DE102017102178B3 - Endoscope and manufacturing method for a camera board with longitudinal pins with three functions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to endoscope (1) with an endoscope shaft (20), at the distal end of an endoscope head with an optical system (11) for image transmission by means of an image sensor (12) and at least one illumination element (14) is provided, the function and / or supply channels (21) are connected or connectable within the endoscope shaft (20) to an operating unit or operating station. According to the invention, at least two platinum planes (15.1, 15.3, 15.5) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope are provided in the endoscope head, and at least two pins (16) are fixed to the edge or outer circumference of the distal plane (15.5), which points towards the proximal plane (15.1, 15.3).

Description

The present invention relates to an endoscope with an endoscope shaft, at the distal end for image transmission, an optic with an image sensor and at least one illumination element is arranged, which are connected or connectable via functional and / or supply channels within the endoscope shaft to an operating unit or operating station. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for mounting an imaging module for such an endoscope.

Background of the invention

Endoscopes are medical work tools by means of which the interior of usually living organisms but also technical cavities can be examined and / or manipulated. Originally developed for human medical diagnostics, today they are also used for minimally invasive surgical procedures on humans and animals as well as in the industry for the visual inspection of difficult-to-access cavities. The endoscopes include the rigid and flexible endoscopes and their subspecies.

A rigid endoscope transmits the image information of the object or space to be examined to a proximally arranged eyepiece through a lens system in the interior of the endoscope shaft or in the distal endoscope head. Examples are the technical borescope and medically the arthroscope and cystoscope.

The light necessary for the examination / inspection is either provided by a distal illuminant (for example LED) in the endoscope head or transported by fiber optic bundles to the distal tip of the endoscope via a light guide connected to a proximal illuminant, also inside the shaft.

In a flexible endoscope, image and light are also often transmitted via fiber optic bundles. Examples are the technical flexoscope and the medical gastroscope, colonoscope and bronchoscope.

From a practical diameter, flexible (and also rigid) endoscopes are also available with interchangeable rather than fixed (forward / side or backward) lenses and additional working channels for introducing micromechanical devices (small pliers or grippers) into the examination or inspection room. Flexible endoscopes usually have a built-in Bowden cables or hydraulic actuators remotely controllable device tip (endoscope head). Depending on the model and diameter, this can sometimes be angled up to 180 ° after 2 (up-down) or 4-side (up-down and right-left). The length of this bendable tip can be between 30 and 70 mm, depending on the diameter. In the proximal handle of the device / endoscope, a mechanism is incorporated, which acts on the Bowden cables / actuators via tipping or handwheels and allows the movement of the tip.

The most recent subtype of flexible endoscopes are the video endoscopes, often called video-scopes. Video endoscopes open a new chapter in modern endoscopy as they use digital technologies to create and transmit images. A CCD or CMOS chip attached to the distal lens of the video-endoscope generates a digital image of the examination subject and forwards it to the following components of the video-endoscope. In most cases, a processor prepares this data, sends it to a monitor for output, or stores it on a hard disk or other data storage device. Depending on the equipment variant, video endoscopes allow freezing and saving of images as well as multi-hour video recordings for subsequent editing / optimization or the measuring of an image or object. This device technology also has a remote controllable, bendable device tip, in 2 or 4 directions. These can be controlled mechanically or electronically / hydraulically. The mechanical control takes place via a small gearbox via rocker arms or turning wheels. Some videoscopes have built in place of the mechanics small electric motors or hydraulic bellows, which are controlled for example via a joystick.

Recently come in video heads instead of the external light projectors, LED luminous bodies are used, which can be installed in the device tip. In summary, rigid as well as flexible endoscopes of the relevant type (including the present subject matter) are characterized by an endoscope shaft (flexible or rigid), at the distal end (endoscope head) a lighting (a luminous body) and an optic (photosensitive chip) are arranged. Within the endoscope shaft various function / supply channels for the optics, the lighting and / or the possibly existing Abkrümmeinrichtung the instrument tip are arranged. Optionally, a working channel may also be formed which is adapted and adapted to introduce surgical instruments through the endoscope into the patient's body to perform (minimally invasive) operations / treatments under visual control of the optic and illumination.

