阅读说明：本技术 内窥镜 (Endoscope with a detachable handle ) 是由 斯特凡·科尔贝格 安赫·明·多 托马斯·菲巴赫 蒂尔曼·施勒特 阿克塞尔·费特 哈拉尔德· 于 2016-08-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种具有内窥镜头主体(11；1011)的内窥镜,其中,配置至少一个工作通道(13；1013),其中,可以从近侧致动的枢转元件(45；1045)设置在所述内窥镜头主体(11；1011)的远侧上,可枢转的Albarran杆(2；1002)设置在远端工作通道端部。(The invention relates to an endoscope having an endoscope head (11; 1011), wherein at least one working channel (13; 1013) is provided, wherein a pivoting element (45; 1045) that can be actuated from the proximal side is arranged on the distal side of the endoscope head (11; 1011), and a pivotable Albarran rod (2; 1002) is arranged at the distal working channel end.)

1. An endoscope comprising an endoscope head (11; 1011) having at least one working channel (13; 1013) formed therein,

the endoscope head (11; 1011) has:

an extension having a camera (16) and an illumination device (17);

a side support element (4) elongated in the same direction as the elongated portion and sandwiching with the elongated portion a distal open end of the working channel (13; 1013), the side support element (4) having a receiving hole (44);

a pivoting element (45; 1045) which is supported by the side support element (4) so as to be pivotable and actuatable from the proximal side and which has a pivoting lever arm (452) and a shaft body (451; 1451) which is inserted into the receiving hole (44); and

an Albaran lever (2; 1002) having an insertion slot and being able to disassemble the pivoting lever arm (452),

the pivoting lever arm (452) protrudes from the side support element (4) towards the extension and is not in contact with the extension.

2. The endoscope of claim 1,

the shaft body (451; 1451) is cylindrical.

3. The endoscope of claim 1 or 2,

the pivoting lever arm (452) is plate-shaped, pivots or rotates about an axis of the shaft body (451; 1451), and extends in a distal direction from one end of the shaft body (451; 1451).

4. The endoscope of claims 1-3,

the endoscope head (11; 1011) has a control line conduit (15),

the Albarran rod (2; 1002) can be actuated proximally by means of a control wire guided within the control wire duct (15).

5. The endoscope of claim 4,

the pivoting element (45; 1045) has an actuating lever (454), the actuating lever (454) being arranged on the shaft body (451; 1451) of the pivoting element (45; 1045) and being mounted on the shaft body in a form-fitting manner,

the actuating lever (454) comprises a force-receiving element (455; 1455) into which a control wire (1007) can be fitted.

6. The endoscope of claims 1-5,

the Albaran lever (2; 1002) is configured to be movable relative to the pivoting lever arm (452).

7. The endoscope of claims 1-6,

a sealing element (5) is arranged between the shaft body (451; 1451) and the receiving bore (44).

8. The endoscope of claims 1-7,

the Albaran rod (2; 1002) is formed as a shovel whose distal end can be pivoted centering on the shaft body (451; 1451) to a position located at the proximal side with respect to the shaft body (451; 1451) as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head body (11; 1011).

9. The endoscope of claims 1-7,

the Albaran rod (2; 1002) being formed as a scoop (1230), the inner surface (24; 1231, 1232) of which forms an extension of the working channel (13; 1013),

the inner surface (24; 1231, 1232) of the spade is curved such that it forms a tangent from the straight working channel end of the endoscopic head body (11; 1011) towards the curved spade inner surface (24; 1231, 1232) forming the working channel extension of the Albarran rod (2; 1002).

10. The endoscope of claims 1-9,

the Albarran rod (2; 1002) is detachably mounted to the pivot element (45; 1045) and detachable from the pivot element without the use of tools.

11. The endoscope of claims 1-9,

the Albarran rod (2; 1002) is detachably mounted to the pivot element (45; 1045) and detachable from the pivot element (45; 1045) using a tool.

12. The endoscope of claims 1-11,

the endoscope also has a cap (3) slidable at the distal end,

in a state where the cap (3) is mounted to the endoscope head (11; 1011), the Albaran rod (2; 1002) pivots about a fulcrum of an actuating rod (454) formed at the shaft body (451; 1451), the cap (3) includes an opening (31) corresponding to an end opening of the working channel (13; 1013),

in the state of the distal sliding of the cover (3), the Albarran lever (2; 1002) can be relatively moved with respect to the pivoting lever arm (452) independently of the cover (3).

13. The endoscope of claims 1-11,

the endoscope also has a cap (3) slidable at the distal end,

said Albaran rod (2; 1002) being configured so as to be free to pivot inside said cover (3) with respect to said cover (3), the cover (3; 1003) being able to slide distally comprising an open-ended opening (31) corresponding to said working channel (13; 1013),

the Albaran rod (2; 1002) and the cover (3) form a common assembly which is detachably mounted as a unit on the distal side of the endoscope head body (11; 1011).

14. The endoscope of claim 12 or 13,

the endoscope head body (10; 1011) has a groove (12) on the outer peripheral surface,

the cap (3) has an engagement nose (32) projecting inwardly and engaging the recess.

15. The endoscope of claims 12-14,

the pivoting lever arm (452) forms together with the side support element (4) an assembly that is detachable and mountable to the endoscopic head body (11), wherein in an operating state the assembly is enclosed by the cover (3).

16. The endoscope of claims 1-15,

the Albarran rod (2; 1002) is arranged between the side support element (4) and the extension.

17. The endoscope of claims 1-16,

the Albaran lever (2; 1002) is slidably removable in a distal direction with respect to the pivoting lever arm (452).

Technical Field

The invention relates to an endoscope head comprising an endoscope head body in which at least one working channel is formed, wherein on the distal side of the endoscope head body an albaran rod is provided. Furthermore, the invention relates to an endoscope comprising such an endoscope head, a cap for an endoscope and a cap forming method.

Background

Such an endoscope head body may be used for a duodenoscope, i.e., an endoscope for examining, for example, an esophagus, duodenum, bile duct, gall bladder, pancreatic duct, pancreas, and the like.

Through a duodenoscope, the duodenum may be reached through the esophagus, stomach, and pylorus.

The duodenoscope includes a lateral (side) optical system (an illumination device and a camera). This can be difficult to introduce and advance a duodenoscope through the esophagus because it is not easy to make a "forward" view. Only the stomach or duodenum provides sufficient space to bend the distal end of the duodenoscope by approximately 90 deg., allowing for forward viewing.

