Holding device, arrangement and method for holding an endoscope or a part of an endoscope

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding device and an arrangement for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope and to the use of a holding device.The holding device comprises a frame (11, 21, 31, 41) for placing the holding device (10, 20, 30, 40), at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) which is connected to the frame (11, 21, 31, 41) and which is configured and arranged to at least partially enclose a receiving area (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44) for receiving a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, and a plurality of holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) which are connected to the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42), wherein the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) are configured and are arranged to bear against the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope and hold it in a fixed and predefined position.

Description

The invention relates to a holding device and an arrangement for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope. The invention further relates to a method for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope and to a use of a holding device.After use of an endoscope, the endoscope is usually prepared by precleaning, manual or machine cleaning, disinfection and possibly sterilisation before it can be used again on the patient. However, the cleaning process of complex endoscopes is complicated, and therefore the channels and openings of the endoscopes are usually cleaned manually before the endoscope is disinfected. Such manual cleaning requires manual handling of the contaminated and used endoscopes and also subjects the person involved in the cleaning to a potential risk of exposure to contaminants. Moreover, in manual cleaning and handling of endoscopes, there is a risk that the cleaning is not performed correctly, so that the desired result may not be obtained after the cleaning and disinfection.To minimize or avoid these risks, automatic cleaning of endoscopes has been proposed. From WO2019054910A1 an arrangement for cleaning and disinfecting endoscopes is known, which comprises a shell and a holder, which is arranged such that the endoscope is held in the desired position within the shell, wherein a robot device, which comprises a movable robot arm, can be operated by a control unit for cleaning at least one channel of the endoscope arranged in the shell.However, a problem with such automated cleaning is that during the conditioning process adapters must be connected to the port ports of the endoscopes, and although it is known to provide such arrangements with a camera to enable the position of the endoscope to be detected, the endoscope typically moves slightly around its rest position so that the adapters cannot be accurately placed on the channel port ports of the endoscope for internal endoscope channel flushing.It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution for automated or semi-automated cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes and an improved method for carrying out the cleaning and disinfection in order to reduce the described problems.According to a first aspect, there is provided a holder for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope, the holder comprising: a frame for placing the holder; at least one receiving element connected to the frame and configured and arranged to at least partially enclose a receiving area for receiving a part of an endoscope; and a plurality of holding elements connected to the at least one receiving element, wherein the holding elements are configured and arranged to abut the part of the endoscope and hold it in a fixed and predefined position.Preferably, the holding device is configured to hold an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope in the fixed and predefined position.Preferably, the frame is for placing the holding device on a surface, for example on a tray. Preferably, the frame comprises a base plate and a frame structure, wherein the frame structure is arranged on the base plate and connected to the base plate. The frame can be placed in a tray, for example, in particular when the base plate rests on the tray. Such a shell can then be introduced into a device for carrying out an automated cleaning process of the endoscope, i.e. into an endoscope cleaning appliance. However, it is also possible that no base plate is provided, but rather the frame is configured only as a single frame structure.Preferably, the at least one receiving element is fastened to the frame and is configured such that the at least one receiving element defines the receiving region, wherein the receiving region is at least partially surrounded by the at least one receiving element. The receiving region is configured in particular for receiving an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope. If an endoscope is introduced into the receiving region, it is preferably at least partially surrounded by the at least one receiving element. The at least one receiving element preferably has an opening through which the endoscope can be moved into the receiving region and removed from the receiving region. Preferably, such an opening is arranged on one side, in particular laterally, of the at least one receiving element. The at least one receiving element preferably comprises at least two receiving elements arranged next to one another, wherein these receiving elements preferably have openings on the same side, so that an endoscope can be moved into and out of the receiving region.Preferably, the holding elements are connected to the at least one receiving element such that at least a part of each of the holding elements is movable relative to the at least one receiving element. Preferably, the holding elements are arranged such that they are arranged along a circular section of the receiving region. The holding elements are preferably oriented such that their longitudinal axis points substantially in the direction of the receiving region, in particular in the direction of the center of the receiving region. The