DE102015106252A1 - Case for a medical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

A sheath (20) for a medical instrument (10) for grasping, grasping, squeezing or coagulating in a micro-invasive procedure comprises a first sector region (40) having a first cavity (42) for receiving a first branch (14) of a medical instrument (10), a second sector region (50) having a second cavity (52) for receiving a second branch (16) of a medical instrument (10), an elastic connection region (35) elastically interconnecting the sector regions (40, 50) connects that they are movable relative to each other, an elastic base body (24) made of an elastic material and a gripping surface component (45) on the first sector region (40) which is at least partially embedded in the elastic base body (24).

Description

The present invention relates to an envelope for a medical instrument for grasping, grasping, squeezing or coagulating and to a medical instrument.

Medical instruments become soiled during use and must therefore be cleaned before they can be sterilized and reused. This also applies to instruments for micro-invasive applications, and in particular to medical instruments intended for electrosurgical applications. After electrocautery, tissue remnants often remain on the medical instrument, the mechanical removal of which is not only labor-intensive, but also carries the risk of damaging the medical instrument.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the preparation of a medical instrument used.

This object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims.

Further developments are specified in the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention are based on the idea of providing a medical instrument sheath that can partially or completely protect the medical instrument from contamination during use. Embodiments of the present invention are further based on the idea of providing a gripping surface component in an elastic base body of the sheath near a gripping surface of a medical instrument inserted into the sheath. The gripping surface component can mechanically reinforce the mechanically heavily loaded region of the casing on the gripping surface of a medical instrument inserted into the casing and / or allow additional functionality as an electrode or sensor.

A sleeve for a medical instrument for gripping, grasping, squeezing and / or coagulating as part of a micro-invasive procedure comprises a first sector area with a first cavity for receiving a first branch of a medical instrument, a second sector area with a second cavity for receiving a second branch a medical instrument and an elastic connection region, which elastically connects the sector regions to one another such that they can be moved relative to one another.

The sheath is intended and designed in particular for a medical instrument with a long thin shaft, at the distal end of which a tool for grasping, grasping, squeezing and / or coagulating is arranged. The cavities in the sectoral areas are in particular designed such that the branches of a medical instrument, for which the shell is provided and formed, can each be introduced into the cavities in a low-friction manner and are then guided with little play in the cavities. In particular, each cavity in a sector region has a cross section that substantially or completely resembles or corresponds to the cross section of an industry branch of a medical instrument for which the sheath is provided and formed.

The elastic connection region has, in particular, an elasticity which makes it possible to pivot the two sector regions (together with branches of a medical instrument arranged therein) about a pivot axis relative to one another. The elasticity of the connection region is in particular a consequence of the elasticity of the material used, the wall thicknesses, one or more folds, a bellows or another suitable embodiment of the cover in the connection region.

A sheath as described here further comprises, in particular, an elastic basic body made of an elastic material and a gripping surface component on the first sectoral area, which is at least partially embedded in the elastic basic body.

A sleeve for a medical instrument for gripping, grasping, squeezing and / or coagulating as part of a micro-invasive procedure comprises a first sector area with a first cavity for receiving a first branch of a medical instrument, a second sector area with a second cavity for receiving a second branch a medical instrument, an elastic connection portion that elastically connects the sector portions to each other so as to be movable relative to each other, an elastic body of elastic material, and a gripping surface member on the first sector portion at least partially embedded in the elastic body.

The gripping surface component is arranged, in particular, on the side of the first sector region facing the second sector region. The gripping surface component can be completely embedded in the elastic base body, so that it is surrounded or enclosed on all sides by the elastic base body. Alternatively, the gripping surface component in such a way in the elastic body be embedded, that the gripping surface component with an exposed surface area forms a part of the outer surface of the shell. For example, an exposed surface area of the gripping surface component that forms part of the surface of the sheath may form an electrocautery electrode.

The sheath can prevent or reduce contamination of a medical instrument during a micro-invasive procedure and thus significantly simplify and accelerate the preparation, in particular cleaning, of the medical instrument between two uses.

The gripping surface component may comprise a material that has a greater toughness than the material of the elastic base body to prevent accidental puncture or penetration.

In a shell, as described here, the gripping surface component in particular a material whose elasticity is less than the elasticity of the material of the elastic body.