Furthermore, at the exit of the working channel, the duodenoscope includes an albaran rod, which by pivoting allows for selective redirection of the tool being advanced through the working channel.

After the use of the duodenoscope, reprocessing is performed. Such reprocessing must reliably prevent the spread of all microorganisms, e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, worms or spores. During reprocessing, the duodenoscope is first manually cleaned to remove any traces of organic or chemical residues. After cleaning, the duodenoscope is machine sterilized or disinfected.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention aims to provide an endoscope head comprising an endoscope head body, which is difficult to adhere organic matters and the like. In addition, an improved endoscope, a cap for an endoscope, and a cap forming method should also be provided.

This object is achieved by an endoscope head according to the present invention comprising an endoscope head body. Advantageous further developments are described in the dependent claims.

In the endoscope head of the present invention, at least one working channel is formed in an endoscope head body, wherein a pivot member actuatable from the proximal side is provided at the distal side of the endoscope head body, and a pivotable albraran rod is provided on the distal working channel end. The albraran rod is disposed on the pivoting member such that it is movable relative to the pivoting member.

The pivoting element is disposed distal to the endoscope head body. Thus, the albaran rod can be detached from the pivoting element and thus from the endoscope head body. In other words, the albraran rod and the pivoting element may form separate assemblies that are detachable from each other.

In this way, the albraran rod can be cleaned separately from the pivoting element.

Therefore, the structure of the endoscope head body is simplified, and organic matter and the like can be removed without leaving residues. The endoscope head of the present invention has less undercuts, dents and other locations where residue may be deposited than an endoscope head whose albraran rod remains on the pivoting element during cleaning.

The albaran rod may even be provided as a single-use element. In this case, there is no need to clean the albaran rod. The next use of the endoscope head body cleaned by using a new albaran rod is then performed. This opens up a number of possibilities for designing the endoscope head body including the pivoting element such that it is easy to clean and/or cost-effective.

The albraran rod may be removably mounted to and removable from the pivoting member without the use of tools. For example, the albaran rod may be attached to the pivoting element by a snap or latch connection, by a sufficiently high adhesive friction, by hook means, or the like.

The albraran rod may be removably mounted to and removable from the pivoting member using a tool. For example, the albaran rod may be screwed into the pivoting element or may be connected thereto by a clamping plate or pin or the like.

Furthermore, the endoscope head may comprise a cap which is distally slidable, wherein the albraran rod is arranged such that it can pivot with respect to the cap. The albaran rod can be relatively moved at the pivoting member independently of the cover. Thus, a system of at least three separable components can be formed: an endoscope head body including a pivot element; an Albaran rod; and a lid. Each of these components may be cleaned separately.

Alternatively, the endoscope head may comprise a cap which is distally slidable, wherein the albraran rod is arranged such that it can pivot relative to the cap. Thus, the albaran rod and the cap may form a common assembly that is detachably mounted as a unit on the distal side of the endoscope head body. The common assembly of the albaran rod and the cap can be cleaned separately from the endoscope head body. Alternatively, the common assembly consisting of the albaran rod and the lid may be designed as a single-use element.

Thus, various possibilities are opened up: the lid and the albaran rod can be designed as a single-use element, either individually or as one common integrated component; alternatively, the lid and the albraran rod may be designed as a multiple use element, either separately or as a common integrated assembly, which may be cleaned. Since this cleaning is performed separately from the endoscopic head body and since there is a high degree of freedom with respect to the more detailed design of the cap and the albaran rod, an effective cleaning can be performed either alone or as a common integrated component.

The proximally actuatable pivoting element may form together with a support element supporting the shaft of the proximally actuatable pivoting element an assembly which is detachable and mountable to the endoscope head body, wherein in an operative state the assembly is surrounded by the cap. Thus, even a system of four separable assemblies can be formed: an endoscope head body including a pivot element; a support element assembly; an Albaran rod; and a lid. Each of these components may be cleaned separately.

In another aspect, the proximal actuatable pivoting element can be housed in the endoscope head body with a support element supporting a shaft of the proximal actuatable pivoting element. Therefore, a structure may be applied in which only the pivoting member connectable to the albraran rod protrudes from the endoscope head body. Such an endoscope head body has a compact design so that there are hardly any places where residues may adhere.

The proximally actuatable pivoting element may comprise a force receiving element into which a control wire may be fitted. Thus, the pivoting element may be directly actuated by the control line.

The endoscope head may include a control wire channel through which the control wire fitted into the force receiving element extends. An engaging element provided at the distal end of the control wire and engaged into the force receiving element of the pivoting element may be provided inside the endoscope head body. In this way, the distal end of the control wire is not contaminated as it is always surrounded by the outer wall of the endoscope head body. The control wire channel may be housed in the endoscope head body in a manner completely separate from and sealed from the environment of the endoscope head body.

Between the proximally actuatable pivoting element and the albraran rod, a sealing element may be provided. The sealing element may for example be arranged on the shaft of the pivoting element. Thus, the pivoting element and the albraran rod are separable, but the position where the pivoting element and the albraran rod are separated can be effectively sealed by the sealing element.

The albaran rod may be formed as a shovel, the distal edge of which is pivotable about the pivot axis of the pivoting element to a position which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head, is disposed proximally with respect to the pivot axis of the pivoting element. By this design, an exit angle well exceeding 90 ° can be achieved for an operating element (e.g. a guide wire) guided in the working channel. In this way, it is easier for the user to introduce a guide wire, for example, into the bile duct or pancreatic duct when the endoscope head body is located in the duodenum opposite to the exit (papilla) of the bile duct.

The albaran rod may be formed as a scoop, the inner surface of which forms an extension of the working channel, the scoop inner surface being curved such that it forms a tangent from the straight working channel end of the endoscope head towards the curved working channel extension of the albaran rod.

The scoop inner surface may be curved such that the tangent point to the straight working channel end of the endoscope head is located at the scoop-shaped proximal edge of the albaran rod. Alternatively, the scoop inner surface may comprise a curve and, at the proximal beginning, may become a straight extension in such a way that the tangent point to the straight extension is located within the scoop shape of the albaran rod at a distance from the proximal edge of the scoop shape of the albaran rod.