State of the art

Endoscopes are generally known from the prior art in whose distal tip a photosensitive chip or photosensor and (electric) illumination elements are arranged, which can be connected via functional / supply channels in the endoscope shaft for electrical power and information transmission to a proximal operating station.

A problem with these endoscopes is that the electrical lighting elements produce waste heat. This must be removed from the endoscope tip, as an increased temperature in the endoscope tip on the one hand may affect the function of the image sensor and on the other hand, a transfer of heat loss on inner surfaces of the cavities to be examined can lead to tissue damage. This is critical in that tissue damage can already occur from a temperature of about 42 ° C and the cavities to be examined are not necessarily innervated, i. the patient may not notice tissue damage from a too hot endoscope.

In the prior art, this problem has been solved so far that a heat exchanger through which a cooling medium flows is integrated in the endoscope head. For example, the document discloses US 2014/0 142 384 A1 a heat exchanger in an endoscope head, on which LEDs are arranged directly to provide the most efficient heat exchange. The cooling medium is circulated through the working channel and a cooling channel.

The publication EP 2 018 043 A1 discloses the use of foldable printed circuit boards in a endoscope head of a flexible endoscope. From the US 5,754,313 A and DE 103 33 566 A1 It is known to use pins for mechanically connecting printed circuit boards with the aim of increasing mechanical stability.

In endoscopes, there is always the demand for the smallest possible cross section of the outer contour of the endoscope head. However, the solutions described in the prior art for cooling the light sources by means of heat exchangers including channels for cooling liquid require a large amount of space.

Another disadvantage of such solutions is the manufacturing effort required to produce corresponding heat exchangers with complex geometry. Especially for the application of one-way endoscopy, therefore, there is a need for solutions for cooling the endoscope head in which cooling elements with simple geometry or even commercially available mass products can be used for heat dissipation.

Furthermore, video endoscopes are known from the prior art whose electronics are printed / mounted on a folded flexible printed circuit board, for example from the document DE 199 24 189 A1 , Such printed circuit boards are usually made of several pivotally interconnected and mutually in electrical contact faces, which are transferred from a flat basic position in a spatial, folded position. Such folding structures make it possible to efficiently use the small space available, but often require complex handling steps during assembly. Again, there is a need in the art to improve the handling of such flexible printed circuit boards during assembly.

Brief description of the invention

In view of this problem recognized by the present applicant, it is the object of the invention to provide a generic endoscope, which has a particularly high mechanical stability against external forces.

Furthermore, it is a preferred object of the invention to ensure efficient removal of the heat loss from the endoscope head located lighting elements / light sources, while reducing the required space.

Furthermore, according to a preferred object of the invention, the geometry and thus the manufacturability of the means used for cooling in comparison with previous solutions should be significantly simplified.

Another preferred object of the present invention is to facilitate handling of the folded circuit board during assembly of the endoscope.

These objects are achieved by an endoscope with the features of claim 1 and a method according to claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect, the endoscope according to the invention has an endoscope shaft, at the distal end of which an endoscope head is arranged, in which an optics for image transmission by means of an image sensor and at least one illumination element or luminous element is provided. Both the optics and the lighting are According to the invention via functional and / or supply channels within the endoscope shaft connected to an operating unit or operating station. In the endoscope head according to the invention, at least two platinum planes spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope are provided, and at least two (rigid) pins which extend in the direction of the proximal platinum plane are fixed on the edge or outer circumference of the distal platinum plane. A board plane in this case is defined so that it can also consist of several separate circuit board sections, which are arranged substantially in one and the same spatial plane.

As a result of the strength inherent in the pins, the sensitive electronics inside the endoscope head can be mechanically stabilized. The pins are preferably arranged laterally in the endoscope head in order to provide additional stability and protection against lateral forces in the manner of a protective cage, as will be explained in more detail below. Further, according to the invention, at least some of the pins at least indirectly contacted with the at least one lighting element thermally conductive and made of a thermally conductive material to transport away in the lighting element loss heat in the proximal direction of the endoscope

According to a further aspect, the at least one illumination element can be mounted and / or electrically contacted on the distal board plane, more precisely on its distal-facing surface, and the image sensor can be mounted and / or electrically contacted on the platinum plane spaced therefrom proximally. In this way, the image sensor and the waste heat generating illumination can be spatially separated and the image sensor or the optics is displaced in the proximal direction, so that the laterally arranged pins can develop their protective effect.

