the endoscope head 1 according to the invention.

1 shows the endoscope head 1. An endoscope head body 11 is surrounded by a cap 3 which has a side opening 31. The side opening 31 provides a view of a camera 16 and a lighting device 17 and an Albaran lever 2 of the endoscope head body 11. The Albaran lever 2 is actuated by a cable 7.

2 shows the endoscope head 1 with the cap 3 removed.

The endoscope head 1 has the endoscope head body 11, which consists of a cylindrical base body 11A on the proximal side and an extension 11B extending from the base body 11A in the distal direction.

In the extension 11B, a camera 16 and an illumination device 17 are provided in a laterally aligned manner in a known manner. At the distal end piece, the extension 11B has a rounded end face 14.

At least one working channel 13, a cable channel 15 for the cable 7 and lines for supplying the camera 16 and the lighting device 17 etc. are provided in the cylindrical base body 11A.

The working channel 13 and the cable channel 15 each extend inside the base body 11A. The cable channel 15 guides the cable 7 to actuate a pivoting Albaran lever 2. The working channel 13 carries micro tools for examining, for example, the esophagus or the duodenum, the bile duct, the gallbladder, the pancreatic duct, the pancreas, etc.

In the present exemplary embodiment, for reasons of space, the working channel 13 and the cable channel 15 can run obliquely inside the base body 11A.

Like in the 3 and 4 shown, a structure can be chosen in which the working channel 13 is gently bent radially inwards from the proximal side to the distal side of the base body 11A so that it is approximately centrally on the distal side of the base body 11A, ie approximately on the central axis of the endoscope body 1 exits; and in which the cable channel 15 runs radially inwards from the proximal side to the distal side of the base body 11A so that it is closer to the central axis of the endoscope body 1 relative to the entry on the proximal side of the base body 11A on the distal side of the base body 11A exits.

The base body 11A has a distal surface 18 on which the extension 11B is integrally formed with it. The pivotable Albaran lever 2 described below is arranged on the distal surface 18 via a base body projection and extends parallel to the extension 11B in the distal direction.

During operation, the cap 3 can be placed on the endoscope head 1, which surrounds the extension 11B and the pivotable Albaran lever 2 and can be attached to the outer circumference of the base body 11A in a detachable manner, for example in a snap-in manner. The cap has the opening 31 as a side open window through which the camera 16, the lighting device 17 and at least the distal end section of the pivotable Albaran lever 2 are exposed to the outside. On its outer peripheral surface, the base body 11A is provided with a groove 12 which extends parallel to the proximal end side of the base body 11A and which can be used as a locking groove for the cap 3. The cap 3 has at its proximal portion a locking projection 32 which can engage the groove 12 to secure the cap 3 to the base body 11A.

A cuboid base body projection 41 extending in the distal direction is arranged on the distal surface 18. The base body projection 41 can be screwed, glued, pressed, clamped or otherwise attached to the distal surface 18. The base body projection 41 has a distal nose 44 located on a radially outer side of the base body projection 41 and pointing in the distal direction. A bore 42 is provided on the distal nose 44, in which a pin 5 forming a pivot pin, described below, sits.

Furthermore, the base body projection 41 has a cable channel 43, which is located on a radially inner side of the base body projection 41 and runs parallel to the central axis of the endoscope body 1. The cable channel 43 is offset radially inwards relative to the bore 42, ie to the central axis of the endoscope body 1. The bore 42 extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the cable channel 43, as shown in FIG 3 is shown.

A pin 5 sits in the hole 42, as shown in the 5 and 6 is shown. The pin 5 forms a pivot point for the pivoting movement of the Albaran lever 2.

The Albaran lever 2 is arranged on the distal side of the base body projection 41. The Albaran lever 2 has an Albaran lever main body 21 with an Albaran lever projection 22 projecting towards the proximal side.

