Connecting body of an endoscope and method for assembling an endoscope

Abstract

Connecting body (2) of an endoscope, which provides an electrical connection between at least one electrical component (4) arranged in a proximal end region of the endoscope and an internal electrical connection (6) present in the proximal end region, characterized in that the connecting body (2) comprises a dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier (8) and a flexible elongated printed circuit board (10), wherein the at least one component (4) is mechanically directly connected to the circuit carrier (8) in a first region thereof and is contacted with conductor tracks (12) encompassed by the circuit carrier (8),wherein a first end (14a) of the flexible printed circuit board (10) is mechanically connected directly to the circuit carrier (8) in a second region different from the first region thereof and is contacted for electrical connection to the at least one component (4) with conductor tracks (12) encompassed by the circuit carrier (8), and wherein the second end (14b) opposite the first end (14a) in a longitudinal direction is contacted with the internal electrical connection or provides this.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting body of an endoscope which provides an electrical connection between at least one electrical component arranged in a proximal end region of the endoscope and an internal electrical connection present in the proximal end region. The invention further relates to a method for mounting an endoscope in which such a connecting body is used.Medical endoscopes have multiple switches or buttons in the region of their proximal end, i.e. in the region of or near the handle which is held by the user when using the endoscope, in order to select or control different functions of the endoscope. Conventionally, such probes are soldered onto a flexible printed circuit board, which is fixed to an intended holding element within the endoscope, for example by means of screws or the like. However, it has been found that the functionality of such operating elements may decrease over time.In addition to conventional printed circuit boards, which can be both dimensionally stable and flexible, injection-molded circuit carriers are also designed as MID elements (MID elements. Mold Connected Device) are known. Such injection-molded plastic components comprise metallic conductor tracks applied by special methods and serve as circuit carriers for electronic or mechatronic assemblies.DE 10 2013 224 683 A1 discloses an endoscope with an MID element. At least one electronic instrument is seated on the MID element and is electrically supplied via conductor tracks of the MID element.DE 10 2012 202 133 A1 discloses an electrical connector for a video endoscope. The connector comprises an at least partially flexible printed circuit board comprising a base surface with openings for contact pins of a hermetic feedthrough and a bendable first and second arm. The arms point in opposite directions away from the base and each have a flat end face at their ends facing away from the base. Conductor tracks run between the openings on the base surface and electrical contact surfaces present in the end surfaces of the arms.DE 10 2017 101 932 B3 discloses an electrical connector for a video endoscope which comprises a printed circuit board. On a contact side of the printed circuit board there are electrical contact-making surfaces for cable strands. On a side of the printed circuit board facing away from the contact side, there is a coupling device for a plug.DE 10 2010 039 731 A1 discloses an electrical connecting element for supplying power to a light source present on one side of an endoscope. The electrical connector is a preformed flat body having an elongated portion. The shaped body has a curved shape at least in sections and is designed to be placed on an endoscope and to clamp it tightly. The molded body further comprises electrical lines which form electrical contact surfaces in a proximal end region of the molded body for connection to a power supply and electrical contact surfaces in a distal region for connection to the light source.It is an object of the invention to specify an improved connecting body of an endoscope and an improved method for mounting an endoscope.The object is achieved by a connecting body of an endoscope which provides an electrical connection between at least one electrical component arranged in a proximal end region of the endoscope and an internal electrical connection present in the proximal end region, wherein the connecting body is developed in that it comprises a dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier and a flexible elongate printed circuit board, wherein the at least one component is mechanically directly connected to the circuit carrier in a first region of the latter and is contacted with conductor tracks surrounded by the circuit carrier, wherein a first end of the flexible printed circuit board is in a second, different from the first, secondRegion of the circuit carrier is mechanically directly connected to the latter and is contacted with conductor tracks encompassed by the circuit carrier for the electrical connection to the at least one component, and wherein the second end opposite the first end in a direction