Carrier device for pre-assembling and holding a sensor assembly and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device, medical imaging device and method for pre-assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier device for pre-assembling and holding a sensor assembly and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device. The carrier device comprises a distal side, a proximal side, a top side, a bottom side, and two opposing sides. The sensor assembly is associated with the carrier device and comprises at least one sensor. The sensor can be mounted on the distal side of the carrier device. The carrier device has a continuous cavity from the proximal side to the distal side, so that when the sensor is pre-assembled on the distal side of the carrier device, it can be aligned from the inside into a predetermined position using an alignment tool that can be inserted into the cavity. The invention further relates to a medical imaging device and a method for pre-assembling a sensor assembly.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a carrier device for pre-assembling and holding a sensor assembly and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device. The carrier device has, as a respective side, a distal side, a proximal side, a top side, a bottom side, and two opposing sides. The sensor assembly can be assigned to the carrier device and has at least one sensor, and the sensor can be mounted on the distal side of the carrier device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a medical imaging device and a method for pre-assembling a sensor assembly on a carrier device and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device.

[0002] Medical imaging devices, such as exoscopes or endoscopes, are used to view the external surface and / or interior of a human or animal body or other object to be examined, for example, a technical object. Medical imaging devices typically comprise at least one sensor and / or image sensor. In the case of endoscopes, an objective lens system for generating an image of a viewing area is typically arranged in a distal end section of a shaft of the endoscope. In a video endoscope, the electronic image sensor for generating the endoscopic image is often also arranged in the distal end section within the shaft, with its sensor plane lying on an image plane of the objective lens system. Such video endoscopes are referred to as chip-on-the-tip endoscopes (COTT endoscopes).

[0003] Due to the small diameter of the shaft, typically just a few millimeters, increased demands are placed on the assembly and fastening of the objective lens system and the sensor and / or image sensor within the hollow space of the shaft. Due to the limited space, particularly in the distal end section of the shaft, there is a risk that the objective lens system and / or the sensor and / or image sensor are not optimally aligned with one another, or that it is only discovered after final assembly during factory testing of the endoscope that the sensor and / or image sensor is not functional. In addition, the sensor and / or image sensor must be fastened, for example, glued, inside the shaft. The disadvantage of this is that undefined contact points can occur during bonding and the adhesive can spread undesirably and uncontrollably due to the small component dimensions and tight installation conditions.Furthermore, there is a need for fast, simple, and cost-effective manufacturing processes, especially in the production of single-use medical imaging devices, such as disposable endoscopes. In contrast, for a reusable endoscope, the assembly process must be so safe and reliable that the sensor and / or image sensor mounted in the distal end section maintains its position within the shaft over the long term, and the adhesive bond does not come loose, despite regularly repeated cleaning and disinfection, for example, by autoclaving at high temperatures and with pressurized steam.

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve the state of the art.

[0005] The object is achieved by a carrier device for pre-assembling and holding a sensor assembly and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device, wherein the carrier device has, as a respective side, a distal side, a proximal side, a top side, a bottom side and two opposite sides, wherein the sensor assembly can be assigned to the carrier device and has at least one sensor and the sensor can be mounted on the distal side of the carrier device, wherein the carrier device has a continuous cavity from the proximal side to the distal side, so that when the sensor is pre-assembled on the distal side of the carrier device, the sensor can be aligned from the inside into a predetermined position by means of an alignment tool that can be inserted into the cavity.

[0006] Thus, a carrier device is provided in, on, and / or onto which a sensor assembly and / or a sensor can be pre-assembled and / or fastened outside the medical imaging device. Consequently, after pre-assembly, the sensor assembly and / or the sensor arranged on the carrier device can be tested for functionality at the factory before the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly and / or the sensor is inserted into the medical imaging device and in particular into a distal end section of a shaft. Thus, in the case of a video endoscope, the carrier device provides a pre-assembly that can be set up outside the video shaft and can be tested for a functioning video image before it is installed in the video shaft.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous that the carrier device has a continuous cavity from its proximal side to its distal side, which can be used multifunctionally during assembly and subsequent operation of the medical imaging device. This allows the sensor to be aligned from the inside into a predetermined position and / or spatial orientation during pre-assembly using an alignment tool inserted into the cavity. In principle, it is also possible to readjust the alignment of the sensor within the distal end section after inserting the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly and / or the sensor, for example by using a tool bent through 90° and inserting it into the continuous cavity on the proximal side. This allows the alignment of the pre-assembled sensor to be corrected after inserting the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly into the shaft.

[0008] It is particularly advantageous that both the support device itself and its continuous cavity can perform other functions during operation of the medical imaging device after pre-assembly of the sensor assembly and insertion into the shaft. In addition to its holding function, the support device itself can also be used as a heat transfer element, for example, to dissipate and / or distribute operating heat from the sensor and / or a distally arranged light source and prevent overheating of the distal end section of the shaft.

