Handle for a medical endoscope and endoscope system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handle for a medical endoscope, the handle having a proximal support surface for the endoscope and a distal support surface for the endoscope. The extension direction of the proximal support surface is oriented at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the extension direction of the distal support surface. The present invention further relates to an endoscope system having a medical endoscope and a handle according to the present invention, the handle being connected to the endoscope.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] By using an endoscope during surgery, a surgeon can visually inspect a surgical site that is not visible to the naked eye. In addition, as part of various diagnostic methods, the endoscope enables a desired visual inspection of body regions that would otherwise not be visible. Minimally invasive surgery necessarily requires a small skin incision as access to the surgical site, and thus is impossible without the use of an endoscope for visual inspection of the surgical process and results.

[0002] Generally, an endoscope is held by the hand of a surgeon or an assistant during surgery and adjusted as needed to enable the surgeon to visually inspect the surgical site throughout the operation. However, fatigue inevitably occurs when holding and adjusting the endoscope, especially in more complex surgeries, which may adversely affect the surgical process. For example, in orthopedic spine surgery where access is made to the intervertebral region between two adjacent vertebral bodies, strict care must be taken to ensure that the nerves located near the spine are not damaged under any circumstances. This risk also increases with the duration of each surgery, due in part to the fatigue caused by holding and adjusting the endoscope.

[0003] From the prior art, a holding arm that can be freely moved within a space to support an endoscopic surgeon is known. This holding arm can firmly hold the endoscope, and thus, the endoscope can be placed at almost any position within the space. As a result, the surgeon no longer needs to hold the endoscope by hand. However, the drawback in this case is that in order to readjust the endoscope, the surgeon has to newly align the endoscope together with its holding device during the operation. This is not only simply mechanically cumbersome. Especially in the case of the aforementioned spinal surgery, the surgeon has to turn towards the holding arm to readjust the endoscope and has to move away from the currently used surgical instruments. Therefore, this new alignment is an additional step in the operation and prolongs the operation time. Furthermore, known holding arms often limit the freedom and flexibility of the surgeon. As a result, known holding arms for endoscopes are regarded by surgeons as more troublesome than useful.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, it is to develop a device that can use the endoscope for a longer period of time without losing the freedom required for the operation when adjusting the endoscope.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This object of the present invention is solved by a handle for a medical endoscope having a proximal support surface for the endoscope and a distal support surface for the endoscope. In this case, the extending direction of the proximal support surface is oriented at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the extending direction of the distal support surface.

[0006] The object of the present invention is further solved by an endoscope system comprising a medical endoscope and a handle according to the present invention. In this case, this handle is particularly detachably connected to the endoscope.

[0007] The present invention is based on the fundamental finding that the essential cause of the above-described fatigue symptoms during long-term use of an endoscope is that the endoscope is not ideally positioned in the surgeon's hand due to its geometric shape, center of gravity, and weight. An endoscope generally has an endoscope shaft oriented axially, i.e., from the proximal side towards the distal side, which shaft has a lumen for a working channel through which a plurality of surgical instruments can be inserted and moved to the surgical site, in addition to a lumen for additional lumens, such as a light channel and / or a washing channel. In recent endoscopes, visual inspection of the surgical site is usually no longer directly performed by the human eye. Instead, image information of the surgical site is digitally captured by the recent endoscope and displayed to the surgeon on a display unit. For this purpose, usually, an optical fiber connection part is formed in the form of a connection part of the endoscope, through which image information regarding the surgical site can be transmitted to the display unit by a camera cable. This optical fiber connection part usually extends at an angle other than 0° from the endoscope shaft.

[0008] The endoscope formed in this way cannot be grasped, moved, and held in an ergonomically optimal way. This causes fatigue, especially during longer surgeries. In addition, due to the additionally installed cleaning connection part of the endoscope, the center of gravity of the endoscope ideally does not exist in the surgeon's hand. This also accelerates fatigue. These problems are further exacerbated by the fact that there is no endoscope optimally formed for all hand sizes because the sizes and shapes of the hands of multiple surgeons are different. The handle according to the present invention eliminates the need to sacrifice the flexibility guaranteed when manually using the endoscope. At the same time, the handle according to the present invention enables more comfortable and more ergonomic holding, guiding, and adjustment of the endoscope. Since the handle according to the present invention can be individually manufactured without much effort for different hand sizes and shapes, it is also suitable as an endoscope adapter in a sense. By forming the proximal support surface and the distal support surface, it is guaranteed that not only the endoscope shaft but also the fiber optic connection part is comfortably placed in the surgeon's hand. Therefore, the handle according to the present invention enables the surgeon to handle the endoscope ergonomically and prevents fatigue even during longer use.

