Endoscope comprising a flexible insertion tube and a bending section

Abstract

The invention relates to an endoscope (1) comprising a flexible insertion tube (2) and a bending section (3) which is controllably and distally connected to the insertion tube (2) from a proximal side. The bending section (3) comprises a sleeve (10) in which at least one pull cord (11) for operating a pivoting movement of the bending section (3) is arranged, wherein the at least one pull cord (11) is anchored to the distal end of the bending section (3). In the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (10) a separating element (30) is arranged which divides the cross section of the sleeve (10) into at least two separate chambers (31, 32). In one of the at least two chambers (31, 32) separated by the separating element (30) a pull cord (11) of the at least one pull cord (11) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (10) for a pivoting movement of the bending section (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope comprising a flexible insertion tube and a bending portion controllable from a proximal side, the bending portion being connected to the insertion tube toward the distal side.

[0002] Endoscopes of this type can be constructed with extremely small diameters, for example, to inspect small openings in the body.

[0003] Typically, the diameter of the curved portion is equal to or slightly different from the diameter of the insertion tube of the endoscope. In the case of an endoscope with a thin insertion tube, the curved portion is appropriately thin.

[0004] However, thin curved sections generally do not have sufficient interior for the complex structural design required for conventional curved sections. The curved section of the endoscope can be controlled by the user. To do this, the user controls, i.e., deflects, the curved section from the proximal side of the endoscope. Background Art

[0005] Thus, various basic designs of curved sections are known from the prior art, such as curved sections of hinged members made of metal or curved sections made of hinged plastic elements.

[0006] In a curved portion of a hinged member made of metal, the curved portion comprises a plurality of metal rings of complex shapes, each of which is connected by a freely movable connection via an annular joint. The annular joint comprises a hinge pin that is offset by 90 degrees or 180 degrees from its corresponding adjacent annular joint. The curved portion can be pivoted upward and downward via a plurality of pivot points. Eyelets are arranged in a plurality of rows at the annular joints on the inner side of the deflectable portion. The eyelets serve as guides for a pull rope that is anchored to the distal end of the deflectable portion. The bending or deflecting movement of the deflectable portion is performed by a pull rope that is pulled from the proximal side.

[0007] The complex configuration requires a suitable interior inside the curved portion. If the curved portion is very thin, there is usually not sufficient interior space available.

[0008] In the curved section of an articulated plastic component, the plastic components, produced by injection molding, are interconnected via hinges and are pivotable relative to one another. While the curved section of an articulated plastic component exhibits a very simple construction, it offers an even smaller internal space than the curved section of an articulated component made of metal. This is because the partitions of the plastic components require a certain thickness to ensure sufficient stability and corresponding strength. Furthermore, in this case, the eyelets also require a significant amount of space. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope comprising a flexible insertion tube and a curved portion, wherein the curved portion can form a sufficient space inside. In addition, the curved portion of the endoscope is intended to provide satisfactory functionality.

[0010] In the present invention, an endoscope comprises a flexible insertion tube and a curved portion, the curved portion being controllable from a proximal side and distally connected to the insertion tube. The curved portion comprises a sleeve, within which at least one pull cord extends for pivotal movement of the curved portion, and the at least one pull cord is anchored to the distal end of the curved portion. A separating element is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve, dividing the sleeve's cross-section into two separate chambers. In one of the two chambers separated by the separating element, a pull cord of the at least one pull cord is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve for pivotal movement of the curved portion.

[0011] The curved section can be easily divided into pull-tether ducts by means of a separating element, which extend in the longitudinal direction and are delimited radially to the sides. This makes it possible to provide an endoscope with a curved section in a simple and cost-effective manner. This simple design allows for particularly small construction dimensions, as the principle of dividing the curved section into separate chambers by means of a separating element is applicable to any construction dimension and is particularly suitable for very small endoscope diameters.

[0012] In this case, at least one pulling rope is arranged in the chamber. With this simple structure, the bending part can be pivoted by pulling the one pulling rope in a better direction. The bending part can be returned after deflection by releasing the previously pulled pulling rope.

[0013] In each of the two chambers separated by the separating element, a pull cord of the at least one pull cord can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve to facilitate pivotal movement of the curved portion. In this case, using the two chambers separated by the separating element, one pull cord is provided in each chamber. Each pull cord is guided in an independent chamber and, therefore, is not affected by other pull cords in its independent pull cord path.

