WO2016142052A1

WO2016142052A1 - Transporter with an encapsulated leg spring

Info

Publication number: WO2016142052A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/000401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Pawlik; Christian Brockmann; Hannes Miersch; Uwe SCHÖLER
Original assignee: Olympus Winter & Ibe Gmbh
Priority date: 2015-03-11
Filing date: 2016-03-07
Publication date: 2016-09-15
Also published as: DE102015003046B4; DE102015003046A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a transporter (10) of a resectoscope for endoscopic surgery, comprising a shaft tube (12) for receiving an elongated rod-shaped optical unit (14), a slide (16) which is mounted on the shaft tube (12) in a longitudinally movable manner for actuating a surgical instrument (18) that can be coupled to the slide (16), and a handle unit with a first handle part (20) which is movement-coupled to the shaft tube (12) and is arranged on the transporter (10) and a second handle part (22) which is movement-coupled to the slide (16) and is arranged on the transporter (10). The handle parts (20, 22) can be actuated out of a rest position into a pressed position against a spring force provided by means of a spring unit (24), and the spring unit (24) has a leg spring (26) which generates the spring force, is made of a spring wire, and comprises a coil region with multiple spring wire coils and two legs (30) that are spaced apart by the coil region. At least the coil region is covered by a housing (28) which blocks the coil gaps in order to prevent a contamination of the coil gaps.

Description

Transporter with encapsulated leg spring

description

The invention relates to a transporter of a resectoscope for endoscopic surgery according to the preamble of claim 1. An essential component of a medical resectoscope is the so-called transporter. The feed dog is typically equipped with a carriage which slides on a tube and is spring-loaded in a rest position by means of a spring unit. For the mechanical movement of a surgical working instrument which can be coupled to the resectoscope, the resectoscope is equipped with a handle unit which can be actuated by the surgeon's hand movement. The operation of the handle unit usually leads to a longitudinal displacement of the working at the distal end of the Resektoskops working instrument. For connection to the resectoscope, the working instrument has an elongate tool shank, which is longitudinally displaceable and at its proximal end with the carriage is mounted on the feed motion-coupled.

Due to the spring-biased arrangement of the carriage on the conveyor, the working instrument is held in a defined rest position. By overcoming the spring force in the operation of the handle from the rest position to a pressure position, a movement-stabilized guidance of the working instrument is supported. Jerky movements in the hand guide, for example, by unintentionally erratic finger movements, can be compensated by the spring-loaded actuating travel of the handle unit. This assists a smooth and even work when handling the resectoscope. When returning the handle from the Pressure position in the rest position, the hand movement of the surgeon is supported by the restoring force of the spring unit. With the working instrument performed cutting movements or similar surgical procedures are thus facilitated and also stabilized movement.

In transporters of this type is known to use leg springs to keep the longitudinally displaceably mounted on the shaft tube carriages in the rest position. Leg springs are preferably used for the spring preload of the carriage, as they require a very favorable force-displacement curve in the operation of the instrument. A leg spring consists of a spring wire having a winding with typically several turns. The free ends of the spring wire typically end in lever-like legs, on which a torque is removed during the stress of the spring. A leg spring is essentially a coil spring that is flexed about its axis. The turns of such a leg spring can either be arranged closely, in particular with contact, next to one another or be spaced apart from one another with a winding spacing.

An important aspect of medical instruments of this type is the simple and thorough cleanability. To prevent germ formation, it is imperative that the instruments be carefully cleaned of any germ-forming residues after surgery. Typically, such instruments are sterilized by autoclaving. Some areas of the instruments must be mechanically, e.g. be cleaned by brushing or the like. Narrow gaps or hard-to-reach areas of these instruments, in which impurities can collect, must be intensively and time-consuming cleaned with special cleaning tools. Especially with an exposed mounted on a conveyor spring unit having a spring with several close to each other or in contact spring coils, a thorough cleaning is very laborious and time consuming.

The invention has for its object to provide a conveyor of the type mentioned, which allows a simple and time-saving cleaning. The object is achieved by a conveyor with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a transporter of a resectoscope for endoscopic surgery is provided with a shaft tube for receiving an elongated, rod-shaped optical unit, a carriage longitudinally displaceably mounted on the shaft tube for actuating a working instrument which can be coupled to the carriage, and a handle unit having a first movement coupled to the shaft tube Transporter arranged handle portion and a second, with the carriage motion coupled to the conveyor arranged grip part, the handle parts from a rest position against a spring force provided by a spring unit can be actuated into a pressure position, and wherein the spring unit generating a spring force from a spring wire trained leg spring having a winding area comprising several turns of the spring wire and having two legs spaced apart by the winding area, and wherein at least the winding area for Ver avoiding contamination of the Windungszwischenräume of one, the Windungszwischenräume obstructing housing (28) is detected.

