DE102021125787A1 - DISINFECTION SYSTEM AND ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT - Google Patents

Abstract

A disinfection system for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises a housing (10) that can be moved through a cavity and at least one semiconductor light source (19) that is arranged in the housing (10) and is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation, UV.

Description

The following description relates to a disinfection system for use with an endoscopic instrument and an endoscopic instrument.

Introduction

Endoscopic instruments such as endoscopes, horoscopes, fiberscopes are devices with which cavities such as the inside of organisms or technical cavities can be examined and/or influenced. Technical cavities can, for example, be pipe systems in industrial plants (e.g. in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry or basic chemistry). A problem with such technical cavities is that biofilms, mold or other accumulations of germs can form, which conventional cleaning methods (e.g. rinsing with chemicals) cannot always reliably and safely remove, or which, e.g. due to material incompatibilities of the Tube systems that are not suitable for chemical cleaning.

There can be many reasons for this, e.g. there can be hard-to-reach places in a tube system or there can be "dead areas" that are not detected when flushing the tubes. Examples would be edges and corners, but also areas with deposits (which in themselves can be unproblematic, e.g. inorganic deposits such as lime etc.), into which germs can penetrate or which, due to their shape and size, can lead to germ-infested areas being flushed out. These then gradually settle on the "leeward side" of the deposits, since pipe systems are usually operated in a fixed flow direction.

Accordingly, there is a need to identify germ-infested areas in technical or other cavities and then to be able to disinfect them immediately and in a targeted manner. In the case of closed systems, such as inside organisms or cooling systems, the disinfection, treatment and analysis of liquids in the system at places that are difficult to access may also be necessary.

It is the object of the presented description to propose a disinfection system for use with an endoscopic instrument and an endoscopic instrument which enable improved disinfection in cavities.

These objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further developments and embodiments are described in the dependent claims and emerge from the following description and drawings.

Summary

In the following, it is assumed that each feature described in relation to any embodiment can be used alone or in combination with other features described below and also used in combination with one or more features of any other embodiment or any combination of another embodiment unless this is described as an alternative. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described below can also be used without departing from the scope of the proposed disinfection system and endoscopic instrument defined in the accompanying claims.

An improved concept in the field of disinfection systems for endoscopic instruments is presented below. One aspect relates to disinfection systems for an endoscopic instrument such as an endoscope, boroscope, or fiberscope, which has a unit with a compact semiconductor light source (for example UV LEDs and / or UV laser modules in a housing that emit ultraviolet radiation. It is here for example radiation in the UV-C range. However, infrared diodes and/or infrared lasers can also be used if necessary. The installation of optical sensors and/or camera modules, which, in combination with the (e.g. UV-C: 265 nm +/- 5nm) UV LEDs or UV laser diodes are also possible.The size of the UV LEDs and/or UV laser modules can vary.

According to at least one embodiment, a disinfection system is set up for use with an endoscopic instrument. The disinfection system includes a housing moveable through a cavity. Furthermore, the disinfection system includes a semiconductor light source arranged in the housing. The semiconductor light source is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation, UV.

Semiconductor light sources that emit ultraviolet radiation can be made particularly compact. This means that the housing can be kept small or, given the given size, equipped with additional electronic and optical components. In this way, the disinfection of cavities can not only be improved, but also hard-to-reach areas of a cavity can be better reached.

Areas and/or liquids can be precisely disinfected in areas that are difficult to access. This prevents microorganisms or mold from spreading to inaccessible places in a cavity. Unpleasant odors can be prevented. The disinfection can be done very precisely. In the case of technical cavities, the disinfection can be carried out safely, there is no danger for the operator, since the UV radiation is used in an enclosed space.

Here and in the following, ultraviolet radiation or UV radiation can equally mean electromagnetic radiation with at least one wavelength or a wavelength range from the ultraviolet. In particular, wavelengths from the ultraviolet spectrum can originate in a range from 380 to 100 nm. With regard to the transmission of atmospheric gases, the ultraviolet spectrum is divided into the sub-ranges UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. These ranges are characterized as follows, for example: UV-A: 380-315 nm, UV-B: 315-280 nm and UV-C: 280-100 nm.

In principle, one or more semiconductor light sources can be used. In this way, the respective properties of the light sources can be combined with one another in order, for example, to achieve better point accuracy or a higher overall intensity of the emitted UV radiation. Different semiconductor light sources can also be used. In this way, the respective properties of the light sources can be supplemented, for example to expand a spectral range.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one semiconductor light source includes a UV light-emitting diode. The UV light-emitting diode is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation.

