US20180263466A1 - Endoscope, endoscopic head, and method for producing an endoscope - Google Patents
Endoscope, endoscopic head, and method for producing an endoscope Download PDFInfo
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- US20180263466A1 US20180263466A1 US15/898,614 US201815898614A US2018263466A1 US 20180263466 A1 US20180263466 A1 US 20180263466A1 US 201815898614 A US201815898614 A US 201815898614A US 2018263466 A1 US2018263466 A1 US 2018263466A1
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- groove
- endoscope
- shaft tube
- depth
- end region
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
- A61B1/00066—Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
- A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
- A61B1/00073—Insertion part of the endoscope body with externally grooved shaft
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
- A61B1/00071—Insertion part of the endoscope body
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00064—Constructional details of the endoscope body
- A61B1/0011—Manufacturing of endoscope parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/00163—Optical arrangements
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/04—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor combined with photographic or television appliances
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/06—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor with illuminating arrangements
- A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B23/00—Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
- G02B23/24—Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
- G02B23/2476—Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/0009—Making of catheters or other medical or surgical tubes
- A61M25/0014—Connecting a tube to a hub
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an endoscope according to the preamble of claim 1 , to an endoscope head, and to a method for producing an endoscope.
- Endoscopes are used to view cavities in the human or animal body and also in technical objects.
- An endoscope typically comprises an elongate cylindrical endoscope shaft, which is suitable for insertion into the cavity to be viewed, and an endoscope head which is arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope shaft (i.e. the end near the user), is connected rigidly to the proximal end region of the endoscope shaft and can have attachments and control elements and also an eyepiece lens.
- Inside the endoscope shaft and the endoscope head there is an optical system for transmitting an endoscopic image from the distal end of the endoscope (i.e. the end remote from the observer) to the proximal end.
- endoscopes are exposed to considerable mechanical and thermal stresses. There are therefore strict requirements regarding the strength of the connection between the endoscope head and the endoscope shaft. Axial forces and also transverse forces have to be able to be taken up, and a rotation of the endoscope shaft relative to the endoscope head about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope head must also be prevented.
- EP 1 872 706 A1 In order to connect the endoscope shaft firmly to the endoscope head in a simple way, it is known from EP 1 872 706 A1 to push the proximal end region of an optic tube of the endoscope shaft into the distal end region of the endoscope head and to press-fit it to the latter by compression, wherein the distal end region of the endoscope head is provided on its inside with a circumferential indentation into which material of the optic tube flows with a form fit during the pressing operation.
- the indentation is provided as a groove extending about the full circumference, such that a particularly large amount of material can engage in the indentation and the connection of the endoscope head to the optic tube is therefore particularly stable.
- the distal end region of the endoscope head is provided with a circumferentially limited recess into which material of the optic tube flows with a form fit during the pressing operation.
- the object of the present invention is to make available an endoscope and an endoscope shaft, and also a method for producing such a endoscope, wherein the abovementioned disadvantages are avoided as far as possible.
- An endoscope according to the invention comprises a typically elongate endoscope shaft, and an endoscope head arranged at a proximal end of the endoscope shaft.
- the endoscope shaft has a substantially cylindrical shaft tube which can accommodate, for example, an objective lens for capturing an endoscopic image and an image carrier for conveying the endoscopic image to the proximal end, it being possible for these to be arranged in an inner tube extending inside the shaft tube.
- an electronic image-capturing device with corresponding electrical leads to be arranged in the shaft tube.
- illumination light guides can extend inside the shaft tube.
- the shaft tube is in particular an outer tube of the endoscope shaft.
- the endoscope head can have an eyepiece optics unit and a proximally arranged eyepiece, or an attachment for connecting to an endoscope camera.
- An endoscope of this kind is also referred to as an endoscope optic and the endoscope head as an optics head.
- the endoscope is configured in particular as a rigid endoscope with a rigid endoscope shaft or a rigid cylindrical shaft tube.
- the endoscope head has an at least partially cylindrical interior into which a proximal end region of the shaft tube is inserted.
- the endoscope head can have a housing with a distal end portion which has a cylindrical or conical configuration on the outside and inside which the cylindrical interior is formed.
- the cylindrical interior can be a bore in the housing.
- the axis of the cylindrical interior is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.
- the inner surface of the endoscope head, forming the cylindrical interior has a peripheral groove.
- the groove can be formed, for example, by rotation of a corresponding tool, which generates an indentation in the surface of the cylindrical interior, and can also be designated as a fully circumferential indentation.
- the shaft tube is inserted with its proximal end region into the cylindrical interior and folded into the peripheral groove. This means that material of the shaft tube engages with a form fit in the groove, preferably about the entire circumference of the shaft tube, such that the shaft tube is connected to the endoscope head with form-fit engagement.
- the shaft tube can be press-fitted to the endoscope head, for example by compression in the longitudinal direction, and thus be folded into the groove.
- the peripheral groove is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of the cylindrical interior, which corresponds at least approximately to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft tube inserted therein.
- the groove is formed circumferentially with a non-uniform depth and/or width and/or axial position of the groove.
- the groove is therefore configured in particular in such a way that the first depth is not equal to the second depth and/or the first width is not equal to the second width and/or the first axial position is not equal to the second axial position.
- the groove preferably has at least one width that corresponds to twice the wall thickness of the shaft tube in the proximal end region of the latter.
