WO2016041637A1

WO2016041637A1 - Endoscope and method for mounting endoscope optics of an endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2016041637A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/001850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Wieters; Gregor Kiedrowski
Original assignee: Olympus Winter & Ibe Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-09-16
Filing date: 2015-09-16
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: DE102014113352A1

Abstract

Endoscope optics (10) for endoscopes have an outer tube (15) and a fibre tube (14) comprising an optical system having an objective (11). An opening (22) in the end face (20) of the fibre tube (14) is provided in this case in the end region of the outer tube (15), through which opening the objective (11) is aligned when looking through the end face (20). At least one fibre bundle (18) for illuminating the region in front of the objective (11) is arranged beside the objective (11). The invention is distinguished by the fact that the distal end region of the fibre bundle (18) is fastened in a sleeve (19).

Description

Endoscope and method for assembling an endoscope optic of a

endoscope

description

The invention also relates to a method for assembling an endoscope optical system according to the preamble of claim 14.

With an endoscope, a field of view can be observed through a small opening. For this purpose, the endoscope on an endoscope optics, which is used in the endoscope. The endoscope optics includes the optical components including the lens. In endoscope optics, optical fibers are typically used to illuminate the field of view. Typically, for this purpose, at least one bundle of many optical fibers is used, that is to say a so-called fiber bundle, in order to provide a sufficient light intensity in the region to be observed. The individual fibers radiate the light in a comparatively large angular range at the end face at the end region. In this case, all fibers should at least essentially be aligned with their (main) beam direction on the field of view. Deviating fibers provide disturbing brightness differences in the field of vision. The fibers receive their proper orientation during assembly of the endoscope optics. The fibers are aligned during assembly, glued by means of an adhesive or adhesive and then polished.

From DE 10 2004 023024 B4 an endoscope optics for an endoscope emerges, which has a lens and laterally arranged optical fibers. The optical fibers are inserted in a recess of an inner fiber tube. To fix the

CONFIRMATION COPY Optical fibers with the fiber tube pulled together in an outer tube. The optical fibers are fixed. By suitable pulling of the fibers can still be aligned. This is followed by gluing and polishing of the end face. A disadvantage of the known endoscope optics that the assembly must be done manually and thus is very expensive. The optical fibers must be positioned and aligned before assembling the fiber tube and outer tube. The object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope with an endoscope optics with the field of view illuminating optical fibers, in which the mounting is facilitated over the prior art.

This object is achieved by an endoscope with an endoscope optical system having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the distal end region of the fiber bundle is fastened in a sleeve. This fastening in the sleeve takes place in particular before an assembly of the endoscope optics or an introduction of the fibers into the endoscope optics. By attaching the fibers or the fiber bundle in a sleeve, these can be handled together. It is therefore particularly not necessary to manually insert the fiber bundle in the fiber tube. Instead, the sleeve can be used with the inserted fiber ends as a component and installed with the endoscope optics. The attachment of the fibers to the sleeve can be done detached from the endoscope and thus outside the tight space in the endoscope. An endoscope therefore typically includes an endoscope optic. In this case, the endoscope optical system has a distal end region of the fiber bundle fastened in a sleeve. This allows a much less expensive production of the endoscope optics and thus of the endoscope.

The fiber bundle is fastened in particular in the sleeve. This attachment is preferably permanent. Particularly preferably, the fiber bundle is glued in the sleeve. The fibers are glued together in particular. This can be done for example by applying an adhesive or adhesive to the face or between the fibers. The adhesive can then enter into the interstices between the fibers and / or between the fibers and the sleeve and each with each other stick together. The retraction is carried out in particular by capillary forces. This creates a firm connection between the fibers on the one hand and the sleeve on the other hand.

More preferably, the end face of the fiber bundle is surface-treated in the sleeve, so in particular polished and / or ground. Preferably, the end face of the fiber bundle is processed together with the sleeve, so in particular polished and / or ground. Particularly preferably, the machining of the end face takes place after gluing the fibers together. Incidentally, this also corresponds to common working steps of the usual procedure. In contrast, however, the gluing and the processing of the end face takes place here independently of the fiber tube, as described above according to the invention.

Particularly preferably, the end face of the fiber bundle and the end face of the sleeve are arranged flush at least in sections. This is accompanied by a simplified processing of the end face, in which the end face of the fiber bundle and the end face of the sleeve machined together, so preferably polished and / or ground. Alternatively, the end face of the fiber bundle can also be set back against the end face of the sleeve. The end face of the fiber bundle or the end face of the sleeve can be arranged flush with the end face of the fiber tube. As a result, edges in the area of the end face of the fiber tube are avoided. In order to avoid damage to the end face of the fibers, a jumping back of the end face of the fiber bundle with respect to the end face of the sleeve may be provided. Alternatively, the end faces of the fiber bundle and the sleeve can be arranged together to spring back relative to the end face of the fiber tube. As a result, the risk of superficial damage to the end face of the fiber bundle can be reduced.