One advantage of UV light-emitting diodes is the compactness of the light sources. Thanks to the space-saving dimensions, the LEDs can be installed in the housing in a particularly simple and space-saving manner. In addition, unlike conventional lighting technologies, UV LEDs are very robust and insensitive to external shocks.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one semiconductor light source includes a micro light-emitting diode. The micro light-emitting diode is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation.

Micro light-emitting diodes (also called microLED, microLED or µLED) can have even smaller dimensions, so that they can be installed in an even more space-saving and compact manner. Such light-emitting diodes can have an edge length of less than 70 μm or a radiation-emitting area of less than 0.005 mm ² .

According to at least one embodiment, at least one semiconductor light source includes a UV laser diode. The UV laser diode is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation.

In addition to compact dimensions, UV laser diodes have the additional advantage that they emit coherent UV radiation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, at least one semiconductor light source is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation in the UV-C range. The UV-C range includes, in particular, a wavelength between 100 and 280 nm. In particular, a wavelength of 275 nanometers can be achieved and is particularly suitable for disinfection applications.

Irradiation with UV-C light causes chemical or biochemical bonds in the contamination of a cavity, for example in the RNA or DNA helix of pathogens, to be broken. As a result, they are no longer able to reproduce and are thus rendered harmless. UV-C light can be used to disinfect air or water, but so far with very large lights that use conventional lighting technologies. The compact design of modern, LED-based UV-C solutions allows space-saving dimensions of the housing, so that the disinfection system can be guided particularly easily through a cavity. The direct integration of the light sources also has the advantage that the high-energy, short-wave UV-C light does not get into the environment and therefore cannot pose a risk to people.

UV-C LEDs such as the Oslon UV 3636 can be manufactured in a low and medium power version with a compact footprint of 3.6mm x 3.6mm. Both variants emit at a wavelength of 275 nanometers and are therefore ideal for disinfection applications. The low-power variant has an output of 4.7 milliwatts at 30 milliamps. The medium-power version has an output of 42 milliwatts at 350 milliamps.

According to at least one embodiment, at least one semiconductor light source is set up, ultraviolet radiation in a different UV range to emit than one or more of the other semiconductor light sources.

A larger spectral range can be covered by different ranges of UV radiation. For example, a number of UV light-emitting diodes can be used which, in addition to around 275 nm, also emit at other wavelengths in the UV-C range. For example, the UV-C range can be covered. As a result, disinfection can be even more effective.

According to at least one embodiment, the housing further comprises a housing body, a housing head and a housing base.

In particular, the housing body has a longitudinal axis and the housing head has a cross section. The housing base is opposite the housing head, viewed along the longitudinal axis, and is set up for connecting the housing with a connection cable.

The longitudinal axis is that axis of a housing body that corresponds to the direction of its greatest extent. The longitudinal axis is also an approximate axis of symmetry of the body, for example. The cross section of the housing head or of the housing is, for example, circular, oval or rectangular. For example, the size and geometry of the cross section is based on the requirements of the cavity that is to be disinfected in order to experience as little resistance as the housing is moved through the cavity. The connection cable is designed, for example, for electrical and/or optical communication, for example to supply power to the components in the housing, to control or read them, etc.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, semiconductor light sources are arranged in the housing head in such a way that the UV radiation is emitted essentially away from the longitudinal axis. The housing can be set up in such a way that the semiconductor light sources shine into the cavity. This is particularly advantageous when the contamination also or essentially occurs on features of the cavity, such as its walls.

Alternatively (or additionally), at least some of the UV sources can also be arranged in such a way that they emit essentially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.

According to at least one embodiment, the housing head has a working channel that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis. The housing head is set up in such a way that when the housing is moved through a cavity, a liquid can flow through the working channel. Semiconductor light sources are arranged in the housing head in such a way that the UV radiation is emitted essentially towards the longitudinal axis and into the working channel.

During operation and movement of the housing through the cavity, contaminated liquid can flow through the housing through the working channel. This defined flow is exposed to UV radiation by the semiconductor light sources and can thus be specifically illuminated or disinfected. This is particularly advantageous when the contamination also or essentially occurs in the liquid.

According to at least one embodiment, the disinfection system also includes one or more optical elements, in particular reflectors, which are set up to direct the emitted ultraviolet radiation. With suitable beam guidance, the UV radiation can be directed and/or focused even more effectively onto the contaminated areas.