of longitudinal extent is contacted with the inner electrical terminal or provides the latter.The connecting body advantageously performs a dual function. On the one hand, it serves as a mechanical holder for the at least one electrical component. For this purpose, it comprises the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier. On the other hand, since the connecting body likewise comprises a flexible elongate printed circuit board which is connected to the dimensionally stable three-dimensional conductor carrier, the connecting body serves as a flexible electrical connecting element. The electrical connection present at the second end of the flexible conductor carrier can be located in a region of the endoscope which is configured to be movable (for example rotatable) with respect to a further region in which the dimensionally stable circuit carrier is present. This is typically the case, for example, between a distal part of the endoscope and the handle. In the relevant distal part, the endoscope has, for example, a rotary wheel or the like, which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft with respect to the handle of the endoscope. The longitudinally extended flexible printed circuit board can, for example, connect the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier present in this rotatable part to an electrical connection present in the region of the handle.In addition, the dimensionally stable circuit carrier offers the advantage that it combines both the function of a mechanical retaining element for the electrical components and the function of a printed circuit board. The dimensionally stable circuit carrier thus also has a dual function.At the same time, the dimensionally stable circuit carrier eliminates the problems occurring in conventional constructions, which are substantially caused by tolerances between a mechanical retaining element and the traditionally used circuit board on which the components are present. It has namely been found in the context of the invention that the change in the reliability of the operating capability of the operating elements, which change can be determined in some cases over time, is substantially caused by the unavoidable manufacturing tolerances between the printed circuit board and the mechanical holding element. Over the lifetime of the endoscope, changes in the mounting position of the printed circuit board and thus of the electrical components occur, for example, as a result of conditioning processes and the thermal loads associated therewith. It can now occur that a component no longer functions reliably in its changed position, since, for example, an outer cap or cover no longer ideally interacts with the component. Since the dimensionally stable circuit carrier according to aspects of the invention is both a mechanical holding element and provides the electrical connections, such effects are virtually ruled out.The circuit carrier is made, for example, from a plastic that is suitable for laser direct structuring. A suitable material is, for example, PEEK.The conductor tracks of the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier are produced, for example, in a laser direct structuring method. A layer system of copper, nickel and gold is used, for example, as material for the conductor tracks. This is thus, for example, a layer system with three layers of copper, nickel and gold, which can be arranged in any desired sequence. The conductor tracks are applied, for example, in an electroless coating method. The circuit carrier is furthermore, for example, an injection-molded part. The circuit carrier is thus, for example, a dimensionally stable three-dimensional injection-molded circuit carrier. However, it is likewise provided that the circuit carrier is a component produced by means of 3D printing. The at least one component is electrically connected to at least one of the conductor tracks of the circuit carrier by means of a soldered connection.According to one embodiment, it is provided that the electrical component is an electrical switch. For example, the electrical switch is a button or pressure switch. Other electronic components are also provided. These may be, for example, resistors, capacitors or a wide variety of integrated circuits (ICs). Likewise, for example, an LED for a display or an illuminated button can be provided.Since an electrical switch in many cases interacts with an external operating element such as a cap or the like, the reliable positioning of an electrical switch is particularly important in order to ensure and maintain its functionality.According to one embodiment, it is provided that the at least one electrical component is arranged on an outer side of the circuit carrier and the circuit carrier is at least partially complementary in shape to an inner proximal component of the endoscope on an opposite inner side.The circuit carrier is fixed in particular axially, i.e. in the longitudinal axial direction of the endoscope (this will often correspond to a longitudinal extension direction of a shaft of the endoscope) and in a rotational direction. The direction of rotation corresponds in many cases to a circumferential direction of the shaft. This fixing is effected, for example, by suitable latching connections. A fixing by means of a form-fitting connection