[0009] In the present invention, the proximal side refers to the direction towards the surgeon, and the distal side refers to the direction towards the patient. In this regard, the extending direction of the support surface is based on its axial component. In the present invention, the proximal side direction points forward, and the distal side direction points backward.

[0010] The handle according to the invention can be gripped by a surgeon, in particular in two different gripping positions. In the first gripping position, the surgeon's thumb and index finger surround the endoscope shaft, i.e., these fingers are oriented parallel to the extension direction of the distal support surface of the handle, while the metacarpal part of the surgeon's hand and the metacarpal part of the thumb can rest on the proximal support surface. The surgeon's ring finger and little finger surround the area of the proximal support surface of the handle. If necessary, by additionally placing the surgeon's middle finger on the endoscope shaft, it is possible to form a three-finger grip on the endoscope shaft, which is also called a tridigitaler Fingerbeerengriff. In the second gripping position, the area of the distal support surface of the handle according to the invention is surrounded by the surgeon's index finger, in which case the middle finger, ring finger and little finger do not contact the handle. The thumb is placed on the proximal support surface of the handle. Instead, the middle finger can surround the handle and the index finger can also be placed on the proximal support surface of the handle. In the standing position, the proximal support surface of the handle extends away from the surgeon's hand, in which case the endoscope shaft extends distally-downward away from the hand. Therefore, this second gripping position is particularly suitable when the patient is in the prone position during spinal surgery and the surgeon attempts to guide the endoscope perpendicular to the spine.

[0011] This handle can be formed as an integral structure and is therefore particularly easy to manufacture. This handle can also be formed to be operable by left-handed and / or right-handed people. For this purpose, this handle is formed, for example, to be symmetric with respect to a symmetry plane that spans in the axial and perpendicular directions and extends through the center of the handle.

[0012] The angle between the extension direction of the proximal support surface and the extension direction of the distal support surface is preferably 10° to 90°, particularly 10° to 80°, more preferably 15° to 75°, particularly 30° to 60°, and most preferably 45°.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the invention, it is possible to arrange at least one intermediate support surface for the endoscope between the proximal support surface and the distal support surface, which intermediate support surface can be in direct contact with the proximal support surface and / or the distal support surface. The extension direction of this intermediate support surface can form an angle of 10° to 90°, in particular 10° to 80°, more preferably 15° to 75°, in particular 30° to 60°, most preferably 45° with respect to the extension direction of the distal support surface.

[0014] The proximal support surface preferably has one depression in order to obtain a defined placement position for the endoscope, in particular for its fiber optic connection part. At the same time, this prevents the endoscope from slipping. This depression can have at least one direction component oriented in the axial direction and / or can also be formed as a groove and / or a hole. In order to hold the endoscope even more firmly so that it does not slip, this depression of the proximal support surface can in particular have a cross-section that varies axially. Thereby, in particular, it becomes possible to insert the endoscope at least partially fitting precisely into its depression.

[0015] The proximal support surface can have at least one lateral connection part in order to optimize the center of gravity of the handle for ergonomic improvement. This connection part can in particular have an arcuate outer contour, which outer contour can be ergonomically shaped. This outer contour can be adapted to the fingers and / or hand of the surgeon and serves as a support surface for this purpose. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, in order to enable right-handed and left-handed operation, this proximal support surface has one connection part on each side of the handle.

[0016] Preferably, the proximal support surface has at least one undercut arranged in a particularly proximal region of the proximal support surface. Particularly preferably, this undercut is arranged in the proximal end region of the proximal support surface. This undercut functions as a support for the endoscope and prevents the endoscope from slipping in the proximal direction, in particular from slipping off the handle.

[0017] The distal support surface preferably has at least one depression having a direction component in the axial direction in particular. This depression is preferably oriented parallel to the axial direction. This depression of the distal support surface can be formed so as to have at least a partially circular cross-section and / or can be formed so as to prevent the endoscope from sliding laterally in the region of the distal support surface. This depression can be configured to have a constant cross-section over its entire length. In a further embodiment of the invention, the width of this depression, in particular its cross-section, may taper from the proximal side towards the distal side.

