Instrument connection device and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The instrument connection device (11) according to the application comprises a flexible, hose-like body (19) with a flexible wall (20), into which a proximal end (24) of a hose (12) is inserted, the hose being part of or leading to an instrument (10). The hose (12) comprises an inner lumen (25) extending longitudinally through the hose (12). Furthermore, a wire (26) is arranged within the hose (12), for example within the inner lumen (25). It is guided through a perforation (27) which the wire (26) itself creates during penetration of the wall (20). The perforation (27) is preferably straight and is guided obliquely, i.e. oblique to the radial and longitudinal central axis, through the wall (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an instrument connection device, in particular for an instrument requiring a gas supply and an electric current supply. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing such an instrument connection device. Background Art

[0002] Surgical instruments used to treat the human or animal body are known to require a gas supply and an electrical current supply for operation. For example, US Pat. No. 7,717,911 B discloses an instrument configured as a flexible probe for this purpose. The instrument essentially consists of a long flexible tube with a wire extending through its lumen. At the distal end of the tube, one end of the wire is approximately centered within the tube, thereby defining an electrode. During operation, an RF AC voltage is applied to the wire, and argon flows through the lumen of the tube. A plasma jet is generated at the distal end of the probe.

[0003] To connect such an instrument to a supply, EP 1 515 659 B1 describes a connector having a housing in which the proximal end of the probe is located. The housing is connected to a gas connector, which includes a gas channel lumen that connects a hose to a filter. Furthermore, the gas connector guides electrical wires out of the hose lumen, thereby sealing the hose lumen from the outside.

[0004] This instrument connection arrangement has been generally proven, however it requires a lot of manufacturing effort. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an instrument connection device which can be simply manufactured and is nevertheless reliable over the long term.

[0006] This object is achieved by means of an instrument connection device according to claim 1. Furthermore, a method according to claim 15 contributes to the achievement of this object, since it shows a simple way of producing a reliable instrument connection device.

[0007] The instrument connection device according to the present invention includes a gas connector having a hollow cylindrical body, part of which is a flexible wall. The wall defines a through-channel concentrically defined in a longitudinal or axial direction. The longitudinal axis is the central axis of the hollow cylindrical body. Perforations are provided in the wall of the hollow cylindrical body, through which a wire extends. The wire extends within a hose, which can be a connecting hose for an instrument or, alternatively, a part of the instrument. The wire can thus extend through the lumen of the hose or be fully or partially (e.g., in sections) embedded in the hose material. Furthermore, the wire can be arranged axially (longitudinally) and, if desired, can also move laterally within the lumen of the hose, or alternatively, can be arranged axially immovable within the hose.

[0008] The hose is arranged within the through-channel of the flexible hollow cylindrical body, abutting against its wall, so as to form a gas-tight connection between the hollow cylindrical body and the hose. Preferably, the wall of the body abuts against the hose under pretension. In particular, the connection is considered gas-tight if, at a pressure differential of at least 500 mbar, no gas flows along the wire through the hose wall. Preferably, the wall thickness of the body and its material properties, particularly with regard to material selection and elasticity, are such that even higher pressure differentials, such as 1, 2, 3, or 4 bar, do not result in gas flows along the wire through the hose wall.

[0009] A perforation is a hole created by material displacement. Preferably, a perforation is created solely by material displacement, without material removal. This differs from drilling or punching, which are created by ablating or removing material. In contrast, the perforation formed in the flexible wall according to the present invention is elastically widened by the wire, allowing the flexible wall of the gas connector to tightly contact the wire in a sealed manner. Preferably, the flexible wall abuts the elastically pre-tensioned wire at the perforation. In other words, the flexible wall is under elastic pre-tension at the perforation. If the wire is removed, the perforation tends to close. Therefore, the wire can be guided through the perforation without a gasket. Sealing material is not required, either inside the through-hole or outside the elastomeric body on the wire. The elastomeric body itself seals against the wire. However, sealing material, such as an adhesive, may be applied to the wire and outside the elastomeric body where the wire exits the elastomeric body. However, this is only an option and is not required in many cases.

[0010] The wire is preferably metallic and bare, i.e., without a non-metallic surface coating. However, it can also be provided with a coating, for example made of plastic, which adheres tightly to its surface. Independently of this, the wire can be heated after penetrating the wall in order to melt it to the wall. If a non-metallic, meltable coating is provided on the wire, it can be melted at least partially, for example by means of energy, such as radiation, heat, ultrasound, etc., in order to create an additional sealing and / or adhesive bond with the wall material.

