WO2005037087A1

WO2005037087A1 - Retrofit sterilization kit for endoscopes

Info

Publication number: WO2005037087A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/011565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dagobert Gluch
Original assignee: Dagobert Gluch
Priority date: 2003-10-15
Filing date: 2004-10-14
Publication date: 2005-04-28
Also published as: DE202004021042U8; DE202004021042U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a retrofit sterilization kit for endoscopes comprising at least one channel (4, 7) for conducting air or water, for example, which ends at a distal head (1) of the endoscope. Said retrofit sterilization kit encompasses a covering element (10) that envelops the distal head (1) of an endoscope and is provided with at least one transparent translucent zone (15, 16, 19) within a covering face (11), said transparent translucent zone (15, 16, 19) covering a light-emitting zone (6a, 6b) and an optical zone (5) located on the head (1) of the endoscope. At least one continuous hole (18) that is embodied with a hollow joining piece (21) for a conduit section (32) is provided in the covering face (11). The inventive retrofit sterilization kit further comprises a conduit section that can be connected to the joining piece (21) and has a length which corresponds at least to the length between the distal head (1) of the endoscope and a proximal discharge point (71) of the conducting channel (4) of the endoscope. The invention also relates to a method for easily keeping sterile the portion (2, 3) of an endoscope, which is to be introduced into a body, and particularly a method for preparing an endoscope that is to be used for artificially inseminating a human being or an animal such as a mare and is to be kept sterile.

Description

Sterilization retrofit kit for endoscopes

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates generally to a sterilization retrofit kit for endoscopes that have at least one guide channel that ends at a distal head end of the endoscope. A non-sterile endoscope can thus be sterile-lined, at least in essential endoscope areas, which enables sterile introduction and / or withdrawal of a medium into and out of a lumen of an animal or human body. Also concerns the

Invention a sterilization retrofit kit for endoscopes, so that a completely sterile artificial insemination of an animal or human as well as for example a human or veterinary medical intervention (e.g. biopsy) can be carried out with a non-sterile endoscope.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for partially or completely sterile lining of the endoscope part to be inserted into a human or animal body, as a result of which a sterile supply or removal of a medium into or from an animal or human lumen by means of a non-sterile endoscope is made possible, and in particular a completely sterile artificial insemination can be carried out under visual conditions.

As already explained at the beginning, a sterilization retrofit kit according to the invention or a driving according to the invention, preferably in animals such as horses, is used. In particular, a corresponding adaptation to artificial insemination under sterile conditions of horses is provided. However, it should be emphasized that the invention presented here can in principle also be carried out on endoscopes which are provided and designed for insertion into a human body. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the sake of good order, it should be noted at the beginning that the term endoscope in the present case includes both so-called glass fiber endoscopes and endoscopes with a chip camera in the head end.

Glass fiber endoscopes transmit an image from the distal head end of an endoscope tube to a proximal end, at which an optical system is arranged, through which the image transmitted via the glass fibers can be viewed by an operator. Of course, a camera can also be attached to this optics in order to record the image or to transmit it to a monitor. The basic structure of a glass fiber endoscope is known for example from WO 02/087426.

So-called nideo endoscopes with a chip camera in the head end transmit the image via cable to a transmission unit with a monitor, without the need for an optical image guide extending from a proximal end to the distal end of the endoscope.

Endoscopes with a flexible insertion tube are particularly subsumed under the term endoscope. However, the invention can also be used on endoscopes with a rigid insertion shaft. “Distal” here means the head end of an endoscope part to be inserted into a body; Accordingly, "proximal" denotes a location that is spaced from the head end. In particular, the term "proximal" denotes a point on the endoscope that cannot be inserted into a body.

Nowadays, endoscopes of the aforementioned type are generally used in a wide variety of technical as well as human and veterinary medicine Applications. It is often necessary, especially in human or veterinary applications, to provide the part of an endoscope to be inserted - i.e. the flexible insertion tube or the rigid insertion shaft - as sterile as possible, so that no germs, bacteria or the like are introduced into the human or animal body that are undesirable Infection or illness.