According to at least one embodiment, the housing has a camera module and/or an optical sensor system. The optical sensor system can include, for example, one or more photo sensors, such as photo diodes.

A prerequisite for precise disinfection can be that the areas infested with dirt or germs can be reliably detected. This can be done with an additional camera module or the optical sensors.

According to at least one embodiment, the camera module and/or the optical sensor system has a spectrometer.

In principle, the UV radiation or UV-C radiation itself can be used to detect contamination in the cavity, which is then used for the disinfection itself by the fluorescence excited by the radiation (which, in the case of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in the UV-A, UV-B, but can also be in the visible spectral range) is detected. Alternatively, a radiation source that is different from the radiation source for disinfection, in particular a UV-emitting semiconductor light source, can also be used to excite the fluorescence.

Accordingly, the disinfection system can contain one or more photo sensors, which are at least in one of the spectral ranges is sensitive in that is emitted by typical germs under UV irradiation. Due to the rather small distances in narrow, inaccessible tube systems, the sensitivity of these photo sensors is not too high. It can also be advantageous that in a typical application environment (for example metal pipes, for example made of stainless steel) no or only small interference signals are to be expected, in particular after a previous chemical flushing. Accordingly, the camera module or the sensors often do not require any complex upstream spectral filters. Essentially, it may be sufficient if the excitation wavelength range is blocked.

In this way, fluorescent radiation can advantageously be detected by the spectrometer and evaluated spectrally. This can be done, for example, by suitable filtering of a number of adjacent photo sensors.

By means of a spectral analysis of the fluorescence radiation, the type and quantity (e.g. density per cm2) of the substances examined can be determined more precisely and the subsequent disinfection activities (UV dose, i.e. UV intensity x irradiation time) can be adjusted accordingly.

In conjunction with a camera module, extended analysis options and targeted control of areas to be processed or success checks are possible. In particular, the fluorescence radiation recorded and/or spectrally evaluated by the spectrometer can also be used to monitor success.

According to at least one embodiment, the disinfection system includes further semiconductor light sources. The further semiconductor light sources are set up to emit electromagnetic radiation in ranges other than the UV range.

It can be advantageous to use one or more excitation wavelengths which are tuned to typical pathogens to be expected or specifically to specific organic substances inside these pathogens. These can be, for example, certain amino acids that are present in the proteins of all bacteria, for example, or substances that can indicate the presence of metabolic products. It may also be possible under certain circumstances to differentiate between dead and still living pathogens.

In one embodiment, an endoscopic instrument includes a distal end having a disinfection system according to any of the aspects premised above. Furthermore, the endoscopic instrument includes a proximal end which is electronically and/or optically connected to the distal end by means of a connecting cable.

In particular, a spectrometer can be arranged at the proximal end, which detects and spectrally decomposes fluorescence excited by the semiconductor light sources, for example by forwarding the collected fluorescence radiation via the connecting cable, such as an optical waveguide (fiber, fiber bundle).

According to at least one embodiment, the proximal end has control electronics, a microprocessor, a camera module and/or optical sensors or other electronic components. In order to be able to save further space in the housing, these components can be relocated to the proximal end.

An embodiment of a method for disinfecting using an endoscopic instrument comprises the following steps. The endoscopic instrument comprises at least one semiconductor light source arranged in a housing. The housing, for example an endoscope head, is moved through a cavity. Ultraviolet radiation is emitted by means of the semiconductor light source, in particular ultraviolet radiation is emitted into the cavity. Thus, the cavity is irradiated by the ultraviolet rays.

According to at least one embodiment, the housing is moved to a position of the cavity. In particular, the following method steps are carried out at this position. The cavity is irradiated by means of the ultraviolet radiation in such a way that fluorescence is excited in substances that may be present in the cavity as possible contamination. The fluorescence induced in this way subsequently leads to the spontaneous emission of fluorescent light corresponding to the spectral characteristics of the previously irradiated substance. At least one intensity and/or spectral intensity distribution of the fluorescent light is recorded and evaluated. Contamination of the cavity at the position of the housing is detected by comparing the detected intensity and/or spectral intensity distribution with one or more threshold values. In this case, the threshold values can be predetermined values which result, for example, from the material properties of substances regarded as contamination and from the properties of the endoscopic instrument itself.

According to at least one embodiment, further method steps are carried out if the recorded intensity is above a threshold value or one or more intensities in the recorded spectral intensity distribution are above one or more threshold values. A radiation dose required for disinfection is then determined. This can be known in particular for the substances considered to be contamination. Alternatively, a minimum dose required for disinfection can be determined. The determined radiation dose can then be provided by choosing suitable parameters for UV intensity and irradiation time.