According to a further aspect, at least the image sensor, in particular the entire optics, can be surrounded by the pins or laterally shielded. This has the purpose of protecting the most sensitive components of the endoscope head from external force during assembly and in use.

In another aspect, the pins may be fixed to the at least one proximal plane or penetrate relatively movably or may be radially outwardly past it. In this way, the entire electronics in the endoscope head can be given additional stability. In addition, the circuit boards of the board levels can be connected in a dimensionally stable manner in a pre-assembly step in this way in order to be able to be installed as a finished assembly in the endoscope head.

According to a further aspect, the at least one illumination element can be arranged on the edge or outer circumference of the distal board plane, in particular in a distal extension to at least one of the pins. This has the effect of spacing the loss-heat-producing illumination even further from the image sensor and is particularly important with respect to the aspect of the invention described below.

A central idea of a further preferred aspect of the invention is to use the longitudinal pins in addition to the electrical connection of the at least one lighting element having illumination in the endoscope head. In other words, according to the invention, the pins can form the electrical supply and discharge line (s) of the illumination and can additionally be connected at least indirectly to a cooling channel and dimensioned such that they provide sufficient heat conduction. By integrating these two functions in the pins, valuable space can be saved in the distal tip of the endoscope. Such a solution is easy to implement because only two (proximally) axially extending pins of a material with good electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity properties (eg., Iron alloys, copper, aluminum, silver or gold) are required for each lighting element.

The endoscope head may preferably have a housing (or be enclosed by a capsule), in which the electronics of the endoscope tip is substantially accommodated.

According to a preferred embodiment, the pins can either be connected directly to one or more cooling channels in the endoscope shaft in a heat-conducting manner or indirectly, e.g. via a (proximal) of the optics upstream heat exchanger to be connected to such.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the image sensor and the lighting element can be arranged on a common printed circuit board. Preferably, this may be a flexible circuit board, with different, relatively pivotally connected sections / partial surfaces. Further preferably, the circuit board is in a, surrounded by the (axially extending) pins surrounded space.

In such an embodiment, the pins may serve to stabilize the folded structure and thus facilitate assembly of the circuit board in the endoscope. In other words, in such an embodiment, the flexible circuit board can be folded into the desired final geometry and then held / stabilized by means of the pins in this final geometry. The thus preassembled circuit board is mechanically stable and can then be installed or mounted in an prepared for receiving endoscope tip or a housing / capsule of the endoscope head without further processing or assembly steps on the circuit board itself would be necessary. In this case, it is advantageous if the pins (in a state installed in the endoscope) connect the most distal part surface (s) of the printed circuit board (on which preferably the illumination is also arranged) to the part surface (s) of the printed circuit board which is arranged most proximally to give stability to the entire folded printed circuit board system. And at the same time to protect the circuit board against lateral forces.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the image sensor and the illumination elements may be arranged on different such printed circuit board sections, in particular such that the image sensor and the illumination are axially spaced apart, preferably spaced such that the illumination is located closer to the distal tip of the endoscope is as the image sensor. Particularly preferably, the lighting elements are in the installed state in the immediate vicinity of the distal tip of the endoscope. It is advantageous if the sections of the flexible printed circuit board on which the image sensor and the illumination are arranged, are oriented substantially transversely to the axial direction of the endoscope. For generating the axial offset between the image sensor and the illumination elements, axially and longitudinally aligned connecting sections of the printed circuit board can be provided between a first section on which the image sensor is arranged and a number of illumination sections on which the illumination elements are arranged each at opposite ends are pivotally connected to the first portion and a lighting portion. In other words, the printed circuit board portion with the image sensor and the connecting portions, in an exemplary embodiment with two lighting elements, may assume a U-shape in the folded state, while the lighting portions are arranged substantially transversely to the U-legs at the ends thereof.

