Endoscopic instrument having a handpiece

Abstract

The invention relates to an endoscopic instrument having a handpiece (2), a shaft (4) extending distally from the handpiece (2), and an interface element (8) arranged at the proximal end of the handpiece (2) and connected to the handpiece (2) via a detachable coupling device (10, 12), wherein the coupling device (10, 12) comprises a magnet arrangement with at least one permanent magnet (14, 16) which causes an attractive force between the interface element (8) and the handpiece (2).

Description

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an endoscopic instrument with a handpiece and a detachable interface element.

[0002] In endoscopic instruments, it is known to provide detachable interface elements on a handpiece, for example, replaceable insertion funnels at the proximal end of a working channel. The interface elements can be removable for cleaning purposes, but can also be replaceable, allowing the instrument to be adapted to desired needs.

[0003] The object of the invention is to improve such an endoscopic instrument so that a simple and secure coupling between the handpiece and the interface element is possible.

[0004] This object is achieved by an endoscopic instrument having the features specified in claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims, the following description, and the accompanying figures.

[0005] The endoscopic instrument according to the invention has a handle or a handpiece, which serves to hold and handle the instrument. This means that the handpiece preferably has a shape that is easy to grip, ie, adapted to the shape of the human hand. A shaft is arranged on the handpiece, which extends distally from the handpiece. The shaft can be fixedly or detachably connected to the handpiece. At the proximal end of the handpiece there is an interface element which is connected to the handpiece via a detachable coupling device. The interface element can, for example, be an insertion funnel which is arranged at the proximal end of a working channel. In such a case, the working channel preferably extends through the shaft, then proximally through the handpiece up to the insertion funnel. The interface element is preferably located on the shaft axis at the opposite end of the handpiece. The interface element is detachably connected to the handpiece so that it can be removed from the handpiece. For this purpose, a detachable coupling device is provided between the handpiece and the interface element.If the coupling device is released, the interface element can be removed from the handpiece. According to the invention, this coupling device comprises a magnet arrangement with at least one permanent magnet. The permanent magnet is arranged in such a way that it creates an attractive force between the interface element and the handpiece, i.e., it holds the interface element to the handpiece through magnetic attraction. Such a magnet arrangement enables a simple connection between the interface element and the handpiece, since they are automatically attracted to each other by the permanent magnetic force, preferably even before the two come into direct contact with each other.Furthermore, the magnet arrangement also allows for easy positioning of the interface element and the handpiece, particularly with regard to the angular position, since the magnetic fields can automatically align the interface element and the handpiece during assembly. This creates an easy-to-position coupling device. Furthermore, permanent magnets can be embedded in the handpiece and the interface element in such a way that The smoothest possible contact surfaces should be created, which are easy to clean and preferably autoclavable.

[0006] The magnet arrangement is preferably arranged or aligned with its magnetic fields such that the attractive force acting between the interface element and the handpiece is directed in the direction of or along a joining axis of the handpiece and interface element. The joining axis is the axis along which the interface element is moved toward the handpiece in order to join or connect the two. If the interface element is an insertion funnel at the end of the working channel, the joining axis preferably runs in the longitudinal direction of the working channel, more preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, which is arranged at the distal end of the handpiece.

[0007] Further preferably, the magnet arrangement is designed such that it predetermines at least one defined angular position between the handpiece and the interface element with respect to their joining axis as a magnetic locking position. This can be achieved, for example, by the magnet arrangement exerting particularly strong attractive forces in at least one specific angular position and weaker or no attractive forces at all in other angular positions. This is achieved by a point-like arrangement of the magnet poles or the magnet arrangement in the at least one defined angular position, wherein corresponding attractive forces then preferably also act in a certain area in the circumferential direction, emanating from the magnet poles, and preferably automatically pulling the interface element into the desired angular position during joining.By alternating the arrangement of oppositely directed magnetic poles, this can be further supported by repulsive forces in undesirable angular positions.

[0008] The advantage of defining magnetic locking positions over mechanical locking positions is that mechanical intervention is eliminated, and the contact surfaces do not require mechanical protrusions as locking elements or similar features. This ensures smooth contact surfaces, which are easier to clean and improve the hygienic design of the instrument.