The gripping surface component may comprise, for example, a metal, a thermosetting plastic, a fiber-reinforced plastic or another crystalline or non-crystalline material. The gripping surface component may have a profiled surface which faces the second sector region and may prevent or at least make improbable a slippage of a medical instrument with the sheath from an object grasped, gripped or crushed by it.

In the case of a casing, as described here, the edge of the gripping surface component in particular has a profiled cross section.

The edge of the gripping surface component has a profiled cross-section, in particular, if the cross-section of the edge of the gripping surface component is not merely rectangular or circular-arc-shaped. The edge of the gripping surface component has a profiled cross-section, in particular, if, due to the cross-section of the edge, the surface of the gripping surface component in the region of the edge is enlarged relative to a rectangular cross-section. Due to the profiled cross section of the edge of the gripping surface component, the mechanical connection between the edge of the gripping surface component and the elastic base body can be improved.

In a shell, as described here, the edge of the gripping surface component is connected in particular by local positive connection with the elastic base body.

Local positive connection between the edge of the gripping surface component and the elastic base body is present, if alone due to the configuration of the edge of the gripping surface component already a positive connection between the edge of the gripping surface component and the elastic body is present. For example, a local form fit does not mean a positive fit between the gripping surface component and the elastic main body, which already occurs because the gripping surface component is partially or completely embedded in the elastic main body. For example, the edge of the gripping surface component may have one or more undercuts, hook-shaped, bow-shaped or anchor-shaped features or a hook-shaped, bow-shaped or anchor-shaped cross-section.

In the case of an envelope, as described here, the gripping surface component in particular has an edge with a U-shaped cross section.

A U-shaped cross-section of the edge of the gripping surface component enlarges the interface between the edge of the gripping surface component and the elastic base body and thus can increase cohesive forces between the two. Furthermore, an edge with a U-shaped cross-section can create a positive connection between the edge of the gripping surface component and the elastic base body.

In the case of a casing, as described here, the gripping surface component in particular has a bore.

The bore starts in particular from the edge of the gripping surface component. The bore may be a through bore or a blind bore. In the case of a substantially cuboid gripping surface component with three different side lengths, the bore is in particular parallel to that side of the gripping surface component with the middle side length. The hole may be partially or completely filled by the elastic body of Hüller. The gripping surface component in particular has a plurality of such holes, which may be parallel to each other.

The bore or bores in the gripping surface component can increase the interface between the gripping surface component and the elastic body and thus the cohesive forces between the two. Furthermore, one or more bores penetrated by the elastic base body can provide a positive connection between the gripping surface component and the elastic base body.

In the case of an envelope, as described here, the gripping surface component in particular comprises an electrode.

In the already mentioned arrangement of the gripping surface component on a side of the first sector region facing the second sector region, in particular the surface region of the gripping surface component forming the electrode also faces the second sector region. The electrode may enable electrocautery and thus use of a medical instrument in an electrosurgical procedure.

A shell, as described here, comprises in particular a further electrode on the second branch region.

The further electrode is arranged, in particular, on a side of the second sector region facing the first sector region. The electrode and the further electrode can be electrically insulated from one another and designed for an electrostatic coupling with two different potentials. Thus, the electrode and the further electrode on the sheath can form a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, which can be used, for example, for sealing or sealing vessels by electrocautery.

In particular, a sheath as described here further comprises an electrical lead whose distal end is electrically conductively connected to the electrode.

In particular, a sheath as described here further comprises a further electrical lead whose distal end is electrically conductively connected to the further electrode.

By means of the electrical line or the electrical lines of the electrode or the electrodes, an electrical DC or AC voltage and electrical power can be supplied.

In a shell, as described here, the electrical line is embedded in particular in an elastic body of the shell.

The embedding of the electrical power in the elastic body of the shell can protect the electrical line from damage. If the elastic body has an electrically insulating material, the elastic body can isolate the electrical line. Furthermore, the electrical conduction can improve the mechanical tensile strength of the sheath.

In the case of an envelope as described here, in particular the electrode and a surface area of the first cavity are electrically conductively connected.

In the case of a shell as described here, the electrode is formed in particular by an electrode body which adjoins the first cavity in the first sector region.

