WO2015132169A1

WO2015132169A1 - Method for producing an endoscope, and endoscope with a variable viewing direction

Info

Publication number: WO2015132169A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/054232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Wieters
Original assignee: Olympus Winter & Ibe Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-03-05
Filing date: 2015-03-02
Publication date: 2015-09-11
Also published as: DE102014204041A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an endoscope (2) with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shank (4) with a light admission window (6), wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane (5) can be altered by pivoting a distal light deflection element about a pivot axis (7), and at least one light exit surface (8, 9), which is arranged next to the light admission window and at which optical fibres (18) connected or connectable to a light source are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) is ground plane and/or polished, and also a corresponding endoscope (2). According to the invention, the light admission window (6) is curved and, in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shank (4), protrudes beyond the at least one light exit surface (8, 9), wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) is generated in at least one plane (10, 12) which is inclined outwards with respect to the central pivot plane (5) and which does not intersect the light admission window (6).

Description

Method for producing an endoscope and endoscope with variable viewing direction

description

The invention relates to a method for producing an endoscope with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entry window, the viewing direction being variable in a central pivot plane by pivoting a distal light deflection element about a pivot axis, and at least one light exit surface disposed adjacent to the light entry window embedded with a light source or connectable optical fibers are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface is ground flat and / or polished, and a corresponding endoscope.

In the optics of current endoscopes and video endoscopes planar cover glasses or cover glasses or light entry window, for example made of sapphire, used in the cladding tubes of the endoscope to protect the optics and to create a hermetically sealed space. Such endoscopes with planar cover glasses offer A straight-ahead or a rigid side view angle. After drawing optical fibers into the cladding tube for the purpose of illuminating the field of view to be detected by the endoscope, the optical fibers are glued, ground and polished. The optical fibers are thus embedded in a matrix of a matrix material, for example an adhesive, a plastic or the like. The grinding and polishing takes place in a plane that is parallel to the plan cover glass. At least at a 0 ° direction of view, this plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cladding tube.

In the case of an endoscope with variable viewing direction, the so-called v-DOV ("variable direction of view"), instead of a planar cover glass, a curved, in particular spherical, "dome" of sapphire glass is used. Due to its design, this dome protrudes beyond the exit surfaces of the optical fibers to avoid image trimming. The grinding and polishing of the optical fibers to produce a light exit surface is therefore associated with the risk of damaging the dome. Such a grinding or polishing process, which specifically processes only the areas of the optical fibers, is very complicated, difficult and uncertain.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to simplify and make safer the production of an endoscope with a variable viewing direction and planar light exit surfaces, wherein in particular the illumination of the surgical field or diagnostic field observable by the endoscope should be preserved distally in front of the endoscope tip.

This object is achieved by a method for producing an endoscope with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entry window, wherein the viewing direction in a central pivoting plane by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements is variable about a pivot axis, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface, are embedded in the connected to a light source or connectable optical fibers in a matrix material or, wherein the at least one light exit surface plan schl iffen and / or polished, which further develops in that the light entry window is curved and projects beyond the at least one light exit surface in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft, wherein the at least one light exit surface is produced in at least one plane inclined outwards relative to the central pivot plane and does not intersect the light entry window.

The basic idea of the invention lies in the fact that it is no longer swept or polished in a plane which is at right angles to the tube axis and the central pivot plane and thus parallel to the pivot axis, but that the outlets of the optical fibers, ie the plane light exit surfaces, in an inclined or oblique plane sloping outwards are processed. These inclined planes do not intersect the light entrance window. As a result, the protruding dome or the projecting light exit window is not touched or crossed, so that the dome or the light entry window is not damaged during the processing of the optical fibers.

The central pivot plane is defined in the context of the present invention as including the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft and the pivot axis being a normal vector on it. In other words, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the pivot plane. Geometrically, the feature means that the light exit surface, which is generated in the inclined plane, is inclined outward with respect to the pivot plane, that the interior nenkante the light exit surface in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft further protrudes than the outer edge of the light exit surface.

The light exit surface or the light exit surfaces, which are arranged next to the light entry window, is or are in particular arranged on the side of the light entry window, that is, apart from the central pivot plane. Preferred for uniform illumination is a symmetrical arrangement of light exit surfaces on the left and right of the central pivot plane.

