Equipment connection device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

To provide an instrument connection device for instruments that require gas supply and current supply, and a method for production thereof.SOLUTION: An instrument connection device 11 has a flexible hose-like body 19 with a flexible wall 20 in which a proximal end 24 of a hose 12 is inserted, where the hose is part of an instrument or leads up to the instrument. The hose comprises a lumen that extends longitudinally through the hose. In addition, a wire 26 is arranged inside the hose, e.g., inside the lumen. The wire is guided through a punctured hole 27 produced by the wire itself during penetration of the flexible wall. The punctured hole is preferably straight and guides obliquely, i.e., inclined to radial and also longitudinal center axes, through the flexible wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an appliance connection device, particularly for appliances that require a gas supply and an electrical supply. Further, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing such an appliance connection device.

Background Art

[0002] Surgical instruments for treating the human or animal body, which require a gas supply and an electrical supply for operation, are known. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,717,911 discloses an instrument configured as a flexible probe consisting of a long hose having a lumen through which substantially wires extend. At the distal end of the hose, the ends of the wires are held substantially in the center of the hose, thus defining electrodes. During operation, a high-frequency alternating voltage is applied to the wires and argon flows through the lumen of the hose. A plasma jet is generated at the distal end of the probe.

[0003] To connect such an instrument to a supply device, European Patent No. 1,515,659 describes a connector having a housing in which the proximal end of the probe is disposed. There, the housing is connected to a gas junction provided with a gas path lumen connecting the hose to a filter. Further, the gas junction guides an electric wire outside the lumen of the hose, thereby sealing the lumen of the hose against the outside.

[0004] This appliance connection device has generally proven itself, but requires significant manufacturing effort.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide an appliance connection device that can be manufactured simply but is reliable in the long term.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This objective is addressed by the appliance connection device described in claim 1. Furthermore, the method described in claim 15 contributes to solving the problem of the present invention insofar as it demonstrates a simple method for manufacturing a reliable appliance connection device.

[0007] The instrument connection device according to the present invention comprises a gas joint having a hollow cylindrical body in which a flexible wall is part thereof. The wall restricts through passages defined concentrically in the longitudinal or axial direction. This longitudinal axis is the central axis of the hollow cylindrical body. A puncture hole is provided within the wall of the hollow cylindrical body, through which a wire extends. This wire then extends inside a hose, which can be an instrument connection hose or can be part of an instrument. This allows the wire to extend through the lumen of the hose or to be embedded entirely or partially within the hose material, for example, within a section. Furthermore, the wire can be positioned axially (longitudinally) and, if desired, can be movable laterally within the lumen of the hose or can be fixed in the axial direction inside the hose.

[0008] The hose is positioned inside the passage of the flexible hollow cylindrical body, in contact with its wall, thereby creating an airtight connection between the hollow cylindrical body and the hose. Preferably, the body wall is pre-tensioned and in contact with the hose. In particular, the connection is considered airtight if no gas flow occurs along the wire through the hose wall, especially at a pressure difference of at least 500 mbar. Preferably, the wall thickness of the body and its material properties are such that, in terms of material selection and elasticity, gas flow does not occur along the wire through the hose wall, even at higher pressure differences of, for example, 1, 2, 3, or 4 bar.

[0009] A puncture hole is a hole created by the displacement of a material. Preferably, the puncture hole is formed solely by displacing the material without removing it. This is distinct from holes or perforations created by ablation or removal of the material. In contrast, a puncture hole formed within a flexible wall according to the present invention is elastically expanded by a wire, thereby causing the flexible wall of the gas joint to adhere tightly to the wire in a sealed manner. Preferably, the flexible wall is elastically pre-tensioned in the puncture hole and abuts against the wire. In other words, the flexible wall is subjected to elastic pre-tension in the puncture hole. When the wire is removed, the puncture hole tends to close. Therefore, the wire can be passed through and guided in the puncture hole without a gasket. No sealing material is required on the wire, either inside the passage or outside the elastic body. The elastic body itself seals the metal wire. However, sealing material can be applied on the wire and outside the elastic body where the wire separates from the elastic body, for example, in the form of an adhesive. However, this is merely an option, and in many cases, it is not necessary.

[0010] The wire is preferably bare metal, i.e., without a non-metallic surface coating. However, for example, a plastic coating that adheres firmly to its surface can be provided. Regardless, it is possible to heat the wire after it has penetrated the wall in order to melt it into the wall. If a non-metallic, fusible coating is provided on the wire, this coating can be melted at least locally by means of energy, such as radiation, heat, or ultrasound, to create an additional sealing effect and / or adhesive bond with the wall material.

