Patent ID: 6419628
Filing Date: 2002-07-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An endoscope comprisingan outer tube that is joined to an optical head provided at its end opposite to said outer tube with an observation element, said outer tube, said optical head and said observation element are sealingly fitted together to form a first module element having an opening, an inner tube sealingly fitted to a housing containing optical components, said inner tube and said housing hermetically closes said optical elements thereby forming a second module element, said second module element is inserted via said opening into said first module element, wit a distal end of said outer tube rigidly and sealingly joined to a distal end of said inner tube, wherein said housing of said inner tube extends into said optical head, and said housing is supported by said optical head in a manner allowing relative movements between housing and optical head when thermally stressed, and wherein a proximal end portion of said second module is supported in a stationary fashion in said optical head and is equipped with expansion means.