Nowadays, complex ner drives are used to sterilize endoscopes. It is generally known to sterilize endoscopes in gas sterilizers or also steam sterilizers. Due to the required length of time for the endoscopes in such sterilizers, sterilization is complex and expensive. Since the sterilization of an endoscope in these cases takes several hours, it is not possible, for example, to carry out serial examinations of several people or animals with one and the same endoscope. In addition, due to the large lengths of the insertion tubes or the insertion shafts of such endoscopes which are possible depending on the use, it is questionable whether all cavities and guide channels etc. are actually sterilized therein.

Furthermore, it has been shown that it can be problematic to use an endoscope which has only been cleaned with known disinfectants or mechanical brushes or the like for the removal of tissue or for the supply of a medium such as sperm in the artificial insemination of animals or humans. Owners of expensive racing horses or racing camels in particular demand that endoscopy for whatever purpose be carried out as sterile as possible, in order to avoid any risk of infection (especially with artificial insemination).

WO 99/55219 discloses a disposable device for protecting a medical endoscope from infections. This device comprises a transparent cap, in which there is an opening which extends from one on the outside of the cap existing cover is covered. An adhesive is used to stick the cap onto an end piece of the endoscope. Furthermore, the device comprises a flexible tube that is to be inserted into the endoscope. It is also proposed to pull a transparent rubber tube over the endoscope, for which a special insert is used on the inside of the transparent cap. It is claimed that this known device would make it possible to dispense with the previously necessary complete cleaning and sterilization of the endoscope.

A covered endoscope, in which the cover can be removed, is also proposed in US Pat. No. 5,329,935. For this purpose, the device comprises a cover for a distal end of an endoscope tube to be inserted. This cover is held on the distal end piece of the endoscope tube by means of a locking device. Several radially deformable snap hooks are provided for locking. The cover is said to consist of so-called "shape memory" material, which is converted into its original shape by heating, so that the snap hooks disengage. In particular, this is intended to eliminate a gap between a cover at the distal end of the endoscope tube, so that an image produced by a camera or corresponding optical fiber attached to the distal end is no longer impaired. A device to be assigned to the same patent family can be found in US Pat. No. 5,257,617.

No. 4,741,326 discloses an arrangement for use on medical instruments, which comprises a cover plate with a hose attached to it and a cover that can be rolled up and rolled off. The cover plate is to be attached to a head piece of an endoscope. The cover that can be rolled up and unrolled on the cover plate should be able to be placed over the medical instrument, such as an endoscope. The aim of this is to create a protective device for an endoscope that is easy to clean after use. About that In addition, a biopsy function should also continue to be able to be performed, for which purpose there is, for example, a hole in the cover plate which connects with a hose provided on the cover plate.

An artificial insemination device is disclosed in WO 97/14365. Here a special sheath with a first lumen is used to hold and hold an endoscope and a second lumen through which semen can be injected into the uterus of an animal. The sheath or sheath further includes a blunt guiding probe that extends distally from the distal end of the sheath and in which a window that covers the distal end includes. With this system, the endoscope is first inserted into the first lumen of the sheath. The sheath with the endoscope inserted therein is then inserted into the animal's vagina and, using the endoscope, the guiding sample device is passed through the cervix until the distal end of the second lumen is placed in the uterus. An injector is then filled with semen and the semen is injected into the uterus through the second lumen.

A cutlery for artificial insemination of elephants is known from DE 196 06 925 AI. The cutlery consists of a dilator catheter, an endoscope, a guide tube, an insemination catheter and a guide wire, the dimensions of the components of the cutlery being matched to one another.

EP 0 658 090 B1 discloses a sterilizable endoscope with a separable, disposable tube arrangement. The endoscope known from this comprises a first segment which has an elongated sheath which has a distal and a proximal end, a first curved outer surface, a transparent window which is arranged at the distal end, an image converter which is adjacent to the Window and is fixed within the first sequence, and an image transmission cable that is connectable to the image converter and proximal from the first segment for transmitting an image from the image converter to one Video control unit and then extends to an image display device. A second segment is releasably attached to the first segment and has a second curved outer surface. There is also at least one longitudinal channel for transferring fluids or for receiving an operative instrument. The second segment has a removable channel section as a disposable article, which comprises the at least one longitudinal channel. The first segment has a first, substantially planar, mating surface that is located opposite the first curved outer surface. The second segment has a second, substantially planar, mating surface that is located opposite the second curved outer surface. The second, substantially planar, mating surface is releasably attachable to the first, substantially planar surface of the sheath, so that when attached, the first and second segments form an endoscope that is a substantially continuous, smooth, curved , has an outer surface. The second segment is intended to be disposable after use on a patient, while the first segment can be sterilized by another patent patient for reuse with a new, second segment. US 5,817,015, US 5,704,892, US 5,643,175, US 5,630,782, US 5,489,256 and US 5,402,768 belong to the same patent family and show corresponding devices.

