Control system for an endoscope, endoscope and method for assembling a control system

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system (110) for an endoscope (100), the control mechanism (100) comprising: a control body (140) with a chassis (50), the chassis (50) having a shaft (51), the shaft (51) having an axis of rotation (X), a first system (30) having a first pulley (31), the first pulley (31) being rotatable about the axis of rotation (X), the first pulley (31) being supported at an inner surface (60) of the first pulley (31) in a radial direction (R) relative to the axis of rotation (X) by a first bearing surface (61) of the shaft (51), a second system (20) having a second pulley (21), the second pulley (21) being rotatable about the axis of rotation (X), the second pulley (21) being supported at an outer surface (62) of the second pulley (21) in the radial direction (R) by a second bearing surface (63) of the chassis (50). The invention further relates to an endoscope (100) and to a method for assembling a control system (110).

Description

[0001] Control system for an endoscope, endoscope and method for assembling a control system

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a control system for an endoscope, an endoscope and a method for assembling a control system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Endoscopes are surgical devices used for a variety of procedures, e.g. to access (e.g., view or remove) or treat tissue within the body of a patient by inserting one or more medical tools into the body through an incision in the body or an orifice of the body. The endoscope may include an interface / control portion and an insertion tube that is coupled to the interface / control portion. The insertion tube is configured to be inserted into the body of the patient and may include one or more channels to provide access to tissue within the body. The one or more channels may e.g. be configured to receive a medical tool and / or a fluid and to guide the medical tool and fluid, respectively, to the tissue of interest.

[0006] For instance, the endoscope can be or comprise a duodenoscope, but is not limited thereto.

[0007] In particular, the insertion tube may have a tip at which a camera and a light source may be arranged. Further, the tip may comprise an elevator for raising or lowering an accessory, e.g. an accessoiy instrument, or a tool at the tip. For instance, the accessory can be used for performing a biopsy or other delicate procedures in a bile duct or a pancreatic duct, or to take tissue samples.

[0008] The endoscope has a control mechanism for moving the tip in an up / down direction and in a left / right direction. The up / down direction may be perpendicular to the left / right direction. Further, the control mechanism may be suitable for controlling the elevator and / or may be used to control the elevation of the accessory instruments as they project from the distal tip. Usually, the control mechanism comprises wheels and / or levers for movement of the tip and the elevator. Thereby, a user, e.g. a physician or surgeon, may manually control the tip of the endoscope and the accessory when using the endoscope.

[0009] Handling the control system is delicate, and demands a lot of in terms of precision from the user when the endoscope is used. Particularly, the control of the tip and the elevator should not be too sensitive regarding the manual control of the control mechanism by the user, such that small movements of the tip and / or elevator can be precisely controlled.

[0010] A control mechanism for up / down movement or left / right movement is known from US 2019 / 0365204 Ai. EP 3 903 660 Ai discloses insertable medical vision devices, such as endoscopes, and methods of assembly thereof. More specifically, EP 3 903 660 Ai discloses endoscope control systems comprising control wheels connected to associated wire drums for connection to steering wires, whereby rotation of the control wheels controls a bending operation of a tip of the endoscope. Additionally, EP 3 903 660 Ai relates to methods of assembly of such a control system.

[0011] WO 2023 285 520 Ai relates to a deflection control mechanism for a steerable flexible endoscope, to a steerable flexible endoscope having such a deflection control mechanism, and to a method for controlling a flexible endoscope. In US 2023 0389 785 Ai, an endoscope is disclosed, which changes a lead-out direction of a treatment tool.

[0012] For reducing the risk of infections or the like, endoscopes should be cleaned and / or disinfected after each use. For this purpose, it is desirable that the endoscope can be easily and quickly disassembled. Alternatively, one-use or one-way endoscopes may be employed, which should be discarded after a single use. Such one-use endoscopes are preferably provided to be assembled by the user immediately before use, where the components of the endoscope such as e.g. components of the control mechanism are provided in sterile packaging.

[0013] However, the control mechanism of US 2019 / 0365204 Al is not easily and quickly assembled or disassembled.

[0014] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0015] These drawbacks of the prior art are addressed and overcome by the present disclosure, in particular by a control system according to claim 1, an endoscope according to claim 16, and a method for assembling a control system according to claim 17. The dependent claims relate to favorable embodiments.

[0016] A first aspect of the disclosure relates to a control system for an endoscope, the control mechanism comprising a control body. The control body comprises a chassis, and the chassis having a shaft, the shaft having an axis of rotation. The control system further comprises a first system having a first pulley, wherein first pulley is rotatable about the axis of rotation, and wherein the first pulley is supported at an inner surface of the first pulley in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by a first bearing surface of the chassis. The control system further comprises a second system having a second pulley, the second pulley being rotatable about the axis of rotation, wherein the second pulley is supported at an outer surface of the second pulley in the radial direction by a second bearing surface of the chassis.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the control system may further comprise a third system having a third pulley, the third pulley being rotatable about the axis of rotation, wherein the third pulley may be supported at an inner surface of the third pulley in the radial direction by a third bearing surface of the chassis.

[0018] The first bearing surface may be part of the shaft, and / or may be arranged at the shaft. It may be provided that the first pulley may contact the shaft.

[0019] The first system may be or may comprise a left / right system. The first pulley may be or may comprise a left / right pulley. The second system maybe or may comprise an up / down system. The second pulley may be or may comprise an up / down pulley. The third system may be or may comprise an elevator system. The third pulley may be or may comprise an elevator pulley. However, it may be provided that the first pulley and / or the second pulley may be or may comprise an elevator pulley, and / or that the first pulley and / or the third pulley may be or may comprise an up / down pulley, and / or that the second pulley and / or third pulley may be or may comprise a left / right pulley.

[0020] By having the pulleys of the respective systems, e.g. elevator system, up / down system and left / right system, supported at alternating inner and outer surfaces in radial direction, the control mechanism can be compact and can be easy to assemble / disassemble. Particularly, pulleys, e.g. the elevator pulley, the up / down pulley and the left / right pulley, can be stacked and / or placed without contacting each other. Thereby, also the smoothness of the control mechanism is improved, since the respective pulleys maybe turned and / or may rotate without touching each other.

[0021] The elevator pulley maybe connected to a wire and / or cable for moving the elevator. The wire and / or cable may be connected to the elevator pulley at a motion conversion portion. The wire and / or cable may e.g. run from the motion conversion portion, then through a linear elevator motion system, and then to the tip of the endoscope. The linear elevator motion system may comprise or consist of telescoping tubes for converting the angular motion of the elevator pulley into a linear / axial motion. The telescoping tubes may enable the elevator pulley to perform a pushing action on the wire and / or cable which would otherwise not be push-able due to simple column buckling, if the wire and / or cable were not supported along its length by the telescoping tubes.

[0022] The up / down pulley may be connected to one or more wires and / or cables for moving the tip of the endoscope in an up / down direction. Similarly, the left / right pulley may be connected to one or more wires and / or cables for moving the tip of the endoscope in a left / right direction. The up / down pulley and / or the left / right pulley may comprise motion conversion portions for connecting the wires and / or cables to the respective pulley, such that moving and / or rotating the respective pulleys can pull on the wires. The up / down pulley and left / right pully may contain a mostly cylindrical surface or groove for the wires and / or cables so that as the respective pulley rotates, the respective pulley may pull the cable onto the cylindrical surface or groove, thereby pulling a constant amount of cable related to the angular motion of the pulley, based on the diameter of the cylindrical surface or groove.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the second pulley may at least partially overlap the first pulley in the radial direction. The third pulley may at least partially overlap the second pulley in the radial direction. It may be provided that the pulleys are nested. It may be provided that the first pulley, the second pulley and the third pulley may be substantially cylindrical in shape, such that they may overlap and / or be put over each other. Thus, the control mechanism may be substantially symmetrical.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the first pulley may be concave. The inner surface of the third pulley may be concave. The outer surface of the second pulley may be convex. It may be provided that “concave” and “convex” are defined with respect to the curvature of the respective surface. It may be provided that “concave” and “convex” are defined with respect to a surface normal vector. The surface normal vector may be pointing outwards and / or in radial direction. The surface normal vector may point away from the respective surface.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the second bearing surface and the third bearing surface may be arranged at opposite sides of a bearing part of the chassis. It may be provided that the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface and the third bearing surface may be arranged substantially concentrically.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the first system and the second system maybe physically isolated and / or may not contact each other. In some embodiments, the first system and the third system may be physically isolated and / or may not contact each other. In some embodiments, the second system and the third system maybe physically isolated and / or may not contact each other. It may be provided that no component or part of the first system may contact or touch any component of the second system and / or the third system. It may be provided that no component or part of the second system may contact or touch any component of the first system and / or the third system. It may be provided that no component or part of the third system may contact or touch any component of the first system and / or the second system. Thereby, “cross-talk” between the systems may be eliminated and / or reduced. Using one of the systems may not influence any of the other systems. E.g. controlling or manipulating the elevator system may not influence the up / down system and / or the left / right system, controlling or manipulating the up / down system may not influence the elevator system and / or the left / right system, and / or controlling or manipulating the left / right system may not influence the up / down system and / or the elevator system. Thus, the smoothness and / or accuracy of the control mechanism may be improved.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the control system may have an intermediate system, wherein the intermediate system may be arranged in an axial direction of the axis of rotation between the third system and the second system. It may be provided that the intermediate system may be snapped onto the chassis, more preferably snapped onto the bearing part. It may be provided that the intermediate system may physically separate and / or isolate the third system and the second system. When the intermediate system is arranged between the third system and the second system, in some embodiments the intermediate system may be sandwiched between components of the second system, e.g. sandwiched between the second pulley and second wheel.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the control mechanism may have an elevator system, wherein the elevator system may have an elevator pulley. In some embodiments, the third system may be the elevator system, and the third pulley may be the elevator pulley. The elevator system may have an elevator lever, the elevator lever being in mechanical connection with the elevator pulley. It may be provided that the elevator lever may be snapped onto the elevator pulley. The elevator system may be secured in axial direction of the axis of rotation by the intermediate system and the chassis. It may be provided that the third system may be the elevator system and the third pulley may be the elevator pulley. The elevator lever may allow for easy control and / or manipulation of the elevation by the user.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the elevator brake system may have an elevator brake lever, the elevator brake lever being arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the elevator lever. It may be provided that the elevator brake lever may be supported by the intermediate system. The elevator lever may be accommodated in the intermediate system, and / or supported by the intermediate system. The elevator brake lever may allow for braking the elevator system, the elevator lever and / or the elevator pulley. In some embodiments, the elevator brake lever may allow to lock or substantially hold the elevator at the distal tip in its position. The elevator brake lever may allow the user to adjust an amount of resistance against movement of the elevator pulley and / or the elevator lever. The elevator brake lever may allow the user to adjust an amount of braking of the elevator pulley and / or the elevator lever.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the control system may have an elevator thumb grip. The thumb grip may be a user actuated feature for controlling the elevator at the distal tip of the elevator, or at a distal tip of an insertion flex tube of the elevator. The elevator thumb grip may be an external feature of the elevator lever.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the control system may comprise an up / down control system, wherein the up / down system may have an up / down pulley. In some embodiments, the second system may be the up / down system, and the second pulley may be the up / down pulley. The up / down system may have an up / down wheel, an up / down brake lever and an up / down brake disc. The up / down wheel may be in mechanical connection with the up / down pulley. The up / down wheel may be snapped onto the up / down pulley. The up / down wheel may be arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the up / down brake disk. The up / down brake disc may be arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the up / down lever. The up / down brake disc may be keyed to the intermediate system to prevent rotation. In some embodiments, the up / down brake disc may be keyed to the chassis and / or the shaft to prevent rotation It may be provided that the up / down brake lever may be arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the intermediate system. The up / down brake lever may allow for braking the up / down system, the up / down wheel and / or the up / down pulley. In some embodiments, the up / down brake lever may allow to lock the tip in its up / down position. The up / down brake lever may allow the user to adjust an amount of resistance against movement of the up / down pulley and / or the up / down wheel. The up / down brake lever may allowthe user to adjust an amount of braking of the up / down pulley and / or the up / down wheel.