More precisely, the Albaran lever projection 22 has two parallel side extensions 27, which point in the proximal direction and are formed as side walls. The Albaran lever projection 22 thus has a fork-head-like shape. The side extensions 27 have a hole 26 for the pin 5 on the radially outer side. The distal nose 44 of the base body projection 41 is arranged between the two side extensions 27 so that the holes 26 and 42 are aligned with one another, with the pin 5 slip-proof in the Holes 26 and 42 are fitted. In other words, the side extensions 27 sandwich the distal nose 44 of the base body projection 41. On the outside of the side extensions 27, the pin 5 can be secured by snap rings. The pin is rotatably arranged in the bores 26 and 42.

The Albaran lever 2 also has a cable channel 23, which runs parallel to the central axis of the endoscope body 1 when the Albaran lever 2 is in the rest position. The rest position of the Albaran lever 2 is that in the 1-5 shown non-pivoted position of the Albaran lever 2. The side extensions 27 of the Albaran lever projection 22 each run laterally outside the cable channel 23. The cable channel 23 is aligned with the cable channel 43. The cable channel 23 is provided as a through hole in the Albaran lever 2. The cable channel 23 has a diameter expansion on the distal side of the Albaran lever 2. The diameter expansion results from a bore 28 on the distal side of the Albaran lever 2, which has a larger diameter than the cable channel 23. The cable channel 23 and the bore 28 are aligned with one another. The diameter expansion at the transition to the bore 28 serves as a stop surface for a cable nipple 71, which forms the distal end of the cable 7.

In the Albaran lever 2, the cable nipple 71 is integrated as the end of the cable so that the cable 7 runs parallel to the central axis of the endoscope body 1. The cable end can be designed as a nipple 71 or alternatively as a diameter extension of the cable 7 and sits in the bore 28.

The Albaran lever 2 also has a working channel surface 24, on which in the 1-5 The rest position of the Albaran lever 2 shown is the working channel 13. The working channel surface 24 is therefore located on an extension of the working channel 13. The working channel surface 24 has a curvature provided in the extension direction of the endoscope head 1, which ends at a distal end 25 of the working channel surface 24. The working channel surface 24 is curved inwards, i.e. concave.

The working channel 13 is aligned with the working channel surface 24 in such a way that a tool guided through the working channel 13, such as a guide wire, is lifted by the bend of the working channel 13 in the base body 11A and comes into contact with the working channel surface 24 of the Albaran lever 2 upon further advancement in the distal direction .

The outer circumference of the base body projection 41 and the Albaran lever projection 22 are covered by a closely fitting continuous elastic hose member 8 as a protective cover. The cable pull 7 runs inside the hose element 8. The hose element 8 thus forms a closed cuboid-like space from the proximal side of the base body projection 41 to the distal side of the Albaran lever projection 22.

The cap 3, removable from the endoscope head body 11A, 11B, is formed as a bottomed cylinder. The bottom of the cap 3 is on its distal side. In the application, the cap 3 is placed on the endoscope head body 11A, 11B, as shown in 1 is shown. In the area of the base, the cap 3 is rounded so that it meets the requirements for inserting the endoscope head 1 into an object to be examined.

The cap 3 has the in 1 Opening 31 facing the viewer. The opening 31 of the cap 3 forms the side open window for the camera 16 and the lighting device 17 and the tools guided through the working channel 13 when using the endoscope head 1.

At the proximal end, the cap 3 has the inwardly projecting locking lug 32 over its entire circumference, see 4 , which is designed like a trapezoid as shown or alternatively can be designed as a curve or curvature. This locking lug can snap into the groove 12 of the base body 11A of the endoscope head body when the cap 3 is placed on the endoscope head body 11A, 11B.

Application

Below is with reference to the 1 until 8th the function and application of the endoscope head of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention are described.

5 shows the endoscope head in the rest position, in which the Albaran lever 2 is not pivoted. On the proximal side of the endoscope, the cable 7 is connected to a control element such as a joystick. In the rest position, no force is applied to the cable pull 7.

If the cable 7 is pulled on the proximal side, for example by pivoting the joystick, the cable end 71 is pulled towards the proximal direction. A force acting in the proximal direction is therefore applied to the Albaran lever 2. Since the Albaran lever 2 is supported on the Albaran lever projection 22 via the pin 5 on the base body projection 41 and the pin 5 forms an axis of rotation, the Albaran lever 2 is pivoted relative to the base body 11A of the endoscope head body so that it is opposite to the pivot point formed by the pin 5 Side of the endoscope head body 11A, 11B moves.