- the shaft tube and the interior each have a substantially circular cross section, such that, without anti-rotation means, the endoscope shaft could rotate in relation to the endoscope head about the longitudinal axis.
- the peripheral groove of the interior of the endoscope head is not rotationally symmetrical, it is possible to secure against rotation of the shaft tube inserted into the endoscope head.
- the peripheral groove can be introduced into the inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior, and, by press-fitting the shaft tube to the endoscope head, a firm connection can be obtained, which at the same time secures against rotation.
- an outer fold of the shaft tube forms which engages with a form fit in the groove and is likewise not rotationally symmetrical. It is thus possible, by form-fit engagement, to secure particularly effectively against rotation.
- the groove preferably has a non-uniform depth about the circumference, i.e. the groove has a first depth in a first circumferential position and has a second depth in a second circumferential position, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth.
- the depth of the groove is in each case measured starting from an inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior. With respect to the axis of the cylindrical interior, the groove can extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axis.
- the fold, with which the shaft tube engages in the groove preferably reaches as far as the bottom of the groove, in particular substantially in the entire peripheral groove or at least in a region extending across a minimum of the depth of the groove.
- the peripheral groove additionally has a non-uniform width about the circumference.
- the groove has a non-uniform depth about the circumference, it is possible to achieve a particularly simple and effective means of preventing rotation of the shaft tube relative to the endoscope head.
- a maximum depth of the groove, achieved about the circumference of the groove, is preferably about twice as great as a minimum depth of the groove.
- the maximum depth can be approximately 0.4 mm and the minimum depth approximately 0.2 mm. Particularly reliable prevention of rotation can be achieved in this way.
- the peripheral groove can advantageously be formed with a plurality of depth maxima distributed about the circumference and, preferably lying centrally between these, a plurality of depth minima.
- a bottom of the groove can form a closed curve in the shape of a polygon, preferably with rounded corners and curved sides.
- the depth maxima can each have an identical depth.
- the depth minima can each have an identical depth. This permits simple production and at the same time permits a secure connection of the shaft tube to the endoscope head, wherein play of the shaft tube in the endoscope head can be avoided with increased certainty.
- the groove has a single depth maximum and, preferably lying opposite this, a single depth minimum.
- the groove has three depth maxima arranged approximately with a spacing of 120° along the circumference, and also three depth minima arranged approximately centrally between the depth maxima.
- the bottom of the groove thus constitutes a triangle-shaped curve, preferably with rounded corners and outwardly curved sides. In this way, play of the shaft tube relative to the endoscope head can be avoided particularly reliably.
- the groove can be configured in such a way that, in a cross section of the endoscope shaft, i.e. in a section plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical interior, a bottom of the groove forms a continuous outward curve, that is to say the bottom has peripherally a concave shape.
- the groove has a trapezoid cross section.
- a cross section of the groove extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical interior, corresponds to a longitudinal section running through the endoscope head parallel to the axis of the cylindrical interior.
- a trapezoid groove allows particularly straightforward production, for example by means of a suitably guided trapezoid milling cutter, and the formation of a particularly firm connection between the shaft tube and the endoscope head.
- the inclination of the flanks of the trapezoid groove measures approximately 60° to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical interior. More preferably, a bottom of the groove is oriented in longitudinal section parallel to the axis of the cylindrical interior and therefore parallel to the surface of the interior.
- the width of the bottom of the groove can be at least approximately constant in circumference, such that, with a constant angle of inclination of the flanks of the trapezoid groove, the width of the groove measured at the surface of the interior is circumferentially non-uniform, i.e. at a maximum in circumferential positions of maximum depth and at a minimum in circumferential positions of minimal depth. This not only permits particularly straightforward production but also facilitates the folding of the shaft tube into the groove upon compression.
- the shaft tube is folded into the groove in such a way that the fold of the shaft tube, i.e. the material of the shaft tube engaging in the groove, substantially fills the groove or at least touches the bottom or both flanks of a trapezoid groove.
- the fold substantially fills the groove in all circumferential positions or at least in circumferential regions that comprise the depth minima or extend beyond these.
- the fold with which the shaft tube engages in the groove can be a straight/vertical fold or can also be oblique to the axis of the interior or even horizontal.
- the shape of the fold can depend on the depth of the groove and can be non-uniform about the circumference.
- the fold in circumferential positions where the groove is deeper, the fold can have a different shape than it has where the groove is shallower.
- the wall of the shaft tube can be less tightly folded together and fill the groove less fully than it does where the groove has a shallower depth.
- a longitudinal groove is arranged in the inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior, which longitudinal groove is connected to the peripheral groove and extends beyond the latter in the axial direction, wherein the longitudinal groove is deeper than the peripheral groove in the connecting region.
- the longitudinal groove is preferably open in the axial direction and closed in the distal direction.
- the longitudinal groove can also be designated as a cavity of the interior.
- the longitudinal groove which opens into the peripheral groove and engages over the latter, permits the introduction of adhesive which can be drawn by capillary forces between the outer surface of the shaft tube and the inner surface of the endoscope head.
- the adhesive permits a liquid-tight and vapor-tight connection of the shaft tube to the endoscope head and can additionally secure against rotation.
- material can penetrate into the longitudinal groove, such that this likewise can provide additional securing against rotation.