[0018] The distal support surface has at least one protrusion in its distal region, and this protrusion functions as a support for the endoscope, so that the endoscope is prevented from sliding distally relative to the handle. In particular, in combination with the undercut of the proximal support surface, this protrusion of the distal support surface is effective for the handle to be connected to the endoscope in a snap-fit connection at least in the axial direction. This protrusion can extend axially over at least a part of the axial length of the distal support surface in order to reduce the risk of breakage of the protrusion when mechanical stress is applied to the handle. This protrusion extends, for example, over an axial length of about 10 mm to 20 mm, in particular 13 mm to 15 mm.

[0019] Particularly preferably, this protrusion is formed as a partially annular connecting portion and / or integrally with the handle. This protrusion of the distal support surface can extend circumferentially over at least 180° in order to maintain the connection by the snap-fit connection between the endoscope and the handle.

[0020] Most preferably, this projection is formed as an annular connecting portion. Preferably, the inner diameter of this connecting portion is the same as the diameter of the depression on the distal support surface, and as a result, an endoscope can be disposed within the space defined by the distal support surface and the connecting portion. In combination with the annular connecting portion, the region of the endoscope, particularly the region of the endoscope shaft, can be surrounded by the connecting portion of the handle over its entire circumference, and as a result, the endoscope cannot fall off the handle. Thereby, the handle can be connected to the endoscope in a fitting and engaging manner.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, this projection has at least one, particularly two depressions, and in this case, this at least one depression may be oriented axially in order to improve the accommodation of the endoscope within the handle. When the endoscope has a plurality of lateral cleaning connections formed, for example, as a luer lock connection, in particular, these cleaning connections can engage with the plurality of depressions of the projection, particularly the depressions of the annular connecting portion. These depressions can be formed as through openings, for example, molded as recesses, and serve to improve the accommodation of the endoscope within the handle of the endoscope. Further, due to these depressions, it becomes possible to fixedly attach the endoscope in a rotationally fixed manner, particularly with respect to an axially oriented rotation axis.

[0022] The distal support surface can have at least one, particularly a lateral projection, in its proximal region, preferably in the transition region to the intermediate support surface. This projection is preferably oriented perpendicular to the axial direction and particularly functions as a support for the endoscope to prevent the endoscope from sliding in the proximal direction. In particular, in some embodiments of the endoscope, this at least one projection serves as a support for the cleaning connection disposed at an angle other than 0° with respect to the axial direction in the lateral direction of the endoscope. Preferably, one projection is disposed on each side of the depression on the distal support surface.

[0023] The proximal support surface can be formed to support and / or accommodate the optical fiber connection portion and / or the camera connection portion of the endoscope.

[0024] At least one intermediate support surface has at least one depression for the endoscope, and in this case, this at least one depression of this at least one intermediate support surface can have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the depression of the distal support surface. This at least one intermediate support surface can be formed to support and / or accommodate the optical fiber connection part and / or the camera connection part of the endoscope. Preferably, the distal support surface is formed to support and / or accommodate the endoscope, in particular the endoscope shaft.

[0025] This handle can have a projection in its distal end region, in particular on its distal end face, and the extending direction of the projection has a direction component oriented perpendicular to the axial direction. Therefore, this projection on the distal end face can serve as a support for the surgeon's finger, for example, the index finger, and improves the ergonomic characteristics of the handle. In another embodiment of the present invention, this projection can be oriented obliquely rearward and rearward proximal. To improve the ergonomic characteristics of the handle, its back can have a parabolic outer contour in at least some regions, and in this case, in particular, the apex of the outer contour is configured to be arranged at the axial height of the distal support surface. In the region of this apex, the handle can accommodate a depression directed towards the distal support surface, and this depression particularly has a bow-shaped cross-section and / or is arranged annularly.

[0026] To avoid damage to the endoscope, the material of this handle can be selected to have a hardness smaller than that of the endoscope. Preferably, this material is sterilizable, in particular sterilizable by autoclave. In addition, the material of this handle can be biocompatible and can have at least one component made of a thermoplastic substance and / or a homopolymer. Preferably, this handle has or is composed of polyamide 12, also called PA12 or polylauryl lactam. Furthermore, the roughness of this handle can be less than 12 μm, and this roughness is the average roughness R a , the secondary roughness R q , or the average roughness depth R zIt corresponds to. Further, the weight of this handle can be less than 500 g, particularly less than 200 g, preferably less than 150 g, and most preferably less than 100 g. This handle may be formed as a disposable instrument or may be reusable. Preferably, this handle is formed to be symmetric with respect to the axis of symmetry including the axial direction.