is provided. Such a configuration of the circuit carrier allows precise positioning within the endoscope. The functional reliability of the electrical components is improved. This is mainly due to the fact that slipping of the electrical components present on the circuit carrier with respect to external operating elements (for example caps and the like) in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction is prevented. Thus, an optimal mechanical interaction between the outer operating elements and the electrical components is ensured.According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the form-fitting connection is produced by injection molding. In this case, the connecting body in the proximal end region of the endoscope is injection-molded around a load-bearing component of the endoscope. This is advantageous above all when mechanical forces act on the joint.According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the circuit carrier is provided with fixing means which enable tool-free mounting of the connecting body on the inner proximal component of the endoscope.A latching or click connection is provided, for example, as the connecting means. These connections allow rapid and efficient assembly of the endoscope and are also efficient and economical to produce. For example, the provided connecting means such as, for example, latching arms, latching noses or the like are formed integrally with the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier.According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the flexible printed circuit board comprises at least one through-connection (also referred to as via) running along an outer edge of the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is electrically connected to a conductor track of the carrier body by means of a soldered connection connecting this through-connection.The connection, i.e. mechanical connection, and contacting of the circuit board via such edge vias substantially facilitates the soldering process.It is furthermore provided in particular that the soldering position of the electrical components and / or of the flexible conductor track is predefined by correspondingly attached reference structures, for example stops, markings or the like, with respect to the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier. This also facilitates the assembly of the endoscope.According to a further embodiment, it is provided that the at least one electrical component is arranged on an outer side of the circuit carrier and the flexible printed circuit board is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit carrier on an opposite inner side of the circuit carrier.The circuit carrier is arranged, for example, in the region of a handle of the endoscope on a cladding tube present in this region in the interior of the endoscope.According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the flexible printed circuit board is guided to the electrical connection between a fiber tube and a cladding tube of the endoscope.The object is furthermore achieved by a method for mounting an endoscope, in which a connecting body according to one or more of the aforementioned embodiments is mounted on a proximal component of the endoscope without tools and an electrical contact is established between the electrical component and the internal electrical connection present in the proximal end region of the endoscope.The connecting body is designed in such a way that it is provided with fixing means which allow tool-free mounting of the connecting body on the internal component of the endoscope.The method according to the invention allows a fast and efficient assembly of the endoscope.Otherwise, the same or similar advantages apply to the method as already mentioned with regard to the connecting body itself.Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments according to the invention may fulfil individual features or a combination of several features.The invention is described below without limiting the general concept of the invention on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein reference is expressly made to the drawings with respect to all details according to the invention which are not explained in more detail in the text. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic and simplified plan view of the connecting body from the top side, FIG. 2 shows a schematic and simplified plan view of the connecting body from the bottom side, FIG. 3 shows a schematic and simplified perspective illustration of a connecting body in the mounted state in an endoscope, wherein the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier is mounted in the proximal end region of the endoscope, FIG. 4 shows a further schematic and simplified perspective sectional view in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axial direction of the endoscope shaft, wherein the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier of the connecting body and the longitudinally extended flexible printed circuit board are likewise shown in section, and FIG. 5 shows a schematic and simplified perspective sectional view of an assembled connecting body in the region of an electrical component present on the dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier.In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or