The inclined plane can be suitably selected as long as it does not intersect the light entrance window and thus includes damage to the light entry window as possibility. It is preferred that the at least one inclined plane, in particular up to a safety distance, is arranged tangentially to the light entry window. This means the smallest possible angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft or the cladding tube and thus a particularly good illumination. The safety distance should be selected according to the tolerances that can be maintained during the manufacture of the endoscope. These are u. a. depending on the machines and tools used.

Preferably, the endoscope shaft comprises a cladding tube and a fiber tube arranged in the cladding tube, between which at least one bundle of optical fibers is conducted to at least one light exit surface. This construction leads to a safe passage of the optical fibers.

Due to the chamfering of the outlets of the optical fibers, the exiting light can be removed by refraction at the now asymmetrical, because outwardly inclined exit surface for Hüllrohrachse back kt. This can lead to the entire lighting is not wide enough and the corners are therefore too dark. In this context, it is advantageous if the optical fibers at the location of the outwardly inclined plane deviate from a 0 ° direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, in particular assume an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft which is smaller or equal to the one Angle taken by a normal vector on the outwardly inclined plane to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft. As a result, the asymmetry of the Schräganschnitts of the optical fibers is reduced and at the same time achieved a stronger alignment on the image edges and corners. The two effects complement each other. This results in a more uniform full-surface illumination. This can be driven to the point where the optical fibers are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the plane light exit surface.

In order to achieve such a pre-bend, it is preferably provided that the optical fibers are placed under a bias from the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft before being embedded in the matrix material and / or before the generation of the at least one planar light-emitting surface. This ensures that the optical fibers are actually embedded in the matrix pointing away from the longitudinal axis of the cladding tube or the endoscope shaft and thus obtain the desired orientation at the location of the light exit surface.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that upon retraction of the optical fibers, the cladding tube with respect to the arranged in the cladding tube fiber tube protrudes, wherein in particular the protruding part of the fiber tube together with a smaller part of the cladding over at least one outwardly inclined plane and in the production of at least a plane light exit surface is ground and / or -polished. The back of the cladding tube relative to the fiber tube, which is disposed within the cladding tube, allows the orientation of the fibers in an oblique orientation facing away from the longitudinal axis. The corresponding structures of the fiber tube and the cladding tube, which favor this pre-direction selection, are removed in the processing of the cladding tube and the fiber tube and the optical fibers in the production or production of the plane light exit surface. The chamfered grinding or polishing, fiber tubes and cladding tubes are brought to the same level, so that no sharp edge remains.

A further advantage here is that, in combination with the roundness of the sapphire dome and the outwardly inclined outlet surfaces, an endoscope tip to be inserted easily into an opening results.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by an endoscope with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entry window, the viewing direction being variable in a central pivot plane by pivoting a distal light deflection element about a pivot axis, and at least one light exit surface arranged adjacent to the light entry window. at the light source connected or connectable optical fibers are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface ground flat and / or pol iert, solved, which is characterized in that the light entrance window is curved and in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope over the at least one light exit surface protrudes, wherein the at least one light exit surface is generated or arranged in at least one with respect to the central pivot plane outwardly inclined plane which does not intersect the light entrance window et. Preferably, the at least one inclined plane, in particular to a safety distance, arranged tangentially to the light entrance window.

Furthermore, the endoscope shaft advantageously comprises a cladding tube and a fiber tube arranged in the cladding tube, between which at least one bundle of optical fibers is led to at least one light exit surface.

In a preferred development, it is provided that the optical fibers at the location of the outwardly inclined plane deviate from a 0 ° direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, in particular assume an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft that is smaller than or equal to the angle that a normal vector takes on the outwardly inclined plane to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.

The endoscope according to the invention is or is preferably produced in a previously described method according to the invention.

The properties, features and advantages mentioned for the method according to the invention described above also apply without restriction to the endoscope according to the invention.

Further features of the invention will be apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features. The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a known endoscope tip,

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the production of planner

Light exit surfaces in an endoscope with variable viewing direction,

Fig. 3a), b) schematic representations of the plane light exit surfaces in an endoscope according to the invention and

Fig. 4 shows a schematic detail view of an endoscope tip to be processed according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

In Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a known type of optical fiber processing using the example of a known endoscope tip. The endoscope 1 02 has an endoscope shaft 1 04, in the distal tip of several elements are visible. An outer cladding tube 1 14 forms the outermost layer of the endoscope shaft 1 04. In the cladding tube 1 14, a fiber tube 1 1 6 is inserted, in the central opening, not shown optics of a central beam path is arranged. This central opening of the fiber tube 1 1 6 is hermetically covered by a plane light entrance window 1 06.