holding elements are designed to abut on the part of the endoscope and to hold it. The holding elements are preferably designed to apply a force in the direction of a part of the endoscope when such a part of the endoscope is arranged in the receiving region.An advantage of such a holding device is that it can be ensured that the endoscope is held in a fixed and predetermined position. In this way, a robot can easily attach flushing adapters to the corresponding channel openings of the endoscope and perform an internal channel flushing of the endoscope.A further advantage of such a holding device is that it can be achieved that the endoscope or a part of the endoscope which is held is fixed so firmly that it does not change its position if it is not desired.Another advantage of such a holding device is that, due to the fact that the endoscope or the part of the endoscope is held by a plurality of holding elements, the total contact area between the holding device and the endoscope or the part of the endoscope can be made relatively small. As a result, it is possible, in particular using spray nozzles, to clean the entire or almost the entire surface of the endoscope or of the part of the endoscope when the endoscope is held in the receiving region by the holding elements.It is particularly preferred that the holding elements are movably mounted on the at least one receiving element.Preferably, at least a part of the holding elements is mounted movably relative to the at least one receiving element and / or movably relative to the at least one receiving element.Preferably, the holding elements each have an external thread and the at least one receiving element has a multiplicity of bores with internal threads, wherein the holding elements can preferably be screwed into the bores of the at least one receiving element, wherein the external threads of the holding elements engage into the internal threads of the bores of the at least one receiving element.It is particularly preferred that the holding device comprises at least six, preferably at least eight, in particular at least ten, holding elements.Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the holding elements are oriented at different angles to one another. Preferably, a plurality of the holding elements are arranged below the receiving region and / or below the endoscope or the part of the endoscope if an endoscope or a part of the endoscope is arranged in the receiving region. Preferably, a plurality of the holding elements are arranged above the receiving region and / or above the endoscope or the part of the endoscope if an endoscope or a part of an endoscope is arranged in the receiving region. Preferably, a plurality of the holding elements are arranged laterally with respect to the receiving region and / or laterally with respect to the endoscope or the part of the endoscope when an endoscope or a part of the endoscope is arranged in the receiving region.An advantage of using at least six, preferably at least eight and in particular at least ten, holding elements is that with such a minimum number of holding elements the endoscope or the part of the endoscope can be firmly fixed in the predetermined position, so that the endoscope or the part of the endoscope does not move, which allows a robot arm to reliably connect adapters to the endoscope or the part of the endoscope.A further advantage of using such a plurality of holding elements is that the contact surfaces can be made relatively small, so that the surface can be cleaned particularly well, since no large contact surfaces are present.It is particularly preferred that the holding elements comprise polymer and / or are substantially produced from polymer. Preferably, the retaining elements each comprise a movable contact part which comprises polymer and / or is substantially produced from polymer. Preferably, the parts of the holding elements which are designed for contact with the endoscope or the part of the endoscope comprise polymer and / or are substantially produced from polymer. An advantage of using polymer for these parts is that the endoscope or the part of the endoscope is not damaged when it comes into contact with these polymer parts.It is particularly preferred that at least three, preferably at least four, in particular at least six, of the holding elements are arranged substantially along a circumference of the receiving region for holding the part of the endoscope. It is particularly preferred that at least three, preferably at least four, in particular at least six, of the holding elements are arranged substantially along a circle, in particular a vertically arranged circle.Preferably, the circle extends along a vertical plane. With such a circumferential arrangement, it can be achieved that the endoscope or the part of the endoscope is held at its circumference by a plurality of holding elements at different positions along the circumference.It is particularly preferred that each of the holding elements comprises a body and a contact part, wherein the body and / or the contact part is movable along an axis of movement and relative to the at least one receiving element to which the respective holding element is connected.Preferably, for each of the holding elements, the contact part can be moved along the movement axis, which preferably corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the holding element.Preferably, the contact part is arranged at least partially in the interior of the body, but in particular is movable into a position in which the contact part is arranged partially in the interior of the body and partially outside the body. Preferably, the body is connected to the at least one receiving element and in contact therewith, preferably by a screw connection.Preferably, the axis of movement corresponds to a longitudinal extension of the holding element. In particular, the movement axis is oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent of the holding element.It is particularly preferred that the contact part of the holding element and / or the body of the holding element is prestressed against the receiving region, preferably against the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region, by means