Karl Storz-gmbh & Co. Kg

Ulrich Kehr

J&uuml;rgen Rudischhauser

Klaus M Irion

Peter Schwarz

Jan Dahmen

Mark Kocher

Jurgen Rudischhauser

Siegfried Hoefig

Matthias Huber

An image pick-up module comprises an electronic image sensor, single-piece circuit board electrically bonded to the image sensor, and at least one cable electrically bonded and leading away from the circuit board. The circuit board has at least three sections, first and second section extending in relation to the other and obliquely or crosswise to the image sensor, and third section arranged between first and second section. The image sensor is arranged on the circuit board opposite the third section. In a method for assembling the image pick-up module, the circuit board has the form of a planar board blank comprising at least three sections folded along flexible connecting sections whereby the at least one cable is bonded to the board, and the board folds whereby a third section is located between first and second section, and the image sensor is bonded to the circuit board opposite the third section.

Image pick-up module and method for assembling such an image pick-up module

An image pick-up module, especially for an endoscope, comprises an electronic image sensor, a single-piece circuit board which is electrically bonded to the image sensor, with at least one cable leading away from the circuit board being further electrically bonded to the circuit board. The circuit board has at least three sections, with a first section and a second section extending in spaced relation one to the other and obliquely or crosswise to the image sensor and a third section being arranged between the first and the second section. In order to provide for strain relief of the at least one cable, it is proposed that the image sensor be arranged on one side of the circuit board opposite the third section. In a method for assembling the image pick-up module the circuit board initially has the form of a planar board blank comprising at least three sections that can be folded along flexible connecting sections whereby the at least one cable is bonded to the board blank, whereafter the board blank is folded in such a way that a third section is located between a first section and a second section, and finally the image sensor is bonded to the circuit board at an end of the circuit board opposite the third section.

A device for positioning at least one optical component inside an endoscopic system has a housing through which an optical axis of the endoscopic system extends and in which the at least one optical component is arranged. The at least one optical component can be pivoted into the beam path and back out of the beam path about a pivot axis extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the housing, the at least one optical component being arranged on a support which is pivotable about the pivot axis. A smallest distance of an inside wall of the housing from the pivot axis is smaller than a greatest distance of the pivot axis to an outer edge of the at least one optical component.

Device for positioning at least one optical component inside an endoscopic system

A description is given of an apparatus for positioning at least one component within an endoscopic system, having a hermetically tight housing, having at least one external magnetically active element which is arranged outside the housing, and having at least one internal magnetically active element which is arranged inside the housing, a magnetic force coupling acting through the housing between the external element and the internal element, it further being possible for the external element and the internal element to move at least with an axial movement component with reference to a longitudinal axis of the housing, and the internal element being in operational connection with the component in such a way that a movement of the internal element causes a movement of the component. The at least one internal element is arranged hanging, at least with an axial movement component via a holder in the housing with reference to the direction of the attractive force of the external element, a side, facing the external element, of the internal element is free, the component being connected to the internal element via a driver element in such a way that the component is axially displaced given an axial movement of the internal element.

Apparatus for positioning at least one component within an endoscopic system

The invention relates to an optical instrument, in particular an endoscopic instrument, with a housing, containing at least one optical system and a hygroscopic substance, and in which an eyepiece is detachably secured to the housing. In order to design an optical instrument of the aforementioned type in such a way that the hygroscopic substance can be integrated easily and safely into the housing, the invention proposes that the hygroscopic substance should be imbedded in a moldable matrix material and that the matrix material caulked with the hygroscopic substance can be replaceably inserted in the eyepiece.

Optical instrument, in particular an endoscopic instrument

A device for positioning at least one optical component within an endoscopic system has a housing, through which runs an optical axis, and in which at least one component is arranged. The component is pivotable into the beam path of the endoscopic system about a pivot axis and pivotable out of the beam path. The pivot axis is here arranged running obliquely to the optical axis.

Device for positioning at least one optical component within an endoscopic system

A device for positioning components within endoscopic systems includes a hermetically sealed housing. An outer ring element is mounted to rotate about the outer side of the housing and carries on its circumference at least one outer magnet. Further, an inner ring element is mounted inside the housing and carries likewise at least one inner magnet, the magnets being aligned in such a way that any rotation of the outer ring element has the effect to move the at least one inner magnet by magnetic coupling, such movement serving the purpose to position the respective components. In order to achieve a simple, relatively small and functionally safe structure it is proposed that both the outer and inner ring elements be configured as axially displaceable rings carrying the oppositely arranged magnets, and that the inner ring be mechanically connected with the component to be positioned.

Device for positioning components within endoscopic systems

An endoscope has a head and an outer tube joined to it. Received in the outer tube is an inner tube in which optical components are received. Light guides are guided in the interstice between the interior space and outer tube. A closure element made of transparent material, which closes off the distal end of the outer tube in hermetically sealed fashion, is provided. The closure element has a window in the region of the inner tube. The window is surrounded by an opaque layer that shields the window radially from the entry of illumination light.

Endoscope having a composite distal closure element

An endoscope, in particular a video endoscope, has an endoscope shaft at the distal end and a mount at the proximal end for attaching an optical imaging device, for example a video camera, and an endoscope housing between said endoscope shaft and said mount, said mount being rotatable relative to said endoscope shaft, via a rotary joint, about the longitudinal axis of said endoscope an optically imaging arrangement, which is at least partially positionally displaceable by way of an adjusting device for focusing the image transmission, moreover being received in said endoscope housing. Said endoscope housing is configured in continuously hermetically sealed fashion, and said rotary joint is arranged outside said endoscope housing.

Endoscope, in particular video endoscope

An endoscope has a tubular shaft in whose interior is arranged at least one component of an optical system. At least one support element made from a shrinkable material surrounds at least partially said component in a radial gap between the outer side of said component and the inner side of said tubular shaft. After shrinking of said support element the radial gap is filled up in a manner such that the component is immobilized on the inner side of the tubular shaft via the shrunken support element (FIG. 1).

Endoscope having an immobilization system for components of an inner optical system

A method for mounting at least one rod lens in an interior of a tube has the following steps, i.e. selecting an outside diameter of said rod lens in that an airgap is created circumferentially between an outer side of said rod lens in an inner side of said tube, positioning said outer side of said rod lens at a defined radial spacing from said inner side of said tube by way of at least two centering aids and effecting an elastic adhesive join between said outer side of said rod lens and said inner side of said tube.

Method for mounting rod lenses in an endoscope, and endoscope having such rod lenses

A device for positioning components within endoscopic systems comprises a hermetically sealed housing. An outer ring element is mounted to rotate about the outer side of said housing and carries on its circumference at least one outer magnet. Further, an inner ring element is mounted inside said housing and carries likewise at least one inner magnet, said magnets being aligned in such a way that any rotation of said outer ring element has the effect to move said at least one inner magnet by magnetic coupling, such movement serving the purpose to position said respective components. In order to achieve a simple, relatively small and functionally safe structure it is proposed that both, said outer and said inner ring elements be configured as axially non-displaceable rings carrying said oppositely arranged magnets, and that said inner ring be mechanically connected with said component to be positioned.

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Ostfildern, Germany

Ulrich Kehr