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Publication Number
US-9962064-B2
Publication Date
2018-05-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An adapter for the releasable and relockable coupling of an endoscope with a camera head has an inner wall and an outer wall that are connected with one another via a connecting wall extending between the inner wall and outer wall at or near their first axial ends, and which inner wall and outer wall are arranged with at least a lateral separation from one another, so that an open clearance results between the inner wall and outer wall on a second axial side that is situated opposite the first axial ends. Furthermore, the adapter comprises a coupling wall that seals a clearance enclosed by the inner wall at or near a second axial end of the inner wall, such that the clearance that is enclosed by the inner wall is open at a first axial side that is situated opposite the second axial end of the inner wall.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an adapter for the releasable and relockable coupling of an endoscope with a camera head. The adapter includes an inner wall, an outer wall, a connecting wall, and a coupling wall. The inner wall encloses a clearance, while the outer wall surrounds the inner wall with at least a lateral separation to form a second clearance between the inner wall and the outer wall.
The outer wall is connected with the inner wall via the connecting wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall at or in an area of their first axial ends. The coupling wall confines the clearance enclosed by the inner wall at or near a second axial end of the inner wall. The clearance enclosed by the inner wall is open at a first axial side opposite the second axial end, while the second clearance is open on a second axial side opposite the first axial end.
One clearance is designed for releasable and relockable coupling with at least a portion of a distal camera head end, and the other clearance is designed for releasable and relockable coupling with at least a portion of a proximal endoscope end. The described structure further supports sterile separation concepts by providing a germ-proof/sterile-side separation arrangement using the coupling wall and an optical window/opening. Example structures also include rotation safeguards and locking devices to improve coupling rigidity and precision and to enable reduced size for easier handling and sterilization.
Claims Coverage
The document contains one independent claim directed to the adapter’s dual-clearance, axially opposite coupling concept. Dependent claims further refine inventive features such as sterile separation, overlap, optical/electrical transmission, and safety/locking and geometry refinements.
Dual-clearance adapter with axially opposite open sides for endoscope and camera head coupling
An adapter includes an inner wall and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall with a lateral separation to form a second clearance, a connecting wall extending between the inner wall and the outer wall at or in an area of their first axial ends, and a coupling wall that confines the clearance enclosed by the inner wall at or near the second axial end of the inner wall. The clearance enclosed by the inner wall is open at a first axial side opposite the second axial end, while the second clearance is open on a second axial side opposite the first axial end. One clearance is designed for releasable and relockable coupling with at least a portion of a distal camera head end, and the other clearance is designed for releasable and relockable coupling with at least a portion of a proximal endoscope end.
Germ-proof/sterile-side separation coupling
A germ-proof adapter that connects an endoscope on the distal side to a camera head on the proximal side to separate a sterile side from a non-sterile side and maintain the sterile side sterile.
Axial overlap of coupled proximal and distal portions
The proximal endoscope portion and the distal camera head portion that extend into respective clearances overlap axially by at least 50% of an axial length of at least one clearance.
Optical and/or electrical conductor transmission between proximal and distal sides
The adapter includes at least one optical conductor and/or electrical conductor to transmit exposure light and/or optical signals and to transmit electrical signals and/or electrical power between proximal and distal sides.
Rotation safeguard to prevent rotation of coupled components
A rotation safeguard is provided to prevent rotation of a coupled endoscope and/or camera head.
Cylindrical or hollow cylindrical coupling face geometry
At least one coupling face is shaped as a cylinder or as a hollow cylindrical shell.
The claim set focuses on a dual-clearance adapter in which the inner-wall and outer-wall clearances are axially open on opposite sides for releasable and relockable coupling with the distal camera head end portion and the proximal endoscope end portion. Dependent refinements further specify germ-proof/sterile-side separation, axial overlap constraints, optical and/or electrical conductor transmission, rotation safeguards, locking-related refinements, and coupling-face geometry.
Stated Advantages
Improved sterile separation via germ-proof/proximal-distal separation with an optical window/opening.
Shortened optical/mechanical design.
Increased coupling rigidity/precision.
Reduced size for easier handling/sterilization.
Suitable for 2D/3D/stereo systems including rotation safeguards and locking devices.
Documented Applications
Use in endoscopy systems for releasable and relockable coupling of an endoscope with a camera head, including 2D/3D/stereo endoscopy.
Stereo endoscope operation supported by a rotation safeguard for stereo alignment via locking.
Sterile side/non-sterile side separation to maintain a sterile side sterile in an endoscope–camera head coupling arrangement.
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