Endoscope head

Abstract

Endoscope head, consisting of a head mechanism (2) comprising an endoscope lens (20), a first connecting part (21) and a second connecting part (22), a spring element (3) which is connected to the head mechanism (2) and forms a first receiving space (31), a support element (4) which is connected to the spring element (3) and has a second receiving space (41), a first rope (61) and a second rope (62) which are connected to the first and second connecting part (21, 22) and extend through the second receiving chamber (41) and the first receiving chamber (31), and at least one bilaterally flexible body (5) which is received in the first receiving space (31), has a first flexible surface (51) and a second flexible surface (52) and is attached at one end to the head mechanism (2) and at the other end to the support element (4); This allows the bilaterally flexible body (5) to be bent towards the first and second surfaces (51, 52) by pulling the first and second ropes (61, 62). wherein the support element (4) has a first through hole (42) and a second through hole (43), wherein the first through hole (42) is aligned with the first connecting part (21) and the second through hole (43) is aligned with the second connecting part (22); wherein the first and second rope (61, 62) are guided through the first and second through-hole (42, 43) and serve to control the bending direction of the first surface (51) and the second surface (52).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to an endoscope head, in particular an endoscope head with a spring element and a flexible body that can be bent bilaterally or unilaterally. State of the art

[0002] The documents DE 42 10 645 A1 and DE 690 29 358 T2 are considered to be the closest prior art.

[0003] The endoscope head is used to examine the interior of living organisms. Fig. 1 shows a conventional endoscope head 91, which consists of a head 92, a plurality of metal rings 93, and a plurality of rivets 94. The head 92 supports an endoscope lens (not shown). Each metal ring 93 has a first rivet hole 95 and an opposite second rivet hole (not shown). The metal rings 93 are connected to each other by rivets 94, which are passed through the first 95 and second rivet holes. A first cable 96 and a second cable 97 are passed through the metal rings 93 and connected to the head 92. By pulling the first and second cables 96, 97, the bending direction of the head 92 can be controlled. Therefore, the endoscope head can enter a tissue cavity, such as the stomach, whereby an image of the cavity can be obtained.

[0004] Since the metal rings 93, the first rivet holes 95, the second rivet holes and the rivet 94 of the endoscope head 91 are only allowed to have a dimensional deviation of less than 0.2 mm in order to obtain precise dimensional accuracy, the manufacturing cost is increased.

[0005] In addition, the bending angle of the metal rings of the endoscope head 91 is limited, which means that a complete image of the tissue cavity cannot be obtained, so that the application of the endoscope head is limited.

[0006] If the first or second rope 96, 97 is released, the metal rings 93 cannot return to their original position. The user must pull the first or second rope 96, 97 to reset the metal rings 93. This is very inconvenient. Object of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing an endoscope head having a spring element and a flexible body by means of which the endoscope head can be easily bent bilaterally or unilaterally.

[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide an endoscope head that can achieve a small bending radius.

[0009] These objects are achieved by the endoscope head according to the invention, which consists of a head mechanism having an endoscope lens, a first connecting part and a second connecting part; a spring element which is connected to the head mechanism and forms a first receiving space; a support element which is connected to the spring element and has a second receiving space; a first cable and a second cable which are connected to the first and second connecting parts and extend through the second receiving space and the first receiving space; and at least one bilaterally flexible body which is received in the first receiving space, has a first bendable surface and a second bendable surface and is fastened at one end to the head mechanism and at the other end to the support element.

[0010] Thereby, the bilaterally flexible body can be bent to the first and second surfaces by pulling the first and second ropes.

[0011] Therefore, the invention has the following advantages compared to the conventional solution: (1) the endoscope head according to the invention has a low manufacturing cost because of its simple structure; (2) the endoscope head according to the invention can be reset by the spring element; (3) the endoscope head according to the invention can achieve a smaller bending radius by the spring element and the lateral or unilateral flexible body; (4) the endoscope head according to the invention can be precisely controlled.

[0012] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 a schematic representation of the conventional solution, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 3 a further perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 a representation of the movement of the first embodiment of the invention, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bilaterally flexible body of the second embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8 is a further perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 a representation of the movement of the third embodiment of the invention. Ways to implement the invention

[0013] In the following, the embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] The exemplary embodiments of the invention serve only to illustrate the invention. The invention is not limited thereto. The same components in the exemplary embodiments are designated by the same reference number.