The surface region of the first cavity is in particular electrically conductively connected to the electrode such that the surface region is formed by the electrically conductive gripping surface component or the electrode body whose opposite surface facing the second sector region forms the electrode. The surface region of the first cavity and the electrode are thus formed in particular by mutually remote sides of the electrically conductive gripping surface component or electrode body. In this case, no separate electrical conduction is required to supply an electric voltage and an electric power to the electrode. Rather, an electrical potential and electrical power may be supplied via a self-electrically conductive medical instrument inserted into the sheath and abutting the surface region of the first cavity.

In the case of a casing, as described here, the gripping surface component in particular comprises a sensor for detecting a force or a pressure.

The sensor may be provided alternatively or in addition to an electrode. The sensor may facilitate proper sizing of the force exerted by a medical instrument on the sheath, or exert pressure, and allow for better reproducibility of microinvasive and / or electrosurgical procedures.

The sheath may have one or more sensors on each of the two sectoral areas, in particular on the gripping surface of each sectoral area.

In particular, a sheath as described herein further includes a shaft portion having a cavity for receiving the shaft of a medical instrument, the resilient connection portion being disposed at the distal end of the shaft portion.

In the case of an envelope, as described here, the first cavity and the second cavity each extend in particular from the connection area into a pocket-like distal direction into the associated sector area.

A shell, as described here, has in particular an electrically insulating material.

In particular, the elastic base body has or is an electrically insulating material partially or completely formed of an electrically insulating material. For example, the elastic body is formed of a polyorganosiloxane or silicone. A sheath of electrically insulating material allows safe use in electrosurgery without the risk of injury from inadvertent contact with the medical instrument 10 ,

A shell, as described here, has in particular only one opening.

The opening is particularly provided at the proximal end of the sheath for inserting the distal end of a medical instrument through the opening into the lumen in the sheath.

In particular, a sheath as described here further comprises a groove or a fold at the elastic connection region or a wavy configuration of the elastic connection region for improving the elasticity of the elastic connection region.

A medical instrument includes a sheath as described herein.

The medical instrument may be provided for use with the sheath as well as for use without the sheath. Alternatively, the medical instrument is intended for use with the sheath only. The medical instrument is intended and designed in particular for multiple use. In particular, the wrapper is provided and designed as a disposable product that is disposed of after each use and replaced with a new wrapper.

Brief description of the figures

Embodiments will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1 a schematic representation of a medical instrument;

2 a schematic representation of a section through a sheath for a medical instrument;

3 a schematic representation of a section through the shell 2 ;

4 a further schematic representation of a section through the shell of the 2 and 3 ;

5 a schematic representation of a section through another shell;

6 a schematic representation of a further section through the shell 5 ;

7 a schematic representation of a section through another shell;

8th a schematic representation of a section through another shell.

Description of the embodiments

1 shows a schematic representation of a medical instrument 10 for a micro-invasive application. The medical instrument 10 includes a thin and long shaft 12 which in each case can be sections or completely straight or curved, rigid or flexible (elastic or non-destructive plastically deformable). At the in 1 Left illustrated distal end of the medical instrument 10 are two branches 14 . 16 provided, which is about a common pivot axis orthogonal to the plane of the 1 are pivotable. In the shaft 12 a pull-push rod or other transfer device is arranged to move the branches from the proximal end of the medical instrument 14 . 16 to be able to control.

In the illustrated example, at least the illustrated distal portion of the shaft 12 of the medical instrument. As a longitudinal thing 18 of the shaft 12 in particular, the axis of symmetry of the outer surface of the shaft 12 or the straight line on which the centroids of the cross sections of the shaft 12 lie, designated. In the case of a curved shaft 12 is the longitudinal axis 18 the curve on which the centroids of the cross sections of the shaft 12 lie.

The medical instrument 10 is in particular for use together with one of the basis of the 2 to 7 Shells provided and designed. Alternatively or additionally, the medical instrument 10 be provided and designed to be used without such a shell.

2 shows a schematic representation of a section through a shell 20 for that on the basis of 1 illustrated medical instrument. The cutting plane of the 2 is in the proposed arrangement of the medical instrument 10 in the shell 20 parallel to the drawing plane of the 1 (see. 3 ).