[0032] The up / down control system may be configured to control the tip of the endoscope in an up / down direction, and / or to move the tip of the endoscope in an up / down direction. The up / down direction maybe a direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tube and / or to an extension direction of the insertion tube. The up / down direction maybe a direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and / or to an extension direction distal end of the insertion tube, tip being arranged at and / or above the distal end. “Moving in up / down direction” may include moving in up direction. “Moving in up / down direction” may include moving in down direction. The up direction maybe oriented in opposite direction of the down direction.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate system may be sandwiched in the up / down system. The intermediate system may secure the up / down system in axial direction of the axis of rotation. “Sandwiched” may mean that the at least a part of one component of the up / down system, such as e.g. the up / down brake lever, is arranged above the intermediate system, and that at least a part of another component, e.g. of the up / down pulley, is arranged below the intermediate system in an axial direction.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the control system may comprise a left / right control system, wherein the left / right system may have a left right pulley. In some embodiments, the first system may be the left / right system, and the first pulley may be the left / right pulley. The left / right system may have a left / right wheel, a left / right brake disc and a brake knob. The left / right wheel may be in mechanical connection with the left / right pulley. The left / right brake disc may be arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the left / right wheel. The brake knob maybe arranged in axial direction of the axis of rotation over and / or above the left / right brake disc. The left / right brake disc may be keyed to the shaft or chassis to prevent rotation. The brake knob may allow for braking the left / right control system, the left / right wheel and / or the left / right pulley. In some embodiments, the brake knob may allow to lock the tip in its left / right position. The left / right brake lever may allow the user to adjust an amount of resistance against movement of the left / right pulley and / or the left / right wheel. The left / right brake lever may allow the user to adjust an amount of braking of the left / right pulley and / or the left / right wheel.

[0035] The left / right control system may be configured to control the tip of the endoscope in a left / right direction, and / or to move the tip of the endoscope in a left / right direction. The left / right direction maybe a direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the insertion tube and / or to an extension direction of the insertion tube. The left / right direction maybe a direction in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and / or to an extension direction distal end of the insertion tube, tip being arranged at and / or above the distal end. The left / right direction may be a direction in the same plane as the up / down direction. The left / right direction may be substantially perpendicular to the up / down direction. “Moving in left / right direction” may include moving in left direction. “Moving in left / right direction” may include moving in right direction. The left direction may be oriented in opposite direction of the right direction. In a preferred embodiment, the left / right control system may be secured in axial direction of the axis of rotation by the left / right pulley and a fastening means. The fastening means maybe or may comprise a screw. The fastening means may secure the brake knob to the chassis and / or the shaft.

[0036] A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to an endoscope, the endoscope having a control system according to the first aspect.

[0037] The endoscope may have an insertion tube. The endoscope may have a tip at the insertion tube, the movement of which may be controlled by the control system. It may be provided that the endoscope and / or the tip may have an elevator, which may be controlled by the control system. A tool, accessory instrument or the like may be attached to the tip or advanced through a working channel of the endoscope (extending from the control body to the distal tip) where the accessory instrument then exits at the tip. The tool and / or accessory instrument may be moved by controlling the elevator. The endoscope may have an interface / control portion, where the control mechanism and / or brake system maybe arranged, or which may comprise the control mechanism and / or brake system.

[0038] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for assembling a control system for an endoscope, the method comprising the steps: providing a chassis having a shaft, placing a first pulley on the chassis such that the first pulley at least partially encloses the shaft, wherein a first bearing surface of the chassis contacts an inner surface of the first pulley, placing a second pulley on the chassis such that the second at least partially encloses the first pulley, wherein a second bearing surface of the chassis contacts an outer surface of the second pulley.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further comprise the steps of placing a third pulley on the chassis such that the third pulley may at least partially enclose the second pulley, wherein a third bearing surface of the chassis may contact an inner surface of the pulley, wherein preferably the first bearing surface, the second bearing surface and the third bearing surface may be concentrically to each other.

[0040] The first bearing surface may be arranged at a surface of the shaft, and / or be part of a surface of the shaft. When the first pulley is placed, it may be provided that the inner surface of the left / right pulley may contact the shaft. The first pulley may be placed in an assembly position on the chassis. The second pulley may be placed in a second assembly position on the chassis. The third pulley may be placed in a third assembly portion on the chassis. The first pulley may be or may comprise a left / right pulley. The left / right pulley may be configured to move a tip, e.g. a tip at a distal end of an insertion tube of an endoscope, in a left / right direction. The second pulley may be or may comprise an up / down pulley. The up / down pulley may be configured to move a tip, e.g. a tip at a distal end of an insertion tube of an endoscope, in an up / down direction. The third pulley may be or may comprise an elevator pulley. The up / down pulley may be configured to move an elevator, e.g. an elevator at a tip or at the or the tip at a distal end of an insertion tube of an endoscope.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further comprise the steps of placing an elevator lever over the third pulley and / or connecting an elevator lever with the third pulley, such that the elevator lever may mechanically contact the third pulley, wherein preferably the elevator lever may be snapped onto the third pulley.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further comprise the steps of: fastening an intermediate system to the chassis, placing an up / down brake lever on the intermediate system, placing an up / down brake disc on the up / down brake lever, where the up / down brake disk is keyed to the intermediate system to prevent rotation, placing an up / down wheel on the up / down brake disc, such that the up / down wheel mechanically contacts the second pulley, wherein the up / down wheel preferably latches to the second pulley such that the up / down wheel, the up / down brake disc, the up / down brake lever and the second pulley are secured in axial direction by the intermediate system; placing a left / right wheel over the up / down wheel such that the left / right wheel is in mechanical contact with the first pulley, wherein preferably the left / right wheel is supported by the first pulley, pacing a left / right brake disc on the left / right wheel, where the left / right brake disk is keyed to the shaft to prevent rotation, placing a brake knob on the left / right brake disc, securing the brake knob to the shaft, wherein preferably the brake knob is fastened to the shaft, such that the brake knob, the left / right brake disc and the left / right wheel are secured in an axial direction.

[0043] In some embodiments, securing the brake know may comprise placing a screw to hold the brake knob, left right brake disk, left / right wheel, and left / right pulley in place on the shaft of the chassis. The intermediate system may be snapped onto the chassis. The chassis may have a bearing part, with which the intermediate system may be fastened. In some embodiments, the intermediate system may be fastened to the chassis at a position above the third pulley, such that the third pulley and the elevator lever may be secured in axial direction by the chassis and the intermediate system.

[0044] The wording “placing on” may mean that a component is placed above another component, e.g. in axial direction of the shaft, or may be assembled at a position above another component. When “placing on”, or when and / or after being “placed on”, a component may contact or may be in contact with another component, e.g. with the other component the component is “placed on”. Alternatively, when “placing on”, or when and / or after being “placed on”, a component may not contact or may not be in contact with another component, e.g. with the other component the component is “placed on”. When a component is “placed over” another component, the component "placed over” may be arranged in axial direction above the other component. When “placed over”, the component and the other component may or may not contact each other.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the method may further comprise interlocking an elevator brake lever with the intermediate system before placing the intermediate system, such that when placing the intermediate system, the intermediate system with the elevator brake lever interlocked therewith is placed, wherein preferably interlocking the elevator brake lever with the intermediate system comprises accommodating the elevator brake lever in a guiding groove of the intermediate system, thereby preventing the elevator brake lever from direct contact with the elevator lever and / or elevator pulley.

[0046] The disclosure is further detailed with respect to the following figures, which show preferred examples:

[0047] Fig. 1: an example of a control system according to the present disclosure;

[0048] Fig. 2: an example of an elevator control system in a cross-sectional view;

[0049] Fig. 3: a top view of the example of Fig. 2;

[0050] Fig. 4: another cross-sectional view of the example of Figs. 2 and 3;

[0051] Fig. 5: an example of an up / down control system, in a perspective view;

[0052] Fig. 6: an example of an up / down brake disc in a perspective view;

[0053] Fig. 7: an example of a left / right control system in a perspective view;

[0054] Fig. 8: an example of a left / right brake disc in a perspective view;

[0055] Fig. 9: an example of a method according to the present disclosure; Fig. io: another example of a method according to the present disclosure;

[0056] Fig. n: an exemplary assembly of a control mechanism according to the present disclosure at a first stage;

[0057] Fig. 12: the assembly of a control mechanism of Fig. 11 in a second stage; and

[0058] Fig. 13: the assembly of a control mechanism of Figs. 11 and 12 in a third stage; and

[0059] Fig. 14: the assembly of a control mechanism of Figs. 11, 12 and 13 in a fourth stage;

[0060] Fig. 15: an embodiment of an elevator motion system and / or elevator pulley;

[0061] Fig. 16: an embodiment of an elevator motion system;

[0062] Fig. 17: an embodiment of an up / down pulley and a left / right pulley;

[0063] Fig. 18: a keying of an up / down brake disc with an intermediate system;

[0064] Fig. 19: a keying of a left / right brake disc with a shaft; and

[0065] Fig. 20: an exemplary embodiment of an endoscope with control body and working channel.

