Endoscopic instrument

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument (1, 134), for inserting into a body of a patient, includes a tubular shank (3, 47, 137) and at least two electrical, mechanical and/or optical leads (11, 13, 15, 19, 57, 59, 65, 67, 123, 181) which run through the shank (3, 47, 137). The shank (3, 47, 137) in a bendable shank section (9, 49) includes a plurality of slots (33, 55, 64). The slots (33, 55, 64) extend in a circumferential direction only over a part of the shank periphery. The slots (33, 44, 64) are arranged axially to one another such that the slots alternately lie on a first lateral side of the shank (3, 47, 137) and a second lateral side of the shank (3, 47, 137) which lies diametrically opposite the first.

1 . An endoscopic instrument for inserting into a body of a patient, wherein the instrument comprises:
 a tubular shank; and   at least two electrical, mechanical and/or optical leads which run through the shank, wherein the shank in a bendable shank section comprises a plurality of slots, wherein the slots extend in a circumferential direction only over a part of a shank periphery, and wherein the slots are arranged axially to one another such that the slots alternately lie on a first lateral side of the shank and a second lateral side of the shank which lies diametrically opposite the first.   
     
     
         2 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein a fluid channel, which individually directly surrounds the at least two leads which run through the shank, is formed in the shank. 
     
     
         3 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the slots form a distal fluid channel opening for the fluid channel and locally increase flexibility of the shank for bending a distal shank end. 
     
     
         4 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid channel serves as a feed channel and/or discharge channel. 
     
     
         5 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the fluid channel comprises a distal fluid channel opening and a proximal fluid channel opening, wherein the proximal fluid channel opening is arranged laterally on the shank and can be subjected to fluid pressure or a fluid vacuum. 
     
     
         6 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the instrument comprises a sealing means which forms a proximal end of the fluid channel and comprises feed-throughs for the leads. 
     
     
         7 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the instrument comprises a handling device, wherein the handling device is fixedly connected or is releasably connectable to a proximal end of the shank. 
     
     
         8 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the shank at least in the bendable shank section is flexible or semi-flexible. 
     
     
         9 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the instrument or at least the shank is configured as a disposable article for disposal after a single use. 
     
     
         10 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the fluid channel corresponds to a cross-sectional area of a shank interior which is formed by the shank, minus a sum of the cross-sectional areas of all leads which run through the shank interior. 
     
     
         11 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one working channel which runs through the shank and which is directly surrounded by the fluid channel. 
     
     
         12 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the working channel serves for leading through a laser fibre optic, a capture basket or a Dormia loop. 
     
     
         13 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the working channel serves as a feed and/or discharge channel with a flow direction which runs opposite with respect to the fluid channel. 
     
     
         14 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the working channel runs axially through a sealed proximal end of the fluid channel. 
     
     
         15 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the working channel comprises a distal working channel opening and a proximal working channel opening. 
     
     
         16 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein a proximal working channel opening is arranged proximally of the proximal end of the fluid channel. 
     
     
         17 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein the distal working channel opening is arranged distally of a distal fluid channel opening of the fluid channel. 
     
     
         18 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 15 , further comprising handling device fixedly connected or releasably connectable to a proximal end of the shank, wherein the proximal working channel opening is formed by the handling device. 
     
     
         19 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein a cross section of the distal working channel opening is smaller than a cross section of the working channel. 
     
     
         20 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein the cross section of the working channel tapers towards the distal working channel opening. 
     
     
         21 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein a through-flow direction and/or a through-flow rate through the fluid channel are selectable or can be set. 
     
     
         22 . An endoscopic instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein a distal shank end is jointlessly bendable in a controllable manner.