Abstract:
A pressure gauge is composed of two separate components adapted to be assembled and disassembled by hand. The one component is a pressure-motion conversion element ( 3, 6 ) for receiving a pressure and effecting a movement of a movable portion ( 3   c,    6   c ) thereof in response thereto, and the other component is a force measuring element ( 5 ) for measuring a force caused due to the movement of the movable portion ( 3   c,    6   c ). The pressure-motion conversion element ( 3, 69 ) is constructed as a disposable component, whereas the force measuring element ( 5 ) is intended for re-use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of priority under 35 USC 119(a) to German application 10 2007 000200.0, filed on 3 Apr. 2007, which is incorporated by reference as if fully recited herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a pressure gauge and, in particular, to a pressure gauge for measuring a fluid pressure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART  
       [0003]    Endoscopic devices and devices for introducing a medical endoscope into a body canal are described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,364. The devices described in this document permit that an endoscope is no longer pushed into the body to be examined, but moves into the body all by itself. For this purpose, the endoscope is equipped with an inherent drive which allows easier and quicker insertion. 
         [0004]    As such an inherent drive, also a so-called everting tube can be used, for instance, with the endoscope shaft being inserted therein. Upon propulsion of the endoscope, different relative motions occur. On the one hand, a relative motion occurs between the endoscope shaft and the everting tube, which are in sliding contact with each other. On the other hand, there is also a relative motion between an inside portion and an outside portion of the unwinding everting tube. 
         [0005]    To reduce the respectively occurring sliding friction as well as a static friction between respective elements, the use of a lubricant supplied from the outside has e.g. been suggested, for instance in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,219. In both cases, a lubricant adapted to be stored in a fluid bag is supplied between the endoscope shaft and the everting tube, on the one hand, as well as between the two everting tube portions that come to be disposed one above the other, on the other hand. For a check of the pressure of the lubricant supplied to the point of lubrication between the endoscope shaft and the everting tube, the pressure has to be detected by a pressure gauge arranged between the hydraulic fluid bag and the point of lubrication between the endoscope shaft and the everting tube. 
         [0006]    If the endoscopic device is formed as a disposable device, use thereof is followed by disposal of all elements of the endoscopic device that might have come into contact with the body fluid of the patient examined, such as the endoscope shaft including everting tube, the fluid bag, and the pressure gauge. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     Technical Problem 
       [0007]    It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a simple pressure gauge at a reasonable price, which takes account of a disposable construction of e.g. an endoscopic device. 
       Technical Solution 
       [0008]    The object of the invention is achieved by a pressure gauge comprising the features according to claim  1 . 
         [0009]    Advantageous further developments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, the gist of the invention consists in that the pressure gauge is composed of two separate components adapted to be joined together and to be released in a non-destructive manner. The one component is a pressure-motion conversion element preferably manufacturable at low cost, having a movable portion for receiving a pressure and moving in response thereto, and the other component is a force measuring element for measuring a force exerted by the motion of the movable portion onto the force measuring element. The components are constructed such that, in the functional coupling thereof, only the pressure-motion conversion element with the pressure medium remains isolated. Therefore, the pressure-motion conversion element manufacturable at low cost can be thrown away after a once-only use, whereas the force measuring element, which is more expensive as a rule, can be re-used. Due to this constructional and elementary division of the pressure gauge into a cheap disposable component and a reusable component, it is not required for one-way solutions to throw the entire pressure gauge away, or to demount and clean it, which takes up a great deal of time, but only the component manufacturable at low cost can be thrown away while the other component can be reused. 
         [0011]    If the pressure gauge according to the present invention is applied to a disposable endoscopic device, in which the endoscope shaft, the everting tube as well as a fluid bag/container which is fluid-connected to the endoscope by tubes and which stores a lubricant for lubrication between the endoscope shaft and the everting tube as well as inside the everting tube can be thrown away after a one-time use, the pressure-motion conversion element, which is constructed as a disposable, can be separated from the force measuring element and can be thrown away after use. The force measuring element, on the other hand, can be reused. In this way, a favorably priced disposable endoscopic device can be realized. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the pressure-motion conversion element is formed as a gas or fluid tight unit in order to prevent a discharge of gas or fluid into the environment, as it is particularly required in endoscopic applications. 
         [0013]    The pressure-motion conversion element preferably has a receiving portion for receiving a portion of a container or tube in order to detect the pressure of a fluid or gas flowing inside the container or tube. 