In this way, a smooth transition from the straight working channel end of the endoscopic head body to the curved working channel extension of the albaran rod is possible, so that an operating element, such as a guide wire, a tool or the like, guided within the working channel can be pushed out of the endoscopic head body gently without a considerable increase in resistance.

In the endoscope head, a control wire channel formed in the endoscope head body may be sealed.

An endoscope according to the present invention is provided with the above endoscope head.

An alternative endoscope is provided with an endoscope head body, wherein at least one working channel and one control wire channel are formed, wherein on the distal side of the working channel an albraran rod is provided which is actuatable proximally by a control wire guided in the control wire channel, wherein the control wire channel is sealed with respect to the albraran rod.

The cap for use at the distal end of an endoscope, including the albaran rod in the head of the endoscope, according to the present invention is equipped with: a cylindrical body provided with a bottom portion and having an endoscope head insertion port at a side opposite to the bottom portion; and an Albaran rod pivotably supported in the cylinder.

The cap may include a rod holder formed at an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, into which the albraran rod is rotatably inserted.

In the cover, the albraran rod pivotably supported in the cylinder comprises a connecting element by means of which a pivoting element provided in the head of the endoscope can be connected, so that by pivoting the pivoting element the albraran rod is rotated.

In the cover, a pivoting element provided at the head of the endoscope is controlled by a control wire guided in the endoscope. Even if the cap is placed on the distal end of the endoscope and the pivoting member of the endoscope is connected to the connecting member of the albaran rod, the albaran rod of the cap is separated from the control wire.

In the cover, the cylinder may have an opening corresponding to the end opening of the working channel. The albaran rod and the cylinder may form a common assembly that is removably mounted as a unit on the distal side of the endoscope head body.

The lid may be made of plastic. The lid may be made of plastic by 3D printer or injection molding.

A cap forming method of the present invention for forming a cap for use at a distal end of an endoscope, the cap including an albaran rod in a head portion of the endoscope, the cap comprising: a cylindrical body provided with a bottom portion and having an endoscope head insertion port at a side opposite to the bottom portion; and an albaran rod pivotably disposed in the cylinder; the method comprises the following steps: forming a cylindrical body of plastic and an albaran rod.

The cap forming method may further include: a rod holder is formed at an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, and the albraran rod is rotatably inserted into the rod holder.

The cap forming method may further include: the plastic cylinder and the albaran rod are formed by a 3D printer or injection molding.

The above aspects of the present invention may be appropriately combined.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of an endoscopic head according to the present invention in an assembled state;

fig. 2 shows a perspective view, partly in section, of a first embodiment of an endoscopic head according to the present invention in a detached state;

fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the endoscope head of the present invention in a separated state, viewed from above;

fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the endoscope head of the present invention, wherein the side support elements are detachable;

fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a cap of an endoscope head of the present invention in a first embodiment;

fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the endoscope head of the present invention of the first embodiment, viewed from the rear;

fig. 7 shows a perspective top view of the endoscope head of the present invention in a first embodiment, with the cap removed;

fig. 8 shows a perspective top view of the endoscope head of the present invention of the first embodiment at an intermediate position where the cover is slid over the endoscope head;

fig. 9 shows a perspective top view of the endoscope head of the present invention in a first embodiment, with a cap installed;

fig. 10 shows a perspective side view of a second embodiment of an endoscope head of the present invention;

fig. 11 shows a perspective top view of an endoscope head of the present invention in a second embodiment;

fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the endoscope head of the present invention viewed from the proximal side of the second embodiment;

fig. 13 shows a cut-away perspective view of the endoscope head of the present invention with the albaran rod in a rest position;

fig. 14 shows a cut-away perspective view of the endoscopic head of the present invention with a second embodiment of an albraran rod in a neutral position;

fig. 15 shows a cut-away perspective view of the endoscope head of the present invention of the second embodiment in a fully pivoted state of the albaran rod.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example 1

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9.

Fig. 1 and 2 each show a perspective view of a first embodiment of an endoscope head of the present invention.

Fig. 1 and 2 show a partially cut-away perspective view of the endoscope head viewed from the side, with the left side pointing in the insertion direction of the endoscope head.

The endoscope head 1 includes: the endoscope head 11 has an albaran rod 2 surrounded by a cap 3 at its distal end. The albraran rod 2 is provided pivotable with respect to the endoscope head body 11 and, for this purpose, is pivoted by a pivot rod 45. The pivot lever 45 is rotatably supported at the side support member (support member) 4. The albaran rod 2 can be slid away from the pivot rod 45.

Fig. 1 shows a view of the albaran lever 2 and the pivot lever 45 in an assembled state. Fig. 2 shows a view in which the rotary lever 45 has been pulled out of the albaran lever 2. Hereinafter, the respective elements of the endoscope head 1 will be described in detail.

Endoscope head 11

The endoscope head 11 is designed as a cylinder and comprises a working channel 13 and a control line channel 15, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head 11 and parallel to each other. The control line channel 15 contains the control line 2 for operating the albraran lever, described later. In the working channel 13, miniature tools for examining, for example, the esophagus, duodenum, bile duct, gall bladder, pancreatic duct, pancreas, etc., are guided.

On the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope head body 11, the endoscope head body includes a groove 12 extending parallel to the proximal end side of the endoscope head body 11, the groove 12 serving as a fitting groove of the cap 3.

On the distal end of the endoscope head body 11, the endoscope head body includes an extension portion where a camera 16 and an illumination device 17 are provided in a known manner as shown in fig. 4, for example.

At its proximal end, the endoscope body 11 comprises a cylindrical opening with an inner surface 131 for the working channel 13, and wherein an actual working channel element (not shown) formed as a flexible tube element is provided. When inserted into the endoscope head 11, the working channel element extends in the proximal direction and serves to guide the microtool.

As shown in fig. 1, at the distal end of the endoscope head body 11, a bending portion 133 is provided. A working channel member (not shown) is inserted into the opening having the inner surface 131 to such an extent that it abuts the radial contact surface 137 on the proximal side of the curved portion 133. Thus, the working channel 13 includes a curved portion 133 where the direction of the working channel 13 starts to change from an approximately straight line.

The curved portion 133 extends in a distally curved manner towards the elongated central axis of the opening with the inner surface 131 and, in this case, acts together with a curve element 432 described below, see fig. 2. An albaran rod 2, which is pivotable with respect to the endoscope head 11, is located at the distal outlet of the working channel 13. Thus, downstream of the curved portion 133, the working channel 13 extends further in the distal direction towards the albaran rod 2.

