Control device for an endoscopic device, handpiece for a flexible endoscopic device and endoscopic device

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for an endoscopic device having a shaft section that can be angled, wherein the control device has a control element, an actuating element and at least one Bowden cable with at least one traction element, wherein the at least one traction element is at least partially guided along the control element, and has a clamping unit with at least one clamping element, wherein the at least one clamping element is connected to the control element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, and the at least one traction element is attached to the control element by means of the clamping unit. The invention also relates to a handpiece and an endoscopic device.

Description

Control device for an endoscopic device, handpiece for a flexible endoscopic device and endoscopic device

[0001] The invention relates to a control device for an endoscopic device with a bendable shaft section, wherein the control device has a control element, an actuating element and at least one Bowden cable with at least one pulling element, wherein the at least one pulling element is guided at least partially along the control element, and has a clamping device with at least one clamping element. Furthermore, the invention relates to a handpiece for a flexible endoscopic device and an endoscopic device.

[0002] In medical and non-medical applications, articulating instruments and endoscopes are often used which can be operated manually and / or robotically. Reusable endoscopes or instruments often use a large number of steering wires which are arranged around pivoting elements of a distal-side joint mechanism and fastened to a drivable swashplate on the proximal side. For endoscopes and instruments which are only used once, such a complex design and assembly is not feasible. For disposable endoscopes and instruments, it is known to use a rotating Bowden cable or a few Bowden cables for the distal and proximal joint mechanisms. In the proximal-side joint mechanism, the pull wire ends of the rotating Bowden cable or the pull wires of the Bowden cables are usually connected to one another and fixed to a steering wheel.

[0003] For this purpose, for example, two pull wire ends are inserted into a crimp sleeve in opposite directions and pressed together, the crimp sleeve being placed in a groove on the steering wheel. The positive connection between this pull wire arrangement, the crimp sleeve and the steering wheel ensures that one pull wire is tightened and the other is released when the steering wheel is turned. To secure such a pull wire arrangement to the steering wheel against accidental loosening, it is also known to glue the crimp sleeve in the groove of the steering wheel. The crimp sleeve can also be attached to the steering wheel by means of a securing clip. These types of attachment are complex, time-consuming and potentially error-prone due to the assembly process. In addition, this type of assembly is very difficult and expensive to carry out in an automated process.Another disadvantage is that the safety clip usually has to engage mechanically with the steering wheel, which increases the installation space and makes scaling the diameter of the steering wheel for different endoscopes more difficult.

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

[0005] The object is achieved by a control device for an endoscopic device with a bendable shaft section, wherein the control device has a control element, an actuating element and at least one Bowden cable with at least one pulling element, wherein the at least one pulling element is guided at least partially along the control element, and has a clamping device with at least one clamping element, wherein the at least one clamping element is connected to the control element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner and the at least one pulling element is fastened to the control element by means of the clamping device.

[0006] Thus, a control device for an endoscopic Device is provided in which due to the design the clamping device enables the control element to be scaled for different endoscopic devices. It is particularly advantageous that the force-fitting and / or form-fitting connection of the at least one clamping element of the clamping device to the control element can be formed independently of the fastening of the at least one pulling element to the control element by means of the clamping device. As a result, the at least one clamping element does not necessarily have to surround the at least one pulling element and / or clamp it directly to the control element. As a result, an eyelet for mechanical engagement between the outer diameter and the center point of the control element can be dispensed with, which enables a smaller minimum diameter of the control element.

[0007] The diameter of the control element can be varied thanks to the independent and free design of the clamping element, which is connected to the control element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, and the fastening of at least one tension element to the control element by means of the clamping device. Adapting the respective diameter of the control element for different variants of endoscopic devices is necessary to enable the user to operate the device in a uniform haptic and ergonomic manner. Control elements with different diameters should have a similar haptic feel so that when the actuating element is actuated, the extent of the bendable shaft section is analogous to the rotation of the respective control wheel.

[0008] In addition, the design of the clamping device and / or the at least one clamping element allows the mounting direction of the clamping device to be determined more flexibly and to be specifically adapted to the mounting directions of the other components of the control device and / or the proximal joint mechanism, so that a simple, quick and error-free mounting of the Clamping device is enabled in a manual and / or automatic process. This allows for control elements with both the largest and smallest possible diameter. By enabling a control element with a smaller, minimum diameter, the pull wires, which are at least partially guided around the control element, are closer together and the articulation is less rigid and thus more comfortable for the user.

