Handle for an endoscope

Abstract

A handle for an endoscope and an endoscope, the handle having a proximal end, a distal end, a front and a back, and the handle including a gripping section separated by a transition section from an operation section. The gipping section surface is provided with grooves. The gripping section has a cross-section with mirror symmetry and varying radius of curvature, with the minimum radius of curvature at the front of the handle.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A handle for an endoscope, the handle having a proximal end, a distal end, a front and a back, and the handle comprising a gripping section separated by a transition section from an operation section, wherein the operating section comprises at least one protruding operating member adapted for operation by the thumb of the hand of the operator, the gripping section is adapted for being gripped by three or four fingers of a hand of an operator, and the gripping section has an outer gripping section surface surrounding a longitudinal axis of the handle,
 wherein the outer gripping section surface defines a periphery with a predetermined curvature of cross-sectional gripping section shapes in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at points along the longitudinal axis, where said cross-sectional gripping section shapes vary along the longitudinal axis,   wherein the cross-sectional gripping section shapes are generally mirror symmetrical about a major axis defined by the intersection of the cross-sectional gripping section shape with a longitudinal plane coincident with the longitudinal axis,   wherein the operating section has an outer operating section surface surrounding a longitudinal axis of the handle, said outer operating section surface defines the periphery of cross-sectional operating section shapes in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at points along the longitudinal axis,   wherein the length of the periphery of a cross-sectional gripping section shape adjacent the transition section is smaller than the length of the periphery of a cross-sectional operating section shape adjacent the transition section,   wherein the cross-sectional gripping section shapes are mirror asymmetrical about the minor axis defining the maximum width of the cross-sectional gripping section shape, and   wherein the radius of curvature of the periphery varies along the length thereof so as to present a minimum value at a radius coincident with the major axis at the front of the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the radius of curvature of the periphery of a cross-sectional gripping section shape varies along the length thereof so as to present a maximum value coincident with the major axis at the back of the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the major axis at an intermediate cross-section taken between a cross-section at the distal end of the handle and a cross-section taken adjacent the transition section is larger than the length of the major axis of the cross-section taken adjacent the transition section. 
     
     
         4 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the major axis at an intermediate cross-section taken between a cross-section at the distal end of the handle and a cross-section taken adjacent the transition section is larger than the length of the major axis of the cross-section taken at the distal end of the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The handle of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum value of the radius of the curvature is less than 10 mm, preferably less than 9 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the length of the major axis at the intermediate cross-section is between 37 mm and 41 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the length of the major axis at the cross-section taken adjacent the transition section is between 35 mm and 39 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the length of the major axis at cross-section at the distal end is 35 mm or less. 
     
     
         9 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the gripping section comprises indentations provided in the outer gripping section surface. 
     
     
         10 . The handle of  claim 3 , wherein the indentations comprise a number of grooves. 
     
     
         11 . The handle of  claim 10 , wherein said grooves extend in the circumferential direction of the gripping surface. 
     
     
         12 . An endoscope with a handle according to  claim 1 .