Albarran rod 2

The albraran lever 2 includes an albraran lever main body 21, which includes a fork (yoke) 22 into which a pivot lever 45 is inserted for performing a pivoting operation of the albraran lever 2 on the front (proximal) side of fig. 1. As shown in fig. 2, the prong 22 has two parallel contact surfaces (only the lower contact surface is shown in fig. 2), each of which terminates proximally at an insertion surface 221. The insertion surface 221 is a proximally inclined surface. Distally, the insertion surface 221 enters the contact surface 222. The insertion surface 221 of which only the lower insertion surface 221 is shown in fig. 2 is used for inserting the pivot rod 45 into the fork 22. In the inserted state, the pivot rod 45 is positioned in the fork 22 such that it is in contact with the at least one contact surface 222. The pivot lever 45 has a pivot lever arm 452 inserted into the fork 22. The arm 452 of the pivot lever 45 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and, as shown in fig. 2, has upper and lower insertion surfaces 453 that oppose each other and extend in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head main body 11. Only upper insertion surface 453 is shown in fig. 2. Preferably, the thickness of the arms 452, i.e. the distance between the insertion surfaces 453 facing away from each other, is slightly smaller than the distance between the parallel contact surfaces 222 of the prongs 22 of the albaran rod 2. Thus, the pivot rod 45 can be easily inserted into the fork 22 of the albaran rod 2.

The pivoting lever arm 452 includes a rotation axis 451, described below, about which the pivoting lever arm 452 can pivot or rotate.

As shown in fig. 1, the albraran rod 2 has a working channel surface 24 forming an extension of the working channel 13 when the albraran rod 2 is positioned relative to the endoscope head 11. The working channel surface 24 has a curvature which is arranged in the extension direction of the endoscope head 1 and ends at a distal end 25 of the working channel surface 24. The working channel surface 24 is curved inwards, i.e. it is concave.

A tool, such as a guide wire, guided through the working channel 13 is lifted by the curved portion 133 and, when advanced further in the proximal direction, comes into contact with the working channel surface 24 of the albaran rod 2.

The albaran rod 2 is pivotable relative to the endoscope head body 11. Here, the fulcrum and the physical design of the albaran rod 2, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head 11, are selected such that in the pivoted position of the albaran rod 2 the distal end 25 of the working channel surface 24 is located proximally with respect to the fulcrum of the albaran rod 2.

Cover 3

The cover 3 is formed as a cylinder with a bottom. The bottom of the lid 3 is located at its distal end. In use, the cap 3 is placed over the endoscope head body 11. In the region of the bottom, the outside of the cover 3 is rounded in order to meet the requirements for inserting the endoscope head 1 into the object to be examined.

The cover 3 includes an opening 31 (see fig. 3) facing upward as shown in fig. 3. When the endoscope head 1 is used, the opening 31 of the cap 3 forms an open side window for a tool guided through the working channel 13.

At its proximal end, the cap 3 has an inwardly projecting engagement nose 32 along its entire circumference, which may have a rounded or curved shape or any other shape. The engagement nose 32 may engage at the groove 12 of the endoscope head 11 when the cap 3 is placed on the endoscope head 11. The recess 12 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the engagement nose 32.

Inside the cover, the cover 3 has a rod holder 34 opposite the opening 31, which is formed as a protrusion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the cover 3, see fig. 3 to 5.

The rod holder 34 comprises a hole 35, the hole 35 extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of the lid 3 and into which the pivot projection 26 of the albraran rod 2 is inserted, as shown in fig. 5. In the representation of fig. 1 and 2, the pivot projection 26 of the albaran lever 2 is located on the side of the albaran lever 2 facing the viewer, but has been omitted in these figures for the sake of clarity and because of the position of the section represented by the section. The pivot projections 26 have a cylindrical shape and extend transversely from the prongs 22 of the albaran rod 2.

The outer diameter of the pivot boss 26 is selected so that the pivot boss 26 easily rotates in the hole 35 of the lever holder 34. For example, the outer diameter of the pivot projections 26 may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the holes 35.

As shown in fig. 5, on the side opposite to the fork 22, the pivot protrusion 26 may include a slit 27 extending in the longitudinal direction of the pivot protrusion 26. The slot 27 facilitates insertion of the pivot lug 26 into the aperture 35 of the rod holder 34 because the pivot lug 26 may compress slightly inwardly in the area of the slot 27. Alternatively, the pivot projections 26 may be formed as solid cylindrical projections.

When the cap 3 is mounted on the endoscope head body 11, the center axis of the pivot protruding portion 26 of the albraran rod 2 is aligned with the center axis of the rotation shaft 451 of the arm 452. This means that the two central axes are on the same line.

The albaran rods 2 are thus integrally formed in the cap 3 and all form a common assembly and are movable as a whole with respect to the endoscope head body 11.

The albaran lever 2 pivots about the axis of the pivot protrusion 26 (the axis of the hole 35) toward the opening 31 of the cover 3.

Side support element 4

The side support member 4 rotatably supports the pivot lever 45. The side support members 4 have an inner member 43 which is a plate member which is generally L-shaped in cross-section, see fig. 3. The inner member 43 is adapted to support a pivot rod 45, the pivot rod 45 being rotatably supported in the inner member 43. More precisely, when assembled to the endoscope head 11, the internal element 43 extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head 11. The internal element 43 has a gusset shape in which a wire forming a corner extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head body 11, and separates the plate shape of the internal element 43 into a larger plate portion (upper plate portion in fig. 3) forming an L-shaped long bar and a smaller plate portion (lower plate portion in fig. 3) forming an L-shaped foot. A material reinforcing portion 433 formed integrally with the larger upper plate portion and the smaller lower plate portion is provided in a central region of the inner member 43 as viewed in the longitudinal direction. A receiving hole 44 serving as a bearing of the shaft body 451 of the pivot lever 45 extends through the reinforcing portion 433 perpendicular to the extending direction of the inner member 43. The cylindrical shaft body 451 of the pivot lever 45 is inserted through the receiving hole 44 of the reinforcing portion 433.

The outer diameter of the shaft body 451 is selected such that the shaft body 451 easily rotates in the receiving hole 44 of the reinforcing portion 433. For example, the outer diameter of the shaft body 451 may be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the receiving hole 44.