[0009] Since the clamping element for connection to the control element does not have to be specifically adapted to the arrangement of the traction elements connected on the proximal side, differently designed control elements can be easily used with the clamping device. This means that the control device and the handpiece can be quickly and easily adapted for different flexible endoscopes or instruments, for example with different shaft diameters, since one or more Bowden cables with correspondingly adapted cross-sections are usually used depending on the respective shaft diameter. To adapt to the properties of the respective endoscope or instrument, only the control element and optionally the clamping element have to be exchanged. This allows the control device to be adapted to the desired haptics in a simple and flexible manner.

[0010] An essential idea of ​​the invention is to provide a modularly adaptable control device for a proximal-side joint mechanism of various flexible endoscopes and instruments, in which the force-locking and / or form-locking connection of the at least one clamping element of the clamping device with different control elements is possible and at the same time the at least one tension element is fastened to the control element by means of the clamping device, in such a way that an assembly direction when assembling the control device can be largely freely selected and / or adapted to the Mounting direction of the other components of the control device and / or the handpiece is adjustable.

[0011] The following terms are explained:

[0012] A "control device" is in particular any device which enables the bending of a bendable shaft section of an endoscopic device by means of a proximal-side actuation. The control device is in particular a component of the proximal-side joint mechanism or forms the proximal-side joint mechanism. The control device has in particular a control element, an actuation element, a shaft-hub connection and at least one Bowden cable with at least one tension element. Furthermore, the control device can have a holding frame. The parts and / or components of the control device are in particular made of plastic and are preferably manufactured as plastic injection-molded parts.

[0013] An "endoscopic device" is, in particular, a medical or industrial device or instrument for endoscopic examination, viewing, and / or manipulation in a human, animal, and / or industrial cavity. An endoscopic device may be an endoscope or an endoscopic instrument.

[0014] An "endoscope" is in particular a medical or industrial device for the endoscopic examination and observation of a human or animal body cavity and / or an industrial cavity, such as a pipe. The endoscope has in particular a handpiece, a shaft, a light source, a light guide and a camera. The endoscope is in particular a video endoscope which has digital image recording and image transmission. A video endoscope is in particular a chip-on-the-tip (COTT) endoscope, wherein the image sensor is a chip, for example a CMOS chip, and is arranged at the distal end section of the shaft of the video endoscope. The image data recorded by the image sensor can be transmitted, in particular electronically, through the shaft in the proximal direction to the handpiece and further to a display system and / or to an image processing unit in order to show the endoscopic image to the user. In addition to human and veterinary medical applications, an endoscope and / or video endoscope can also be used for industrial purposes, for example for visual inspection in hard-to-reach cavities. In industrial applications, an endoscope is often referred to as a borescope.

[0015] An “endoscopic instrument” is in particular any mechanical or mechanical-electrical active unit which can be used in particular for manipulating human or animal tissue. The endoscopic instrument has in particular a handpiece, a flexible shaft and a tool and / or an optical system for viewing a field of view. A flexible endoscopic instrument usually does not have its own optics for recording an endoscopic image, but can be used in particular together with a flexible endoscope. The endoscopic instrument can in particular have a grasping tool, a cutting tool, a needle holder, a clip inserter and / or another type of tool.

[0016] A "flexible endoscope" or a "flexible endoscopic instrument" is understood in particular to mean that the endoscope or the endoscopic instrument has a flexible shaft. A "flexible shaft" is in particular a partially flexible or fully flexible elongated tube. The flexible shaft is in particular designed to be inserted into a cavity to be examined endoscopically, for example a body cavity or a technical opening in industrial applications. The shaft usually has an outer diameter in a range of 4 mm to 10 mm . The flexible shaft has, in particular on the inside, at least one working channel for rinsing or for guiding working instruments through . The flexible shaft has at least one bendable shaft section . The “bendable shaft section” is, in particular, a bendable distal end section of the shaft . In order to achieve a bending of the shaft section, the flexible shaft has, in particular on the inside, a distal-side joint mechanism with joint members arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction and at least one all-round Bowden cable guided on the outside on both sides around the joint members . The outer sheath of the Bowden cable can be fastened on the distal side in front of the first joint member or in the distal end section in front of the camera head, for example by gluing.A flexible endoscope is, in particular, a sterile, disposable endoscope for single use. The flexible endoscope can be, for example, a bronchoscope or an incubation endoscope.

