Patent Description:
Endoscopes are known for visual inspection of inaccessible places such as human body cavities. Typically, the endoscope comprises an insertion cord connected to an operating handle at the proximal end and visual inspection means, such as a built in camera, at the distal end of the insertion cord. Electrical wiring for the camera and other electronics such as LED lighting run along the inside of the insertion cord from the handle to the tip at the distal end.

In order to be able to maneuver the endoscope inside a body cavity, the distal end of the endoscope may comprise a section with increased flexibility, e.g. a bending section. Typically, the bending section is controlled from the control handle by tensioning or slacking pull wires running along the inside insertion cord from the bending section to a control mechanism at the control handle. Furthermore, a working channel may run along the inside of the insertion cord from the handle via the bending section to the tip, e.g. allowing liquid to be removed from the body cavity or allowing the insertion of surgical instruments or the like into the body cavity.

<CIT> discloses a bending section for an endoscope, which discloses, in combination, the features of the preamble of independent claim <NUM>. In this bending section adjacent segments are connected by three hinges, made from the same material as the segments and manufactured in the same molding process as the segments, so that the bending section is a one-piece construction. These hinges are shown to have a relatively small cross sectional area, and to be relatively narrow measured in a direction extending perpendicular and radially to a longitudinal axis of the bending section. This configuration results in a bending section with limited torsional and longitudinal stiffness.

It is desirable with a bending section which allows maneuvering the tip of the endoscope to its extreme positions, i.e. maximum bending and exerting some force, without a risk of impairing the performance of the bending section, e.g. by displacement of a hinge due to a plastic deformation in the material. Furthermore, it is desirable if the performance of the bending section is maintained even if it is exposed to a force in a direction perpendicular to the plane of bending. The maneuverability of the bending section and the force on e.g. the hinges is further challenged when a tool is arranged in the working channel of the endoscope.

With a view to the above, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a bending section of the above mentioned type with improved torsional and longitudinal stiffness. This should preferably be achieved without having to apply more force for the bending. Also, the space available for a possible working channel should preferably not be reduced.

It has now been found that this problem can be solved by providing a bending section wherein the first and second hinges are arranged for allowing the connected segments to bend in a bending plane, wherein a second hinge at the distal end of a segment forms a continuous rib, perpendicular to the bending plane, with the second hinge at the proximal end of the segment. This improves the longitudinal and torsional stiffness, because the continuous rib will serve as an anchoring point for the second hinges, which can then be made wider than in the prior art.

Here, the bending plane is understood as the plane in which two adjacent segments will bend. In the case of a two-way bending section, this bending plane will also be the overall bending plane of the bending section as such. There may be exactly two hinges between two adjacent segments through the whole bending section or for a part of the bending section. There could also be more than two hinges between two adjacent segments through the whole bending section or for a part of the bending section.

In an embodiment of the bending section a first width is defined for the first hinge in a direction perpendicular to the bending plane, and a second width is defined for the second hinge in a direction perpendicular to the bending plane, wherein the second width is at least a factor of two larger than the first width. This provides a mechanical strong and stable bending section.

In an embodiment of the bending section the first and second hinges are placed in mutual opposite or approximately opposite directions from a center axis of the bending section, and the first and second width are extending in a radial direction from the center axis. This has the advantage of providing a stable bending section with similar bending properties in both bending directions.

In a further embodiment a diameter line can be defined for the bending section. This diameter line is passing through the center axis of the bending section, and the diameter line can be placed between two segments to pass both the first and the second hinge. This diameter line is applied for describing the position of the two hinges in relation to a center axis of the bending section, and not to define a measured value of the bending section diameter. The width of the first and second hinges will also be measured along this diameter line.

In an embodiment of the bending section, the bending section including segments and hinges has been molded as a one-piece construction. This may be in one piece from one material, or it could be in one piece but from e.g. two materials, such as by a two component molding process. The applied material is preferably a plastic material. This provides for a simpler and thereby cheaper production, and is especially an advantage when the bending section is to be applied with a single use endoscope.

In an embodiment of the bending section, the bending section comprises a passage through each segment, this passage is adapted to accommodate a working channel of the endoscope. The passage being arranged such that it passes between the first hinge and the second hinge. This provides a symmetrical bending section, giving the same bending properties in the two directions, in the case of a two way bending section.

In an embodiment of the bending section, the width of the second hinge, named the second width, is at least a factor of three larger than the first width, preferably the second width is a factor of four larger than the first width. This has been found to result in an even more stable bending section.

