ENDOSCOPE WITH CLEANABLE ROTATIONAL DRUM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope with a cleanable rotary drum for medical applications according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] WO 2017 / 040692 A1 discloses such an endoscope with a spherical rotating drum on an elongated rigid shaft tube, particularly for use as a disposable instrument, which is rotatably mounted in a bearing fork at a distal end of the rigid shaft tube and can be rotated inside the rigid shaft tube by means of a control line. The rotating drum has an imaging system inside and is connected to electronic elements inside the rigid shaft tube, while simultaneously allowing a fluid to be passed through the interior of the rigid shaft tube. The imaging system can be cleaned by pivoting the imaging system with a viewing direction, in particular an imaging optics of the imaging system, into the interior of the rigid shaft tube.In this pivoted cleaning position of the rotary drum, the imaging system can be flushed and cleaned by the liquid inside the rigid shaft tube.

[0003] US 2019 / 381290 A1 discloses elongated surgical devices with a central lumen and a hinged structure at a distal end of the device. A control unit for the hinged structure is arranged at a proximal end. Additionally, the device forms a fluid port that is in fluid communication with the central lumen and the hinged structure.

[0004] US 2003 / 032863 A1 discloses an endoscope comprising an imaging unit positioned at the distal end of a shaft; a pivoting mechanism mechanically coupled to the imaging unit; and an actuation mechanism extending through the passage of the shaft and coupled to the pivoting mechanism. The imaging unit includes an objective lens, an imager, and a light source.

[0005] US 2015 / 216402 A1 shows a laparoscope with an elongated shaft tube, wherein an objective lens with a transparent ball is arranged on a distal side of the shaft tube. The ball is rotatably mounted in the distal end of the shaft tube, so that a portion of the ball protrudes from the tube. An annular wiper is attached to the distal end of the shaft tube to circumferentially engage the ball. Means for rotating the ball are arranged in the shaft tube, wherein the wiper removes dirt and fluids from the surface of the ball as the ball rotates.

[0006] US 2017 / 224197 A1 discloses an endoscope sheath with positioning devices and drip-retaining features, wherein the sheath is configured to fully or partially receive an endoscope and provide a fluid conduit when the endoscope is inserted therein. The positioning devices are disposed in a distal end region of the endoscope sheath such that the endoscope is secured within the endoscope sheath. The drip-retaining features are configured to create an area defined by the endoscope sheath and the endoscope for retaining a volume of fluid by capillary action.

[0007] US 2009 / 088631 A1 discloses a catheter with a deflectable element located at a distal end of the catheter. The deflectable element may comprise an ultrasound transducer array. The catheter may comprise a lumen extending from a proximal end of the catheter to the distal end. The deflectable element may be selectively deflectable in a pivoting manner over an arc of at least 90 degrees.

[0008] A shaft, or typically a shaft tube, of an endoscope can be rigid or flexible, or flexible in sections. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the term "shaft tube" refers to a rigid and / or flexible shaft tube.

[0009] In the cleaning position, the imaging system is facing away from the surgical area being observed, and tracking of an object in the surgical area must be interrupted for cleaning. This can lead to an undesirable interruption and impairment of a medical, particularly surgical, operation.

[0010] The present invention is based on the object of proposing an endoscope which, while avoiding the problems known from the prior art, enables cleaning during use of the endoscope without changing the direction of view, for example from an operating area, and at the same time improves temperature control, in particular cooling, of the imaging system.

[0011] This object is achieved with regard to the endoscope with the features of independent claim 1.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0013] According to the invention, an endoscope is provided with a rotating drum or a rotating module and an elongated rigid and / or flexible shaft tube, which supports the rotating drum at a distal end by means of a bearing fork for rotation about a first rotation axis, and wherein an optical imaging system is arranged in the rotating drum. The bearing fork has at least one first fluid line and at least one nozzle for cleaning and / or cooling the imaging system.