[0017] A “handpiece” is in particular a hand and / or holding part for an endoscopic device, an endoscope and / or instrument. The handpiece can in particular be a handle for manual and / or automated operation. The handpiece in particular has a housing. For example, the housing can be formed from two lateral, interconnected grip shells. At the distal end of the handpiece, the handpiece can be connected, for example by means of an adapter, to the proximal end of a shaft of the endoscope or instrument. The housing of the handpiece in particular comprises plastic and is preferably manufactured as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0018] “Distal” and “distal” refer to a patient-side and therefore user-friendly arrangement and / or corresponding end or section. Accordingly, "proximal" and "proximal" are understood to mean an arrangement close to the user and thus away from the patient's body and a corresponding end or section. Thus, the "proximal direction" is a direction directed towards the proximal end of the handpiece and / or the endoscope or the endoscopic instrument. Accordingly, the "distal direction" is the opposite direction directed towards the tip of the deflectable shaft section .

[0019] A "control element" is in particular an element which causes a movement of the pulling element of the at least one Bowden cable and thus a bending movement of the bendable shaft section. A control element can be, for example, a deflection pulley or a steering wheel. The control element does not necessarily have to have a circular shape, but can also be, for example, oval, teardrop-shaped or of another shape.

[0020] An "actuating element" is, in particular, an element whose movement actuates the control element. An actuating element may, for example, be an articulating lever with a terminal handle, the lever itself being guided through the housing of the handpiece and connected to the control element.

[0021] A "Bowden cable" is in particular a movable machine element for transmitting a mechanical movement. A Bowden cable has in particular a flexible, but pressure-resistant outer casing (also called outer cable), and a tension element arranged inside the outer casing (also called inner cable, tension cable or wire). The tension element is in particular movable along the longitudinal direction of the Bowden cable within the outer casing. The tension element is in particular a steel wire or wire cable. By moving the tension element By means of the control element, a displacement of the pulling element along the longitudinal direction of the Bowden cable relative to the outer sheath of the Bowden cable occurs, whereby the bendable shaft section can be bent by means of the distal joint mechanism by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction. The outer sheath of the Bowden cable is at least partially substantially cylindrical. The Bowden cable can, for example, have an outer diameter in a range from 0.10 mm to 3.00 mm, in particular from 0.30 mm to 1.00 mm, preferably from 0.40 mm to 0.75 mm.

[0022] A "holding frame" (also called a "bearing block") is, in particular, a supporting structure inside the housing. The holding frame is, in particular, connected internally to the housing and / or a handle shell. The holding frame is, in particular, designed with two opposing holding arms, between which the control element is arranged. The control element is, in particular, connected to the two holding arms of the holding frame by means of a shaft.

[0023] A “clamping device” is in particular a three-dimensionally shaped component which has at least one clamping element by means of which the clamping device can be connected to a control element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner, wherein the clamping device is simultaneously designed such that at least one tension element can be fastened to the control element. The clamping device is in particular detachably connected to the control element. By means of the clamping device and / or the at least one clamping element, in particular a flat section and / or flat sections on opposite sides of the control element are clamped and / or clamped in and thus spatially surrounded. The clamping device in particular comprises plastic, such as polypropylene. The clamping device is preferably designed in one piece, but can also be in two or more parts. For example, the clamping device can also have two clamping clips. Likewise, the clamping device can additionally have a locking clip to secure its spatial position on the control element.

[0024] A "clamping element" is, in particular, an elastic element which can be or is connected directly to the control element in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner. The clamping element is, in particular, a component of the clamping device and / or formed as a section of the clamping device. The clamping element can, for example, be a spring clamp or a latching hook with a latching lug.

[0025] A "positive connection" is in particular a connection in which a normal force acts on the surfaces to be joined. In this case, mutual displacement of the surfaces is prevented by static friction. In the positive connection, the holding force of the clamping element is used to fix and / or fasten the clamping device, the at least one tension element and / or the tension wire arrangement to the control element. The positive connection is in particular a clamping. The positive connection is reversible and detachable, in particular by releasing the clamping element.