of a spring element, preferably designed as a compression spring.Preferably, the spring is arranged at least partially, preferably completely, in the interior of the body of the holding element.An advantage of using such a spring element is that the force with which the contact part presses against an endoscope or a part of an endoscope can be kept at a relatively uniform level. Another advantage of using such a spring element is that the endoscope or part of the endoscope returns to the predefined position when it is moved due to the spring forces acting on the endoscope or part of the endoscope.It is particularly preferred that the contact part of the holding element has a contact surface for bearing against the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region, wherein the contact surface of the contact part is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the body of the holding element.Preferably, in each holding member, the cross section of the contact surface orthogonal to the movement axis of the contact part of the holding member is smaller than the cross section of the body of the holding member.An advantage of such a contact part with a contact surface having a relatively small cross section is that only a very small part of the surface of the endoscope or a part of the endoscope is covered by the contact with the contact parts. This enables preferable cleaning conditions for cleaning the outer surface of the endoscope or a part of the endoscope when the endoscope or a part of the endoscope is held in the receiving region by the contact elements.It is particularly preferred that the at least one receiving element has an upper element which is movable between an open position, in which the part of the endoscope can be placed in the receiving region and removed from the receiving region, and a closed position, in which the part of the endoscope is fixed in the predetermined position by the holding elements, wherein the upper element is preferably rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis.Preferably, the upper member is rotatable about a, preferably substantially horizontal, axis to move the upper member between the open and closed positions.Preferably, the at least one receiving element comprises a lower element which is non-movable and to which the upper element is rotatably connected.Such a movable upper element has the advantage that the endoscope or a part of the endoscope in the open position can easily be moved into the receiving region and out of the receiving region, and that the endoscope or a part of the endoscope in the closed position can be held in a position in which the endoscope is surrounded by the upper element and the lower element of the at least one receiving element.It is particularly preferred that the holding device comprises a lever for moving a control element, which is designed and arranged for moving an elevator lever of the endoscope between an open elevator lever position and a closed elevator lever position, wherein preferably two holding parts, in particular those aligned orthogonally to one another, are arranged on the control element.The elevator lever of the endoscope can also be referred to as an albarran lever. The terms elevator lever and albarran lever are understood here as synonyms. The elevator lever is arranged as part of the endoscope arranged in the receiving region or part of the endoscope. The elevator lever is preferably configured to transmit movement of the elevator lever on the control body of the endoscope to the distal tip of the endoscope so that a tool on the distal tip of the endoscope can be controlled by moving the elevator lever between its open position and its closed position.Preferably, the lever can move the elevator lever of the endoscope between the opened elevator lever position, in which the elevator lever is arranged in an open position, and a closed elevator lever position, in which the elevator lever is arranged in a closed position.Such a lever has the advantage that the elevator lever of the endoscope can be moved automatically between its open elevator lever position and its closed elevator lever position, in particular using a robot arm, in such a way that the elevator lever of the endoscope is moved between its open and its closed position by moving the lever by means of a robot arm. In this way, the elevator lever can be cleaned in an automated and predetermined manner, so that firstly a reliable and precise cleaning of the elevator lever can be achieved and secondly a reliable and precise cleaning of the distal tip of the endoscope can be achieved and thirdly the cleaning operation can be carried out with significantly less manual effort.An important advantage of such a lever is that in this way the distal tip of the endoscope can be cleaned reliably and completely, since all parts of the distal tip of the endoscope can be cleaned completely only when the elevator lever is positioned in its open position for a certain cleaning time and in its closed position for a further certain cleaning time.It is particularly preferred that the holding device comprises a sliding element, preferably comprising a spring element, which is configured to apply an opening force between the upper element of the at least one receiving element and the lower element of the at least one receiving element, wherein the opening force acts in such a way that it is directed to move the upper element of the at least one receiving element and the lower element of the at least one receiving element at least partially away from each other.Preferably, the slide element acts to apply a force to push the upper element of the at least one receiving element away from the lower element of the at least one receiving element. With such a slide element, it can be achieved that the upper element of the at least one receiving element and the lower element of the at least one receiving element are not arranged in the locked position, but in the unlocked position, in which the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region is not locked in the predefined and fixed position, unless a force acts in a direction opposite to the force of the slide element.Such a sliding element has the advantage