[0011] Preferably, the perforations are oriented obliquely to the wall. This way, the wires also extend obliquely relative to the wall and, therefore, also to the longitudinal axis of the elastomeric body extending through the wall. These measures, namely the extension of the perforations and the deflection of the wires from the radial direction, maximize the contact surface between the wires and the wall of the elastomeric body, which supports the sealing effect.

[0012] However, the longitudinal direction of the through passage and the perforation or the angle between the wire that is guided through the perforation are preferably higher than 10 °, higher than 20 °, higher than 30 ° or also higher than 40 °. However, in any case, it is less than or equal to 90 °, preferably less than 80 ° or as it is preferably less than 70 °. If this angle is less than 60 °, then it is particularly preferred. This causes the airtight wire channel to be simply manufactured and long-term reliable.

[0013] The main body is preferably more flexible than the hose. This ensures tight, sealed contact between the flexible main body and the hose. Due to its lower flexibility, the hose is slightly resistant to bending and can therefore be inserted into the through-channel of the flexible main body. This allows the through-channel's inner diameter to be (slightly) smaller than the hose's outer diameter. Once inserted, the hose is retained within the through-channel by a friction fit. To enhance leak-tightness and friction fit, a clamping device can be provided in the instrument connection device. This clamping device partially biases the elastic main body radially inward, thereby increasing the pressure between the elastic main body and the hose.

[0014] The elastic body can be composed of silicone plastic. The hose can be composed of different plastics, such as polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, TPA, Pebax, polyethylene, polypropylene or another suitable plastic.

[0015] If the wire is axially fixed within the hose, it can be inserted into the body along with the hose during the manufacture of the instrument connection device. This is particularly true if the wire is resistant to bending, for example, if it is composed of an elastic, resistant material (such as steel wire). If it is used like a needle to penetrate the wall of an elastic body, the bending resistance is provided with reference to the penetration resistance, i.e., the resistance related to the longitudinal force applied to the wire. Therefore, it is preferably resistant to bending along at least a length of 1 cm to 2 cm. Preferably, the wire has an even higher bending resistance, so that it can also penetrate the wall of the body without bending, also in the case of a free cantilever length of at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5 cm. Therefore, during the manufacture of the gas cannula, the wire can be used as a tool for creating the perforation. Preferably, it thus pierces the wall only once and then remains within the perforation without being removed again.

[0016] If the wire is not axially secured within a flexible conduit, it can be initially inserted into the body without the flexible conduit during manufacture of the instrument connection device. After penetrating the body wall, the flexible conduit can be threaded over the wire and inserted into the body. If a bare wire (i.e., one without the flexible conduit) is used to penetrate the wall, it is advantageous if the bare wire has a high bending resistance so that the thrust applied to the wire outside the body is applied to the wire tip, causing it to penetrate the wall. However, if the wire has a lower pressure or bending resistance, it can be inserted into the body with the aid of a tool that holds the wire proximally to a certain distance, leaving only a free, cantilevered (short enough) section proximally for wall penetration.

[0017] The method for manufacturing an instrument connection device provides for positioning a hollow cylindrical body so that it is bent at a point by at least approximately 30°, whereby a straight section (leg) of the body extends from the bent point. A hose with a wire end protruding from it is then pushed into the straight section of the body, whereby the wire penetrates the wall of the hollow cylindrical body at the bent point. If desired, the wire can be pointed or sharpened at its penetration end, i.e., provided with a needle point or cutting edge. After penetrating the hollow cylindrical body and releasing the body, it springs back into its extended position. This completes the gas connector of the instrument connection device. This method can also be particularly implemented if the angle formed by the body for penetration is greater than 30°, for example, 40°, 60°, 90°, 100°, 110°, 120°, or more.

[0018] After penetrating the wall of the flexible hollow cylindrical body, the wire may be slightly heated, for example, to create an adhesive bond at the perforation between the material of the hollow cylindrical body and the surface of the wire. However, this is optional and depends on the material properties of the hollow cylindrical body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further details relating to advantageous details of the invention are derived from the claims and the drawings forming part of the description:

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of an instrument with an instrument connection device is shown,

[0021] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 An illustration of a partially cutaway view of an instrument connection device.

