DE102014204041A1 - Method for producing an endoscope and endoscope with variable viewing direction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing an endoscope (2) with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft (4) with a light entry window (6), the viewing direction being in a central pivot plane (5) by pivoting a distal light deflection element about a pivot axis (7). is changeable, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface (8, 9), are embedded in the connected to a light source or connectable optical fibers (18) in a matrix material or, wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) ground flat and / or polished, and a corresponding endoscope (2). According to the invention, the light entry window (6) is curved and projects beyond the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft (4), wherein the at least one light exit surface (8, 9) projects in at least one opposite the central pivot plane (5) outside inclined plane (10, 12) is generated, which does not intersect the light entrance window (6).

Description

The invention relates to a method for producing an endoscope with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entry window, wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements about a pivot axis is variable, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface, at the a light source connected or connectable optical fibers are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface is ground flat and / or polished, and a corresponding endoscope.

In the optics of current endoscopes and video endoscopes planar cover glasses or cover glasses or light entry window, for example made of sapphire, used in the cladding tubes of the endoscope to protect the optics and to create a hermetically sealed space. Such endoscopes with planar cover glasses offer a straight-ahead view or a rigid lateral viewing angle. After drawing optical fibers into the cladding tube for the purpose of illuminating the field of view to be detected by the endoscope, the optical fibers are glued, ground and polished. The optical fibers are thus embedded in a matrix of a matrix material, for example an adhesive, a plastic or the like. The sanding and polishing takes place in a plane that is parallel to the plan cover glass. At least in a 0 ° viewing direction, this plane is perpendicular to the axis of the cladding tube.

In the case of an endoscope with variable viewing direction, the so-called variable direction of view, instead of a planar cover glass, a curved, in particular spherical, dome of sapphire glass is used. Due to its design, this dome protrudes beyond the exit surfaces of the optical fibers to avoid image trimming. The grinding and polishing of the optical fibers to produce a light exit surface is therefore associated with the risk of damaging the dome. Such a grinding or polishing process, which specifically processes only the areas of the optical fibers, is very complicated, difficult and uncertain.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to simplify the manufacture of an endoscope with variable viewing direction and plan light exit surfaces and to make safer, in particular, the illumination of the viewable from the endoscope surgical field or diagnostic field should remain distal to the endoscope tip.

This object is achieved by a method for producing an endoscope with a variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entry window, wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements about a pivot axis is changeable, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface on the optical fibers connected or connectable to a light source are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface is ground flat and / or polished, which is further developed by the light entry window being curved and projecting beyond the at least one light exit surface in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft wherein the at least one light exit surface is generated in at least one plane inclined outwards relative to the central pivot plane and which does not intersect the light entry window.

The basic idea of the invention is that it is no longer ground or polished in a plane which is at right angles to the tube axis and the central pivot plane and thus parallel to the pivot axis, but that the outlets of the optical fibers, ie the plane light exit surfaces, in an inclined or oblique plane sloping outwards. These inclined planes do not intersect the light entrance window. As a result, the protruding dome or the projecting light exit window is not touched or crossed, so that the dome or the light entry window is not damaged during the processing of the optical fibers.

The central pivot plane is defined in the context of the present invention as including the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft and the pivot axis being a normal vector on it. In other words, the pivot axis is perpendicular to the pivot plane. Geometrically, the feature means that the light exit surface, which is generated in the inclined plane, is inclined outwards relative to the pivoting plane, that the inner edge of the light exit surface projects further in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft than the outer edge of the light exit surface.

The light exit surface or the light exit surfaces, which are arranged next to the light entry window, is or are arranged in particular laterally next to the light entry window, ie away from the central pivot plane. Preferred for uniform illumination is a symmetrical arrangement of light exit surfaces on the left and right of the central pivot plane.

The inclined plane may be suitably selected as long as it does not intersect the light entrance window and thus includes damage to the light entrance window as a possibility. It is preferred that the at least one inclined plane, in particular to a safety distance, is arranged tangentially to the light entry window. This means the lowest possible angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft or the cladding tube and thus a particularly good illumination. The safety distance should be selected according to the tolerances that can be maintained during the manufacture of the endoscope. These depend, among other things, on the machines and tools used.