[0027] The endoscope of the endoscope system can be connected to the handle in a fitting and coupling manner or a friction coupling manner, and in particular, can be clamped and / or locked to the handle. Preferably, the endoscope has at least one optical output part and / or at least one cleaning connection part, thereby creating an additional locking possibility for the endoscope in the present invention. This endoscope can be configured as an orthopedic endoscope, in particular, for performing translaminar and / or interlaminar and / or intradiscal and / or cervical spine surgeries. Preferably, this endoscope is formed as a foraminoscope (foraminotomy microscope) and / or as a pedicle scope and / or as a nucleoscope intranuclear endoscope.

[0028] In a further development of this endoscope system, the endoscope can be in direct contact with the proximal support surface and the distal support surface of the handle. The optical fiber connection part and / or the camera connection part of the endoscope can be placed on the proximal support surface of the handle and / or can be accommodated by the proximal support surface. Further, the optical fiber connection part and / or the camera connection part of the endoscope can be configured to be placed on at least one intermediate support surface of the handle and / or to be accommodated by the intermediate support surface. Further, the endoscope, particularly its endoscope shaft, can be configured to be placed on the distal support surface of the handle and / or to be accommodated by the distal support surface.

[0029] Further advantages and features of the present invention can be found in the claims and the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0031] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a handle 10 according to the present invention for a medical endoscope 39 (not shown in FIG. 1), and the handle 10 has a proximal support surface 11, an intermediate support surface 12, and a distal support surface 13. In the present invention, the proximal direction indicates the direction of the user, and the distal direction indicates the direction of the patent. This extending direction from the proximal side to the distal side is the axial direction. The intermediate support surface 12 is disposed between the proximal support surface 11 and the distal support surface 13.

[0032] In FIG. 1, since the extending direction of the distal support surface 13 of the handle 10 is oriented parallel to the axial direction, the endoscope shaft 40 (not shown in FIG. 1) can be axially arranged on the distal support surface 13. To stabilize the endoscope shaft 40 on the distal support surface 13, the distal support surface has a recess 14 with a partially circular cross-section over its entire length, and the cross-section of this recess is constant over the entire length of the distal support surface 13. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the recess 14 is formed as a groove. This is also shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2 and the front view according to FIG. 3. The shape of this handle 10 is symmetric with respect to a symmetry plane (not shown) including the axial direction oriented parallel to the extending direction of the handle 10. Therefore, FIG. 2 essentially corresponds to FIG. 1.

[0033] In the distal region 15, the distal support surface has an annular connecting portion 16 with an axial length of about 10 mm to 20 mm to prevent the endoscope shaft 40 from falling off the handle 10. This connecting portion 16 is hollow cylindrical and axially oriented. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner diameter of this connecting portion is the same as the diameter of the recess 14 of the distal support surface 13.

[0034] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the proximal region 17 of the connecting portion 16, two oppositely arranged elongated hole-shaped recesses 18 are formed as depressions, and these depressions serve to accommodate a luer-lock type connection portion arranged in the lateral direction of the endoscope, such as the cleaning connection portion 42, and further can ensure the auxiliary fixation of the endoscope 39 in terms of preventing rotation. From the side views of FIGS. 4 and 5, especially the enlarged side view of the recess 18 of the connecting portion according to FIG. 6, it can be seen that the outer contours 19 of these recesses 18 are each parabolic, and these recesses 18 are smoothly transitioned to the left side of FIG. 6 without steps by the distal support surface 13 (not shown).

[0035] In the distal end region 20, the distal support surface 13 has a projection 21 which extends downward in the proximal direction and forms the distal end face of the handle 10. According to the side views of FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal surface of the projection 21 extends obliquely rearward and proximally rearward to function as a support for the surgeon's finger. Due to the axisymmetric shape of the handle 10 described above, the view in FIG. 5 corresponds to the view in FIG. 4.

[0036] In the proximal region, the distal support surface 13 has two lateral projections 22 facing each other, which function as a support for the endoscope 39 and prevent the proximal end of the endoscope from falling off.