[0026] A "positive connection" is in particular a connection in which at least two connection partners engage with each other. In a positive connection, a blocking occurs in particular in that one connection partner is in the way of the other connection partner, so that the connection partners do not come loose or in the event of an interrupted power transmission. The positive connection between two connection partners can also be achieved by means of a third connecting element, for example a pin or Bolt. The positive connection can, for example, be a detachable connection using a groove and a tongue, a feather key, or intermeshing teeth. The two connection partners are, in particular, the at least one clamping element and the control element. However, the clamping element can also form a force- and form-locking connection with the control element at the same time.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the control device has at least a second Bowden cable and optionally further Bowden cables, each with at least one pulling element.

[0028] Thus, instead of a single, circumferential Bowden cable, two or more Bowden cables can be guided in the control device by means of the control element. In the case of two Bowden cables, two opposing tension elements can be guided on opposite sides of the control element. These two tension elements can also be connected to each other on the proximal side and thus be designed as a continuous tension element.

[0029] A "second Bowden cable" and "additional Bowden cables" correspond in their design and function to the Bowden cable defined above. However, these can also have different properties, such as different diameters, and be routed differently and / or at different spacings in the control device, the handpiece, and / or through the flexible shaft to the bendable shaft section.

[0030] In order to securely connect the at least one clamping element to the control element, the control element can have at least one counter-clamping section for engaging and / or encompassing by means of the at least one clamping element.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the control device, the counter-clamping section is formed as a recess, an undercut and / or a shaped surface in and / or on the control element.

[0032] Thus, the counter-clamping section has a specifically shaped area or defined point in, on and / or around which the at least one clamping element or the clamping elements can apply their clamping force by engaging and / or encompassing.

[0033] A "recess" is, in particular, an incision and / or an opening. The recess may, for example, be a notch, a groove and / or another type of incision in the surface of the support frame.

[0034] An "undercut" is, in particular, a structural element that protrudes freely from the control element. An undercut can, for example, be a rib.

[0035] A "shaped surface" is in particular a section of a surface of the control element as a specially shaped counter-clamping surface or section. The shaped surface can change evenly or in a step-like manner, in particular in the assembly direction. For example, the shaped surface can have a rounding or curvature or can widen conically and / or in a step-like manner in the assembly direction and thus in the sliding direction of the clamping element. The shaped surface can also have one or more corners for gripping and / or one or more incisions for engaging a clamping element or several clamping elements.

[0036] In order to ensure easy operation of the control element and smooth movement of at least one pulling element To enable this, the control element is designed as a steering wheel with a rotation axis.

[0037] Thus, by operating the actuating element, a rotation of the steering wheel as a control element and a corresponding displacement of the pulling elements of the Bowden cables is caused.

[0038] A "rotational axis" is, in particular, a fixed rotational axis around which the steering wheel rotates. For this purpose, the steering wheel may have a shaft-hub connection.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the control device, the control element and / or the control wheel is circular, substantially oval or drop-shaped.

[0040] Thus, by selecting the respective shape of the control element and / or control wheel, the desired haptics when operating the control device can be specifically adjusted and adapted to the available installation space.

[0041] In comparison to a circular steering wheel with a fixed radius, a substantially oval or drop-shaped design of the control element has the advantage that the lever with which the control element acts remains substantially the same size as a circular steering wheel which has the maximum diameter of the oval or drop-shaped control element as a fixed diameter. This provides an identical feel. Starting from a larger circular steering wheel, in a substantially oval or drop-shaped control element the diameter of the control element is predominantly reduced and only left at the point at which the clamping device and / or the connected tension elements are arranged. While the reduced diameter is substantially partially or semi-circular, the point of the control element with the clamping device has a larger Diameter to the axis of rotation and thus a larger rounding at the Scope of the control element, which on both sides in a Transition area merges into the partially or semi-circular shape, so that the control element is essentially oval or teardrop-shaped. The advantage here is that the proximal connection point of the tension elements, for example a crimp, is always in the same place, even with an oval or teardrop-shaped control element as with a circular control wheel with a larger diameter. This means that the same manufacturing device can be used to crimp the tension elements. Because of the oval or teardrop-shaped shape, when the bendable shaft section is deflected and the control device is thus actuated, the loaded tension wires always lie against the reduced diameter of the control element. This means that despite the oval or teardrop-shaped shape, a smaller radius is possible over a wide area of ​​the circumference of the control element, and a larger radius is only present in the area of ​​the clamping device.This provides a compact, space-saving control element that has the feel of a larger circular steering wheel.