Proximal to the reinforcement 433, the inner element 43 has a curvilinear element 432 forming part of the working channel 13 when the inner element 43 is assembled to the endoscopic head body 11, see fig. 2. More precisely, as described above, curvilinear elements 432 and curved portions 133 cooperate to form a curvature of the working channel.

The inner element 43 has a flat proximal face 431.

Furthermore, the side support element 4 has an outer element 41 forming a radial outer side of the side support element 4. The outer element 41 serves as a cover for the side support element 4 and has an outwardly curved shape, as shown in fig. 3. In other words, the outer member 41 is formed of a curved plate member having a constant wall thickness, and the cover 3 may be mounted to the outer surface of the outer member 41.

The curved plate member of the outer member 41 has a curved inner surface facing the inner member 43. Thus, the inner surface of the outer element 41 is concave. In the expanded view, the outer member 41 has a rectangular shape. At the end faces extending in the longitudinal direction, the outer element 41 is in contact with the inner element 43. More precisely, when viewing fig. 3, the upper longitudinally extending end surface of the outer element 41 is in contact with the upper longitudinally extending end surface of the upper (larger) plate portion of the inner element 43; and the lower longitudinally extending end surface of the outer element 41 is in contact with the longitudinally extending end surface of the foot portion (lower smaller plate portion) of the inner element 43, which extends away from the upper (larger) plate portion of the inner element 43. Thus, as shown in fig. 3, a gap 42 is formed between the outer member 41 and the inner member 43.

Proximally, the outer circumferential surface of the outer element 41 is provided with a groove 415 extending in the circumferential direction. Like the groove 12 of the endoscope head 11, the groove 415 is adapted to the shape of the nose 32 of the cap 3 and, together with the groove 12, serves to allow engagement and retention of the cap 3.

The outer element 41 has a flat proximal face 411.

The side support element 4 is provided on the endoscope head body 11 in such a way that the proximal end faces 411, 431 of the outer element 41 and the inner element 43 are attached to the distally facing attachment surface 19 of the endoscope head body 11, for example by gluing. Accordingly, the endoscope head body 11 and the side support member 4 may form a common assembly. The side support element 4 is arranged at the attachment surface 19 in such a way that the distal end of the control wire channel 15 opens into the gap 42.

On the side of the pivot lever 45 opposite to the arm 452, an actuating lever 454 is provided at the cylindrical shaft body 451 of the pivot lever 45 and can be mounted thereon in a form-fitting manner, as shown in fig. 6. Other ways of attaching the actuation lever 454 to the cylindrical body 451 of the pivot lever 45 are also possible. The actuation rod 454 may, for example, be glued to the end of the cylindrical shaft body 451 opposite the arm 452. Here, it should be noted that the inner element 43 and the outer element 41 are omitted in fig. 6 for clarity. The actuating lever 454 is received in the gap 42 between the inner element 43 and the outer element 41. The gap 42 is an enclosed space defined between the outer element 41, the inner element 43, the attachment surface 19 and the distal cap, which is not shown in the figures and sealingly encloses the gap 42 on the distal side of the outer element 41 and the inner element 43.

On the side opposite the shaft body 451, the actuation lever 454 includes a control line connector receiving element 455 into which a connector of a control line (not shown) is inserted. The control wire is actuated from the proximal side of the endoscope head 1, for example, by a control element such as a joystick. When the control line is pulled by the control element, the actuation lever 454 pivots (rotates) about its fulcrum formed in the shaft body 451. The control wire extends in a proximal direction from a fitting inserted through the gap 42 between the inner and outer members 43, 41 into the control wire channel 15 of the endoscope head receiving member 455, and from there further through the catheter of the endoscope to the control member. The control wire joint receiving member 455 forms a force receiving member that receives a force applied to the control wire and transfers it to the pivot rod 45.

At least one seal ring 5 is provided as a seal member between the cylindrical shaft body 451 and the receiving hole 44 of the reinforcement portion 433, at the outer periphery of the cylindrical shaft body 451. The sealing ring 5 is shown in fig. 6. The sealing ring 5 has the function of sealing between the pivoting element 45 and the albaran rod 2. In other words, the seal ring 5 seals the gap 42.

Applications of

As described above, the cap 3 and the albaran rod 2 form a common assembly that is separate and separable from the assembly formed by the endoscope head body 11 and the side support member 4. Fig. 7 to 9 schematically show how the cover 3 is placed on the endoscope head body 11. For better illustration, the cover 3 is shown transparent.

Fig. 7 is a perspective top view showing the cap 3 separated from the endoscope head body 11 and the side support member 4. The user rotates the cover 3 so that the prongs 22 of the albaran rod 2 point towards and are aligned with the distally extending arms 452. To facilitate alignment, the cap 3 and the endoscope head 11 may, for example, have markings provided at the respective outer surfaces. In this relative position, the cap 3 is slid over the endoscope head body 11 in the proximal direction, and in turn the prongs 22 of the albaran rod 2 are also slid over the arms 452, see fig. 8 and 9, until the nose 32 of the cap 3 engages at the groove 12/415. More precisely, the arm 452 is inserted into the fork 22 in such a way that its insertion surface 453, which is oriented upwards and downwards, faces the contact surface 222 of the fork 22. According to the present invention, the rotation shaft 451 and the pivot protruding portion 26 are axially aligned at a position resulting from the engagement of the cover 3 on the endoscope head main body 11.

When the control line is pulled proximally, the actuation lever 454 pivots about its fulcrum formed in the shaft body 451. Similarly, the shaft body 451, and thus the arm 452 of the pivot lever 45, rotates (pivots). In turn, rotation of the pivot rod 45 in the fork 22 results in a pivoting operation of the albraran lever 2.

Advantages of the invention

Since the cap 3 and the albraran rod 2 form a common assembly that can be separated from the assembly consisting of the endoscope head body 11 and the side support elements 4, the cap 3 and the albraran rod 2 can be designed as an assembly for single use.

The assembly consisting of the endoscope head body 11 and the side support member 4 can be easily cleaned and reprocessed. The assembly of the invention formed by the endoscope head 11 and the side support elements 4 does not have any undercuts or positions on the albraran rod itself or on an albraran rod mounted on the endoscope head which are difficult to reach. The irrigation liquid for cleaning can easily flow around the assembly composed of the endoscope head body 11 and the side support member 4, and foreign substances can be removed therefrom.