[0009] In principle, it should be emphasized that the sensor does not necessarily have to be mounted on the distal side of the support device. This also allows the lens and / or objective lens system to be divided and, for example, mounted with some components on the distal side and others on the proximal side of the support device, since the continuous cavity ensures optical continuity through the support device. If the components of a lens or objective lens system are divided between the two distal and proximal sides of the support device, the sensor can be arranged accordingly on the proximal side of the divided lens and / or objective lens system.

[0010] A key concept of the invention is based on not only enabling optimal pre-assembly and / or holding of the sensor assembly and / or the sensor outside the medical imaging device by means of a carrier device, but also designing the carrier device, thanks to the continuous cavity, in such a way that it can be used multifunctionally both during assembly and during operation of the medical imaging device. Because the carrier device enables pre-assembly and functional testing outside the medical imaging device, the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly can be inserted more easily into the tight spatial conditions within the shaft and secured more reliably.Consequently, reuse despite repeated cleaning and sterilization of the imaging device as well as simple and cost-effective production of disposable endoscopes are possible. The following terminology is explained:

[0011] A "medical imaging device" is, in particular, any type of technical and / or electrical device suitable for capturing, processing, and / or transmitting an image of a viewing area in a medical or technical environment. A medical imaging device can be, for example, an endoscope or an exoscope.

[0012] An “exoscope” is, in particular, a medical device or instrument for observing and / or illuminating a viewing area on a patient from a location away from the patient’s body. An exoscope can also be a reflected-light microscope. An “endoscope” is, in particular, a medical or industrial device for the endoscopic examination and viewing of a human or animal body cavity and / or an industrial cavity, such as a pipe. The endoscope has, in particular, a handpiece, a shaft, a light source, a light guide, a sensor, and / or a camera. The endoscope is, in particular, a video endoscope with digital image recording and image transmission.A video endoscope is, in particular, a chip-on-the-tip (COTT) endoscope, wherein the image sensor is designed as a chip, for example a CMOS chip, and arranged at the distal end section of the shaft of the video endoscope. The image data recorded by the image sensor can be transmitted, in particular electronically, through the shaft in the proximal direction to the handpiece and further to a display system and / or to an image processing unit in order to present the endoscopic image to the user. In addition to human and veterinary medical applications, an endoscope and / or video endoscope can also be used for industrial purposes, for example for visual inspection in hard-to-reach cavities. In industrial applications, an endoscope is often referred to as a borescope.

[0013] An endoscope or exoscope as a device in itself can also be part of an entire endoscope or exoscope system, which can include further devices such as additional sensors, measuring devices, cables, a camera control unit, a light source, a display device for displaying the acquired image data, a monitor and the like.

[0014] A "shaft" is, in particular, an elongated and hollow tube for bringing it close to a body surface and / or for at least partially inserting it into a body cavity and / or a technical opening. A shaft can, in particular, be a flexible and / or rigid shaft. In the case of a rigid shaft, the distal end section is designed to be bendable. The shaft has, in particular, a diameter in a range from 2 mm to 10 mm. In principle, the shaft can have any cross-sectional shape. Preferably, the shaft has a round or oval cross-section. In its interior, the shaft can, in particular, have further components, such as an optical fiber for illuminating an object field, a working channel or multiple working channels for supplying rinsing fluid or a tool, such as a biopsy needle or an electrode.At its proximal end, the shaft is reversibly mechanically and / or electrically connectable or permanently connected, in particular to a handpiece of the medical imaging device. In its distal end section, the shaft has, in particular, a closable opening through which the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor module can be introduced into the cavity of the shaft and finally assembled there. The opening in the end section of the shaft can be closed, preferably in a fluid-tight manner, in particular by means of a cover. Of course, the opening in the shaft can also be arranged at any other location in the shaft, for example, in its center or its proximal end section.

[0015] The "longitudinal direction" of the shaft is the direction of its longest extension. Accordingly, the "longitudinal axis" of the shaft is the axis that corresponds to the direction of its longest extension.

[0016] "The terms "distal" and "distal" refer to an arrangement close to the patient's body and thus far from the user and / or a corresponding end or section. Accordingly, "proximal" or "proximal" refers to an arrangement close to the user and thus far from the patient's body and a corresponding end or section. Thus, the "proximal direction" is a direction directed towards the proximal end of the medical imaging device and / or the handpiece and / or the endoscope. Accordingly, the "distal direction" is the opposite direction directed towards a tip and / or a free end of the shaft.

[0017] A "sensor" is, in particular, a technical component that qualitatively or quantitatively measures certain physical or chemical properties and / or the material composition of its environment. A sensor can, in principle, be any type of sensor, such as a mechanical, thermoelectric, resistive, piezoelectric, capacitive, inductive, optical, acoustic, or magnetic sensor. Thus, for example, the sensor can be an acceleration sensor or a pressure sensor. Preferably, the sensor is an optical sensor and / or an image sensor.