By obstructing the Windungszwischenräume the winding area is advantageously protected from contamination with liquids such as blood or other body fluids or solid particles such as tissue parts or the like. The access from outside into the formed by the spring wire of the leg spring interior or access to the Windungszwischenräume is blocked in the spring unit according to the invention. The outer surface of the housing can be cleaned quickly and easily, which supports a time-saving and easy cleanability of the conveyor.

According to the invention, a spring unit is used with a leg spring, since this spring shape in the manual operation of the instrument requires a particularly favorable force-displacement curve of the carriage displacement on the instrument and thus improves the control of the instrument for performing precise surgical interventions.

Construction details of the spring unit can be designed in particular according to the spring bridge described in DE 101 26 542 A1. This font of Applicant is expressly referred to in terms of possible designs and construction details of the spring unit.

For a particularly smooth sliding mounting of the carriage on the shaft tube can be provided that the carriage of the conveyor is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or has this material.

In a possible embodiment of the spring unit according to the invention it is contemplated that the housing covering the winding area or the winding gaps, i. completely enclosing the spring wire of the leg spring in the winding area. It is also conceivable, however, that only the space spanned by windings of the leg spring and / or the spaces between the windings are filled with housing elements or with housing material and, for example, exposed radially outer surface areas of the coiled spring wire. In this embodiment, the interior space or the interspaces between turns are protected against penetrating substances or particles that collect there. Depending on the arrangement or selection of the housing material, the spring characteristics of the spring unit are affected. The influence of the spring characteristic caused by the arrangement or selection of the housing material can be compensated, for example, by suitable selection of the leg spring.

Under a detecting housing is understood inter alia that the housing extends at least partially between the Windungszwischenräume, especially in the limited by the windings of the spring wire interior, the leg spring. For example, a sensing housing is also understood to mean that the housing extends adjacent outer surfaces of the spring wire or radially spaced therefrom around the winding area. In this variant, a completely enclosed by the housing winding area, which is effectively protected from entering substances or particles.

To improve the leg spring mobility is thought that the housing is at least partially elastic. The elasticity of the housing supports the torsional flexibility of the spring upon actuation of the carriage from the rest position to the printing position. The housing can be used as an example Windungszwischenräume covering cover be formed of an elastic material.

For use on a medical instrument and without limitation to one of the illustrated embodiments, it is particularly contemplated that the housing or at least the outer wall portions of the housing made of a biocompatible material.

To support a simple and quick cleaning or reprocessing of the conveyor under consideration of the smallest possible component size is thought that the housing encloses the winding area of the leg spring sleeve-like. Thus, the typically cylindrical or barrel-shaped leg spring in its winding area can be protected from external influences in a simple and space-saving manner with a housing without excessive component expenditure.

In a simple and cost-effective design variant of the housing or for the additional protection against contamination of the Windungszwischenräume can be provided that the winding region of the leg spring is covered by a shrink tube. Preferably, the shrink tube is closed at its ends sealing the coil area.

In a preferred embodiment, in which the housing can be produced quickly and inexpensively in a simple manner and permits a torsion of the leg spring without provision of a mechanically complex sealing arrangement, it can be provided that the housing has an elastic material at least in regions, the leg spring at least in the winding area is encapsulated with the material.

While the spring is useable with the use of a covering sheath or overmolded material without appreciable limitations on its mechanical properties, the simple outer surface geometry allows easy and quick cleaning of the spring assembly.

A particularly comprehensive protection against contamination can be achieved by the leg spring is arranged completely in the housing. Preferably, it is contemplated that the leg spring completely, so in particular both the winding region and the legs, is encapsulated with an elastic material. In addition to good protection against contamination of Windungszwischenräume thus the protection of the spring wire against undesired reaction with the spring contacting abrasive or corrosive or otherwise the material attacking media is improved.

To protect against contamination when in contact with liquids, such as blood or other body fluids may at least be provided that the housing is formed liquid-tight. In particular, in a, the tension spring only partially covering housing while suitable sealing means must be provided to produce the seal against the ingress of liquid and at the same time allow sufficient movement of the spring wire upon twisting of the spring or movement of the spring legs. In a conceivable embodiment, it is contemplated that the housing is formed as a tubular sleeve whose axial passage is closed in the end regions, each with a seal, and wherein the legs protrude respectively through the seals out of the housing. In particular, in this embodiment, it is contemplated that the legs of the leg spring extend axially at least partially on both sides of the winding area. These axially extending portions of the legs can sealingly project through - for example, disc or plate-shaped - sealing elements, so that the, the winding area of the leg spring accommodating interior of the housing is sealed tight, in particular liquid-tight. In the axial regions of the legs resulting torsional forces in the bending of the legs about the longitudinal axis of the leg spring can be compensated by a stiffening of the spring wire. Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided, preferably to arrange a torsion spring within the housing, which compensates for the torsional forces during the rotational bending of the legs. In the case of the conveyor according to the invention, it is thought that the spring unit has spring legs which are spring-biased by means of the leg spring in the rest position. In particular, it is thought to form the spring unit as a spring bridge, wherein the spring unit are torsion-resistant, so that the carriage is secured against rotation by means of the spring unit mounted on the conveyor. Any, for example, by the manual operation of the handle unit introduced lateral forces can thus the bending stiff spring unit can be compensated. Construction details of the spring unit can be embodied, for example, as in the document DE 101 26 542 A1 of the applicant, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the figures. Show it:

1 is a schematic illustration of a conveyor according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of a spring unit according to the invention,

3 is a plan view of the spring unit of FIG. 2,

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration of a conveyor according to the invention in a variant, and

Fig. 5 is a schematic illustration of a spring element according to the invention in a variant. 1 shows a highly simplified schematic representation of a feed dog 10 with an elongated shaft tube 12. A straight optical tube of an optical unit 14 is inserted into the shaft tube 12 at the proximal end of the conveyor 10 (in the drawing plane on the left). The optical tube of the optical unit 14 passes completely through the shaft tube 12 of the conveyor 10, so that the distal end of the optical unit 14 projects beyond the distal end of the shaft tube 12. The distal end of the optical unit 14 is formed obliquely here, so that an angled viewing direction is made possible on a region lying obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft tube 12 in front of the distal end of the conveyor. At the proximal end of the conveyor 10, an end body 38 is stationary and preferably non-rotatably arranged on the shaft tube 12. Via a spring unit 24 of the end body 38 is connected to a longitudinally displaceably mounted on the shaft tube 12 carriages 16. The spring unit 24 holds the carriage 16 with respect to the end body 38 in a spring-biased rest position.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the feed dog 10 is equipped with a working instrument 18 by way of example. The working tool 18 is an elongated Tool shaft inserted into a guide tube 36 attached to the shaft tube 12. The tool shaft of the working instrument 18 is mounted longitudinally displaceably in the guide tube 36. In its proximal end region, the working instrument 18 can be fastened in a motion-coupled manner to the carriage 16. During the longitudinal displacement of the carriage 5 on the shaft tube 12, the working instrument 18 is forcibly moved.

In this case, the distal end of the working instrument 18 is displaced in the axial direction of the conveyor 10. With the optical unit 14, the area of operation lying in the region of the distal end of the working instrument 18 can be observed. At the proximal end of the optical unit 14, an eyepiece for direct observation by the operator and / or for connection of an image processing device is provided.

In the present case, the feed dog 10 is designed as an active instrument. That is, the distal end of the working instrument 18 is axially extended in the rest position in the distal direction and is against the force applied by the spring unit 24 spring force by 15 manual actuation of a handle unit in the pressure position forcibly moved in the proximal direction. In a passively executed instrument, this movement is reversed. In the rest position, the distal end of the working instrument 18 is held in a first initial position and is axially displaced by actuation of a handle unit in the printing position to a distal position.

20

The grip unit comprises a first grip part 20, in the present case designed as a thumb ring, and a second grip part 22, in the present case designed as a finger attachment. The first grip part 20 is arranged axially immovably against the feed dog 10 relative to the shaft tube 12. In particular, as shown, it may be provided that the first grip part 25 20 is mounted on the end body 38. The second handle part 22 is arranged with the carriage 16 motion coupled to the feed dog 10. Upon actuation of the handle unit, the handle parts 20 and 22 are moved relative to each other against the provided by the spring unit 24 spring force. In this case, the carriage 16 is longitudinally displaced on the shaft tube 12.

30

Figures 2 and 3 show a spring unit 24 according to the invention in a highly schematic representation. Fig. 2 is an illustration of the spring unit 24 in a side view in the axial direction of the leg spring 26 and Fig. 3 is a simplified representation of the spring unit 24 of FIG. 2 in a plan view according to the line of sight 3-3. 35 The spring unit 24 has a leg spring 26 with a plurality of helical Turns on. At their end regions lying in the axial direction, the leg spring 26 has legs 30, via which the leg spring 26 can be subjected to bending about its axis. In the exemplary embodiment of the spring unit 24 according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the spring 26 is arranged completely in a housing 28. The housing 28 covers the winding region of the spring 26, so that between the turns of the leg spring 26 can accumulate no impurities. According to a preferred embodiment, the housing 28 is formed of an elastic material, wherein the spring 26 is at least in its winding region, preferably completely encapsulated with the elastic material of the housing 28. This can ensure that the winding region or the entire spring wire of the leg spring 26 is isolated from the environment. Thus, no nucleating impurities can accumulate between the winding turns in the winding region of the leg spring 26. In the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3, it is shown that the legs 30 open into spring struts 32. The illustration in FIGS. 2 and 3 is purely exemplary and shows only one of several possible design variants of the spring device 24.

