Electrode instrument and resectoscope as well as method for manufacturing an electrode instrument

Abstract

Electrode instrument (22) for a resectoscope (10), wherein the electrode instrument (22) has an electrode (23) at a distal end and can be detachably coupled at a proximal end region (24) to a transporter (17) of the resectoscope (10) having a locking slide (26), characterized in that a wall of a sheath tube (25) of the electrode instrument (22) has at least one embossing (29, 30) into which the locking slide (26) of the transporter (17) can be moved for coupling the sheath tube (25) to the transporter (17), and that the at least one embossing (29, 30) extends only partially or in certain areas over a circumference of the wall.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrode instrument for a resectoscope according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a resectoscope according to claim 10. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an electrode instrument according to claim 11.

[0002] High-frequency instruments, such as the resectoscope described here, are used in medicine for the treatment of body tissue, and in particular for the removal of this tissue. Typical applications include those in urology, such as prostate resection. A high-frequency tool used in this process may consist of an RF electrode connected to a high-frequency generator, which can be switched on and off by the surgeon.

[0003] For manipulating tissue, the RF electrode can be designed as a cutting loop or button electrode, which, when high-frequency voltage is applied, can be guided very easily and with almost no resistance through the tissue to be removed. Besides cutting tissue, it can also be manipulated in other ways. For this purpose, various high-frequency tools or different electrodes are used for the treatment.

[0004] The electrode is connected via an electrode instrument to a transporter or slide of the resectoscope, in particular by a detachable locking mechanism. During treatment of the body tissue, the electrode instrument with the electrode is moved along a longitudinal axis of the resectoscope. Depending on whether the resectoscope is an active or passive resectoscope, the transporter or slide is connected to a main body, which includes a handle, by a compression spring or a tension spring, respectively. In addition to the electrode instrument, it is also conceivable that other components, such as optics, are guided by the transporter. However, these other components will not be discussed further here; rather, reference is made to the known prior art.

[0005] To connect the electrode instrument to the resectoscope or the transporter, a proximal end of the electrode instrument's sheath is detachably locked into the transporter. A locking edge is provided on the sheath for this purpose, which secures the electrode or electrode instrument against distal pull after locking. Additionally, a piercing edge is provided, which limits the movement of the electrode instrument proximally by applying pressure.

[0006] Detent edges and piercing edges are known to exist on the sheathing tubes, which are achieved through changes in diameter. However, this increases the outer diameter of the sheathing tube, which can negatively affect the durability of the electrode instrument's seal in the transporter.

[0007] Other embodiments provide for the detent to be fixed at a proximal end of the sheath tube. This results in the detent always occurring in the same position for different electrode designs. Consequently, the position of the active tip changes for different electrodes. To prevent this, different tube lengths are used for different electrode types. However, this is economically disadvantageous with regard to the desired use of identical parts in manufacturing.

[0008] Another disadvantage of a radially outward-facing detent on the casing tube is that the area of ​​an electrical contact area at the proximal end of the casing tube is reduced, leading to more difficult electrical contacting of the electrode system.

[0009] Based on this, the invention aims to create an electrode instrument for a resectoscope whose locking mechanism is particularly reliable and space-saving.

[0010] An electrode instrument for a resectoscope to solve this problem has the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the electrode instrument has an electrode at a distal end and is detachably coupled to a transporter of the resectoscope at a proximal end. The invention further provides that a wall of a sheath tube of the electrode instrument has at least one embossed feature into which a locking slide of the transporter can be moved for coupling the sheath tube to the transporter. This at least one embossed feature allows for both a sufficiently strong locking connection with the transporter and reliable electrical contact. Furthermore, an embossed feature in the sheath tube is particularly space-saving.

[0011] In particular, the invention further provides that the at least one embossing extends only partially or regionally over a circumference of the wall, preferably that the at least one embossing represents a cross-sectional narrowing of the casing tube. This regional embossing allows the space within the conveyor to be utilized in a particularly efficient manner. This regional cross-sectional narrowing also makes sealing the electrode instrument within the conveyor particularly advantageous and simple.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one embossing in the wall has at least one detent edge and at least one piercing edge that correspond to detent projections or locking elements of the detent slide. Preferably, the detent edge and the piercing edge are designed such that they can engage with the detent projections or locking elements of the detent slide in a snap-fit ​​manner. The complementary shapes of the detent edge and the piercing edge allow the position of the electrode instrument to be secured against tensile and compressive forces in both distal and proximal directions.

[0013] Preferably, the wall of the casing tube has at least two embossed markings arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the casing tube, whereby the markings may be identical or different. The markings are designed such that they each have at least one detent edge and at least one piercing edge. Depending on the embodiment and / or dimensions of the casing tube and the detent slide of the conveyor, the markings may be spaced apart accordingly.

