CONTROL ELEMENT

Abstract

Control element (100) for an endoscopic device (A), comprising a holder (1); at least one control wire (2) movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction for control purposes on the endoscopic device (A); a control wire pull element (3) guided in the holder (1), wherein the control wire (2) is stored in the control wire pull element (3);and a displacement force application device (4) supported on the holder (1), by means of which the control wire pull element (3) is movable relative to the holder (1) in order to effect a fine adjustment of the control wire (2), wherein the control wire pull element (3) is designed as a screw with a cavity, wherein the control wire (2) is mounted in this cavity, wherein the control wire pull element (3) has an external thread (32) which engages with an internal thread (41) of the displacement force application device (4), and wherein the control wire pull element (3) has a groove (31) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the control wire pull element (3), wherein the control wire pull element (3) is displaceable along the holder (1) by an engagement of the holder (1) with the groove (31).

Description

The present invention relates to a control element for an endoscopic device and further to an endoscopic device with such a control element. More precisely, the present invention relates to a control element with a holder and at least one control wire movable back and forth in the holder in the longitudinal direction of the wire for control purposes on the endoscopic device. Such a control element is applicable to a variety of endoscopic devices in which a control wire is moved back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the wire. For example, such a control element is used in a flexible endoscope with a bending section, where a control wire is anchored at the distal end of the bending section such that the anchor point is spaced away from the endoscope's centerline. The control wire runs through the bending section to a control element located on the proximal side of the endoscope. The control element is thus actuated from the proximal side. Actuating the control element tensions the control wire, thereby bending the bending section. In practice, the most precise possible bending of the bending section is desirable. This means that the user should be able to achieve the desired bend of the bending section as accurately as possible by operating the control element. US 2011 / 0092777 A1 discloses a device for handling tissue within an organ. This device has a handle section at its proximal end. Within the handle section, a sliding assembly consisting of a runner, a sliding element, and a nut is mounted on a frame. Pull cables are inserted into the runner. The nut engages with a threaded rod. The threaded rod is actuated by a wheel to adjust the length of the pull cables. DE 198 37 403 A1 discloses an actuating unit for an endoscopic instrument. The actuating unit has a finger receptacle on the proximal side. DE 10 2004 002 691 A1 also discloses an actuating unit for an endoscopic instrument. The actuating unit also has a finger receptacle on the proximal side. The object of the invention is therefore to create a control element for an endoscopic device and an endoscopic device with such a control element, by means of a simple operation an exact bending of the bending section is carried out. With regard to the control element, this problem is solved by a control element having the features of claim 1. With regard to the endoscopic device, the problem is solved by an endoscopic device having the features of claim 10. Beneficial further training is subject to dependent claims. In the invention, the control element for an endoscopic device has a holder; at least one control wire movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction for control purposes on the endoscopic device; a control wire pull element guided in the holder, wherein the control wire is stored in the control wire pull element;and a displacement force application device supported on the bracket, by which the control wire pull element is movable relative to the bracket in order to effect a fine adjustment of the control wire, wherein the control wire pull element (3) is designed as a screw with a cavity, wherein the control wire (2) is mounted in this cavity, wherein the control wire pull element (3) has an external thread (32) which engages with an internal thread (41) of the displacement force application device (4), and wherein the control wire pull element (3) has a groove (31) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the control wire pull element (3), wherein the control wire pull element (3) is displaceable along the bracket (1) by an engagement of the bracket (1) with the groove (31). The displacement force application device allows the control wire pull element to be moved relative to the holder. This enables precise control of the control wire stored in the control wire pull element simply by actuating the element. The bracket can have a rail, the control wire pull element can have a groove extending longitudinally along the control wire pull element, and the engagement of the rail in the groove allows the control wire pull element to slide along the bracket. By sliding the control wire pull element along the bracket, the control wire can be directly displaced in its longitudinal direction. The displacement force application device can be designed as a steering wheel with an internal thread, wherein the internal thread of the steering wheel engages with an external thread of the control wire element in such a way that the control wire element is movable relative to the mounting. This achieves a simple and direct force transmission from the steering wheel to the control wire element. A rotary movement of the steering wheel results in a displacement movement of the control wire. With this design, the transmission ratio