[0042] In order to provide a clamping device that can be easily mounted on the control element, the clamping device can be at least partially annular.

[0043] Thus, the clamping device can be designed as a ring clip, which is mounted in the axial direction of the control element and / or control wheel. In this case, the ring clip is fastened to the control element and / or control wheel by means of a snap mechanism of the clamping element or elements, which encompass the control element and / or the control wheel in the axial direction. At the same time, the proximal connection point of the tension elements, for example connected in a crimp sleeve, is clamped from two sides from different Spatial directions in the groove on the steering wheel and is therefore not movable. In principle, it should be pointed out that the clamping device can only be partially annular and thus only partially surrounds the outer circumference of the control element and / or steering wheel. Preferably, the clamping device is completely annular, so that it surrounds the entire circumference of the control element and / or steering wheel and in particular the circumferential surface with the groove for guiding the pulling elements is at least partially or completely surrounded by the ring clip. By designing the clamping device as a ring clip, no eyelet is required in the surface of the control element between its circumference and the axis of rotation, as is necessary with known securing clips which engage in an eyelet.This allows the diameter of the control element and / or control wheel to be reduced as much as the shaft-hub connection with the articulation lever for actuation allows.

[0044] In a further embodiment of the control device, the clamping device is fastened to the at least one clamping element in a fastening direction along the axis of rotation of the control wheel.

[0045] As a result, the mounting direction of the clamping element and / or the clamping device can be realized along the rotational axis of the control element and / or control wheel, which usually corresponds to the mounting direction of the other components of the control device, whereby the mounting of the entire control device can be simplified, faster and also automated.

[0046] By "along the axis of rotation" is meant in particular that the fastening direction is essentially in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation. The fastening direction does not have to be exactly along the direction of rotation but can also be coaxial or parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0047] In order to secure the proximal connection of the tension elements from the side from the outside, the clamping device is fastened to the at least one clamping element in a fastening direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the steering wheel.

[0048] As a result, the clamping device or the clamping element is pressed, particularly from the outside, laterally against the groove with the connected tension elements during fastening and clamps and / or engages accordingly. For this purpose, the clamping device preferably has a groove, which is located, for example, between two clamping elements, in which the connection point and / or the crimp sleeve with the connected tension elements is received.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the control device, the clamping device has at least two clamping elements, wherein the at least two clamping elements are arranged on opposite sides of the control element and / or control wheel.

[0050] This allows the control element and / or the steering wheel to be clamped by means of the at least two clamping elements. Preferably, the at least two clamping elements are arranged on the opposite flat sides of the control element or the disc surfaces of the steering wheel, which have a significantly greater dimension than the thickness of the lateral groove of the control element or the steering wheel.

[0051] In order to guide and control the at least one tension element or the tension elements in a targeted manner, the control element and / or the control wheel can have at least one groove for guiding the at least one tension element at least partially along the control element and / or the control wheel.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the control device has two pulling elements, each with a proximal end, and the proximal ends of the two pulling elements are connected to one another by means of a connecting means.

[0053] A "connecting means" can be any type of connecting means that creates a tensile-resistant connection between the two proximal ends of the two tension elements. A connecting means can be a material-fitting, force-fitting and / or form-fitting connecting means. For example, the connecting means is a crimp sleeve into which the two proximal ends of the tension elements are inserted in opposite directions and pressed together.

[0054] In order to ensure a secure clamping of the connected proximal ends of the tension elements, the connecting means is arranged in the groove of the control element and / or the control wheel and / or in the clamping device and is fastened and / or secured to the control element and / or control wheel by means of the clamping device.

[0055] It is particularly advantageous that the connecting means has a larger diameter than the proximal ends of the tension elements, so that the proximal ends connected in the connecting means or by means of the connecting means have a larger diameter at this connection point, which in turn can be used for clamping between the clamping device and the groove of the control element and / or the control wheel.

[0056] In a further embodiment, the ring-shaped Clamping device arranged outside around the groove of the control element and / or the control wheel and / or around the at least one tension element.

[0057] This limits the tension element's movement in the groove on the outside by an inner wall of the annular clamping device. In the event of a fault, this prevents a loose tension element from being thrown outward when it breaks off, which could cause damage inside the housing.