The case 20 includes an elastic body 24 , the one cavity 26 for receiving a medical instrument. At the proximal end of the sheath 20 is an opening 28 provided by a medical instrument in the cavity 26 can be introduced.

The case 20 has a shaft area 30 and at the distal end 32 a connection area 34 on. In the connection area 34 goes the shaft area 30 the shell 20 in two industry sectors 40 . 50 above. In the shaft area 30 has the cavity 26 a cylindrical area 36 for picking up the shaft 12 a medical instrument 10 (see. 1 ) on. The shaft area 30 has a longitudinal axis 38 on, for example, the axis of symmetry of the surface of the cylindrical portion 36 of the cavity 26 in the shaft area 30 is.

In the connection area or near the connection area 34 is the cavity 26 in two branches or parts 42 . 52 branched. The first cavity or the first part 42 of the cavity 26 in the first industry sector 40 is to take up a first branch 14 a medical instrument 10 (see. 1 ), the second cavity or the second part 52 of the cavity 26 in the second sector 50 the shell 20 is to take up a second industry 16 a medical instrument 10 intended.

In 2 is the shell 20 shown in a configuration or situation where the industry sectors 40 . 50 spaced from each other and enclose an angle of about 20 degrees. In the 2 In particular, the configuration shown is that configuration in which it is manufactured, for example, by casting in a corresponding mold. That's why the case points 20 at the in 2 configuration shown no or only minimal mechanical stresses.

To a movement of industry sectors 40 . 50 relative to each other and relative to the shaft region 30 (see. 3 . 4 ) to oppose the least possible resistance, has the shell 20 in the connection area 34 a ripple 35 and near the connection area 34 two grooves 41 . 51 on. The ripple 35 and the grooves 41 . 51 facilitate deformation of the shell 20 as they are based on the 3 and 4 is shown.

At the second branch area 50 facing side of the first branch sector 40 is a first gripping surface component 45 intended. At the first branch sector 40 facing side of the second sector 50 is a second gripping surface component 55 intended. The gripping surface components 45 . 55 are so in the elastic body 24 embedded, that the facing surface areas of the two gripping surface components 45 . 55 exposed and electrodes, for example 46 . 56 form. Here are the gripping surface components 45 . 55 so in the elastic body 24 embedded that they are not directly attached to the cavity 26 or its parts 42 . 52 in the industry sectors 40 . 50 adjoin. The opposite surface areas 43 . 53 of the cavity 26 or parts thereof 42 . 52 So be completely through the elastic body 24 and not by the gripping surface components 45 . 55 educated. When the elastic body 24 having an electrically insulating material is thus the cavity 26 in the elastic body 24 completely isolated from its environment, especially from the gripping surface components 45 . 55 ,

3 shows a further schematic representation of a section through the basis of 2 illustrated case. In contrast to the representation in 2 is in 3 a situation in which the basis of the 1 illustrated medical instrument 10 in the way intended in the shell 20 is used. The medical instrument 10 is not in the cut, but as in 1 shown in a plan view.

The medical instrument 10 fills the cavity 26 including its parts 42 . 52 in the industry sectors 40 . 50 (see. 2 ) completely or largely off. The shaft 12 of the medical instrument 10 is in the shaft area 30 the shell 20 arranged. The first industry 14 of the medical instrument 10 is in the first industry sector 40 the shell 20 arranged. The second industry 16 of the medical instrument 10 is in the second sector 50 the shell 20 arranged.

In the 3 shown configuration or situation differs from that based on the 2 represented not only by the fact that the medical instrument 10 in the shell 20 is used. Further take the industry sectors 40 . 50 relative to each other and to the shaft area 30 the shell 20 other angles than the in 2 shown configuration. Approximately close the industry sectors 40 . 50 at the in 3 suggested configuration or situation an angle of 60 degrees.

This requires compared to the basis of 2 shown mechanically largely stress-free constellation deformation of the shell 20 in the connection area 34 , The already on the basis of 2 shown ripple 35 the shell 20 in the connection area 34 is reinforced. This creates space for two in the same time 1 and 3 merely indicated connecting rods for the mechanical control of the branches 14 . 16 , Furthermore, the shell 20 especially in the area of grooves 41 . 51 be stretched. The in the area of the grooves 41 . 51 reduced wall thickness simplifies the stretching of the shell 20 in this area, to the deformation of the shell and the pivoting of the sectoral areas 40 . 50 relative to each other to oppose the least possible resistance.