         [0014]    In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the receiving portion receives a tube portion of a tube, which is connected to a disposable fluid bag for storing a fluid. Preferably, the tube portion itself is used for forming a fluid-tight connection between itself and the receiving portion. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the movable portion of the pressure-motion conversion element is a piston or a membrane. It may, however, be any other element moving upon change of a pressure acting thereon, such as a lever supported by a hinge, etc. The movement of the movable portion is not restricted to a translatory motion, but can be any movement whatsoever, e.g. translation, rotation, or a combination of translation and rotation. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the force measuring element is a force measuring sensor converting the measured force into electrical signals, such as a piezo-element. The force measuring element may, however, work according to another principle, for instance in a purely mechanical manner, as long as it is ensured that the pressure applied to the pressure-motion conversion element can be inferred from the force measured by the force measuring element. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the force measuring element or the pressure-motion conversion element is provided with a positioning means for positioning the pressure-motion conversion element in its assembled state relative to the force measuring element in a predetermined position. 
         [0018]    Moreover, the force measuring element or the pressure-motion conversion element can be advantageously provided with a locking mechanism for fixing the pressure-motion conversion element in its assembled state relative to the force measuring element. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0019]    Hereinafter the invention shall be specified in detail by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts are identified by identical reference numbers and wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a fluid bag having connecting tubes one of which is provided with a pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0021]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the  FIG. 1   a  fluid bag; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1   c  is an enlarged representation of detail A from  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0023]      FIG. 1   d  is a rear view of the  FIG. 1   a  fluid bag; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an assembled perspective view of the  FIG. 2  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4   a  is a top view of the  FIG. 3  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4   b  is a side view of the  FIG. 3  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4   c  is a front view of the  FIG. 3  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4   d  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 3  pressure-motion conversion element, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 4   c;    
           [0030]      FIG. 4   e  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 3  pressure-motion conversion element, taken along line B-B in  FIG. 4   c;    
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a force measuring element; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are perspective views of the  FIG. 5  force measuring element; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7   a  is a top view of the  FIG. 5  force measuring element; 
           [0034]      FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c  are side views of the  FIG. 5  force measuring element; 
           [0035]      FIG. 7   d  is a top view of the  FIG. 5  force measuring element; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7   e  is a side view of the  FIG. 5  force measuring element, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 7   d;    
           [0037]      FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  are perspective views of a non-assembled embodiment of the pressure gauge; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9   a  is an assembled rear view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9   b  is an assembled top view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9   c  is an assembled side view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge; 
           [0041]      FIG. 9   d  is an assembled front view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge; 
           [0042]      FIG. 9   e  is an assembled sectional view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge, taken along line B-B of  FIG. 9   c;    
           [0043]      FIG. 9   f  is an assembled sectional view of the  FIG. 8   a  pressure gauge, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 9   d;    
           [0044]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0045]      FIG. 11   a  is a rear view of the  FIG. 10  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0046]      FIG. 11   b  is a top view of the  FIG. 10  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0047]      FIG. 11   c  is a bottom view of the  FIG. 10  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0048]      FIG. 11   d  is a side view of the  FIG. 10  pressure-motion conversion element; 
           [0049]      FIG. 11   e  is a sectional view of the  FIG. 10  pressure-motion conversion element, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 11   a ; and 
           [0050]      FIG. 11   f  is an enlarged view of section B in  FIG. 11   e.    
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0051]      FIGS. 1   a,    1   b,  and  1   d  show a hydraulic fluid bag  1  used for storing lubricants, such as oil, water, an oil-water emulsion, etc. for an endoscopic device. The fluid bag  1  comprises two connecting tubes  2   a ,  2   b , particularly silicone tubes, via which the lubricant (preferably liquid) or fluid is fed to an endoscope. Specifically, the fluid from the fluid bag  1  is conducted to the points of lubrication, for instance by means of a centrifugal pump, into which the connecting tubes  2   a ,  2   b  are inserted and which makes fluid in the connecting tubes  2   a ,  2   b  move. A lubricant is fed, e.g. via the connecting tube  2   b , to a lubricating point between the inner surfaces of an everting tube or into the everting tube of an endoscope, whereas, via the connecting tube  2   a , a lubricant is fed to a lubricating point between the endoscope shaft and the outer surfaces of the everting tube abutting on the endoscope shaft. 