[0058] In order to guide the pulling elements coming from the distal joint mechanism in a targeted manner along the circumference and / or in the groove of the control element and / or the control wheel, the clamping device has at least one guide element for guiding the at least one pulling element.

[0059] The guide element can be, for example, a rail that is open on one side or a pipe section that is arranged along the outer diameter of the control element and / or the control wheel on the clamping device.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the control device, the clamping device has at least one anti-rotation element for preventing rotation of the clamping device on the control element and / or the control wheel.

[0061] This prevents rotation of the ring clip around the rotation axis and thus the circumference of the control element and / or steering wheel, particularly when the clamping device is designed as a ring clip. The anti-rotation element can, for example, be a tab on the clamping device that engages with the control element and / or steering wheel and thereby secures the clamping device against rotation. However, the anti-rotation element can also be designed as a separate securing clip that presses against the clamping device and spatially fixes it.

[0062] To ensure a secure fit of the ring clip on the control element and / or steering wheel, it is positioned along the The rotational axis of the control element and / or steering wheel is guided and / or held in position, particularly at several points along the diameter. Guidance during placement of the ring clip can also be ensured by two or more anti-rotation elements, which ensure the precise positioning of the ring clip on the steering wheel.

[0063] In a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a handpiece for a flexible endoscopic device with an angled shaft section, wherein the handpiece has a control device as described above.

[0064] A handpiece with a control device is thus provided, wherein the control device can be flexibly adapted depending on the type of flexible endoscopic device and the desired haptics during articulation. This also means that the handpiece can be used for different flexible endoscopic devices, wherein the control device can be quickly and easily adapted and / or modified depending on the requirements of the endoscopic device due to its modular design. The designability of the control element and the clamping device means that the available installation space in the housing of the handpiece can be optimally used, and even with a great lifting length of the control element, the available installation space is not significantly restricted by the control element itself.

[0065] In an additional aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by an endoscopic device, in particular a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument, with a shaft and a bendable shaft section, wherein the bendable shaft section can be bent by means of at least one Bowden cable, and with a handpiece arranged at a proximal end of the shaft, wherein the endoscopic Device has a previously described control device or a previously described handpiece.

[0066] This provides a flexible endoscope or a flexible endoscopic instrument with a single-use, inexpensively manufactured and easily assembled handpiece, eliminating the need for reuse and the otherwise necessary autoclaving. Above all, a largely identical handpiece, with only the control element and / or the clamping device being designed differently, provides the user with an easy-to-use endoscope or endoscopic instrument, meaning the user doesn't have to adjust how to operate the handpiece when switching between different types of endoscope or instrument.

[0067] The invention will be explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment. Figure 1 is a three-dimensional representation of a Endoscope with a flexible shaft and a handpiece, Figure 2 is a three-dimensional representation of the opened Handpiece with a control device with a ring clip on a control wheel, Figure 3 is a three-dimensional representation of a Enlargement of a steering device with the ring clip on the steering wheel from Figure 2 , Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel with the ring clip from Figure 3 with a cutting plane in the area of ​​the pull wires, Figure 5 is a top view of the steering wheel with the Ring clip from above, Figure 6 is a top view of the steering wheel with the Ring clip from below, Figure 7 shows an alternative steering device with a ring clip on a drop-shaped steering wheel with an additional safety clip, Figure 8 shows an alternative control device with a drop-shaped control wheel and a retaining clip in an opening, and Figure 9 is a top view of the drop-shaped Steering wheel with the safety clip from Figure 8 from below.

[0068] An endoscope 101 has a shaft 103 with a flexible shaft section 105 and a distal, bendable shaft section 107. A camera head 109 is arranged in a distal end section of the bendable shaft section 107. A proximal end of the shaft 103 is connected to a distal end 111 of a handpiece 121 by means of an adapter 117. The handpiece 121 has a housing 123 which is formed by an upper gripping shell 125 and a lower gripping shell 127. In a proximal section in a proximal direction 115 in front of a proximal end 113 of the handpiece 121, the handpiece 121 has an articulation lever 141 which is guided inwards into the housing 123. In a distal section in front of the distal end 111, the handpiece 121 has two valve bodies 147 and a power cable 145 (Figure 1).