Thus, during the pivoting process, the Albaran lever projection 22 pivots around the pin 5 held by the base body projection 41. During the entire pivoting process, the elastic hose element 8 covers the outside of the Albaran lever projection 22 and the base body projection 41.

As a result of the pivoting process of the Albaran lever 2, the tools pushed through the working channel 13 are deflected to the side.

The pivoting direction is predefined by the arrangement of the pivot point formed by the pin 5 and the cable 7 in the Albaran lever 2. The pivoting angle of the pivotable Albaran lever 2 is determined by the distance pulled by the cable 7. The pivoting angle of the pivoting Albaran lever 2 can exceed 90° and can even be up to 160°.

The center of the pin 5, which serves as a pivoting element, as seen in its longitudinal direction, intersects a plane in which the cable 7 and the central axis of the endoscope head body 11A, 11B extend.

The Albaran lever 2 can be pivoted very advantageously relative to the endoscope head body 11A, 11B. The pivot point on the pin 5 and the physical design of the Albaran lever 2 are selected so that in the swiveled out position of the Albaran lever 2, the distal end 25 of the working channel surface 24 can even be located proximally relative to the pivot point 5 of the Albaran lever 2, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head body 11 , please refer 6 .

Advantages

The endoscope head 1 is easy to clean and reprocess. Any undercuts or places that are difficult to reach, such as those found on a conventional Albaran lever, are not present on the endoscope head 1. The rinsing liquid for cleaning can flow around the endoscope head 1 with ease and remove foreign substances.

When using the endoscope head 1 again, a new cap 3 is simply put on. This means that contamination on the endoscope head 1 can be avoided even better. Patients are better protected from germs that come from previous use of an endoscope head.

The hose element 8 protects the outer circumference of the base body projection 41 and the Albaran lever projection 22. Thus, the interior of the hose element 8, in which the cable pull 7 runs between the base body projection 41 and the Albaran lever projection 22, does not come into contact with the environment. This means that no germs or contaminants reach the cable pull 7.

Even at the hole 28, no germs and contaminants reach the cable pull 7, since the nipple 71 rests on the diameter extension as the end of the cable pull.

In the pivoting end position of the pivotable working channel element 30, the distal end of the working channel on the ring element 33 can be pivoted by more than 90° relative to the base body 11A and the extension 11B. This gives the user much greater flexibility in handling. For example, the insertion of a tool into the bile duct, for example, is greatly facilitated if the endoscope head body is positioned in the duodenum opposite the exit of the bile duct.

More alternatives

To attach the cap to the endoscope head body 11, a groove is described on the endoscope head body, into which a latching lug of the cap engages. In order to allow the cap to snap into place on the endoscope head body 11, the groove can be provided circumferentially or in sections. Instead of the groove, one or more locking recesses can also be provided on the circumference of the endoscope head body 11. On the proximal side of the cap, instead of a (circumferential or sectionally provided) locking lug, one or more radially inwardly projecting locking projections can then be provided, which are adapted in terms of position and shape to the locking recesses on the circumference of the endoscope head body 11. As a result, when the cap is pushed on, the exact positional relationship of the cap relative to the endoscope head body 11 can be predefined.

In the exemplary embodiment, the working channel 13 and the cable pull channel 15 in the base body 11A run radially inwards from the proximal side to the distal side of the base body 11A so that they are closer to the central axis relative to the entry on the proximal side of the base body 11A on the distal side of the base body 11A of the endoscope body 1 exit offset. In an alternative, the working channel 13 and/or the cable pull channel 15 in the base body 11A can run straight, with the exit on the distal side of the base body 11A being approximately the same as in the 3 and 4 is shown. It is sufficient that the working channel 13 faces the working channel inner surface 24 of the Albaran lever 2 when it is in the rest position. The cable channels 15, 43 and 23 can run along a line that is parallel to the central axis of the endoscope body 1 and is sufficiently spaced from the central axis of the endoscope body 1 from the pivot point formed by the pin 5 that there is sufficient pivoting torque for pivoting the Albaran lever 2 the cable pull 7 can be generated.

