HANDLE FOR CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS, ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SUCH A HANDLE, AND AN ASSEMBLY
A handle 1 for controlling instruments, includes a frame 2 with a center line 9 , operating elements 4, 10, 24 that are connected to the frame 2 , which operating elements 4, 10, 24 are movable between a first and a second position, an actuator element 6 that is controllable by the operating elements 4, 10, 24 , which actuator element 6 is constructed and arranged for controlling an instrument 53 that is arranged at a distance from the handle 1 . The operating elements 4, 10, 24 are arranged in a rotationally symmetric configuration that is concentric with the center line 9 of the frame 2 . An endoscopic instrument 60 including a tube like element 50 , a tool 53 and a handle 1 , and an assembly 80 including an endoscopic instrument 60 and an endoscope 70 are also described.
1 . Handle ( 1 ) for controlling instruments, comprising a frame ( 2 ) with a center line ( 9 ), operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) that are connected to the frame ( 2 ), which operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are movable between a first and a second position, an actuator element ( 6 ) that is controllable by the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ), which actuator element ( 6 ) is constructed and arranged for controlling an instrument ( 53 ) that is arranged at a distance from the handle ( 1 ), wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are constructed and arranged for enabling a longitudinal displacement of the actuator element ( 6 ) upon a movement of the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) between the first and the second position, wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are arranged in a rotationally symmetric configuration that is concentric with the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ), wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are movable between the first and second positions by a displacement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
2 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a resilient element ( 14 , 18 ) constructed and arranged for interconnecting the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ).
3 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 2 , wherein the resilient element ( 14 , 18 ) rests on the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ).
4 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) has a rotationally symmetric outer circumference when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are in the first and second positions.
5 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein the outer circumference of the handle ( 1 ) remains substantially rotationally symmetric when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are moved between the first and second positions.
6 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a first pretensioning element ( 15 ) that is constructed and arranged for prestressing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) towards the first position.
7 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a second pretensioning element ( 14 , 18 ) that is constructed and arranged for prestressing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) towards the second position.
8 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 3 ), wherein the frame ( 2 ) and the housing ( 3 ) are connected such that their positions remain stationary with respect to each other when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
9 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ) are pivotable around pivot points ( 5 ) between the first and second position, wherein the pivot points ( 5 ) are arranged in a rotationally symmetric configuration that is concentric with the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
10 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a element ( 5 ) constructed and arranged for interconnecting the pivot points.
11 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 10 , wherein element ( 5 ) rests on the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ).
12 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the operating elements ( 24 ) comprise first ( 29 ) and second ( 30 ) arms that are hingeably connected.
13 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 9 , wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ) are levers comprising first ( 7 , 11 ) and second ( 8 , 12 ) arms, wherein the first arms ( 7 , 11 ) are positioned substantially radially with respect to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ) and the second arms ( 8 , 12 ) are arranged substantially parallel to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
14 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 3 ), wherein the frame ( 2 ) and the housing ( 3 ) are connected such that their positions remain stationary with respect to each other when the levers ( 4 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
15 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the levers are divided into two groups, wherein a first group of levers ( 4 ) is arranged mirror wise with respect to a second group of levers ( 10 ).
16 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 15 , wherein the levers of the first ( 4 ) and second ( 10 ) groups are arranged in an interdigitated configuration.
17 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 15 , wherein the frame ( 2 ) and housing ( 3 ) are arranged such that they are movable with respect to each other when the levers ( 4 , 10 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
18 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 15 , wherein each of the first ( 4 ) and second ( 10 ) groups of levers comprises at least one lever.
19 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a resilient sealing ( 14 ) constructed and arranged for sealing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) from an outside environment.
20 . Handle ( 1 ) according to claim 19 , wherein the resilient sealing ( 14 ) comprises a membrane comprising silicone or latex.
21 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) comprising a tube like element ( 50 ) with a proximal end ( 51 ) and a distal end ( 52 ), a tool ( 53 ) and a handle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) and the tool ( 53 ) are arranged respectively at the proximal end ( 51 ) and the distal end ( 52 ) of the tube like element ( 50 ), wherein the tube like element ( 50 ) and the tool ( 53 ) are constructed and arranged for being operated by the handle ( 1 ).
22 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the proximal ( 51 ) and distal ( 52 ) ends of the tube like element ( 50 ) comprise flexible portions that are constructed and arranged for steering the endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) by moving the handle ( 1 ) in any direction, wherein the tube like element ( 50 ) comprises longitudinal elements that are constructed and arranged for transferring a displacement of the proximal end ( 51 ) to the distal end ( 52 ) resulting in a change in orientation thereof, wherein the distal end ( 52 ) comprises at least two independent flexible portions, wherein the proximal ( 51 ) and distal ( 52 ) ends comprise a corresponding number of flexible portions, wherein each flexible portion at the proximal end ( 51 ) is connected by means of its own set of longitudinal elements to a flexible portion at the distal end ( 52 ).