[0037] The intermediate support surface 12 is directly adjacent to the proximal side of the distal support surface 13. In this case, the extending direction of this intermediate support surface 12 is arranged at an angle of 35° with respect to the extending direction of the distal support surface 13. This intermediate support surface 12 also has a partially circular depression 24 which is formed as a groove to accommodate the optical fiber connection part 41 or the camera connection part of the endoscope 39 (not shown). Therefore, the diameter of the depression 24 of the intermediate support surface 12 is smaller than the diameter of the depression 14 of the distal support surface 13. In the proximal region 25 of the intermediate support surface 12, an undercut 26 is provided in the region of its depression 24 to prevent the endoscope 39 from accidentally falling off.

[0038] On both sides of the depression 24 of the intermediate support surface 12, that is, perpendicular to the axial direction, one connecting part 27 is integrally formed on the intermediate support surface 12, and these function as finger rests when the handle 10 is used.

[0039] The intermediate support surface 12 transitions to the proximal support surface 11 proximally. The extending direction of the proximal support surface 11 is arranged at an angle of 25° with respect to the extending direction of the intermediate support surface 12, and thus at an angle of 60° with respect to the extending direction of the distal support surface 13. The proximal support surface 11 has a depression 28. In this case, particularly according to FIGS. 1 to 3, a projection 29 which functions as a support for the endoscope 39 is formed between the depression 24 of the intermediate support surface 12 and the depression 28 of the proximal support surface 11.

[0040] The diameter of the recess 28 of the proximal support surface 11 is variable over its length in order to snugly accommodate the endoscope 39. In the proximal region 30 of the proximal support surface 11, the recess 28 of the proximal support surface 11 has an undercut 31, which functions as an axial support for the endoscope 39 and prevents the endoscope 39 from dropping off proximally.

[0041] On both sides of the recess 28 of the proximal support surface 11, a plurality of connecting portions 32 extending perpendicular to the axial direction are integrally formed on the proximal support surface 11, and these function as finger rests for the user. For ergonomic reasons, these connecting portions 32 each have an arcuate upper outer contour 33.

[0042] According to the side views of FIGS. 4 and 5, the back surface 34 of the handle 10 has a substantially parabolic outer contour 35, and the apex 36 thereof is arranged at the axial height of the distal support surface 13, so that the surgeon can hold the endoscope 39 ergonomically. In the region of the apex 36, the handle 10 has an annular recess 37 with an arcuate cross-section oriented towards the distal support surface 13 in order to improve the ergonomic characteristics of the handle 10. This is also apparent from the proximal rear view of the handle 10 according to FIG. 7, as well as from the view rotated 180° according to FIG. 8.

[0043] The handle 10 enables two particular gripping positions, which will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In this case, the endoscope shaft 40 (not shown in FIG. 4) is arranged vertically and passes through the annular connecting portion 16 of the distal support surface 13. The fiber optic connection portion 41 of the endoscope 39 is placed on the intermediate support surface 12 and the proximal support surface 11 and extends upward and to the right as shown in FIG. 4. In the first gripping position, for example, the right hand of the surgeon approaches the handle 10 from above, i.e., from the proximal side, as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the index finger and the thumb come into contact with the endoscope shaft 40 (not shown in FIG. 4), i.e., they are directed axially. At this time, the metacarpal part of the surgeon's hand is placed on the lateral connecting portion 32 of the proximal support surface 11. If necessary, the index finger can be disengaged from the endoscope shaft 40 and grasp the distal end region 20 of the handle 10, i.e., the distal protrusion 21 of the distal support surface 13 as a support. FIG. 12 shows the arrangement of the endoscope 39 in the first gripping position on the handle 10 connected to the endoscope.

[0044] In the second gripping position, for example, the left hand of the surgeon approaches the handle 10 from the left side as shown in FIG. 4. The index finger of the surgeon surrounds the apex 36 of the outer contour 35 of the back surface 34 of the handle 10, while the thumb is placed on the endoscope shaft (not shown in FIG. 4). FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of the endoscope 39 in the second gripping position on the handle 10 connected to the endoscope.

[0045] The handle 10 according to the present invention is formed symmetrically with respect to a symmetry plane that extends axially and vertically and passes through the center of the handle 10. As a result, the handle 10 according to the present invention can be operated by both left-handed and right-handed people, particularly with respect to the two gripping positions described above.