When reusing the endoscope head 1, a new assembly consisting of the cap 3 and the albaran rod 2 is simply installed. In this way, contamination of the endoscope head 1 can be prevented even better. Better protecting the patient from bacteria that have adhered to the endoscope head in previous applications.

Example 2

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig. 10 to 15.

Fig. 10 to 12 show perspective views of an endoscope head body of a second embodiment. Elements of the second embodiment that are identical to elements of the first embodiment will not be discussed further and have been provided with like reference numerals (if such elements are shown).

Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In contrast to the first embodiment, the pivot rod according to the second embodiment is not provided in a support element that is separable from the endoscope head body, but is integrated in the endoscope head body. The albraran rod of the second embodiment is different from the albraran rod of the first embodiment.

The endoscope head 1001 includes: the endoscope head 1011 has an albaran rod 1002 at its distal end surrounded by a cap 1003. The albraran rod 1002 is arranged to be pivotable relative to the endoscope head body 1011 and is pivoted by a pivot rod 1045. A pivot rod 1045 is rotatably supported on the endoscope head body 1011. The albraran rod 1002 can slide away from the pivot rod 1045.

Thus, the endoscope head 1001 includes two components: an endoscopic body 1011 with a mounted pivoting rod 1045 as a first component and a cover 1003 with a mounted albraran rod 1002 as a second component. Hereinafter, these two components will be described in more detail.

Endoscope head 1011 with mounted pivoting rod 1045

The endoscope head 1011 is designed as a cylinder and includes a working channel 1013 and a control wire channel 1015 extending longitudinally of the endoscope head 1011 and parallel to each other. The control line channel 1015 contains a control line 1007 for operating the albraran rod 1002. A microtool for inspection is guided in the working channel 1013. Distally, the endoscopic lens body 1011 has an extended portion where the camera 1016 and the illumination device 1017 are disposed in a known manner.

In the central portion of the endoscope head body, the endoscope head body 1011 includes an opening that faces sideways, i.e., extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the endoscope head body 1011, and into which the rotary shaft 1451 is inserted as the shaft body of the pivot rod 1045, when viewed from the longitudinal direction. Thus, the opening forms a support for the rotation shaft 1451. With respect to its opening, the rotating shaft 1451 is sealed, for example by one or more annular seals. The rotary shaft 1451 extends to the inside of the endoscope head body 1011, more precisely, to the control wire channel 1015 (see fig. 13). At the inner end of the rotary shaft 1451, the rotary shaft 1451 is provided with an actuation rod 1454 mounted in a form-fitting manner on the axis of the rotary shaft 1451, as shown in fig. 13 to 15. At its end opposite the axis of rotation 1451, the actuation rod 1454 has a control spool receiving element 1455 as a force-receiving element by which the tension of the control spool 1007 may be applied to the actuation rod 1454. The control cord connector 1071 of the control cord 1007 is inserted into the control cord connector receiving element 1455. The control lug receiving element 1455 is formed to maintain the shape of a hook that the control lug 1071 is rotatable relative to the actuation rod 1454.

At an outer end of the rotation shaft 1451, the rotation shaft 1451 is integrally formed in a flat shape of a rectangular parallelepiped forming a pivot lever 1045. More precisely, the pivot rod 1045 and the rotation shaft 1451 are formed as a unit that can be inserted into the endoscope head body 1011 from the outside. The actuation rod 1454 slides from the inside.

In its flat cuboid shape, the pivot rod 1045 has two surfaces 1453 opposite each other and extending horizontally in the rest position. At the distal and proximal surfaces of the flat cuboid shape, the pivot rod 1045 is rounded, as shown in fig. 10, such that the surfaces 1453 on the distal and proximal sides join at respective radii.

In the endoscope head body 1011, the control wire channel 1015 forms a space which is sealed off from the environment on the distal side of the endoscope head body 1011.

Cover 1003 with attached Albaran rod 1002

The cap 1003 is formed into a cylindrical body having a bottom, the bottom of the cap 1003 being located distally and being circular on the outside, so that when the cap 1003 has been placed on the endoscope head 1011, it can be inserted into the object to be inspected.

The cover 1003 has an opening 1031, which faces upward in fig. 10 and forms an open side window for guiding a tool through the working channel 1013 when the endoscope head 1001 is used.

At a distance from the proximal open end, the cover 1003 has a side hole that serves as a support for the albaran rod 1002.

The albaran rod 1002 is formed in a shovel shape and has a fulcrum. More specifically, the albraran rod 1002 has an albraran rod body 1201 which becomes a scoop 1230 on the underside of fig. 12 and 13. From the albaran rod body 1201, the shovel curves to one side. Proximally, the scoop 1230 has a flat scoop portion 1231 and distally, a curved scoop portion 1232. On the inside, the flat 1231 and curved 1232 shovel form a guiding surface for guiding tools and the like, which are guided from the working channel 1013 to the albaran rod 1002.

Thus, the guide surface forms an extension of the working channel 1013. The guide surface formed by the flat scoops 1231 and the curved scoops 1232 is the inner surface of the scoop 1230 and is concavely curved. When viewed from the side, flat scoop 1231 extends tangentially from curved scoop 1232 to the outlet of working channel 1013. When the albraran rod 1002 is in a rest position in which the albraran rod 1002 does not pivot, the albraran rod 1002 abuts on the endoscope head body 1011, so that the flat spade 1231 and the distal outlet area of the working channel 1013 are preferentially flush, without a shoulder, on the bottom side of fig. 13 (on the side of the endoscope head body 1011 diametrically opposite the pivot rod 1045). Thus, the tool can proceed unimpeded from working channel 1013 to flat scoop portion 1231.

On the side opposite to the shovel 1230, as shown in fig. 12, an insertion groove 1210 is provided in the albaran rod main body 1201. In the rest position of the albaran rod 1002, the insertion groove 1210 extends horizontally, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head 1001.

The insertion groove 1210 shown in fig. 12 is defined by two parallel contact surfaces 1222 facing each other, of which only the lower contact surface is shown in fig. 12. The upper contact surface is disposed on the underside of the upper portion 1202 of the Albraran rod 1002. The pivot rod 1045 is inserted into the insertion groove 1210 and its parallel contact surface 1222. In the inserted state, the pivot rod 1045 is positioned in the insertion groove 1210 such that the contact surface 1222 of the insertion groove 1210 faces the surface 1453 of the pivot rod 1045.