that the part of the endoscope arranged in the receiving region can be held in an unlocked position in which the endoscope or a part of the endoscope can be moved at least slightly, which can be advantageous in order to clean the entire surface of the endoscope or a part of the endoscope, including the parts which were in contact with the contact elements.It is particularly preferred that the holding device comprises a locking device which is movable, in particular rotatable about an axis of the locking device, between a locked position, in which the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region is locked in the predetermined and fixed position, and an unlocked position, in which the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region is movable about the predetermined and fixed position.Preferably, the axis of the locking device is oriented substantially horizontally. Preferably, the axis of the locking device is oriented parallel to the axis about which the upper element of the at least one receiving element is rotatable. Preferably, the locking device is configured to move between a locked position in which the upper member of the at least one receiving member and the lower member of the at least one receiving member are disposed in a locked position, and an unlocked position in which the upper member of the at least one receiving member and the lower member of the at least one receiving member are disposed in an unlocked position. Preferably, in the locked position, the endoscope or a part of the endoscope that is held in the receiving region is arranged in the predefined and fixed position in which the endoscope or the part of the endoscope cannot be moved. Preferably, the endoscope or the part of the endoscope which is arranged in the receiving region is at least slightly movable about the predefined and fixed position in the unlocked position, but preferably cannot be removed from the receiving region. An advantage of this unlocked position is that in this position the entire surface of the endoscope or part of the endoscope can be cleaned, including the parts which were previously in contact with the contact elements when it was arranged in the locked position.Providing a locked and an unlocked position has the advantage that it is possible to keep the endoscope or the part of the endoscope in a fixed and immovable position, so that an automated cleaning can be carried out and in particular adapters can be connected to the endoscope or the part of the endoscope, and furthermore it is possible to keep the endoscope in the unlocked position, in which the endoscope or the part of the endoscope is held in the receiving region, but is nevertheless at least easily movable, so that a complete and reliable surface cleaning can be carried out.This means in particular that, for complete cleaning of the outer surfaces, the sliding element releases the endoscope or a part of the endoscope from the fixed position, so that the endoscope can easily move about a rest position and spray nozzles can sufficiently clean and sanitize the regions of the outer surface of the endoscope that were in contact with the contact elements.It is particularly preferable that the holding device is configured to hold an operation part of the endoscope. The operating part of the endoscope can be understood to mean, in particular, that part of the endoscope which is held on a patient by the operator when using the endoscope.It is particularly preferable that the holding device is configured to hold a distal tip of the endoscope. Preferably, different holding devices are provided, wherein at least the following two holding devices are provided: a holding device configured to hold an operating part of the endoscope and a holding device configured to hold the distal tip of the endoscope. These holding devices are preferably arranged next to one another.It is particularly preferred that the holding device is configured such that it holds a light guide plug of the endoscope.According to a further aspect, an arrangement for holding different parts of an endoscope is provided, wherein the arrangement comprises: a plurality of holding devices, preferably at least three holding devices, for holding different parts of an endoscope, wherein at least one of the holding devices, preferably all of the holding devices, is a holding device as described herein.Preferably, the arrangement for holding different parts of an endoscope comprises at least three holding devices, in particular three or four holding devices. Preferably, a holding device is configured to hold an operating part of the endoscope and / or a holding device is configured to hold the distal tip of the endoscope and / or a holding device is configured to hold a light guide plug of the endoscope. Two holding devices for holding a light guide plug of the endoscope can also be provided. It is also possible for the arrangement to comprise further holding devices.Preferably, one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold an operating part of the endoscope and / or preferably, one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold a distal tip of the endoscope and / or preferably, one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold a light guide plug of the endoscope.Preferably, all holding devices of the arrangement for receiving different parts of an endoscope are arranged next to one another on a tray. Such a tray can then be moved into a device for carrying out an automated cleaning process of the endoscope.According to a further aspect, a method for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope is provided, wherein the method comprises the following steps: providing a holding device for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope, preferably a holding device as described herein; placing a part of the endoscope in a receiving region which is at least partially surrounded by at least one receiving element of the holding device; and holding the part of the endoscope in a fixed and predefined position by means of a plurality of holding elements which are connected to the at least one receiving element, wherein the holding elements abut the part of the endoscope and are prestressed in the