Preferably, the illumination elements of the illumination can be arranged offset laterally (ie in the direction of the lateral edge of the endoscope) to the image sensor. This offers the advantage that space is created for a lens system which extends distally from the image sensor. For example, in the above-mentioned U-shaped system, the lens system may e.g. in distal extension to the image sensor and positioned between the legs of the U-shape.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the circuit board can also have a third section, which is arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope head. In other words, in such an embodiment, the photosensor is spaced distally of the third portion, and the portion where the illumination is located is even further distally distanced than the aforementioned portions.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned proximal printed circuit board section can be connected to the first printed circuit board section via a further connecting section. It is advantageous if the first and the third circuit board section are aligned substantially parallel, in particular transversely to the axial direction of the endoscope. The connecting portion may, in such an embodiment, connect opposite ends of the first and third printed circuit board portions, so that a Z-shaped arrangement or an accordion-like structure arises (as viewed from the side). Such an arrangement has the advantage of providing some axial play of the entire circuit board assembly. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the electrical wiring guided in the endoscope shaft can be contacted on the proximal side of the proximal circuit board section. In combination with the Z-shaped arrangement described above, in this way, the flexibility of the Z arrangement in the longitudinal direction makes it possible to achieve a strain relief of the wiring.

In addition, according to an embodiment as described above, the pins that provide the illumination with electricity and dissipate heat may be electrically coupled to the proximal circuit board portion. In such an embodiment, the electrical energy of the operating unit via cables inside the endoscope shaft reaches the proximal circuit board portion and is distributed from there via the pins to the lighting elements. According to a further embodiment, in addition, the proximal circuit board portion via the connection portion in electronic contact with the first circuit board portion and thus with the image sensor, so that the proximal circuit board portion, the interface between the electronics mounted on the circuit board and in the functional and / or supply channels in Represents endoscope shaft guided electrical lines.

The interior of the endoscope head can advantageously at least partially with a non-conductive filling compound with preferably less Thermal conductivity are filled to create greater mechanical stability in the endoscope tip and to ensure that most of the heat loss is dissipated through the pins. For example, a hardening resin can be used for this purpose (for example an epoxy resin).

According to an advantageous embodiment, in addition to the optical module / camera board and the illumination, the endoscope can also have a working channel which extends through the endoscope shaft and the endoscope head and creates a spatial connection between the proximal (user-near) side and the distal (remote) tip, through which For example, surgical instruments and / or a fluid can be transported / guided into the patient. In addition, the endoscope can have a nozzle for insufflation, by means of which gases, vapors or powder can be injected into the patient or his body cavities. According to a preferred embodiment, such a nozzle may be integrated into (integral with) the working channel.

• - einen Leiterplattenrohling aus einem planaren Zustand in einen gefalteten Zustand, in welchem er zur Montage in einem Endoskop vorbereitet ist zu überführen; und
• - die flexible Leiterplatte mittels Stiften in diesem gefalteten Zustand zu stabilisieren/fixieren.

The invention also encompasses a production method for mounting a camera board or an imaging module with a flexible printed circuit board, an image sensor and a number of illumination elements, preferably a camera board for an endoscope according to the preamble of claim 1. The method according to the invention comprises the steps:

• to transfer a circuit board blank from a planar state to a folded state in which it is prepared for mounting in an endoscope; and
• - To stabilize the flexible circuit board by means of pins in this folded state / fix.

Such an approach has the advantage that the camera board in its folded state is inherently stable, which in particular facilitates handling during assembly, since e.g. no additional fixing elements are necessary for fixing the folded state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method, in one or more further steps by means of the pins additionally a conductive contact between different partial surfaces of the printed circuit board can be produced.

In a further method step according to the invention, the thus-folded and stabilized imaging module / camera board can first be recorded / fixed in an endoscope head housing prepared for its reception and in a further step the endoscope head with the imaging module received therein can be filled with a filling material, as already mentioned above ,

According to a further preferred embodiment, the pins can also be contacted in a further method step heat-conducting with cooling channels in the endoscope shaft.