Parameters for UV intensity and irradiation time can, for example, be predetermined and stored in a look-up table, for example in order to achieve the required current supply.

Various operating modes are also conceivable, for example a mode with little UV intensity, a long irradiation time or vice versa. Depending on the application and time limit, different parameter sets can be selected.

A lifetime-related decrease in intensity of the fluorescent light, which is characteristic of the substance in the cavity, could also be taken into account. In one example, a lifetime-related decrease in UV emission can be taken into account when determining the required combination of energization of the radiation source and exposure time as follows. If the UV intensity decreases due to the service life, either the current can be increased (which is often only possible within certain limits) or the irradiation time can be increased accordingly so that the irradiation dose at least reaches a minimum value.

In this example, the fluorescent light would be indirectly affected in that a lifetime-related decrease in the UV excitation radiation would also result in a decrease in the fluorescent light and thus a change in the threshold value. Accordingly, it can be important for the fluorescence determination that the UV radiation intensity provided for this purpose remains constant.

For the process step of detecting the fluorescence, the initial value for the current flow of the radiation sources can be selected so low that a life-time-related decrease in intensity can be compensated for by a higher current flow even at the end of the service life. Alternatively, or in addition, the integration time of the sensor/spectrometer can also be increased.

According to at least one embodiment, the method steps presented above can be repeated until the detected intensity is below the threshold value or one or more intensities in the detected spectral intensity distribution is below the one or more threshold values.

According to at least one embodiment, the housing is moved to one or more positions while the cavity is irradiated with the ultraviolet radiation and intensity and/or spectral intensity distribution of emitted fluorescent light is detected. The movement of the housing is stopped if contamination of the cavity is detected at one of the positions. The previously presented method steps can then be carried out at the new position and, if necessary, repeated. For example, the housing or the endoscopic instrument can be advanced automatically and allows the parallel detection of the fluorescence radiation until one or more intensity signals again come to lie below threshold values.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments as well as developments of the presented description result from the embodiments described below in connection with figures.

In the exemplary embodiments and figures, components that are the same or have the same effect can each be provided with the same reference symbols. The elements shown and their proportions to one another are generally not to be regarded as true to scale; instead, individual elements such as layers, components, components and areas may be shown with exaggerated thickness or dimensions for better representation and/or better understanding.

character list

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument,
• 2 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument,
• 3 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument,
• 4 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument,
• 5 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument, und
• 6 ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel eines Desinfektionssystems für ein endoskopisches Instrument.

Show it:

• 1 an embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument,
• 2 a further exemplary embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument,
• 3 a further exemplary embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument,
• 4 a further exemplary embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument,
• 5 a further exemplary embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument, and
• 6 another embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument.

Detailed description

1 shows an embodiment of a disinfection system for an endoscopic instrument. The drawing, like the following ones, shows a sectional side view on the left and a top view on the right.

The disinfection system includes a housing 10 with a housing body 11, a housing head 12 and a housing base 13. The housing body has, for example, an annular cross section and includes a cooling body 14, for example made of aluminum, a thermally conductive plastic or ceramic.

In this exemplary embodiment, a camera module 16 and/or an optical sensor system 17 are provided along a longitudinal axis 15 of the housing body 11 . The housing body closes off towards the housing head 12 by an annular printed circuit board 18 . Semiconductor light sources 19 (here UV light-emitting diodes) are arranged on the printed circuit board and are connected to the printed circuit board in an electrically conductive manner and can be controlled via this. The view from above shows that the semiconductor light sources 19 are arranged, for example, in a ring around the longitudinal axis 15 with the camera module 16 and/or the optical sensor system 17 . The semiconductor light sources are set up to emit UV radiation, for example in the UV-C range, which has a disinfecting effect.

Finally, the housing head is sealed against environmental influences with a cover 20, for example made of quartz glass or silicone. The housing base 13 is located on the opposite side of the housing head 12 along the longitudinal axis 15. A connection 21 for a connecting cable 22 to a distal end, for example of an endoscopic instrument, is provided here. The disinfection system can be controlled or communication to the distal end of the endoscopic instrument can take place via the connection cable, which can be designed either electrically or optically.

2 shows another embodiment of a disinfection system. The system shown here is from that 1 similar. The housing body in turn includes a heat sink, but not as in 1 is arranged around a camera module or around a sensor system.