- An endoscope head is configured in particular as an endoscope head for a rigid endoscope with a rigid shaft which has a rigid cylindrical shaft tube.
- the endoscope head has a housing which, in a distal end region, has a cylindrical interior configured to receive a proximal end region of the shaft tube.
- the housing of the endoscope comprises, for example, a cylindrically or conically shaped distal end portion inside which the cylindrical interior is formed.
- the inner surface of the endoscope head, forming the cylindrical interior has a peripheral groove. According to the invention, the groove is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical interior. It is thus easily possible to connect the shaft tube of the endoscope to the distal end region of the endoscope head by press-fitting and at the same time to secure against rotation.
- the groove is configured as described above, for example with a circumferentially non-uniform depth in a plane transverse to the axis of the cylindrical interior.
- the peripheral groove can, for example, have a trapezoid cross section with a circumferentially constant inclination of the flanks.
- a suitably shaped milling cutter can be moved along a corresponding curve inside the interior.
- the interior can have a longitudinal groove which is configured as described above and which, for example, can be generated by longitudinal milling.
- the endoscope head is in particular an endoscope head of an endoscope configured as described above.
- a substantially cylindrical shaft tube and an endoscope head are made available, the latter having, in a distal end region, a cylindrical interior with a peripheral, non-rotationally symmetrical groove. Moreover, a proximal end region of the shaft tube is pushed into the cylindrical interior of the endoscope head, and the proximal end region of the shaft tube is press-fitted to the distal end region of the endoscope head, in particular by compression of the shaft tube. In this way, the shaft tube is folded into the peripheral groove and connected with form-fit engagement to the distal end region of the endoscope head.
- the production method can comprise further steps, for example the introduction of optical and/or electronic elements into the shaft tube and the endoscope head.
- the press-fitting is preferably carried out by compression of the shaft tube.
- the shaft tube is compressed by such an amount that material of the shaft tube penetrates into the groove at least in sections, preferably about the entire circumference, and touches at least both flanks or the bottom.
- the press-fitting can be carried out by cold pressing.
- FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of an endoscope according to the invention in an overall view
- FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the housing of an endoscope head and the proximal end region of the shaft tube of the endoscope according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 shows the peripheral groove of the endoscope head in a schematic cross-sectional view
- FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the housing of the endoscope head with the shaft tube pressed in
- FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail from FIG. 5 ;
- FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the peripheral groove of the endoscope head with the shaft tube pressed in.
- an endoscope 1 comprises an endoscope head 2 and an elongate endoscope shaft 3 .
- the endoscope shaft 3 is of rigid configuration and has a shaft tube 4 which forms the outer tube of the endoscope shaft 3 .
- a proximal end region 5 of the shaft tube 4 is fixedly connected to a housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 .
- the housing 6 has a frustoconical surface 7 which serves for connection to the shaft of an endoscopic instrument, for which purpose a locking element 8 is moreover provided.
- the housing carries an eyepiece 9 .
- a light attachment piece 10 is arranged laterally on the housing 6 .
- Optical components (not shown in the figures) are accommodated inside the endoscope.
- the shaft tube 4 and the housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 are produced from stainless steel, for example.
- FIG. 2 shows the distal region of the housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 in longitudinal section.
- the housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 has a cone 12 , which on the outside forms the frustoconical surface 7 ; the cone 12 can be formed integrally with the other regions of the housing 6 .
- the cone 12 On the inside, the cone 12 has a cylindrical interior 13 which extends in the axial direction and is open both at the distal side and also at the proximal side.
- the cylindrical interior 13 can in particular be configured as a through-bore of the cone 12 .
- a peripheral groove 15 is introduced into the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the interior 13 .
- a longitudinal groove 16 is introduced into the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 , which longitudinal groove 16 is open at the proximal side, but closed at the distal side, and communicates with the peripheral groove 15 .
- FIG. 2 also shows the proximal end region 5 of the shaft tube 4 of the endoscope 1 in longitudinal section.
- the shaft tube 4 is cylindrical at least in the proximal end region 5 .
- the external diameter d of the shaft tube 4 is not greater than the internal diameter D of the cone 12 , preferably slightly smaller than it.
- the external diameter d of the shaft tube 4 can be 5 mm, for example.
- the peripheral groove 15 has a trapezoid cross section with a bottom 17 and two oblique flanks 18 , 19 .
- the bottom 17 extends parallel to the axis 20 of the cylindrical interior 13 .
- the flanks 18 , 19 are each at an angle of 60° to the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 and to the bottom 17 of the groove 15 .
- the shape of the groove 15 is indicated in FIG. 4 in a cross section in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the interior 13 in which the groove 15 extends.
- the groove 15 introduced into the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 has a non-uniform depth about the circumference.
- the groove 15 has three depth maxima 21 , 21 ′, 21 ′′, which are spaced apart from each other by 120° in each case and between which the depth minima 22 , 22 ′, 22 ′′ are arranged.
- the bottom of the groove 15 thus has the shape of a rounded triangle.
- the longitudinal groove 16 is introduced into the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 , which longitudinal groove 16 is connected to the peripheral groove 15 and engages under it, i.e. is deeper than the groove 15 in the region thereof.
- the depth of the groove 15 is approximately 0.4 mm at each of the depth maxima 21 , 21 ′, 21 ′′ and approximately 0.2 mm at each of the depth minima 22 , 22 ′, 22 ′′.
