Light guide or image guide components for disposable endoscopes

US11464395B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Schott AG · DE

Inventors

• Bernd Schultheis · Bad Kreuznach, DE
• Björn Bleisinger · Riesweiler, DE
• Andreas Dietrich · Rebstein, CH
• Markus Kappel · Roxheim, DE
• Hubertus Russert · Jugenheim, DE
• Martin Cramer · Wiesbaden, DE
• Thomas Weingärtner · Eiersheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 29, 2020
• Grant date: Oct 11, 2022
• Expiry date: Feb 24, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

The disclosure relates to diagnostic, surgical, and/or therapeutic devices for being introduced into the human or animal body or for in vitro examination of human or animal blood samples or other body cells, in particular to an endoscope or a disposable endoscope that includes at least one illumination light guide and/or image guide for transmitting electromagnetic radiation, the illumination light guide or image guide having a proximal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation and a distal end face for incoupling or outcoupling of electromagnetic radiation. The proximal and/or distal end faces consist of plastic elements that are transparent at least partially or in sections thereof, the transparent plastic being biocompatible and/or having non-toxic properties to human or animal cell cultures for exposure durations of less than one day. This allows for the production of assemblies for disposable endoscopes, inter alia.