Torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder and method for operating the instrument holder

A torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder, includes a hollow body having a proximal end for receiving an instrument, a distal end for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. A device is provided for locking the handle to and unlocking the handle from the instrument at least partly disposed within the hollow body. A method for operating the instrument holder includes providing a hollow body having a proximal end for receiving an instrument, a distal end for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. The instrument is placed at least partly within the hollow body and the handle is locked to and unlocked from the instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder. The invention also relates to a method for operating the instrument holder.

Description of the Related Art

Prior art devices and methods of this type have been complicated, making it difficult to torque and push an endoscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder and a method for operating the instrument holder, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and which permits simple yet reliable gripping of an instrument, in particular an endoscope or colonoscope, for circumferential and axial movement.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder. The instrument holder comprises a hollow body having a proximal end for receiving an instrument, a distal end for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. A device is provided for locking the handle to and unlocking the handle from the instrument at least partly disposed within the hollow body.

With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided a method for operating a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder. The method comprises providing a hollow body having a proximal end for receiving an instrument, a distal end for protrusion of the instrument, and a handle to be gripped by an operator. The instrument is placed at least partly within the hollow body and the handle is locked to and unlocked from the instrument.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, the locking and unlocking device includes an actuator to be activated by the operator for locking the handle to and unlocking the handle from the instrument. The actuator may be a bobbin to be slid by an operator.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the locking and unlocking device includes a clamping plate disposed within the actuator. The clamping plate is moved radially inwardly against the instrument and radially outwardly away from the instrument by activating the actuator. The clamping plate may include a plurality of partial-plates, at least one spring biasing the partial-plates radially outwardly and detents integral with the partial-plates. The detents are disposed in recesses in the actuator in an unlocked condition and slide out of the recesses and push the partial-plates towards the instrument against a force of the at least one spring into a locked condition.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, there is provided a body tube disposed partially within the handle and having a coupling end disposed within the actuator. The coupling end has slots formed therein within which the detents slide between the locked and unlocked conditions.

In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, stops limit motion of the actuator into the locked and unlocked conditions.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder and a method for operating the instrument holder, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly, toFIG. 1thereof, there is seen a torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder1according to the invention, having a proximal end2and a distal end3. The instrument holder1has a handle or grip4at the proximal end2and a rear bushing5at the distal end3. It may also be seen fromFIG. 1that a bobbin6has been slid almost as far as possible toward the proximal end2, into an unlocking position, which will be explained in greater detail below. When comparingFIGS. 1 and 2, it may be seen that the bobbin6has been fully slid toward the proximal end2inFIG. 2.FIGS. 3 and 4similarly show perspective views of the instrument holder1.

The instrument holder1is shown in greater detail in an exploded view inFIG. 5. Looking from the distal end3toward the proximal end2, there is seen the rear bushing5, a clamping plate10having clamping springs11, a bobbin ring12, the bobbin6having a bobbin rib7, a body tube15having a coupling end16, a marker band17and the handle or grip4. The clamping plate10includes three partial-plates or partial-shells13each having a detent14.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8are longitudinal-sectional views in which the bobbin6is disposed in different positions. InFIG. 6, the bobbin6is slid distally against a stop18, inFIG. 7, the bobbin6is slid proximally toward a stop19and inFIG. 8, the bobbin6is close to the stop19.FIGS. 6, 7 and 8also show that an inner peripheral surface21of the bobbin6has a recess22.

InFIGS. 9 and 10, the bobbin6has been omitted to show the coupling end16of the body tube15protruding from the handle or grip4. It may also be seen that the detents14each protrude through a respective slot20in the coupling end16.

InFIG. 11, the coupling end16has also been omitted, so as to show the springs11mounted between the partial-plates13of the clamping plate10.

The operation of the instrument holder1will now be explained with the aid of the drawings. An instrument23, such as a colonoscope or an endoscope, which is diagrammatically shown inFIG. 6, is initially slid into a hollow body formed by the rear bushing5, the bobbin6, the body tube15and the handle or grip4. The instrument23is inserted into the hollow body with the instrument holder1in an unlocked condition shown inFIG. 8. In the unlocked condition, the bobbin6is located proximally against the stop19and the springs11bias the partial-plates13radially outwardly. The detents14therefore protrude through the slots20against the recess22of the inner peripheral surface21of the bobbin6.

When it is desired to lock the instrument holder1against the instrument23, an operator pushes the bobbin rib7of the bobbin6distally from the position shown inFIG. 8, past the position shown inFIG. 7and toward the position shown inFIG. 6, so that the instrument holder1enters the locked condition but may not reach the stop18. As the bobbin6moves distally, the detents14slide along from the recess22to the inner peripheral surface21of the bobbin6. This in turn pushes the partial-plates13radially inwardly against the force of the springs11and against the instrument23, as shown inFIG. 6. The instrument23can therefore be manipulated by gripping and moving the handle4. The instrument23is then released by sliding the bobbin6proximally once again.