Preferably, the sleeve and the fiber tube are formed as separate or separate parts. This means that the sleeve can be handled separately from the fiber tube. This is a prerequisite for introducing the fibers into the sleeve independently of the assembly in the fiber tube. In particular, the sleeve has an aperture or an opening for introducing the fiber bundle. The aperture is in particular circular, oval, semicircular, semicircular and / or elongated. Preferably, the sleeve has a cylindrical, sleeve-like and / or staple-like shape.

The fiber bundle and / or the sleeve is or are provided for attachment to the fiber tube. This enables a secure positioning of the fiber bundle relative to the fiber tube. Such attachment may be accomplished in various ways, such as by jamming, gluing, latching, or the like.

The sleeve is preferably connectable to the fiber tube by means of at least one holding element. As holding elements are for example brackets, connectors, snap-in connections or the like into consideration. The retaining element corresponds with a corresponding counterpart of the fiber tube. This ensures a holder. By introducing into the outer tube, finally, a secure fixation of the sleeve is achieved relative to the fiber tube.

The sleeve can be connected to the fiber tube in particular by latching and / or positive fit. This ensures a simple and secure mounting.

Particularly preferably, the sleeve is connectable to the fiber tube by insertion into a recess and / or a breakthrough. Accordingly, a recess is provided on the fiber tube into which the fiber bundle together with the sleeve can be inserted. By providing connectivity, positional positioning or connection can be achieved.

The fiber bundle is preferably optically coupled to a preferably rigid fiber element, in particular a light guide element, such as a glass fiber rod. This is preferably done via mutually corresponding end faces of the fiber element and the fiber bundle. In particular, a so-called "fused fiber element" is provided. A stiff fiber element can serve in particular for fixing the alignment of the light exit and / or at least the end regions of the optical fibers. In order to couple the light, for example, a cold light source in such a stiff fiber element, optical fibers are required. The coupling is typically done via face coupling. The fiber bundle becomes particular positioned by the sleeve on the end face of the fiber element. This allows a coupling of the light.

Particularly preferably, the fiber element is arranged next to and / or parallel to the lens. This ensures that a good illumination of the field of view is possible. The fiber element is preferably permanently and / or firmly connected to the fiber tube. For example, the fiber element may already be glued to the fiber tube or the like. As a result, a shift of the position is avoided. The aforementioned object is also achieved by a method according to claim 14 for mounting an endoscope optical system according to the above statements. The method is characterized in particular by at least one or more of the following measures. The fiber bundle is inserted end into the sleeve. The fiber bundle is glued in the area of the sleeve. The fiber bundle is cut to the end and surface-treated, in particular ground and / or polished. The sleeve is fastened together with the fiber bundle on the fiber tube of the endoscope optics. By carrying out these steps, an assembly according to the invention of the fiber bundle on the fiber tube is made possible. The assembly of the endoscope or the endoscope optics is facilitated by the fact that the fiber ends and the sleeve are connected outside the narrow space of the endoscope optics. The introduction of the fibers and the joining of the fibers can thus take place by means of the connecting sleeve. The complicated introduction of the individual fibers directly into the fiber tube and their alignment and attachment only in the endoscope optics is thus avoided.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. In these show:

1 is a side view of an endoscope optical system according to the invention,

2 shows a sleeve with a glass fiber bundle,

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of an inventive

Endoscopic optical system, 4 shows a detailed view of a sleeve with a clamp and glass fiber bundle according to FIG. 3, FIG.

5 shows the endoscope optics of FIG. 3 without the sleeve of FIG. 4, FIG.

6 is a detailed view of a glass fiber rod of the endoscope optics of Fig. 3 and

Fig. 5, and

7 is a sectional view of the endoscope optics of FIGS. 3 and 5 in the region of

attached staple-like sleeve.

1 and 2, an endoscope optical system 10 according to the invention is shown as a first exemplary embodiment. This includes a lens 11 with which the area or the field of view in front of a window 12 can be observed. The endoscope optics 10 can then be used again in an endoscope, not shown here. The objective 11 has here by way of example a prism 31 and a lens 32.

The objective 11 is introduced into a cavity 13 of a fiber tube 14. The cavity 13 is typically an elongate cavity for allowing the individual components of the lens 11 to be disposed therein. The fiber tube 14 is in turn arranged in an outer tube 15. The outer tube 15 accordingly also forms the outer wall of the endoscope optics 10.