4 shows a schematic representation of a further section through the basis of 2 and 3 illustrated case 20 with the basis of the 1 and 3 illustrated medical instrument 10 , The cutting plane of the 4 corresponds to the cutting planes of the 2 and 3 , As in 3 is also in 4 the medical instrument 10 not in section, but in plan view.

In the 4 The configuration or situation shown differs from that based on the 3 represented in particular by the fact that the branches 14 . 16 of the medical instrument 10 and with you the industry sectors 40 . 50 the shell 20 are pivoted towards each other. The industry sectors 40 . 50 touch each other. In particular, the electrodes touch 46 . 56 (see. 2 . 3 ) on the gripping surface components 45 . 55 each other.

At the in 4 shown constellation or situation is the shell 20 not in a mechanically tension-free state. Rather, the ripple 35 in the connection area 34 (see. 2 ) largely or completely smooth. Further, the case 20 in the connection area 34 between the branches 14 . 16 of the medical instrument 10 compressed. This too can be done through the grooves 41 . 51 at the branch areas 40 . 50 be simplified by the reduced material thickness of the shell 20 there a reduced resistance to compression and local material displacement.

As already mentioned, the gripping surface components 45 . 55 with exposed, facing surfaces electrodes 46 . 56 (see. 2 . 3 ) form. Alternatively or additionally, the gripping surface components 45 . 55 the mechanical reinforcement of the shell 20 serve in the area of gripping surfaces. For this purpose, the gripping surface components 45 . 55 in particular have a material which has a greater toughness and / or a lower mechanical elasticity than the material of the elastic body 24 ,

Alternatively or additionally, the gripping surface components 45 . 55 due to their physical material or surface properties and / or due to a in the 2 to 4 not shown profiling allow improved gripping, in particular increase the friction with a gripped or crushed object and reduce the risk of slipping.

Alternatively or additionally, the gripping surface components 45 . 55 Have sensors, in particular force or pressure sensors. Through sensors, the force generated by the medical instrument 10 over the gripping surface components 45 . 55 the shell 20 is exercised on an object. This may allow a more precise and reproducible action on an object.

5 shows a schematic representation of a section through another shell 20 which in some characteristics, characteristics and functions of the basis of the 2 to 4 illustrated shell resembles. The type of representation, in particular the sectional plane corresponds to that of 2 to 4 , Similar to the 3 and 4 is also in 5 a medical instrument 10 in the shell 20 shown, but not in section, but in plan view. The illustrated configuration or situation of the shell 20 corresponds to that of 4 ,

In the 5 Sheath shown 20 is different from the one based on 2 to 4 illustrated shell in particular in that in the shell 20 electric lines 47 . 57 for contacting the gripping surface components 45 . 55 , in particular for applying predetermined electrical potentials, for supplying electrical power and / or for transmitting by the gripping surface components 45 . 55 provided sensor signals are provided. Because the electrical wires 47 . 57 largely or completely outside the cutting plane of the 5 they are - as far as they are within the envelope 20 or the elastic body 24 run - indicated by dashed lines.

The electrical wires 47 . 57 are especially in the connection area 34 the shell 20 arranged so that they deform the envelope 20 between the in the 2 to 4 indicated configurations or situations oppose the least possible resistance and at the same time be damaged as little as possible by the deformation. In particular, the electrical wires 47 . 57 partially or completely along - with respect to the deformation between the in 2 to 4 illustrated configurations or situations - neutral fibers of the shell 20 arranged. In this case, the arrangement of the electrical lines 47 . 57 from the in 5 clearly indicated arrangement. So that the electrical wires 47 . 57 a deformation of the shell 20 To oppose the least possible resistance, they can, for example, in the connection area 34 meandering be arranged.

Instead of the electrical wires 47 . 57 or in addition to these, optical lines for supplying power in the form of light to the gripping surface components 45 . 55 and / or for optically transmitting sensor signals from the gripping surface components 45 . 55 be provided.

6 shows a schematic representation of a section along the in 5 indicated level AA by the basis of the 5 illustrated case 20 and the instrument 10 , The sectional plane AA is orthogonal to the sectional plane of the 5 and to the longitudinal axis 38 of the shaft area 30 the shell 20 (see. 5 ).