[0066] DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES

[0067] Figure 1 shows an example of control system 110.

[0068] The control system nocan be part of an endoscope 100. The endoscope 100 maybe or comprise e.g. a duodenoscope. An exemplary embodiment of an endoscope 100 is shown in Fig. 20 (not to scale). The endoscope 100 comprises the control system 110. The endoscope 100 may comprise an insertion tube 130. The endoscope 100 can have a tip 120. The tip 120 may be arranged at a distal end of an insertion tube 130. The tip 120 can be movable in an up / down direction. The tip 120 can be movable in a left / right direction. The endoscope too may have an elevator (not shown in the figures). The elevator may be arranged at the tip 120, and / or the tip 120 may comprise the elevator. The elevator may allow raising or lowering an accessory or a tool at the tip 120, e.g. for performing a biopsy or other delicate procedures in a bile duct or a pancreatic duct. For instance, the accessory may be or may comprise an accessory instrument. The accessory or tool can be used e.g. to collect a tissue sample, for performing an operating procedure, or have some other desired functionality.

[0069] The control system 110 and / or the endoscope too comprises a control body 140. The control body 140 may be or comprise an interface / control portion. The control body 140 may have a connector 120, at which the insertion tube 130 may be connected. The insertion tube 130 may extend from a proximal end of the endoscope too, at which the control body 140 and / or the interface / control portion may be arranged, to a distal end of the endoscope too, at which the endoscope tip may be arranged. The insertion tube 130 may define a longitudinal or insertion direction of the endoscope too, along which the endoscope too (i.e., the endoscope tip and at least a portion of the insertion tube 130) is to be inserted into the body of a patient (not shown).

[0070] The endoscope 100 may comprise an actuating member 160, e.g. one or more cables and / or wires, for operating the elevator the endoscope tip 120 and / or for moving the tip 120. The actuating member 160 maybe arranged in the insertion tube 130 (e.g., in an actuating channel provided therein) and may extends from the control body 140 and / or the interface / control portion to the endoscope tip 120. The endoscope 100 comprises a control system 110 according to the invention. The control system 110 may be arranged at the control body 140 and / or the interface / control portion, and / or the control body 140 and / or the interface / control portion 140 may include the control system 110. The control system 110 may be coupled to the actuating member 160 for operating the actuating member 160. The control system 110 may be or comprise a control system 110 as described below with reference to one or more of Figs. 1 to 12. By operating (e.g., rotating) the control system 110, the actuating member 160 may be moved linearly along an actuation direction (e.g. Z direction of Fig. 21). The actuation direction may coincide with the insertion direction of the endoscope 100, i.e., may be parallel or substantially parallel to the insertion direction. As shown in Fig. 16 the actuating member 160 may travel through and / or reside within the elevator linear motion system 90.

[0071] The control body 140 and / or the interface / control portion may include a port 24A, through which an endoscopic tool (not shown) may be inserted into the insertion tube 130, for example into a working channel thereof. The endoscopic tool may pass through the insertion tube 130 to the endoscope tip 120, where the endoscopic tool (i.e., a distal tip or portion thereof) may be raised from the endoscope tip 120, e.g. laterally, by means of the elevator, to perform a surgical and / or diagnostic procedure.

[0072] Returning to Fig. 1, the control system 110 comprises the control body 140 having a chassis 50. The chassis 50 comprises a shaft 51. The shaft 51 may be substantially cylindrical. The shaft 51 may extend from the chassis 50 and / or from a base of chassis 50.

[0073] The control system 110, control body 140, chassis 50 and / or shaft 51 has an axis of rotation X. The axis or rotation X may be defined by the shaft 51.

[0074] An axial direction A may be parallel and / or may be aligned with the axis of rotation X. A radial direction R may be perpendicular to the axial direction A and / or the axis of rotation X.

[0075] In some embodiments, the control system may comprise a third system 10. The third system 10 may comprise a third pulley 11. The third pulley 11 maybe rotatable about the axis of rotation X. The third pulley n may be supported at an inner surface 64 of the elevator pulley 11 in the radial direction R by a third bearing surface 65 of the chassis 50.

[0076] The third bearing surface 65 and / or the inner surface 64 of the third pulley 11 maybe oriented substantially parallel to the axial direction A and / or may extend substantially in axial direction A.

[0077] In some embodiments, the third system 10 maybe or may comprise an elevator system 10, and the third pulley 11 may be or may comprise an elevator pulley 11.

[0078] The elevator control system 10 may comprise an elevator motion system 70, which may comprise an elevator pulley 11 and an elevator lever 12. The elevator control system 10 may comprise an elevator brake system 80, which may comprise an elevator O-ring 13. The elevator pulley 11 and the elevator lever 12 may be arranged such that they enclose or partially enclose the shaft 51.

[0079] The elevator pulley 11 and the elevator lever 12 can be rotated around the axis of rotation X. The elevator lever 12 may have an elevator thumb grip 17 for user actuation which may be configured to enable the elevator lever 12 to act on the elevator pulley 11 such that when the thumb grip 17 is actuated, e.g. rotated around the axis of rotation X, the elevator pulley 11 can move the elevator at the tip 120. For instance, the elevator pulley 11 can be connected to the elevator by a wire or the like.

[0080] As shown e.g. in Fig. 15 and 16, the wire and / or cable may be connected to the elevator pulley 11 at a motion conversion portion 18. The wire and / or cable may e.g. run from the motion conversion portion 18, then through an elevator linear motion system 90, and then to the tip 120 of the endoscope too. The elevator linear motion system 90 may comprise or consist of telescoping tubes for converting the angular motion of the elevator pulley 11 into a linear / axial motion. The telescoping tubes may enable the elevator pulley 11 to perform a pushing action on the wire and / or cable which would otherwise not be push-able due to simple column buckling, if the wire and / or cable were not supported along its length by the telescoping tubes.

[0081] As can be seen e.g. in Fig. 1, the elevator lever 12 and the elevator pulley 11 can be mechanically connected. In some embodiments, it maybe provided that the elevator lever 12 and the elevator pulley 11 are integrally formed. In some other embodiments, it may be provided that the elevator lever 12 and the elevator pulley 11 are connected via a snap fit. When the elevator lever 12 is rotated, the elevator pulley 11 may be rotated accordingly. By rotating the elevator lever 12, the elevator pulley 11 may be actuated, such that the elevator at the tip 120 may be moved.

[0082] The control system 110 may comprise an intermediate system 40. The elevator O-ring 13 may be arranged between the elevator motion system 70 and the intermediate system 40. The elevator motion system 70 may be braked by the elevator O-ring 13. Particularly, the elevator O-ring 13 can be configured to create a resistance against movement of the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11. For instance, the elevator O-ring 13 may contact the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11, and / or press against the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11.

[0083] The intermediate system 40 may have at least one repositionable foot 44. The repositionable foot 44 may be or may comprise a spring-like arm 41. The spring-like arm 41 may be flexible, and / or function as a spring. The repositionable foot 44 and / or the springlike arm 41 can be configured to apply pressure onto the elevator O-ring 13. By applying pressure onto the elevator O-ring 13, the repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 may press the elevator O-ring 13 against the elevator motion system 70. The elevator motion system 70 may comprise the elevator lever 12 and elevator pulley 11, and the repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 may press the elevator O-ring 13 against the elevator lever 12 and / or the elevator pulley 11. The repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 may bias elevator O-ring 13 against the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11.

[0084] The repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 may be configured such that the resistance against movement of the elevator motion system 70 due to the O-ring 13 may be predetermined. In some embodiments, the repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 maybe configured during manufacturing, such that a predetermined resistance is achieved.

[0085] In some other embodiments, the amount of resistance against movement of the elevator motion system 70 and / or the amount of braking of the elevator motion system 70 may be adjustable by an elevator brake lever 14. The amount of resistance and / or braking of the elevator motion system 70 may depend on the position of the elevator brake lever 14.

[0086] It may be provided that the intermediate system 40 may have two or more repositionable feet 44 and / or spring-like arms 41. The spring-like arm 41 can be fixed to a main part of the intermediate system 40. The intermediate system 40 can be configured and / or arranged such that it is non-rotatable around the axis of rotation X, and / or can be fixed in position with respect to the chassis 50. The intermediate system 40 may be in mechanical connection with the chassis 50. The mechanical connection may be a form fit and / or a force fit. It may be provided that the mechanical connection may be releasable, such that the intermediate system 40 can be released from the chassis 50. The intermediate system 40 may be snapped onto the chassis 50, e.g. onto a bearing part 52 of chassis 50. For instance, the chassis 50 may have a notch 54, into which the intermediate system 40 may engage, latch and / or be snapped.

[0087] The intermediate system 40 may be arranged in axial direction A above the elevator pulley 11. The elevator pulley 11 may be secured in axial direction A by and / or between the intermediate system 40 and the chassis 50. The intermediate system 40 may secure the elevator lever 12 and / or the elevator brake lever 13 in axial direction A.

[0088] The elevator system 10 may be secured in radial direction R by the chassis 50 and / or bearing part 52.

[0089] The control system 110 comprises a second system 20. The second system 20 maybe arranged over and / or above the first system 10, e.g. elevator system 10, in axial direction A. However, the control system 110 is not necessarily limited to such arrangements. Other arrangements of the control system 110, the first system 10, e.g. elevator system 10, and / or the second system

[0090] 20 are possible and / or conceivable.