         [0052]    In order to measure the pressure by which lubricant is fed to the lubricating point through the tube  2   a , a pressure-motion conversion element  3  is attached to the tube  2   a , and forms a pressure gauge of the invention together with a force measuring element  5  which shall be described below. 
         [0053]    A pressure-motion conversion element  3  according to a first embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2  in an exploded view and in  FIG. 3  in a perspective view. The pressure-motion conversion element  3  according to the first embodiment is essentially composed of an elongated housing  3   a  having an elongated hole and two cross holes arranged perpendicularly to each other, wherein the cross holes are connected to each other via the elongated hole, a closing member  3   b , a piston  3   c , a plug  3   d  as well as two seal rings  3   e . The housing  3   a , closing member  3   b , piston  3   c  as well as a plug  3   d  are preferably producible from plastic and by injection molding. 
         [0054]    As is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4   e , which is a sectional view of the pressure-motion conversion element  3  along line B-B in  FIG. 4   c , the elongated hole extends from the top surface of the housing through the upper cross hole, and opens into the lower cross hole. The opening formed by the elongated hole in the top surface of the housing is fluid-tightly closed by a closing member  3   b , which is formed as a screw in this embodiment. 
         [0055]    With respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4   b , one side of the lower cross hole is closed by the plug  3   d  which is fitted in or rather screwed into the housing  3   a , wherein a seal  3   f  is provided between the housing  3   a  and the plug  3   d  for a fluid-tight sealing. At the other side of the lower cross hole, a movable element  3   c  is fluid-tightly fitted in. In this way, a pressure chamber R is formed in the lower cross hole between the plug  3   d  and the movable element  3   c , as is shown in  FIG. 4   e.  In this embodiment, the movable element  3   c  is formed as a piston surrounded by a seal  3   f , said piston being arranged in an axially shiftable manner in the lower cross hole. The front end of the piston  3   d  facing the pressure chamber R is a pressure receiving surface. The front end of the piston  3   d , facing away from the pressure chamber R, bulges out of the outer side of the housing. 
         [0056]    As is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4   a - 4   e , the upper cross hole constitutes a receiving portion of the housing  3   a . A portion of the connecting tube  2   a  is inserted/fitted into the upper cross hole, as is shown in  FIGS. 4   d  and  4   e . The connecting tube  2   a  is fitted into the upper cross hole such that it forms a fluid-tight connection with the housing  3   a . In order to reliably maintain this sealing and prevent a partial detachment of the outer surface of the connecting tube from the inner surface of the cross hole, a supporting sleeve  4  is arranged inside the connecting tube  2   a , which supports or presses the connecting tube  2   a  against the inner surface of the upper cross hole. The supporting sleeve  4  is advantageously formed of a flexible plastic in order to apply, in the installation position, a force acting radially outwards to the connecting tube  2   a . As is shown in  FIG. 4   d , the supporting sleeve  4  is advantageously provided at its ends with a projection or is enlarged outwardly, so that the connecting tube is fixed in a predetermined position with respect to the housing  3   a . Additionally or alternatively, the connecting tube  2   a  and the supporting sleeve  4  can also be fixed with respect to the housing  3   a  by means of the closing member  3   b , e.g. by the closing member  3   b  in its installation position pressing against the outer surface of the connecting tube  2   a.    
         [0057]    As is shown in  FIGS. 4   d  and  4   e , the connecting tube  2   a  and the supporting sleeve  4  have orifices formed in their radial direction and ending into the elongated housing of the housing  3   a . Thus, there is a connection between the inside of the connecting tube  2   a  and the pressure chamber R via the orifices and the elongated housing. 
         [0058]    The above-described connection can be advantageously realized in that, after an insertion of the connecting tube  2   a  together with the supporting sleeve  4  into the upper cross hole, drilling is effected from the upper side of the housing for simultaneously forming the orifices in the supporting sleeve  4  and in the connecting tube  2   a , as well as the elongated housing. In this way, it is ensured that the orifices of the supporting sleeve  4  and of the connecting tube  2   a  are aligned with the elongated housing for ensuring a reliable connection of the inside of the connecting tube  2   a  with the pressure chamber R. 