Preferably, the endoscope shaft comprises a cladding tube and a fiber tube arranged in the cladding tube, between which at least one bundle of optical fibers is conducted to at least one light exit surface. This construction leads to a safe passage of the optical fibers.

By chamfering the outlets of the optical fibers, the exiting light can be deflected by refraction at the now asymmetric, because outwardly inclined exit surface to the Hüllrohrachse out. This can cause the entire illumination is not wide enough and the corners are therefore too dark. In this context, it is advantageous if the optical fibers at the location of the outwardly inclined plane deviate from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, in particular take an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, which is smaller than or equal to the angle A normal vector occupies the outwardly inclined plane to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft. As a result, the asymmetry of the Schräganschnitts of the optical fibers is reduced and at the same time achieved a stronger alignment on the image edges and corners. The two effects complement each other. This results in a more uniform full-surface illumination. This can be driven to the point where the optical fibers are perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the plane light exit surface.

In order to achieve such a pre-bend, it is preferably provided that the optical fibers are placed under a bias from the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft before being embedded in the matrix material and / or before the generation of the at least one planar light-emitting surface. This ensures that the optical fibers are actually embedded in the matrix pointing away from the longitudinal axis of the cladding tube or the endoscope shaft and thus obtain the desired orientation at the location of the light exit surface.

A further advantageous embodiment provides that upon retraction of the optical fibers, the cladding tube with respect to the arranged in the cladding tube fiber tube protrudes, wherein in particular the protruding part of the fiber tube together with a smaller part of the cladding over at least one outwardly inclined plane and in the production of at least a plane light exit surface is ground and / or -polished. The back of the cladding tube opposite the fiber tube, which is disposed within the cladding tube, allows the orientation of the fibers in an oblique orientation facing away from the longitudinal axis. The corresponding structures of the fiber tube and the cladding tube, which favor this pre-direction selection, are removed in the processing of the cladding tube and the fiber tube and the optical fibers in the production or production of the plane light exit surface. The chamfered grinding or polishing, fiber tubes and cladding tubes are brought to the same level, so that no sharp edge remains.

A further advantage here is that, in combination with the roundness of the sapphire dome and the outwardly inclined outlet surfaces, an endoscope tip to be inserted easily into an opening results.

The object of the invention is also based on an endoscope with variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft with a light entrance window, wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements about a pivot axis is changeable, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface on the light fibers connected or connectable to a light source are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface is ground flat and / or polished, which is further developed in that the light entry window is curved and projects beyond the at least one light exit surface in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft wherein the at least one light exit surface is generated or arranged in at least one plane inclined outwardly with respect to the central pivot plane and which does not intersect the light entry window.

Preferably, the at least one inclined plane, in particular to a safety distance, arranged tangentially to the light entrance window.

Furthermore, the endoscope shaft advantageously comprises a cladding tube and a fiber tube arranged in the cladding tube, between which at least one bundle of optical fibers is led to at least one light exit surface.

In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the optical fibers at the location of the outwardly inclined plane deviate from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, in particular an angle to Take longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft, which is smaller than or equal to the angle that a normal vector occupies on the outwardly inclined plane to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft.

The endoscope according to the invention is or is preferably produced in a previously described method according to the invention.

The properties, features and advantages mentioned for the method according to the invention described above also apply without restriction to the endoscope according to the invention.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a known endoscope tip,

2 a schematic representation of the production of planar light exit surfaces in an endoscope with variable viewing direction,

3a ), b) schematic representations of the plane light exit surfaces in an endoscope according to the invention and

4 a schematic detail view of an endoscope tip to be processed according to the invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

In 1 is a known type of Lichtleitfaserbearbeitung the example of a known endoscope tip shown schematically. The endoscope 102 has an endoscope shaft 104 on whose distal tip several elements are visible. An outer cladding tube 114 forms the outermost layer of the endoscope shaft 104 , In the cladding tube 114 is a fiber tube 116 inserted, in the central opening an optics, not shown, of a central beam path is arranged. This central opening of the fiber tube 116 is through a plane light entry window 106 hermetically covered.