[0091] The second system 20 comprises a second pulley 21. The second pulley 21 is rotatable about the axis of rotation X. The second pulley 21 is supported at an outer surface 62 of the second

[0092] 21 in the radial direction R by a second bearing surface 64 of the chassis 50. The second system

[0093] 20 maybe secured in radial direction R by the chassis 50 and / or by the shaft 51.

[0094] The second system 20 maybe or may comprise an up / down system 20, and the second pulley

[0095] 21 may be or may comprise an up / down pulley 21.

[0096] The up / down system and / or the up / down pulley 21 may be configured to move the tip of the endoscope in an up / down direction. For instance, the up / down pulley 21 maybe connected to the tip 120 of the endoscope too via one or more wires and / or cables (e.g. two wires and / or cables, and / or at least one pair of wires and / or cables), such that the tip 120 of the endoscope too may be moved in an up / down direction. The up / down control system 20 may comprise an up / down wheel 22. The up / down wheel 22 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The up / down wheel 22 and the up / down pulley 21 may be mechanically connected. In some embodiments, the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down pulley 21 may be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down pulley 21 may be locked and / or latched to each other. It may be provided that the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down pulley 21 may be connected via a snap fit.

[0097] When the up / down wheel 22 is rotated, the up / down pulley 21 may be rotated accordingly. When the up / down wheel 22 is rotated, the up / down wheel 22 may act on the up / down pulley 21 such that the tip 120 of the endoscope too is moved in an up / down direction.

[0098] In some embodiments, as e.g. shown in Fig. 17, the up / down pulley 21 may contain motion conversion portions 18 for connecting the wires and / or cables to the up / down pulley 21, such that moving and / or rotating the up / down pulley 21 can pull on the wires. The up / down pulley 21 may contain a mostly cylindrical surface or grove 19 for the wires and / or cables so that as the up / down pulley 21 is rotated, the up / down pulley 21 pulls the cable onto the cylindrical surface or grove 19, thereby pulling a constant amount of cable related to the angular motion of the up / down pulley 21, based on the diameter of the cylindrical surface or groove 19.

[0099] As can be seen e.g. in Fig. 1, the up / down control system 20 may comprise an up / down brake lever 23, an up / down brake disc 24 and an up / down O-ring 25. The up / down O-ring 25 may be arranged between the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down brake disc 24 in axial direction A. In some embodiments, the up / down O-ring 25 may be accommodated in a groove of the up / down wheel 22.

[0100] The up / down brake disc 24 may be arranged between the up / down brake lever 23 and the up / down O-ring 25. The up / down brake disc 24 maybe arranged between the up / down brake lever 23 and the up / down wheel 22. The up / down brake disc 24 may be keyed to the intermediate system 40 to prevent rotation. Such a keying 71 is shown e.g. in Fig. 18, which shows an embodiment where the up / down brake disc 24 is keyed to the intermediate system 40.

[0101] As can be seen e.g. in Fig. 1, I up / down brake lever 23 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The up / down brake disc 24 may not rotate around the axis of rotation X. When the up / down brake lever 23 is rotated, it may press the up / down brake disc 24 onto the up / down O-ring 25. The up / down O-ring 25 may in turn press onto the up / down wheel 22, and / or create a resistance against movement of the up / down wheel 22. Thereby, the up / down wheel 22 may be braked. The amount of resistance and / or braking may depend on the rotational position of the up / down brake lever 23. The amount of resistance and / or braking may be adjustable by adjusting the up / down brake lever 23.

[0102] In some embodiments, it may be provided that the up / down control system 20 may not comprise an up / down O-ring 25. In these cases, the up / down brake disc 24 may directly contact and / or directly press against the up / down wheel 22, such that a resistance against movement of the up / down wheel 22 and / or braking of the up / down wheel 22 may be provided. The amount of resistance and / or braking may be adjustable by adjusting the up / down brake lever 23.

[0103] It may be provided that the intermediate system 40 may be sandwiched between and / or in the up / down system 20. In some embodiments, the up / down pulley 21 can comprise a step and / or flange, which may contact the intermediate system 40, e.g. at a bottom surface of the intermediate system 40. Since the intermediate system 40 may be locked with the chassis 50, or the bearing part 52 of the chassis 50, and / or mechanically connected thereto, the up / down pulley 21 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0104] The up / down brake lever 23 may be arranged above the intermediate system 40, and / or supported by the intermediate system 40. The up / down wheel 22 may be arranged above the up / down brake lever 23 in axial direction A. The up / down wheel 22 may be latched, locked and / or mechanically connected to the up / down pulley 21. Thereby, the up / down brake lever 23 and / or the up / down brake system 20 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0105] The control system 110 comprises a first system 30. The first system 30 maybe arranged over and / or above the second system 20, e.g. up / down system 20, in axial direction A. However, the control system 110 is not necessarily limited to such arrangements. Other arrangements of the control system 110, the third system 10 (e.g. elevator system 10), the second system 20 (e.g. up / down system 20) and / or the first system 30 are possible and / or conceivable.

[0106] The first system 30 comprises a first pulley 31. The first pulley 31 is rotatable about the axis of rotation X. The first pulley 31 is supported at an inner surface 60 of the first pulley 31 in a radial direction R by a first bearing surface 61 of the chassis 50 and / or the shaft 51. The first system 30 maybe secured in radial direction R by the chassis 50 and / or by the shaft 51.

[0107] The first bearing surface 61 and / or the inner surface 60 of the first pulley 31 may be oriented substantially parallel to the axial direction A and / or may extend substantially in axial direction A. It maybe provided that the first bearing surface 61, the second bearing surface 63 and / or the third bearing surface 65 are arranged concentrically. In some embodiments, the third bearing surface 65 and the second bearing surface 63 may be arranged at opposite sides of a bearing part 52 of the chassis 50.

[0108] The first system 30 may be or may comprise a left / right system 30, and the first pulley 31 may be or may comprise a left / right pulley 31.

[0109] The left / right control system 30 and / or the left / right pulley 31 may be configured to move the tip of the endoscope in a left / right direction. The left / right direction may be substantially perpendicular to the up / down direction. For instance, the left / right pulley 31 may be connected to the tip 120 of the endoscope 100 via one or more wires and / or cables (e.g. two wires and / or cables, and / or at least one pair of wires / cables), such that the tip 120 of the endoscope 100 maybe moved in a left / right direction.

[0110] The left / right control system 30 may comprise a left / right wheel 32. The left / right wheel 32 and the left / right pulley 31 may be mechanically connected. In some embodiments, the left / right wheel 32 and the left / right pulley 31 may be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the left / right wheel 32 and the left / right pulley 31 may be locked and / or latched to each other. It may be provided that the left / right wheel 32 and the left / right pulley 31 may be connected via a snap fit. In some embodiments, the left / right pulley 31 may have a step and / or flange via which the left / right wheel 32 may be supported.

[0111] When the left / right wheel 32 is rotated, the left / right pulley 31 may be rotated accordingly. When the up / down left / right 32 is rotated, the left / right wheel 32 may act on the left / right pulley 31 such that the tip of the endoscope is moved in a left / right direction.

[0112] In some embodiments, as e.g. seen in Fig. 17, the left / right pulley 31 may contain motion conversion portions 18 for connecting the wires and / or cables to the left / right pulley 31, such that moving and / or rotating the left / right pulley 31 can pull on the wires. The left / right pully 31 may contain a mostly cylindrical surface or grove 19 for the wires and / or cables so that as the left / right pulley is rotated, the left / right pulley 31 pulls the cable onto the cylindrical surface or grove 19, thereby pulling a constant amount of cable related to the angular motion of the left / right pulley 31, based on the diameter of the cylindrical surface or groove 19.

[0113] As can be seen e.g. in Fig. 1, the left / right system 30 may comprise a brake knob 33, a left / right brake disc 34 and a left / right O-ring 35. The left / right O-ring 35 may be arranged between the left / right wheel 32 and the left / right brake disc 34 in axial direction A. In some embodiments, the left / right O-ring 35 may be accommodated in a groove of the left / right wheel 32.

[0114] The left / right brake disc 34 may be arranged between the brake knob 33 and the left / right O- ring 35. The left / right brake disc 34 may be arranged between the brake knob 33 and the left / right wheel 32.

[0115] The brake knob 33 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The left / right brake disc 34 may not be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The left / right brake disc 34 may be keyed to the shaft 51 of the chassis 50 to prevent rotation. Such a keying 72 is shown e.g in Fig. 19, where the left / right brake disc 34 is keyed to the shaft 51.

[0116] As can be seen e.g. in Fig. 1, when the brake knob 33 is rotated, it may press the left / right brake disc 34 onto the left / right O-ring 35. The left / right O-ring 35 may in turn press onto the left / right wheel 32, and / or create a resistance against movement of the left / right wheel 32. Thereby, the left / right wheel 32 may be braked. The amount of resistance and / or braking may depend on the rotational position of the brake knob 33. The amount of resistance and / or braking maybe adjustable by adjusting the brake knob 33.

[0117] In some embodiments, it may be provided that the left / right system 30 may not comprise a left / right O-ring 35. In these cases, the left / right brake disc 34 may directly contact and / or directly press against the left / right wheel 32, such that a resistance against movement of the left / right wheel 32 and / or braking of the left / right wheel 32 may be provided. The amount of resistance and / or braking may be adjustable by adjusting the left / right brake lever 33.

[0118] It may be provided that the brake knob 33 may be arranged above the up / down brake disc 34 in axial direction A, and the up / down brake disc 34 may be arranged above the up / down wheel 32. The up / down wheel 32 may be supported by a step and / or flange of the up / down pulley 31. The brake knob 33 may be secured by a fastening means 53 to the chassis 50 and / or to the shaft 51. The up / down pulley 31 maybe supported by chassis 50. Thereby, the up / down brake system 30 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0119] In some examples, the left / right system 30 may have a left / right brake lever in addition to, or instead of, the brake knob 33. The left / right brake lever may have at least one, multiple or all features of the brake knob 33.

[0120] The first pulley 31, e.g. the left / right pulley 31 may be placed in a first assembly position. The first assembly position may be such that the first pulley 31 is supported by the first bearing surface 61 when or after being placed, and / or such that the first pulley 31 may enclose the shaft 51. The chassis 50 and / or the shaft 51 may have the first bearing surface 61. The chassis 50 may have a recess and / or receptacle defining the first assembly position and / or for accommodating the first pulley 31. The recess and / or receptacle may be arranged around the shaft 51, and / or enclose or accommodate the shaft 51.