[0022] Figure 3 is based on Figure 2 Illustration of a partially cutaway view of the gas connection of the instrument connection device,

[0023] Figure 4 is a portion of the wall of the hollow cylindrical body of a gas connector having a perforation,

[0024] Figure 5 is based on Figure 4 a cross-section of a wall having a perforation into which a wire is inserted,

[0025] Figure 6 Is the instrument connection device during the creation of a perforation in a schematic diagram of a partial longitudinal cut,

[0026] Figure 7 Shows the process of generating a wire channel for the wire according to Figure 6 Instrument connection device,

[0027] Figure 8 is similar to Figure 2 An improved embodiment of the instrument connection device, but with a gas filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 The instrument 10 is shown in the form of a flexible probe, as it is suitable for endoscopic treatment of human or animal patients, for example. This instrument 10 illustrates the invention only by way of example. The invention can be similarly applied to instruments of different configurations, such as instruments for open surgical use or laparoscopic instruments. However, all these instruments have in common that a hose 12 extends distally from the instrument connection device 11, which hose is either a supply hose of the instrument 10 itself or a hose such as a Figure 1 As shown, it is part of the instrument itself. Figure 1 In the example of the present invention, the hose 12 forms the proximal end of the instrument. In other instruments, the hose 12 is a supply hose, which is not necessarily considered to be part of the instrument.

[0029] The instrument connection device 11 is used to supply a gaseous medium, such as argon, another inert gas, a reactive gas or also a liquid, as well as an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current to the instrument 10. For example, Figure 1 The instrument shown is an argon plasma probe, which must be supplied with argon and AC power for operation. However, the instrument connection device 11 is also applicable to other instruments in which electrical power must be supplied via electrical wiring and gas (or liquid) must be supplied via a hose lumen. The present invention is particularly applicable to instruments in which the electrical wiring is located within the hose 12.

[0030] The instrument connection device 11 comprises at least one pin-shaped or otherwise configured electrical contact 13 for, for example, current or voltage supply, and, if required, one or more additional electrical contacts 14. The electrical contacts 13, 14 may be pin contacts held parallel to each other in a connector housing 15.

[0031] The instrument connection arrangement 11 further comprises a gas connection connector 16 , which may be configured, for example, by a flexible, hose-like connection means contacting the pins 13 , 14 , for example between them.

[0032] Figure 2 The diagram shows the configuration of an instrument connection device 11 with an open connector housing 15. The housing shell of the connector housing 15 shown includes electrical contacts 13 and 14 (here in the form of pins) and a gas connection 16, all of which are immovably held in or on the connector housing 15. The gas connection 16 can be configured as a flexible sleeve. The connector housing 15 further encloses an interior 17, in which a gas connection 18 is arranged. This gas connection 18 serves to connect the current and gas supplies of the instrument 10. To this end, the gas connection 18 comprises a hollow, cylindrical, hose-like body 19 with a flexible wall 20. The body 19 encloses a through-channel 21, the longitudinal center axis 22 of which preferably extends straight (elongated).

[0033] The wall 20 is made of a flexible, spring-elastic plastic, preferably a silicone plastic. The proximal end of the gas connection 18 is fluidically connected to the gas connection piece 16. For this purpose, a corresponding housing structure (e.g., a fluid connector 31 configured in the manner of a plug fitting) can be provided.

[0034] The proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is inserted into the distal end 23 of the body 20. It encloses at least one lumen 25, in particular as Figure 3 Obviously, the lumen 25 preferably extends from the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 to the distal end of the hose 12 or also of the instrument 10. The hose 12 can also have a plurality of lumens extending parallel to one another over the length of the hose.

[0035] The proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is inserted without play and thereby bears tightly and without gap against the wall 20 of the flexible body 19 within the through-channel 21. Thus, a gas-tight connection is formed between the through-channel 21 and the inner cavity 25.

[0036] Within lumen 25, a wire 26 is arranged, which extends from proximal end 24 of hose 12 and intersects wall 20 at perforation 27. Alternatively, the wire may be embedded in the plastic material of hose 12. If hose 12 has multiple lumens, wire 26 may also be arranged in such a way as to extend through one of the lumens or through the material of hose 12.

[0037] Wire 26 is preferably a resistant wire, such as spring steel wire or a wire made of another elastic resistant material. The bending resistance of wire 26 is preferably high enough so that wire 26 with a free cantilever length of 1 cm to 2 cm can penetrate wall 20 when it moves toward wall 20. If the end face of wire 26 is not specially sharpened, but only includes shear or fracture surfaces, this is also preferably the case. Therefore, it is also clear that the expression for the bending resistance depends on the penetration strength of wall 20, and therefore depends on the material properties of wall 20, their thickness and the selected free cantilever length of wire 26. However, a spring steel wire with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm has sufficient bending resistance for conventional flexible silicone materials and wall thicknesses of up to several millimeters when the cantilever length is up to 2 cm or longer. The method according to the present invention can be particularly easily implemented by means of such an anti-angle and anti-bending wire, which also allows a free cantilever length of at least 3, at least 4 or at least 5 cm.