A return spring can be arranged between the base body projection 41 and the Albaran lever main body 21, which biases the Albaran lever 2 into the rest position.

The cable nipple 71 can be arranged in the Albaran lever 2 so that it cannot slide in the bore 28. As a result, if the cable 7 is sufficiently rigid, the Albaran lever 2 can be brought into the rest position by pressing the cable 7 on the proximal side of the endoscope to the distal side.

The base body projection 41 can have a cylindrical outer shape, and the side extensions 27 can be curved outwards on the outer sides, so that a cylindrical outer shape of the Albaran lever projection 22 results. The elastic hose 8 placed above it then has a cylindrical shape.

The cable nipple 71, which forms the distal end of the cable 7, sits in the bore 28 on the distal side of the Albaran lever 2. The bore 28 can be closed on the distal side of the Albaran lever 2 by a plug sealing the bore 28.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 5 can be secured on the outside of the side extensions 27 by snap rings. The pin 5 is rotatably mounted in the bore 42 of the base body projection 41 and in the bore 26 of the side extensions 27. Alternatively, the pin 5 sits in the bore 42 of the base body projection 41 in a press fit and is rotatably mounted in the bore 26 of the side extensions 27; or the pin 5 is rotatably mounted in the bore 42 of the base body projection 41 and sits in a press fit in the bore 26 of the side extensions 27.

The invention is not only applicable to a duodenoscope. The principle of the invention can also be applied to an ultrasound endoscope.

In the exemplary embodiments, a working channel with an Albaran lever at the end of the working channel is shown. The invention can also be used in endoscopes that have several working channels, each with an Albaran lever at the end of the respective working channel.

The alternatives explained can be combined in any way and can be used in all exemplary embodiments.

Reference symbol list

1

Endoscope head

2

Albaran body

3

cap

5

Pen

7

pulley

8th

protective coat

11

Endoscope head body

11A

Base body

11B

extension

13

Working channel

14

rounded end face

15

Cable channel in the base body

16

camera

17

Lighting device

18

distal surface of the base body

21

Albaran lever body

22

Albaran lever projection

23

Cable channel in the Albaran lever

24

Working channel inner surface of the Albaran lever

25

distal end

26

pin hole

27

lateral extent

28

Hole for cable nipple

31

opening (window)

32

Cap locking tab

41

Base body projection

42

pin hole

43

Cable channel in the base body projection

44

distal nose

71

Cable nipple

Claims (3)

Endoscope head (1) with an endoscope head body (11A, 11B), in which at least one working channel (13) is formed, a pivotable Albaran lever (2) being provided on the distal working channel end section; wherein a cable pull body (7, 71) is anchored on the Albaran lever (2), through which the Albaran lever (2) can be pivoted while supported on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B); wherein a protective jacket (8) is arranged between the endoscope head body (11A, 11B) and the anchoring location of the cable pull body (7, 71) on the Albaran lever (2) and the cable pull body (7, 71) runs inside the protective jacket (8); wherein a joint body (41) is arranged on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B), on which the Albaran lever (2) is articulated; wherein the proximal end of the joint body (41) sits on the endoscope head body (11A, 11B) and the distal end of the joint body (41) together with a proximal section (22) of the Albaran lever (2) forms a joint on which the Albaran lever (2) can pivot relative to the endoscope head body (11A, 11B); and wherein the joint body (41) and the proximal section (22) of the Albaran lever (2) are surrounded by the protective jacket (8), the protective jacket (8) being elastic. Endoscope head (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein the joint body (41) has a guide (43) for a cable pull (7) of the cable pull body (71). Endoscope head (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , wherein the endoscope head (1) further has a distal push-on cap (3), the Albaran lever (2) is arranged pivotably relative to the cap (3), and the distal push-on cap (3) has an opening (31) which has a Working channel end opening corresponds.

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