[0014] Within the scope of the invention, the rotary drum or the rotary module is generally understood to mean a device for receiving an imaging system, preferably a pivotable or rotatable device at a distal end of the shaft tube and is therefore preferably referred to as a rotary drum within the scope of the invention, wherein in a preferred form it is a drum-shaped rotary module.

[0015] In the context of the invention, the fluid can preferably be understood as a liquid and / or gas, wherein for medical use a sterile fluid such as treated oxygen is preferably used as air / gas and a physiological saline solution is used as a liquid.

[0016] Nozzles are understood to be outlet holes from the fluid channel through a wall of the bearing fork, which preferably have a smaller cross-section than the fluid line in order to spray the fluid onto the object to be cleaned at a higher speed than in the fluid line.

[0017] The invention surprisingly recognized that by using at least one first fluid line in the bearing fork, nozzles can be arranged at a short distance from the rotating drum and also from the imaging system. This allows the rotating drum to be particularly effectively flushed with a fluid to clean and / or cool / temperature the imaging system and / or divert an incoming flow of contaminated fluid. This eliminates the need to flush an entire surgical area with fluid; instead, the imaging system can be cleaned locally with minimal fluid input, particularly with an air flow for use in a dry surgical area.Due to the short distance and preferably the alignment of at least one nozzle to the imaging system, cleaning can be carried out in a specific viewing direction or viewing area without, for example, having to pivot the rotating drum with the viewing direction towards the interior of the shaft tube.

[0018] Cooling of the rotary drum is necessary in particular due to heat development during operation of the electronic components of the imaging system with electronic image sensor and / or illumination device.

[0019] In general, the fluid line can be used to regulate the temperature of the rotating drum. As an alternative to cooling, it may also be necessary to preheat the imaging system to the expected ambient temperature in the operating room before surgery.

[0020] An increase in ambient temperature is typically expected, and preheating can prevent fogging of the imaging system's optics. To prevent fogging of the imaging optics, especially in a dry operating room, an air or gas flow is sufficient as a fluid.

[0021] The invention further recognizes that fluid can also be sucked out of the surgical area through the fluid line within the bearing fork. This allows fluid that potentially contaminates the imaging system to be sucked away. Especially for this case, the nozzles can also be designed larger than the cross-section of the fluid line, preferably to reduce clogging / blocking of the nozzles by contaminated fluid, for example, tissue residue.

[0022] According to the invention, the bearing fork protrudes at least partially toward a position of a field of view of the imaging system in the viewing direction of the imaging system, preferably along a longitudinal axis of the shaft tube, wherein at least one first nozzle is arranged at a distal end of the bearing fork in order to clean the field of view of the imaging system with the fluid. In particular, this allows the field of view of the imaging system to be cleaned directly, without flushing, by means of a spray jet / fluid flow from the at least one first nozzle, thus also improving the cleaning effect through mechanical washing. Preferably, the bearing fork is extended in such a way that the outer diameter of the distal end of the endoscope does not increase.

[0023] The protruding bearing fork also advantageously protects the rotating drum from damage.

[0024] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one first nozzle is oriented such that a fluid flow emerges from the at least one first nozzle at an angle between 120° and 240°, preferably 180°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube. This allows an imaging system to be cleaned, particularly with a 0° viewing direction, while guiding the endoscope into the surgical area.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least one second nozzle is arranged in the region of a storage position of the rotary drum and is directed towards at least one side wall of the rotary drum. The at least one second nozzle is preferably provided in addition to the at least one first nozzle at the distal end of the storage fork. This makes it possible to enlarge the outer surface of the rotary drum exposed to the flow and improve heat transfer in order to control the temperature of the rotary drum, in particular to cool the electronic components within the rotary drum. Furthermore, this makes it possible to rinse the area between the storage fork and the side wall of the rotary drum, which is usually difficult for fluid flow to access, and to prevent contamination and jamming of the rotary drum.