[0009] The magnet arrangement preferably has at least one, more preferably several, magnet pairs. The magnet pairs each have a first magnetic pole on the handpiece and an opposite second magnetic pole on the interface element, wherein the first and second magnetic poles preferably lie opposite one another in a desired locking position or angular orientation. The first and second magnetic poles are preferably configured such that, in a magnet pair, a first magnetic pole is configured as the south pole and a second magnetic pole as the north pole, or vice versa, so that the first and second magnetic poles attract one another and exert the desired attraction or holding force.

[0010] Further preferably, the at least one magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnet pairs, the magnetic poles of which are distributed, preferably evenly distributed, along a circumferential line around the joining axis. Thus, the magnetic poles of the magnet pairs can be used to define the angular position of the interface element and the handpiece with respect to the joining axis during joining, i.e., to specify the magnetic locking positions described above. The plurality of magnet pairs are preferably distributed over the circumference such that, in at least one desired angular position, which corresponds to a desired joining position, the magnetic poles of all magnet pairs are aligned opposite one another and attract one another. This results in a particularly strong attraction or holding force. realized. If the magnet pairs are evenly distributed around the circumference, a uniform force application is further ensured. Furthermore, the desired joining position or angular position can be indicated magnetically with particular clarity. If the polarity of the magnets alternates around the circumference, this would have the advantage that, in the event of an incorrect, i.e., undesired, angular position, repulsive forces would occur, which would help move the elements into the desired angular position.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, the magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnet pairs, each of which has its first magnetic poles aligned with their magnetic fields parallel to one another, and each of which has its second magnetic poles aligned with their magnetic fields parallel to one another. In this way, all magnet pairs can generate attractive forces in the same direction, making it possible to design the magnet pairs in such a way that several possible joining positions are possible. Furthermore, the magnet pairs can be designed as described above.

[0012] As described, the magnet pairs are preferably designed such that the first magnetic poles and the second magnetic poles are oriented so as to attract one another. However, to prevent joining at undesirable angular positions, the magnetic poles can also be oriented so as to repel one another. This can occur in particular when several first and several second magnetic poles are provided, each of which is arranged alternately in polarity, as already described above.

[0013] In addition to the magnet arrangement, the coupling device can additionally have at least one releasable mechanical locking device, which enables a force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection between the handpiece and the interface element. This means that the mechanical lock is designed such that it establishes the force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection in a locked position and releases this connection in a released position, so that the coupling device is released and the interface element can be separated from the handpiece. The mechanical lock can represent an additional security feature, which in particular creates a more secure connection because it is less easy to release. The magnetic connection can be released by applying a force that exceeds the magnetic force, which is also necessary in order to be able to remove the interface element from the handpiece. In order to ensure a secure connection during surgery, the additional mechanical lock is advantageous.The mechanical lock is preferably designed such that it is only engaged when the desired positioning between the interface element and the handpiece has been achieved by the magnet arrangement. This means that the magnetic coupling and the mechanical lock preferably operate one after the other. First, the interface element is preferably fixed to the handpiece in a desired position by the magnet arrangement and then securely fixed by actuating the mechanical lock. The mechanical lock can, for example, be a bayonet or screw connection, which is brought into engagement, particularly preferably a positive engagement, by moving a locking element.

[0014] Thus, the mechanical lock particularly preferably comprises a movable locking element, which is more preferably movably mounted on the interface element. The locking element is movable such that it can be moved between a released and a locked position. The arrangement of the movable locking element on the interface element has, for example, The advantage is that, in the event of damage, it can be easily replaced along with the interface element, while the rest of the endoscopic element, especially the handpiece, can continue to be used. A further advantage is that the handpiece itself has fewer, or preferably no, moving elements and is therefore easier to clean.

[0015] According to one possible embodiment, the locking element is designed as a ring element that is rotatably mounted around the joining axis. The ring element is easy to grasp and allows for intuitive handling.