In the area between the fiber tube 14 and the outer tube 15, a further cavity 16 is formed. In this cavity 16, a number of individual optical fibers 17 is arranged, which are combined to form a fiber bundle 18. This fiber bundle 18 is fastened with an end region in a sleeve 19. This sleeve 19 is also disposed in the cavity 16 at the distal end region of the endoscope optical system 10, which is formed there as a breakthrough by an end face 20 at the distal end region of the endoscope optical system 10.

At this end face 20, both a breakthrough 21 with the window 12 of the lens 11 and an opening 22 for the end portions of the fibers 17 and the sleeve 19 is arranged. Accordingly, both the sleeve 19 and the fiber bundle 18 with their end faces 23 and 24 are arranged. The end faces 23 of the sleeve 19 and the end face 24 of the fiber bundle 18 are in the illustrated embodiment slightly opposite to the end face 20 of the fiber tube 14 and the end face or the outer tube 15 is set back. This prevents damage to the polished surface of the end faces 23 and 24, respectively.

For mounting the optical fibers 17 in the opening 16 between the fiber tube 14 and the outer tube 15, the fibers 17 are first connected to the fiber bundle 18. For this purpose, the distal fiber ends are inserted into the sleeve 19 or pulled into this and aligned. The sleeve 19 accordingly has a continuous cavity 25 or lumen for introducing the optical fibers. If part or all of the optical fibers 17 project beyond the front end face 23 of the sleeve 19, they can be cut off, for example. In order to ensure a secure hold of the optical fibers 17 relative to one another and within the sleeve 19, the fiber ends are glued together in the region of the sleeve 19. For this purpose, an adhesive is introduced into the spaces between the optical fibers 17 in the region of their end face 24. Alternatively, this can be done from the back of the sleeve 19 from. The optical fibers 17 are glued together and with the sleeve 19.

In the area of the end faces 23 and 24, a surface treatment such as a grinding and / or a polishing takes place after bonding. This achieves a level surface that is as optimal as possible for the light emission. In addition, both the bonding and the treatment of the surface ensures as insensitive to damage and penetration of liquids surface. The thus prepared sleeve 19 with the fiber bundle 18 is then introduced into the free region of the opening 16. For this purpose, the sleeve 19 is placed with the fiber bundle 18 on the fiber tube 14. Subsequently, the outer tube 15 is pushed over the fiber tube 14. The sleeve 19 is then fixed in the correct position at the distal end region of the endoscope optical system 10 when the outer tube 15 is pushed completely onto the fiber tube 14. For this purpose a tailor-made design of the sleeve 19 to the frontal opening 16 is required.

A further exemplary embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 3 to 7 likewise shows an endoscope optical system 110 according to the invention. This likewise has a window 112 for an objective 111. However, the outer tube surrounding the fiber tube 114 is not shown in this embodiment for the sake of simplicity.

A series of optical fibers 117 is also combined to form a fiber bundle 118 here. This is shown in particular in FIG. 4. However, the individual fibers are not shown in detail.

The distal end region of the fiber bundle is likewise arranged in a sleeve 119. The sleeve 119 also has an opening 125 for insertion of the optical fibers 118. In the area of the end face 123 of the sleeve 119, the fibers of the fiber bundle 18 end with the common end face 124 in this case as well. The individual fibers of the light guide bundle 118 are also adhesively bonded here in the sleeve. For a secure hold of the fibers in the opening 125 of the sleeve 119 is achieved. The attachment of the sleeve 119 on the fiber tube 114 is carried out in the embodiment by clamping. For this purpose, the sleeve 119 has two extensions 126, which serve as clamping jaws when plugging onto the fiber tube 114. They lock on both sides of the fiber tube 114 in corresponding corresponding areas. Thus, a secure fixation of the sleeve 119 can be achieved with the fiber bundle 118 on the fiber tube 114.

However, in the present case, the end face 124 of the fiber bundle 118 does not serve directly as a light exit surface for illuminating the field of view of the objective 111. Instead, the end face 124 is coupled by end face coupling to a light guide element 127 fastened to the fiber tube 114. This light guide 127 is formed as a rigid optical fiber or fiberglass rod. Accordingly, it may, for example, have a curved end portion 128 which serves to permanently align an end face 129 optimally for illuminating the field of view. By the coupling of the light from the fiber bundle 118 via the end face 124 and the End face 130 of the light-guiding element 127 in the same is provided for a virtually lossless transition of the light from the fiber bundle 118 into the light-guiding element 127.