direction of the part of the endoscope by means of spring elements.The method preferably comprises the following step: connecting, preferably by means of a robot arm of a robot, at least one flushing adapter to at least one channel opening of the part of the endoscope, wherein preferably a liquid is introduced via the at least one flushing adapter into the at least one channel opening in order to flush at least one channel of the endoscope.According to a further aspect, a use of a holding device for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope as described herein is provided in an automated endoscope cleaning device, wherein the automated cleaning device comprises a robot with a robot arm which connects at least one flushing adapter to at least one channel opening of the part of the endoscope.Preferably, a liquid is introduced into the at least one channel opening via the at least one flushing adapter in order to flush at least one channel, preferably a plurality of channels, of the endoscope.Regarding the advantages, preferred embodiments and details of the individual different aspects and their preferred embodiments, reference is also made to the corresponding advantages, preferred embodiments and details which are described with reference to the respective other aspects.Further advantageous embodiments result from the combination of individual, several or all of the preferred features described here. Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an arrangement for holding various parts of an endoscope, which arrangement comprises four holding devices; FIG. 2 shows a side view of an arrangement for holding various parts of an endoscope, which arrangement comprises four holding devices; FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a holding device; FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out an automated cleaning method of an endoscope; FIG. 5 a : shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a contact element; FIG. 5 b : shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a contact element; FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope.FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an arrangement 100 for holding various parts of an endoscope, which arrangement comprises four holding devices 10, 20, 30, 40.The first holding device 10 is configured to hold an operating part P 1 of the endoscope. The operating member P1 has a longitudinal axis P1a extending through the holder 10. The operating part P 1 comprises a channel opening P 1 o, to which adapters can be connected, through which a liquid can be introduced through the channel opening P 1 ointo the channels of the endoscope.The first holding device 10 comprises a frame 11 for placing the holding device 10. The frame 11 comprises a base plate 10a and a frame structure extending from the base plate 10a, the frame structure being arranged on the base plate 10a and connected to the base plate 10a.The first holding device 10 further comprises two receiving elements 12, 13, wherein each of these receiving elements 12, 13 has an upper element which is movable between an open position, in which the part of the endoscope P 1 can be placed in the receiving region and removed from the receiving region 14 a, 14 b, and a closed position, in which the part of the endoscope P 1 is fixed in the predetermined position by the holding elements 16. Here, the upper element 13 aof the receiving element 13 and the lower element 13 bof the receiving element 13 can be seen. The upper member 13 aof the receiving member 13 is rotatable about the substantially horizontal axis 120. The receiving elements 12, 13 are connected to the frame 11 and arranged next to one another in such a way that they form a receiving region 14 a, 14 bin which the part of the endoscope P 1 can be arranged as illustrated in FIG. 1. The receiving elements 12, 13 are designed and arranged such that they enclose the receiving region 14 a, 14 bfor receiving the part of the endoscope P 1.A plurality of holding elements 16 are provided, which are connected to the receiving elements 12, 13. The holding elements 16 are designed and arranged in such a way that they abut against the part P 1 of the endoscope and hold it in a fixed and predefined position. The holding elements 16 are screwed into bores 15 which are arranged in the receiving elements 12, 13.The first holding device 10 comprises a slide element 13c comprising a spring element arranged to exert an opening force between the upper element 13a of the receiving element 13 and the lower element 13b of the receiving element 13. The opening force acts to urge the upper member 13a of the receiving member 13 and the lower member 13b of the receiving member 13 to be at least partially separated from each other.The first holding device 10 further comprises a locking device 51 which is movable, namely rotatable about a locking device axis 130, between a locked position in which the part of the endoscope P 1 held in the receiving region 14 a, 14 bis locked in the predefined and fixed position and an unlocked position in which the part of the endoscope P 1 held in the receiving region 14 a, 14 bis movable about the predefined and fixed position. The locking device 51 has a locking device lever 51a rotatable about the locking device axis 130. The locking device 51 has a fastening part 52 which is connected to the receiving element 13. The locking device 51 is configured to apply a force to the slide member 13c so that the upper member 13a of the receiving member 13 is pressed against the lower member 13b of the receiving member 13 so that the receiving member 13 is disposed in the locked position. In this way, the part of the endoscope P 1 that is arranged in the receiving region 14 a, 14 bis held in a fixed position and in a predefined position. In order to bring the receiving element 13 into the unlocked position, a robot can exert a force F on the locking device lever 51 asuch that the locking device lever 51 adoes not exert a force in the direction of the sliding element 13 cand, due to the opening force exerted by the sliding element 13 c, the upper element 13 aof the receiving element 13 is moved away from the lower element 13 bof the receiving element 13 at