[0018] An "image sensor" is, in particular, a light-sensitive electronic component based on an internal photoelectric effect. The image sensor records, in particular, one or more images from the viewing area of ​​the medical imaging device and converts them into electronic signals. The image sensor has a sensor plane in the image plane of the optical system, the lens system, and / or the objective of the medical imaging device. An electronic image sensor can, in particular, be a CCD sensor (charge-coupled device) or a CMOS sensor (complementary metal oxide-semiconductor).Preferably, the electronic image sensor is arranged directly as a chip in the distal end portion and / or the tip of the shaft of the medical imaging device and / or the video endoscope and transmits the digital image signals from the distal end of the shaft to the proximal end by means of electrical transmission lines.

[0019] A “light source” is, in particular, a component or device that emits light. The light source can be designed as a standalone device, with light being coupled into the shaft and up to its distal end via a connecting port and a light guide. Likewise, the light source can be, in particular, an LED light source and / or a cold light source. The light source can be integrated directly into the medical imaging device, for example, in the handpiece or the shaft. Preferably, the light source is designed as an LED or as another light-generating device directly in the distal end section of the shaft and / or the medical imaging device. The light from the light source serves, in particular, to homogeneously illuminate the examination area and the desired viewing region.

[0020] A "viewing area" is, in particular, an area, a volume, an outer surface, and / or an inner surface of a human or animal body or a technical object. An optical image is generated from the entire viewing area or part of the viewing area, in particular by means of a lens, and / or captured by the image sensor. A viewing area can be, for example, an external skin surface, an internal organ, a natural cavity in a human or animal body, or the interior of a technical pipeline.

[0021] A “support device” is understood in particular to mean a device for pre-assembling, supporting and / or holding a sensor assembly. The support device can in particular be a component or a group of components. The support device can in particular be designed as a single part or as a multi-part assembly. In principle, the support device can have any shape. However, the support device in particular has external dimensions which are smaller than the dimensions of the cavity within the shaft in which the support device and / or the pre-assembled sensor assembly is or are to be accommodated. The support device is designed in particular with a length in the longitudinal direction of the shaft greater than its cross-section. The support device in particular has a length in a range from 1.0 mm to 8.0 mm, preferably from 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm.The carrier device has, in particular, a width in a range from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, preferably from 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm. The carrier device has, in particular, a height in a range from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm, preferably in a range from 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm.

[0022] A "side" of the support device is understood to mean both a surface and a direction. Since the support device can, in principle, have any external shape, such as completely or partially rectangular, round, cylindrical, and the like, a side does not have to be a clearly defined side with edges. The adjacent sides on the outer surface of the support device can also merge into one another, for example, be rounded. Thus, a side is also understood to mean a surface or a surface section of the support device that is oriented in a specific direction.Thus, the top side is in particular facing upwards, the bottom side downwards, the two opposite sides are arranged to the right and left, and the distal side is directed forwards or, after installation in the shaft, towards the distal end of the shaft, and correspondingly the proximal side is directed backwards or, when installed, towards the proximal end of the shaft. The respective side of the carrier device can be flat, oblique, or conically widening or narrowing in one direction. The distal side of the carrier device, on which the sensor and / or image sensor is or will preferably be mounted or arranged, can in particular be oblique. The distal side preferably runs obliquely upwards from the bottom in the proximal direction to the top side. In principle, the carrier device can comprise all types of material. For example, the carrier device comprises plastic and / or metal.In addition to stainless steel, the support device can, in particular, comprise copper and / or brass to enable heat dissipation through the support device itself. The support device has at least one continuous cavity extending from its proximal side to its distal side. However, the support device can also have two or more continuous cavities and / or channels. In addition to and / or instead of the at least one continuous cavity, the support device can also have a longitudinally continuous recess on its outer surface.

[0023] A “cavity” is, in particular, an empty and / or recessed space, at least prior to pre-assembly, within the interior of the support device. After pre-assembly of the support device, an alignment tool and / or another component can be arranged entirely or partially within the continuous cavity of the support device. In particular, at least one heat transfer element can also be arranged within the cavity of the support device. The cavity is, in particular, arranged concentrically to the longitudinal center axis of the support device and / or the shaft. However, the continuous cavity or several continuous cavities can also be arranged eccentrically to the longitudinal center axis of the support device and / or the shaft. The cavity can, in particular, have any shape, for example, rod-shaped with a rectangular or round cross-section. The cavity can, for example, be a through-hole.The cavity has in particular a diameter in a range from 0.1 mm to 3.0 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0024] A "sensor assembly" is, in particular, an object consisting of two or more parts or lower-order assemblies. The sensor assembly has at least one sensor. The sensor assembly is, in particular, mountable and / or dismountable. The sensor assembly, with its individual components, can be mounted and / or arranged on, upon, and / or in the support device, so that in the pre-assembled state, the sensor assembly and the support device form a common assembly (also called a pre-assembled pre-assembly).