[0026] In a further development, the at least one side wall of the rotating drum is preferably provided with a coating with microstructures that enlarges the surface area of ​​the at least one side wall. This can further improve the heat transfer from the side wall to a cooling fluid.

[0027] Further preferably, the fluid can be guided into the at least one first fluid line by means of at least one second fluid line within the shaft tube.

[0028] Preferably, the at least one second fluid line is part of a working channel, which, in a modular manner, preferably has an air line and / or a fluid supply line and a fluid discharge line. Particularly since the imaging system with supply line is not arranged within the shaft tube, multiple channels, such as the air line together with the fluid supply line and the fluid discharge line, can be provided within the shaft tube. A type of overshaft around the shaft tube for the fluid line, which increases the outer diameter of the shaft tube, is advantageously not necessary. The functionality of the at least one second fluid line can include cleaning the optics of a rotating rotary drum and / or cooling the rear of the rotary drum and / or flushing and insufflating a fluid into a surgical area.

[0029] The air line is advantageously used in a dry operating area to dry the rotating drum after cleaning the optics and / or to cool the rotating drum and the electronic components of the imaging system. The endoscope's optics can also be cleaned in a dry operating area in a cleaning position in which the rotating drum is rotated, in particular, such that the field of view is aligned with the distal end of the shaft tube and the working channel. In this cleaning position, the imaging system can be rinsed with a rinsing fluid from the fluid supply line, whereby the rinsing fluid can be removed via the fluid discharge line, thus minimizing the leakage of rinsing fluid into a dry operating area.The air line preferably allows the rinsing fluid to be removed from the imaging system to prevent the formation of drops from disrupting the imaging system's field of view. Further preferably, the fluid supply line and preferably also the air line can be designed as a spray nozzle to improve the cleaning effect. For an aqueous or wet operating area or environment of the endoscope, the fluid supply line and the fluid discharge line are preferably arranged in the working channel to rinse the back of the rotating drum, maintain the temperature, and rinse the operating area.For rinsing the medical surgical area, it is preferably provided that the shaft tube has circumferential holes and / or a preferably slot-shaped opening of the working channel at a distal end to connect the at least one second fluid line, preferably at least the fluid discharge line, to the surgical area and to remove a rinsing fluid from the surgical area. In particular, the shaft tube is open behind the rotating drum to ensure free discharge of the rinsing fluid, in particular the rinsing water.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the support fork has a first and a second leg, which pivotally supports the rotating drum between them, with at least one first fluid line and at least one nozzle formed in each of the legs. This allows the rotating drum to be cleaned and temperature-controlled from the side from two directions.

[0031] Preferably, at least one nozzle in a first leg of the bearing fork is connected to a fluid line as a liquid line, in particular a water line, and at least one nozzle in a second leg of the bearing fork is connected to a fluid line as a gas / air line. The liquid line can be used to flush out contamination of the imaging system, in particular the imaging optics. The gas / air line can be used to prevent contamination by dust or fogging, particularly in a dry operating environment, preferably by providing a continuous flow of air to the imaging system.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the bearing fork of the rotary drum has a rounded distal end. This rounded end allows the endoscope to be guided into a surgical area with a low risk of injury.

[0033] According to the teaching of the invention, it can be provided that the rotary drum is pivotable about a first rotation axis by means of at least one control line and the at least one control line of the rotary drum runs on an outer side / outer surface of the shaft tube, preferably a working channel in the interior of the shaft tube and not restricting the inner diameter of the shaft tube, and is fastened to the rotary drum with at least a lever distance from the first rotation axis.

[0034] Preferably, the at least one control line can be wound onto the outer circumference of the rotating drum along at least one winding curve. This allows the control mechanism to be designed particularly simply, eliminating the need for maintenance-intensive or failure-prone gears or transmissions and their bearings.