[0046] FIG. 9 shows an endoscope system 38 according to the present invention, which includes a handle 10 and an endoscope 39 removably connected to the handle. The endoscope 39 is removably connected to the handle so as to contact the proximal support surface 11, the intermediate support surface 12, and the distal support surface 13 of the handle 10. In this case, the fiber optic connection portion 41 to the camera connection portion of the endoscope 39 engages with the depression 28 of the proximal support surface 11 and is oriented at an angle of about 60° with respect to the extending direction of the axially oriented endoscope shaft 40. The endoscope 39 engages with the depression 14 of the distal support surface 13 of the handle 10 and passes through the annular connecting portion 16. The endoscope 39 is provided with a plurality of cleaning connection portions 42, and each of these cleaning connection portions is arranged at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the extending direction of the endoscope 39, that is, also with respect to the endoscope shaft 40, and is formed as a luer lock connection portion respectively. This is also clear from the front view of the endoscope system 38 in FIG. 10.

[0047] Since each of these cleaning connection portions 42 is in contact with the protrusion 23 of the distal support surface 13, the proximal movement of the endoscope 39 with respect to the handle 10 is prevented. The distal movement of the endoscope 39 with respect to the handle 10 is prevented by the cleaning connection portion 42 of the endoscope 39 passing through the depression 18 of the annular connecting portion 16. FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the endoscope system 38.

[0048] FIG. 12 shows the endoscope system 38 according to FIG. 9 in a side view, where in this case the handle 10 is in the first gripping position already described, and in this position the fiber optic connection portion 41 of the endoscope 39 is in contact with the proximal support surface 11 of the handle 10. FIG. 13 shows the endoscope system 38 according to FIG. 9 where the fiber optic connection portion 41 is in the second gripping position already described, and in this position the fiber optic connection portion 41 of the endoscope 39 is not in contact with the proximal support surface 11 of the handle 10. In this second gripping position, the endoscope 39 is rotated 180° about its longitudinal axis compared to the first gripping position. In both gripping positions, the endoscope shaft 40 passes through the annular connection portion 16, and a plurality of cleaning connection portions 42 contact a plurality of protrusions 23 on one hand and pass through the recesses 18 on the other hand, so a secure and snap - fit connection of the endoscope 39 with the handle 10 is ensured.

Claims

1. A handle (10) for a medical endoscope (39), In the handle comprising a proximal support surface (11) for the endoscope (39) and a distal support surface (13) for the endoscope (39), The extending direction of the proximal support surface (11) is oriented at an angle greater than 0° with respect to the extending direction of the distal support surface (13), Handle.

2. The handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle between the extending direction of the proximal support surface (11) and the extending direction of the distal support surface (13) is 10° to 90°, particularly 45°.

3. The handle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one intermediate support surface (12) for the endoscope (39) is arranged between the proximal support surface (11) and the distal support surface (13).

4. The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the proximal support surface (11) has one depression (28).

5. The handle according to claim 4, characterized in that the depression (28) of the proximal support surface (11) has a variable cross-section.

6. The proximal support surface (11) has at least one lateral connecting portion (32), The connecting portion (32) particularly has an arcuate outer contour (33), The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the proximal support surface (11) has an undercut (31) in the proximal region (30).

8. The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the distal support surface (13) has one depression (24), and the depression (24) particularly has an at least partially annular cross-section.

9. The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the distal support surface (13) has one protrusion (16) in the distal region (15), and particularly the protrusion (16) is at least partially formed in an annular shape.

10. The handle according to claim 9, characterized in that the protrusion (16) extends circumferentially over at least 180°.

11. The projection (16) is formed as an annular connecting portion (16), in particular, the inner diameter of the connecting portion (16) is the same as the diameter of the recess (14) of the distal support surface (13). The handle according to claim 9 or 10.

12. The projection (16) has at least one, in particular two, recesses (18), in particular, the at least one recess (18) is axially oriented. The handle according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. The distal support surface (13) has at least one, in particular two or more, lateral projections (23) in the proximal region (22). The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The handle (10) has one projection (21) in the distal end region (20) of the handle (10), The extending direction of the projection (21) has a direction component perpendicular to the axial direction. The handle according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An endoscope system (38) comprising a medical endoscope (39) and a handle (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, The handle (10) is particularly detachably connected to the endoscope (39). Endoscope system (38).

16. The endoscope (39) is in contact with the proximal support surface (11) and the distal support surface (13) of the handle (10). The endoscope system according to claim 15.

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