US 12,075,977 B2
Endoscope deflection using a distal folding mechanism
Konstantin Bob, Weinheim (DE); and Andreas Gründl, Starnberg (DE)
Assigned to Konstantin Bob, Weinheim (DE)
Appl. No. 17/052,453
Filed by Konstantin Bob, Weinheim (DE)
PCT Filed May 3, 2019, PCT No. PCT/EP2019/061420
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 2, 2020,
PCT Pub. No. WO2019/211456, PCT Pub. Date Nov. 7, 2019.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2018 110 620.3 (DE), filed on May 3, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0137354 A1, May 13, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 1/005 (2006.01); A61B 1/00 (2006.01); A61B 1/012 (2006.01); A61B 1/273 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 1/0056 (2013.01) [A61B 1/00098 (2013.01); A61B 1/0057 (2013.01); A61B 1/012 (2013.01); A61B 1/273 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An endoscope comprising:
an endoscope shaft with a distal deflection portion for bendable connection of a distal tip of the endoscope with a proximal endoscope shaft portion;
a folding portion being formed separately from the distal deflection portion and being arranged distally of the deflection portion; and
an endoscope head connected to the folding portion or forming the folding portion, and carrying an optical unit and lighting means that are arranged distally from the folding portion, wherein the endoscope head including the optical unit and the lighting means is foldably or bendably mounted at a distal end of the endoscope shaft via the folding portion, the folding portion comprising:
a plurality of axially successive segments which are actively adjustable in angle relative to each other separately from a bending of the deflection section via at least one actuating element of the folding portion, the plurality of axially successive segments being configured to permit folding or bending the endoscope head including the optical unit and lighting means, and said plurality of axially successive segments defining at least one working channel in an axial direction for passage of minimally invasive surgical instruments, flushing media, or supply lines,
the plurality of axially successive segments being wedge-shaped or wedge-like cylinder sections with front sides oriented or set against each other in a wedge-shaped manner, whereby each cylinder section forms a cylinder jacket portion with minimum axial length and a cylinder jacket portion with maximum axial length,
wherein directly adjacent segments of the plurality of axially successive segments are oriented relative to one another in such a way that the directly adjacent segments are axially supported or rest on each other at a support or rest site at a region of their respective cylinder jacket portions of maximum axial length, whereby a hinge or joint contact is created at the support or rest site;
wherein at least one traction element channel is provided for the at least one actuating element forming a traction element for angular adjustment of the plurality of axially successive segments, said traction element channel extending in the axial direction through each of the plurality of axially successive segments and being offset radially inwards relative to the support or rest sites of the plurality of axially successive segments, in a direction towards a wedge tip formed by the cylinder jacket portion with minimum axial length, so that the traction element running in the traction element channel forms a lever arm relative to the support or rest sites of the plurality of axially successive segments, contracting the wedge tips when a tractive force is applied; and
wherein the at least one traction element channel is arranged in a region opposite the wedge tips in a cross-section of the plurality of axially successive segments.