between the rotary movement applied to the steering wheel and the resulting displacement of the control wire is easily determined. This allows for particularly advantageous fine adjustment of the displacement of the control wire. The steering wheel may have knurling on its outer surface. This makes operating the steering wheel simple and easy. The turning of a knurled steering wheel is familiar to the user. The knurling can be moved and held firmly with one finger. This helps to prevent accidental misactivation. The displacement force application device can be designed as an electric motor or a piezoelectric element. This allows for motorized adjustment of the control wire's displacement path, enabling even more precise fine-tuning of the control wire's displacement. The control wire pull element can be designed as a screw with a cavity, in which a control wire nipple for at least one control wire is mounted. The control wire can be easily removed. An eyelet may be formed on the proximal side of the holder, into which a finger or thumb can be inserted. This allows the user to grip the holder securely and, by engaging their thumb and a finger on the eyelet and the steering wheel, to move the control wire back and forth in a targeted and controlled manner. The control wire pull element can hold a proximal end of at least one control wire. The control element can have an angled wire guide, which directs the control wire to the control element in such a way that it changes direction. This causes the control element to extend away from the endoscope to which it is attached. As a result, the user can grip the holder securely without other components, such as those of the endoscope, obstructing it. The endoscopic device is equipped with a control element as described above. The endoscopic device can be a flexible endoscope. Alternatively, the endoscopic device can be a rigid endoscope. The control element according to the invention can be used with any type of endoscope that uses a control wire to control an element to be controlled. The aspects of the present invention explained above can be suitably combined. Brief description of the drawing Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a control element connected to an endoscope in an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the control element from Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view from above of the control element. Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view from below of the control element. Fig. 5 shows another schematic perspective view from below of the control element. Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of the control element. Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the more detailed structure of the control element. Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a control wheel of the control element. Fig. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a control wire pull element of the control element. The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings and by way of exemplary embodiments. First embodiment Below, with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 to 9, a first embodiment of the present invention is described. A control element 100 according to the invention is coupled to an endoscope A, for example, via a screw connection B, which is provided at the connection point of the control element 100 on the endoscope A. The control element 100 serves to tension and relieve a control wire 2 in the longitudinal direction of the wire in order to control a working element that is provided on the distal side of the control wire 2. As an example, the control element 100 can be used with a flexible endoscope A with a bending section. Here, the control wire 2 is anchored at the distal end of the bending section such that the anchor point is spaced away from the centerline of the endoscope tube. The control wire 2 runs through the bending section to the control element 100, which is located on the proximal side of the endoscope A. The control element 100 is thus actuated from the proximal side. By actuating the control element 100, the control wire 2 can be tensioned, thereby bending the bending section. The exact structure and function of control element 100 are described below. The control element 100 has a housing that acts as a holder 1. A wire guide element 6 extends from the connection B on the endoscope A away from the endoscope A in a proximal direction. The wire guide element 6 is designed as a tube. The control wire 2 is guided within the wire guide element 6. The wire guide element 6 has a wire exit opening at a suitable location, through which the control wire 2 can exit the wire guide element 6, e.g., laterally or alternatively (not shown) axially. In the region of the wire exit opening, a connecting element 10 of the holder 1 surrounds the wire guide element 6. The connecting element 10 is formed on the holder 1 and serves to securely attach the holder 1 to the wire guide element 6. The connecting element 10 can be detached from the wire guide element 6 to allow the holder 1 to be removed from the wire guide element 6 if necessary. The holder 1 has a longitudinal extension.The connecting element 10 is designed so that the control wire 2 can exit from the wire exit opening of the wire guide element 6 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the holder 1. The wire guide element 6 acts as a spacer to appropriately distance the control element 100 from the endoscope A. This improves the handling of the control element 100, as it can be accessed more easily without elements of the endoscope A obstructing it. The control wire 2 runs inside the wire guide element 6 in a proximal direction towards the holder 1, changing its direction. This makes the wire guide element 6 act as an angled wire guide element, guiding the control wire 2 towards the holder 1 in such a way that it changes its direction. An adapter D can be provided at the