Endoscope and endoscope arrangement as well as methods for using an image acquisition unit with multiple endoscopes

Abstract

Endoscope (2) with - a fiber optic cable (14) and with - an image conductor (13), characterized by, - that the image conductor (13) is guided uninterrupted and without couplings to the tip of the endoscope (2), with no image sensor being arranged in the endoscope (2), - that the image conductor (13) is continuous up to its proximal end, which is located in a non-sterile area of ​​the endoscope (2), and has an image conductor interface at its proximal end for optical connection with an image acquisition unit (3; 22), - that the endoscope (2) has a handle (7) and the image guide (13) is led out of the handle (7) so that the image guide interface is located at a distance from the handle (7) in the non-sterile area (9) of the endoscope (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an endoscope with a light guide and an image guide and to an endoscope arrangement with such an endoscope.

[0002] Endoscopes with image guides are well known in the art. An image can be transmitted via the image guide to an image sensor located outside the endoscope. This offers the advantage of being more cost-effective to manufacture than locating the image sensor inside the endoscope.

[0003] Such an endoscope is known, for example, from US 5 589 874 A.

[0004] From US 2004 / 0133073 A1 an endoscope is known which has an image and light guide interface on a handle, wherein further image and light guides are arranged in the handle, which lead to a stationary unit.

[0005] From US 2008 / 0021273 A1 an endotracheal tube is known in which a light guide and an image guide are guided from the distal end to an image and light guide interface.

[0006] Endoscopes require extensive reprocessing and sterilization after use. The object of the invention is therefore to create an endoscope of the aforementioned type that is easier to use overall.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by an endoscope having the features of claim 1.

[0008] Accordingly, in the endoscope according to the invention, the image guide is designed to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has an image guide interface at its proximal end, which is located in the non-sterile area of ​​the endoscope, for optical connection to an image acquisition unit. In this way, the endoscope can be separated from an image acquisition unit in which, for example, an image sensor is arranged. Thus, one image acquisition unit can be used with several, even different, endoscopes. In particular, this makes it possible to change the endoscope even during use without having to change the remaining imaging and image display.

[0009] Furthermore, cleaning and disinfecting the endoscope are easier. Since there is no image sensor inside the endoscope, it can be designed so inexpensively that it is suitable for single use, thus eliminating the need for reprocessing.

[0010] The image guide is also routed seamlessly into the non-sterile area, thus ensuring image quality is not compromised. This allows the image interface to be designed for maximum image quality, as it does not need to be sterile or sterilizable.

[0011] Finally, the approval of the endoscope can also be simplified, especially for combinations of different endoscopes and image acquisition units.

[0012] The image guide is preferably designed to be flexible so that it can be easily inserted into various body openings and / or cavities. For this purpose, the image guide comprises at least one image-guiding fiber or at least one image-guiding fiber bundle.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the image guide has two image channels formed by two image-guiding fibers or two image-guiding fiber bundles. These two image channels can be used to transmit, for example, a stereoscopic image or two images in different spectra.

[0014] The endoscope according to the invention further comprises a handle, and the image guide extends from the handle. This extension of the image guide can be realized, in particular, at the proximal end of the handle. It is important for the invention that the image guide extends seamlessly and without couplings to the endoscope tip. Accordingly, there is no interruption in the image guide in the handle either. It is advantageous that the image guide interface is located in the non-sterile area of ​​the endoscope.

[0015] The image guide interface expediently comprises a coupling for optical and / or mechanical connection to an image acquisition unit. The mechanical connection can, for example, comprise a bayonet coupling, a locking mechanism, a screw connection, or other known mechanical connections. The optical connection can, in particular, be designed such that the image guide is coupled directly to an image sensor. However, the optical connection can also comprise another image guide in the image acquisition unit, which is coupled flatly and perpendicularly to the image guide of the endoscope.

[0016] In one embodiment, the endoscope has a light source coupled to the light guide. This light source can preferably be arranged in the handle or a handle of the endoscope.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the light guide is designed to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has a light guide interface at its proximal end for optical connection to a lighting unit.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the light guide has a coupling for optical and / or mechanical connection to the lighting unit.

[0019] In particular, the light guide can have substantially the same length as the image guide and can advantageously be combined in a connector.

[0020] The disclosure further comprises an illumination unit for an endoscope arrangement, comprising a light source and a light guide interface for optically connecting the light source to a light guide.