A treatment accessory for an endoscope is known from EP 0 974 306 B1. This endoscope accessory includes a tube equipped with a mesh element at the distal end of the tube. Multiple openings are defined as meshes of the mesh and the mesh is attached to the distal end of the tube. Furthermore, a suction opening at the distal end of the tube is covered. The net can be drawn into the tube through the suction opening, the distal end of a wire being connected to the net in such a way that the net, depending on the actuation of the wire, between a position in which it is drawn into the tube and another position, in which it protrudes from the distal end of the tube, is movable. EP 0 818 180 B1 and US 5,957,900 also show similar devices. Finally, an endoscope with a replaceable head is shown in WO 02/087426 A2. The interchangeable head is detachably connected to the distal end of a shaft at a coupling point. The endoscope also has a first transmission system for transmitting illumination power distally and a second

Transmission system for transmitting image information proximally. Both the first transmission system and the second transmission system pass through the coupling point. If the interchangeable head is loosened, the second transmission system is intended to transmit image information that is perceptibly changed in terms of quality. A corresponding endoscope is disclosed in US 2004/0143162 AI.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem on which the invention is based is to make an endoscope sterile in a simple and inexpensive manner, at least in relation to essential components.

This technical problem is explained in more detail below

Sterilization retrofit kit for endoscopes solved, which have at least one guide channel ending at a distal head end of the endoscope. Such a guide channel can extend, for example, from a proximal end of the endoscope, which is accessible to an operator, for example to connect an air or water source, to the distal head end of the insertion tube or the insertion shaft of the endoscope. A sterilization retrofit kit according to the invention comprises at least the following sterile components. In such a sterilization retrofit kit, there is a cover element for covering the distal head end of an endoscope, which has a cover surface and at least one transparent one Has light transmission area in the cover surface, which overlaps with a light exit area and an optical area at the head end of the endoscope. At least one through hole is provided in the cover surface and is formed with a hollow connecting piece. Furthermore, a sterilization retrofit kit according to the present invention includes

Line piece which can be connected to the connecting piece and has a length which corresponds at least to the length from the distal head end of the endoscope to a proximal exit point of the guide channel of the endoscope.

Such a sterilization retrofit kit is inexpensive and can also be sterile manufactured as a mass article. If desired, it can be designed as a disposable article. However, it is also possible to sterilize some or all of the components of a sterilization retrofit kit according to the invention in a manner known per se. In any case, the invention makes the time-consuming and long-term sterilization of an endoscope unnecessary. An endoscope can be quickly and inexpensively sterile or lined with the invention with respect to essential components in a simple manner. Essential components in this sense are the guide channel or channels actually used, through which something is to be added or removed, and at least the head end of an endoscope. In a broader sense, an essential component can also be that part of a section of an endoscope to be inserted into a body that comes into contact with the body.

By simply attaching the sterile cover element to the distal head end of an endoscope and inserting the sterile line piece into the existing guide channel of an endoscope, which may also be contaminated or at least not sterile, the endoscope is lined sterile. The introduction or discharge of a medium into or out of a lumen of a body can now be carried out under much better sterile conditions than before. So a medium flows in or out of a lumen only through sterile components, which so far only were to be made sterile overall with the endoscope, which, as already explained, is complex and expensive.

If necessary, it is also possible in a simple manner, in addition to the sterile cover element, to completely sterile cover the part of an insertion tube or an insertion tube of an endoscope to be inserted into a human or animal body with a sterile sleeve tube. In particular, the sterile introduction of expensive sperm in the artificial insemination of, for example, racing horses or racing camels while at the same time minimizing the risk of infection is possible in this way. According to the invention, non-sterile endoscopes known per se can thus be used at shorter time intervals under sterile conditions than previously for a wide variety of human or veterinary purposes.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the line piece is firmly connected to the connecting piece on the cover element. In this way, sterilization retrofit kits can be manufactured and sold pre-packaged under sterile conditions for use on an endoscope. It is therefore also possible to make adjustments for a wide range of possible uses by preselecting the lengths of the line sections and to deliver them ready for use. For example, a line piece must be provided longer than e.g. to insert an insertion tube into a horse. for insertion into a dog or other animal.