- the cone 12 is not shown in any detail in FIG. 4 .
- the proximal end region 5 of the shaft tube 4 is inserted from the distal axial direction into the interior 13 until the shaft tube 4 protrudes sufficiently beyond the groove 15 in the proximal direction (see FIG. 2 ).
- the shaft tube 4 is then pressed into the distal end region 11 of the endoscope head 6 .
- the shaft tube 4 is compressed in the axial direction, for which purpose it is, for example, clamped distally in a holding device and compressed from the proximal direction by means of an inserted mandrel. In this way, the shaft tube 4 , which has a suitably small wall thickness, folds into the groove 15 .
- the shaft tube 4 is compressed to such an extent that the material penetrating into the groove substantially fills the groove 15 or, at least outside the depth minima 22 , 22 ′, 22 ′′, penetrates deeper into the groove 15 than the depth of the depth minima 22 , 22 ′, 22 ′′.
- the material of the shaft tube 4 penetrating into the groove 15 touches at least both flanks 18 , 19 , and particularly advantageously also the bottom 17 of the groove 15 , substantially about the entire circumference.
- FIGS. 5 to 7 This is shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 .
- the wall of the shaft tube 4 arranges itself as fold 23 in the groove 15 when compressed with a suitable tool, for example with a substantially cylindrical mandrel.
- the fold 23 fills the groove 15 partially or completely and thus fixes the shaft tube 4 in the cone 12 .
- the shaft tube 4 is not only held in the cone 12 securely with respect to axial stresses and bending stresses, but also fixed against torsion about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 .
- FIG. 6 An enlarged detail of the longitudinal section according to FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. 6 .
- the fold 23 of the shaft tube 4 engages in the groove 15 and substantially fills the latter.
- the fold 23 can also penetrate into the longitudinal groove 16 , although this is not essential for securing against rotation.
- the longitudinal groove 16 is not filled to the bottom.
- the fold 23 fills the groove 15 about the entire circumference, including the depth maxima 21 , 21 ′, 21 ′′ and the depth minima 22 , 22 ′, 22 ′′, practically as far as the bottom.
- the longitudinal groove 16 is also partially filled, but not as far as the bottom, such that a space 25 remains.
- adhesive can be introduced into the longitudinal groove from the proximal direction. This adhesive passes through the space 25 to the distal side of the fold 23 (see FIG. 6 ). The adhesive penetrates proximally and distally into a gap between the outside of the shaft tube 4 and the inner surface 14 of the cone 12 , sets therein, and thus permits a liquid-tight and vapor-tight connection of the shaft tube 4 to the housing 6 of the endoscope head 2 .
- the shaft tube 4 can be widened in a funnel shape at the proximal end by insertion of a corresponding mandrel. Otherwise, the press-fitting of the shaft tube 4 to the distal end region of the endoscope head 2 can be carried out in the manner described in EP 1 872 706 A1.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to an endoscope according to the preamble of claim 1, to an endoscope head, and to a method for producing an endoscope.
- Endoscopes are used to view cavities in the human or animal body and also in technical objects. An endoscope typically comprises an elongate cylindrical endoscope shaft, which is suitable for insertion into the cavity to be viewed, and an endoscope head which is arranged at the proximal end of the endoscope shaft (i.e. the end near the user), is connected rigidly to the proximal end region of the endoscope shaft and can have attachments and control elements and also an eyepiece lens. Inside the endoscope shaft and the endoscope head there is an optical system for transmitting an endoscopic image from the distal end of the endoscope (i.e. the end remote from the observer) to the proximal end.
- During their use, endoscopes are exposed to considerable mechanical and thermal stresses. There are therefore strict requirements regarding the strength of the connection between the endoscope head and the endoscope shaft. Axial forces and also transverse forces have to be able to be taken up, and a rotation of the endoscope shaft relative to the endoscope head about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope head must also be prevented.
- In order to connect the endoscope shaft firmly to the endoscope head in a simple way, it is known from EP 1 872 706 A1 to push the proximal end region of an optic tube of the endoscope shaft into the distal end region of the endoscope head and to press-fit it to the latter by compression, wherein the distal end region of the endoscope head is provided on its inside with a circumferential indentation into which material of the optic tube flows with a form fit during the pressing operation. The indentation is provided as a groove extending about the full circumference, such that a particularly large amount of material can engage in the indentation and the connection of the endoscope head to the optic tube is therefore particularly stable. To prevent the optic tube from being able to rotate relative to the endoscope head about its longitudinal axis, the distal end region of the endoscope head is provided with a circumferentially limited recess into which material of the optic tube flows with a form fit during the pressing operation.
- In the endoscope known from EP 1 872 706 A1, the anti-rotation effect that is achievable by the material flowing into the cavity is not always optimal. Moreover, several works steps are required for introducing the fully circumferential groove and the recess into the endoscope head, thereby increasing the manufacturing costs.
- The object of the present invention is to make available an endoscope and an endoscope shaft, and also a method for producing such a endoscope, wherein the abovementioned disadvantages are avoided as far as possible.
- This object is achieved by an endoscope according to claim 1, by an endoscope head according to claim 11, and by a method according to
claim 12. - Advantageous developments are set out in the subclaims.