[0021] The lighting unit can also have multiple light sources, particularly for different spectral ranges, such as UV light and visible light. The lighting unit can preferably be designed so that light from all light sources can be coupled into the light guide. A separate light guide interface can also be provided for each light source, allowing the light source to be selected by simply replugging it. Multiple light guides can also be operated simultaneously, each with a different light source.

[0022] The lighting unit can be designed separately or together with an image acquisition unit.

[0023] The lighting unit can, for example, be located in the handle of an endoscope. The lighting unit can, for example, have a battery or rechargeable battery for power supply.

[0024] The lighting unit can preferably have an interface for controlling the light source. The interface can be designed, in particular, as an electrical and / or optical interface, for example, for connection to a control unit and / or comprise a media interface, in particular a USB and / or HDMI interface, for connection to an image display unit, in particular a smart TV.

[0025] The disclosure further includes an image capture unit for an endoscope arrangement, comprising an image sensor and an image guide interface for optically connecting the image sensor to an image guide. The image capture unit can also comprise multiple image sensors, in particular for different spectral ranges, such as UV, infrared, and visible light. The image capture unit can preferably be configured such that light from one image guide can reach all image sensors. A separate image guide interface can also be provided for each image sensor, so that an image sensor can be selected by simply replugging the image guide. Multiple image guides can also be operated simultaneously, each connected to a different image sensor.

[0026] The image guide interface preferably has a coupling for optical and / or mechanical connection to an image guide. In particular, the image sensor can be arranged in the coupling area such that it can directly capture an image from the image guide.

[0027] In one embodiment, the image capture unit has an interface for controlling the image sensor and / or for outputting the image data from the image sensor. The interface can, for example, be configured for connection to a control unit and / or include a media interface, in particular a USB and / or HDMI interface, for connection to an image display unit, in particular a smart TV.

[0028] The invention further comprises an endoscope arrangement with a disclosed image capture unit, with a disclosed illumination unit and with an endoscope according to the invention.

[0029] The advantage of the endoscope assembly is the modular interchangeability and combinability of the individual components, even during use. This makes it easy to replace a lighting unit, for example, if illumination with a different spectrum is necessary or desired.

[0030] The endoscope can also be changed, for example if a different optic is required.

[0031] The endoscope arrangement according to the invention is therefore considerably safer and more flexible in use.

[0032] In one embodiment of the invention, the light guide of the endoscope is designed to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has a light guide interface at its proximal end for optical connection to a lighting unit.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the lighting unit is arranged in the handle of the endoscope.

[0034] In one embodiment, the lighting unit and / or the image acquisition unit has an interface for connection to a camera control unit.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the lighting unit and / or the image acquisition unit has an interface, in particular a USB and / or an HDMI interface, for connection to an image display unit.

[0036] The image acquisition unit and the illumination unit can each be designed as independent devices or arranged in one device.

[0037] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] It shows: Fig. 1: an endoscope assembly comprising an endoscope, a combined image acquisition and illumination unit, a control unit and an image display unit, Fig. 2: an endoscope with a combined image acquisition and illumination unit with a combined image guide and fiber optic interface, Fig. 3: an endoscope with a combined image acquisition and illumination unit with separate image guide and fiber optic interfaces, Fig. 4: an endoscope with an image capture unit and a lighting unit integrated in the handle, Fig. 5: an endoscope assembly with an endoscope, a combined image acquisition and illumination unit as a USB stick and an image display unit, Fig. 6: an endoscope with a combined image acquisition and illumination unit as a USB stick with a combined image guide and fiber optic interface, Fig. 7: an endoscope with a combined image acquisition and illumination unit as a USB stick with separate image guide and fiber optic interfaces, Fig. 8: an endoscope with an image capture unit as a USB stick and a lighting unit integrated in the handle, Fig. 9: an endoscope arrangement with an endoscope, an image acquisition unit coupled to a control unit, a lighting unit, and an image display unit, Fig. 10: an endoscope arrangement with an endoscope, an image acquisition unit and a lighting unit coupled to a control unit, and an image display unit, and Fig. 11: an endoscope with two image guides and one light guide, each connected to a combined image acquisition and illumination unit.

[0039] The Fig. 1 shows an endoscope arrangement 1 according to the invention with an endoscope 2, a combined image acquisition and illumination unit 3, a control unit 4 and an image display unit 5.

[0040] The endoscope 2 has a shaft 6 and a handle 7. An image guide and a light guide are arranged within the shaft 6 and the handle 7, which are shown in the image as an image and light guide unit 24. The image guide 13 and the light guide 14 can each consist of a fiber bundle composed of several image-conducting fibers or light-conducting fibers.