parts are each provided with the same reference numerals, so that renewed presentation is omitted in each case.FIG. 1 shows a schematic and simplified plan view of a connecting body 2 of an endoscope. The connecting body 2 is arranged in a proximal end region of the endoscope. It provides an electrical connection between an electrical component 4, which is present in a proximal end region of the endoscope, and an internal electrical connection 6. By way of example, the electrical component 4 is intended to be an electrical switching element. Further, for example, first, second and third pressure switches 4 a, 4 b, 4 care illustrated as electric switching elements in FIG. 1. The electrical connection 6 is formed by schematically indicated connection contacts 6 a..6 e. The connecting body 2 comprises a dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier 8 and a flexible elongate printed circuit board 10.The circuit carrier 8 is, for example, an injection-molded part. However, it can likewise be a component produced by means of 3D printing. The circuit carrier 8 is made, for example, from a plastic that is suitable for laser direct structuring. One possible plastic material is PEEK. After the laser structuring, conductor tracks 12 are applied to the circuit carrier 8, for example using an electroless coating method. A layer system with three layers of copper, nickel and gold is provided, for example, as the material for the conductor tracks 12, wherein the individual layers can be arranged in any desired sequence. The electrical components 4 in the form of the pressure switches 4 a, 4 band 4 care connected directly to the circuit carrier 8 mechanically and electrically in different regions of the latter. The circuit carrier 8 thus serves as a mechanical holding element for the components 4 on the one hand and as an electrical connecting element for these on the other hand. For this purpose, the contacts of the components 4 are contacted with the conductor tracks 12, for example by means of soldered connections.FIG. 2 likewise shows, in a schematically simplified plan view, the connecting body 2 from its underside. A first end 14 aof the flexible printed circuit board 10 is connected to the circuit carrier 8 mechanically and electrically on its underside directly thereto. For this purpose, for example, soldered connections are provided between the first end 14 aof the flexible printed circuit board 10 and contacts present on the underside of the circuit carrier 8. These contacts are to be considered part of the conductive tracks 12. While the electrical components 4 (FIG. 1 ) are arranged on an outer side of the connecting body 2, the flexible printed circuit board 10 is in contact with the circuit carrier 8 on its inner side (FIG. 2 ). Conductor tracks 12, not shown, present in the flexible printed circuit board 10 connect the contacts present at the first end 14 ato the connection contacts 6 a..6 eof the electrical connection 6 (FIG. 1 ), which are located in the region of a second end 14 bof the flexible printed circuit board 10.The flexible printed circuit board 10 has, for example, vias 16 (edge vias) running on its outer side (side edge) on its outer edges in the region of the first end 14 a, at which vias the flexible printed circuit board 10 is contacted with the conductor tracks 12 of the circuit carrier 8. These through-contacts 16 are indicated in FIG. 2 by indentations.The underside or inner side of the circuit carrier 8 visible in FIG. 2 is at least partially complementary in shape to an inner proximal component of the endoscope.FIG. 3 shows a schematic and simplified perspective illustration of the connecting body 2 in the assembled state. The circuit carrier 8 is mounted in the proximal end region of the endoscope and is placed, for example, on a cladding tube 18 of the endoscope. The flexible printed circuit board 10, which is visible only in sections, extends in the proximal direction (to the right in FIG. 3 ) and provides an electrical connection 6, which is situated further proximal and is present in the interior of the endoscope, at its second end 14 b. This electrical connection 6 can be contacted, for example, with a plug or the like present at the end of the handle. The circuit carrier 8 is provided with fixing or holding means which allow tool-free mounting of the connecting body 2 on the inner proximal component of the endoscope, in this case on the cladding tube 18. For example, latching hooks are provided for this purpose.FIG. 4 shows a schematic and simplified perspective sectional view in a plane which lies at least approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axial direction of the endoscope shaft. The circuit carrier 8 including the electrical components 4 is shown in section, as is the flexible printed circuit board 10 and the cladding tube 18 and a fiber tube 20 of the endoscope that is further inside. The flexible circuit board 10 extends between the fiber tube 20 and the sheath tube 18 of the endoscope in the longitudinal axial direction thereof. The circuit carrier 8 is designed on its inner side to be complementary in shape to an outer side of the cladding tube 18.The circuit carrier 8 comprises two mutually opposite legs 20 a, 20 bwhich bend slightly (apart) when the circuit carrier 8 is plugged