[0121] The second pulley 21, e.g. the up / down pulley 21 maybe placed in a second assembly position. The second assembly position may be such that the second pulley 21 is supported by the second bearing surface 63 when or after being placed, and / or such that the second pulley 21 may enclose the first pulley 31. The chassis 50 may have a or the recess and / or receptacle defining the second assembly position and / or for accommodating the second pulley 21. It may be provided that the recess and / or receptacle defines both the first assembly position and the second assembly position.

[0122] The third pulley 11, e.g. the elevator pulley 11, may be placed in a third assembly position. The third assembly position may be such that the third pulley 11 is supported by the third bearing surface 65 when or after being placed, and / or such that the third pulley 11 may enclose the second pulley 21 and / or the third pulley 31. The chassis 50 may have a second recess and / or receptacle defining the third assembly position and / or for accommodating the third pulley 11.

[0123] In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the first system 30 may be or may comprise the elevator system and / or the up / down system. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the second system 20 may be or may comprise the elevator system and / or the left / right system. In some embodiments, alternatively or additionally, the third system 10 may be or may comprise the up / down system and / or the left / right system.

[0124] Figs. 2 and 3 show an example of an elevator control system 10 in a cross-sectional view (Fig. 2), a top view (Fig. 3). The embodiments as shown and / or described with reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 may have at least one, multiple or all features and / or advantages of the embodiments as described above.

[0125] The elevator control system 10 may comprise an elevator motion system 70, which may include an elevator pulley 11 and an elevator lever 12. The elevator system 10 may further comprise an elevator brake system 80, which may include an elevator O-ring 13. The elevator brake system 80 of elevator control system 10 may further comprise an elevator brake lever 14.

[0126] The elevator motion system 70, the elevator pulley 11 and / or the elevator lever 12 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The elevator pulley 11 is arranged such that an inner surface 64 of the elevator pulley 11 contacts the third bearing surface 65 of chassis 50. When the elevator pulley 11 rotates, the inner surface 64 of the elevator pulley 11 may slide or glide over the third bearing surface 65. The third bearing surface 65 and / or other chassis 50 may secure and / or support the elevator pulley 11 in radial direction R. The chassis 50 may comprise a bearing part 52 which may have the third bearing surface 65.

[0127] It may be provided that the inner surface 64 of the elevator pulley 11 can be or comprise a concave surface. It may be provided that the inner surface 64 of the elevator pulley 11 can be at least partially concave.

[0128] The intermediate system 40 may be non-rotatable with respect to the axis of rotation X. The intermediate system 40 may be mechanically connected to the chassis 50 and / or the bearing part 52. The mechanical connection may be a form fit and / or a force fit. The intermediate system 40 may be latched and / or locked with the chassis 50. In some embodiments, the chassis 50 and / or the bearing part 52 may have a notch 54 into which the intermediate system 40 may engage.

[0129] The chassis 50, and / or the bearing part 52, may have a step and / or flange to support the elevator pulley 11 in axial direction A. The intermediate system 40 may be arranged above the elevator pulley 11. The intermediate system 40 may contact and / or guide the elevator pulley 11. It may be provided that when the elevator pulley 11 moves and / or rotates, the elevator pulley 11 may slide and / or glide along a surface of the intermediate system 40, e.g. a bottom surface of the intermediate system 40. Thereby, the elevator pulley 11 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0130] The elevator lever 12 may be in mechanical connection with the elevator pulley 11. When the elevator lever 12 is rotated, the elevator pulley 11 may be rotated accordingly. In some embodiments, the elevator lever 12 and the elevator pulley 11 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the elevator lever 12 may be snapped and / or latched to the elevator pulley 11. Thereby, the elevator lever 12 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0131] The elevator brake lever 14 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The elevator brake lever 14 may be arranged between the intermediate system 40 and the elevator pulley 11. The elevator brake lever 14 may be arranged between the intermediate system 40 and the elevator lever 12. In some embodiments, the intermediate system 40 may have a guiding groove 43. The elevator brake lever 14 may be accommodated and / or arranged in the guiding groove 43, thereby preventing the elevator brake lever 14 from direct contact with the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11. The elevator O-ring 13 may be arranged on the elevator pulley 11, and / or be in contact with both the elevator pulley 11 and the elevator lever 12. The elevator O-ring 13 may be arranged between the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11 and the intermediate system 40. The intermediate system 40 may have one or more repositionable feet 44. A repositionable foot 44 may comprise or may be a spring-like arm 41. The repositionable foot 44 and / or the springlike arm 41 may be in contact with the elevator O-ring 13. The intermediate system 40, the repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41 can be configured to press onto the elevator O-ring 13, such that the elevator O-ring 13 bears or presses against the elevator motion system 70, e.g. against the elevator lever 12 and / or elevator pulley 11. Thus, the elevator O-ring 13 can create a resistance against movement of the elevator motion system 70, and / or can brake the elevator motion system 70.

[0132] The spring-like arm 41 may comprise a flexible material. The spring-like arm 41 may also be a rigid material geometrically configured long enough to be flexible. The spring-like arm 41 may be biased and / or preloaded. The spring-like arm 41 may be configured such that it may return to a specific and / or determined position after deflection and / or when no force is applied.

[0133] In some embodiments, the elevator brake lever 14 can have one or more engagement means 15. The engagement means 15 can be or comprise a wedge, and / or be wedge-shaped. When the elevator brake lever 14 is rotated, the engagement means 15 can deflect the repositionable foot 44 and / or the springlike arm 41 outwards, e.g. in radial direction R. Thereby, the pressure from the repositionable foot 44 and / or the springlike arm 41 on the elevator O-ring 13 can be adjustable, such that the amount of resistance against movement of the elevator motion system 70 and / or of braking of the elevator motion system 70 can be adjustable. For instance, the amount of resistance against movement of the elevator motion system 70, and / or the braking of the elevator motion system 70, can depend on the position of the elevator brake lever 14 and / or the engagement means 15.

[0134] It may be provided that the intermediate system 40 has an engagement gap 42. The engagement gap 42 can be formed and / or defined by the repositionable foot 44 and / or the spring-like arm 41. The engagement gap 42 can be arranged between the repositionable foot 44 and the main body of the intermediate system 40, or between spring-like arm 41 and the main body of the intermediate system 40. The engagement means 15 can move in the engagement gap 42 when the elevator brake lever 14 is moved and / or rotates. The engagement gap 42 can be formed and / or be shaped such that the repositionable foot 44 and / or the springlike arm 41 is deflected by a specific and / or determined distance in radial direction R for a given position of the engagement means 15 in the engagement gap 42. The intermediate system 40 may be arranged above the elevator brake lever 14 in axial direction A. The intermediate system 40 may contact and / or guide the elevator brake lever 14. It may be provided that when the elevator brake lever 14 moves and / or rotates, the elevator brake lever 14 may slide and / or glide along the surfaces of the intermediate system 40, e.g. a bottom surface and / or side surfaces of the intermediate system 40, to avoid contact and / or cross-talk between the elevator motion system 70 and elevator brake lever 14. The elevator brake lever 14 may be arranged above the elevator lever 12 and / or the elevator pulley 11. Thereby, the elevator brake lever 14 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0135] While the figures show embodiments with two repositionable feet 44 and / or two spring-like arms 41, in some other embodiments the intermediate system 40 may comprise a different number of repositionable feet 44 and / or two spring-like arms 41. For instance, in some embodiments, the intermediate system 40 may comprise a single repositionable foot 44 and / or a single spring-like arm 41. In some other embodiments, the intermediate system 40 may comprise more than two single repositionable feet 44 and / or more than two spring-like arms 41, e.g. three, four, five, six or even more. It may be provided that the repositionable feet 44 and / or the spring-like arms 41 maybe arranged symmetrically along the circumference of the intermediate system 40, e.g. may be arranged symmetrically in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation X.

[0136] Figs. 5 and 6 show an example of an up / down system 20. Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the up / down system 20, and Fig. 6 a perspective view of an up / down brake disc 24.

[0137] The up / down control system 20 may have an up / down pulley 21. The up / down control system 20 may further have an up / down wheel 22, an up / down brake lever 23 and an up / down brake disc 24. The up / down system 20 may further have an up / down O-ring 25. The up / down pulley 21, the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down brake lever 23 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X.

[0138] The up / down pulley 21 is arranged such that an outer surface 62 of the up / down pulley 21 is supported by a second bearing surface 63 of chassis 50. In some embodiments, the bearing part 52 of chassis 50 may have the second bearing surface 63. It may be provided that the third bearing surface 65 and the second bearing surface 63 maybe arranged at opposite sides of the bearing part 52. It may be provided that the second bearing surface 63 and the third bearing surface 65 are substantially concentric. It may be provided that the outer surface 62 of the up / down pulley 21 can be or comprise a convex surface. It may be provided that the outer surface 62 of the up / down pulley 21 can be at least partially convex. The up / down wheel 22 may be arranged above the up / down brake disc 24 in axial direction A. The up / down brake disc 24 may be arranged above the up / down brake lever 23 in axial direction A. The up / down O-ring 25 maybe arranged between the up / down wheel 22 and the up / down brake disc 24. It may be provided that the up / down O-ring 25 may be arranged in a groove of the up / down wheel 22. The up / down brake disc 24 may be keyed to the intermediate system 40 to prevent rotation of the up / down brake disc 24, e.g. by keying 71.

[0139] The up / down wheel 22 may be mechanically connected with the up / down pulley 21. The mechanical connection may be a form fit and / or force fit. In some embodiments, the up / down wheel 22 may be integrally formed with the up / down pulley 21. Alternatively, it may be provided that the up / down wheel 22 is latched and / or locked to the up / down pulley 21, and / or snapped thereto. In some embodiments, the mechanical connection between up / down wheel 22 and up / down pulley 21 maybe releasable.

[0140] It may be provided that the intermediate system 40 has a surface, step and / or flange for supporting the up / down pulley 21 in axial direction A, and / or against which step and / or flange the up / down pulley 21 can bear in axial direction A. For instance, the surface, step and / or flange may be arranged at a bottom side of the intermediate system 40. When the up / down pulley 21 is moved and / or rotated, the up / down pulley 21 may slide and / or glide along the intermediate system 40.