[0025] An “alignment tool” is understood to mean any type of tool with which the position and / or orientation of the sensor on the carrier device can be adjusted. An alignment tool can be, for example, a mandrel or a hook. The alignment tool is inserted into the cavity through the proximal opening of the continuous cavity and acts with its distal end on the back of the sensor and / or the sensor holder. For this purpose, the sensor and / or the sensor holder can have corresponding counter-receptacles and / or recesses on its back and thus on its side oriented in the proximal direction, into which the tip of the alignment tool and / or mandrel can engage.

[0026] In one embodiment of the carrier device, the sensor assembly and / or the carrier device comprises or comprises the sensor, a lens mount, a lens and / or a carrier for electronic components.

[0027] Thus, depending on the type of sensor and the required components, the sensor assembly can initially be pre-assembled alone and / or directly on the carrier device.

[0028] A "lens" is, in particular, a converging optical system that creates a real optical image of an object and / or field of view. The lens has at least one lens. Furthermore, the lens can also have two or more lenses and an aperture. On the distal side, the lens can be arranged behind a cover glass, with the cover glass bordering the shaft at the distal end, or the cover glass can also be a component of the lens. The lens is, in particular, an ultrashort lens. Preferably, the lens is arranged directly behind the cover glass and attached with its proximal side to the distal side of an image sensor. The lens can also be arranged in two or more parts and / or spatially distributed, for example, on the distal side and the proximal side of the carrier device.

[0029] The "lens mount" is, in particular, a housing and / or a holder for the lens. The lens mount partially or completely encloses the optical components of the lens. The lens mount also refers to the point where the lens is connected to another component, such as the cover glass or the sensor.

[0030] A "carrier for electronic components" can, in particular, be a printed circuit board, a circuit board, and / or a printed circuit. The carrier for the electronic components has, in particular, electrical connections for the sensor and / or other components of the sensor assembly, which are to be supplied with voltage. The carrier serves, in particular, both for the mechanical fastening and for the electrical connection of the components of the sensor assembly in the assembled state. The carrier for the electronic components is glued to one side or a section of a side, in particular to the top or bottom, of the carrier device.

[0031] In order to optimally utilize the limited space in the cavity of the distal end section of the shaft and to enable an electrical connection between the proximal side of the carrier device and the handpiece of the imaging device as well as a power supply for the arranged sensor, the carrier for electronic components is arranged on the top or bottom of the carrier device.

[0032] In addition, due to this arrangement on the top or bottom of the carrier device, the carrier for electronic components is not in the optical beam path, so that the lens can also be arranged separately on both sides, on the distal side and the proximal side of the carrier device and accordingly an image sensor is then arranged proximal to the proximal part of the lens.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the carrier device may have at least one heat transfer element or is designed as a heat transfer element.

[0034] In order to realize optimal heat dissipation and / or distribution, the at least one heat transfer element can be arranged at least partially in the cavity so that operating heat of the sensor can be dissipated in a proximal direction.

[0035] The "heat transfer element" is, in particular, a thermally conductive element and / or component and / or a thermally conductive material. The heat transfer element and / or the carrier device itself comprises, in particular, a thermally conductive material, such as metal. The heat transfer element can also be, for example, a heat sink or a cooling element. For example, a copper disc is arranged as a cooling element on the proximal side of the proximal opening of the continuous cavity, and the continuous cavity is filled with air. The heat transfer element can also be designed as a copper wire or rod, which is arranged longitudinally in the cavity and contacts the rear side of the sensor and / or the sensor holder on the distal side.The heat transfer element can, for example, also be a copper tube which is arranged in the cavity of the carrier device and is itself filled with air. Likewise, the cavity of the carrier device can be filled with a thermal paste after assembly. The heat transfer element is coupled directly to the heat-emitting component, such as the sensor, a light source and / or another electronic component, in particular via one of its contact surfaces. Likewise, the heat transfer and / or coupling can occur indirectly via another component, the air-filled cavity of the carrier device and / or a thermal paste. The heat transfer element transfers the absorbed heat, in particular in the proximal direction, to a heat-conducting body as a heat sink. A heat-conducting body can, for example, be a heat pipe.The heat pipe is arranged and guided, in particular, in the proximal direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The heat transfer element can, in particular, be thermally coupled, directly or indirectly, to the heat-conducting body.

[0036] "Operating heat" refers specifically to the heat or amount of heat generated during the operation of the sensor, image sensor, a light source, and / or another component due to a temperature increase. Operating heat is generated, for example, by power dissipation of the sensor and / or the light source and dissipated to the environment due to a temperature gradient.