end of the wire guide element 6 opposite connection B. If required, further devices applicable to the endoscope A can be connected to adapter D, such as a babyscope, a microtool connection, a rinsing connection for rinsing water, a suction connection for aspirating liquids, etc. The connection element 10 is located between connection B and adapter D. The bracket 1 forms an axially symmetrical frame element, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. More precisely, the bracket 1 is mirror-symmetrical about its longitudinal axis. Two parallel first axial struts 12 extend from the connecting element 10 in the axial direction of the bracket 1. At the end of the axial struts 12 opposite the connecting element 10, respective first radial struts 13 extend at right angles away from the longitudinal axis of the bracket 1. At the end of the first radial struts 13 opposite the longitudinal axis of the bracket 1, respective second axial struts 14 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 1. At the end of the second axial struts 14 opposite the first radial struts 13, respective second radial struts 15 extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 1.At the end of the second radial struts 15 opposite the second axial struts 14, respective axial end struts 16 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bracket 1. An eyelet 5 is provided on the side of the axial end struts 16 opposite the second radial struts 15. The bracket 1 can be made of plastic or metal. A rail 11 is provided on the side of each of the first axial struts 12 facing the central or longitudinal axis, see Fig. 7. The rails 11 of the two first axial struts 12 are parallel to each other and facing each other. The rails 11 guide a control wire pull element 3. The control wire pull element 3 is shown more clearly in Fig. 9. The control wire pull element 3 is a cylindrical element with two parallel grooves 31, which are formed longitudinally on the outer circumference of the control wire pull element 3 such that they are open in opposite directions. The control wire pull element 3 is guided by the first axial struts 12 such that each of the grooves 31 slides along one of the rails 11. An external thread 32 is provided on the outer circumference of the control wire pull element 3. The control wire pull element 3 is hollow inside and has a central hole 33 at its distal end. A shoulder ring 34 is provided at its proximal end. The control wire pull element 3 is thus designed as a screw with a cavity. A control wire nipple for the control wire 2 is mounted in the inner cavity of the control wire pull element 3 such that the control wire 2 passes through the central hole 33 in the distal direction. The control wire nipple forms the proximal end of the control wire 2. The control wire 2 thus extends from the wire exit opening of the wire guide element 6 into the interior of the control wire pull element 3 and is anchored there. The control wire pull element 3 is embedded in a displacement force application device designed as a control wheel 4 in a relatively displaceable manner. The steering wheel 4 is shown in Fig. 8 and is formed as a disc-like wheel. The steering wheel 4 has a central through-hole in the inner circumference of which an internal thread 41 is formed. The internal thread 41 engages with the external thread 32 of the steering wire pull element 3. In other words, the steering wire pull element 3 (screw) is screwed into the steering wheel 4. The steering wire pull element 3 can be screwed into the steering wheel 4 until the front, i.e., the distal, surface of the shoulder ring 34 at the proximal end of the steering wire pull element 3 abuts the proximal surface of the steering wheel 4. The steering wheel 4 has a knurling 42 on its inner circumference consisting of indentations and protrusions, which makes it easy to grip and operate (turn) the steering wheel 4. The steering wheel 4 is positioned in the retaining element 1 in the free space resulting from the interior bounded by the first radial struts 13, the second axial struts 14 and the second radial struts 15, see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. The front side, i.e. the distal side, of the steering wheel 4 rests against the proximal side of the first radial struts 13. On the retaining element 1, a distal projection 17 extends distally into the interior, which is bounded by the first radial struts 13, the second axial struts 14, and the second radial struts 15, at the inner ends of the axial end struts 16. The distal projection 17 faces the steering wheel 4 integrated in the retaining element 1. A spring element 7 is mounted on the distal projection 17 and extends distally to the steering wheel 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the proximal end region of the control wire pull element 3 has a proximal projection 35 extending proximally. The proximal projection 35 sits on the shoulder ring 34. The proximal projection 35 receives the distal end of the spring element 7. The spring element 7 is thus pre-tensioned between the proximal projection 35 and the distal projection 17.In other words, the spring element 7 pre-tensions the assembly consisting of steering wheel 4 and steering wire pull element 3 in the distal direction. On the proximal side of the retaining element 1, a ring element is formed as an eyelet 5 in the region of the proximal ends of the axial end struts 16. The eyelet 5 is held by the axial end struts 16. The eyelet 5 projects from the retaining element 1 in a proximal direction. The inner diameter of the eyelet 5 is large enough to allow the insertion of a user's finger or thumb. function The user can insert a finger or thumb into the eyelet 5. This securely holds the retaining element 1 of the control element 100. The user can then place another finger (or their thumb, if it is free) on the knurling 42 of the control wheel 4 and rotate the control wheel 4 around its axis. To pull the control wire 2 in