On one side, in Fig. 1 shown on the left, two light exit surfaces 1 08 are shown, at which ends fiber optic bundles, which are connected proximally with a light source, not shown. The optical fibers of the optical fiber bundles are embedded in a matrix of a matrix material, for example an adhesive, a plastic or the like, so that the optical fiber bundles also hermetically close the endoscope shaft.

The endoscope tip is polished in a plane 1 1 0 pol to create the plane light exit surfaces 1 08. This polishing level is also flat or slightly offset from the plane light entrance window 1 06, so that it is not damaged during polishing or grinding.

In Fig. FIG. 2 shows a corresponding processing of the endoscope tip of an endoscope 202 with a variable viewing direction. This endoscope 202 has at its endoscope shaft 204 distally instead of a plane light entry window 1 06 a curved, substantially spherical, light entrance window 206. This is also referred to as a "dome." Inside, a deflecting element (not shown) is arranged, which is pivotable about a pivot axis 207 schematically indicated by a dashed line and emits light from a lateral or straight-ahead direction in the longitudinal axial direction Endoscope shaft 204 deflected.

On both sides of the light entrance window 206 are structures with light exit surfaces 208 and 209, of which the light exit surfaces 208 are directed straight, ie in a 0 ° -Bl ickrichtung, while the light exit surfaces 209 are arranged chamfered and approximately in a 45 ° -Win angle to the side radiate. The light output Stepping surfaces 208, 209 are formed of a structure between the cladding tube 214 and the fiber tube 21 6 of the endoscope shaft 204.

Plane light exit surfaces 208, 209 are formed by grinding and / or polishing in two planes, namely a polishing plane 210 for the straight-ahead view and a polishing plane 21 2 for an oblique illumination. These polishing planes 21 0, 21 2 cut through the light entrance window 206, so that two potential cutting planes 21 1, 21 3 form, in which there is a risk that the "dome" is damaged by a grinding or polishing disk or a milling cutter The light entrance window 206 on the finished endoscope should retain its dome shape and not actually have the section planes 21 1, 213 in the form of true cut surfaces.

Fig. 3a) and FIG. 3b) show a front view and a rear view of an endoscope shaft 4 of an endoscope 2 according to the invention, which is constructed similar to the endoscope 202 from FIG. 2, wherein distally also a curved light entrance window 6 is arranged in the form of a substantially spherical dome. Also indicated are a pivot axis 7, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4, and a central pivot plane 5, which includes the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4 and is perpendicular to the pivot axis 7.

Of the endoscope shaft 4, an outer cladding tube 14 and a fiber tube 1 6 arranged therein are visible, between which an opening for light exit surfaces 8, 9 is formed distally. The optical fibers are not shown here.

An oblique plane 10 is on the left side of FIG. 3a), with a plane and with respect to the central pivot plane 5 outwardly inclined surface for a light exit surface 8 is generated. The inclined plane 10 pushes into the drawing plane and is therefore characterized by a dashed line. Another inclined plane 1 2 serves to produce the light exit surfaces 9 on the left side in FIG. 3 a). Both inclined planes 1 0, 1 2 do not intersect the light entrance window 6, but are arranged substantially tangentially to the spherical dome. A small safety distance is recognizable. Mirror images are also for the right in Fig. 3a) shown inclined planes, which are omitted for clarity, however.

In Fig. 3b), the back side of the endoscope shaft 4 of the endoscope 2 from FIG. 3a) is shown, in which case only the outwardly inclined plane 10 is shown, which in turn is provided for a light exit surface 8 on top of the distal tip side of the light entry window 6 ,

As shown in FIG. 3a) and FIG. 3b), results in a rounded tip, which is easily inserted into a cavity. Without the outward beveling of the light exit surfaces 8, 9 according to the invention, a ridge edge would result.

In Fig. 4, a detail is shown, namely a part according to FIG. 3a) on the right, with a section of the light entry window 6 and structures of the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 1 6 of the endoscope 4. Between the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 1 6, an opening for optical fibers 1 8, which are shown schematically provided for Lighting of a surgical field, for example, serve. As shown in FIG. 4, the cladding tube 14 is somewhat withdrawn relative to the fiber tube 1 6, so that space is created for the optical fibers 1 8, somewhat laterally inclined to run out of the opening.