In summary, the endoscope according to the invention has an endoscope head, in which a number of electrical components are accommodated, which are at least partially mounted on one and the same circuit board / board and / or electrically connected. The circuit board / board forms (e.g., by its foldability) at least two (board) planes spaced along the length of the endoscope / endoscope head. Fixed to the distal plane are a number (at least two) of (rigid) longitudinal pins extending toward the proximal plane so as to change the gap between the at least two planes to protect against side impact , The longitudinal pins are preferably made of a thermally conductive and / or electrically conductive material (metal) to z. B. electrical energy to supply illuminants on the distal board level and / or dissipate heat energy from the luminaries on the distal board level. More preferably, the longitudinal pins are fixed to the proximal plane or penetrate this relatively movable or are guided past the proximal plane radially outside.

list of figures

The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 eine perspektivische Darstellung des Innenlebens eines Endoskopkopfes gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform;
• 2 eine Explosionsansicht der flexiblen Leiterplatte bzw. des Kameraboards sowie des Endoskopkopfgehäuses; und
• 3 eine Seitenansicht der flexiblen Leiterplatte im Endoskopkopf inklusive Optik und Beleuchtung.

Show it

• 1 a perspective view of the interior of an endoscope head according to a preferred embodiment;
• 2 an exploded view of the flexible circuit board or the camera board and the endoscope head housing; and
• 3 a side view of the flexible circuit board in the endoscope head including optics and lighting.

According to the 1 to 3 the endoscope 1 according to the invention has an endoscope head 10, which is located at the distal tip of an endoscope shaft 20, not shown in detail. Of the endoscope shaft 20 of the present embodiment includes a flexurally flexible shaft portion adapted to passively track cavity curvatures / convolutions when inserted into a lumen (eg, a patient's intestine). In addition, the endoscope shaft 20 optionally an actively actuated by actuator Abwinklungsabschnitt immediately before the endoscope head 10. In that regard, the endoscope shaft of the present invention corresponds to the known prior art and need not be described in detail.

in the endoscope shaft 20, a number of supply / function channels 21 are formed in the present embodiment. In the supply / function channels 21, for example, (electrical) line cables, hydraulic fluid leading supply / function channels or a cooling medium leading cooling channels 22 are included.

These supply / function channels 21 extend from the endoscope head 10 through the flexurally flexible endoscope shaft 20 and end in a connection device or functional connections (eg combined electrical / hydraulic socket, not further shown) at the proximal end of the endoscope, where they are connected to an operating unit or Operating station (not shown) are connected or connectable.

Of the endoscope head 10, is from a (in 1 transparent) housing or a capsule 19 enclosed, in the interior of which a number of functions is installed. A large part of the interior of the housing 19 is occupied in the example shown by an optical or imaging module. This has an image sensor 12, for example a CCD or CMOS chip, and a lens system or lens 13. The objective 13 is used to project a sharp image onto the sensor surface of the image sensor 12, which then sends a digital signal with the image information for processing to the operating unit via corresponding supply channels 21 and is therefore arranged in the immediate distal extension of the image sensor 12. Next is located in the endoscope head 10, a lighting 14, which consists in the present example of two LEDs of the SMD design, which lie substantially in the same plane as the distal lens of the lens system 13 and are arranged on both sides thereof.

Both the image sensor 12 and the LEDs 14 are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board 15 (PCB) in the present example. This consists, as in 2 can be seen from seven individual sub-areas or printed circuit board sections (15.1 to 15.5), which are pivotally connected to each adjacent sub-surfaces (and possibly also electronically). According to the invention, a planar printed circuit board blank (cf. 2 ), which then, as explained in more detail below, is folded into its assembly-ready form.