The wires 47 . 57 are with the gripping surface components 45 . 55 in each case in particular by welding or soldering electrically conductive and mechanically permanently connected. The gripping surface components 45 . 55 and the electrical wires 47 . 57 are so in the shell 20 embedded that they - from the the electrodes 46 . 56 forming surfaces apart completely from the elastic body 24 surrounded and electrically isolated by this.

The gripping surface components 45 . 55 have edges 48 . 58 with U-shaped (in the example shown: rectangular U-shaped) cross sections. This causes the interfaces between the edges 48 . 58 the gripping surface components 45 . 55 on the one hand and the elastic base body 24 on the other hand, in particular, in comparison to a simple plate-shaped or parallelepiped configuration of the gripping surface components 45 . 55 without profiled edges. The enlarged interface between the edges 48 . 58 the gripping surface components 45 . 55 on the one hand and the elastic base body 24 on the other hand improves the mechanical connection between the two. Deviating from the illustration in 6 can the edges 48 . 58 further be Ω-shaped or otherwise formed so that between the edges 48 . 58 the gripping surface components 45 . 55 on the one hand and the elastic base body 24 on the other hand form fit exists.

7 shows a schematic representation of a section through another shell 20 , which in some characteristics, properties and functions based on the 2 to 6 shown covers corresponds. The type of representation, in particular the position of the cutting plane, corresponds to that of the 6 ,

In the 7 Sheath shown 20 is different from the one based on 5 and 6 illustrated shell in particular in that only the second gripping surface component 55 in the second sector 50 the shell 20 through an electrical line 57 is contacted. The first gripping surface component 45 On the other hand, it is arranged and designed in this way and thus by the elastic basic body 24 surrounded that the gripping surface component 45 a surface area 43 of the first cavity 42 in the first industry sector 40 forms. The first gripping surface component 45 This allows an electrically conductive connection between the first industry 14 on the one hand and its opposite, one electrode 46 on the other hand. The case 20 thus allows the formation of a bipolar electrosurgical medical instrument, in which a pole or a first electrode 46 through the (electrically conductive) medical instrument 10 and the other pole and the second electrode, respectively 56 through an electrical line 57 in the shell 20 is contacted.

Alternatively, the second gripping surface component can also be used 55 like the first gripping surface component 45 be formed, so an immediate electrically conductive connection between the second industry 16 on the one hand and its opposite, one electrode 56 on the other hand. In this case, the shell can 20 with an electrically conductive medical instrument 10 used together as a monopolar electrosurgical tool. Together with a bipolar medical instrument 10 So a medical instrument 10 whose two branches are electrically isolated from each other and independent of each other by the shaft 12 electrically contacted, the sheath can be used as a bipolar electrosurgical tool.

8th shows a schematic representation of a section through another shell 20 , which in some characteristics, properties and functions based on the 2 to 7 shown covers corresponds. The type of representation, in particular the position of the cutting plane, corresponds to that of the 6 and 7 ,

In the 8th Sheath shown 20 is different from the ones based on the 2 to 7 Sheath in particular characterized in that in the gripping surface components 45 . 55 drilling 49 . 59 are provided. The holes 49 . 59 are related to the longitudinal axis 38 of the shaft area 30 the shell 20 across and thus parallel to the cutting plane of the 8th arranged.

The holes 49 . 59 are with the material of the elastic body 24 the shell 20 completely filled. In other words, the elastic body 24 the shell 20 thin rod-shaped areas 29 on that in the holes 49 . 59 in the gripping surface components 45 . 55 are arranged. As a result, the interface between the elastic base body and the gripping surface components 45 . 55 elevated. In addition, this is a positive connection between the gripping surface components 45 . 55 and the elastic body 24 created. This positive connection is only solvable by the rod-shaped areas 29 be severed.

Alternatively, the elastic body 24 the holes 49 . 59 not completely fill, but only in both ends of the holes 49 . 59 protrudes into it. Alternatively, the holes 49 . 59 be designed as blind holes, in which the elastic body 24 protrudes into it.

Alternatively, the characteristics of the basis of the 2 to 8th illustrated cases 20 in particular be combined in such a way that the gripping surface components 45 . 55 both edges 48 . 58 with U-shaped cross sections as well as holes into which the elastic body 24 protrudes into show.