[0014] The separating element may be arranged in the sleeve such that the separating element divides the cross section of the sleeve into two separate chambers of equal size. Thus, a curved portion of minimum size can be used in practice.

[0015] The separation element can be anchored at its proximal side to the distal end region of the insertion tube. The separation element can be anchored at its proximal side to the distal end portion of the insertion tube, so that the length of its protrusion toward the distal side can be predetermined. This allows for safe, reliable, and simple anchoring, requiring minimal effort.

[0016] The insertion tube may include an outer covering and an elastic wire mesh beneath the outer covering, the proximal side of the separation element being anchored to the distal end region of the wire mesh.The wire mesh incorporated into the insertion tube provides a firm support for the proximal side of the separation element.

[0017] The proximal side of the separation element may be inserted into, welded to, or glued to the distal end region of the wire mesh.

[0018] The sleeve of the curved portion has an outer diameter of 3 mm or less. In the case of even smaller designs, the sleeve of the curved portion can even have an outer diameter of 1 mm or less. Thus, the endoscope is suitable for particularly small cavities that were previously difficult to inspect with flexible endoscopes having a curved portion.

[0019] The separation element can be made of spring steel, stainless steel or a flexible plastic material. The material of the separation element imparts flexibility. However, the separation element is incompressible and inextensible.

[0020] The separator element can be made of various materials with different bending properties. Therefore, the various materials can be arranged in a manner that ensures a preferred bending direction for the separator element. For example, the separator element can be a metal plate having upper and lower surfaces coated with rubber or plastic. The metal plate can then be bent toward the corresponding coated side.

[0021] The sleeve of the curved portion may comprise a spring element. In this way, flexibility and the necessary rigidity may be imparted to the sleeve and, therefore, to the curved portion. Furthermore, the curved portion may be configured to be twist-proof (torsion-resistant).

[0022] The spring element can be embedded in the sleeve of the curved portion. The sleeve can be made of plastic or rubber. Therefore, the sleeve equipped with the spring element is easy to manufacture. For example, the sleeve material can be injection molded or extruded around the spring element.

[0023] The cross-section of the separation element can be configured such that it is wider in a first direction and narrower in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The separation element's cross-section can have a rectangular, oval, elliptical, or racetrack-shaped (so-called stadium-shaped) shape. Consequently, one side of the separation element is longer than the other. The separation element bends around the thinner side. This allows the bending direction to be predetermined when the pull rope is pulled. The separation element cannot bend in the direction of the wider side of the cross-section.

[0024] The endoscope may be a flexible endoscope.

[0025] The above-described embodiments of the present invention can be combined as appropriate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic side view of the distal region of an endoscope of the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic side view showing the interior of the curved portion of the first embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic top view of a flexible board according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0029] Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C FIG. 1 shows how the flexible plate of the first embodiment is inserted into the insertion tube. In particular, Figure 4A shows a schematic top view, Figure 4B shows a schematic side view, and Figure 4C A schematic perspective view is shown.

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a bent portion of the first embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic side view of a sleeve showing the curved portion in a second embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic perspective view of a spring element of a second embodiment is shown.

[0033] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of a sleeve of a second embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The representations in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may sometimes be distorted for the sake of clarity.

[0035] First embodiment

[0036] In the following, reference Figures 1 to 5 A first embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0037] The endoscope 1 of the present invention includes an insertion tube 2, a curved portion 3, and a distal end portion 4 on the distal side of a control member (not shown).

[0038] Figure 1 Schematic side view of the distal region of the endoscope 1 of the present invention is shown. A curved portion 3 is provided on the distal side of the insertion tube 2. A distal end portion 4 is provided on the distal side of the curved portion 3.

[0039] Insertion tube 2

[0040] The insertion tube 2 is flexible and is used to advance the distal end 4 into the patient for examination purposes. The insertion tube 2 is flexible, allowing it to follow a curved body opening, provided the insertion tube 2 is inserted into the curved opening. The insertion tube 2 is also sufficiently rigid and torsion-resistant to allow it to be pushed forward through the curved portion of the body opening. The insertion tube 2 includes a covering 21 on the outside and a wire mesh 22 preferably on the inside of the covering 21. The covering 21 protects the interior of the insertion tube 2. The wire mesh 22 imparts the desired flexibility, rigidity, and torsion resistance to the insertion tube 2.