[0035] It is further preferred that the at least one control line of the rotary drum be designed as a supply line for the imaging system, preferably as a flexible printed circuit board or as a cable, for electronic circuits inside the rotary drum. This allows not only the electrical or electronic control of the rotary drum but also the mechanical control, in particular pivoting, to be realized via the control line.

[0036] The supply line can comprise electronic circuits, in particular of an electronically adjustable imaging optics and / or an electronic image sensor or sensor of the imaging system and / or an illumination device, preferably with LEDs. By simultaneously using the supply line as a control line, it is particularly advantageous to dispense with an additional control line for the rotation of the rotary drum.

[0037] Alternatively or in addition to the at least one second fluid line within the shaft tube, the at least one first fluid line can also be connected to another external fluid line. This external fluid line is preferably routed along the outside / outer surface of the shaft tube, together with the at least one control line of the rotary drum. This allows a working channel inside the shaft tube to be used for other functions.

[0038] This external fluid line can alternatively also be wound onto the rotating drum together with the at least one control line, which is designed to flush an operating area with a fluid.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the at least one control line is guided in a recess, preferably with a protective collar, in the outer surface of the shaft tube, wherein the recess runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube. As a result, the at least one control line is guided in a space-saving and form-fitting manner on the outer surface of the shaft tube, both to protect the at least one control line from external mechanical influences and to prevent the risk of injury or tissue entrapment during surgery.

[0040] For controlling the rotary drum, return means are preferably arranged on the rotary drum, preferably a torsion spring in a bearing point of the rotary drum. The torsion spring counteracts a mechanical moment of the at least one control line subjected to tension in order to return a pivoted rotary drum to its initial position. The torsion spring thus preferably counteracts operation of the at least one control line in such a way that the at least one control line does not need to be subjected to a compressive force for rotation of the rotary drum, and in order to enable the use of a flexible control line.

[0041] Alternatively or additionally, the rotating drum can be guided back by a further control line on the opposite side and / or can be operated by means of a pressure force with a dimensionally stable control line or a type of Bowden cable or a type of control rod or rack.

[0042] Further alternatively, the further control line can preferably be designed as a wire, wherein a return means, preferably a spring, in particular a helical spring, is preferably fastened in a handle for returning the rotary drum.

[0043] Preferably, the working channel within the shaft tube is designed to accommodate at least one instrument and / or has at least one instrument in order to preferably perform medical operations in the surgical area and in particular in the field of view of the imaging system. The at least one instrument has a controllable tool, for example a scissor-like cutting tool or punching tool, at a distal end. The receptacle for the at least one instrument can be provided in addition to or alternatively to the at least one second fluid line within the shaft tube. Due to the external control line and in particular the external supply of the imaging system, the relatively large working channel can be used for at least one instrument and simultaneously a plurality of second fluid lines.

[0044] In a further development, the shaft tube is open at an upper section, with the at least one control line being guided at an opposite lower section, preferably to adjust / bend a flexible instrument in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube and into the open upper section. This allows the instrument, in particular the functional parts and tools at the distal end of the at least one instrument, to be brought out of the shaft tube into a surgical area, and simultaneously, the surgical area can be tracked with the imaging system within the rotating drum.

[0045] In a further embodiment, the bearing fork is rotatable about a second axis of rotation, wherein the at least one nozzle is preferably connected by means of a flexible hose connection to the at least one second fluid line and / or an external further fluid line along the shaft tube.