[0015] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of the endoscope head 1 according to the invention, which consists of a head mechanism 2, a spring element 3, a support element 4, at least one bilaterally flexible body 5, a first cable 61, and a second cable 62. The head mechanism 2 has an endoscope lens 20, a first connecting part 21, and a second connecting part 22. The first connecting part 21 and the second connecting part 22 can be formed by a first connecting opening 211 and a second connecting opening (not shown). The first cable 61 and the second cable 62 can be guided through the first connecting opening 211 and the second connecting opening and welded therein. The spring element 3 is formed by a spring connected to the head mechanism 2 and forms a first receiving space 31.The support element 4 is connected to the spring element 3 and has a first through-hole 42, a second through-hole 43, and a second receiving space 41. The first through-hole 42 is aligned with the first connecting part 21. The second through-hole 43 is aligned with the second connecting part 22. The head mechanism 2 and the support element 4 are preferably each formed by a metal ring.

[0016] The first cable 61 and the second cable 62 may each be formed by a metal cable or plastic cable, which are attached to the first and second connecting parts 21, 22. The first and second cables 61, 62 are guided through the first and second through-holes 42, 43 and serve to control the bending direction of the first surface 51 and the second surface 52. The first and second cables 61, 62 extend through the second receiving space 41 and the first receiving space 31.

[0017] The bilaterally flexible body 5 can be made of a metal or plastic material that can be bent bilaterally. The bilaterally flexible body 5 can have a flat shape, a flat bamboo knot shape, a rectangular shape, an irregular shape, a cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical bamboo knot shape. In the present embodiment, the bilaterally flexible body 5 has a flat shape.

[0018] The bilaterally flexible body 5 is accommodated in the first accommodation space 31. Depending on the need, the bilaterally flexible body 5 can be arranged on one side, in the middle area, or on both sides of the first accommodation space 31. One end of the bilaterally flexible body 5 is fixed to the head mechanism 2, and the other end is fixed to the support member 4 to prevent the bilaterally flexible body 5 from rotating. The bilaterally flexible body 5 has a first bendable surface 51 and a second bendable surface 52. The first surface 51 faces the first cable 61, and the second surface 52 faces the second cable 61. By pulling the first and second cables 61, 62, the bilaterally flexible body 5 can be bent to the first and second surfaces 51, 52.

[0019] As from Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, when the first cable 61 connected to the head mechanism 2 is pulled and the two ends of the bilaterally flexible body 5 are non-rotatably fixed to the head mechanism 2 and the support member 4, the first surface 51 is bent by an angle θ, and the spring member 3 corresponding to the first surface 51 is also bent by an angle θ. The angle θ is in a range between 0° and 180°. When the second cable 62 connected to the head mechanism 2 is pulled, the second surface 52 is bent by an angle θ, and the spring member 3 corresponding to the first surface 51 is also bent by an angle θ.

[0020] The angle θ is in a range between 0° and 180°. Since the first surface 51, the second surface 52, and the spring element 3 can achieve a small bending radius r, a complete image of a tissue cavity can be obtained, thus avoiding the disadvantage of an incomplete image of the tissue cavity. However, the application of the endoscope head 1 is not limited to this. When the first cable 61 or the second cable 62 is released, the head mechanism 2 is returned by the restoring force of the spring element 3 and the bilaterally flexible body 5, so handling is very easy.

[0021] The Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the second embodiment of the invention, wherein the head mechanism 2, the spring element 3, the support element 4, the first rope 61, and the second rope 62 are configured similarly to the first embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the bilaterally flexible body 5 in the spring element 3 has a plurality of flat bamboo knots or cylindrical bamboo knots. In the second embodiment, the bilaterally flexible body 5 has a flat bamboo knot shape. The bamboo knots each have a first projection 53 and a second projection 54 at one end and a third projection 55 at the other end. The third projection 55 is inserted into the gap between the first and second projections 53, 54 of the adjacent bamboo knot.The first, second, and third projections 53, 54, 55 are connected to one another via a rotation axis 56, whereby the bamboo nodes can be rotated about the rotation axes 56. Therefore, the second embodiment in . Fig. 5 the effect of the first embodiment in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. Reach 3.

[0022] The Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig.9 shows the third embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first and second embodiments only in that the endoscope head consists of at least one unilaterally flexible body 77 and a first cable 71. The first cable 71 is connected to a connecting part 72 and guided through a first through-hole 73 to control the bending direction of the first surface 74. The first cable 71 extends through a second receiving space 76 and a first receiving space 75. The first cable 71 is preferably formed by a metal cable or a plastic cable.

[0023] The unilaterally flexible body 77 can be formed by a unilaterally flexible metal rope or plastic rope. The unilaterally flexible body 5 can have a flat shape, a flat bamboo knot shape, a rectangular shape, an irregular shape, a cylindrical shape, or a cylindrical bamboo knot shape. In this embodiment, the unilaterally flexible body 77 has a flat shape.