On one side, in 1 shown on the left are two light exit surfaces 108 represented, at which end optical fiber bundles which are connected proximally with a light source, not shown. The optical fibers of the optical fiber bundles are embedded in a matrix of a matrix material, such as an adhesive, a plastic or the like, so that the optical fiber bundles hermetically seal the endoscope shaft.

The endoscope tip is in a polishing plane 110 polished to the plane light exit surfaces 108 to create. This polishing level is also flat or slightly offset from the plane light entrance window 106 so that it is not damaged during polishing or grinding.

In 2 is a corresponding processing of the endoscope tip of an endoscope 202 shown with variable viewing direction. This endoscope 202 points to his endoscope 204 distal to a plane light entry window 106 a curved, substantially spherical, light entrance window 206 on. This is also called "Dom". Inside a deflector (not shown) is arranged, which is a pivot axis schematically indicated by a dashed line 207 is pivotable and light from a lateral or straight-ahead viewing direction in the longitudinal axial direction of the endoscope shaft 204 deflects.

On both sides of the light entry window 206 are structures with light exit surfaces 208 and 209 , of which the light exit surfaces 208 are directed straight ahead, ie in a 0 ° -View direction, while the light exit surfaces 209 are slanted and radiate approximately at a 45 ° angle to the side. The light exit surfaces 208 . 209 are from a structure between the cladding tube 214 and the fiber tube 216 of the endoscope shaft 204 educated.

Level light exit surfaces 208 . 209 are made by grinding and / or polishing in two planes, namely a polishing plane 210 for the straight ahead and a polishing level 212 for an oblique illumination, formed. These polishing levels 210 . 212 cut through the light entry window 206 so that there are two potential cutting planes 211 . 213 in which there is a risk that the "dome" will be damaged by a grinding or polishing disc or a milling cutter the light entrance window 206 touched. On the finished endoscope, the light entrance window 206 keep its dome shape and not the cutting planes 211 . 213 actually in the form of real cut surfaces.

3a ) and 3b ) show a front view and a rear view of an endoscope shaft 4 an endoscope according to the invention 2 that's similar is constructed like the endoscope 202 out 2 , where distally also a curved light entrance window 6 is arranged in the form of a substantially spherical dome. Also indicated are a pivot axis 7 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4 runs, as well as a central pivoting plane 5 covering the central longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4 includes and perpendicular to the pivot axis 7 stands.

From the endoscope shaft 4 are an outside cladding tube 14 and a fiber tube disposed therein 16 visible, between which distally an opening for light exit surfaces 8th . 9 is trained. The optical fibers are not shown here.

An oblique plane 10 is on the left side of 3a ), with a plane and with respect to the central pivot plane 5 outwardly inclined surface for a light exit surface 8th is produced. The inclined plane 10 pushes into the drawing plane and is therefore marked by a dashed line. Another inclined plane 12 serves to the light exit surfaces 9 on the left in 3a ) to create. Both inclined planes 10 . 12 cut the light entrance window 6 not, but are arranged substantially tangential to the spherical dome. A small safety distance is recognizable. Mirror images are also available for the right in 3a ) provided inclined inclined planes, which are omitted, however, for the sake of clarity.

In 3b ) is the back of the endoscope shaft 4 of the endoscope 2 out 3a ), in which case only the outwardly inclined plane 10 is shown, in turn, for a light exit surface 8th on top of the distal tip laterally of the light entry window 6 is provided.

As in 3a ) and 3b ), results in a rounded tip, which is easily inserted into a cavity. Without the inventive outward beveling of the light exit surfaces 8th . 9 would result in a Widerr edge.

In 4 a detail is shown, namely a part, according to 3a ) right, with a section of the light entry window 6 and structures of the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 16 of the endoscope shaft 4 , Between the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 16 is an opening for optical fibers 18 , which are shown schematically provided, which serve for example to illuminate a surgical field. How out 4 can be seen, is the cladding tube 14 opposite the fiber tube 16 something withdrawn, so for the optical fibers 18 Place is created to run slightly laterally inclined out of the opening.

Schematically is also an oblique plane 10 according to the sloping planes 10 out 3a ) and 3b ). This oblique plane defines the light exit surface 8th , in the 4 not yet made. For this, be along the sloping plane 10 the structures of the supernatant 20 beyond the sloping plane 10 sanded and polished. The sloping plane 10 touches the light entry window 6 Not. This damages the light entry window 6 locked out.