[0046] Particularly for use of the endoscope with at least one instrument, it is preferably provided that the bearing fork is pivotably attached to the shaft tube about a second axis of rotation and the working channel is open along the longitudinal axis when the bearing fork is pivoted, in particular to guide an instrument from the working channel into the surgical area, wherein the bearing fork is preferably controllable with a further control line. The further control line is preferably also guided on the outside of the shaft tube so as not to restrict the working channel inside the shaft tube. With this embodiment, in particular a rigid instrument can be guided parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube into the surgical area. Furthermore, by rotating the rotary drum about the second axis of rotation, a preferably flexible instrument can be bent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube.In addition to guiding at least one instrument, the pivoting support fork advantageously enables an expanded field of view of the imaging system, including, for example, viewing behind obstacles, corners, or along the outside of the shaft tube. For example, the functionality of the routing of at least one control line along the shaft tube can also be checked using the imaging system. Furthermore, the open working channel can facilitate the flushing or suctioning of fluid from a surgical area.

[0047] Alternatively or additionally, the bearing fork can also be connected to the shaft tube by means of a flexible or elastically deformable element, wherein the flexible element forms a passive restoring force in order to pivot the bearing fork about the second rotation axis and to open the working channel for the instrument.

[0048] The outer diameter of the shaft tube is preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, with the rotating drum preferably not exceeding this outer diameter. Such shaft tubes are suitable for a variety of non-invasive medical procedures.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment, several control lines can be wound on different winding curves along the circumference of the rotary drum, in particular at different distances from the rotation axis, in order to implement a different rotational adjustment of the rotary drum with the same adjustment path of the control line. In particular, the adjustment path parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube and the different rotational adjustment can lead to predefined viewing directions of the imaging system or to different rotational speeds, wherein, with the same adjustment path of the control line, the rotational adjustment of the rotary drum decreases with decreasing distance from the first rotational axis of the rotary drum. The tensile force required for the rotational adjustment can also be adjusted by the different distances.

[0050] Particularly preferably, the different winding curves are arranged stepwise along the first rotation axis on the circumference of the rotary drum, wherein the winding curves are preferably arranged with decreasing distance from the first rotation axis in the direction of the outer sides of the rotary drum.

[0051] The disclosure also relates to a method for cleaning an imaging system, preferably a previously described endoscope with a rotating drum, wherein the rotating drum is first pivoted in a viewing direction, preferably in a direction facing away from a shaft tube, for example, to examine a surgical area and is then continuously or at least temporarily exposed to a fluid flow from at least one fluid line with at least one nozzle within a bearing fork of the rotating drum. This allows the imaging system to be cleaned without interrupting or influencing a surgical procedure.

[0052] Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from purely schematic drawings.

[0053] They show: Fig. 1a: a side view of a distal end of an endoscope with rotating drum and bearing fork with fluid line, Fig. 1b: a longitudinal section of the rotating drum according to the Fig. 1a , Fig. 2a: a side view of the endoscope according to the Fig. 1a with first and second nozzles in the bearing fork, Fig. 2b: a top view of the endoscope according to the Fig. 2a along a longitudinal axis, Fig. 3a: a side view of the endoscope according to the Fig. 1a with rotatably mounted bearing fork, Fig. 3b: a side view of the endoscope according to the Fig. 3a with an instrument and pivoted bearing fork.

[0054] Identical elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference numbers in the figures.

[0055] In the Fig. 1a an endoscope 10 is shown with a rotary drum 20 at a distal end 14 of an elongated rigid shaft tube 12, wherein the rotary drum 20 is rotatably mounted about a first rotation axis 18 by means of a bearing fork 16 at the distal end 14 of the shaft tube 12.

[0056] As in the Fig. 1b As shown in detail, an optical imaging system 22 is arranged in the rotating drum 20, which preferably comprises an electronic image sensor 24, an imaging optics 26 and an illumination device 28.

[0057] A viewing direction 32 of the imaging system 22 can be pivoted at an angle α to the longitudinal axis 30 of the shaft tube 12, whereby the bearing fork 16 does not restrict the viewing direction 32 of the imaging optics 26. By pivoting the rotating drum 20 and thus the viewing direction 32, an angle α of preferably over 130° can be covered. By rotating the shaft tube 12 about the longitudinal axis 30, the observation area of ​​the imaging system 22 can be expanded.