Sheaths as they are based on the 2 to 8th may be illustrated, alternatively or in addition to the gripping surface components 45 . 55 Have channels for supplying rinsing liquid and / or for suction of gases or liquids.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

medical instrument for micro-invasive applications (in particular grasping or forceps)

12

Shaft of the medical instrument 10

14

first branch of the medical instrument 10

16

second branch of the medical instrument 10

18

Longitudinal axis of the shaft 12 of the medical instrument 10

20

Case for the medical instrument 10

24

elastic body of the shell 20

26

Cavity in the elastic body 24 for receiving a medical instrument 10

28

Opening at the proximal end of the sheath 20 through which a medical instrument 10 in the cavity 26 can be introduced

29

rod-shaped region of the elastic body 24 the shell 20

30

Shank area of the shell 20

32

distal end of the shaft portion 30

34

Connection area of the shell 20

35

Ripple in the connection area 34 the shell 20

36

cylindrical area of the cavity 26 in the shaft area 30

38

Longitudinal axis of the shaft area 30

40

first sector of the shell 20

41

Groove in the first branch sector 40

42

Cavity or part of the cavity 26 in the first industry sector 40 the shell 20

43

Surface area of the first cavity 42 in the first industry sector 40

45

first electrode body and first gripping surface component at the first sector area 40

46

outer surface area of the first gripping surface component 45 , esp. a first electrode on the first branch area 40 formative

47

first electrical line to the first electrode 46

48

Edge of the first gripping surface component 45 , in particular with a U-shaped cross-section

49

Bore at the edge 48 the first gripping surface component 45

50

second sector of the shell 20

51

Groove on the second branch area 50

52

Cavity or part of the cavity 26 in the second sector 50 the shell 20

53

Surface area of the second cavity 52 in the second sector 50

55

second electrode body and second gripping surface component on the second sector area 50

56

outer surface area of the second gripping surface component 55 , esp. a second electrode on the second sector area 50 formative

57

second electrical line to the second electrode 56

58

Edge of the second gripping surface component 55 , in particular with a U-shaped cross-section

59

Bore at the edge 58 the second gripping surface component 55

Claims (10)

Shell ( 20 ) for a medical instrument ( 10 ) for gripping, grasping, squeezing or coagulating in a micro-invasive procedure, comprising: a first branch area ( 40 ) with a first cavity ( 42 ) to include a first industry ( 14 ) of a medical instrument ( 10 ); a second sector ( 50 ) with a second cavity ( 52 ) to include a second industry ( 16 ) of a medical instrument ( 10 ); an elastic connection area ( 35 ), which covers the sectors ( 40 . 50 ) so elastically interconnects that they are movable relative to each other; an elastic base body ( 24 ) made of an elastic material; a gripping surface component ( 45 ) in the first sector ( 40 ), which at least partially into the elastic body ( 24 ) is embedded. Shell ( 20 ) according to the preceding claim, in which the gripping surface component ( 45 ) has a material whose elasticity is less than the elasticity of the material of the elastic body ( 24 ). Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which an edge ( 48 ) of the gripping surface component ( 45 ) has a profiled cross-section. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripping surface component ( 45 ) has an edge with a U-shaped cross-section. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripping surface component ( 45 ) an electrode ( 46 ). Shell ( 20 ) according to the preceding claim, further comprising: an electrical line ( 47 ), whose distal end with the electrode ( 46 ) is electrically conductively connected. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripping surface component ( 45 ) a sensor ( 46 ) for detecting a force or a pressure. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a shaft region ( 30 ) with a cavity ( 32 ) for receiving the shaft ( 12 ) of a medical instrument ( 10 ), wherein the elastic connection region ( 35 ) at the distal end ( 34 ) of the shaft region ( 30 ) is arranged. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the first cavity ( 42 ) and the second cavity ( 52 ) each from the connection area ( 35 ) from distal to pocket-shaped in the associated branch area ( 40 . 50 ) extend into it. Shell ( 20 ) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a groove ( 41 . 51 ) or a fold ( 35 ) at the elastic connection area ( 35 ) or a wave-shaped embodiment of the elastic connection region ( 35 ), to improve the elasticity of the elastic connection region ( 35 ).

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