[0038] The wire 26 can be uniformly arranged along its entire length extending through the inner cavity 25, or it can have joints inside or outside the gas connector 18 and thus be composed of different materials in sections. Furthermore, the wire 26 can be surface-coated, for example, completely or partially comprising a silver coating or another metal coating, such as a copper coating. The wire (e.g., a bare steel wire or a metal-coated steel wire) can also be provided with a non-metallic coating, particularly a thermoplastic coating, that is immovably adhered to its surface. The non-metallic coating can extend along the entire length of the wire, or alternatively, only along a portion of its length, such as the portion extending beyond the hose 12.

[0039] The perforations 27 are preferably perforated by the wire 26 itself and are therefore produced without material removal. Figure 4 As shown, if the wire 26 is removed from the perforation 27, it will at least almost or also completely close again if the wall 20 is elastically released. Figure 5 As shown, the wall 20 then abuts against the wire 26 under pretension and is therefore sealed there. Like this, the wall of the perforation 27 forms an airtight wire channel together with the wire 26.

[0040] Preferably, the perforation 27 is arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis 22 of the through-channel 21. The angle defined between the perforation 27 and the longitudinal axis 22 is therefore less than or equal to 90 °, preferably less than 80 °, further preferably less than 70 °, and optimally less than 60 °. On the other hand, the angle is greater than 10 °, preferably greater than 20 °, more preferably greater than 30 °, and preferably greater than 40 °. By this dimensioning, simple producibility is achieved and at the same time good sealing tightness of the wire channel is achieved.

[0041] The wire 36 can be loosely placed in the lumen 25, so that there is no axially rigid connection between the wire 26 and the hose 12. However, the wire 26 can also be connected to the hose 12 in an axially immovable manner, for example by means of a separately arranged retainer or by means of a structure of the hose 12 in the lumen 25.

[0042] To further illustrate the present invention, Figure 6 and 7 The basic manufacturing steps of the gas connection 18 are shown.

[0043] To manufacture the gas connector 18, first provide the hollow cylindrical body 19 and the wire 26. The wire 26 can be provided as a bare wire, or, in the case where it is connected to the hose 12, also provided with the hose 12, whereby, however, the proximal end 28 of the wire 26 protrudes from the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 by approximately the desired amount, for example, 1 cm to 2 cm or several centimeters.

[0044] Body 19 now becomes Figure 6 The angled shape shown has a bend 29 where the hose-like body 19 is angled at approximately 30° or greater. Angles greater than 90° are preferred. At least one straight leg 30 extends from the bend 29, which allows the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 to be positioned therein.

[0045] The wire 26 is now inserted into the leg 30 so that its proximal end 28 strikes the wall 20 at this location, preferably at approximately a right angle. The further advancement of the wire 26 has the effect of penetrating the wall 20 with the creation of a perforation 27. Simultaneously or subsequently, the hose 12 is inserted with its proximal end 24 into the leg 30.

[0046] After this process has been carried out, the gas connection 18, which has been completed to such an extent, is removed from the holding device so that the bend 29 can be released and stretched again. The gas connection 18 then presents approximately Figure 7 Depending on the spring constant of the wire 26 and the wall 20, the wall 20 can also be completely hollow, cylindrical, straight, or as shown. Figure 7 As shown, it is still slightly angled. However, the wire 26 is inserted into the perforation 27 in a fluid-tight manner.

[0047] In the next step, the gas connection 18 can now be mounted to the connector housing 15. To this end, Figure 2As shown, the proximal end of the main body 19 is pushed onto a fluid connector 31, which can be configured as a housing structure, establishing a fluid connection with the gas connection 16. Furthermore, the proximal end 28 of the wire 26 can be electrically and mechanically connected to either contact 13 or 14 (or both), for example by soldering, welding, crimping, or other means. Furthermore, the gas connection 18 is inserted into a clamping structure 32, at least where the main body 19 already includes the proximal end 24 of the hose 12. The clamping structure 32 can be composed of one or more wall segments 33, 34, 35, and 36, which can be integral parts of the housing shell of the connector housing 15 and each include a U-shaped cutout with a clearance slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the main body 19. The latter is deformed radially inward by the wall segments 33 to 36, so that the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is clamped within the clamping structure 32 within the main body 19. Simultaneously, the main body 19 is fixed within the housing 15 in a manner that prevents stretching. Preferably, the clamping structure is elastically movable in the axial direction. The web width of the wall sections 33, 34, 35, 36 is less than 1 / 5, 1 / 7 or 1 / 10 of the outer diameter of the flexible body. In this way, the fixation of the gas joints in the half shells is improved.