[0058] As in the Fig. 1a and the Fig. 2a As shown, the bearing fork 16 has at least a first fluid line 34 and at least one nozzle 36 to clean and / or cool the imaging system 22.

[0059] The bearing fork 16 is preferably extended along the longitudinal axis 30 of the shaft tube 18 to a position of the field of view 38 of the imaging system 22. As shown in the Fig. 1a As shown, at least one first nozzle 36, 40 is arranged at a distal end 42 of the support fork 16 in order to clean the field of view 38 of the imaging system 22 with a fluid flow 44. When the support fork 16 is extended along the longitudinal axis 30, the field of view 38 can be cleaned in a viewing direction 32 with an angle α of 0°. Particularly preferably, in this position, the endoscope 10 can be guided to a surgical area, wherein the field of view 38 can be cleaned simultaneously with the at least one first nozzle 36, 40.

[0060] Preferably, the at least one first nozzle 26 is oriented such that the fluid flow 44 exits the at least one first nozzle 36, 40 at an angle α between 120° and 240°, preferably 180°, relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of the shaft tube 12. As a result, the field of view 38 of the imaging system 22 can be cleaned over a large area even at a short distance from the at least one first nozzle 36, 40. In particular, at a short distance, cleaning can be improved by pivoting the rotating drum 20.

[0061] Alternatively, the Fig. 1a shown fluid flow 44 can also be reversed in order to suck off a fluid or a potentially contaminating medium in front of the field of view 38 and thus prevent contamination of the field of view 38.

[0062] As in the Fig. 2a As shown, preferably at least one second nozzle 36, 41, preferably a plurality of second nozzles 36, 41, is arranged in the region of a storage position 50 of the rotary drum 20. The at least one second nozzle 36, 41 is according to the Fig. 2b directed onto at least one side wall 52 of the rotary drum 20 in order to temper, in particular to cool, the latter. Fig. 2b The fluid flow 44 is shown onto the at least one side wall 52 of the rotating drum 20 and onto the field of view 38 of the imaging system 22. The fluid from the at least one second nozzle 36, 41 can be a gas and / or a liquid, with a liquid improving heat transfer and a gas preferably being usable in a dry operating area.

[0063] Particularly preferably, the at least one side wall 52 of the rotary drum 20 is provided with a coating with microstructures (not shown) that enlarges the surface of the at least one side wall 52 in order to further improve the heat transfer.

[0064] According to the Fig. 1a or the Fig. 2a A fluid can be guided into the at least one first fluid line 34 by means of at least one second fluid line 56 within the shaft tube 12. The at least one second fluid line 56 is preferably arranged in a working channel 62 of the shaft tube 12.

[0065] Preferably, the bearing fork 16 has a first and a second leg 46, 48, according to the Fig. 2b , in order to pivotally support the rotary drum 20 therebetween, wherein at least one first fluid line 34 and at least one nozzle 36 are formed in each of the legs 46, 48.

[0066] Preferably, as in the Fig. 2a shown, the at least one first nozzle 36, 40 and the at least one second nozzle 36, 41 are connected to a common first fluid line 34. Alternatively, a plurality of first fluid lines 34 can also be provided, for example to supply the at least one first nozzle 36, 40 and the at least one second nozzle 36, 41 with different fluids. For example, the at least one second nozzle 36, 41 can preferably be filled with a liquid in order to improve the heat transfer and temperature control of the rotating drum 20. In this case, the at least one first nozzle 36, 40 can preferably be filled with a gas or air in order to clean the field of view 38 of the imaging system 22. A multitude of further combinations are possible here, which depend in particular on the ambient conditions in an operating area.For example, for a dry surgical area, only gas or air flow may be preferred, and for a wet surgical area, only liquid flow may be preferred.

