US 11,992,190 B2
Flexible endoscope based upon an investment composition
Matthias Kühn, Freiburg (DE); Stefan Schröer, Freiburg (DE); Michael Schwärzle, Freiburg (DE); Johannes Bourbon, Freiburg (DE); Lutz Labusch, Emmendingen (DE); Erwin Streck, Donaueschingen (DE); and Holger Reinecke, Emmendingen (DE)
Assigned to SCHÖLLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH, Denzlingen (DE)
Filed by SCHOLLY FIBEROPTIC GMBH, Denzlingen (DE)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/237,280.
Claims priority of application No. 102020111455.9 (DE), filed on Apr. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0330175 A1, Oct. 28, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/05 (2006.01); A61B 1/06 (2006.01); A61B 1/07 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/0057 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00096 (2013.01); A61B 1/0011 (2013.01); A61B 1/05 (2013.01); A61B 1/0684 (2013.01); A61B 1/07 (2013.01); A61B 2562/028 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0285 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A flexible endoscope for insertion into the human body, the endoscope comprising:
a flexible section arranged in a distal end region of the endoscope, the flexible section comprising a plurality of disc-shaped guide elements that are spaced apart from each other;
a tip segment distally adjoining the flexible section, said tip segment being controllable by means of at least one tension cord; and
wherein the flexible section is formed by means of an investment composition that is invested between the guide elements and is mechanically anchored to the tip segment and/or a proximal counter bearing; and
wherein the investment composition is elastically deformable; and
wherein the investment composition is mechanically anchored in the tip segment forming a distal counter bearing for the flexible section, and/or in the proximal counter bearing, such that, in either case, the investment composition forms a continuous connection extending over the entire flexible section, and such that the investment composition extends from the flexible section into the tip segment and/or into the proximal counter bearing;
wherein a carrier body of the tip segment, forms a distal anchoring aid for anchoring the investment composition in the distal tip segment, and/or the proximal counter bearing forms a proximal anchoring aid for anchoring the investment composition in the proximal counter bearing.