[0041] The image guide can also be manufactured using a so-called extrusion process, in which the individual image fibers of the image guide are manufactured simultaneously, thus eliminating the need for manual assembly of the fiber bundle. In particular, this method makes it easy to maintain the orientation of the individual image fibers, ensuring the individual pixels of the image are correctly aligned. To increase image resolution, the image guide fibers can be elongated in an additional or alternative thermal process, allowing for the production of significantly thinner fibers.

[0042] In the image, a sterile area 8 is separated by a dashed line from a non-sterile area 9 of a location where the endoscope assembly 1 is used. An advantage of the invention is that the image guide and, in the example, also the light guide can be guided seamlessly into the non-sterile area 9.

[0043] In the non-sterile area 9, an image acquisition and illumination unit 3 is arranged, which has a combined image guide and light guide interface 10 for connecting to the image guide and the light guide of the endoscope 2.

[0044] The image capture and illumination unit 3 comprises an image sensor and a light source. The image capture and illumination unit 3 further comprises interfaces 11 for connection to a control unit 4. In the example, this control unit 4 comprises a camera controller and a lighting controller. The control unit 4 has a data interface 12 (e.g., for image data, control data, and / or other data) for data output and / or data input (e.g., as an image output, for connection to a data storage device, for controlling the image sensor, and / or for other data applications) to an image display unit 5.

[0045] The interfaces 11 can, regardless of their design, in principle be designed as electrical interfaces, optical interfaces and / or a combination thereof.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an endoscope 2 with an image guide 13 and a light guide 14, which are guided seamlessly to the proximal end in the non-sterile area 9. There, they are connected to an image acquisition and illumination unit 3 via a combined image guide and light guide interface 10.

[0047] The image acquisition and illumination unit 3 has an image sensor 15, which in the example is connected to the image guide and fiber optic interface 10 via an internal image guide 17, so that an image of the image guide 13 can be transmitted to the image sensor 15.

[0048] The image capture and illumination unit 3 has a light source 16, which in the example is connected to the image guide and optical fiber interface 10 via an internal optical fiber 18, so that the light from the light source 16 can reach the optical fiber 14. Finally, the image capture and illumination unit 3 has an interface 11 for connection to a control unit 4.

[0049] The execution of the Fig. 3 essentially corresponds to the Fig. 2. However, the image capture and illumination unit 3 has a separate image guide interface 19 and a separate fiber optic interface 20. The image sensor 15 is arranged in the area of ​​the image guide interface 19 such that an image from the image guide 13 falls directly onto the image sensor 15, and no internal fiber optic cable is necessary.

[0050] Analogously, the light source 16 is arranged in the area of ​​the light guide interface 20 so that the light reaches the light guide 14 directly.

[0051] The Fig. 4 shows an endoscope 2 and an image acquisition unit 22 with an image sensor 15 in direct arrangement with an image guide interface 19 as in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, a light source 16 is arranged in the handle 7 of the endoscope 2. Accordingly, in addition to the image guide 13, an electrical line 21 leads from the endoscope 2 to the image acquisition unit 22. The image guide interface 19 thus has an electrical interface for controlling the light source. The image acquisition unit 22 further has an interface 11 for connection to a control unit 4.

[0052] The Fig. 5 shows an alternative endoscope arrangement 1 of the Fig. 1. The interface 11 of the combined image capture and illumination unit 3 is additionally designed for the transmission of image signals, so that the image capture and illumination unit 3 is directly connected to an image display unit 5.

[0053] The statements of the Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 essentially correspond to the Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. However, the image capture and illumination unit 3 is designed here as a USB or media stick, the interface 11 of which is designed as a media interface, for example a USB and / or HDMI interface.

[0054] The execution of the Fig. 7 essentially corresponds to the Fig. 3, wherein an image capture unit 22 and a lighting unit 23 in the form of USB or media sticks are present. The lighting unit 23 has an optical fiber interface 20 for connecting the light guide 14.

[0055] The Fig. 9 shows an endoscope arrangement 1, with an endoscope 2, an image acquisition unit 22, a lighting unit 23, a control unit 4 and an image display unit 5. The image acquisition unit 22 has an image guide interface 19 for connection to the image guide 13 of the endoscope 2 and an interface 11 for connection to the control unit 4. The lighting unit 23 is formed separately.

[0056] The execution of the Fig. 10 differs from the Fig. 9 in that the lighting unit 23 also has an interface 11 via which it is connected to the control unit 4.