In an embodiment of the bending section, the second width varies as function of the position in a longitudinal direction from the distal end segment towards the proximal end segment. This can be applied for achieving differences in bending performance between different sets of segments. In a further embodiment the second width is smaller for a second hinge located close to either the distal end segment or the proximal end segment, compared to the second width of second hinges arranged in the middle of the bending section. This may provide some advantages in the process of molding the bending section.

In an embodiment of the bending section, the second width of the second hinges is the same or substantially the same between all segments of the bending section. This will give the same bending performance between all segment of the bending section, and thereby a predictable overall bending performance of the bending section.

In the invention, the second hinge separates two passages adapted for arrangement of electrical wires. This leaves two well-defined spaces for the wires. The wires may be arranged in two bundles before arranging them in the bending section.

A second aspect is directed at an endoscope comprising a bending section according to any one of the embodiments described above. In a further embodiment this endoscope is adapted for single use. By single use is meant that the endoscope is discarded after having been use for one patient.

A third aspect is directed at an endoscope system comprising a monitor and an endoscope according to the above described endoscope.

Embodiments of the invention will in the following be described in more details with reference to the figures, wherein:.

<FIG> shows an endoscope <NUM> having a control handle <NUM>, an insertion cord <NUM> comprising a distal end <NUM> and a bending section <NUM>. Also, a monitor <NUM> for displaying the image seen by a camera <NUM> (see <FIG>) is shown. The monitor may be connected to the handle <NUM> by a cable <NUM>. The control handle <NUM> is here provided with a control lever which enables an operator of the endoscope <NUM> to control the bending of the bending section <NUM> through e.g. two pull wires, which by being tensioned or slacked can bend the bending section in one plane, but into two opposite directions. The bending of the bending section could alternatively be controlled by one or more steering wires which can be pulled and pushed alternately, whereby one steering wire may bend the bending section in two directions.

<FIG> shows a closer view of the distal end <NUM> with the bending section <NUM> and the distal tip <NUM>. Here, the bending cover normally protecting the bending section is not shown in order to clearly show the bending section. Also, the molding plastic material for the distal tip is not included in <FIG>. The distal tip <NUM> comprises a camera <NUM>, light emitting diodes <NUM> and an opening or passage <NUM> for a working channel. The working channel may be used for irrigation or removal of liquid, or for the introduction of a tool e.g. for specimen collection.

The bending section <NUM> is comprised of a number of sections including a distal end segment <NUM> forming part of the distal tip <NUM>, and a proximal end segment <NUM> connected to the rest of the insertion cord <NUM>. Furthermore, a number of segments <NUM> are arranged between the distal end segment <NUM> and the proximal end segment <NUM>. The segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are interconnected by hinges <NUM>. These hinges <NUM> are preferably integrally made from the same material as the segments <NUM>, and preferably the hinges and the segments <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> form a single continuous piece of material. Examples of materials could be polypropylene, polyacetal (POM) or a semi-aromatic polyamide (nylon).

<FIG> further shows that the working channel <NUM> also seen at the distal tip, continues all the way through the bending section <NUM>. The working channel <NUM> comprises a tubing which is arranged in a passage <NUM> (see <FIG>) in order to form a working channel which is tight to liquids etc..

<FIG> also indicates holes <NUM> for the positioning of the pull wires (the pull wires are not shown). The pull wires are arranged inside guide tubes, thereby forming Bowden cables along the distance from the control handle <NUM> to the proximal segment <NUM> of the bending section. The guide tubes terminate at the proximal segment <NUM>, and the pull wires continues through the holes <NUM> in the bending section. These holes <NUM> forms a guiding channel for the pull wires, and are preferably placed close to the outer periphery of the bending section. The pull wires are secured to the distal segment <NUM> or in the distal tip <NUM>. This configuration together with the hinges <NUM> allows for the bending of the bending section by tensioning one pull wire and slacking the other.

<FIG> shows a cross-sectional view (A'-A' in <FIG>) of a bending section. The longitudinal center axis is indicated by a cross <NUM>. The passage <NUM> for the working channel is also shown. This will often have a circular shape. Holes <NUM> for the pull wires are also seen. These are often arranged in opposite directions from the longitudinal center axis <NUM>, and will extend in parallel to this axis. In the top of the passage <NUM> a first hinge <NUM> is arranged between each of the segments <NUM>.