[0041] Bend 3

[0042] The curved portion 3 is located at the distal end of the insertion tube 2. The longitudinal direction of the curved portion 3 corresponds to the extension direction of the endoscope 1. The curved portion 3 is pivotable relative to the insertion tube 2. To achieve this pivotability, a pull cord 11 secured to the distal end 4 is guided through the curved portion 3. In this embodiment, two pull cords 11 are provided. Pulling the pull cords 11 in the proximal direction reduces the distance between the distal end of the insertion tube 2 and the distal end 4 at the radial side of the curved portion 3 where the pull cords 11 are located.

[0043] In the curved portion 3, the elastic sleeve 10 extends from the distal end of the insertion tube 2 to the distal end 4. The elastic sleeve 10 can be regarded as a continuation of the covering 21 of the insertion tube 2 in the distal direction.

[0044] Separation element 30

[0045] In the bending portion 3 , a flat flexible plate 30 serving as a bendable plate is arranged as a separate element. Figure 3 An example of a flexible board 30 is shown. In a top view, the flexible board 30 takes the shape of an elongated rectangle. In addition, the cross section of the flexible board 30 is rectangular. Figure 3 In the top view of FIG, the flexible sheet 30 can be bent toward the viewer and can be bent away from the viewer.

[0046] The flexible plate 30 has a narrower proximal portion 36 and a wider distal portion 35. The proximal portion 36 has a shorter width than the distal portion 35.

[0047] The proximal portion 36 is inserted from the distal side into the wire mesh 22 of the insertion tube 2. When the flexible plate 30 is inserted into the wire mesh 22, the wider distal portion 35 can be used as a stopper, and the flexible plate 30 is inserted into the wire mesh 22 until the stopper. The length of the flexible plate 30 protruding from the wire mesh 22 is preset in this way.

[0048] The proximal portion 36 may also be welded or glued or otherwise fastened to the wire mesh 22. Thus, the distal portion 35 of the flexible plate 30 protrudes from the wire mesh 22 of the insertion tube 2 in the distal direction.

[0049] The sleeve 10 is pulled onto the flexible plate 30. As a result, the outer edge of the distal portion 35 is pressed into the elastic inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 10, dividing the interior of the sleeve 10 into a first chamber 31 and a second chamber 32 in cross section. In other words, the flexible plate 30 divides the interior of the sleeve 10. Each of the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 is peripherally defined by the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 10 and the flexible plate 30.

[0050] The first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 extend from the distal end of the insertion tube 2 to the distal end 4 in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 10. Figure 2 In this embodiment, the distal end of the flexible plate 30 is spaced apart from the proximal surface of the distal end 4. Alternatively, the distal end of the flexible plate 30 may abut on the proximal surface of the distal end 4, or may be anchored to the distal end 4.

[0051] Thus, the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 are separated from each other by the flexible plate 30. Preferably, the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 have the same cross-sectional dimensions. Thus, the flexible plate 30 divides the interior of the sleeve 10 into two equal halves. Alternatively, the flexible plate 30 may divide the interior of the sleeve 10 into two unequal halves, such that the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 have unequal cross-sectional dimensions.

[0052] See also Figure 5 In the first chamber 31 , the pulling cord 11 , the camera cable 12 and the optical conductor 13 are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 3 such that they extend parallel to the axis of the curved portion 3 .

[0053] The flexible plate 30 is bendable and can be made of spring steel, stainless steel or bendable plastic material. Although bendable, the flexible plate 30 is incompressible and inextensible. Therefore, the flexible plate 30 has a function similar to that of a spine.

[0054] Distal end 4

[0055] The distal end 4 can serve as the endoscope head. A pull cord 11 is anchored in the distal end 4. An optical system (not shown) and a camera (not shown) are provided on the distal side of the distal end 4. The optical system is connected to a light conductor 13 and ensures illumination of the scene to be observed. The camera is connected to a camera cable 12 and takes pictures of the illuminated scene.

[0056] The sleeve 10 may abut on the distal end 4 , or alternatively, may cover the outer peripheral side of the distal end 4 .