[0141] The intermediate system 40 may have another surface, step and / or flange which may be arranged at an upper side of the intermediate system 40 and which may support the up / down brake lever 23. When the up / down brake lever 23 is moved and / or rotated, the up / down brake lever 23 may slide and / or glide along the intermediate system 40. The intermediate system 40 may be sandwiched in the up / down brake system 20. The intermediate system 40 may be sandwiched between the up / down pulley 21 and the up / down lever 23. Thereby, the intermediate system 40 may support and / or secure the up / down system 20 in axial direction A.

[0142] The elevator control system 10 and the up / down control system 20 may be physically isolated from each other. The intermediate system 40 may physically isolate the elevator system 10 and the up / down system 20. The intermediate system 40 may physically isolate the elevator brake lever 14 and the up / down brake lever 23. In other words, the elevator control system 10 and the up / down control system 20 may move and / or rotate such that they do not contact each other. One, multiple or all components of the elevator control system 10 may move and / or rotate such that they do not contact one, multiple or all components of the up / down control system 20 when rotating, and vice versa.

[0143] The up / down brake disc 24 may have an up / down brake disc flexible arm 26. The up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 may be flexible and / or movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction A. The up / down brake disc 24 and / or the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 may have an up / down brake disc ramp 28. The up / down brake disc ramp 28 may be arranged such that it may face the up / down brake lever 23. The up / down brake disc ramp 28 may be arranged at a lower side and / or lower surface of the up / down brake disc 24. The up / down brake disc ramp 28 maybe sloped and / or inclined. The up / down brake disc ramp 28 may be configured to press against the up / down brake lever 23, and / or the up / down brake lever 23 may press against the up / down brake disc ramp 28.

[0144] In some embodiments, the up / down brake disc 24 and / or the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 may have an up / down brake disc bump 27. The up / down brake disc bump 27 may be arranged facing the up / down wheel 22 and / or the up / down O-ring 25. The up / down brake disc bump 27 may be arranged at an upper side and / or upper surface of the up / down brake disc 24 and / or the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26. In some embodiments, the up / down brake disc bump 27 may be arranged at a side opposite the up / down brake disc ramp 28. It may be provided that the up / down brake disc bump 27 may press against the up / down O-ring 25-

[0145] The up / down brake lever 23 may have an up / down brake lever bump 29. The up / down brake lever bump 29 may be facing the up / down brake disc 24. The up / down brake lever bump 29 may be arranged at an upper side and / or upper surface of the up / down brake lever 23. The up / down brake lever bump 29 may be configured to press against the up / down brake disc 24, the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 and / or the up / down brake disc ramp 28. The up / down brake lever bump 29 may contact the up / down brake disc 24, the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 and / or the up / down brake disc ramp 28.

[0146] The up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 and / or the up / down brake disc ramp 28 may overlap the up / down brake lever bump 29. When the up / down brake lever 23 is rotated and / or moved, the up / down brake lever bump 29 may slide and / or glide along the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 and / or the up / down brake disc ramp 28. When the up / down brake lever 23 is rotated and / or moved, the up / down brake disc flexible arm 26 maybe deflected and / or moved e.g. in axial direction A. It may be provided that the pressure exerted on the up / down brake disc 24 by the up / down brake lever 23, e.g. by the up / down brake lever bump 29, may depend on the position of the up / down brake lever 23. The pressure exerted on to the up / down brake disc 24 may be adjustable by rotating and / or moving the up / down brake lever 23.

[0147] Figs. 7 and 8 show an example of a left / right system 30. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the left / right system 30, and Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the left / right brake disc 34.

[0148] The left / right system 30 may comprise a left / right pulley 31. The left / right system 30 may further comprise a left / right wheel 32, a left / right brake disc 34 and a brake knob 33. The left / right system 30 may further have a left / right O-ring 35. The left / right pulley 31, the left / right wheel 32 and the brake knob 33 may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X.

[0149] The left / right pulley 31 is arranged such that an inner surface 60 of the left / right pulley 31 is supported by a first bearing surface 61 of chassis 50. In some embodiments, the shaft 51 may comprise the first bearing surface 61. In some embodiments, the first bearing surface 61 may be positioned at a distal end of the shaft 51 in axial direction A. Alternatively or additionally, the first bearing surface 61 may be positioned at the bottom and of shaft 51. In some embodiments, there may be substantially two bearing surfaces 61, which may be separated along the axial direction A. It may be provided that the first bearing surface 61, the second bearing surface 63 and the third bearing surface 65 are substantially concentric. It may be provided that the inner surface 60 of the left / right pulley 31 can be or comprise a concave surface. It may be provided that the inner surface 60 of the left / right pulley 31 can be at least partially concave.

[0150] The left / right brake disc 34 may be arranged above the left / right wheel 32 in axial direction A. The left / right brake disc 34 may be keyed to the shaft 51 of the chassis 50, to prevent rotation of the brake disc 34, e.g. by keying 72. The brake knob 33 may be arranged above the left / right brake disc 34 in axial direction A. The left / right O-ring 35 may be arranged between the left / right wheel 32 and the left / right brake disc 34. It may be provided that the left / right O- ring 35 maybe arranged in a groove of the left / right wheel 32.

[0151] The left / right wheel 32 may be mechanically connected with the left / right pulley 31. The mechanical connection may be a form fit and / or force fit. In some embodiments, the left / right wheel 32 may be integrally formed with the left / right pulley 31. Alternatively, it may be provided that the left / right wheel 32 is latched and / or locked to the left / right pulley 31, and / or snapped thereto. In some embodiments, the left / right pulley 31 has a step and / or flange for supporting the left / right wheel 32 in axial direction A. It may be provided that the mechanical connection between left / right wheel 32 and the left / right pulley 31 may be releasable.

[0152] The brake knob 33 may be fastened to the chassis 50 and / or the shaft 51 by a fastening means 53. The fastening means 53 may be e.g. a screw. Thereby, the left / right brake system 30, the left / right pulley 31, left / right wheel 32, left / right brake disc 34 and / or the brake knob 33 may be secured in axial direction A.

[0153] The up / down control system 20 and the left / right control system 30 maybe physically isolated from each other. In other words, the up / down control system 20 and the left / right control system 30 may move and / or rotate such that they do not contact each other. One, multiple or all components of the up / down control system 20 may move and / or rotate such that they do not contact one, multiple or all components of the and left / right control system 30 when rotating, and vice versa. Further, the elevator control system 10 and the left / right control system 30 may be physically isolated from each other.

[0154] The left / right brake disc 34 may have a left / right brake disc flexible arm 36. The left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 maybe flexible and / or movable in a direction substantially parallel to the axial direction A. The left / right brake disc 34 and / or the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 may have a left / right brake disc ramp 38. The left / right brake disc ramp 23 may be arranged such that it may face the brake knob 33. The left / right brake disc ramp 38 may be arranged at an upper side and / or upper surface of the left / right brake disc 34. The left / right brake disc ramp 38 may be sloped and / or inclined. The left / right brake disc ramp 38 may be configured to press against the brake knob 33, and / or the brake knob 33 may press against the left / right brake disc ramp 38.

[0155] In some embodiments, the left / right brake disc 34 and / or the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 may have a left / right brake disc bump 37. The left / right brake disc bump 37 may be arranged facing the left / right wheel 32 and / or the left / right O-ring 35. The left / right brake disc bump 37 may be arranged at a lower side and / or lower surface of the left / right brake disc 34 and / or the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36. In some embodiments, the left / right brake disc bump 37 may be arranged at a side opposite the left / right brake disc ramp 38. It may be provided that the left / right brake bump 37 may press against the left / right O-ring 35.

[0156] The brake knob 33 may have a brake knob bump 39. The brake knob bump 39 may be facing the left / right brake disc 34. The brake knob bump 39 maybe arranged at a lower side and / or lower surface of the brake knob 33. The brake knob bump 39 may be configured to press against the left / right brake disc 34, the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 and / or the left / right brake disc ramp 38. The brake knob bump 39 may contact the left / right brake disc 34, the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 and / or the left / right brake disc ramp 38.

[0157] The left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 and / or the left / right brake disc ramp 38 may overlap the brake knob bump 39. When the brake knob 33 is rotated and / or moved, the brake knob bump 39 may slide and / or glide along the left / right brake disc flexible arm 36 and / or the left / right brake disc ramp 38. When the brake knob 33 is rotated and / or moved, the left / right flexible arm 36 maybe deflected and / or moved e.g. in axial direction A.

[0158] It may be provided that the pressure exerted on the left / right brake disc 34 by the brake knob 33, e.g. by the brake knob bump 39, may depend on the position of the brake knob 33. The pressure exerted on to the left / right brake disc 34 maybe adjustable by rotating and / or moving the brake knob 33.

[0159] Fig. 9 shows an exemplary flow of an exemplary method according to the present disclosure. Fig. 10 shows another exemplary flow of an exemplary method according to the present disclosure. Fig. 11 to 14 show a control system 110 assembled by an exemplary method according to the disclosure at different steps.

[0160] In a first step 1000, a chassis 50 is provided. The chassis 50 has a shaft 51. The chassis 50 and / or the shaft 51 may have and / or may define an axis of rotation X. An axial direction A may be in direction of the axis of rotation X, and / or be substantially parallel to the axis of rotation X. A radial direction R may be substantially perpendicular to the axial direction A.

[0161] In a next step 1010, a first pulley, e.g. a left / right pulley 31, is placed on the chassis 50, such that the first pulley 31 at least partially encloses the shaft 51. When the first pulley 31 is placed on the chassis 50, an inner surface 60 of the first pulley 31 contacts a first bearing surface 61. It may be provided that the shaft 51 and / or the chassis 50 comprise the first bearing surface 61.

[0162] The first pulley 31 may be placed in a first assembly position. The first assembly position may be such that the first pulley 31 is supported by the first bearing surface 61 when or after being placed, and / or such that the first pulley 31 may enclose the shaft 51. The chassis 50 and / or the shaft 51 may have the first bearing surface 61. The chassis 50 may have a recess and / or receptacle defining the first assembly position and / or for accommodating the first pulley 31. The recess and / or receptacle may be arranged around the shaft 51, and / or enclose or accommodate the shaft 51. The first bearing surface 61 and / or the inner surface 6o of the first pulley 31 may be oriented substantially parallel to the axial direction A and / or may extend substantially in axial direction A.