[0067] Furthermore, the variation in first fluid lines 34 can also relate to the two legs 46, 48. Thus, at least one nozzle 36 in a first leg 46 of the bearing fork 16 can be connected to a fluid line, in particular a water line, and at least one nozzle 36 in a second leg 48 can be connected to a gas / air line.

[0068] Particularly preferably, the bearing fork 16 of the rotary drum 20, according to the Fig. 1a or Fig. 2a , a rounded distal end 42.

[0069] As in the Fig. 1a or the Fig. 2a As shown, the rotary drum 20 is preferably pivotable about a first rotation axis 18 by means of a control line 58, wherein the control line 58 runs on an outer side / outer surface 60 of the shaft tube 12, preferably without restricting the working channel 62 inside the shaft tube 12 and an inner diameter of the shaft tube 12. The control line 58 is attached to the rotary drum 20 at a lever distance a from the first rotation axis 18. The rotary drum 20 is preferably rotatable by a movement of the control line 58 parallel to the longitudinal axis 30 of the shaft tube 12.

[0070] The rotary drum 20 is, according to the Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b , preferably spherical or cylindrical, wherein the rotating drum 20 is preferably flattened perpendicular to the viewing direction 32 of the imaging system 22 in order to accommodate the imaging optics 26 and the illumination device 28, preferably as two LEDs, in a flattened area.

[0071] As in the Fig. 1b As shown, the control line 58 can preferably be wound onto a winding curve 70 along the outer circumference of the rotating drum 20. Particularly preferably, the control line 58 can be wound such that the rotating drum 20 can be rotated from a viewing direction 32 along the longitudinal axis 30 of the shaft tube 12 by at least an angle α of 0° to 180°, and the viewing direction 32 can thus be aligned into the interior of the shaft tube 12 and a working channel 62. For pivoting the rotating drum 20, the control line 58 is designed to be at least partially flexible in order to wind it onto the winding curve 58 of the rotating drum 20. The winding curve 58 can preferably be circular or oval along the outer circumference.

[0072] As in the Fig. 3a and the Fig. 3b As shown, in a further development, the bearing fork 16 is rotatable about a second rotation axis 64, wherein the at least one nozzle 36 is preferably connected by means of a flexible hose connection 66 to the at least one second fluid line 56 and / or an external further fluid line along the shaft tube 12.

[0073] Preferably with this rotatable bearing fork 16 about a second rotation axis 64, as shown in the Fig. 3b As shown in Figure a, the working channel 62 may be configured to receive and / or include an instrument 68. This instrument 68 may have a tool 72, for example, a cutting tool or punching tool, at a distal end, which is adaptable to the respective medical operation.

[0074] In a pivoted state of the bearing fork 16, according to the Fig. 3b , the working channel 62 is open along the longitudinal axis 30 such that preferably a rigid instrument 68 can be guided from the working channel 62 into the surgical area. The bearing fork 16 is preferably controllable with a further control line (not shown) or another operating mechanism. Preferably, an operating mechanism for flexible shaft tubes, which is known, for example, from US 2015 / 0359420 A1.

[0075] By pivoting the bearing fork 16, the field of view 38 of the rotating drum 20 can also be expanded, for example to capture a field of view 38 of the imaging system 22 covered by the shaft tube 12 itself or to be able to look behind corners or obstacles.

[0076] No part of the invention is a method for cleaning the imaging system 22 with rotary drum 20, wherein the rotary drum 20 is in a viewing direction 32, according to the Fig. 1ais pivoted, preferably at an angle α of 0°, for example, to examine a surgical area. Subsequently, the imaging system 22 is continuously or at least temporarily exposed to a fluid flow 44 from at least one first fluid line 34 with at least one nozzle 36 within a bearing fork 16 of the rotating drum 20, preferably from the at least one first nozzle 36, 40.

[0077] The endoscope 10 described so far can be modified or altered in a variety of ways without deviating from the inventive concept. For example, it is conceivable that the portion of the bearing fork 16 extended to the position of the imaging system 22 can be fixedly rotatable with the rotating drum 20 in order to clean the imaging system independently of the pivoted position of the rotating drum 20.