On the opposite side of the scoop 1230, the albraran rod body 1201 is provided with a pivot projection 1026 in the region of the insertion groove 1210, the pivot projection 1026 extending from the albraran rod body 1201 in a direction opposite to the direction of extension of the scoop 1230. Pivot projection 1026 has a cylindrical configuration. The outer diameter of the pivot projection 1026 is selected so that the pivot projection 1026 easily rotates in the side hole of the cover 1003 serving as a holder. The outer diameter of the pivot projection 1026 can be, for example, slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the side hole of the cap 1003. The pivoting projection 1026 of the albraran rod 1002 is inserted into a side hole in the cover 1003, as shown in fig. 10.

Applications of

The cover 1003 may be placed on the endoscope head body 1011 in a similar manner to the first embodiment.

The endoscope head 1011 and the cover 1003 may be provided with a recess and a nose similar to the recess 12 and the nose 32 of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the annular projecting portion 1019 at the outer periphery of the endoscopic lens body 1011 may have an outer diameter such that it is tightly press-fitted with the inner diameter of the cap 1003 when the cap 1003 is mounted on the endoscopic lens body 1011. In another alternative, the outer surface of the annular protrusion 1019 may be provided with a groove or recess to ensure a better uniform press fit with the inner surface of the lid 1003.

The cover 1003 is pushed onto the endoscope head 1011 and the pivot rod 1045 is simultaneously pushed into the insertion groove 1210 of the albraran rod 1002. Thus, the pivot rod 1045 enters the insertion groove 1210 with its upwardly and downwardly oriented insertion surface 1453 facing the contact surface 1222 of the albraran rod 1002. According to the present invention, in the position where the cap 1003 is mounted on the endoscope head body 1011 and is ready for use, the rotation shaft 1451 and the pivot projecting portion 1026 are axially aligned.

Fig. 13 to 15 show the pivoting operation of the albraran lever of the second embodiment with the albraran lever in the rest position, with the albraran lever in the intermediate position, and with the albraran lever in the fully pivoted position.

Fig. 13 shows the rest position of the albaran rod 1002. The actuating rod 1454 extends substantially radially and outwardly (upwardly in fig. 13) at a right angle from the rotating shaft 1451. In this position, the control line 1007 does not apply any load to the actuation rod 1454 via the tab 1071. A scoop 1230 of albaran rod 1002 abuts the endoscope head 1011 at the distal outlet of the working channel 1013.

When the control wire 1007 is pulled proximally, the actuation rod 1454 pivots about its fulcrum formed in the shaft 1451, see the neutral position in fig. 14. The axle body 1451 and thus the pivot lever 1045 rotate (pivot) in a corresponding manner. Rotation (pivoting) of the pivot rod 1045, which is located in the insertion recess 1210 of the albraran rod 1002, in turn causes a pivoting operation of the albraran rod 1002. The proximal end of the albaran rod 1002 moves away from the distal exit of the working channel 1013 at the endoscope head 1011.

When the control wire 1007 is pulled further proximally, the actuation rod 1454 reaches its fully pivoted end position, see fig. 15. Although this is not shown in fig. 15, the scoop 1230 of the albaran rod 1002 may be so long that in the final position the distal end 1025 of the scoop 1230 of the albaran rod 1002 may be pivoted about the pivot axis 1451 of the pivot element 1045 to such an extent that it reaches a position which is closest relative to the pivot axis 1451 of the pivot element 1045 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head body 1011.

Advantages of the invention

The advantages obtained are similar to those of the first embodiment.

Since the side support elements 4 of the first embodiment can be omitted and the pivoting element 1045 is integrated in the endoscope head body 1011, the outer surface of the endoscope head body 1011 has less undercuts and is therefore even easier to clean.

The cover 1003 and the albraran rod 1002 form a common assembly that can be separated from the endoscopic head body 1011 and can be designed for single use.

Since the distal end 1025 of the scoop 1230 can be positioned proximally relative to the pivot axis 1451 of the pivot element 1045 in the position of the pivot end of the albaran rod 1002, the exit angle of the tool can reach over 90 ° when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head body 1011. In this way, the user has a wider operating range. For example, when the endoscope head body is positioned in the duodenum opposite to the bile duct outlet, insertion of the tool, for example, into the bile duct, is significantly facilitated.

Other alternatives

The endoscope head body 11 of the first embodiment has an engagement groove as the groove 12 to which the circumferential engagement nose 32 is engaged. In order to allow the cap 3 to be engaged at the endoscope head body 11, the groove 12 need not be a circumferential groove, but may also extend over only a part of the circumference of the endoscope head body 11. Instead of the groove 12, one or more engaging grooves may be provided at the circumference of the endoscope head body 11. Then, on the proximal side of the cap, instead of the circumferential engagement nose 32, one or more engagement projections protruding radially inward may be provided, which are adapted in position and shape to the engagement recesses at the circumference of the endoscope head body 11. In this way, when the cap 3 is pushed in, the precise positional relationship of the cap 3 with respect to the endoscope head 11 can be defined in advance.

In the endoscope head 1 of the first embodiment, the engagement groove extends as a circumferential engagement groove constituted by the groove portion of the groove 12 at the endoscope head main body 11 and the groove portion of the groove 415 of the side support member 4. The structure may be modified such that the engagement groove is provided only at the circumference of the endoscope head body 11.

In the first embodiment, the side support element 4 is provided on the endoscope head body 11 in such a way that its proximal end faces 411, 431 are glued to the attachment surface 19. The present invention is not limited to this structure. The side support element 4 may also be formed so as to comprise engagement means on the proximal side, by means of which it can be engaged on the attachment surface 19. For example, the attachment surface 19 may comprise distally extending pins that may be inserted into corresponding openings at the proximal end faces 411 and/or 431.

In the first embodiment, the insertion surface 453 of the arm 452 and the contact surface 222 of the fork 22, which is arranged opposite the insertion surface 453 in the mounted position of the albraran lever at the pivot lever, are shown as flat surfaces. The insertion surface 453 and the opposite contact surface 222 may include grooves/recesses that are fitted to each other and extend in the longitudinal direction of the endoscope head to more accurately define the positional relationship between the insertion surface 453 and the contact surface 222.