The assembly of the endoscope optics 110 is significantly simplified by the fixedly arranged light-guiding element 127. The fiber bundle 118 does not have to be aligned in the direction of the field of view in this case. Instead, this task takes over the light guide 127.

The finished combination of sleeve 119 and fiber bundle 118 can then be simply inserted with exact position on the fiber tube 114, placed and / or clipped. There, it is due to corresponding projections and corresponding interventions for the extensions 126 accurately positioned and properly oriented to the light guide 127 held. By the outer tube, not shown here, the positioning can be additionally fixed. For this purpose, the outer tube, for example, prevent loosening of the extensions 126 from the fiber tube 114 by appropriate system.

The assembly of the fiber bundle 118 of the sleeve 119 takes place in both exemplary embodiments described here by inserting the fibers of the fiber bundle 118 and bonding the same in the sleeve 119. Cutting and grinding and / or polishing of the end faces 124 of the optical fibers 117 close this sub-process of manufacture , An assembly of outer tube and fiber tube 14 with the ready-made fiber bundle 118 connects. The finished endoscope optic 110 can then be installed in an endoscope, in particular permanently and / or detachably.

*****

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Endoscope optics 126 extensions

11 Lens 127 light guide

12 windows 128 end area

13 cavity 129 end face

14 fiber tube 130 face

15 outer tube

16 cavity / breakthrough

17 optical fiber

18 fiber bundles

19 sleeve

20 face

21 breakthrough

22 opening

23 face

24 face

25 breakthrough

31 prism

32 lens

110 endoscope optics

111 lens

112 windows

113 cavity

114 fiber tube

118 fiber bundles

119 sleeve

120 face

121 breakthrough

122 opening

123 face

124 face

125 breakthrough

*****

Claims

claims

An endoscope, comprising an endoscope (10, 110) with an outer tube (15) and a, an optical system with a lens (11, 111) containing fiber tube (14, 114), wherein an opening (22, 122) in the End face (20, 120) of the fiber tube (14, 114) is provided at the end portion of the outer tube (15), wherein the lens (11, 111) through the end face (20, 120) is aligned facing and wherein in addition to the lens (11, 111) at least one fiber bundle (18, 1 8) for illuminating the area in front of the lens (11, 111) is arranged, characterized in that the distal end portion of the fiber bundle (18, 118) in a sleeve (19, 119) is attached ,

2. Endoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that the fiber bundle (18, 1 8) in the sleeve (19, 119) is fixed, preferably permanently, more preferably by gluing.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the end face (24, 124) of the fiber bundle (18, 118) in the sleeve (19, 119) is polished, in particular together with the sleeve (19, 119).

4. Endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face (24, 124) of the fiber bundle (18, 118) and the end face (23, 123) of the sleeve (19, 119) are at least partially flush.

5. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end face (24, 124) of the fiber bundle (19, 119) and / or the end face (23, 123) of the sleeve (19, 119) flush with the and / or behind the end face (20, 120) of the fiber tube (14, 114) are arranged.

6. endoscope optics according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 119) and the fiber tube (14, 114) are formed as separate or separate parts.

7. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 119) has an opening (25, 125) for the introduction of Fiber bundle (18, 118), in particular a circular, oval, half-round, crescent-shaped and / or elongated opening (25, 125), wherein the sleeve (19, 119) preferably has a cylindrical and / or staple-like shape.

8. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber bundle (18, 118) and / or the sleeve (19, 119) for attachment to the fiber tube (14, 114) is provided.

9. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 119) by means of at least one retaining element with the fiber tube (14, 114) is connectable.

10. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 119) with the fiber tube (14, 114) by latching and / or by positive fit is connectable.

11. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sleeve (19, 119) with the fiber tube (14, 114) is connectable by insertion into a recess and / or a breakthrough.

12. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fiber bundle (18, 118) is optically coupled to a preferably rigid light guide element (127), in particular fiber element or fused fiber element, preferably via mutually corresponding end faces (129, 130) ,

13. An endoscope according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide (18, 118) in particular next to and / or parallel to the lens (11, 111) is arranged, wherein the light guide (27, 127) permanently fixed to the fiber tube (14, 114) is connected. Method for mounting an endoscope optical system (10, 110) for an endoscope according to one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized by at least one of the following steps:

a) the fiber bundle (18, 118) is inserted end into the sleeve (19, 119), b) the fiber bundle (18, 118) is glued in the region of the sleeve (19, 119), c) the fiber bundle (18, 118 ) is end-cut and / or polished, d) the sleeve (19, 119) is fastened together with the fiber bundle (18, 118) on the fiber tube (14, 114) of the endoscope optics (10, 110).