[0016] Preferably, the magnet arrangement and more preferably the second magnetic poles of the described magnet pairings are arranged in the movable locking element. This has the advantage that the locking element can be held in the desired positions by the magnet pairings and in turn secured by the magnetic forces. The magnetic forces can thus fix the locking element in the released position and more preferably in the secured position by magnetic forces. Furthermore, the magnet pairings ensure that the locking element is easily held in a defined position when joining the interface element and handpiece, i.e., preferably held in the released position in which it does not hinder the joining process. This can be ensured by the magnetic detents described above.

[0017] The locking mechanism preferably comprises a fixed engagement element, and the locking element has at least one engagement section. By moving the locking element, the engagement section can be brought into positive engagement with the fixed engagement element. In a first securing position of the In a locking element, the engagement section is engaged with the engagement element, and in a second released position of the locking element, the engagement section is released from the engagement element. The locking element particularly preferably secures the securing element against separation in the direction of the joining axis. In this respect, the engagement section and the engagement element are preferably designed as undercuts which engage behind one another in the direction of the joining axis and, in the secured position, ensure a positive engagement and positive securing in the direction of the joining axis. In the released position, the engagement element and the engagement section are disengaged such that they no longer engage behind one another in the joining direction and can be moved apart.

[0018] Particularly preferably, the magnet arrangement in the locking element is arranged and positioned such that it defines magnetic latching points for the locking element, which preferably correspond at least to the securing and the released position. This has the advantage that the movement of the locking element via the magnetic latching points provides the user with haptic information that indicates the desired positions of the locking element. Furthermore, the magnetic forces cause the locking element to be pulled into the end position, preferably automatically, by the magnetic forces shortly before the desired position is reached. When the interface element and latching element are joined together, such a magnet arrangement also preferably ensures that the locking element is initially held in the released position.comes into contact with the opposite side, for example the handpiece, and can only be moved into the secured position by subsequent movement.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the locking element, as already described above, is arranged rotatably and the The released and secured positions form defined, preferably equal angular increments that alternate in the circumferential direction. The angular increments can be 90°, for example, so that a rotation of 90° moves the locking element from the released to the locked position. If the locking element is freely rotatable in the circumferential direction, this can result in two released and two secured angular positions, each alternating by 90°, so that the two secured angular positions are 180° opposite each other and the two released angular positions are also 180° opposite each other. The rotation preferably occurs around the joining axis.

[0020] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which show: Fig. 1 shows an example of an endoscopic instrument according to the invention, Fig. 2 a detailed view of the proximal end of the handpiece of the instrument according to Fig. 1 with the interface element removed, Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the interface element and the handpiece in the released state, Fig. 4 the handpiece with the interface element in the joined state, Fig. 5 the arrangement of handpiece and interface element according to Fig. 4 in the locked state, Fig. 6 a top view of the coupling area on the handpiece and Fig. 7 a top view of the coupling area on the interface element.

[0021] The endoscopic instrument shown as an example has a handle or handpiece 2, which serves to hold and manipulate the instrument. Extending distally from the handpiece 2 is a shaft 4, which, in a known manner, can have at least one working channel as well as suction and / or irrigation channels. Furthermore, the shaft 4 can contain an endoscope lens or a camera system as well as lighting elements in a known manner.

[0022] A working channel in the shaft 4 is open toward the proximal end of the handpiece 2, so that a receiving opening 6 is located at the proximal end, through which instruments can be advanced into the working channel and to the distal end. An insertion funnel 8 is attached to the receiving opening 6, facilitating the insertion of instruments. The insertion funnel forms an interchangeable interface element. This means that variously shaped insertion funnels 8 can be provided, which can be selectively coupled to the handpiece 2.

[0023] To realize this coupling or interchangeability, a coupling device is formed between the handpiece 2 and the insertion funnel 8. The coupling device has a first coupling part 10, which concentrically surrounds the receiving opening 6. A complementary second coupling part 12 is formed on the opposite side of the insertion funnel 8.