         [0059]    The above-described pressure-motion conversion element  3  cooperates with a force measuring element  5  for forming a pressure gauge according to the invention. As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the force measuring element  5  is essentially composed of a housing  5   a , a force measuring sensor  5   b , and a positioning means  5   c . The housing has an essentially rectangular shape with a projecting portion. As is shown in  FIG. 5 , the front surface of the housing includes an orifice  5   a   1  corresponding to the lower area of the pressure-motion conversion element  3 . A through hole  5   a   2  is formed in the side surface of the projecting portion, ending in the orifice  5   a   1 . The positioning means  5   c  is arranged in the through hole  5   a   2 . In this embodiment, the positioning means  5   c  is composed of a spring-biased pin pressed by a spring force to a predetermined extent into the inside of the orifice  5   a   1 . Furthermore, in the side of the housing  5   a  opposite to the projecting portion, a further orifice  5   a   3  is formed, ending in the orifice  5   a   1 . The force measuring sensor  5   b  is inserted into the orifice  5   a   3  such that its force detecting surface  5   b   1  is disposed inside the orifice  5   a   1  freely and opposite to the positioning means  5   c , as is shown in  FIG. 7   e . In this embodiment, the force measuring sensor  5   b  is a sensor converting a force acting on its force detecting surface  5   b   1  into electrical signals, which can then be evaluated by means of a CPU, as is shown in  FIG. 5 , or by something similar. Alternatively, however, a mechanical force measuring sensor can be used. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 8   b ,  9   a - 9   f  show different views of the pressure gauge of the invention in its assembled state. The cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9   e  reveals that, in the assembled state, the spring-biased pin  5   c  presses its bulbous end against a recess  3   d   1  formed in the plug  3   d  and corresponding to the bulbous form of the pin end in order to press the pressure-motion conversion element  3  in the direction of the force measuring sensor  5   b , so that the pressure-motion conversion element  3  is arranged in a predetermined position in the orifice  5   a   1  of the force measuring element  5 . More precisely, the position is such that the bulbous outer surface of the piston abuts on the force detecting surface  5   b   1  of the force measuring sensor  5   b . Preferably, the pressure-motion conversion element  3  is fixed by means of the positioning means  5   c  such that its housing  3   a  does not move relatively to the housing  5   a  of the force measuring element  5  even if the piston moves. Moreover, the spring-biased pin is preferably designed such that it does not raise any problems to manually insert the pressure motion element  3  into the force measuring element  5  and pull it out again. 
         [0061]    Additionally or alternatively, either the pressure-motion conversion element  3  or the force measuring element  5  may be provided with a locking mechanism for preventing a separation of the pressure-motion conversion element  3  and the force measuring element  5  in the assembled state. Such a locking mechanism may e.g. be a pin fastened to the force measuring element  5  and adapted to be moved into a locked position, said pin engaging—in the assembled state of the pressure gauge—in a recess formed in the pressure-motion conversion element  3  such that, in the locked position, the pressure-motion conversion element  3  is no longer adapted to be pulled out of the force measuring element  5  by hand. 
         [0062]    Hereinafter, the use or operation of the pressure gauge according to the invention shall be described with reference to a disposable endoscopic device. 
         [0063]    Before a start of operation of the pressure gauge, the pressure-motion conversion element  3  is connected to the connecting tube  2   a  of the fluid bag  2  or is pre-mounted to the same, as has been described above with reference to  FIGS. 1   a - 1   d,    2 ,  3 ,  4   a - 4   e.    
         [0064]    The connecting tube  2   a  is connected to an endoscope in order to deliver lubricant from the fluid bag  2  to the point of lubrication between the endoscope shaft and the outer surface of the everting tube abutting thereon. To this end, the connecting tube is connected to a centrifugal pump or something similar which feeds the fluid in the connecting tube to the point of lubrication at a certain pressure due to external impact on the connecting tube  2   a.    
         [0065]    In order to measure the pressure of the lubricant supplied, the application of pressure to the fluid in the connecting tube  2   a  by means of the centrifugal pump is preceded by the pressure-motion conversion element  3  connected to the connecting tube  2   a  being inserted into the orifice  5   a   1  of the force measuring element  5  in order to reach the assembled state shown in  FIGS. 8   b ,  9   a - 9   f , in this way and, thus, the operative state of the pressure gauge of the invention. In this state, the bulbous end of the spring-biased pin  5   c  engages in the recess of the plug  3   d   1  and presses the pressure-motion conversion element  3  inside the orifice  5   a   1  in the direction of the force measuring sensor  5   b  such that the bulbous outer side of the piston  3   c  abuts on the force receiving surface  5   b   1  of the force measuring sensor  5   b.    