- An endoscope according to the invention comprises a typically elongate endoscope shaft, and an endoscope head arranged at a proximal end of the endoscope shaft. The endoscope shaft has a substantially cylindrical shaft tube which can accommodate, for example, an objective lens for capturing an endoscopic image and an image carrier for conveying the endoscopic image to the proximal end, it being possible for these to be arranged in an inner tube extending inside the shaft tube. However, it is also possible, for example, for an electronic image-capturing device with corresponding electrical leads to be arranged in the shaft tube. Moreover, illumination light guides can extend inside the shaft tube. The shaft tube is in particular an outer tube of the endoscope shaft. The endoscope head can have an eyepiece optics unit and a proximally arranged eyepiece, or an attachment for connecting to an endoscope camera. An endoscope of this kind is also referred to as an endoscope optic and the endoscope head as an optics head. The endoscope is configured in particular as a rigid endoscope with a rigid endoscope shaft or a rigid cylindrical shaft tube.
- In a distal end region, the endoscope head has an at least partially cylindrical interior into which a proximal end region of the shaft tube is inserted. For this purpose, the endoscope head can have a housing with a distal end portion which has a cylindrical or conical configuration on the outside and inside which the cylindrical interior is formed. The cylindrical interior can be a bore in the housing. The axis of the cylindrical interior is substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft. The inner surface of the endoscope head, forming the cylindrical interior, has a peripheral groove. The groove can be formed, for example, by rotation of a corresponding tool, which generates an indentation in the surface of the cylindrical interior, and can also be designated as a fully circumferential indentation. The shaft tube is inserted with its proximal end region into the cylindrical interior and folded into the peripheral groove. This means that material of the shaft tube engages with a form fit in the groove, preferably about the entire circumference of the shaft tube, such that the shaft tube is connected to the endoscope head with form-fit engagement. The shaft tube can be press-fitted to the endoscope head, for example by compression in the longitudinal direction, and thus be folded into the groove.
- According to the invention, the peripheral groove is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to an axis of the cylindrical interior, which corresponds at least approximately to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shaft tube inserted therein. This means in particular that the groove is formed circumferentially with a non-uniform depth and/or width and/or axial position of the groove. There is therefore at least a starting position in which the groove has a first depth and a first width and is arranged at an axial position. There is moreover at least a second circumferential position of the groove, in which the latter has a second depth and a second width and is arranged at a second axial position with respect to the axis of the interior. According to the invention, the groove is therefore configured in particular in such a way that the first depth is not equal to the second depth and/or the first width is not equal to the second width and/or the first axial position is not equal to the second axial position. The groove preferably has at least one width that corresponds to twice the wall thickness of the shaft tube in the proximal end region of the latter.
- The shaft tube and the interior each have a substantially circular cross section, such that, without anti-rotation means, the endoscope shaft could rotate in relation to the endoscope head about the longitudinal axis. By virtue of the fact that the peripheral groove of the interior of the endoscope head is not rotationally symmetrical, it is possible to secure against rotation of the shaft tube inserted into the endoscope head. In particular, in a single work operation, the peripheral groove can be introduced into the inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior, and, by press-fitting the shaft tube to the endoscope head, a firm connection can be obtained, which at the same time secures against rotation. During press-fitting, for example by compression of the shaft tube by a sufficient amount, an outer fold of the shaft tube forms which engages with a form fit in the groove and is likewise not rotationally symmetrical. It is thus possible, by form-fit engagement, to secure particularly effectively against rotation.
- The groove preferably has a non-uniform depth about the circumference, i.e. the groove has a first depth in a first circumferential position and has a second depth in a second circumferential position, wherein the first depth is greater than the second depth. The depth of the groove is in each case measured starting from an inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior. With respect to the axis of the cylindrical interior, the groove can extend substantially in a plane perpendicular to the axis. The fold, with which the shaft tube engages in the groove, preferably reaches as far as the bottom of the groove, in particular substantially in the entire peripheral groove or at least in a region extending across a minimum of the depth of the groove. Particularly preferably, the peripheral groove additionally has a non-uniform width about the circumference. By virtue of the fact that the groove has a non-uniform depth about the circumference, it is possible to achieve a particularly simple and effective means of preventing rotation of the shaft tube relative to the endoscope head.
- A maximum depth of the groove, achieved about the circumference of the groove, is preferably about twice as great as a minimum depth of the groove. For example, the maximum depth can be approximately 0.4 mm and the minimum depth approximately 0.2 mm. Particularly reliable prevention of rotation can be achieved in this way.
- The peripheral groove can advantageously be formed with a plurality of depth maxima distributed about the circumference and, preferably lying centrally between these, a plurality of depth minima. Thus, in a cross section of the endoscope head, a bottom of the groove can form a closed curve in the shape of a polygon, preferably with rounded corners and curved sides. The depth maxima can each have an identical depth.
- Likewise, the depth minima can each have an identical depth. This permits simple production and at the same time permits a secure connection of the shaft tube to the endoscope head, wherein play of the shaft tube in the endoscope head can be avoided with increased certainty. Alternatively, provision can be made that the groove has a single depth maximum and, preferably lying opposite this, a single depth minimum.
- Particularly preferably, the groove has three depth maxima arranged approximately with a spacing of 120° along the circumference, and also three depth minima arranged approximately centrally between the depth maxima. In a cross section of the endoscope head, the bottom of the groove thus constitutes a triangle-shaped curve, preferably with rounded corners and outwardly curved sides. In this way, play of the shaft tube relative to the endoscope head can be avoided particularly reliably. Alternatively, it is possible to provided two depth maxima and two depth minima, or four depth maxima and four depth minima.