[0163] In a next step 1020, a second pulley, e.g. an up / down pulley 21, is placed on the chassis 50 such that the second pulley 21 at least partially encloses the first pulley 31. The second pulley 21 may be placed over and / or above the first pulley 31. When the second pulley 21 is placed on the chassis 50, an outer surface 62 of the second pulley 21 contacts a second bearing surface 63. It may be provided that the chassis 50 comprises the second bearing surface 63.

[0164] The second pulley 21 may be placed in a second assembly position. The second assembly position may be such that the second pulley 21 is supported by the second bearing surface 63 when or after being placed, and / or such that the second pulley 21 may enclose the first pulley 31. The chassis 50 may have a or the recess and / or receptacle defining the second assembly position and / or for accommodating the second pulley 21. It may be provided that the recess and / or receptacle defines both the first assembly position and the second assembly position.

[0165] The second bearing surface 63 and / or the outer surface 62 of the second pulley 21 may be oriented substantially parallel to the axial direction A and / or may extend substantially in axial direction A. It may be provided that the first bearing surface 61 and the second bearing surface 63 are arranged concentrically.

[0166] In a next step 1030, a third pulley 11, e.g. an elevator pulley 11, maybe placed on the chassis 50 such that the third pulley 11 at least partially encloses the second pulley 21 and / or the first pulley 31. The third pulley 11 may be placed over and / or above the second pulley 21. When the third pulley 11 is placed on the chassis 50, an inner surface 64 of the third pulley 31 contacts a third bearing surface 65. It may be provided that the chassis 50 comprises the third bearing surface 65.

[0167] The third pulley 11 may be placed in a third assembly position. The third assembly position may be such that the third pulley 11 is supported by the third bearing surface 65 when or after being placed, and / or such that the third pulley 11 may enclose the second pulley 21 and / or the first pulley 31. The chassis 50 may have a second recess and / or receptacle defining the third assembly position and / or for accommodating the third pulley 11.

[0168] The third bearing surface 65 and / or the inner surface 64 of the third pulley 11 maybe oriented substantially parallel to the axial direction A and / or may extend substantially in axial direction A. It may be provided that the first bearing surface 61, the second bearing surface 63 and / or the third bearing surface 65 are arranged concentrically. In some embodiments, the third bearing surface 65 and the second bearing surface 63 may be arranged at opposite sides of a bearing part 52 of the chassis 50.

[0169] The resulting assembly after step 1030 is shown in Fig. 11. It may be provided that after step 1030, a body cover 55 maybe fixed or attached to the chassis 50.

[0170] The assembly maybe continued by assembling an elevator system 10, cf. Fig. 12. In a next step, an elevator lever 12 maybe added. The third pulley 11 maybe or may serve as an elevator pulley 11. The elevator lever 12 may be placed over and / or above the elevator pulley 11. The elevator leaver 12 may mechanically contact the elevator pulley 11. For instance, the elevator lever 12 may be locked, latched or snapped with or onto the elevator pulley 12. The elevator lever 12 may be placed such that it may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X.

[0171] It may be provided that an elevator O-ring 13 may be assembled. The elevator O-ring 13 may be placed such that it may contact the elevator pulley 11 and / or the elevator lever 12. The elevator O-ring 13 may rest on the elevator pulley 11, and be held down in position by the elevator lever 12. In some examples, the elevator O-ring 13 may be omitted, e.g. when assembling the elevator system 10.

[0172] An intermediate system 40 maybe fastened at a position over and / or above the elevator pulley 11 and / or elevator lever 12. The intermediate system 40 may be fastened to the chassis 50. For instance, the intermediate system 40 may be snapped onto the chassis 50 and / or fixed to the chassis 50. The chassis 50, and / or the bearing part 52, may have a notch 54 or the like, into which the intermediate system 40 can engage or with which the intermediate system 40 may be attached. The intermediate system 40 may be placed such that the elevator pulley 11 and the elevator lever 12 may be secured in axial direction A by the chassis 50 and the intermediate system 40. The intermediate system 40 may be placed such that it may contact the elevator pulley 11. It may be provided that the elevator pulley 11 can glide and / or slide along the intermediate system 40, and / or be guided by the intermediate system 40, when the elevator pulley 11 moves.

[0173] In some examples, an elevator brake lever 14 may be provided. The elevator brake lever 14 may be interlocked with the intermediate system 40 before placing the intermediate system 40. Then when placing the intermediate system 40, the intermediate system 40 maybe placed with the elevator brake lever 14 interlocked therewith. In some examples, interlocking the elevator brake lever 14 with the intermediate system may comprise accommodating the elevator brake lever 14 in a guiding groove of the intermediate system 40, preventing physical contact or cross-talk between of the elevator brake lever 14 and the elevator motion system 70.

[0174] Next, an up / down system 20 may be assembled, cf. Fig. 13. The second pulley 21 may be or may serve as an up / down pulley 21. An up / down brake lever 23 may be placed on the intermediate system 40. The up / down brake lever 23 may be placed such that it may be rotatable around the axis of rotation X. The up / down brake lever 23 may be placed such that it may glide and / or slide on the intermediate system 40 when the up / down brake lever 23 is rotated. The up / down brake lever 23 may be separated from the up / down pulley 21 by the intermediate system 40, e.g. in radial direction R.

[0175] An up / down brake disc 24 may be placed on, or over and / or above, the up / down brake lever 23. The up / down brake disc 24 may be placed such that it may contact the up / down brake lever 23.

[0176] In a next step, an up / down wheel 22 may be placed on, or over and / or above, the up / down brake disc 24. The up / down wheel 22 may be placed such that the up / down wheel 22 can mechanically contact the up / down pulley 21. It may be provided that the up / down wheel 21 latches to the up / down pulley 21 such that the up / down wheel 22, the up / down brake disc 24, the up / down brake lever 23 are secured in axial direction. The up / down wheel 22, the up / down brake disc 24, the up / down brake lever 23 and the up / down pulley may be secured in axial direction by the intermediate system 40 after being assembled.

[0177] In some embodiments, an up / down O-ring 25 may be provided. The up / down O-ring 25 may be accommodated in a groove of the up / down wheel 22. When placing the up / down wheel 22, the up / down O-ring 25 may be placed as well. When placing the up / down wheel 22, the up / down O-ring 25 maybe placed such as to face and / or contact the up / down brake disc 24.

[0178] Next, a left / right system 30 may be assembled, cf. Fig. 14. The first pulley 31 may be or may serve as a left / right pulley 31. A left / right wheel 32 may be placed over and / or above the up / down wheel 22. The left / right wheel 32 may be placed and / or arranged such that it may not contact the up / down wheel 22. The left / right wheel 32 may be in mechanical connection with the left / right pulley 31, and / or may be supported by the left / right pulley 31. For instance, the left / right pulley 31 may have a step and / or flange which may support the left / right wheel 32.

[0179] A left / right brake disc 34 may be placed on the left / right wheel 32. In some examples, a left / right O-ring 35 may be provided. The left / right O-ring 35 may be accommodated in a groove of the left / right wheel 32. The left / right O-ring 35 may be arranged such that it may face the left / right brake disc 34 when the left / right brake disc 34 is placed. The left / right brake disc 34 may be placed such that it may contact or at least face the left / right O-ring 35. Alternatively, in some examples, no left / right O-ring 35 may be provided, and the left / right brake disc 34 may contact and / or at least face the left / right wheel 32 after being placed.

[0180] A brake knob 33 may be placed on the left / right brake disc 34. The brake knob 33 may contact the left / right brake disc 34. The brake knob 33 may be fastened to the shaft 51 and / or the chassis 50 via a fastening means 53. The fastening means 53 may be or may comprise e.g. a screw, and / or the brake knob 33 may be screwed to the shaft 51 and / or chassis 50. Thus, the left / right brake disc 34 and the left / right wheel 32 may be secured in an axial direction A.

[0181] In the context of the present invention, it may be preferred that the first pulley is supported only at the inner surface of the first pulley and / or that the second pulley is only supported at the outer surface of the second pulley. Preferably, the first pulley is supported only at the inner surface of the first pulley in a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation by a first bearing surface of the chassis, wherein the second pulley is supported only at an outer surface of the second pulley in the radial direction by a second bearing surface of the chassis. In the context of the present invention, that means that the pulleys are only supported by one surface each, preferably a bearing surface of the chassis. It is particularly preferred that the pulleys include not just the mechanical features which are configured to drive the articulation, but also the axial extension, which connects the control wheel and the other elements of the control system. Preferably, the axial extension is configured to connect the control wheel and the cable driving portion of the pulley.

[0182] The chassis has a shaft, wherein the shaft has an axis of rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the shaft of the chassis is configured to support the first system of the control system according to the present invention. Preferably, the chassis has the shaft integrated into it. In other words, the shaft may be an integral part of the chassis. Additionally, it may be preferred that the bearing surfaces are integrated into the chassis. In the context of the present invention, that means that the first and / or the second bearing surface may be an integral part of the chassis.

[0183] In the context of the present invention, it may be preferred that the first pully and / or the second pully comprise an outer shaft, wherein the outer shaft is unsupported. It may be preferred that the outer shaft is partially unsupported, but it may also be preferred that the outer shaft is completely or basically completely unsupported. Preferably, the pulleys are assembled onto the chassis from the front of the control system. At a later stage of the assembly, an external shell may cover the pulleys, or portions of the pulleys, preferably without providing any support to the mechanism. Subsequently, the control wheel parts of the present invention may be assembled onto the pulleys. It represents an advantage of the present invention that in the course of the assembly of the control system, new elements are added in one direction only.

[0184] In the context of the present invention, it may additionally or alternatively be preferred that a final assembly of the left / right system is completed later, after initial assembly of the left / right pulley onto the chassis and after assembly of the up / down system into the handle body. Preferably, the up / down system can be set or mounted on top of the left / right pulley. In the context of the present invention, the cable driving pulley is preferably supported on its outer surface, e.g. on both sides of the cable. By this advantageous design, torque on the wheels or tension in the cables does not introduce a torque on the proposed control system, which might drive the up / down system out of its rotation axis. Thus, the system can be better protected against mechanical effects, such as torque or tension.