[0024] The coupling device has two essential coupling elements or coupling structures, namely a magnetic coupling on the one hand and a mechanical locking system on the other. Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the first coupling part 10, which concentrically surrounds the receiving opening 6 or the joining axis X. The joining axis X, which in this case corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the working channel 6, is the direction in which the insertion funnel 6 is attached or attached to the handpiece 2. Four magnets 14 are arranged in the first coupling part 10 or embedded in the surface concentrically surrounding this joining axis X. The magnets can also be covered by a housing wall. In the example shown, the magnets 14 are designed as embedded permanent magnets. The magnets 14 are each arranged at the same radial distance from the joining axis X and are positioned 90° apart from each other in the circumferential direction.The second coupling part 12 on the insertion funnel 8 has four complementary magnets 16. Four permanent magnets 16 are also provided, which are spaced radially from the joining axis X by essentially the same amount and are also arranged at an angular position spaced 90° from one another. In this way, the magnets 14 and 16 can come into contact with one another when the insertion funnel 8 is joined to the handpiece 2 or can be arranged opposite one another. The magnets 14 form first magnetic poles, while the magnets 16 form second magnetic poles. The magnets 14 and 16 are preferably aligned such that their magnetic axes, i.e. the axes between the north and south poles, run parallel to the joining axis X, with the magnets 14 and 16 being arranged opposite one another in such a way that either a north pole of a magnet 16 is opposite a south pole of the magnet 14 or vice versa. I.e.The magnets 14 and 16 are aligned in the same polarity, so that they attract each other when joined.

[0025] Magnets 14 and 16 ensure that the insertion funnel 8 can be attracted to the handpiece 2 in the axial direction, i.e., parallel to the joining axis X, and can be magnetically held thereto. The punctiform arrangement of magnets 14 and 16 at four angular positions also creates magnetic locking points, which ensure that the insertion funnel 8 can be attached to the handpiece 2 or its first coupling part 10 at defined angular positions. In this case, these are four possible angular positions, which are predetermined by the positions of magnets 14 and 16.

[0026] The magnetic holding force provides an initial fixation of the insertion funnel 8 to the handpiece 2. For securing purposes, a mechanical lock is additionally provided, which is designed as follows. The first coupling part 10 has a sleeve 18 surrounding the receiving opening 6 which projects in the proximal direction and has a radially outward-facing shoulder 20 at its proximal end. The shoulder 20 forms a collar-shaped, radially outward-facing projection which, however, does not extend completely circumferentially, but only on two diametrically opposite sides with respect to the joining axis X. Between these two sides, the otherwise annular shoulder 20 is cut off or flattened in two sections 24 in the direction of a chord of a circle, as can be seen in Fig. 6.

[0027] A movable locking element in the form of a rotatable locking ring 26 is arranged or mounted on the insertion funnel 8 as an exchangeable interface element. The locking ring 26 extends concentrically around the joining axis X and is rotatably mounted on the insertion funnel 8 via an engagement in a groove 28. The magnets 16, which form the second magnetic poles, are arranged or embedded in the locking ring 26. This means that the magnets 16 are rotatable together with the locking ring 26 around the joining axis X. rotatable. The locking ring 26 has in its interior a receptacle 30 whose geometry is adapted to the geometry of the sleeve 18 with the shoulder 20. This means that the receptacle 30 has two arcuate sections 32 which are arranged diametrically opposite one another with respect to the joining axis X and have an arc which is slightly larger than the outer circumference of the shoulder 20. Between the arcuate sections 32 there are straight or chord-shaped sections 34 which extend parallel to the sections 24 on the sleeve 18 and are spaced slightly further apart from one another than the sections 24. The straight sections 34 form engagement sections which can engage with the engagement elements formed by the shoulder 20.

[0028] In a first angular position or magnetic locking position, which is predetermined by the magnets 14 and 16, the receptacle 30 can be placed onto the sleeve 30 with the shoulder 20, wherein the straight sections 34 lie parallel to the sections 24 and thus the sleeve 18 with the shoulder 20 can enter the receptacle 30. This is shown in Fig. 4. The locking ring 26 is then rotated by 90°. In doing so, the holding force between the magnets 14 and 16 must first be overcome. The locking ring 36 is thus rotated out of a first magnetic locking position. When the magnets 16 are removed from the magnets 14, the holding force decreases until the magnets 16 come close to the adjacent magnets 14 in the circumferential direction. Then the holding force increases again and the locking ring 26 rotates to the next locking position, which is offset by 90°.In this, the straight sections 34 of the receptacle 30 now engage behind the shoulder 20 and thus form a positive engagement in the direction of the joining axis X, so that the insertion funnel 8 is held in a positive fit on the first coupling part 10 in the direction of the joining axis X. To release, the locking ring 36 is again rotated by 90°, whereby the sections 34 of the receptacle. 30 again disengage from the shoulder 20 on the sleeve 18 and are then again parallel to the straight sections 24 on the sleeve 18. In this angular position, the insertion funnel 8 can be withdrawn from the handpiece 2 after overcoming the magnetic holding force between the magnets 14 and 16.