23 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a frame ( 2 ) with a center line ( 9 ), operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) that are connected to the frame ( 2 ), which operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are movable between a first and a second position, an actuator element ( 6 ) that is controllable by the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ), which actuator element ( 6 ) is constructed and arranged for controlling an instrument ( 53 ) that is located at a distal end ( 52 ) of the endoscope ( 50 ), wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are constructed and arranged for enabling a longitudinal displacement of the actuator element ( 6 ) upon a movement of the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) between the first and the second position, wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are arranged in a rotationally symmetric configuration that is concentric with the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ), wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are movable between the first and second positions by a displacement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
24 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a resilient element ( 14 , 18 ) constructed and arranged for interconnecting the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ).
25 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 24 , wherein the resilient elements ( 14 , 18 ) rests on the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ).
26 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) has a rotationally symmetric outer circumference when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are in the first and second positions.
27 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 26 , wherein the outer circumference of the handle ( 1 ) remains substantially rotationally symmetric when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are moved between the first and second positions.
28 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a first pretensioning element ( 15 ) that is constructed and arranged for prestressing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) towards the first position.
29 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a second pretensioning element ( 14 , 18 ) that is constructed and arranged for prestressing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) towards the second position.
30 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 3 ), wherein the frame ( 2 ) and the housing ( 3 ) are connected such that their positions remain stationary with respect to each other when the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
31 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ) are pivotable around pivot points between the first and second position, wherein the pivot points ( 5 ) are arranged in a rotationally symmetric configuration that is concentric with the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
32 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 31 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises an element ( 5 ) constructed and arranged for interconnecting the pivot points.
33 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 32 , wherein the element ( 5 ) rests on the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ).
34 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 31 , wherein the operating elements ( 24 ) comprise first ( 29 ) and second ( 30 ) arms that are hingeably connected.
35 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 31 , wherein the operating elements ( 4 , 10 ) are levers comprising first ( 7 , 11 ) and second ( 8 , 12 ) arms, wherein the first arms ( 7 , 11 ) are positioned substantially radially with respect to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ) and the second arms ( 8 , 12 ) are arranged substantially parallel to the center line ( 9 ) of the frame ( 2 ).
36 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 35 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a housing ( 3 ), wherein the frame ( 2 ) and the housing ( 3 ) are connected such that their positions remain stationary with respect to each other when the levers ( 4 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
37 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 35 , wherein the levers are divided into two groups, wherein a first group of levers ( 4 ) is arranged mirror wise with respect to a second group of levers ( 10 ).
38 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 37 , wherein the levers of the first ( 4 ) and second ( 10 ) groups are arranged in an interdigitated configuration.
39 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 37 , wherein the frame ( 2 ) and housing ( 3 ) are moveably arranged such that they are movable with respect to each other when the levers ( 4 , 10 ) are moved from the first to the second position.
40 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 37 , wherein each of the first ( 4 ) and second ( 10 ) groups of levers comprises at least one lever.
41 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 , wherein the handle ( 1 ) comprises a resilient sealing ( 14 ) constructed and arranged for sealing the operating elements ( 4 , 10 , 24 ) from an outside environment.
42 . Endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 41 , wherein the resilient sealing ( 14 ) comprises a membrane comprising silicone or latex.
43 . Assembly ( 80 ) comprising an endoscopic instrument ( 60 ) according to claim 21 and an endoscope ( 70 ) that is constructed and arranged for being controlled by the handle ( 1 ).
44 . Assembly ( 80 ) according to claim 43 , wherein the endoscope ( 70 ) comprises a tube like element ( 71 ) having a proximal end ( 72 ) and a distal end ( 73 ), wherein the proximal end ( 72 ) is connected to the handle ( 1 ), wherein the proximal ( 72 ) and distal ( 73 ) ends comprise flexible portions that are constructed and arranged for steering the endoscope ( 70 ) by moving the handle ( 1 ) in any direction, wherein the tube like element ( 71 ) comprises longitudinal elements that are constructed and arranged for transferring a displacement of the proximal end ( 72 ) to the distal end ( 73 ) resulting in a change in orientation thereof, wherein the distal end ( 73 ) comprises at least two independent flexible portions, wherein the proximal ( 72 ) and distal ( 73 ) ends comprise a corresponding number of flexible portions, wherein each flexible portion at the proximal end ( 72 ) is connected by means of its own set of longitudinal elements to a flexible portion at the distal end ( 73 ).