onto the cladding tube 18, so that the circuit carrier 8 can be placed onto the cladding tube 18 in the manner of a snap connection. In order that the circuit carrier 8 is fixed both in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction (rotational) of the endoscope and its position is thus defined, it has a latching nose 22 which engages in a positively locking manner in an opening provided for this purpose of the cladding tube 18. Thus, the connecting body 2 can be mounted on the cladding tube 18 of the endoscope without tools.FIG. 5 shows a schematic and simplified perspective sectional view of the assembled circuit carrier 8, on the outer side of which the first pressure switch 4 ais visible as an exemplary electrical component 4. For operating the pressure switch 4a, the endoscope has an operating knob 24 on its outer side. This is a push button comprising a flexible dome 26, for example made of rubber, in which a plunger 28 is cast. This plunger 28 cooperates with a contact button 30 of the first pressure switch 4a. The pressure switch 4 ais mechanically and electrically connected to the circuit carrier 8, which in turn is securely fixed on the cladding tube 18 via the just described form-fit. By this construction, the alignment between the punch 28 and the contact button 30 can be made securely and reliably. This also applies after many processing and use cycles.All features mentioned, including those taken alone from the drawings and also individual features which are disclosed in combination with other features, are considered to be essential to the invention alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the invention may be fulfilled by individual features or a combination of a plurality of features. Within the scope of the invention, features which are marked "in particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.List of reference characters2 Connecting body 4 Component 4 a, 4 b, 4 c Pressure switch 6 Electrical connection 6 a..6 eConnection contacts 8 Circuit carrier 10 Flexible printed circuit board 12 Conductor tracks 14 aFirst end 14 bSecond end 16 Through-connection 18 Cladding tube 20 Fiber tube 20 a, 20 b Schenkel 22 Latching nose 24 Control knob 26 Dome 28 Plunger 30 Contact knob

Claims

Connecting body (2) of an endoscope which provides an electrical connection between at least one electrical component (4) arranged in a proximal end region of the endoscope and an internal electrical connection (6) present in the proximal end region, characterized in that the connecting body (2) comprises a dimensionally stable three-dimensional circuit carrier (8) and a flexible elongate printed circuit board (10), wherein the at least one component (4) is mechanically directly connected to the circuit carrier (8) in a first region thereof and is in contact with conductor tracks (12) surrounded by the circuit carrier (8), wherein a first end (14a) of the flexible printed circuit board (10) is mechanically directly connected to the circuit carrier (8) in a second region of the circuit carrier (8) different from the first and is contacted with conductor tracks (12) comprised by the circuit carrier (8) for the electrical connection to the at least one component (4), and wherein the second end (14b) opposite the first end (14a) in a longitudinal extension direction is contacted with or provides the internal electrical connection.Connecting body (2) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the electrical component (4) is an electrical switch.Connecting body (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the at least one electrical component (4) is arranged on an outer side of the circuit carrier (8) and the circuit carrier (8) is at least partially complementary in shape to an inner proximal component of the endoscope on an opposite inner side.Connecting body (2) according to claim 3, characterised in that the circuit carrier (8) is provided with fixing means which enable tool-free mounting of the connecting body (2) on the inner proximal component of the endoscope.Connecting body (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the flexible printed circuit board (10) comprises at least one through-connection (16) running along an outer edge of the printed circuit board (10), wherein the printed circuit board (10) is electrically connected to a conductor track (12) of the carrier body (8) by means of a soldered connection connecting this through-connection (16).Connecting body (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one electrical component (4) is arranged on an outer side of the circuit carrier (8), and the flexible printed circuit board (10) is electrically and mechanically connected to the circuit carrier (8) on an opposite inner side of the circuit carrier (8).Connecting body (2) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flexible printed circuit board (10) is guided to the electrical connection (6) between a fibre tube (20) and a cladding tube (18) of the endoscope.Method for mounting an endoscope, in which a connecting body (2) according to one of Claims 4 to 7 is mounted on a proximal component of the endoscope without tools and an electrical contact is established between the electrical component (4) and the internal electrical connection (6) present in the proximal end region of the endoscope.

Images