[0037] In a further embodiment, the carrier device can have at least one recess for receiving an adhesive in at least one side of the respective sides, so that the sensor assembly can be pre-assembled to the carrier device outside the shaft and then inserted and glued into the cavity of the shaft.

[0038] Thus, the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor group can be inserted into the shaft as a unit and then glued to an inner wall of the shaft by means of the at least one recess and an adhesive and thus spatially fixed.

[0039] In order to provide a defined attachment of the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly and a defined amount of adhesive, the carrier device can have two recesses, three recesses, four recesses and optionally further recesses.

[0040] The positions and respective design of the recesses specify both the respective bonding location and the amount of adhesive, thereby simplifying the process. In addition, smearing and undesired discharge of the adhesive into other areas of the shaft cavity can be avoided. Consequently, both the connection of the carrier device within the shaft and the dosage of the adhesive are improved. The recess or two or more recesses provide a defined reservoir of the adhesive, which ensures bonding without smearing within the shaft. The adhesive is preferably introduced into the respective recess while the shaft is still open, for example using a cannula, after the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly has been inserted into the intended position within the shaft cavity.As an alternative to gluing, the support device can also be cast and / or molded into the interior of the shaft by means of the recess or recesses.

[0041] In a further embodiment of the carrier device, the recesses are arranged on opposite sides.

[0042] Thus, the recesses in the inserted carrier device in the shaft are arranged laterally on the left and right in the distal direction and the carrier device is glued laterally.

[0043] In order to further improve the connection between the support device and an inner surface of the shaft and / or to enable force transmission or absorption, a rib can be arranged between two recesses, wherein an inner surface of the shaft can be contacted by means of an outer surface of the rib.

[0044] As a result, a defined contact surface of the carrier device on the inner surface of the shaft and / or a defined bonding surface is provided via one or more ribs.

[0045] A “recess” is in particular a recessed space on and / or in the outer surface of the carrier device. A recess is in particular an incision and thus a depression in the outer surface of the carrier device. In principle, the recess and / or the recesses can be arranged on each side of the carrier device and / or on each section of its outer surface. Preferably, the recess or the recesses are arranged on the two opposite sides and thus on the left and right sides of the carrier device when aligned in the distal direction. The recess or the recesses are in particular formed in a longitudinal direction from the top side to the bottom. In principle, the recess does not have to be continuous in its longitudinal direction from the top side to the bottom.The recess can, for example, also be closed on the top and / or bottom and only open laterally towards the inner surface of the shaft. The closed top or bottom can also have a small through-opening in order to specifically introduce the adhesive into the recess through this small through-opening, for example using a cannula. The recess can, in principle, have any shape. Likewise, two or more recesses can have the same shape, dimensions and / or orientations or correspondingly different orientations, shapes and / or dimensions. The recess and / or recesses can have any shape, such as rectangular or semicircular, particularly in cross-section. The respective recess can, for example, be manufactured by milling into the outer surface of the carrier device.In particular, a rib of the support device can remain standing or be specially designed between two recesses. The rib in particular has a defined outer surface and / or contact surface which can contact an inner surface of the shaft and / or is adhesively bonded to it. Both the surface of the respective recess and the outer surface of the rib can be smooth, rough and / or structured. These surfaces can also be partially smooth, rough and / or structured. Likewise, structural elements can be arranged on the surface of the recess, for example towards its edges, which extend increasingly into the recess and thus prevent the adhesive from flowing away.By structuring the outer surface of the recess in this way and / or by means of a respective rib, separate adhesive pockets can be provided between which smearing and / or transfer of the adhesive is prevented.

[0046] An "adhesive" (also called an adhesive) is, in particular, a non-metallic substance with which the materials of the support device and the shaft are bonded through surface adhesion and by means of its internal strength. In principle, any adhesive that enables a bond between the respective materials of the support device and the shaft is suitable. The adhesive, in particular, creates a material-to-material connection between the support device and the inner surface of the shaft. To prevent unwanted reflections and thus interference in the captured image, the adhesive can be colored black. The adhesive can be, for example, a light-curing adhesive (also called UV adhesive), which enables rapid curing of the bond.

[0047] In a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a medical imaging device, in particular a video endoscope with a handpiece and an elongated shaft, wherein the medical imaging device has a light source for illuminating a viewing area and the elongated shaft has a cavity, an electrical conductor and / or a working channel, wherein the medical imaging device has a carrier device as described above and the sensor is designed as an electronic image sensor for recording the viewing area.