[0011] Preferably, the puncture hole is oriented obliquely to the wall. In this way, the wire also extends obliquely to the wall and, therefore, obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the elastic body through the wall. By these means, namely by the expansion of the puncture hole and the wire deviating radially, the contact surface between the wire and the wall of the elastic body is maximized, which assists in the sealing effect.

[0012] However, the angle between the longitudinal direction of the through-passage and the puncture hole or the wire guided through the puncture hole is preferably greater than 10°, greater than 20°, greater than 30°, or even greater than 40°. However, in any case, this angle is preferably 90° or less, more preferably less than 80°, or less than 70°. An angle of less than 60° is particularly preferred. This allows for easy manufacturing and provides a reliable, airtight wire passage in the long term.

[0013] Preferably, the body has greater flexibility than the hose. This ensures that the flexible body adheres tightly to the hose in a sealed manner. Because the hose is slightly flexible due to its lower flexibility, it can be inserted into the passage of the flexible body. In this way, the inner diameter of the passage can be (slightly) smaller than the outer diameter of the hose. After insertion, the hose is held in place within the passage by friction fitting. To prevent leaks and support the friction fitting, a clamping device can be provided within the device connection device to locally bias the elastic body radially inward, thereby increasing the pressure between the elastic body and the hose.

[0014] The elastic body can be made of silicone plastic. The hose can be made of a different plastic, such as polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, TPA, Pebax, polyethylene, polypropylene, or another suitable plastic.

[0015] If the wire is axially fixed inside the hose, the wire can be inserted into the body together with the hose during the manufacture of the instrument connection device. This is especially true if the wire is flexible, in which case it is made of an elastic, flexible material such as a steel wire. Flexibility is provided in reference to penetration resistance, i.e., in relation to the longitudinal force applied to the wire, when used like a needle to penetrate the wall of an elastic body. Therefore, it is preferable that the wire be flexible along a length of at least 1 cm to 2 cm. Preferably, the wire has even higher flexibility so that it can penetrate the wall of the body without bending, even with a free cantilever length of at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, or at least 5 cm. Thus, during the manufacture of a gas bushing, the wire can be used as a tool to create a puncture hole. Preferably, the wire is punctured into the wall only once and then remains inside the puncture hole without being removed again.

[0016] If the wire is not axially fixed inside the hose, the wire can be inserted into the body during the manufacture of the fixture connection device, initially without the hose. After the wire has penetrated the wall of the body, the hose can be threaded through the wire and inserted into the body. If the wire is exposed, i.e., penetrated by the wall without the hose, it is advantageous that the wire has high bending resistance so that the pressing force applied to the wire outside the body to penetrate the wall is applied to the wire tip. However, if the wire has lower pressure resistance or bending resistance, the wire can be inserted into the body by a tool that holds it at a distance from its proximal end, leaving only a proximal free cantilever (sufficiently short) section to penetrate the wall.

[0017] A method for manufacturing an appliance connection device provides arranging a hollow cylindrical body so as to bend at a certain point by at least about 30°, thereby causing a straight section (leg) of the body to extend from the bent portion. A hose with a wire end protruding is then pushed into the straight section of the body, thereby causing the wire to penetrate the wall of the hollow cylindrical body at the bent portion. If desired, the wire can be pointed or sharp at its penetration end, i.e., it can be provided with a needle tip or cutting edge. After penetrating the hollow cylindrical body, the body is released, thereby causing the body to spring back to its extended position. This completes the gas joint for the appliance connection device. The method can also be particularly carried out when the body is inclined to penetrate at an angle greater than 30°, for example, 40°, 60°, 90°, 100°, 110°, 120° or more.

[0018] After penetrating the wall of the flexible hollow cylindrical body, the wire can be slightly heated to create an adhesive bond at the puncture hole between the material of the hollow cylindrical body and the surface of the wire. However, this is optional and depends on the material properties of the hollow cylindrical body.

