Endoscope, method for operating an endoscope and method for producing an endoscope

US11766168B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KARL STORZ SE & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Daniel Ulmschneider · Tuttlingen, DE
• Christian Czupalla · Singen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 28, 2020
• Grant date: Sep 26, 2023
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B1/32
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An endoscope, especially a mediastinoscope, includes an elongated shaft and a head piece situated at a proximal end section of the shaft, wherein a heat source is arranged in the head piece. At least one heat pipe extends inside the shaft, wherein a proximal end section of the at least one heat pipe is thermally coupled to the heat source and the endoscope includes an optical system which is closed by a cover glass arranged in a distal end section of the shaft. The heat source is a light source for generating an illumination radiation. The at least one heat pipe extends in the distal direction as far as the distal end section of the shaft, and at least one distal end section of the heat pipe is thermally coupled to the distal end section of the shaft.