[0069] The handle 121 (Figure 2 shows a view of the interior of the lower grip 127 of the handle 121 with the upper grip 125 removed) has a control device 131. Other components usually accommodated in the handle 121, such as a Printed circuit board and a bearing block with an upper bearing arm and a lower bearing arm for supporting a drive shaft 137 of the control device 131 are not shown in Figure 2. A circular control wheel 133 is fastened to the drive shaft 137 of the control device 131. The control wheel 133 has a circumferential guide groove 135 on its side surface along its circumference. The control wheel 133 is completely surrounded by an annular clip 143 which has a first clamping element 151 and a second clamping element 152. The articulation lever 141 for actuating the control device 131 is connected to the control wheel 133 via the drive shaft 137 and a hub 139.

[0070] The ring clip 143 has been mounted in the direction of the drive shaft 137 and engages with its first clamping element 151 in a recess 136, while the second clamping element 152 engages with a clamping surface 138. In the area of ​​the second clamping element 152, the proximal ends of a first pull wire 195 and a second pull wire 197 are received in a crimp sleeve 199 and pressed together, so that the two pull wires 195, 197 are connected in a tensile strength manner. The crimp sleeve 199 with the connected first pull wire 195 and the second pull wire 197 is received in the guide groove 135 and securely clamped in place by means of the inner wall of the ring clip 143 (see Figures 4 to 6).On both sides of the crimp sleeve 199, the ring clip 143 has a guide element 157 for guiding the first pull wire 195 and the second pull wire 197 (a further course of the first pull wire 195 and the second pull wire 197 along the circumference of the control wheel 133 in the direction of a distal joint mechanism is not shown in Figure 4). Furthermore, the ring clip 143 has a tab-shaped anti-rotation element 159 (see Figure 6), which prevents the ring clip 143 from rotating around the circumference of the control wheel 133.

[0071] Thus, a control device 131 is provided with a circular control wheel 133 and a ring clip 143, wherein the ring clip 143 can be easily mounted in the direction of the drive shaft 137 and ensures a secure holding of the crimp sleeve 199 with the connected first pull wire 195 and the second pull wire 197 in the guide groove 135 by means of the ring clip 143.

[0072] A user actuates the articulation lever 141 to bend the bendable shaft section 107 of the endoscope 101. Due to the rotationally fixed arrangement of the control wheel 133 on the rotatable drive shaft 137, which is connected to the articulation lever 141, the control wheel 133 is rotated by pivoting the articulation lever 141, and the pull wires 195, 197 are thereby displaced accordingly along the guide groove 135. The bending of the bendable shaft section 107 is thus manually controlled by the user of the endoscope 101.

[0073] In an alternative version of the control device 131 shown in Figure 7, it has a drop-shaped control wheel 233. The ring clip 143 is arranged on the outside surrounding the round section of the drop-shaped control wheel 233 as described above and is inserted on the inside in the tapered drop-shaped part. The crimp sleeve 199 as a connection between the two pull wires 195, 197 is held in the guide groove 135 by the ring clip 143 as described above. In addition, the control device 131 has a securing clip 161 which presses from the outside through a hole in the side wall in the tapered part of the drop-shaped control wheel 233 against the inside outer wall of the ring clip 143 and thus secures the ring clip 143 in its position. Otherwise, the control device 131 is designed as described above and is actuated as described above.

[0074] An alternative control device 231 has a drop-shaped control wheel 233 and an articulation lever 141. In the tapered part of the drop-shaped control wheel 233, between the drive shaft 137 and the guide groove 135, an opening 236 is arranged through the thickness of the drop-shaped control wheel 233. The ends of the first pull wire 195 and the second pull wire 197 are in turn fastened to one another in a crimp sleeve 199. The crimp sleeve 199 is received within a holding clip 243. The holding clip 243 has a clamping lug 251 which is passed through a hole 253 in a clamping wall 255, wherein the clamping lug 251, in the fastened state, presses against the clamping surface 138 within the opening 236 (see Figures 8 and 9). Accordingly, during assembly, the retaining clip 243 is pushed through the hole 253 orthogonally to the longitudinal alignment of the drive shaft 137 until the clamping lug 251 is clamped in the opening 236.Because the retaining clip 243 is located at a position of the drop-shaped steering wheel 233 with the largest radius, it has the same haptics when operated by means of the articulation lever 141 as a circular steering wheel with a consistently largest radius, despite the otherwise reduced size of the drop-shaped steering wheel 233.