[0019] Further details relating to the advantageous aspects of the present invention are derived from the claims and the following drawings, which form part of this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a device with an instrument connection device. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an open partial cross-sectional view of the device connection device. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is an open partial cross-section of the gas connection portion of the appliance connection device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a portion of the wall of the hollow cylindrical body of a gas joint with a puncture hole. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the wall having a puncture hole into which a wire is inserted. [Figure 6] It is a schematic view of a partially longitudinally cut instrument connection device during the generation of a puncture hole. [Figure 7] It is a view showing the instrument connection device according to FIG. 6 after generating a wire passage for the wire. [Figure 8] It is a view showing a modified embodiment of an instrument connection device similar to FIG. 2 having a gas filter.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] FIG. 1 shows an instrument 10 in the form of a flexible probe, for example, suitable for endoscopic treatment of a human or animal patient. This instrument 10 merely shows the present invention as an example. The present invention can be similarly used with instruments of different configurations, for example, instruments for open surgery or laparoscopic instruments. However, it is common to all such instruments that a hose 12 extends distally from the instrument connection device 11 and the hose is a supply hose for the instrument 10 itself or, as shown in FIG. 1, is part of the instrument itself. In the example according to FIG. 1, the hose 12 forms the proximal end of the instrument. In other instruments, the hose 12 may be a supply hose that does not necessarily have to be regarded as part of the instrument.

[0022] The instrument connection device 11 serves to supply a gaseous medium such as argon, another inert gas, a reactive gas, or a liquid, as well as voltage and / or current to the instrument 10. The device shown in FIG. 1 as an example is an argon plasma probe that must be supplied with argon and alternating current for operation. However, the instrument connection device 11 is also suitable for other instruments that must be supplied with power via an electric wire or with gas (or liquid) via a hose lumen. The present invention is particularly suitable for such instruments in which the electric wire is arranged inside the hose 12.

[0023] The device connection device 11 comprises, for example, an electrical contact 13 configured in the form of at least one pin or other manner for supplying current or voltage, and one or more additional electrical contacts 14 as needed. The electrical contacts 13, 14 may be pin contacts held parallel to each other within the connector housing 15.

[0024] The appliance connection device 11 also includes a gas connection connector 16, which may be configured, for example, by a flexible hose-like connector piece located near or between contact pins 13 and 14.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the appliance connection device 11 with the connector housing 15 open. The illustrated housing shell of the connector housing 15 comprises, in this case, pin-shaped electrical contacts 13, 14 and a gas connection piece 16, all of which are fixedly held within or on the connector housing 15. The gas connection piece 16 can be configured as a flexible sleeve. The connector housing 15 also encloses an interior 17 where a gas joint 18 is located. This gas joint 18 serves to connect the electrical supply and gas supply of the appliance 10. For this purpose, the gas joint 18 comprises a hollow cylindrical hose-like body 19 having a flexible wall 20. The body 19 preferably encloses a through passage 21 having a longitudinal central axis 22 that extends linearly (stretched).

[0026] The wall 20 is made of a flexible spring-elastic plastic, preferably silicone plastic. The proximal end of the gas joint 18 is fluidly connected to the gas connection piece 16. For this purpose, a housing structure can be provided (for example, a fluid connector 31 configured of the plug type).

[0027] The proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is inserted into the distal end 23 of the main body 20. The hose surrounds at least one lumen 25, which preferably extends from the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 to the distal end of the hose 12, or to the distal end of the device 10, as is particularly evident from Figure 3. The hose 12 may also have multiple lumens extending parallel to each other along the length of the hose.

[0028] The proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is inserted without any play and therefore makes tight, gap-free contact with the wall 20 of the flexible body 19 inside the passage 21. This creates an airtight connection between the passage 21 and the lumen 25.

[0029] Inside the lumen 25, a wire 26 is positioned, protruding from the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 and crossing the wall 20 at the puncture hole 27. Alternatively, the wire can be embedded in the plastic material of the hose 12. If the hose 12 has multiple lumens, the wire 26 can also be positioned to extend through one of the lumens or through the material of the hose 12.

[0030] The wire 26 is preferably a bend-resistant wire, such as a spring steel wire or a wire made of another elastic, bend-resistant material. The bend resistance of the wire 26 is preferably high enough that the wire 26, having a free cantilever length of 1 cm to 2 cm, can penetrate the wall 20 when moving toward the wall. This is also preferably true when the face ends of the wire 26 are not particularly sharp and consist only of shear or fracture surfaces. Thus, it is clear that the expression of bend resistance also depends on the penetration strength of the wall 20, and therefore the material properties of the wall 20, their thickness, and the selected free cantilever length of the wire 26. However, a spring steel wire with a diameter of 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm has sufficient bend resistance for wall thicknesses up to several millimeters in the case of ordinary flexible silicone materials and cantilever lengths of up to 2 cm or more. The method according to the present invention can be particularly easily implemented by a wire that is tilt-resistant and bend-resistant enough to also allow free cantilever lengths of at least 3 cm, at least 4 cm, or at least 5 cm.