The semiconductor light sources 19 are arranged on a printed circuit board over the entire, circular cross section of the housing head 12 . This can be seen in the top view (right). In addition, further semiconductor light sources, for example LEDs 23, can be arranged inside the circular arrangement. The LEDs can all emit the same wavelength, for example in the UV range. Alternatively, LEDs with different wavelengths and/or photo sensors 24 can also be used.

3 shows another embodiment of a disinfection system. This version is based on the in 1 embodiment shown. In the housing head, the semiconductor light sources arranged, for example, in a circle around the longitudinal axis 15 are each provided with an annular reflector 25 . In this way, the emitted UV radiation can be deflected and/or focused and, for example, better illuminate a cavity.

4 shows another embodiment of the disinfection system. In this example, the semiconductor light sources are arranged on a flexible printed circuit board (flex board). The flexible circuit board is attached to and along the circumference of the heat sink 14, for example glued. The semiconductor light sources are arranged in such a way that, viewed from the longitudinal axis 15, they emit UV radiation, for example laterally.

5 shows another embodiment of a disinfection system. In this example, a working channel 26 is provided in the housing body 11 . The housing head 12 has an opening 27 for this purpose. The semiconductor light sources are arranged along the longitudinal axis 15 or parallel to the working channel. The semiconductor light sources are in turn sealed against environmental influences with a cover, for example made of quartz glass or silicone. One or more outlets 28 for liquids are provided on the housing base 13 .

The light-emitting diodes are mounted on the inside of a tube or the working channel (optionally offset or optionally equipped with an optical sensor). The semiconductor light sources radiate into the interior and the liquid flowing through the endoscope head is irradiated. One or more of the outlets for the liquid are, for example, ring-shaped on the underside of the endoscope head.

6 shows another embodiment of the disinfection system. This design is based on the one shown previously 5 . In addition, a rotor 29 or a pump 30 are provided in the housing body, which serve to regulate the flow of liquid, for example the flow of water.

Semiconductor light sources from the embodiments presented can emit ultraviolet radiation during operation of the disinfection system, for example in an endoscopic instrument: The semiconductor light sources are, for example, UV light-emitting diodes, microLEDs or UV laser diodes and can be made particularly compact. This means that the housing can be kept small or, given the given size, equipped with additional electronic and optical components.

In this way, the disinfection of cavities can not only be improved, but areas of a cavity that are difficult to access can also be reached more easily. Areas and/or liquids can be precisely disinfected in areas that are difficult to access or cannot be disinfected with chemical agents due to material incompatibilities of the tube system, for example. This prevents microorganisms or mold from spreading to inaccessible places in a cavity. Unpleasant odors can be prevented. The disinfection can be done very precisely. In the case of technical cavities, the disinfection can be carried out safely, there is no danger for the operator, since the UV radiation is used in an enclosed space.

In principle, one or more semiconductor light sources can be used. In this way, the respective properties of the light sources can be combined with one another in order, for example, to achieve better point accuracy or a higher overall intensity of the emitted UV radiation. Different semiconductor light sources can also be used. In this way, the respective properties of the light sources can be supplemented, for example to expand a spectral range.

Disinfection can, for example, be carried out effectively with radiation from the UV-C range, i.e. with wavelengths between 100 and 280 nm. Irradiation with UV-C light causes chemical or biochemical bonds in the contamination of a cavity, for example in the RNA or the DNA helix of pathogens. As a result, they are no longer able to reproduce and are thus rendered harmless. UV-C light can be used to disinfect air or water, but so far with very large lights that use conventional lighting technologies. The compact design of modern, LED-based UV-C solutions allows space-saving dimensions of the housing, so that the disinfection system can be guided particularly easily through a cavity. The direct integration of the light sources also has the advantage that the high-energy, short-wave UV-C light does not get into the environment and therefore cannot pose a risk to people.

The foregoing description explains many features in specific detail. These are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the improved concept or what can be claimed, but rather as example descriptions of features that are only specific to certain embodiments of the improved concept. Certain features that are described in this description in connection with individual embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Furthermore, although features are described above as working together in certain combinations and are even originally claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some cases be taken out of the combination and the claimed combination may be reduced to a sub-combination or variation be directed to a sub-combination.

Although the drawings show acts in a particular order, it is not to be understood that those acts must be performed in the order shown or in the sequential order, or that all acts shown must be performed in order to obtain desired results . Under certain circumstances, different orders or parallel processing can be advantageous.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the improved concept. Accordingly, other implementations also fall within the scope of the claims.