[0048] This provides a medical imaging device, and in particular a video endoscope, in which the sensor group can be pre-assembled to the support device outside the shaft, and in the pre-assembled state, the functional test of the image sensor can be performed outside the device itself. This allows for early detection of malfunctions in the assembled image sensor, before it is finally assembled within the narrow shaft. This simplifies assembly and makes it more cost-effective. Furthermore, a non-functional and / or non-specification image sensor is detected and can be replaced outside the video endoscope. Consequently, the entire video endoscope does not have to be subsequently disposed of due to a subsequently discovered non-functionality or incorrect alignment of the image sensor.

[0049] In order to be able to insert the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly as a single component into the shaft in a simple manner, the shaft can have a closable opening for inserting the carrier device and / or the sensor assembly.

[0050] The opening, in particular, has dimensions at least slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the carrier device with the pre-assembled sensor assembly. The opening can be closed, in particular, by means of a cover. The cover can be glued to a contact surface around the opening, for example, using an adhesive or the adhesive used for the recess. The cover can also be welded.

[0051] In a further embodiment of the medical imaging device, at least one heat conducting tube is arranged in the shaft aligned in the distal direction such that the at least one heat transfer element of the carrier device is coupled to the heat conducting body in a heat-transferring manner.

[0052] Thus, the heat absorbed by the heat transfer element, particularly in the proximal direction, can be specifically dissipated and / or dissipated by means of the heat-conducting body. In this case, a direct thermal coupling can exist between the heat transfer element and the heat-conducting body, so that they have a common contact surface. An indirect thermal coupling can also occur, for example, by placing a thermal paste between the proximal end of the heat transfer element and the distal end of the heat-conducting body.

[0053] In a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for pre-assembling a sensor assembly on a carrier device and for inserting it into a shaft of a medical imaging device, wherein the sensor assembly has at least one sensor, the carrier device has as a respective side a distal side, a proximal side, a top side, a bottom side and two opposite sides, and the carrier device has a continuous cavity from the proximal side to the distal side, comprising the following steps: - Connecting a lens to the sensor so that the lens is positioned distally of the sensor, - Connecting the sensor to a distal side of the carrier device, and - Optionally inserting an alignment tool into the cavity of the carrier device in a distal direction and aligning the sensor from the inside on the distal side of the carrier device by means of an alignment tool, and - Inserting the carrier device into the shaft of the medical imaging device.

[0054] Consequently, a method is provided with which a sensor assembly with at least one sensor is pre-assembled in, on and / or at the carrier device in a simple and cost-effective manner and is then inserted as a pre-assembled sub-assembly into the shaft of the medical imaging device.

[0055] The method is carried out in particular with a previously described carrier device and / or a previously described medical imaging device.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the method, before insertion into the shaft, a connection of the carrier for electronic components to a top or bottom of the carrier device and / or an insertion of a heat transfer element at least partially into the cavity of the carrier device is or are carried out.

[0057] In order to arrange and fix the pre-assembled subassembly and / or the carrier device with the sensor group in the cavity of the shaft in a defined manner, an adhesive is introduced into at least one recess in one side of the carrier device before or after insertion, so that the carrier device is glued to an inner side of the shaft.

[0058] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. Fig. 1 a schematic partial three-dimensional view of a video endoscope and a display system, Fig. 2 a three-dimensional representation of a sensor holder in plan view of its distal side, Fig. 3 a schematic side view of a mounted sensor assembly on the sensor holder from Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a schematic three-dimensional representation of the sensor assembly pre-mounted on the sensor holder inserted into a distal end section of a shaft in a view from above through a mounting opening, Fig. 5 a schematic three-dimensional side view of the pre-assembled and inserted sensor assembly on the sensor holder from Fig. 4 with a heat pipe arranged proximally, and Fig. 6 a flow diagram of steps of a method for pre-assembling a sensor module.

[0059] A video endoscope 101 comprises a handpiece 103 and an elongated shaft 105, which are connected to each other at a proximal end 107 of the shaft 105. The handle 103 comprises control elements 115 and is connected via a cable 113 at its proximal end to an external, not shown, control and processing unit and to a display system 201, which is Fig. 1. The display system 201 includes a monitor 203 for displaying endoscopic images and control elements 215.

[0060] The video endoscope 101 is configured to provide video and image data from an objective field within a cavity of a body (not shown). For this purpose, the elongated shaft 105 includes a distal end portion 111 at its distal end 109.

[0061] A sensor holder 300 has a top side 301 and an opposite bottom side 303. Viewed in a distal direction 317, the sensor holder 300 has a proximal side 307 and an opposite distal side 305, as well as a right side 309 and a left side 311. A continuous cavity 313 is arranged internally in the sensor holder 300 from the proximal side 307 to the distal side 305. The cavity 313, with its round cross-section, is arranged concentrically to a longitudinal center axis of the sensor holder 300. The cross-section of the cavity 313 has a diameter of 1.6 mm. A width of the distal side 305 is 2.85 mm. A length of the sensor holder 300 along the top side 303 is 3.0 mm. A height of the sensor holder 300 is 2.0 mm.The distal side 305 is arranged obliquely to the transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sensor holder 300, so that the upper side 301 of the oblique distal side 305 is set back in the proximal direction (opposite the distal direction 317).

