IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,089,945
Granted Patent B2
US 11,089,945 · App. 15/940,035 · Granted Aug 17, 2021

Observation instrument for accurate positioning of optical components

Inventors: Peter Eisenkolb (Tuttlingen, DE); Johannes Eisenlauer (Tuttlingen, DE); Stefanie Maichle (Tuttlingen, DE); Florian Wanner (Tuttlingen, DE)
Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
A61B1/00096A61B1/0008A61B1/00078A61B1/00128A61B1/00188A61B1/00195A61B1/07A61B1/002A61B1/0011A61B1/042A61B2090/0813A61B2090/701
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,089,945
App. No.
15/940,035
Granted
Aug 17, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An observation instrument comprises an instrument shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and an optical arrangement extending at least sectionally through the instrument shaft. The optical arrangement comprises at least one optical component that is accommodated in a support shaft. The support shaft is arranged in the instrument shaft in an at least sectionally axially displaceable manner and is preloaded distally.

Claims (67)

1. An observation instrument, comprising:

a longitudinally extending instrument shaft having a distal end and a proximal end,

a support shaft arranged in the instrument shaft and having a distal end and a proximal end, and

an optical arrangement at least partially disposed in the instrument shaft,

wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least one optical component that is arranged in the support shaft,

wherein the support shaft extends beyond the proximal end of the instrument shaft so that the proximal end of the support shaft is proximal relative to the proximal end of the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is axially slidably supported in the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is distally preloaded in the instrument shaft by a biasing element that is arranged proximally to the proximal end of the instrument shaft,

wherein the biasing element is a spring element, and

wherein the support shaft extends from the distal end of the instrument shaft to the proximal end of the instrument shaft.

2. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

further comprising a distal end element that is fixedly connected to the instrument shaft,

wherein in the instrument shaft, the support shaft is axially preloaded against the distal end element.

3. The observation instrument according to claim 2 ,

further comprising a spacer that is arranged between the support shaft and the distal end element.

4. The observation instrument according to claim 3 ,

wherein the optical arrangement comprises an objective lens assembly, and

wherein the spacer defines a distance between the objective lens assembly and the distal end element.

5. The observation instrument according claim 1 , further comprising a head piece that is provided with a housing, wherein the support shaft extends into the housing of the head piece.

6. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

further comprising a distal driving surface that is coupled to the support shaft,

wherein the biasing element is disposed between a proximal pressure surface and the distal driving surface.

7. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

wherein the biasing element surrounds an observation beam path of the observation instrument.

8. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

wherein the biasing element is arranged as a compression spring.

9. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

wherein at least a section of the optical arrangement in the support shaft is preloaded distally relative to the support shaft.

10. The observation instrument according to claim 9 ,

wherein the optical arrangement is axially slidably accommodated in the support shaft and preloaded distally by a second biasing element.

11. The observation instrument according to claim 10 ,

wherein the second biasing element is coupled to the at least one optical component, and

wherein the second biasing element preloads the at least one optical component distally relative to the support shaft.

12. The observation instrument according to claim 10 ,

wherein the optical arrangement further comprises an ocular assembly arranged proximal of the support shaft, and

wherein the second biasing element is supported at its proximal end at the ocular assembly.

13. The observation instrument according to claim 1 ,

further comprising an intermediate shaft that is arranged between the instrument shaft and the support shaft, and

wherein the intermediate shaft surrounds the support shaft.

14. The observation instrument according to claim 13 ,

wherein the intermediate shaft is at the distal end fixedly attached to the instrument shaft.

15. The observation instrument according to claim 14 ,

further comprising a distal end element that is arranged in the intermediate shaft.

16. The observation instrument according to claim 13 ,

wherein the intermediate shaft seals the support shaft and the optical arrangement arranged therein.

17. An endoscope, comprising:

an instrument shaft having a distal end and a proximal end,

a support shaft arranged in the instrument shaft and having a distal end and a proximal end, and

an optical arrangement at least sectionally arranged in the instrument shaft,

wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least one optical component that is arranged in the support shaft,

wherein the support shaft extends beyond the proximal end of the instrument shaft so that the proximal end of the support shaft is proximal relative to the proximal end of the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is axially slidably supported in the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is distally preloaded in the instrument shaft by a biasing element that is arranged proximally to the proximal end of the instrument shaft, wherein the biasing element is a spring element,

wherein at least a section of the optical arrangement in the support shaft is preloaded distally relative to the support shaft, and

wherein the support shaft extends from the distal end of the instrument shaft to the proximal end of the instrument shaft.

18. An endoscopic observation instrument, comprising:

an instrument shaft having a distal end and a proximal end,

a support shaft arranged in the instrument shaft and having a distal end and a proximal end,

an intermediate shaft that is arranged between the instrument shaft and the support shaft, and

an optical arrangement at least sectionally arranged in the support shaft and in the intermediate shaft and the instrument shaft,

wherein the optical arrangement comprises at least one optical component that is arranged in the support shaft,

wherein the support shaft extends beyond the proximal end of the instrument shaft so that the proximal end of the support shaft is proximal relative to the proximal end of the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is axially slidably supported in the instrument shaft,

wherein the support shaft is distally preloaded in the intermediate shaft by a biasing element that is arranged proximally to the proximal end of the instrument shaft, wherein the biasing element is a spring element,

wherein the optical arrangement in the support shaft is at least sectionally preloaded distally relative to the support shaft,

wherein the intermediate shaft seals the support shaft and the optical arrangement arranged therein, and

wherein the support shaft extends from the distal end of the instrument shaft to the proximal end of the instrument shaft.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2018
From: EISENKOLB, PETER; EISENLAUER, JOHANNES; MAICHLE, STEFANIE; WANNER, FLORIAN
To: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 046211/0372 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102017106714.0 · Mar 29, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180279856A1 · Oct 4, 2018