- In a further advantageous embodiment, the groove can be configured in such a way that, in a cross section of the endoscope shaft, i.e. in a section plane perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical interior, a bottom of the groove forms a continuous outward curve, that is to say the bottom has peripherally a concave shape. This on the one hand permits particularly simple manufacture of the endoscope head with the peripheral groove introduced into the surface of the interior and, on the other hand, ensures that the shaft tube is folded into the groove substantially about the entire circumference and for example engages in the latter as far as the bottom of the groove about the entire circumference.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the groove has a trapezoid cross section. A cross section of the groove, extending in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical interior, corresponds to a longitudinal section running through the endoscope head parallel to the axis of the cylindrical interior. A trapezoid groove allows particularly straightforward production, for example by means of a suitably guided trapezoid milling cutter, and the formation of a particularly firm connection between the shaft tube and the endoscope head.
- Preferably, the inclination of the flanks of the trapezoid groove measures approximately 60° to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical interior. More preferably, a bottom of the groove is oriented in longitudinal section parallel to the axis of the cylindrical interior and therefore parallel to the surface of the interior. The width of the bottom of the groove can be at least approximately constant in circumference, such that, with a constant angle of inclination of the flanks of the trapezoid groove, the width of the groove measured at the surface of the interior is circumferentially non-uniform, i.e. at a maximum in circumferential positions of maximum depth and at a minimum in circumferential positions of minimal depth. This not only permits particularly straightforward production but also facilitates the folding of the shaft tube into the groove upon compression.
- More preferably, the shaft tube is folded into the groove in such a way that the fold of the shaft tube, i.e. the material of the shaft tube engaging in the groove, substantially fills the groove or at least touches the bottom or both flanks of a trapezoid groove. Particularly preferably, the fold substantially fills the groove in all circumferential positions or at least in circumferential regions that comprise the depth minima or extend beyond these. Depending on the process sequence, the fold with which the shaft tube engages in the groove can be a straight/vertical fold or can also be oblique to the axis of the interior or even horizontal. The shape of the fold can depend on the depth of the groove and can be non-uniform about the circumference. Thus, in circumferential positions where the groove is deeper, the fold can have a different shape than it has where the groove is shallower. For example, where the groove is deeper, the wall of the shaft tube can be less tightly folded together and fill the groove less fully than it does where the groove has a shallower depth. By virtue of the fact that the fold of the shaft tube, engaging in the groove and generated by the press-fitting, substantially fills the groove or at least touches the bottom or both flanks of the groove, rotation can be particularly reliably prevented, wherein at the same time a play of the shaft tube relative to the endoscope head can be reliably avoided.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a longitudinal groove is arranged in the inner surface of the endoscope head forming the cylindrical interior, which longitudinal groove is connected to the peripheral groove and extends beyond the latter in the axial direction, wherein the longitudinal groove is deeper than the peripheral groove in the connecting region. The longitudinal groove is preferably open in the axial direction and closed in the distal direction. The longitudinal groove can also be designated as a cavity of the interior. The longitudinal groove, which opens into the peripheral groove and engages over the latter, permits the introduction of adhesive which can be drawn by capillary forces between the outer surface of the shaft tube and the inner surface of the endoscope head. The adhesive permits a liquid-tight and vapor-tight connection of the shaft tube to the endoscope head and can additionally secure against rotation. Moreover, when the shaft tube is press-fitted to the optics head, material can penetrate into the longitudinal groove, such that this likewise can provide additional securing against rotation.
- An endoscope head according to the invention is configured in particular as an endoscope head for a rigid endoscope with a rigid shaft which has a rigid cylindrical shaft tube. The endoscope head has a housing which, in a distal end region, has a cylindrical interior configured to receive a proximal end region of the shaft tube. The housing of the endoscope comprises, for example, a cylindrically or conically shaped distal end portion inside which the cylindrical interior is formed. The inner surface of the endoscope head, forming the cylindrical interior, has a peripheral groove. According to the invention, the groove is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical interior. It is thus easily possible to connect the shaft tube of the endoscope to the distal end region of the endoscope head by press-fitting and at the same time to secure against rotation.
- In particular the groove is configured as described above, for example with a circumferentially non-uniform depth in a plane transverse to the axis of the cylindrical interior. The peripheral groove can, for example, have a trapezoid cross section with a circumferentially constant inclination of the flanks. To introduce such a groove, which has a non-uniform depth and also a non-uniform width about the circumference, into the surface of the cylindrical interior of the endoscope head, a suitably shaped milling cutter can be moved along a corresponding curve inside the interior. In addition, the interior can have a longitudinal groove which is configured as described above and which, for example, can be generated by longitudinal milling. The endoscope head is in particular an endoscope head of an endoscope configured as described above.
- In a method according to the invention for producing an endoscope, a substantially cylindrical shaft tube and an endoscope head are made available, the latter having, in a distal end region, a cylindrical interior with a peripheral, non-rotationally symmetrical groove. Moreover, a proximal end region of the shaft tube is pushed into the cylindrical interior of the endoscope head, and the proximal end region of the shaft tube is press-fitted to the distal end region of the endoscope head, in particular by compression of the shaft tube. In this way, the shaft tube is folded into the peripheral groove and connected with form-fit engagement to the distal end region of the endoscope head. The production method can comprise further steps, for example the introduction of optical and/or electronic elements into the shaft tube and the endoscope head.