Between arm 452 and fork 22; other types of connections between the pivot element 1045 and the albraran rod body 1201 are also possible. For example, the albaran rod may be attached to the pivoting element by a snap or latch connection, by a sufficiently high adhesive friction between the mutually facing contact surfaces, by hooking means or the like.

In a further development, the albraran rod can be screwed into the pivoting element or can be connected thereto by means of a clamping plate or pin or the like.

In the second embodiment, the guide surface at the inner surface of the scoop 1230 is formed of the flat scoop 1231 and the curved scoop 1232. The flat scoop 1231 may be omitted. Preferably, in the rest position of the albraran rod 1002, the albraran rod 1002 then abuts on the endoscope head body 1011, so that the curved shovel portion 1232 and the distal outlet portion of the working channel 1013 are on the lower side of fig. 13, preferably flush, without a shoulder. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the scoop inner surface 1232 may also be curved such that it forms a tangent from the straight working channel end of the endoscope head body 1011 to the curved (curved) scoop inner surface 1232 forming the working channel extension of the albraran rod 1002.

Alternatively, the albaran rod 2 of the first embodiment may be used in the second embodiment.

The albaran rod 2, 1002 and the lid 3, 1003 need not form a common assembly. Alternatively, the structure may be selected such that the albraran rod is relatively movable at the pivot element independently of the cover. The rod holder 34 of the first embodiment and the side hole of the second embodiment may then be omitted in the cover. In this alternative, the albraran rod is first attached to the pivoting element and then the cap is placed over the endoscope head body.

In a further refinement, a fork such as fork 22 may be provided on the pivoting member and an arm such as arm 452 may be provided on the albaran lever.

The invention is not only applicable to duodenoscopes. The principles of the present invention may also be applied to ultrasonic endoscopes.

In the examples, one working channel is shown with an albaran rod at the end of the working channel. The invention is also applicable to endoscopes comprising a plurality of working channels, each having an albaran rod at its distal end.

The alternatives discussed above may be combined and applied to all embodiments.

The endoscope of the above-described embodiment may be formed as a flexible endoscope for the intestinal tract. The endoscope includes an operation section and an insertion section. The operating section is located on the proximal side of the endoscope and the insertion section is located on the distal side. The operation section (not shown in the figure) includes: an actuating lever (e.g., a joystick or simple control lever) for actuating the albaran lever; a working channel inlet; a control knob for bending a bending section of an endoscope. The operation section is connected to the video processor, the light source device, the display device, and the like.

The insertion portion is an elongated tubular member. The proximal end of the insertion portion is connected to the operation portion. The insertion portion includes a flexible portion, a curved portion, and a cover in this order as viewed from the operation portion. The flexible portion is elastic. The curved portion curves in response to actuation of the control knob. A rigid end piece portion is formed at the distal end of the curved portion. The rigid end piece part forms a so-called endoscope head.

The cap covers the endoscope head from the distal side thereof. The cap has the form of a cylinder provided with a bottom and having an opening on the side of the cap covering the endoscope head. Thus, the cap can be easily pushed onto the endoscope head.

Within the cover, an albaran rod may be pivotally supported. The lid and the albaran rod are made of plastic, for example.

Preferably, the lid and the albraran rod are made of plastic, for example, by 3D printer or injection molding. The lid and the albraran rod can be accurately manufactured due to manufacturing by a 3D printer or injection molding, but the cost is still low. Further suitable manufacturing processes may be used as long as the manufacturing process allows for an accurate and cost-effective production. Preferably, the lid and albraran are manufactured separately and combined into a single-use assembly.

The albaran rod is actuated by an actuation rod on the proximal side of the endoscope. The control line connects the actuating lever and the albaran lever.

In the endoscope head, the control wire is guided inside the endoscope, that is, inside the operation portion and the insertion portion. A control wire channel is provided in the endoscope head for guiding a rearmost portion of the control wire, as shown, for example, in fig. 13 to 15. Actuation rods 454, 1454 are disposed in the distal portion of the control line channel. The ends of the control wires are inserted into the actuation rods 454, 1454. The axes of rotation 451, 145 of the actuating rods 454, 1454 extend through the wall, i.e. the inner element 43 in the first embodiment or the inner wall of the endoscope head 1011 in the second embodiment, such that it extends to the pivot rods 45, 1045 in order to rotate (pivot) the albraran rod. Accordingly, the actuating rods 454, 1454 and the pivot rods 45, 105 are separated by a wall, and the rotation shafts 451, 1451 are supported in a sealed manner in the wall. The albaran rod is completely separated from the control line. Due to this construction the control line channel is sealed and the control line is completely sealed from the environment. The control line channel and the control line seal are waterproof. Furthermore, the cover is completely independent of the control line.

List of reference numerals

1 endoscope head

2 Albaran pole

3 cover

4 side support element (support element)

5 Ring seal (sealing element)

11 endoscope head

12 engaging groove

13 working channel

15 control of a wire channel

16 camera

17 Lighting device

19 attachment surface

21 Albaran rod body

Fork of 22 Albaran rod

Inner surface of working channel of 24 Albarran rod

25 distal end of the inner surface of the working channel

26 pivoting projection

27 slit

31 working channel end opening of cover

32 engaging nose portion of cap

34 rod holder

35 holes

41 outer element

42 gap

43 internal components

44 receiving hole

45 pivoting lever (pivoting member)

131 inner surface of working channel element

133 curved portion of working channel

137 radial contact surface

221 insertion surface

222 contact surface

411 proximal surface (end face)

431 proximal surface (end face)

432 curve shaped element

433 reinforced part

451 pivoting shaft (shaft of pivot member)

452 arm

453 insert surface

454 drive rod

455 control line connector receiving element (force bearing element)

1001 endoscope head

1002 Albaran pole

1003 cover

1007 control line

1011 endoscope head body

1013 working channel

1015 control line channel

1016 cameras

1017 lighting device

1019 Ring projection

1026 pivoting projection

1031 opening

1045 pivoting lever

1071 control line connector

1201 Albaran rod body

1202 upper part

1210 insertion groove

1222 contact surface

1225 distal end

1230 shovel

1231 Flat shovel part

1232 curved scoop section

1451 rotating shaft of pivoting lever (shaft of pivoting member)

1453 surface

1454 actuating lever

1455 control the joint receiving element (force receiving element).