In addition, due to the offset between the cladding tube 14 and the fiber tube 16 the bundle of optical fibers 18 also be placed under a mechanical tension or a train to the outside, in order to achieve that the optical fibers 18 at the place of the oblique plane 10 perpendicular to this oblique plane 10 or the light exit surface 8th to meet. It can also be an angle of the optical fibers 18 be chosen between the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft 4 and a normal vector on the oblique plane 10 so that the illumination by means of the optical fibers 18 that are in the light exit surface 8th are bevelled and polished accordingly, as desired.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

 endoscope

4

 endoscope shaft

5

 central pivoting plane

6

 Light entrance window

7

 swivel axis

8, 9

 Light-emitting surface

10, 12

 sloping plane

14

 cladding tube

16

 fiber tube

18

 optical fibers

20

 supernatant to be abraded

102

 endoscope

104

 endoscope shaft

106

 Light entrance window

108

 Light-emitting surface

110

 polishing plane

114

 cladding tube

116

 fiber tube

202

 endoscope

204

 endoscope shaft

206

 Light entrance window

207

 swivel axis

208, 209

 Light-emitting surface

210

 polishing plane

211

 cutting plane

212

 polishing plane

213

 cutting plane

214

 cladding tube

216

 fiber tube

Claims (11)

Method for producing an endoscope ( 2 ) with variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft ( 4 ) with a light entry window ( 6 ), wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane ( 5 ) by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements about a pivot axis ( 7 ) is variable, and at least one arranged adjacent to the light entrance window light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ), at the connected to a light source or connectable optical fibers ( 18 ) are or are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ) ground plane and / or polished, characterized in that the light entrance window ( 6 ) is curved and in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) over the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ), wherein the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ) in at least one opposite the central pivot plane ( 5 ) outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) which generates the light entrance window ( 6 ) does not cut. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ), in particular to a safety distance, tangential to the light entry window ( 6 ) is arranged. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) a cladding tube ( 14 ) and in the cladding tube ( 14 ) arranged fiber tube ( 16 ) between which at least one bundle of optical fibers ( 18 ) to at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ). Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the optical fibers ( 18 ) at the location of the outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ), in particular an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ), which is less than or equal to the angle which a normal vector has on the outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) occupies. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the optical fibers ( 18 ) before embedding in the matrix material and / or before the generation of the at least one planar light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ) under a bias from the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) are put away. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that when retracting the optical fibers ( 18 ) the cladding tube ( 14 ) in relation to that in the cladding tube ( 14 ) arranged fiber tube ( 16 ), wherein in particular the protruding part of the fiber tube ( 16 ) together with a smaller part of the cladding tube ( 14 ) via at least one outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) and in the production of the at least one planar light exit surface is ground and / or -polished. Endoscope ( 2 ) with variable viewing direction, comprising an endoscope shaft ( 4 ) with a light entry window ( 6 ), wherein the viewing direction in a central pivot plane ( 5 ) by pivoting a distal Lichtumlenkelements about a pivot axis ( 7 ) is changeable, and at least one next to the light entrance window ( 6 ) arranged light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ), at the connected to a light source or connectable optical fibers ( 18 ) are embedded in a matrix material, wherein the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ) ground plane and / or polished, characterized in that the light entrance window ( 6 ) is curved and in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) over the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ), wherein the at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ) in at least one opposite the central pivot plane ( 5 ) outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) is arranged or arranged, the light entrance window ( 6 ) does not cut. Endoscope ( 2 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ), in particular to a safety distance, tangential to the light entry window ( 6 ) is arranged. Endoscope ( 2 ) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) a cladding tube ( 14 ) and in the cladding tube ( 14 ) arranged fiber tube ( 16 ) between which at least one bundle of optical fibers ( 18 ) to at least one light exit surface ( 8th . 9 ). Endoscope ( 2 ) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the optical fibers ( 18 ) at the location of the outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) from a 0 ° -direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ), in particular an angle to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) which is less than or equal to the angle which a normal vector has on the outwardly inclined plane ( 10 . 12 ) to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft ( 4 ) occupies. Endoscope ( 2 ) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, prepared in a process according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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