- The press-fitting is preferably carried out by compression of the shaft tube. The shaft tube is compressed by such an amount that material of the shaft tube penetrates into the groove at least in sections, preferably about the entire circumference, and touches at least both flanks or the bottom. The press-fitting can be carried out by cold pressing.
- Further features of the endoscope, of the endoscope head and of the production method are disclosed in EP 1 872 706 A1, which document is in this respect incorporated by reference into the present application.
- It goes without saying that the aforementioned features and the features still to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively cited combination but also in other combinations or singly, without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- Further aspects of the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred illustrative embodiment and from the attached drawing, in which:
-
FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of an endoscope according to the invention in an overall view; -
FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the housing of an endoscope head and the proximal end region of the shaft tube of the endoscope according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail fromFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 shows the peripheral groove of the endoscope head in a schematic cross-sectional view; -
FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through a part of the housing of the endoscope head with the shaft tube pressed in; -
FIG. 6 shows an enlarged detail fromFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the peripheral groove of the endoscope head with the shaft tube pressed in. - As is shown by way of example in
FIG. 1 , an endoscope 1 according to the invention comprises anendoscope head 2 and anelongate endoscope shaft 3. In the endoscope 1 shown inFIG. 1 , which is a rigid endoscope, theendoscope shaft 3 is of rigid configuration and has ashaft tube 4 which forms the outer tube of theendoscope shaft 3. Aproximal end region 5 of theshaft tube 4 is fixedly connected to a housing 6 of theendoscope head 2. At the distal side, the housing 6 has afrustoconical surface 7 which serves for connection to the shaft of an endoscopic instrument, for which purpose a locking element 8 is moreover provided. At the proximal side, the housing carries an eyepiece 9. Alight attachment piece 10 is arranged laterally on the housing 6. Optical components (not shown in the figures) are accommodated inside the endoscope. Theshaft tube 4 and the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2 are produced from stainless steel, for example. -
FIG. 2 shows the distal region of the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2 in longitudinal section. In its distal end region 11, the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2 has acone 12, which on the outside forms thefrustoconical surface 7; thecone 12 can be formed integrally with the other regions of the housing 6. On the inside, thecone 12 has a cylindrical interior 13 which extends in the axial direction and is open both at the distal side and also at the proximal side. The cylindrical interior 13 can in particular be configured as a through-bore of thecone 12. Aperipheral groove 15 is introduced into theinner surface 14 of thecone 12 and extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the interior 13. Furthermore, alongitudinal groove 16 is introduced into theinner surface 14 of thecone 12, whichlongitudinal groove 16 is open at the proximal side, but closed at the distal side, and communicates with theperipheral groove 15. -
FIG. 2 also shows theproximal end region 5 of theshaft tube 4 of the endoscope 1 in longitudinal section. Theshaft tube 4 is cylindrical at least in theproximal end region 5. The external diameter d of theshaft tube 4 is not greater than the internal diameter D of thecone 12, preferably slightly smaller than it. The external diameter d of theshaft tube 4 can be 5 mm, for example. - As can be seen from
FIG. 3 , which shows an enlarged detail of the longitudinal section according toFIG. 2 , theperipheral groove 15 has a trapezoid cross section with a bottom 17 and twooblique flanks flanks groove 15, the bottom 17 extends parallel to theaxis 20 of thecylindrical interior 13. Theflanks inner surface 14 of thecone 12 and to the bottom 17 of thegroove 15. In the illustrative embodiment shown, thegroove 15 has a depth of 0.34 mm, and the bottom 16 has a width b=0.31 mm, in the longitudinal section plane shown. - The shape of the
groove 15 is indicated inFIG. 4 in a cross section in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the interior 13 in which thegroove 15 extends. As is shown inFIG. 4 , thegroove 15 introduced into theinner surface 14 of thecone 12 has a non-uniform depth about the circumference. In the illustrative embodiment shown, thegroove 15 has threedepth maxima depth minima groove 15 thus has the shape of a rounded triangle. At the position of adepth minimum 22″, thelongitudinal groove 16 is introduced into theinner surface 14 of thecone 12, whichlongitudinal groove 16 is connected to theperipheral groove 15 and engages under it, i.e. is deeper than thegroove 15 in the region thereof. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the depth of thegroove 15 is approximately 0.4 mm at each of thedepth maxima depth minima cone 12 is not shown in any detail inFIG. 4 . - To assemble the endoscope 1, the
proximal end region 5 of theshaft tube 4 is inserted from the distal axial direction into the interior 13 until theshaft tube 4 protrudes sufficiently beyond thegroove 15 in the proximal direction (seeFIG. 2 ). Theshaft tube 4 is then pressed into the distal end region 11 of the endoscope head 6. To do this, theshaft tube 4 is compressed in the axial direction, for which purpose it is, for example, clamped distally in a holding device and compressed from the proximal direction by means of an inserted mandrel. In this way, theshaft tube 4, which has a suitably small wall thickness, folds into thegroove 15. Theshaft tube 4 is compressed to such an extent that the material penetrating into the groove substantially fills thegroove 15 or, at least outside thedepth minima groove 15 than the depth of thedepth minima shaft tube 2 in thecone 12 and therefore for a firm connection of theshaft tube 2 to the endoscope head 6, it is advantageous if the material of theshaft tube 4 penetrating into thegroove 15 touches at least bothflanks groove 15, substantially about the entire circumference. - This is shown in