[0031] The wire 26 can be uniformly constructed along its entire length extending through the lumen 25, or it can have joints inside or outside the gas joint 18, and therefore each section can be made of a different material. In addition, the wire 26 can be surface coated, which may include, for example, a silver coating or another metallic coating, such as a copper coating, either completely or partially. It is also possible to provide the wire (e.g., a bare steel wire or a metal-coated steel wire) in addition to a non-metallic coating that adheres immovably to its surface, particularly a thermoplastic coating. The non-metallic coating may extend along the entire length of the wire, or only over a section of its length, for example, over the portion protruding from the hose 12.

[0032] The puncture hole 27 is preferably punctured by the wire 26 itself and thus created without removing any material. When the wire 26 is removed from the puncture hole 27, the puncture hole closes at least almost or completely again under the elastic release of the wall 20, as shown in Figure 4. However, when the wire 26 is present in the puncture hole 27, as shown in Figure 5, the wall 20 is subjected to pre-tension and comes into contact with the wire 26, thus sealing it there. In doing so, the wall of the puncture hole 27 forms an airtight wire passage with the wire 26.

[0033] Preferably, the puncture hole 27 is positioned at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 22 of the through-passage 21. This limits the angle between the puncture hole 27 and the longitudinal axis 22 to 90° or less, preferably less than 80°, more preferably less than 70°, and best less than 60°. On the other hand, the angle is greater than 10°, preferably greater than 20°, better greater than 30°, and preferably greater than 40°. This dimensional setting achieves both easy productivity and good sealing of the wire passage.

[0034] The wire 36 can be loosely positioned inside the lumen 25 so that there is no rigid axial connection between the wire 26 and the hose 12. However, the wire 26 can also be fixedly connected to the hose 12 in the axial direction, for example, by the holders that are positioned therein, or by the structure of the hose 12 inside the lumen 25.

[0035] To further illustrate the present invention, Figures 6 and 7 show the essential manufacturing steps of the gas joint 18.

[0036] To manufacture the gas joint 18, first a hollow cylindrical body 19 and a wire 26 are provided. The wire 26 can be provided as a bare wire, or together with the hose 12 if it is connected to the hose 12, so that the proximal end 28 of the wire 26 protrudes from the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 by a desired amount, for example, 1 cm to 2 cm, or several centimeters.

[0037] The main body 19 is given the inclined shape shown in Figure 6, having a bent portion 29 inclined at approximately 30° or more. An angle greater than 90° is preferred. At least one straight leg portion 30, provided for accommodating the proximal end 24 of the hose 12, extends from the bent position 29.

[0038] Here, the wire 26 is inserted into the leg 30 such that its proximal end 28 strikes this position in the wall 20, preferably at approximately a right angle. Further advancement of the wire 26 has the effect of penetrating the wall 20 while creating a puncture hole 27. Simultaneously or subsequently, the hose 12 is inserted into the leg 30 with its proximal end 24.

[0039] After performing this procedure, the gas joint 18, completed to this extent, is removed from the holding device so that the bent portion 29 can be released and extended again. The gas joint 18 then takes on approximately the shape shown in Figure 7. Depending on the spring constants of the wire 26 and the wall 20, the wall is either straight again in a completely hollow cylindrical shape, or still slightly inclined, as shown in Figure 7. However, the wire 26 is inserted liquid-tightly into the puncture hole 27.

[0040] In the next step, the gas joint 18 can be installed in the connector housing 15. For this purpose, as is evident from Figure 2, the body 19 has its proximal end pressed onto the fluid connector 31, and the fluid connector can be configured as a housing structure to establish a fluid connection with the gas connection piece 16. Furthermore, the proximal end 28 of the wire 26 can be electrically and mechanically connected to the contacts 13 or 14 (or both), for example, by soldering, welding, crimping, or other methods. Furthermore, the gas joint 18 is inserted into a clamp structure 32, and at least here the body 19 includes the proximal end 24 of the hose 12. The clamp structure 32 can be an inseparable part of the housing shell of the connector housing 15 and can consist of one or more wall sections 33, 34, 35, 36, each having a U-shaped cutout, the clearance of which is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the body 19. The main body is deformed radially inward by wall sections 33 to 36 so that the proximal end 24 of the hose 12 is clamped within a clamping device 32 inside the main body 19. At the same time, the main body 19 is fixed inside the housing 15 in a tensile manner. Preferably, the clamping structure is elastically movable in the axial direction. The web widths of wall sections 33, 34, 35, and 36 are less than 1 / 5, 1 / 7, or 1 / 10 of the outer diameter of the flexible main body. Doing so improves the fixation of the gas joint inside the semi-shell.