[0075] Thus, a handpiece 121 is provided with a modularly adaptable control device 131, 231, in which both the control wheel 133, 233 and a clip 143, 243 for securing the pull wires 195, 197 to the control wheel 133, 233 are flexibly adaptable, so that a similar, familiar feel is guaranteed for the user both with control wheels 133, 233 with small and with large diameters. List of reference symbols 101 Endoscope 103 shaft 105 flexible shaft section 107 bendable shaft section 109 Camera head 111 distal end 113 proximal end 115 proximal direction 117 adapters 121 Handpiece 123 housings 125 upper handle shell 127 lower handle 131 Control device 133 Steering wheel 135 guide groove 136 recess 137 drive shaft 138 clamping surface 139 Hub 141 Articulation lever 143 Ring clip 145 power cables 147 valve body 151 first clamping element 152 second clamping element 157 Guide element 159 Anti-rotation element 161 Safety clip 195 first pull wire 197 second pull wire 199 Crimp sleeve 231 Control device 233 drop-shaped steering wheel 236 Breakthrough 243 Retaining clip 251 Clamping lug 253 holes 255 clipboard

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Control device (131, 231) for an endoscopic device (101) with a bendable shaft section (107), wherein the control device (131, 231) has a control element (133, 233), an actuating element (141) and at least one Bowden cable with at least one pulling element (195, 197), wherein the at least one pulling element (195, 197) is guided at least partially along the control element (133, 233), and has a clamping device (143, 243) with at least one clamping element (151, 152, 251), characterized in that the at least one clamping element (151, 152, 251) is connected to the control element (133, 233) in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting manner and by means of the clamping device (143, 243) the at least one tension element (195, 197) is attached to the control element (133, 233).

2. Control device (131, 231) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (131, 231) has at least one second Bowden cable and optionally further Bowden cables, each with at least one tension element (195, 197).

3. Control device (131, 231) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control element (133, 233) has at least one counter-clamping section for engaging and / or encompassing by means of the at least one clamping element (151, 152, 251).

4. Control device (131, 231) according to claim 3, characterized in that the counter-clamping section is formed as a recess (136), an undercut and / or a shaped surface (138) in and / or on the control element (133, 233).

5. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element is designed as a control wheel (133, 233) with a rotation axis (137) 6. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233) is circular, substantially oval or drop-shaped.

7. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (143, 243) is at least partially annular.

8. Control device (131, 231) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the clamping device (143) is fastened to the at least one clamping element (151, 152) in a fastening direction along the axis of rotation (137) of the steering wheel (133).

9. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the clamping device (243) is fastened with the at least one clamping element (251) in a fastening direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of rotation (137) of the control wheel (233).

10. Control device (131, 231) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the clamping device (143, 243) has at least two clamping elements (151, 152), wherein the at least two clamping elements (151, 152) are arranged on opposite sides of the control element and / or control wheel (133).

11. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233) has at least one groove (135) for guiding the at least one tension element (151, 152) at least partially along the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233).

12. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control device (131, 231) has two pulling elements (151, 152) each with a proximal end and the proximal ends of the two pulling elements (151, 152) are connected to one another by means of a connecting means (199).

13. Control device (131, 231) according to claim 12, characterized in that the connecting means (199) is arranged in the groove (135) of the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233) and / or in the clamping device (143, 243) and is fastened and / or secured to the control element and / or control wheel (133, 233) by means of the clamping device (143, 243).

14. Control device (131, 231) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the annular clamping device (143, 243) is arranged externally around the groove (135) of the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233) and / or around the at least one tension element (151, 152).

15. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (143, 243) has at least one guide element (157) for guiding the at least one pulling element (151, 152).

16. Control device (131, 231) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (143, 243) comprises at least one Anti-rotation element (159, 161) for preventing rotation of the clamping device (143, 243) on the control element and / or the control wheel (133, 233).

17. Handpiece (121) for a flexible endoscopic device (101) with a bendable shaft section (107), characterized in that the handpiece (121) has a control device (131, 231) according to one of claims 1 to 16.

18. Endoscopic device (101), in particular a flexible endoscope or flexible endoscopic instrument, with a shaft (103) and a bendable shaft section (107), wherein the bendable shaft section (107) can be bent by means of at least one Bowden cable, and with a handpiece (121) arranged at a proximal end (113) of the shaft (103), characterized in that the endoscopic device (101) has a control device (131, 231) according to one of claims 1 to 16 or the handpiece is a handpiece (121) according to claim 17.

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