Two further passages <NUM>, <NUM> are illustrated in the cross-sectional view in <FIG>. These passages <NUM>, <NUM> are adapted to accommodate e.g. electrical wires for transferring power and signals between the control handle <NUM> and the camera, lightning and electronics in the distal tip <NUM>. These two passages are separated by a hinge <NUM> referred to as a second hinge.

This second hinge <NUM> will form a connection between the segments. The second hinge <NUM> at the distal end of a segment <NUM> is forming a continuous rib <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), with the second hinge at the proximal end of the segment, providing at least partially a reinforcing partition between the passages <NUM>, <NUM> increasing the overall strength of the bending section <NUM>. This continuous rib <NUM> is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the bending plane. The first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> may be the only connection between adjacent segments <NUM> of the bending section. However, some embodiments may comprise more than two hinges between adjacent segments. An example of such an embodiment is shown in <FIG>.

The continuous rib <NUM> is preferably formed as a sheet layer of material which also forms the second hinge <NUM>. The continuous rib will extend in a plane perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the bending plane. This continuous rib <NUM> is thus contiguous with the second hinges <NUM>, and will preferably continue through several segments <NUM> of the bending section <NUM> and have the same or substantially the same thickness both when the rib <NUM> forms a second hinge <NUM> and when the rib <NUM> forms the connection of two second hinges through a segment <NUM> of the bending section. The rib will separate the two passages <NUM>, <NUM>, which are formed in each segment <NUM> and continue through the whole bending section <NUM>. The rib can thus be described as a continuous sheet layer extending through several bending section segments <NUM> and forming second hinges <NUM> between these segments.

Typically, the first hinge <NUM> together with the second hinge <NUM> forms a hinge plane which may pass through the center axis <NUM>. The holes <NUM> for the pull wires going through the segments, are extending along two lines (one such line <NUM> is shown in <FIG>). These two lines of holes <NUM> extends in a longitudinal direction of the bending section, when the bending section is in a non-bended, i.e. neutral, position. The two lines of holes will form a pull wire plane which may also pass through the center axis <NUM>. The pull wire plane will also be the plane in which the bending section is bending when manipulating the pull wires. Typically, the hinge plane will extend perpendicular to the pull wire plane, while the pull wire plane will be parallel with or coincident with the bending plane.

<FIG> shows a side view of a bending section where the plane with hinges is perpendicular to the plane of the paper. the hinges <NUM>, <NUM> are all seen as placed in the centerline of the bending section, and being the only connection between the segments <NUM>. <FIG> further shows a number of wedge formed spaces <NUM>, <NUM> between the segments <NUM>. These wedge formed spaces <NUM>, <NUM> will allow for bending of the bending section. When the bending section is in the neutral (straight) position, as in <FIG>, the angle of the wedge formed spaces is v as indicated. When the bending section is bending the angle v will be smaller on one side and larger on the opposite side. The angle v together with the total number of segments is decisive for the overall bending performance of the bending section, including the maximum bending angle and the bending radius.

The number of segments in a bending section could for example be in the range <NUM> - <NUM>, such as in the range <NUM> - <NUM>. The figures show a lower number of segments for clarity reasons. The bending radius of the bending section would often be in a range of <NUM> - <NUM>. measured to the center axis of the bending section. Preferably, the bending radius will often be in the range <NUM> - <NUM>.

The curve shaped double arrow <NUM> at the bottom of <FIG> indicates the direction of bending when the bending section shown in <FIG> is bending. The height h of the hinges is also indicated in <FIG>. The height h may be the same for all hinges in the bending section, and the height could then be in a range of e.g. <NUM> - <NUM>. As indicated in <FIG> the height may also increase when moving from the distal end towards the proximal end of the bending section as also suggested in <CIT>. However, the hinges between two specific segments will preferably have the same height h.

<FIG> shows the bending section <NUM> of <FIG> rotated <NUM> degrees around the longitudinal axis. The hinges <NUM>, <NUM> are here shown between the segments <NUM>. Also, a passage <NUM> for the working channel is indicated. When the bending section shown in <FIG> is bending, the movement will be in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

<FIG> shows one example of a diameter line <NUM> defined for the bending section. The diameter line is passing through the center axis <NUM> of the bending section (this cannot be seen from <FIG>). The diameter line can be placed between two segments to pass both the first and the second hinge. The diameter line <NUM> is applied for describing the position of the two hinges in relation to a center axis of the bending section, and not to define a measured value of the bending section diameter. The width of the first and second hinges can also be measured along this diameter line.