least slightly such that the receiving element 13 is arranged in the unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the part of the endoscope P 1 can be easily rotated at least by a small angle about its longitudinal axis P 1 a, so that the entire surface of the part of the endoscope P 1 can be cleaned.The first holding device 10 further comprises a lever 19 for moving a control element 58 which is configured and arranged to move an elevator lever of the endoscope between an open elevator lever position and a closed elevator lever position. Two holding parts 59 a, 59 bare arranged on the control element 58, which are oriented orthogonally to one another. With these holding parts 59 a, 59 b, the elevator lever can be moved in both directions parallel to the control element axis 180 by moving the control element 58 along the control element axis 180, in particular by moving the lever 19.The second holder 20 is configured to hold a distal tip P 2 of the endoscope. The distal tip P 2 has a longitudinal axis P 2 aextending through the holder 20. The holding device 20 comprises a frame 21 for placing the holding device 20, the frame 21 serving for placing the holding device 20 on a surface, for example on a tray. The holding device 20 further comprises a receiving element 22 and a receiving area 24, in which the part of the endoscope P 2 is fixed in the predefined position by the holding elements 26.The third holder 30 is configured to hold a light guide plug P 3 of the endoscope. The light guide plug P 3 has a longitudinal extension which extends through the holding device 30. The holder 30 comprises a frame 31 with a base plate 30a for placing the holder 30, the frame 31 serving for placing the holder 30 on a surface, for example on a tray. The holding device 30 further comprises a receiving element 32 and a receiving area 34, in which the part of the endoscope P 3 is fixed in the predefined position by the holding elements 36.The fourth holder 40 is configured to hold another optical fiber connector P 4 of the endoscope. The light guide plug P 4 has a longitudinal extension which extends through the holding device 40. The holding device 40 comprises a frame 41 for placing the holding device 40. the frame 41 serves for depositing the holding device 40 on a surface, for example on a tray. The holding device 40 further comprises a receiving element 42 and a receiving region 44, in which the part of the endoscope P 4 is fixed in the predefined position by the holding elements 46.FIG. 2 shows a side view of an arrangement 100 for holding various parts P 1, P 2, P 3 and P 4 of an endoscope, consisting of four holding devices 10, 20, 30, 40. For the description of these holding devices 10, 20, 30, 40, reference is therefore made to the above explanations relating to FIG. 1. Here, these holding devices 10, 20, 30, 40 are illustrated in a side view, wherein the holding devices 10, 20, 30, 40 are arranged next to one another on a tray 2.FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a holder 10, and the holder 10 is configured to place an operation part P 1 of the endoscope. The operating part P 1 has a longitudinal axis P 1 aextending through the holding device 10. The holder 10 is constructed as described above with respect to the first holder 10 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the holding device 10 in a view from a different angle than in FIG. 1. Thus, in Figure 3, the receiver member 12 is seen in more detail with the receiver member upper member 12a and the receiver member lower member 12b. The upper member 12 of the receiver member 12 is rotatable about the substantially horizontal axis 120. The holding elements 16 are screwed into bores 15 which are arranged in the receiving elements 12, 13. For further details of this holding device 10 shown in FIG. 3, reference is made to the explanations made above with respect to the holding device 10 shown in FIG. 1.FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an apparatus for carrying out an automated cleaning method of the endoscope. This endoscope cleaning device 1 comprises a robot 6 with a robot arm 6 awhich comprises two robot arm segments 6 b, 6 c. A tray region 3 is designed to receive the tray 2. On the shell 2, an arrangement for holding various parts of an endoscope as described herein and / or holding devices for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope as described herein can be arranged. A camera 4 is used to monitor the working space and endoscope and / or parts of the endoscope that are disposed in the shell 2. A disinfection device 5 is provided to sanitize the endoscope and / or the parts of the endoscope after a cleaning operation. A user interface 7a, 7b, 7c is connected to the control unit 8 so that an operator can display the type of endoscope arranged in the shell 2a, 2b, 2c, 2. The camera 4 is connected to a control unit 8 of the endoscope cleaning apparatus 1. The camera 4 comprises means for optically identifying the type of endoscope arranged in the shell 2 and thus for confirming the type of endoscope specified by the operator. In addition, the position of the various parts of the endoscope in the shell 2 can be identified with the aid of the camera 4.FIG. 5 ashows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a contact element 16, 26, 36, 46, which can be used in particular as contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 of a holding device 10, 20, 30, 40 as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 comprises a body 16a and a contact part 16c. The body 16 acan preferably be inserted, in particular screwed, into a bore of a receiving element of a holding device. The contact part 16 cis movable along a movement axis A relative to the body 16 a. The movement axis A corresponds to a longitudinal extension L of the holding element 16, 26, 36, 46. the contact part 16 cof the holding element 16, 26, 36, 46 has a contact surface 16 ffor bearing against a part of an endoscope which is held in a receiving region of a holding device. The contact surface 16 fof the contact part 16 cis smaller than the cross-sectional area of the body 16 aof the holding member 16, 26, 36, 46 with respect to a cross-sectional plane orthogonal to the movement