[0041] Figure 2 shows only the lower housing shell. The removed upper housing shell may have wall sections extending between wall sections 33 to 36 shown in Figure 2, and thus complementing the clamping structure of the hose 12 inside the gas joint 18.

[0042] Figure 8 shows an extended embodiment of the present invention in which the fluid connector 31 is part of a filter housing containing a gas filter 38. The gas filter 38 can be a porous body that prevents the transfer of contaminants from the supply device to the appliance 10, and the retransfer of contaminants from the appliance 10 to the supply device. Otherwise, the description given with reference to Figures 1 to 7 above applies accordingly, based on the same reference numerals.

[0043] The instrument connection device 11 according to the present invention comprises a flexible hose-like body 19 that is part of an instrument 10 or has a flexible wall 20 into which the proximal end 24 of a hose 12 leading to the instrument is inserted. The hose 12 has a lumen 25 extending longitudinally through the hose 12. In addition, a wire 26 is positioned inside the hose 12, for example, inside the lumen 25. The wire is guided through a puncture hole 27 that the wire 26 itself creates as it penetrates the wall 20. The puncture hole 27 is preferably linear and is guided through the wall 20 at an angle, i.e., at an angle with respect to the radial and longitudinal central axis. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10 devices 11. Equipment connection devices 12 hoses 13, 14 Electrical contacts 15 Connector Housing 16 Gas connection piece 17 Inside 18 Gas joint 19 Main unit 20 Walls 21 Throughway 22 Longitudinal central axis 23 Distal end of main body 19 24 Proximal end of hose 12 25 Lumen of hose 12 26 wires 27 Puncture hole 28 Proximal end of wire 26 29 Bend area 30 Legs 31 Fluid Connectors 32 Clamp Structures 33-36 Wall Section 37 Filter Housing 38 Gas filter

Claims

1. An appliance connection device (11) for an appliance (10), A flexible wall (20) that restricts the passage (21), and has a gas joint (18) which comprises a hollow cylindrical body (19) having a flexible wall (20) with a puncture hole (27), One end (24) extends proximal inward into the main body (19), and has a hose (12) comprising at least one lumen (25) and positioned in contact with the inner wall (20) of the main body (19), An instrument connection device having a wire (26) positioned inside the hose (12) and protruding proximally from the hose, and extending through the puncture hole (27).

2. The instrument connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the puncture hole (27) is elastically widened by the wire (26).

3. The device connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flexible wall (20) is elastically pre-tensioned from the wire (26) at the puncture hole (27) and comes into contact with the wire (26).

4. The instrument connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the wire (26) is guided through the puncture hole (27) without a gasket.

5. The device connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the puncture hole (27) is oriented perpendicular to or inclined with respect to the wall (20).

6. The instrument connection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the puncture hole (27) is positioned at an angle of 90°, 80°, less than 70° or less than 60° with respect to the longitudinal direction (22) defined by the through passage (21), and / or the puncture hole (27) is positioned at an angle of 10°, 20°, greater than 30° or greater than 40° with respect to the longitudinal direction (22).

7. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (19) has greater flexibility than the hose (12).

8. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose (12) is held inside the main body (19) by friction fitting.

9. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the main body (19) is made of silicone plastic.

10. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose (12) is made of polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, TPA, Pebax, polypropylene, or polyethylene.

11. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire (26) is fixed inside the hose (12).

12. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire (26) is an elastic wire.

13. The device connection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wire (26) is a steel wire.

14. An apparatus (10) having an apparatus connection device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for manufacturing an instrument connection device (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a hose (12) and a hollow cylindrical body (19) are provided, wherein a wire (26) protrudes from the proximal end (24) of the hose (12), Subsequently, the hollow cylindrical body (19) is elastically bent at the portion (29), thereby causing at least one straight section (30) of the body (19) to extend from the position (29). Subsequently, the proximal end (28) of the wire (26) is inserted into the straight section (30), thereby the wire (26) penetrates the main body (19) at the bent portion (29). A method for manufacturing a device connection device, characterized in that the main body (19) is subsequently returned to its released, extended shape.

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