[0057] The endoscope 1 of the present invention can be extremely small. The outer diameter of the sleeve 10 of the curved portion 3, the insertion tube 2, and the distal end 4 can be 3 mm or less. In even smaller designs, the outer diameter of the sleeve 10 of the curved portion 3, the insertion tube 2, and the distal end 4 can even be 2 mm or 1 mm or less.

[0058] Functions of the present invention

[0059] By pulling either of the two pulling ropes 11 in the proximal direction, the distance between the distal end of the insertion tube 2 and the distal end 4 can be reduced. When the pulling rope 11 provided in the first chamber 31 is pulled, the flexible plate 30 bends toward the side, and thus, the bent portion 3 pivots to the side of the first chamber 31 ( Figure 5 When the pulling rope 11 provided in the second chamber 32 is pulled, the flexible plate 30 is bent toward the other side, and thus, the bent portion 3 pivots to the side of the second chamber 3 ( Figure 5 Each of the first chamber 31 and the second chamber 32 functions as a pull cord conduit for the pull cord 11 arranged therein.

[0060] Advantages of the present invention

[0061] The curved portion 3 shows a very simple design, utilizes few components, and can therefore be manufactured at very low cost.

[0062] The curved portion 3 does not require an eyelet as a cord guide. This is particularly advantageous for thin insertion tubes, as no cavity is required for an eyelet. In the first embodiment, a separating element 30, which is a flexible plate, divides the interior of the curved portion 3 into two chambers 31 and 32. Each of the two chambers 31 and 32 serves as a cord guide for a corresponding pull cord 11. As a result, the pull cords 11 do not interfere with each other and can still be safely guided.

[0063] Therefore, the curved portion 3 of the present invention can be used for an endoscope including an extremely small insertion tube.

[0064] Second embodiment

[0065] Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention is referred to Figures 6 to 8 Provide a description.

[0066] In the second embodiment, the spring element 18 is arranged in the sleeve 10 of the first embodiment. Apart from this, the structure of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0067] Figure 6A schematic side view of a sleeve 10 of a second embodiment of a bending portion 3 is shown. For greater clarity, the pulling cord 11 and the bendable plate 30 are not shown, nor are the camera cable 12 and the optical conductor 13.

[0068] In order to better give the sleeve 10 flexibility, Figure 7 The spring element 18 shown is embedded in the interior of the sleeve 10. Figure 8 In FIG. 1 , the position of the spring element 18 is shown in a cross section of the sleeve 10 of the second embodiment.

[0069] The sleeve 10 of the second embodiment may be manufactured such that plastic material is injection molded or extruded onto the spring element 18 such that the spring element 18 is sandwiched between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the sleeve 10 made of plastic material.

[0070] Thus, the sleeve 10 of the second embodiment is configured to be flexible, yet rigid and torsionally resistant.

[0071] Otherwise, the same advantages as those of the first embodiment are obtained.

[0072] Other alternatives

[0073] Alternatively, the pull cord 11 can be placed in only one of the two chambers 31, 32. The pull cord in the other chamber 31, 32 can be omitted. In this way, the bending portion 3 can be deflected in one direction by pulling the one pull cord 11. When the pull cord 11 is released, the bending portion 3 returns to its stretched initial position. This allows for even greater space, as the space gained by omitting the pull cord is increased.

[0074] In the second embodiment, the spring element 18 is interposed between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the sleeve 10. In an alternative, the spring element may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sleeve 10 to impart the desired elasticity and bending stiffness to the sleeve 10.

[0075] In the first embodiment, the elastic sleeve 10 of the curved portion 3 forms a distal continuation of the cover 21 of the insertion tube 2. In an alternative, the elastic sleeve 10 and the cover 21 may be a one-piece cover extending from the control member to the distal end 4 of the endoscope.

[0076] In the first embodiment, the flexible sheet 30 is in the form of an elongated rectangle. The flexible sheet 30 may also take other shapes. The cross-section of the flexible sheet 30 may take a rectangular, oval, elliptical, or racetrack shape, etc. The racetrack shape (or stadium shape) has linear segments interposed between semicircular end pieces.

[0077] In an embodiment, the separation element is in the form of a flexible or bendable plate. The present invention is not limited thereto. For example, when the sleeve 10 is manufactured by extrusion, the separation element can also be formed as a partition. In this case, the separation element is integrally connected to the sleeve 10.