The image sensor 12 is arranged on a first, central printed circuit board section 15. 1 of the planar blank. From this first printed circuit board section 15.1, in each case two printed circuit board sections arranged one behind the other extend in three directions, quasi T-shaped. In the folded / assembled state, the first printed circuit board section 15.1 is arranged substantially transversely to the axial direction of the endoscope head in order to be optimally aligned for receiving an image from the end face of the endoscope. From opposite ends of the first printed circuit board section, in the mounted state of the printed circuit board 15, connecting sections 15.4 extend, at whose ends remote from the first partial surface 15.1, in turn, the lighting sections 15.5 of the flexible printed circuit board 15 are connected. The connecting portions 15.4 extend in the mounted state of the printed circuit board 15 substantially in the axial direction of the endoscope 1, while the lighting sections are arranged 15.5 as the first circuit board portion transverse to the axial direction in order to illuminate the receiving area well. In other words, the first partial surface 15.1, viewed from the side, together with the connecting sections 15.4 forms a U-shape (cf. 3 ) and the illumination sections 15.5 of the printed circuit board 15 close to the distal ends of the connecting portions 15.4 transversely to this serif similar to.

Via a third connection section 15.2, the first circuit board section 15.1 is connected to a proximal circuit board section 15.3. The first printed circuit board section 15.1 and the proximal printed circuit board section 15.3 are aligned substantially parallel, while the third connecting section 15.2 connects the two aforementioned printed circuit board section in a Z-shape when viewed from the side (transverse to the viewing direction of FIG 3 ). Such a Z-shape has the advantage that the entire circuit board 15 is flexible in the axial direction of the endoscope and can compensate for certain tolerances.

In the example shown, the line cables guided through the supply / function channels 21 in the endoscope shaft are connected to the proximal side of the proximal circuit board section 15.3 and the electrical currents and signals are therefrom to the functional units (eg illumination 14, image sensor 12) arranged on the circuit board 15 ).

As can also be seen from the figures, the electrical connection between the LEDs on the illumination sections 15.5 of the flexible printed circuit board 15 and the proximal printed circuit board section 15.3 can be made via electrically conductive pins 16 (two per LED). That is, between the substantially parallel printed circuit board sections 15.3, 15.5 of the flexible printed circuit board 15, extending in the axial direction of electrically conductive pins 16, which are electrically contacted with the respective partial surfaces 15.3, 15.5. The pins 16 in this way ensure the electrical connection of the illumination 14 to the line cable 21 (via the proximal circuit board section 15.3) and at the same time ensure that the circuit board 15 is (formally) stable in the folded state.

In addition, the pins 16 are used to dissipate heat loss from the endoscope head 10, for which they according to the invention made of a material with good thermal conductivity properties (eg copper, aluminum, silver) and connected at its proximal end either directly or indirectly to cooling channels 22 in the endoscope shaft 20 are. The temperature gradient generated by means of the cooling channels 22 in combination with the thermal conductivity of the pins thus ensures an efficient removal of the waste heat arising in the endoscope head 10 directly at the place of origin - the LEDs 14. As a synergistic effect, the cooling of the pins 16 at the same time for a reduction the electrical resistance in the pins 16. Due to their lateral positioning, the pins 16 also provide mechanical protection against lateral shocks against the endoscope head 10.

Apart from the proximal printed circuit board section 15.3 of the printed circuit board 15, the remaining printed circuit board sections are mainly loaded or printed on one side, so that the majority of the electronics in the folded state of the circuit board 15 facing inward, the electronics so to speak encapsulated by the board itself and thus additionally from damage is protected.

The folded for mounting circuit board can be used by the pins 16 held in position, inserted into the housing 19 of the endoscope head 10 and fixed. As a final manufacturing step, the interior of the endoscope head 10 can be filled with a hardening filling material (not shown), which solidifies the entire structure of the flexible printed circuit board 15 in the cured state. This must be nonconductive and optimally also heat insulating to ensure that most of the waste heat is dissipated from the endoscope head 10 via the pins 16.

In addition to the aforementioned features and functions, the exemplary endoscope 1 has a working channel 17, through which e.g. surgical instruments can be introduced into the patient. Since surgical instruments for minimally invasive procedures have a minimum size, the working channel 17 has a corresponding diameter, which allows the insertion of the surgical instruments. This diameter is usually much larger than that of the function / supply channels 21st

In addition to the function described above, the working channel 17 but also has the task, for example, treatment fluids (drug solutions, etc.) to promote or remove patient tissue and / or body fluids. In addition, rinsing fluid can be pumped to the treatment site in the patient's body via the working channel.