[0014] According to the invention, it is conceivable that a first embossing, located closer to the distal end of the sheath tube in the wall, has a locking edge, and a second embossing, located closer to a proximal end of the sheath tube, has a piercing edge. The first embossing can be wider than the second embossing. Preferably, it is also conceivable that the first embossing extends over a larger angular segment of the sheath tube's circumference than the second embossing. Alternatively or additionally, it is also conceivable that the second embossing is deeper than the first embossing, preferably that the piercing edge is higher than the locking edge. This reliably prevents piercing when the electrode instrument is quickly inserted into the transporter. Furthermore, a wider locking edge, despite a smaller radial offset compared to the piercing edge, offers more surface area for secure locking.

[0015] Another embodiment of the invention provides for an electrical contact area to be arranged on the sheathing tube. This contact area can be contacted by a contact element within the transporter. The electrical contact serves to return current from the electrode instrument or to supply power to the electrode instrument.

[0016] Alternatively, a separate contact element, such as a pin or a connector, could be assigned to the sheath tube to supply the electrode instrument with electrical energy. This contact element could be coupled to or inserted into the proximal end of the sheath tube. This contact element could also serve to return the current. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the material selection for the contact element can be largely based on the electrical requirements, as no mechanical forces associated with the locking mechanism act on the contact. Furthermore, the electrical contact element does not require any additional locking mechanisms, making it particularly cost-effective to manufacture.

[0017] A resectoscope with an electrode instrument for solving the aforementioned problem is described by claim 10. Accordingly, it is provided that the electrode instrument of the resectoscope is designed according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0018] A method for solving the aforementioned problem is described by claim 11. According to this claim, the at least one embossing is incorporated into a wall of the casing tube by embossing, crimping, machining, or the like. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the locking and piercing edges are embossed into the casing tube at the end of the assembly process of the electrode instrument.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of electrode instruments are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing. This drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a resectoscope, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a snap-fit ​​connection, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of another embodiment of a snap-fit ​​connection, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of another embodiment of a snap-fit ​​connection, Fig. 5 a perspective view of a rest connection according to Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 another perspective view of a sheathing tube according to Fig. 5.

[0020] In the Fig. Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a resectoscope 10. In this resectoscope 10, an outer shaft 11, indicated here only by dashed lines, is slid over an inner shaft 12. The inner shaft 12 serves to receive and guide an optical system 13, which extends from a distal end 14 to a proximal end 15 of the resectoscope 10. At the proximal end 15, an eyepiece 16 is available for the user to observe the area to be operated on through the optical system 13.

[0021] An essential component of the resectoscope 10 is the transporter 17, also known as the carriage. This transporter 17 includes, among other things, a first grip 18 and is connected via a spring element 19 to a second grip 20 and an optical plate 21.

[0022] Furthermore, an electrode instrument 22 extends along the inner shaft 12 from a distal end 14 of the resectoscope 10 to the transporter 17. At its distal end 14, the electrode instrument 22 has an electrode 23. This electrode can be supplied with electrical energy via an RF generator (not shown), which serves to manipulate tissue.

[0023] The electrode instrument 22 is locked into the transporter 17 at its proximal end 24. This allows the electrode instrument 22 to be easily decoupled from or coupled to the transporter 17, and also enables the transporter 17 and the transporter to be moved distally or proximally along the longitudinal axis of the resectoscope 10. For the locking coupling of the proximal end 24 of the electrode instrument 22 to the transporter 17, the transporter 17 has a locking slide 26. This slide 26 can either be rotated radially around the longitudinal axis of the resectoscope 10 to create a locking connection with the electrode instrument 22, or it can be spring-loaded, which biases the locking slide 26 in the axial direction of the resectoscope 10. However, it is also conceivable that the locking slide 26 is moved translationally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the resectoscope 10. In Fig. 1 the locking slide 26 would in the direction of view, in Fig. 2. They will be pushed upwards.

[0024] The electrode instrument 22 has a sheath tube 25, into the distal end of which the electrode 23 is inserted. The proximal end 24 of the sheath tube 25, or of the electrode instrument 22, is connected to the locking slide 26 of the resectoscope 10.

[0025] In the Fig. Figure 2 is a highly schematic representation of a proximal end region 24 of the casing tube 25 for illustrative purposes. For example, the casing tube (25), which is actually tube-like, is shown as a solid body. In this highly schematic representation, the detent slide 26 has a first detent element 27 and a second detent element 28. These detent elements 27, 28 are brought into contact with a first embossing 29 and a second embossing 30 of the casing tube 25 during the detent connection. According to the invention, these two embossings 29, 30 are embossed into the wall of the casing tube 25 and thus represent a reduction in the outer diameter of the casing tube 25.

[0026] The one in Fig. The embossed markings 29 and 30 shown in Figure 2 are wedge-shaped, with the vertical edge of the first marking 29 being designated as the locking edge 31 and the vertical flank of the second marking 30 as the piercing edge 32. When a tensile or compressive force is applied axially to the electrode instrument 22, the piercing edge 32 abuts the locking element 28, or the locking edge 31 is pulled against the locking element 27. This interaction of the markings 29 and 30 with the locking slide 26 fixes the position of the electrode instrument 22 relative to the transporter 17.