Fig. 4 is an inventive feed dog 10 in a slightly modified form. The only difference to the conveyor of Fig. 1 is specific to the design of the spring unit 24 with a, the winding region of the leg spring sleeve-like enclosing spring housing 28 with laterally protruding from the housing spring legs 30. Fig. 5 shows the spring unit 24 of FIG. 4 in a schematic representation more accurate. In the embodiment of the spring unit 24 according to FIG. 5, the leg spring 26 is partially surrounded by a tubular housing 28. The fouling-sensitive winding portion of the leg spring 26 is disposed in the housing 28 so that no nucleating media can penetrate into the winding pitches of the leg spring 26. The end portions of the housing 28 are closed with disc-shaped seals 40, wherein the legs 30 of the spring 26 are sealingly guided by the seals 40. In the present embodiment, the legs 30 are guided axially to the leg spring 26 through the seals 40, so that the spring 26 can be claimed about its axis, without the distortion of the spring 26, the tightness of the housing 28 is impaired. In the further course outside of the housing 28, the legs 30 are angled to a simple way as a lever for the bending Stress of the leg spring 26 can be used. Instead of an axial guide and an axially parallel or an oblique passage of the legs 30 through the seals 40 is conceivable. If the sealing material of the seals 40 is designed to be correspondingly elastic, the tightness of the housing 28 is maintained during a bending of the legs 30. Also in the embodiment according to FIG. 5 it can be provided that the housing 28 consists of an elastic material or has an elastic material. Without limitation to an embodiment, for example, a rubber or silicone as a housing material is conceivable. In the case of the spring unit 24 shown in FIG. 5, it is provided that the legs 30 are guided essentially axially to the winding area of the leg spring 26 in the passage regions of the seals 40. In a bending of the legs 30 about the leg spring axis of the spring wire in the region of the seals 40 is subjected to torsion. This can lead to a plastic deformation of the spring wire and to a reduction of the spring action. To counteract this effect, it may be provided, as indicated in FIG. 5, to reinforce the spring wire in the region of the seals 40. For this purpose, it is envisaged to provide a larger wire diameter at least in the region of the axial guidance of the legs 30. To compensate for the torsional forces can also be provided to form the leg spring 26 as a torsion spring. In particular, it is contemplated that the winding region of the spring is formed with an ellipsoid. It is thought that the winding area is bulbous, so the center has the largest diameter and the diameter is smaller towards the sides, ie towards the thighs.

*****

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 transporter

12 shaft tube

14 optical unit

16 sleds

18 working instrument

20 handle part

22 handle part

24 spring unit

26 leg spring

28 housing

30 thighs

32 struts

34 stabilizing tube

36 guide tube

38 end body

40 seal

**** _*

Claims

claims

1. transporter (10) of a resectoscope for endoscopic surgery with a shaft tube (12) for receiving an elongated rod-shaped optical unit (14), one on the shaft tube (12) longitudinally displaceably mounted carriage (16) for actuating a with the carriage (16) coupled Working instrument (18) and with a handle unit, comprising a first, with the shaft tube (12) coupled to the movement of the feed dog (20) and a second, with the carriage (16) coupled to the movement of the feed dog (10) (22), wherein the handle parts (20, 22) from a rest position against a, provided by a spring unit (24) spring force can be actuated in a pressure position, characterized in that the spring unit (24) generates a spring force from a spring wire trained leg spring (26) with a, several turns of the spring wire comprehensive winding area and two, by the Windungsber eich spaced legs (30), and wherein at least the winding area to prevent contamination of the Windungszwischenräume by a, the Windungszwischenräume obstructing housing (28) is detected.

2. Feed dog (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (28) is at least partially elastic.

3. Feed dog (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (28) surrounds the winding region of the leg spring (26) like a sleeve.

4. feed dog (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the winding region of the leg spring (26) is covered by a shrink tube.

5. Feed dog (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (28) at least partially has an elastic material, wherein the leg spring (26) is encapsulated at least in the winding area with the material.

6. feed dog (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg spring (26) is arranged completely in the housing (28).

7. Feed dog (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (28) is formed liquid-tight.

8. Transporter (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (28) is designed as a tubular sleeve whose axial passage is closed in the end regions, each with a seal, and wherein the legs (30) respectively through the Seals through out of the housing (28) protrude.

9. feed dog (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring unit (24) struts (32) which are spring-biased by means of the leg spring (26) in the rest position.