axis A. The contact part 16 cof the holding element 16, 26, 36, 46 is prestressed by means of a spring element 16 e, which is designed as a compression spring, in the direction of the receiving region in which the endoscope or part of the endoscope held in the receiving region of the corresponding holding device is arranged.FIG. 5 bshows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a contact element 16, 26, 36, 46, which can be used in particular as contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 of a holding device 10, 20, 30, 40, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 shown in FIG. 5 bis substantially constructed like the contact element shown in FIG. 5 a. Therefore, with regard to the features of the contact element shown in FIG. 5 b, reference is made to the explanations relating to the contact element shown in FIG. 5 a. The only difference between the contact elements shown in FIGS. 5 aand 5 bis that the spring element 16 eis arranged outside the body 16 aof the contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 shown in FIG. 5 aand inside the body 16 aof the contact element 16, 26, 36, 46 shown in FIG. 5 b.FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method 600 for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope. The method 600 comprises the following steps: in a step 610, providing a holding device for holding an endoscope and / or a part of an endoscope, preferably a holding device as described above. In a step 620, placing a part of an endoscope in a receiving region which is at least partially surrounded by a receiving element of the holding device. In a step 630, holding the part of the endoscope in a fixed and predefined position by means of a plurality of holding elements which are connected to the at least one receiving element, wherein the holding elements bear against the part of the endoscope and are prestressed in the direction of the part of the endoscope by means of spring elements. In a step 640, connecting, preferably by means of a robot arm of a robot, at least one flushing adapter to at least one channel opening of the part of the endoscope, wherein preferably a liquid is introduced via the at least one flushing adapter into the at least one channel opening in order to flush at least one channel of the endoscope.List of reference characters1 Endoscope cleaning device 2, 2 a, 2 b, 2 cshell 3 shell region 4 camera 5 disinfection device 6 robot 6 a robot arm 6 b, 6 c robot arm segments 7 a, 7 b, 7 c user interface 8 control unit 10, 20, 30, 40 holding devices 10 a, 30 abase plate 11, 21, 31, 41 frame 12, 13, 22, 32, 42 receiving element 12 a, 13 aupmost element of receiving element 12 b, 13 bdownmost element of receiving element 13 ctranslement element 14 a, 14 b, 24, 34, 44 receiving region 15 bores in receiving element 16, 26, 36, 46 holding element 16 abody of holding element 16 ccontact part of holding element 16 espring element of holding element 16 fcontact surface of contact part of holding element 19 lever 51 locking device 51 alock device lever 52 fastening part of locking device 58 control element 59 a, 59 b: holding parts 100: arrangement for holding various parts of an endoscope 120: rotation axis of the upper element of the receiving element 130: locking device axis 180: control element axis 600: method 610- 640: method steps A: movement axis of the holding element F: force exerted by the robot on the lever of the locking device L: longitudinal extent of the holding element P 1, P 2, P 3, P 4: part of an endoscope P 1 a, P 2 a: longitudinal axis of a part of an endoscope P 1 o: channel opening of a part of an endoscopeReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedWO 2019054910A1

[0003]

Claims

A holding device (10, 20, 30, 40) for holding an endoscope and / or a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, the holding device comprising: - a frame (11, 21, 31, 41) for placing the holding device (10, 20, 30, 40), - at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) which is connected to the frame (11, 21, 31, 41) and which is configured and arranged so as to at least partially enclose a receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44) for receiving a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, and - a plurality of holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) which are connected to the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42), wherein the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) are configured and arranged, that they abut against the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope and hold it in a fixed and predefined position.The holding device according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) are movably mounted on the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42).The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device comprises at least six, preferably at least eight, in particular at least ten, holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46), and / or wherein the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) comprise polymer and / or are substantially produced from polymer.The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least three, preferably at least four, in particular at least six, of the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) are arranged substantially along a circumference of the receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44) in order to hold the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope, and / or wherein at least three, preferably at least four, in particular at least six, of the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) are arranged substantially along a circle, in particular a vertically arranged circle.The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) comprises a body (16a) and a contact part (16c), wherein the body (16a) and / or the contact part (16c) is movable along an axis of movement (A) and relative to the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) to which the respective holding element (16, 26, 36, 46) is connected, wherein preferably the axis of movement (A) corresponds to a longitudinal extension (L) of the holding element (16, 26, 