DE1987245U - Coupling for pluggable endoscope parts - Google Patents

Description

.R. -Ί / D ÖO /> ZD. O.DQ

PATENT ADVOCATE DR. HUGO WILCKEN

24 LÜBECK. WIDE STREET 52-54

March 18, 1968 Th.W./Sch.

Applicant:

Richard Wolf G.m.b.H., 7134 Knittlingen, Schillerstr. 2

Coupling for pluggable endoscope parts

It is already known, in the manner of a coupling socket and a coupling plug zusammensteekbaren endoscope parts in a coupling part, an annular groove or recess and in the other a cushioned locking element _s provided which engages with coupling position with a locking portion or locking part in the groove. The coupling is generally released in that the locking element is pulled or pivoted out of the groove. Additional operating handles are necessary for this. The locking elements are designed, for example, as locking levers that can be pivoted about a fulcrum or as slides, which are then provided with appropriate locking parts for engaging the locking groove. On the other hand, it has also been proposed to provide the plug-like coupling part on the outer circumference with a wider circumferential recess which cooperates with an axially parallel through-hole in a socket-like coupling socket part movable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the coupling.

All of these couplings have the disadvantage that they are relatively complex in construction and thus in the manufacturing costs and that for the most part at least when loosening the Clutch cumbersome manipulations are what just happening experienced doctors find it bothersome.

Lübeck (0451) 75888, Curau (04505) 210 (private) postal check! Homburg 138119 Bank: Commerzbank AG, -Rl. Lübeck, account number '3? 0187

In order to eliminate these disadvantages, the innovation suggested, that a locking element in the socket-like coupling part from spring wire or the like. is, which in the coupling position with resilient legs against an inclined surface or a conical section resting on the plug-like coupling part compresses the parts to be coupled in the coupling position. The locking element is in an annular groove of the coupling socket set j whereby the spring legs of the locking element run through corresponding recesses in the coupling socket, while their respective ends are fixed in the annular groove.

To ensure that the parts to be coupled are fixed to one another to be able to make, a fixing pin is preferably provided on one of the coupling parts, which is inserted into a recess of the mating coupling part intervenes. Either the locating pin or the recess is rotatable on one about the coupling axis Ring is provided which can be fixed in relation to its associated coupling part. This enables the endoscope optics with the viewing window in the correct position 'to the window of the equipment shaft 'can be brought.

In the accompanying drawing is an exemplary embodiment of the innovation. Here show:

Fig. 1 is a side view of the proximal end of the endoscope with the clutch after the innovation in the partial section and

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the device according to FIG. 1 according to the section line A-B, -

As already mentioned at the beginning, clutches are used of the type presented here for the detachable connection of endoscope parts, roughly in the manner of a coupling socket and one. Coupling plug are plugged together or interlock. In which

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The example chosen according to the illustration should, for example, include the endoscope optics 1 and a shaft part 2 or a trocar sleeve or the like. be firmly connected to each other and fixed in position to each other.

The optics consists in known manner of a eyepiece 3 _S the connecting rotary part 4 with a lateral connection piece 5s in which the leading distal end glass fibers housed for Lichteinspiegelung and at its end 5a, a Fiberlichtleitkabel can be connected _s for example, leads to a light projector. The optics also consist of the optics tube 6 with the conventional optical lenses or a fiber image guide _s if the endoscope is designed to be flexible.

The rotating part 4 has a step I ₅ on the distal side, over which a ring 8 is pushed, which rests on the rotating part collar 9. This ring 8 is provided with a recess 10 ₃ in which a fixing pin 15 engages the counterpart. The shaft 2 consists of the shaft tube 12 _S, a rotating part 13 and a threaded ring l4. In this ring 14, the fixing pin 15 screwed _s engages the optical ring 8 into the recess 10, whereby the parts 1 and 2 can be fixed against each other and a radially directed Dodge is prevented. The ring 8 can be rotated about the coupling axis so that the optics with its viewing window can be brought into the correct and precise position in relation to the shaft window. In this position, the fixing ring 8 is then or the like by means of a small screw (not shown further). to the turned part 4 on its gradation 7 fixed.

According to the innovation, the coupling plug is provided with an inclined surface or conical surface, against which the locking element should rest resiliently. These inclined surfaces are formed in the present example by a subsequent rotation at the part 4 cotter 11 _s which can consist of one piece with the rotary member 4 oder'der simpler production is made because as an individual part. This part is then pushed over the optics tube β as far as it will go against the step 7, where it is then soldered to the rotating part 4. The conical part has a distally once sloping conical surface Ha ₅ by means of which the optics in the counterpart 2 tightly against _s and then secondly to the fact a proximal sloping conical face Hb.

The rotating shaft part 13 is provided with an annular groove 16 and has outer millings or recesses 17 ₃ 18 on both sides. In this annular groove, the spring is made of spring wire _s spring band or the like. trained locking element 19 attached, this spring is designed so that it is bent with bias or overvoltage on the two recesses and engages again with its angled ends in the annular groove. This always results in a spring pressure towards the center of the axle. The spring must of course be inserted into the groove before the ring 14 is screwed on.

The legs 19a _s 19b of the locking element engage through the recesses 17 ₃ 18 in the annular space 20 formed between the rotating part 13 and the conical surface Hb the cone of the shaft rotating part 13.

With the plug coupling after the innovation is a simple one

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and ächnelles coupling and releasing the pluggable parts 1 and 2 possible ₃ without special operating handles or the like. _s are necessary while the construction of the coupling is very simple in relation to other previously known plug couplings. It should be noted that the locking element _{s s} may also be designed so that it can abut against the cone surface 11b 'for example with three or more resilient legs. In any case, the legs should then be arranged so that they press evenly _s centering the axial center of the clutch out.

Claims (7)

Protection claims 1. Coupling -for pluggable endoscope parts in the manner of a coupling plug and a coupling _{socket 3,} characterized in that a locking element (19) made of spring wire or the like in the socket-like coupling position (2). is ₃ which in the coupling position with resilient legs (19a; 19b) against an inclined surface (lib) or a conical section on the plug-like coupling part (1) presses the parts to be coupled together in the coupling position. 2. Coupling according to claim I _{3 3} characterized in that the locking element (19) is fixed in an annular groove (16) of the coupling socket (2). 3. Coupling according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the spring legs of the locking element by appropriate Recesses (17; 18) run in the coupling socket, while their respective ends set in the annular groove. 4. Coupling according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that on one of the coupling parts (1 or 2) a fixing pin (15) is provided which engages in a recess (10) of the mating coupling part (2 or 1). 5. Coupling according to claim 4, characterized in that either the fixing pin (15) or the recess (10) is provided on a ring (8) that can be rotated about the coupling axis, which can be fixed in relation to its associated coupling part. - 2 - 6, coupling according to one or more of Claims 5, characterized in that the locking element (19) lies in the annular groove (1.6) with prestress or overvoltage. 7. A coupling according to claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the _{S s s} that the spring legs are arranged so that they centering at coupling position under balanced pressure distribution
on the inclined surface or conical surface of the coupling plug
to press"