Schematically is also an inclined plane 1 0 according to the inclined planes 1 0 of FIG. 3a) and FIG. 3b). This oblique plane defines the light exit surface 8, which in Fig. 4 is not made yet. For this purpose, the structures of the supernatant 20 beyond the inclined plane 10 are ground and polished along the inclined plane 10. The oblique plane 1 0 does not touch the light entrance window 6. This damage to the light entrance window 6 are excluded.

In addition, by the offset between the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 1 6, the bundle of optical fibers 1 8 also be placed under a mechanical tension or a train to the outside to achieve that the optical fibers 18 at the location of the inclined plane 1 0th perpendicular to d his oblique plane 1 0 or the light exit surface 8 meet. It can also be a Win angle of the optical fibers 1 8 are selected, which lies between the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4 and a normal vector on the inclined plane 1 0, so that d he illumination by means of the optical fibers 1 8, the corresponding beveled in the light exit surface 8 and are polished, adjusted as desired.

All the above features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as erfindungswesentl I. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 endoscope

4 endoscope shaft

5 central pivoting plane

6 light entry window

7 pivot axis

8, 9 light exit surface

10, 12 oblique plane

14 cladding tube

16 fiber tube

18 optical fibers

20 supernatant to be abraded

102 endoscope

104 endoscope

106 light entry window

108 light exit surface

110 polishing level

114 sheath

116 fiber tube

202 endoscope

204 endoscope

206 light entry window

207 pivot axis

208, 209 light exit surface

210 polishing level

211 cutting plane

212 polishing level

213 cutting plane

214 cladding tube

216 fiber tube

Claims

Method for producing an endoscope and endoscope with variable viewing direction

claims

1 . Method for producing an endoscope (2) with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft (4) with a light entry window (6), wherein the direction of viewing in a central pivoting plane (5) can be changed by pivoting a distal light deflection element about a pivot axis (7) , and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface (8, 9), are connected to the connected or connectable to a light source of optical fibers (18) embedded in a matrix material, the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) ground flat and / or is polished, characterized in that the light entrance window (6) is curved and in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft (4) beyond the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) protrudes, wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) in at least one opposite the central Pivoting plane (5) outwardly inclined plane (1 0, 1 2) is generated, which the Lichtein- exit window (6) does not intersect.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one outwardly inclined plane (1 0, 1 2), in particular to a safety distance, is arranged tangentially to the light entry window (6).

A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the endoscope shaft (4) comprises a cladding tube (14) and in the cladding tube (14) arranged fiber tube (16), between which at least one bundle of optical fibers (18) to at least one light exit surface (8, 9) is passed.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optical fibers (1 8) at the location of the outwardly inclined plane (10, 1 2) deviate from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4), in particular take an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4), which is smaller than or equal to the angle that a normal vector occupies on the outwardly inclined plane (10, 1 2) to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4).

A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the optical fibers (1 8) prior to embedding in the matrix material and / or before the generation of at least one planar light exit surface (8, 9) set under a bias from the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4) away become .

A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that when retracting the optical fibers (18), the cladding tube (14) with respect to the cladding tube (14) arranged fiber tube (16) protrudes, wherein in particular the protruding part of Fiber tube (1 6) together with a smaller part of the cladding tube (14) over at least one outwardly inclined plane (1 0, 1 2) protrudes and ground and / or polished in the production of at least one planar light exit surface.

7. endoscope (2) with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft (4) with a light entry window (6), wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane (5) by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements to one

Pivot axis (7) is variable, and at least one next to the light entrance window (6) arranged light exit surface (8, 9), are embedded in the connected to a light source or connectable optical fibers (1 8) in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface (8 , 9) flat and / or polished, characterized in that the light entry window (6) is curved and in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft (4) beyond the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) protrudes, wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) in at least one relative to the central pivot plane (5) outwardly inclined plane (1 0, 1 2) is generated or arranged, which does not intersect the light entrance window (6). 8. endoscope (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one outwardly inclined plane (1 0, 12), in particular to a safety distance, tangentially to the light entrance window (6) is arranged. 9. endoscope (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the endoscope shaft (4) comprises a cladding tube (14) and in the cladding tube (14) arranged fiber tube (1 6), between see that at least one bundle of optical fibers (18) to at least one light exit surface (8, 9) is passed. The endoscope (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the optical fibers (18) at the location of the outwardly inclined plane (10, 1 2) from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4), in particular take an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4), which is smaller than or equal to the angle that a normal vector occupies on the outwardly inclined plane (10, 1 2) to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft (4) , 1 . Endoscope (2) according to one of claims 7 to 10 produced in a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.