Alternatively, in a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to cut a sterile line piece from a storage drum provided therefrom under sterile conditions and then to attach it to the line piece. For this purpose, the connection piece has, for example, a design such as on a water tap for attaching a hose, so that the line piece cannot slip off easily after being attached via a barbed design on the connection piece. This training has the advantage that no individual line pieces have to be prefabricated, but only entire line rolls, from which the required length can then be cut off. In addition, it should be noted that a line piece can be, for example, a Teflon tube. Of course, other materials can also be used to manufacture sterile pipe sections.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connection piece on the cover element is molded onto the cover end face. For example, the cover element can be produced as an injection molded part and a connection piece serving to receive the line piece can be injection molded thereon, which simplifies production.

A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides that the transparent light transmission area in the cover end face of the cover element, which overlaps the light exit area at the head end of the endoscope, is designed as a diffusing lens. Good illumination of a lumen in a body can thus be achieved in a simple manner. Illumination can even be improved compared to use without a cover element. The diffusing lens ensures that the light introduced via the glass fibers in the head end of the endoscope is emitted out of the cover element on all sides. In the event that it is an endoscope with two or more glass fiber light feed lines, it is, of course, possible to provide a respective corresponding scatter lens for each light exit area.

The configuration of the scattering lenses as an injection molded part is expedient in an exemplary further embodiment of the present invention if the cover element itself is already produced by the injection molding process. For example, it can also be expedient to produce both the scattering lens and the cover element in an injection molding process in one production step. To prevent stray light from entering the optics area, it is expedient for an opaque material to be present in the covering end face of the covering element around the scattering lens. For example, such an opaque material can be provided as an opaque ring, which, for example, is also overmoulded in a simple manner during the production of the cover element. In the present case, the optical region is to be understood as meaning at least that region of the cover element which overlaps the region of the head end of the endoscope insertion tube or the insertion shaft, in which the chip camera or the glass fiber region for forwarding the various image points to a proximal optic is arranged.

Another exemplary embodiment provides that the cover element has a second through hole which overlaps with the outlet opening of a second guide channel, such as a biopsy channel of an endoscope. In this case, an outlet nozzle is formed or attached on the side of the cover end face facing away from the head end, which is connected to the through hole. The outlet nozzle is preferably either small and / or soft in order to avoid injuries during the insertion of the endoscope with the cover element attached.

Another exemplary embodiment of a sterilization retrofit kit according to the invention provides that the cover element has a second through hole. Compared to the above-mentioned embodiment, however, no outlet nozzle is molded or attached, but it is one in the second

Guide channel insertable tube piece available and the sterilization retrofit kit includes a plug-on nozzle which can be plugged onto a container tube such as a semen tube and can be inserted into the second channel through the second through hole. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is easily possible to use a nozzle during the Keep the endoscope inserted into a body hidden in the guide channel in order to avoid injuries to the body. As soon as the lumen is reached, in which, for example, a medium such as sperm is to be introduced, the nozzle with the insemination tube can be pressed out of the end face using a manipulation tool and finally the sperm can also be guided and placed from the nozzle to the desired location in the body , This ensures that the medium only comes into contact with sterile components, which allows sterile insemination.

Another exemplary embodiment provides that the plug-on nozzle has a stop which abuts a counterpart on the cover element and thus limits the height of the outlet of the plug-on nozzle from the end face. An operator then knows how far the nozzle has come out of the covering face and can optimally guide the nozzle to the required location in the lumen, for example the papilla of a mare, by means of the manipulation options to be placed on the operating part of the endoscope that sperm escapes in the best possible way and with the greatest possible safety and that the chances of fertilization by the targeted insemination of the sperm to the anatomically correct location (uterotubal papilla) are significantly increased.