[0024] The unilaterally flexible body 77 is accommodated in the first receiving space 75. Depending on the need, the unilaterally flexible body 77 can be arranged on one side, in the middle area, or on both sides of the first receiving space 75. One end of the unilaterally flexible body 77 is fixed to the head mechanism 78, and the other end is fixed to the support member 79 to prevent the unilaterally flexible body 77 from rotating. The unilaterally flexible body 77 has a first bendable surface 74. The first surface 74 faces the first cable 71. By pulling the first cable 71, the unilaterally flexible body 77 can be bent toward the first surface 74.

[0025] The foregoing description represents only the preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to define the limits and scope of the invention. All equivalent changes and modifications are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

[1] Endoscope head, consisting of a head mechanism (2) comprising an endoscope lens (20), a first connecting part (21) and a second connecting part (22), a spring element (3) which is connected to the head mechanism (2) and forms a first receiving space (31), a support element (4) which is connected to the spring element (3) and has a second receiving space (41), a first cable (61) and a second cable (62) connected to the first and second connecting parts (21, 22) and extending through the second receiving space (41) and the first receiving space (31), and at least one bilaterally flexible body (5) received in the first receiving space (31), having a first bendable surface (51) and a second bendable surface (52) and being attached at one end to the head mechanism (2) and at the other end to the support element (4); thereby the bilaterally flexible body (5) can be bent to the first and second surfaces (51, 52) by pulling the first and second ropes (61, 62), wherein the support element (4) has a first through-hole (42) and a second through-hole (43), the first through-hole (42) being aligned with the first connecting part (21) and the second through-hole (43) being aligned with the second connecting part (22); wherein the first and second cables (61, 62) are guided through the first and second through-holes (42, 43) and serve to control the bending direction of the first surface (51) and the second surface (52). [2] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized by that the end of the first rope (61) is attached to the first connecting part (21) and the end of the second rope (62) is attached to the second connecting part (22). [3] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized bythat the bilaterally flexible body (5) is made of a metal or plastic material that can be bent bilaterally. [4] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized by that the spring element (3) is a spring and encloses the bilaterally flexible body (5). [5] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized by that the head mechanism (2) and the support element (4) are each formed by a metal ring. [6] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized by that the first rope (61) and the second rope (62) are each formed by a metal rope or plastic rope. [7] Endoscope head according to claim 1, characterized by that the bilaterally flexible body (5) has a flat shape, a flat bamboo knot shape, a rectangular shape, an irregular shape, a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical bamboo knot shape. [8] Endoscope head according to claim 7, characterized byin that the bilaterally flexible body (5) has a flat or cylindrical bamboo knot shape and comprises a plurality of bamboo knots each having a first projection (53) and a second projection (54) at one end. [9] Endoscope head according to claim 8, characterized by that the bamboo nodes each have a third projection (55) at the other end. [10] Endoscope head, consisting of a head mechanism (78) having an endoscope lens and a first connecting part (72), a spring element connected to the head mechanism (78) and forming a first receiving space (75), a support element (79) which is connected to the spring element and has a second receiving space (76), a first cable (71) connected to the first connecting part (72) and extending through the second receiving space (76) and the first receiving space (75), and at least one unilaterally flexible body (77) received in the first receiving space (75), having a first surface (51) and being attached at one end to the head mechanism (78) and at the other end to the support element (79); wherein the unilaterally flexible body (77) can be bent by pulling the first rope (71); wherein the support element (4) has a first through hole (42) aligned with the first connecting part (72); wherein the first rope (71) is guided through the first through-hole (73) and serves to control the bending direction of the first surface (51). [11] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized by that the end of the first rope (71) is attached to the first connecting part (72). [12] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized bythat the unilaterally flexible body (77) is made of a metal or plastic material that can be bent unilaterally. [13] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized by that the spring element is a spring and encloses the unilaterally flexible body (77). [14] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized by that the head mechanism (78) and the support element (79) are each formed by a metal ring. [15] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized by that the first rope (71) is formed by a metal rope or plastic rope. [16] Endoscope head according to claim 10, characterized by that the unilaterally flexible body (77) has a flat shape, a flat bamboo knot shape, a rectangular shape, an irregular shape, a cylindrical shape or a cylindrical bamboo knot shape. [17] Endoscope head according to claim 16, characterized byin that the unilaterally flexible body (77) has a flat or cylindrical bamboo knot shape and comprises a plurality of bamboo knots each having a first projection (53) and a second projection (54) at one end. [18] Endoscope head according to claim 17, characterized by that the bamboo nodes each have a third projection (55) at the other end.

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