[0078] Furthermore, it is conceivable to couple the cleaning and / or temperature control of the rotary drum 20 or the imaging system 22 to a control circuit or to carry it out automatically, for example in order to set a specific temperature or to clean the imaging system 22 as soon as contamination is detected, preferably with the image sensor 24. List of reference symbols

[0079] 10Endoscope 12Shaft tube 14Distal end of the shaft tube 16Bearing fork 18First rotation axis 20Rotation drum 22Imaging system 24Electronic image sensor 26Imaging optics 28Illumination device 30Longitudinal axis of the shaft tube 32Viewing direction of the imaging optics 34First fluid line 36Nozzle 38Field of view of the imaging system 40First nozzle 41Second nozzle 42Distal end of the bearing fork 44Fluid flow 46First leg of the bearing fork 48Second leg of the bearing fork 50Bearing position of the rotation drum 52Side wall of the rotation drum 54Surface of the side wall 56Second fluid line 58Control line of the rotation drum 60Outside of the shaft tube 62Working channel 64Second rotation axis 66Flexible hose connection 68Instrument 70Winding curve 72Tool aLever distance αAngle between the viewing direction and the longitudinal axis

Claims

1. An endoscope (10) with a rotation drum (20) and an elongated rigid and / or flexible shaft tube (12), which at a distal end (14) supports the rotation drum (20) rotatably about a first axis of rotation (18) by means of a bearing fork (16) and wherein an optical imaging system (22) is arranged in the rotation drum (20), characterised in that the bearing fork (16) has at least one first fluid line (34) and at least one first nozzle (36) in order to clean and / or cool the imaging system (22), wherein the bearing fork (16) protrudes at least partially towards a position of a field of view (38) of the imaging system (22) in a viewing direction (32) of the imaging system (22), preferably along a longitudinal axis (30) of the shaft tube (12), and wherein the at least one first nozzle (36, 40) is arranged at a distal end (42) of the bearing fork (16) in order to clean the field of view (38) of the imaging system (22) with a fluid.

2. The endoscope according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first nozzle (36, 40) is aligned in such manner that a fluid flow (44) emerges from the at least one first nozzle (36, 40) at an angle (α) of between 120° and 240°, preferably 180°, relative to the longitudinal axis (30) of the shaft tube (12).

3. The endoscope according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that at least one second nozzle (36, 41) is arranged in the region of the bearing position (50) of the rotation drum (20) and is directed towards at least one side wall (52) of the rotation drum (20).

4. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one side wall (52) of the rotation drum (20) is provided with a coating with microstructures which enlarges a top surface (54) of the at least one side wall (52).

5. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a fluid can be guided into the at least one first fluid line (34) by means of at least one second fluid line (56) within the shaft tube (12).

6. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the bearing fork (16) has a first and a second limb (46, 48) and the rotation drum (20) is pivotably supported therebetween, wherein at least one first fluid line (34) and at least one nozzle (36) is formed in each of the limbs (46, 48).

7. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the bearing fork (16) of the rotation drum (20) has a rounded distal end (42).

8. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the rotation drum (20) is pivotable about the first axis of rotation (18) by means of at least one control line (58) and the at least one control line (58) of the rotation drum (20) runs on an outer side (60) of the shaft tube (12), preferably not restricting a working channel (62) in the interior of the shaft tube (12) and an internal diameter of the shaft tube (12), and is fastened to the rotation drum (20) with at least one lever distance (a) from the at least one first axis of rotation (18).

9. The endoscope according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the bearing fork (16) is rotatable about a second axis of rotation (64), wherein the at least one nozzle (36) is preferably connected by means of a flexible hose connection (66) to at least one second fluid line (56) and / or an external further fluid line along the shaft tube (12).