Another exemplary embodiment of the invention provides that the line piece can be connected to a container for a sterile medium such as air or water, specifically at the proximal end of the endoscope. On the one hand, this enables sterile inflation of the lumen in order to create a better field of vision for the operator, and it is also possible to insufflate water or another liquid through the line piece under sterile conditions, in particular to spray it onto the end face of the cover in order to to improve the illumination of light in the lumen and also to improve the image that is transmitted to the operator by flushing tissue residues, mucus or blood away from the covering face. A further exemplary embodiment provides that for this purpose a nozzle directed toward the cover end face is formed on the cover element at the outlet of the first guide channel and protrudes only one or a few millimeters from it, so that there is no risk of injury.

For example, the cover element can be made of an elastic material, so that it can be plugged onto the head end of the glass fiber or video endoscope in a simple manner and locked there by appropriate shapes. It can also be provided that at least one corresponding receiving part is present on the cover element, which latches with a corresponding counterpart at the head end of the endoscope, for example undercuts or snap hooks.

In a further exemplary embodiment it is provided that the receiving part is a narrowing slot with a recess for a pin at the head end of the endoscope.

However, it is also possible for the receiving part to have an internal thread for an external thread at the head end of the endoscope. The cover element can then be screwed onto the head end of the endoscope. It is then particularly expedient for the cover end face to be relatively rotatable with respect to a cover edge which comprises the receiving part.

A particularly simple and expedient embodiment of the cover element is given in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention if the cover end face has a cap edge adjoining it, which is designed to at least partially enclose the outer circumference of the head end of the endoscope. This is a simple application of the Cover element in the form of a cover cap possible and sterile enclosing the head end of the endoscope can be achieved.

Alternatively, it is also possible to provide only one cover element with a cover end face, which is inserted with one or more holding elements, such as, for example, a pin, into the corresponding recess in the head end. A free end of a sterile sheath tube can be inserted and clamped between the cover element and the head end, which is then slipped over the entire tube of the endoscope.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides that a sterile separate attachment part is present, with the aid of which one end of a sterile enveloping tube can be fixed on the cover element. For this purpose, for example, the outer contour of the cover element and the inner contour of the attachment element can be of a conical shape, so that their displacement relative to one another, here in the direction of the proximal end of the endoscope, is limited. The free end of a sterile outer tube can then be fixed in a simple manner on the cover element in the form of a cover cap with the cover element. For this purpose, it may still be expedient to provide a hollow body on which the sterile outer tube is gathered together on the outside and can be easily removed from it. When the envelope tube end is clamped to the cover element or to the cover cap, it is then possible, by pushing the endoscope tube into the hollow body, to put the envelope tube over the endoscope tube.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for preparing an endoscope for the sterile supply or removal of a medium into or from an animal or human body by means of an endoscope is proposed. In the method according to the invention, at least one sterile line, which is connected to a sterile cover element, is so long into a distal one Exit opening of a guide channel inserted at the head end of an endoscope until the line emerges from a proximal end of the guide channel. If necessary, several lines can also be inserted into one or more guide channels. The sterile cover element with the line inserted into the guide channel is placed on the distal head end of the endoscope and fixed thereon. The line is then connected at its free exit end to a device for supplying and / or suctioning off a medium.

This procedure enables the supply or suction of a medium into or out of a lumen of a body under sterile conditions, i.e. the medium to be introduced or removed does not come into contact with a non-sterile component.

A further exemplary embodiment of the present method according to the invention provides that a sterile enveloping tube is attached to the cover element and is slipped over at least that portion of an endoscope tube that is to be inserted into the animal or human body.

Another aspect of the present invention is that, for example, the sterile enveloping tube is pushed onto an enveloping body and a free end of the enveloping tube is clamped onto the cover element and then the tube is inserted into the hollow body with the enveloping tube clamped on the covering element, so that the Envelope tube is placed over the insertion tube. In this way, a non-sterile endoscope is lined in a sterile manner both on the inside and on the outside, and a medium, such as sperm, can be introduced into a lumen of a body in a sterile manner.

In order to introduce a medium into a lumen of a human or animal body, it is expedient in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to provide a container which contains the medium to be introduced is filled, and insert it into the second guide channel of the endoscope before the cover element is placed on the distal head end of the endoscope. In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the medium or material in the container is injected into a lumen by manipulation via a proximal end of the second guide channel.