[0027] To contact the sheathing tube 25, the surface of the sheathing tube 25 can have an electrical contact area (not shown). This contact area serves for the current return from the electrode. This return is achieved via a contact (not shown) which is connected via a conductor and coupled to, for example, the RF generator.

[0028] For a particularly good locking effect, the invention provides that the first embossing 29 is less deep than the second embossing 30. For this purpose, the first embossing 29 in the wall of the casing tube 25 is significantly wider than the second embossing 30 (see figure). Fig. 5, Fig. 6). In particular from the Fig. Figure 6 shows that the first embossing 29 is wedge-shaped and embossed into the wall of the casing 25, while the second embossing 30, in the embodiment shown here, is cup-shaped and encircled in the wall of the casing 25. The embossings 29 and 30 can, as shown here, be arranged only over a specific angular range around the casing 25 or extend over the entire circumference of the casing 25. It is also conceivable that the casing 25 has several embossings.

[0029] The one in Fig. The second embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 3, provides that a pin 33 can be inserted into the sheathing tube 25, serving as an electrical contact element. This electrical pin 33 for electrically contacting the sheathing tube 25 offers the advantage that the material of the pin 33 can be selected independently of the locking mechanism. Since virtually no mechanical forces act on the pin 33, materials particularly well-suited for conducting electrical energy can be used.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 4 represents a further embodiment of a detent connection between a detent slide 34 and a sheathing tube 25. In the embodiment shown in the Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, a locking edge 35 and a piercing edge 36 are realized by a common embossing 37. This single embossing 37 in the casing tube 25 simplifies the manufacturing process of the electrode instrument 22.

[0031] In addition to the embodiments for embossing in the sheathing tube 25 of the electrode instrument 22 shown here, further embodiments are conceivable. Reference symbol list 10 Resectoscope 11 outer shaft 12 inner shaft 13 Optics 14 distal end 15 proximal end 16 eyepiece 17 carriers 18 Grips 19 spring element 20 gripping tools 21 Optical plate 22 Electrode instrument 23 electrode 24 proximal end 25 Sheathing tube 26 locking slides 27 Latching element 28 locking elements 29 first minting 30 second minting 31 Locking edge 32 Piercing edge 33 Pin 34 locking slides 35 locking edge 36 Piercing edge 37 embossing

Claims

[1] Electrode instrument (22) for a resectoscope (10), wherein the electrode instrument (22) has an electrode (23) at a distal end and can be detachably coupled at a proximal end region (24) to a transporter (17) of the resectoscope (10), characterized by , that a wall of a sheath tube (25) of the electrode instrument (22) has at least one embossing (29, 30) into which a locking slide (26) of the transporter (17) can be moved for coupling the sheath tube (25) with the transporter (17). [2] Electrode instrument (22) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one embossing (29, 30) extends only partially or in certain areas over the circumference of the wall, preferably the at least one embossing (29, 30) represents a cross-sectional narrowing of the sheathing tube (25). [3] Electrode instrument (22) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that the at least one embossing (29, 30) in the wall has at least one detent edge (31, 35) and at least one piercing edge (32, 36) which correspond to detent projections of the detent slide (26), preferably that the detent edge (31, 35) and the piercing edge (32, 36) are designed such that the detent projections of the detent slide (26) can engage in a detent connection. [4] Electrode instrument (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the wall of the casing tube (25) has at least two embossings (29, 30) arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the casing tube (25), wherein the embossings (29, 30) are identical or different. [5] Electrode instrument (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that a first embossing (29), which is located closer to the distal end of the sheath tube (25) in the wall, has a detent edge (31, 35) and a second embossing (30), which is located closer to a proximal end (24) of the sheath tube (25), has a piercing edge (32, 36). [6] Electrode instrument (22) according to claim 5, characterized by , that the second embossing (30) is deeper than the first embossing (29), preferably the piercing edge (32, 36) is higher than the detent edge (31, 35). [7] Electrode instrument (22) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that the first embossing (29) is wider than the second embossing (30), preferably that the first embossing (29) extends over a larger angular section of the circumference of the sheathing tube (25) than the second embossing (30). [8] Electrode instrument (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an electrical contact area is arranged on the sheathing tube (25). [9] Electrode instrument (22) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sheathing tube (25) is associated with a separate contact element (33) for supplying the electrode instrument (22) with electrical energy, wherein the contact element (33) can be coupled to the proximal end (24) of the sheathing tube (25), in particular can be plugged into the proximal end (24). [10] Resectoscope (10) with an electrode instrument (22) according to claim 1. [11] Method for manufacturing an electrode instrument (22) with a sheath tube (25) according to claim 1, characterized by , that at least one embossing (29, 30) is incorporated into a wall of the casing tube (25) by embossing, crimping, machining or the like. [12] Method for manufacturing an electrode instrument (22) with a sheath tube (25) according to claim 11, characterized by, that a locking edge and a piercing edge (31, 32, 35, 36) are embossed into the casing tube (25) at the end of an assembly process.

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