[0078] In another alternative, the separating element can be configured as an element with a cross-shaped cross-section, which divides the interior space of the sleeve 10 into four independent chambers. Alternatively, a separating element can be used to divide the interior space of the sleeve 10 into three or five independent chambers. Thus, a separating element can be used that creates any number of chambers in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 10. A pull cord can be run in each of these chambers. Furthermore, when the separation element is used to create multiple chambers, at least one chamber may not be equipped with a pull cord.

[0079] In the embodiment, the optical system including the light conductor 13 and the camera including the camera cable 12 constitute only examples of use in the endoscope of the present invention and may be modified or even omitted.

[0080] In an embodiment, the separation element can be made of spring steel, stainless steel or a flexible plastic material. In an alternative, the separation element can be made of different materials with different bending properties. Therefore, the different materials can be arranged in the separation element so that they ensure a preferred bending direction of the separation element. For example, the separation element as the central component can be a bendable metal plate. The metal plate comprises an upper surface and a lower surface and can be bent towards each upper surface and lower surface. On the upper surface and / or the lower surface, the metal plate is coated with different elastic materials, such as rubber or plastic material. Therefore, the metal plate can be bent towards the corresponding coated side.

[0081] Alternatively, when the present invention is applied to a larger endoscope, a working catheter, an irrigation catheter and / or an ultrasonic sensor, etc. may be installed.

[0082] The present invention may be advantageously applied to flexible endoscopes.The principles of the present invention may be applied to any type of endoscope comprising a curved portion.

[0083] Description of Reference Numerals

[0084] 1. Endoscope

[0085] 2 Insertion tube

[0086] 3 curved parts

[0087] 4 distal end

[0088] 10 sleeves

[0089] 11 Pulling rope

[0090] 12 camera cables

[0091] 13 Photoconductor

[0092] 18 spring elements

[0093] 21 covering

[0094] 22 Wire Network

[0095] 30 separation elements

[0096] 31 First Chamber

[0097] 32 Second Chamber

[0098] 35 distal portion of the flexible plate

[0099] 36 The proximal portion of the bendable plate.

Claims

1. An endoscope (1), comprising: a flexible insertion tube (2), and a curved portion (3), said curved portion (3) being controllable from the proximal side, said curved portion (3) being connected to said insertion tube (2) towards the distal side, wherein the curved portion (3) has a sleeve (10) in which at least one pulling rope (11) extends for pivotal movement of the curved portion (3), the at least one pulling rope (11) being anchored at the distal end of the curved portion (3), The endoscope (1) is characterized in that In the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (10), a separation element (30) is arranged for dividing the cross section of the sleeve (10) into at least two independent chambers (31, 32), and In one of the at least two chambers (31, 32) separated by the separating element (30), a pulling rope (11) of the at least one pulling rope (11) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (10) for pivoting movement of the curved portion (3), The separation element (30) is anchored at its proximal side to the distal end region of the insertion tube (2), The insertion tube (2) comprises an outer covering (21) and an elastic wire mesh (22) beneath the outer covering (21), the proximal side (36) of the separation element (30) being anchored to the distal end region of the wire mesh (22).

2. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1, wherein In each of the at least two chambers (31, 32) separated by the separation element (30), a pulling rope (11) of the at least one pulling rope (11) is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve (10) for pivotal movement of the curved portion (3).

3. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The separation element (30) is arranged in the sleeve (10) such that the separation element (30) divides the cross section of the sleeve (10) into two separation chambers (31, 32) of equal size.

4. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The proximal side (36) of the separation element (30) is inserted at the distal end region of the wire mesh (22).

5. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The proximal side (36) of the separation element (30) is welded or glued to the distal end region of the wire mesh (22).

6. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sleeve (10) of the curved portion (3) has an outer diameter of 3 mm or less.

7. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sleeve (10) of the curved portion (3) has an outer diameter of 1 mm or less.

8. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The separating element (30) is made of spring steel, stainless steel or a bendable plastic material.

9. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The separation element (30) is made of different materials having different flexural properties, The different materials are arranged in the separation element (30) such that they ensure a bending direction of the separation element (30).

10. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The sleeve (10) of the curved portion (3) comprises a spring element (18).

11. The endoscope (1) according to claim 10, wherein The spring element (18) is embedded in the sleeve (10) of the curved portion (3).

12. The endoscope (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The cross section of the separation element (30) is configured such that the cross section of the separation element (30) is wider in a first direction and narrower in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

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