FIGS. 5 to 7 . As is shown in the longitudinal section through the distal region of the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2 inFIG. 5 , the wall of theshaft tube 4 arranges itself asfold 23 in thegroove 15 when compressed with a suitable tool, for example with a substantially cylindrical mandrel. Thefold 23 fills thegroove 15 partially or completely and thus fixes theshaft tube 4 in thecone 12. This results in a firm connection between theshaft tube 4 and the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2 and creates acavity 24 extending all the way through the inside of theshaft tube 4 as far as theendoscope head 2. In particular, theshaft tube 4 is not only held in thecone 12 securely with respect to axial stresses and bending stresses, but also fixed against torsion about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2. - An enlarged detail of the longitudinal section according to
FIG. 5 is shown inFIG. 6 . As can be seen fromFIG. 6 , thefold 23 of theshaft tube 4 engages in thegroove 15 and substantially fills the latter. Thefold 23 can also penetrate into thelongitudinal groove 16, although this is not essential for securing against rotation. Thelongitudinal groove 16 is not filled to the bottom. - This is also shown in the cross section shown in
FIG. 7 , which corresponds to the illustration inFIG. 4 . Thefold 23 fills thegroove 15 about the entire circumference, including thedepth maxima depth minima longitudinal groove 16 is also partially filled, but not as far as the bottom, such that aspace 25 remains. - In a work step following on from the compression, adhesive can be introduced into the longitudinal groove from the proximal direction. This adhesive passes through the
space 25 to the distal side of the fold 23 (seeFIG. 6 ). The adhesive penetrates proximally and distally into a gap between the outside of theshaft tube 4 and theinner surface 14 of thecone 12, sets therein, and thus permits a liquid-tight and vapor-tight connection of theshaft tube 4 to the housing 6 of theendoscope head 2. - Moreover, as is indicated by the enlarged external diameter d′ in
FIG. 5 , theshaft tube 4 can be widened in a funnel shape at the proximal end by insertion of a corresponding mandrel. Otherwise, the press-fitting of theshaft tube 4 to the distal end region of theendoscope head 2 can be carried out in the manner described in EP 1 872 706 A1. - For the sake of clarity, not all the reference signs are shown in all of the figures. Reference signs not explained in connection with one figure have the same meaning as in the other figures.
-
- 1 endoscope
- 2 endoscope head
- 3 endoscope shaft
- 4 shaft tube
- 5 proximal end region of the shaft tube
- 6 housing
- 7 surface
- 8 locking element
- 9 eyepiece
- 10 light attachment piece
- 11 distal end region of the endoscope head
- 12 cone
- 13 interior
- 14 inner surface
- 15 groove
- 16 longitudinal groove
- 17 bottom
- 18 flank
- 19 flank
- 20 axis
- 21, 21′, 21″ depth maximum
- 22, 22′, 22″ depth minimum
- 23 fold
- 24 cavity
- 25 space
Claims (12)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/672,293 US11744442B2 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2022-02-15 | Endoscope, endoscope head, and method for connecting a shaft to an endoscope head to produce an endoscope |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE102017103267.3 | 2017-02-17 | ||
DE102017103267.3A DE102017103267A1 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2017-02-17 | Endoscope, endoscope head and method for manufacturing an endoscope |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/672,293 Continuation US11744442B2 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2022-02-15 | Endoscope, endoscope head, and method for connecting a shaft to an endoscope head to produce an endoscope |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20180263466A1 true US20180263466A1 (en) | 2018-09-20 |
Family
ID=61198766
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/898,614 Abandoned US20180263466A1 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2018-02-18 | Endoscope, endoscopic head, and method for producing an endoscope |
US17/672,293 Active US11744442B2 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2022-02-15 | Endoscope, endoscope head, and method for connecting a shaft to an endoscope head to produce an endoscope |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US17/672,293 Active US11744442B2 (en) | 2017-02-17 | 2022-02-15 | Endoscope, endoscope head, and method for connecting a shaft to an endoscope head to produce an endoscope |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20180263466A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3363345B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN108451485B (en) |
DE (1) | DE102017103267A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD921198S1 (en) * | 2018-02-02 | 2021-06-01 | Ferton Holding S.A. | Medical equipment |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN112068303B (en) * | 2020-08-04 | 2022-05-27 | 国网湖南省电力有限公司 | Endoscope device for cable trench detection |
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2017
- 2017-02-17 DE DE102017103267.3A patent/DE102017103267A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
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- 2018-02-13 EP EP18156479.0A patent/EP3363345B1/en active Active
- 2018-02-18 US US15/898,614 patent/US20180263466A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-02-22 CN CN201810153789.2A patent/CN108451485B/en active Active
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2022
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP3363345A1 (en) | 2018-08-22 |
CN108451485A (en) | 2018-08-28 |
EP3363345B1 (en) | 2022-03-30 |
US20220167833A1 (en) | 2022-06-02 |
CN108451485B (en) | 2023-01-24 |
US11744442B2 (en) | 2023-09-05 |
DE102017103267A1 (en) | 2018-08-23 |
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