Of the working channel can also have an integrated or integrally manufactured nozzle 18, which can be used for example for insufflation. Insufflation is understood in medicine to mean the injection of gases, vapors or powders into a body cavity or a hollow organ. For example, in a pneumoperitoneum, laparoscopy can be used to insufflate carbon dioxide or helium into the abdominal cavity to provide better visibility.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

endoscope

1

endoscope head

10

endoscope shaft

20

Function and / or supply channels

21

cooling channel

22

optics

11

image sensor

12

lens system

13

Lighting element / LED

14

flexible circuit board

15

central section

15.1

connecting portion

15.2

proximal section

15.3

connecting portion

15.4

Lighting section / distal section

15.5

pen

16

working channel

17

jet

18

Capsule / housing

19

Claims (10)

Endoscope (1) with an endoscope shaft (20), at the distal end of an endoscope head is arranged, in which an optic (11) for image transmission by means of an image sensor (12) and at least one illumination element (14) is provided, the functional and / or supply channels (21) within the endoscope shaft (20) are connected or connectable to an operating unit or operating station, characterized in that in the endoscope head at least two spaced in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope board levels (15.1, 15.3, 15.5) are provided and at the edge or At least two pins (16) are fixed on the outer circumference of the distal board plane (15.5), which extend in the direction of the proximal board plane (15.1, 15.3) and thus shield the space between the board planes against forces acting radially from outside, and that at least some of the board surfaces Pins (16) at least indirectly contacted with the at least one lighting element (14) thermally conductive and from egg nem heat-conducting material are made to transport in the lighting element (14) resulting heat loss in the proximal direction of the endoscope (1). Endoscope according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one illumination element (14) is mounted and / or electrically contacted on the distal board plane (15.5), in particular on its distal-facing surface, and the image sensor (12) is arranged on the board plane (15.1 , 15.3) mounted and / or electrically contacted. Endoscope (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that at least the image sensor (12), in particular the entire optics (11), surrounded by the pins or laterally shielded. Endoscope (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the pins (16) on the at least one proximal plane (15.1, 15.3) are fixed or penetrate this relatively movable or radially outwardly past her. Endoscope (1) according to one of Claims 2 to 4 , characterized in that the at least one illumination element (14) is arranged on the edge or outer circumference of the distal platinum plane (15.5), in particular in a distal extension to at least one of the pins (16). Endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the endoscope head has a foldable printed circuit board (15) on which the image sensor (12) and the at least one lighting element (14) are mounted and / or electrically contacted and in their built, folded Condition which forms at least two board levels (15.1, 15.3, 15.5). Endoscope (1) according to Claim 5 and Claim 6 , characterized in that the foldable printed circuit board (15) has at least one extending in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope circuit board portion (15.4) and the distal board plane (15.5) by at least one of the longitudinally extending circuit board portion (15.4) radially outwardly projecting, printed circuit board section (15.5) is formed, in particular of one or more such radially outward printed circuit board sections (15.5) is formed, which are supported by the pins (16) and on which at least one lighting element (14) mounted and / or electrically contacted. Endoscope (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the pins (16) are at least indirectly electrically contacted with the at least one illumination element (14) and designed to be electrically conductive either with the at least one proximal board plane (15.1 , 15.3) or with the corresponding functional and / or supply channels (21) within the endoscope shaft (20). Manufacturing method for a camera board, in particular a camera board for an endoscope according to one of the Claims 1 to 8th device comprising an image sensor (12) and a plurality of lighting elements (14) arranged on a flexible printed circuit board, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: - converting a printed circuit board blank (15) from a planar state to a folded state; - To stabilize the circuit board blank (15) in the folded state by pins (16) which are mechanically connected to different circuit board sections (15.1 to 15.5). Manufacturing process according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the pins (16) also electrically and / or thermally with different circuit board sections (15.1 to 15.5), in particular printed circuit board sections (15.5) on which lighting elements (14) are arranged, and / or thermally in the endoscope shaft (1) Cooling channels (22) are contacted.

Images