Reference List

10

Housing

11

case body

12

housing head

13

case base

14

heatsink

15

longitudinal axis

16

camera module

17

optical sensors

18

circuit board

19

semiconductor light source

20

cover

21

Connection

22

connection cable

23

other semiconductor light sources

24

photo sensor

25

reflector

26

working channel

27

opening

28

outlet

29

rotor

30

pump

Claims (17)

A disinfection system for use with an endoscopic instrument, comprising: - a housing (10) movable through a cavity, and - At least one in the housing (10) arranged semiconductor light source (19) which is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation, UV. The disinfection system according to claim 1 , wherein at least one semiconductor light source (19): - comprises a UV light-emitting diode, which is set up to emit the ultraviolet radiation, UV, - comprises a micro-light-emitting diode, which is set up to emit the ultraviolet radiation, UV, and /or - a UV laser diode which is set up to emit the ultraviolet radiation, UV. The disinfection system according to one of Claims 1 or 2 , wherein: - at least one semiconductor light source (19) is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation in the UV-C range, in particular with a wavelength between 100 and 280 nm, and/or - wherein at least one semiconductor light source (19) is set up to emit ultraviolet radiation to emit in a different UV range than one or more other semiconductor light sources. The disinfection system according to one of Claims 1 until 3 , the housing (10) further comprising: - a housing body (11) with a longitudinal axis (15), - a housing head (12) with a cross section, and - a housing base (13) which is connected to the housing head (11) along the longitudinal axis ( 15) opposite and is set up for connecting the housing (10) with a connecting cable (22). The disinfection system according to claim 4 , Semiconductor light sources (19) being arranged in the housing head (12) in such a way that the UV radiation is emitted essentially away from the longitudinal axis (15). The disinfection system according to claim 4 , wherein - the housing body (11) has a working channel (26) which is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis and through which a liquid can flow when the housing (10) moves through a cavity, and - semiconductor light sources (19) are arranged in this way in the housing head (11). are that the UV radiation is emitted essentially towards the longitudinal axis (15) and into the working channel (26). The disinfection system according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , The housing (10) having a camera module (16) and/or an optical sensor system (17). The disinfection system according to claim 7 , wherein the camera module (16) and / or the optical sensor (17) comprises a spectrometer. The disinfection system according to one of Claims 1 until 8th , further comprising further semiconductor light sources (23) which are set up to emit electromagnetic radiation in ranges other than the UV range. The disinfection system according to one of Claims 1 until 9 , further comprising one or more optical elements, in particular reflectors (25), which are set up to direct and / or focus the emitted ultraviolet radiation. An endoscopic instrument comprising: - a distal end having a disinfection system according to any one of Claims 1 until 10 , and - a proximal end electronically and/or optically connected to the distal end by means of a connecting cable (22). The endoscopic instrument after claim 11 , wherein the proximal end has: - control electronics, - a microprocessor, - a camera module and/or an optical sensor system. Method for disinfecting using an endoscopic instrument, the endoscopy cal instrument comprises at least one semiconductor light source (19) arranged in a housing (10), the method comprising the steps of: - moving the housing (10) through a cavity, - emitting ultraviolet radiation by means of the semiconductor light source (19), and - irradiating the cavity by means of ultraviolet radiation. procedure after Claim 13 wherein the housing (10) is moved to a position of the cavity, and at the position comprising the further steps of: - irradiating the cavity by means of the ultraviolet radiation such that fluorescence is excited in substances present in the cavity, - detecting at least the intensity and/or the spectral intensity distribution of emitted fluorescent light, and - detecting contamination of the cavity at the position by comparing the detected intensity and/or the spectral intensity distribution with one or more threshold values. procedure after Claim 14 , if the recorded intensity is above the threshold value or one or more intensities in the recorded spectral intensity distribution is above one or more threshold values, then: - determining a radiation dose required for disinfection, and - providing the determined radiation dose by choosing suitable parameters for UV intensity and exposure time. procedure after Claim 14 and 15 , wherein the method steps are repeated until the detected intensity is below the threshold value or one or more intensities in the detected spectral intensity distribution is below the one or more threshold values. Procedure according to one of Claims 14 until 16 , wherein - the housing (10) is moved to further positions while the cavity is irradiated with the ultraviolet radiation and intensity and/or spectral intensity distribution of emitted fluorescent light is detected, and - the movement of the housing (10) is stopped when a Contamination of the cavity is detected at one of the positions.

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