[0029] It is to be understood that instead of an insertion funnel 8, another exchangeable interface element could also be coupled to the handpiece 2 in a similar manner, e.g. a hose or line connection, connection plug, etc. The coupling has an arrangement of permanent magnets which creates a magnetic holding force between the interface element and the handpiece 2. More preferably, a second mechanical lock is provided in each case, which, in addition to the magnetic coupling, realizes a positive engagement between the interface element and the handpiece 2 for securing purposes. The magnetic coupling and the mechanical lock are preferably designed such that they can be brought into engagement one after the other, ie the magnetic coupling enables a first fixation and then the mechanical locking can take place with the positive engagement. List of reference symbols 2 - Handpiece 4 - Shaft 6 - Receiving opening 8 - Insertion funnel 10 - first coupling part 12 - second coupling part 14 - Magnets 16 - Magnets 18 - Sleeve 20 - Shoulder, engagement elements 24 - straight sections 26 - Locking ring 28 - Groove 30 - Receptacle 32 - arched sections 34 - straight sections, engagement sections X - joining axis, longitudinal axis

Claims

Claims Endoscopic instrument with a handpiece (2), a shaft (4) extending distally from the handpiece (2), and an interface element (8) arranged at the proximal end of the handpiece (2) and connected to the handpiece (2) via a releasable coupling device (10, 12), characterized in that the coupling device (10, 12) has a magnet arrangement with at least one permanent magnet (14, 16), which effects an attractive force between the interface element (8) and the handpiece (2). Endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one magnet arrangement is arranged such that the attractive force is directed along a joining axis (X) of the handpiece (2) and the interface element (8).Endoscopic instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one magnet arrangement is designed such that it predetermines at least one defined angular position between the handpiece (2) and the interface element (8) with respect to their joining axis (X) as a magnetic locking position. Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnet arrangement comprises at least one, preferably several magnet pairs (14, 16), each of which has a first magnetic pole (14) on the handpiece (2) and an opposite second magnetic pole (16) on the interface element (8). An endoscopic instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnet pairs (14, 16), the magnetic poles (14, 16) of which are distributed, preferably evenly distributed, along a circumferential line around the joining axis (X). An endoscopic instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one magnet arrangement comprises a plurality of magnet pairs (14, 16), of which all first magnetic poles (14) are aligned with their magnetic fields parallel to one another and all second magnetic poles (16) are aligned with their magnetic fields parallel to one another. An endoscopic instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in the magnet pairs (14, 16), the first magnetic poles (14) and the second magnetic poles (16) are preferably aligned in an attractive manner to one another.Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (10, 12) additionally has at least one releasable mechanical lock, which enables a force-locking and / or form-locking connection between the handpiece (2) and the interface element (8). Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical lock has a movable locking element (26), which is preferably movably mounted on the interface element (8).

10. Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (26) is designed as a ring element which is rotatably mounted about the joining axis (X). 1 1. Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one magnet arrangement and preferably the second magnetic poles of the magnet pairs (14, 16) are arranged in the movable locking element (26).

12. Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device has at least one fixed engagement element (20) and the locking element (26) has at least one engagement section (34) which, in a first, securing position of the locking element (26), is engaged with the at least one engagement element (20) and, in a second, released position of the locking element (26), is released from the engagement element (20).

13. Endoscopic instrument according to 12, characterized in that the magnet arrangement in the locking element (26) is arranged such that it defines magnetic locking points for the locking element (26), preferably at least in the securing and the released position.

14. Endoscopic instrument according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking element (26) is rotatable and released and secured positions alternate as defined, preferably equal, angular steps. Endoscopic instrument according to one of the preceding claims, in which the interface element is an insertion funnel (8) at the proximal end (6) of a working channel.

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