[0062] On the right side 309 and the left side 311, the sensor holder 300 has three ribs 319 each, with a first recess 321 and a second recess 322 being arranged between the ribs 319 on the left side 311 and a third recess 323 and a fourth recess 324 being arranged on the right side 309 ( Fig. 1).

[0063] In an assembled state, a sensor assembly 330 is arranged on the sensor holder 300 ( Fig. 3). The sensor assembly 330 comprises an electronic image sensor 331, a lens 333 with a lens mount 335, and a circuit board 339. A cover glass 337 is arranged on the distal side of the lens mount 335. In the assembled state, a heat sink 341, designed as a copper wire, is inserted into the cavity 313 of the sensor holder 300. The heat sink abuts the back of the image sensor 331 on the distal side.

[0064] In a Fig. In the state shown in Figure 4, the preassembled sensor assembly 330 on the sensor holder 300 is inserted into the cavity of the shaft 105 in the distal end portion 111 through the mounting opening 117. For illustrative purposes, the top side 301 of the sensor holder 300 is visible, but not the circuit board 339 mounted thereon.

[0065] The circuit board 339 has several electronic components 374 on its upper side and is electrically connected to the handpiece 103 of the video endoscope 101 in a connecting tube 343 on the proximal side. A heat pipe 345 is arranged below the connecting tube 343. Between the distal end of the heat pipe 345 and the proximal end of the heat sink 341, a Fig. 5 thermal paste not shown.

[0066] In a method 400 for pre-assembling the sensor assembly 330, the following work steps are carried out with the sensor holder 300 ( Fig. 6):

[0067] Outside the video endoscope 101, the lens 333 is bonded to the distal side of the image sensor 331 by adhesive (step 401). The image sensor 331, connected to the lens 333, is then bonded to its proximal side by adhesive to the distal side 305 of the sensor mount 300 (step 403). A mandrel serving as an alignment tool is then inserted from the proximal side 307 through the cavity 313 of the sensor mount 300, and the image sensor 331 is aligned from the inside using the mandrel (step 405) before the adhesive bond has cured. The image sensor 331 and the lens 333, pre-assembled to the sensor mount 300 in this manner, are then tested for functionality at the factory. After a positive test, the heat sink 341 is inserted into the cavity 313 through the proximal opening of the cavity 313, so that the heat sink 341 contacts a back side of the image sensor 331 on the distal side.Subsequently, the sensor holder 300 with the pre-assembled sensor assembly 330 is inserted into the cavity of the shaft 305 through the mounting opening 117 into a predetermined position (step 407). During insertion, the pre-assembled sensor assembly 330 is displaced on the sensor holder 300 in the distal direction 317 until the cover glass 337 is inserted into a provided receptacle at the distal end 109 of the shaft 105 and is glued there (Fig. Fig. 4). Using a cannula, a UV adhesive is then introduced from above into the first recess 321, the second recess 322, the third recess 323, and the fourth recess 324, so that bonding occurs in the area of ​​the recesses 321 to 324 and the outer sides of the ribs 319 with the inner surface of the shaft 105 (step 409). Subsequently, a cover (not shown) is welded to the mounting opening 117, so that the shaft 105 is fluid-tightly sealed in its distal end section 111.

[0068] During subsequent operation of the video endoscope 101, the operating heat emitted by the image sensor 331 is transferred through direct contact with the distal side of the heat sink 341 to the proximal side of the heat sink 341 located within the sensor mount 300. There, the heat sink 341 is in contact with the thermal paste arranged between the heat sink 341 and the heat pipe 345, so that the heat is further transferred via the thermal paste to the heat pipe 345 and dissipated in the proximal direction.

[0069] Thus, a sensor mount 300 is provided which, due to its design with the cavity 313, enables optimal pre-assembly of the sensor group 330 and alignment and functional testing of the image sensor 331 outside the shaft 105 before the heat sink 341 is inserted into the cavity 313 for operational function and the pre-assembled sensor assembly 330 with the sensor mount 300 is inserted into the distal end section 111 of the shaft 105 and optimally bonded to the inner surface of the shaft 105 by means of the recesses 321 to 324 and the ribs 319. This provides a multifunctional sensor mount 300 which can be advantageously used both during pre-assembly and during operation of the video endoscope 101. List of reference symbols 101 Video endoscope 103 Handpiece 105 shaft 107 proximal end of the shaft 109 distal end of the shaft 111 distal end section 113 cables 115 Control element 117 Mounting opening 201 display system 203 Monitor 215 Control element 300 sensor holder 301 top 303 subpage 305 distal side 307 proximal side 309 right side 311 left side 313 Cavity 315 distal opening 317 distal direction 319 Rib 321 first recess 322 second recess 323 third recess 324 fourth recess 330 Sensor assembly 331 image sensor 333 lens 335 lens mount 337 Cover glass 339 circuit board 341 heat sink 343 connecting pipe 345 heat pipe 347 electronic component 400 Method for pre-assembling a sensor assembly 401 Connecting a lens to the image sensor 403 Connecting the image sensor to a distal side of the sensor mount 405 Optional alignment of the image sensor 407 Inserting the sensor holder into the shaft 409 Bonding the sensor holder to the shaft