It is clear from <FIG> that the width of the second hinge <NUM>, i.e. the second width, is considerably larger than the width of the first hinge <NUM>, i.e. the first width. Preferably, the width of the second hinge <NUM> is at least a factor of two larger than the width of the first hinge <NUM>. The second width may be at least a factor of three larger than the first width, and the second width may even be at least a factor of four larger than the first width. Furthermore, the second width is at least <NUM> % of an outer diameter of the bending section, such as at least <NUM> %, or even at least <NUM> % of an outer diameter of the bending section.

The larger width of the second hinge increases the stability of the hinges as such, since the risk of displacement of any of the first hinge and second hinge is reduced by the stronger second hinge. Therefore, the risk that the relatively narrow first hinge will be displaced or even break is also reduced by the introduction of the larger second hinge. Even in the event that the first hinge should be displaced or break, the corresponding larger second hinge will be able to maintain much more stability and functionality in the connection between the two adjacent segments, compared to prior art bending sections.

<FIG> shows a different example of the bending section, where <FIG> illustrates a side view of a bending section where the plane with hinges is perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Here, the angle v is smaller than the angle v in <FIG>. Also, the height h of the hinges is shown to be the same for all hinges of the bending section, which is different from <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a side view of the bending section of <FIG> rotated <NUM> degrees around a longitudinal axis. In <FIG> two cross sectional cuts A-A and B-B have been indicated. A portion C of the bending section in <FIG> have been enlarged and shown in <FIG>.

In <FIG> the first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> are more clearly seen compared to <FIG>. It is also shown that the segments <NUM> are provided with inclined edges <NUM> towards the space between segments. <FIG> illustrates the cross-sectional view A-A between two segments <NUM> of the bending section in <FIG>. It is shown by hatching that only the first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> have been cut through by the cross sectional view A-A. <FIG> illustrates the cross-sectional view B-B in the middle of a segment <NUM> of the bending section in <FIG>. The hatching shows that both the segment <NUM> and a continuous rib <NUM> have been cut through by the cross-sectional view B-B. This continuous rib <NUM> is formed between the second hinge <NUM> at the distal end of the segment <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> at the proximal end of the segment.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of a cut through bending section, illustrating the first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM> as well as the passage <NUM> for the working channel and holes <NUM> for pull wires.

Preferably, the second hinge <NUM> will separate the two passages <NUM>, <NUM> along the entire bending section and between all segments <NUM> of the bending section. This will provide the strongest bending section with a minimum risk of a hinge being displaced.

The second width of the second hinge may be constant or approximately constant throughout the bending section or the majority of the bending section. <FIG> shows a side view of a bending section where the second width of the second hinge <NUM> is the same for the second hinges shown.

In an alternative embodiment, the second hinge <NUM> will only separate the two passages <NUM>, <NUM> completely for segments arranged in the middle part of the bending section, while there will be an opening through the second hinge between the two passages <NUM>, <NUM> towards at least one end of the bending section and preferably towards both the distal end and the proximal end of the bending section. This opening will in practice mean that the second hinge is divided into two separate hinges toward the ends of the bending section. One advantage of this embodiment is related to the manufacturing, i.e. the molding, of the bending section.

A fraction of a bending section <NUM> according to this embodiment is illustrated in <FIG> showing the bending section in a side view. In <FIG> the second width of the second hinges increases from left to right in the figure. While the second hinge at the left in <FIG> has a smaller width, this leaves space for a third hinge between the first hinge <NUM> and the second hinge <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A bending section (<NUM>) for an endoscope (<NUM>) comprising a number of segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), where adjacent segments (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) are connected by a first hinge (<NUM>) and a second hinge (<NUM>) defining a hinge plane, both the first and the second hinges (<NUM>, <NUM>) are made integrally from the same material as the segments (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the first and second hinges (<NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged for allowing the connected segments (<NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>; <NUM>, <NUM>) to bend in a bending plane, characterized in that a second hinge (<NUM>) at the distal end of a segment (<NUM>) forms a continuous rib (<NUM>) in said hinge plane and perpendicular to the bending plane, with the second hinge at the proximal end of the segment (<NUM>), so as to separate two passages (<NUM>, <NUM>), which are formed in each segment (<NUM>) and continue through the whole bending section (<NUM>).