36, 46).Holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact part (16c) of the holding element (16, 26, 36, 46) and / or the body (16a) of the holding element (16, 26, 36, 46) is prestressed against the receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44), preferably against the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope held in the receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44), by means of a spring element (16d) preferably designed as a compression spring.Holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the contact part (16c) of the holding element (16, 26, 36, 46) has a contact surface (16f) for bearing against the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope held in the receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44), wherein the contact surface (16f) of the contact part (16c) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the body (16a) of the holding element (16, 26, 36, 46).The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) has an upper element (13a, 13b) which is movable between an open position, in which the part of the endoscope can be placed in the receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44) and removed from the receiving region, and a closed position, in which the part of the endoscope is fixed in the predetermined position by the holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46), wherein preferably the upper element is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis (120).Holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device comprises a lever (19) for moving a control element (58) which is designed and arranged for moving an elevator lever of the endoscope between an open elevator lever position and a closed elevator lever position, wherein preferably two holding parts (59a, 59b), in particular those aligned orthogonally to one another, are arranged on the control element (58).The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device comprises a slide element (13c), preferably comprising a spring element, configured to apply an opening force between the upper element (13a) of the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) and the lower element (13b) of the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42), wherein the opening force acts such that it is directed to move the upper element (13a) of the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) and the lower element (13b) of the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) at least partially away from each other.The holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device comprises a locking device (51), which is movable, in particular rotatable about a locking device axis (130), between a locked position, in which the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region is locked in the predetermined and fixed position, and an unlocked position, in which the part of the endoscope held in the receiving region is movable about the predetermined and fixed position.The holder of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is configured to hold an operating part of the endoscope, and / or wherein the holder is configured to hold a distal tip of the endoscope, and / or wherein the holder is configured to hold a light guide plug of the endoscope.An assembly (100) for holding different parts (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, the assembly comprising: - a plurality of holding devices (10, 20, 30, 40), preferably at least three holding devices (10, 20, 30, 40), for holding different parts (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, wherein at least one of the holding devices, preferably all the holding devices, is a holding device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein preferably one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold an operating part of the endoscope and / or preferably one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold a distal tip of the endoscope and / or preferably one of the plurality of holding devices is configured to hold a light guide plug of the endoscope.Method (600) for holding an endoscope and / or a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, comprising the following steps: - providing (610) a holding device (10, 20, 30, 40) for holding an endoscope and / or a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope, preferably a holding device according to at least one of Claims 1 - 12; - placing (620) a part of an endoscope (P1, P2, P3, P4) in a receiving region (14a, 14b, 24, 34a, 34b, 44) which is at least partially surrounded by at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42) of the holding device (10, 20, 30, 40); holding (630) the part of the endoscope (P1, P2, P3, P4) in a fixed and predefined position by means of a plurality of holding elements (16, 26, 36, 46) which are connected to the at least one receiving element (12, 13, 22, 32, 33, 42), wherein the holding elements abut the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope and are prestressed by means of spring elements (16d) in the direction of the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope; and preferably connecting (640), preferably by means of a robot arm (6a) of a robot (6), at least one flushing adapter to at least one channel opening of the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope, wherein preferably a liquid is introduced via the at least one flushing adapter into the at least one channel opening in order to flush at least one channel of the endoscope.Use of a holding device (10, 20, 30, 40) for holding an endoscope and / or a part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of an endoscope according to at least one of claims 1 - 12 in an automated endoscope cleaning device (1), wherein the automated cleaning device (1) comprises a robot (6) with a robot arm (6a) which connects at least one flushing adapter to at least one channel opening of the part (P1, P2, P3, P4) of the endoscope, wherein preferably a liquid is introduced via the at least one flushing adapter into the at least one channel opening in order to flush at least one channel of the endoscope.

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