Claims

[1] A carrier device (300) for pre-assembling and holding a sensor assembly (330) and for insertion into a shaft (105) of a medical imaging device (101), wherein the carrier device (300) has, as a respective side, a distal side (305), a proximal side (307), a top side (301), a bottom side (303) and two opposite sides (309, 311), wherein the sensor assembly (330) can be assigned to the carrier device (300) and has at least one sensor (331), and the sensor (331) can be mounted on the distal side (305) of the carrier device (300), characterized by that the carrier device (300) has a continuous cavity (313) from the proximal side (307) to the distal side (305), so that when the sensor (331) is pre-assembled on the distal side (305) of the carrier device (300), the sensor (331) can be aligned from the inside into a predetermined position by means of an alignment tool that can be inserted into the cavity (313). [2] Carrier device (300) according to claim 1, characterized by that the sensor assembly (330) and / or the carrier device (300) comprises or comprises the sensor (331), a lens mount (335), a lens (333) and / or a carrier (339) for electronic components. [3] Carrier device (300) according to claim 2, characterized by that the carrier (339) for electronic components is arranged on the top side (301) or the bottom side (303) of the carrier device (300). [4] Carrier device (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrier device (300) has at least one heat transfer element (341) or is designed as a heat transfer element (341). [5] Carrier device (300) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the at least one heat transfer element (341) is arranged at least partially in the cavity (313) so that an operating heat of the sensor (331) can be dissipated in a proximal direction. [6] Carrier device (300) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carrier device (300) has at least one recess (321, 322, 323, 324) for receiving an adhesive in at least one side of the respective sides (301, 303, 305, 307, 309, 311), so that the sensor assembly (330) can be pre-assembled to the carrier device (300) outside the shaft (105) and then inserted and glued into the cavity (313) of the shaft (105). [7] Carrier device (300) according to claim 6, characterized by that the carrier device (300) has two recesses, three recesses, four recesses and optionally further recesses (321, 322, 323, 324). [8] Carrier device (300) according to claim 7, characterized bythat the recesses (321, 322, 323, 324) are arranged on the opposite sides (309, 311). [9] Support device (300) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by that a rib (319) is arranged between two recesses (321, 322, 323, 324), wherein an inner surface of the shaft (105) can be contacted by means of an outer surface of the rib (319). [10] Medical imaging device (101), in particular a video endoscope, comprising a handpiece (103) and an elongated shaft (105), wherein the medical imaging device (101) has a light source for illuminating a viewing area and the elongated shaft (105) has a cavity, an electrical conductor and / or a working channel, characterized bythat the medical imaging device (101) has a carrier device (300) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and the sensor (331) is designed as an electronic image sensor for recording the viewing area. [11] Medical imaging device (101) according to claim 10, characterized by that the shaft (105) has a closable opening (117) for inserting the carrier device (300) and / or the sensor assembly (330). [12] Medical imaging device (101) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by that at least one heat-conducting body (345) is arranged in the shaft (105) aligned in the distal direction (317) such that the at least one heat transfer element (341) of the carrier device (300) is coupled to the heat-conducting body (345) in a heat-transferring manner. [13] A method for pre-assembling a sensor assembly on a carrier device and for insertion into a shaft of a medical imaging device, wherein the sensor assembly has at least one sensor, the carrier device has as a respective side a distal side, a proximal side, a top side, a bottom side and two opposite sides, and the carrier device has a continuous cavity from the proximal side to the distal side, comprising the following steps: - Connecting a lens to the sensor so that the lens is positioned distally of the sensor, - Connecting the sensor to a distal side of the carrier device, and - Optionally inserting an alignment tool into the cavity of the carrier device in a distal direction and aligning the sensor from the inside on the distal side of the carrier device by means of an alignment tool, and - Inserting the carrier device into the shaft of the medical imaging device. [14] Method according to claim 13, characterized by that before insertion into the shaft, a carrier for electronic components is or are connected to a top or bottom of the carrier device and / or a heat transfer element is or are inserted at least partially into the cavity of the carrier device. [15] Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized by that before or after insertion, an adhesive is introduced into at least one recess in one side of the carrier device so that the carrier device is glued to an inner side of the shaft.

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