[0185] The examples of the present disclosure disclosed herein only constitute specific examples for illustration purposes. The present invention can be implemented in various ways and with many modifications without altering the underlying basic properties. Therefore, the present invention is only defined by the claims. The features as disclosed in the claims, the specification and the figures may be relevant for the realization of the invention in any combination.

[0186] H34322WU 34

[0187] List of reference numerals

[0188] 10 third system, e.g. elevator control system

[0189] 11 third pulley, e.g. elevator pulley

[0190] 12 elevator lever

[0191] 13 elevator O-ring

[0192] 14 elevator brake handle

[0193] 15 engagement means

[0194] 16 recess

[0195] 17 elevator thumb grip

[0196] 18 motion conversion portion

[0197] 19 cylindrical face / groove

[0198] 70 elevator motion system

[0199] 8o elevator brake system

[0200] 90 elevator linear motion system

[0201] 20 second system, e.g. up / down control system

[0202] 21 second pulley, e.g. up / down pulley

[0203] 22 up / down wheel

[0204] 23 up / down brake lever

[0205] 24 up / down brake disc

[0206] 25 up / down O-ring

[0207] 26 up / down brake disc flexible arm

[0208] 27 up / down brake disc bump

[0209] 28 up / down brake disc ramp

[0210] 29 up / down lever bump

[0211] 71 keying

[0212] 30 first system, e.g. left / right control system

[0213] 31 first pulley, e.g. left / right pulley

[0214] 32 left / right wheel

[0215] 33 brake knob

[0216] 34 left / right brake disc

[0217] 35 left / right O-ring

[0218] 36 left / right brake disc flexible arm

[0219] 37 left / right brake disc bump

[0220] 38 left / right brake disc ramp

[0221] 39 brake knob bump 72 keying

[0222] 40 intermediate system

[0223] 41 spring-like arm

[0224] 42 engagement gap

[0225] 43 guiding groove

[0226] 44 repositionable foot

[0227] 50 chassis

[0228] 51 shaft

[0229] 52 bearing part

[0230] 53 fastening means

[0231] 54 notch

[0232] 55 body cover

[0233] 60 inner surface of the left / right pulley

[0234] 61 first bearing surface

[0235] 62 outer surface of the up / down pulley

[0236] 63 second bearing surface

[0237] 64 inner surface of the elevator pulley

[0238] 65 third bearing surface

[0239] 100 endoscope

[0240] 110 control system

[0241] 120 tip

[0242] 130 insertion tube

[0243] 140 control body

[0244] 150 connector

[0245] 160 actuating member

[0246] 170 port

[0247] X axis of rotation

[0248] A axial direction

[0249] R radial direction

[0250] Z actuating direction

Claims

Claims:

1. A control system (no) for an endoscope (too), the control system (no) comprising: a control body (140) with a chassis (50), the chassis (50) having a shaft (51), the shaft (51) having an axis of rotation (X), a first system (30) having a first pulley (31), the first pulley (31) being rotatable about the axis of rotation (X), the first pulley (31) being supported at an inner surface (60) of the first pulley (31) in a radial direction (R) relative to the axis of rotation (X) by a first bearing surface (61) of the chassis (50), preferably of the shaft (51), a second system (20) having a second pulley (21), the second pulley (21) being rotatable about the axis of rotation (X), the second pulley (21) being supported at an outer surface (62) of the second pulley (21) in the radial direction (R) by a second bearing surface (63) of the chassis (50).

2. The control system (110) of claim 1, wherein the second pulley (21) at least partially overlaps the first pulley (31) in the radial direction (R).

3. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner surface (60) of the first pulley (31) is concave, and / or wherein the outer surface (62) of the second pulley (21) is convex.

4. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first system (30), and the second system (20) are physically isolated and / or do not contact each other.

5. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, the control system (110) further having a third system (10), the third system (10) having a third pulley (11), the third pulley (11) being rotatable about the axis of rotation (X), the third pulley (31) being supported at an inner surface (64) of the third pulley (31) in the radial direction (R) by a third bearing surface (65) of the chassis (50).

6. The control system (110) of claim 5, wherein the third pulley (11) at least partially overlaps the second pulley (21) in the radial direction (R), and / or wherein the inner surface (64) of the third pulley (11) is concave.7 . The control system (110) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the second bearing surface (63) and the third bearing surface (65) are arranged at opposite sides of a bearing part (52) of the chassis (50), wherein preferably the first bearing surface (61), the second bearingsurface (63) and the third bearing surface (65) are arranged substantially concentrically.

8. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims 5 to 7, wherein the first system (30) and the third system (11) are physically isolated and / or do not contact each other, and / or wherein the second system (20) and the second system (31) are physically isolated and / or do not contact each other.

9. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims 5 to 8, the control system having an intermediate system (40), the intermediate system (40) being arranged in an axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) between the third system (10) and the second system (20), wherein preferably the intermediate system (40) is snapped onto the chassis (50), more preferably snapped onto the bearing part (52).

10. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, comprising an elevator system (10), the elevator system (10) having an elevator pulley (11), wherein preferably the third system (10) is the elevator system (10) and the third pulley (11) is the elevator pulley (11), the elevator system (10) having an elevator lever (12), the elevator lever (12) being in mechanical connection with the elevator pulley (11), preferably being snapped onto the elevator pulley (11), wherein preferably the elevator system (10) is secured in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) by the intermediate system (40) and the chassis (50).

11. The control system (110) of claim 10, wherein the elevator system (10) has an elevator brake lever (14), the elevator brake lever (14) being arranged in axial direction of the axis (X) of rotation over the elevator lever (12), wherein preferably the elevator brake lever (14) is supported by the intermediate system (40), more preferably accommodated in the intermediate system (40).

12. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the control mechanism (too) comprises an up / down system (20), the up / down system (20) having an up / down pulley (21), wherein preferablythe second system (20) is the up / down system (20) and the second pulley (21) is the up / down pulley (21), the up / down system (20) having an up / down wheel (22), an up / down brake lever (23) and an up / down brake disc (24), the up / down wheel (22) being in mechanical connection with the up / down pulley (21), preferably snapped onto the up / down pulley (21), wherein the up / down wheel (22) is arranged in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) over the up / down brake disc (24), wherein the up / down brake disc (24) is arranged in axial direction (A)of the axis of rotation (X) over the up / down brake lever (23), wherein preferably the up / down brake lever (23) is arranged in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) over the intermediate system (40).

13. The control system (110) of claim 12 with further reference to claim 6, wherein the intermediate system (40) is sandwiched in the up / down system (20), wherein the intermediate system (40) secures the up / down system (20) in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X).

14. The control system (110) of any of the preceding claims, wherein control system (110) has a left / right system (30), the left / right system (30) having a left / right pulley (31), wherein preferably the first system (30) is the left / right system (30) and the third pulley(31) is the left / right pulley (31), the left / right system (30) having a left / right wheel (32), a left / right brake disc (34) and a brake knob (33), the left / right wheel (32) being in mechanical connection with the left / right pulley (31), the left / right brake disc (34) being arranged in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) over the left / right wheel(32) and the brake knob (33) being arranged in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) over the left / right brake disc (34).

15. The control system (110) of claim 14, wherein the left / right system (30) is secured in axial direction (A) of the axis of rotation (X) by the left / right pulley (31) and a fastening means, preferably a screw, which secures the brake knob (33) to the chassis (50) and / or shaft (51).

16. An endoscope (too), the endoscope (too) comprising a control system (110) according to any of the preceding claims.

17. A method for assembling a control system (110) for an endoscope (too), the method comprising the steps: providing a chassis (50) having a shaft (51), placing a first pulley (31) on the chassis (50) such that the first pulley (31) at least partially encloses the shaft (51), wherein a first bearing surface (61) of the chassis (50) contacts an inner surface (60) of the first pulley (31), placing a second pulley (21) on the chassis (50) such that the second pulley (21) at least partially encloses the first pulley (31), wherein a second bearing surface (63) of the chassis (50) contacts an outer surface (62) of the second pulley (21).

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps:placing a third pulley (n) on the chassis (50) such that the third pulley (11) at least partially encloses the second pulley (21), wherein a third bearing surface (65) of the chassis (50) contacts an inner surface (64) of the third pulley (11).

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step: placing an elevator lever (12) over the third pulley (11), such that the elevator lever (12) mechanically contacts the third pulley (11), wherein preferably the elevator lever (12) is snapped onto the third pulley (11).

20. The method according to any of the preceding claims 17 to 19, further comprising the steps: fastening an intermediate system (40) to the chassis (50), wherein preferably the intermediate system (40) is snapped onto the chassis (50), preferably at a position above the third pulley (11) such that preferably the third pulley (11) and the elevator lever (12) are secured in axial direction (A) by the chassis (50) and the intermediate system (40); placing an up / down brake lever (23) on the intermediate system (40), placing an up / down brake disc (24) on the up / down brake lever (23), placing an up / down wheel (22) on the up / down brake disc (24), such that the up / down wheel (22) mechanically contacts the second pulley (21), wherein the up / down wheel (22) preferably latches to the second pulley (21) such that the up / down wheel (22), the up / down brake disc (24), the up / down brake lever (23) are secured in axial direction (A) by the intermediate system (40); placing a left / right wheel (32) over the up / down wheel (22) such that the left / right wheel (32) is in mechanical contact with the first pulley (11), wherein preferably the left / right wheel (32) is supported by the first pulley (11), pacing a left / right brake disc (34) on the left / right wheel (32), placing a brake knob (33) on the left / right brake disc (34), securing the brake knob (33) to the shaft (51), wherein preferably the brake knob(33) is fastened to the shaft (51), such that the brake knob (33), the left / right brake disc(34) and the left / right wheel (32) are secured in an axial direction (A).

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising interlocking an elevator brake lever (14) with the intermediate system (40) before fastening the intermediate system (40), such that when placing the intermediate system (40), the intermediate system (40) with the elevator brake lever (14) interlocked therewith is placed, wherein preferably interlocking the elevator brake lever (14) with the intermediate system (40)comprises accommodating the elevator brake lever (14) in a guiding groove (43) of the intermediate system (40).

Images