Patent ID: 7857757
Filing Date: 2010-12-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An endoscope comprising a flexible catheter probe having a plurality of lumens, at least one optical lumen in which there is provided an optical strand with optical fibers extending in the longitudinal direction of the catheter, a transparent cover which at least partially closes a distal opening of the optical lumen, and a length compensating device which is configured to act resiliently between a proximal end of the optical lumen and a proximal end of the optical strand and with which a distal end of the optical strand is held in contact against the transparent cover, wherein spacing of a force application location of the length compensating device, which location is rigidly connected to the proximal end of the optical strand, from the proximal end of the optical strand or the spacing of a force application location of the length compensating device, which location is rigidly connected to the proximal end of the optical lumen, from the proximal end of the optical lumen, is adjustable, wherein the length compensating device includes a piston-cylinder arrangement comprising a cylinder in which two pistons are arranged, one of the two pistons being rigidly connected to the proximal end of the optical lumen and the other of the two pistons being rigidly connected to the proximal end of the optical strand such that the one of the two pistons can be fixed by a clamping device in the cylinder at selected axial positions, and the force application location is located between the other of the two pistons and the cylinder.