[0057] The Fig.Figure 11 shows an endoscope 2 with two image guides 13 and a light guide 14. The combined image acquisition and illumination unit 3 accordingly has two image guide interfaces 19, each optically coupled to an image sensor 15. A connection to a control unit is possible via an interface 11. In this embodiment, the interface can also be configured as a USB and / or HDMI interface. List of reference symbols 1 endoscope arrangement 2 endoscope 3 Image capture and lighting unit 4 Control unit 5 Image display unit 6 shaft 7 Handle 8 sterile area 9 non-sterile area 10 Image and fiber optic interface 11 electrical / optical interface 12 Data interface 13 image ladder 14 light guides 15 image sensor 16 Light source 17 internal image director 18 internal light guide 19 Image guide interface 20 fiber optic interface 21 electrical cable 22 Image acquisition unit 23 Lighting unit 24 Image and fiber optic unit

Claims

[1] Endoscope (2) with - a light guide (14) and with - an image guide (13), characterized by , - that the image guide (13) is guided uninterrupted and coupling-free to the tip of the endoscope (2), whereby no image sensor is arranged in the endoscope (2), - that the image guide (13) is designed to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end, which lies in a non-sterile area of ​​the endoscope (2), and has an image guide interface at its proximal end for optical connection to an image acquisition unit (3; 22), - that the endoscope (2) has a handle (7) and the image guide (13) is led out of the handle (7), so that the image guide interface is arranged at a distance from the handle (7) in the non-sterile area (9) of the endoscope (2). [2] Endoscope (2) according to claim 1, wherein the image guide (13) comprises at least one image guide fiber or at least one image guide fiber bundle. [3] Endoscope (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image guide (13) is led out of the handle (7) at the proximal end of the handle (7). [4] Endoscope (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image guide interface has a coupling for optical and / or mechanical connection to an image acquisition unit (3; 22). [5] Endoscope (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the endoscope (2) has a light source (16) coupled to the light guide (14) or - wherein the optical fiber (14) is designed to be uninterrupted up to its proximal end and has a optical fiber interface (20) at its proximal end for optical connection to a lighting unit (3; 23). [6] Endoscope arrangement (1) with - an image capture unit (3; 22) having an image sensor (15) and an image guide interface (10; 19) for optically connecting the image sensor (15) to an image guide (13), - a lighting unit (3; 23) having a light source (16) and a light guide interface (10; 20) for optically connecting the light source (16) to a light guide (14), and - an endoscope (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, - wherein the image guide interface (10; 19) of the image acquisition unit (3; 22) is connected to the image guide (13) of the endoscope (2) and the light guide interface (10; 20) of the illumination unit (3; 23) is connected to the light guide (14) of the endoscope (2). [7] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to claim 6, wherein the illumination unit (3, 23) has an interface (11), in particular electrical and / or optical, for controlling the light source (16). [8] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the image guide interface (10; 19) of the image acquisition unit (3; 22) has a coupling for optical and / or mechanical connection to an image guide (13). [9] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, - wherein the image capture unit (3; 22) has an interface (11), in particular an electrical and / or optical interface, for controlling the image sensor (15) and / or for outputting the image data of the image sensor (15). [10] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, - wherein the light guide (14) of the endoscope (2) has at its proximal end a light guide interface for optical connection to a lighting unit (3; 23) or - wherein the lighting unit (23) is arranged in the handle (7) of the endoscope (2). [11] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 10, - wherein the lighting unit (3; 23) and / or the image acquisition unit (3; 22) has / have an interface (11), in particular an electrical and / or optical interface, for connection to a control unit (4). [12] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the illumination unit (23) and / or the image acquisition unit (22) has / have an interface (11), in particular a USB and / or an HDMI interface, for connection to an image display unit (5). [13] Endoscope arrangement (1) according to one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the image acquisition unit (3) and the illumination unit (3) are arranged in one device. [14] Method for using an image acquisition unit (3; 22) with several endoscopes, - wherein the image acquisition unit (3; 22) has an image sensor (15) and an image guide interface (10; 19) for optically connecting the image sensor (15) to an image guide (13) of an endoscope (2) and - wherein the image acquisition unit (3; 22) is arranged in a non-sterile area (9), characterized by , - that during use an endoscope (2) according to claim 1 is changed without changing the remaining imaging and image display, - wherein for this purpose the endoscope (2) is separated from the image acquisition unit (3; 22) in the region of the proximal end of the image guide (13), which lies in the non-sterile region of the endoscope (2).

Images