the proximal direction, the steering wheel 4 is rotated so that the control wire pull element 3 moves in the proximal direction. The control wire pull element 3 is essentially "screwed" into the steering wheel 4. Since the steering wheel 4 is pre-tensioned distally via the steering wire element 3 by means of the spring element 7, the steering wire element 3 shifts proximally relative to the steering wheel 4, and the steering wheel 4 remains in contact with the struts 13. Thus, the steering wire element 3, guided by the rails 11, moves distally. This pulls the steering wire 2 proximally. The rotary movement of the steering wheel 4 enables a very finely controllable longitudinal movement of the control wire 2. Other alternatives In the exemplary embodiment, the displacement force application device is designed as a steering wheel 4 with an internal thread 41. Alternatively, the displacement force application device can be designed as an electric motor or a piezoelectric element. The electric motor or the piezoelectric element is mounted in the holder 1 and mechanically connected to the control wire pull element 3 to apply a rotational force to the control wire pull element 3. The control of the electric motor or the piezoelectric element can be a fine control, enabling extremely slight movements of the control wire 2 in the longitudinal direction. This allows for particularly sensitive fine control. In the exemplary embodiment, the control element 100 is coupled to the endoscope A via a screw connection B. The invention is not limited to this. Any coupling of the control element 100 to the endoscope A can be used, such as a plug connection, a Luer-lock connection, etc. In the exemplary embodiment, the wire guide element 6 extends away from the endoscope A in the proximal direction. Alternatively, the wire guide element 6 can extend away from the endoscope A in the distal direction, provided this is advantageous for certain applications. The wire guide element 6 can be omitted. If the wire guide element 6 is omitted, the control element 100 can be positioned closer to the endoscope A, resulting in a smaller overall size. Adapter D can be omitted. The invention is advantageously applicable to a gastroscope, a colonoscope, or a similar endoscope. The principle of the invention can also be applied to any other type of endoscope. Although the invention is particularly well suited for flexible endoscopes, it can also be applied to rigid endoscopes. Reference symbol list 1 Bracket 2 Control wire 3 Control wire pull element 4 Shift force application device, control wheel 5 Eyelet 6 Wire guide element 7 Spring element 10 Connection element 11 Rail 12 First axial struts 13 First radial struts 14 Second axial struts 15 Second radial struts 16 Axial end struts 17 Distal projection 31 Groove 32 External thread 33 Hole 34 Shoulder ring 35 Proximal projection 41 Internal thread 42 Knurling 100 Control element A Endoscope B Screw connection, connection on endoscope D Adapter

Claims

Control element (100) for an endoscopic device (A), comprising a holder (1); at least one control wire (2) movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the wire for control purposes on the endoscopic device (A); a control wire pull element (3) guided in the holder (1), wherein the control wire (2) is stored in the control wire pull element (3);and a displacement force application device (4) supported on the holder (1), by means of which the control wire pull element (3) is movable relative to the holder (1) in order to effect a fine adjustment of the control wire (2), wherein the control wire pull element (3) is designed as a screw with a cavity, wherein the control wire (2) is mounted in this cavity, wherein the control wire pull element (3) has an external thread (32) which engages with an internal thread (41) of the displacement force application device (4), and wherein the control wire pull element (3) has a groove (31) which extends in the longitudinal direction of the control wire pull element (3), wherein the control wire pull element (3) is displaceable along the holder (1) by an engagement of the holder (1) with the groove (31). Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to claim 1, wherein the holder (1) has a rail (11), and the control wire pull element (3) is displaceable along the holder (1) by the engagement of the rail (11) in the groove (31). Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement force application device (4) is designed as a control wheel (4) with the internal thread (41), wherein the internal thread (41) of the control wheel (4) engages with the external thread (32) of the control wire pull element (3) in such a way that the control wire pull element (3) is movable relative to the holder (1). Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to claim 3, wherein the control wheel (4) has a knurling (42) on the outer circumferential surface. Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the displacement force application device (4) is designed as an electric motor or as a piezoelectric element. Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a control wire nipple for the at least one control wire (2) is stored in the cavity of the control wire pull element (3). Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an eyelet (5) is formed on the proximal side of the holder (1) into which a finger or thumb can be inserted. Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a proximal end of the at least one control wire (2) is stored in the control wire pull element (3). Control element (100) for an endoscopic device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control element (100) has an angled wire guide element (6) on which the control wire (2) to the control element (100) is guided in such a way that it changes its direction. Endoscopic device (A) with a control element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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