         [0066]    The inside of the connecting tube  2   a  is fluid connected to the pressure chamber R through the orifices in the connecting tube  2   a  and the supporting sleeve  4 , the upper cross hole and the elongated hole. Thus, fluid having the same pressure as fluid in the connecting tube  2   a  or the fluid container  1  is in the pressure chamber R. Since a pressure application by means of the centrifugal pump has not yet taken place, this state is referred to as “pressure at rest”. The fluid at pressure at rest in the pressure chamber R leads to the piston  3   c  being urged by a certain force in the direction of the force measuring sensor  5   b , so that the force measuring sensor  5   b  registers a force corresponding to the pressure at rest through a surface  5   b   1  receiving its pressure. The force measuring sensor is now calibrated according to this force, i.e. is adjusted to zero. 
         [0067]    Subsequently, pressure is applied to the fluid in the connecting tube by movement of the centrifugal pump. This leads to a pressure change of the fluid in the connecting tube  2   a  and the pressure chamber R. Due to this pressure change, the force acting on the pressure receiving surface of the piston  3   c  changes and, in turn, leads to a movement of the piston  3   c  in the direction of the force measuring sensor  5   b . The movement of the piston  3   c  causes an increase in the force acting on the force detecting surface  5   b   1  of the force measuring sensor  5   b . The force acting on the force measuring sensor  5   b  is detected and transmitted in the form of electrical signals to an evaluating unit, for instance a CPU. The CPU is adapted to infer from the force measured by the force measuring sensor  5   b  to a pressure of the fluid in the connecting tube  2   a , or rather is adapted to deduce the pressure of the fluid from this force and adjust, in this way, the pressure of the fluid to the desired value by control of the centrifugal pumps on the basis of the detected values. 
         [0068]    Upon conclusion of an examination by the endoscopic device, which is a disposable endoscopic device, the pressure-motion conversion element  3  is separated from the force measuring element  5  by being pulled out of the orifice, wherein at least the force measuring element  3 , but preferably also the pressure-motion conversion element  3  are not damaged. The pressure-motion conversion element  3  is then adapted to be disposed of together with the endoscope shaft including everting tube, the fluid bag  1  and all connecting lines from the fluid bag to the point of lubrication, which could be contaminated by body fluid of the patient examined, whereas the force measuring element  5 , which has not come into contact with the lubricant or body fluid due to the fluid-tight formation of the pressure-motion conversion element  3 , is adapted to be re-used. 
         [0069]      FIGS. 10 ,  11   a  to  11   f  show a second embodiment of the pressure-motion conversion element according to the invention. The pressure-motion conversion element  6  according to the second embodiment has a similar structure as the pressure-motion conversion element  3  of the first embodiment, and hereinafter only the differences to this first embodiment shall be described. 
         [0070]    In contrast to the pressure-motion conversion element  3  of the first embodiment, the pressure-motion conversion element  6  according to the second embodiment comprises a membrane  6   c  and a lid  6   d  instead of the piston  3   c  and the plug  3   d.  The membrane  6   c  is preferably formed of a rubber material, and is fluid-tightly fitted, preferably glued in place, in the lower cross hole of the housing  6   a , as is shown in  FIGS. 11   e  and  11   f.  The membrane  6   c  has the same function as the piston  3   c , i.e. it is such that it bulges outwardly upon an increase in pressure in the pressure chamber R, thus being adapted to exert force on a force measuring sensor  5   b.    
         [0071]    In contrast to the plug  3   d  which is provided with a seal  3   f  and is screwed into the housing  3   a  of the pressure-motion conversion element  3  of the first embodiment, the lid  6   d  is fluid-tightly glued in. 
         [0072]    The pressure-motion conversion element  6  of the second embodiment cooperates with the force measuring element  5  in the same way as the pressure-motion conversion element  3  according to the first embodiment. 
         [0073]    Although the present invention has been described with reference to a tube portion of the connecting tube  2   a  of the hydraulic bag, the pressure-motion conversion element may be connected or fluid-connected to another element of the lubricant supply. In this respect, the pressure-motion conversion element may also be connected or fluid-connected to a connecting tube piece that is connected to elements of the lubricant supply, such as two lubricant supply tubes.