[0048] exist Figure 2 In FIG, only the lower housing shell is shown. The removed upper housing shell may comprise such wall segments as in Figure 2 The clamping structure shown extends between the wall sections 33 to 36 and thus supplements the clamping of the hose 12 within the gas connection 18 .

[0049] Figure 8 An expanded embodiment of the present invention is shown in which the fluid connector 31 is part of a filter housing in which a gas filter 38 is located. The gas filter 38 may be a fine-pored body that prevents contaminants from being transferred from the supply device to the instrument 10, and vice versa. Figure 1-7 The description given applies correspondingly based on the same reference numerals.

[0050] The instrument connection device 11 according to the present invention comprises a flexible, hose-like body 19 having a flexible wall 20, into which is inserted a proximal end 24 of a hose 12, which is part of or leads to an instrument 10. The hose 12 comprises an inner lumen 25 extending longitudinally through the hose 12. Furthermore, a wire 26 is arranged within the hose 12, for example within the inner lumen 25. The wire 26 is guided through a perforation 27 created by the wire 26 itself during its penetration through the wall 20. The perforation 27 is preferably straight and guided through the wall 20 obliquely (i.e., obliquely to the radial direction and also to the longitudinal center axis).

[0051] List of reference numerals:

[0052] 10 Instruments

[0053] 11 Instrument connection device

[0054] 12 hose

[0055] 13, 14 electrical contacts

[0056] 15 Connector housing

[0057] 16 Gas connections

[0058] 17 Internal

[0059] 18 Gas connector

[0060] 19 Subject

[0061] 20 wall

[0062] 21 Through Channel

[0063] 22 longitudinal center axis

[0064] 23 distal end of the main body 19

[0065] 24 proximal end of hose 12

[0066] 25 Inner cavity of hose 12

[0067] 26 Wire

[0068] 27 Piercing

[0069] 28 Proximal end of wire 26

[0070] 29 bend

[0071] 30 legs

[0072] 31 Fluid Connectors

[0073] 32 clamping structure

[0074] 33-36 Wall Segment

[0075] 37 filter housing

[0076] 38 Gas filter.

Claims

1. An instrument connection device (11) for an instrument (10) requiring a gas supply and an electric current supply, There is a gas connector (18) comprising a hollow cylindrical body (19) having a flexible wall (20) limiting a through passage (21) and comprising perforations (27), There is a hose (12) comprising at least one lumen (25) and arranged to abut against the wall (20) within the body (19), the proximal end (24) of the hose extending into the body (19) in a proximal direction, A wire (26) is arranged inside the hose (12), the wire protruding from the hose in a proximal direction and extending through the perforation (27), in, The perforation (27) is elastically widened by the wire (26), and The flexible wall (20) abuts against the wire (26) at the perforation (27) in an elastically tensioned manner.

2. The instrument connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wire (26) is guided through the perforation (27) without a washer.

3. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The perforations (27) are oriented at right angles or obliquely relative to the wall (20).

4. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The perforations (27) are arranged at an angle of less than 90°, 80°, 70° or less than 60° relative to the longitudinal direction (22) defined by the through-channel (21), and / or the perforations (27) are arranged at an angle of more than 10°, 20°, 30° or more than 40° relative to the longitudinal direction (22).

5. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The body (19) comprises a flexibility greater than that of the hose (12).

6. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hose (12) is retained within the body (19) in a friction fit.

7. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The main body (19) is made of silicone plastic.

8. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The hose (12) is made of polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, TPA, Pebax, polypropylene or polyethylene.

9. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wire (26) is fixed in the hose (12).

10. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wire (26) is an elastic wire, in particular a steel wire.

11. The instrument connection device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The wire (26) is made of elastic and anti-bending material.

12. An instrument (10) having an instrument connection device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. A method for producing an instrument connection device (11) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that First, a hose (12) having a wire (26) extending from its proximal end (24) and a hollow cylindrical body (19) is provided. The hollow cylindrical body (19) is then elastically bent at a location (29), whereby at least one straight section (30) of the body (19) extends from the location (29), The proximal end (28) of the wire (26) is then inserted into the straight section (30), whereby the wire (26) penetrates the body (19) at the bend (29), The body (19) is then transferred back to its released, extended shape.

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