For example, the manipulation tool is a stylet in a tube that is inserted into the second guide channel at the proximal end. With its distal end, the stylet can exert pressure on the medium in the container.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the manipulation tool can act on a sealing part in the container such that it is displaced in the container and the medium in the container is thereby pressed out of the container at an open end opposite the sealing part. As already explained at the beginning, a container can be an insemination tube which is closed at one end with a displaceable stopper and has a nozzle at the opposite end. Before such an insemination tube is inserted into the guide channel of the endoscope, it may be expedient to cut open a tube which is closed on both sides and has no nozzle at the end opposite the stopper. A sterile nozzle must then be attached to the open end. The thus prepared container tube with attached nozzle is then inserted into the second channel. Only then is the cover element placed and fixed on the head end of the endoscope tube.

Finally, it should be noted that, depending on the use and area of application of components of the invention, individual components may not have to be sterile. For example, it may be sufficient to disinfect only individual components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

For further explanation and for a better understanding, several exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

1 is a schematic perspective view of a head end of an endoscope and a cover cap that can be plugged onto it according to the invention,

2 shows a further schematic perspective view of a head end of an endoscope with a cover cap attached,

3 shows a plan view of that end face of a cover cap according to the invention which faces away from the movable head end of an endoscope,

4 shows a longitudinal section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 of a head end of an endoscope with a cover cap according to the invention attached and a guide channel in the endoscope, in which a insemination tube with a plug-on nozzle is inserted,

5 shows a sectional view along the line V-V according to FIG. 3, from which the scattering lens formation in a cover cap according to the invention can be better seen,

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3, showing an outlet nozzle for air or water or another cleaning agent on the cover cap, 7a is a schematic view of an endoscope with a cover cap according to the invention and a sterile sleeve tube clamped on the cover cap for sterilizing the endoscope tube,

7b is a schematic sectional illustration to illustrate the fitting process of a sterile sleeve tube over the endoscope tube, and

7c shows an enlarged detail VIIIc from FIG. 7b,

8a-c are longitudinal sectional views showing the advancement of an insemination tube in a guide channel up to the cover cap according to the invention and the expulsion of seeds into a lumen through a plug-on nozzle in sequential sequences,

Fig. 9 is a partially broken representation of an operating part of an endoscope with air-water directional valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1 to 9, several exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and explained in more detail below. As can be seen in the schematic perspective views according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a head end 1 of an insertion tube 2 of an endoscope comprises a head piece 3. In the head piece 3 there are two light supply regions 6a and 6b, which light in the usual way from a proximal end to are the fiber end faces leading the distal head end 1 of the endoscope. A chip camera 5 (shown in a highly schematic form) is placed in a first guide channel 5a at the outlet opening. Alternatively, instead of the chip camera 5, a glass fiber bundle can also be provided, which leads to a proximal end of the endoscope and is connected there with an eyepiece in order to show an image at the proximal end of the endoscope.

Furthermore, the head piece 3 of the endoscope comprises a further guide channel 4 a, through which air and / or water or another medium can be guided from the proximal end of the endoscope to the head piece 3 and emerging there. It can also be provided that suction is carried out through this channel 4a. The guide channel ends in an outlet opening 4 on the head piece 3.

Another guide channel 7a opens into the head piece 3 with the outlet opening 7. This channel 7a is also referred to as a biopsy channel due to its diameter. Instruments or the like can be brought into a lumen of a body through this biopsy channel 7 and tissue or the like can also be taken.

As shown in FIG. 1, two pins 8 are formed on the peripheral edge of the head piece 3, which serve as a plug connection for a cover cap 10 according to the invention. In Fig. 1, only a pin 8 is shown. The corresponding counterpart is on the invisible side of the head piece 3.

In the present example, a cap 10 according to the invention consists of transparent plastic. The cap 10 can of course also be made of a different material. In this case, however, the area 19 that overlaps with the optics area 5 and the areas 15, 16 of the covering cap 10 that overlap with the light exit areas 6a and 6b must be designed to be translucent. The cap according to the invention comprises a cap face 11 and a cap edge 12, the outer contour of which is conical here. In the cap edge 12 there are two slits 13 narrowing towards the cap end face 11, which are closed by a circular recess 14 for receiving the pin 8. The cap 10 can thus be placed on the head piece 3 and locked with the pin 8 in the circular recesses 14. In this case, the slots 13 expand slightly at their narrowest point and spring back again due to the selected material, so that after the pins 8 have been inserted into the recesses 14, they are firmly locked there. The two optical areas 15 and 16 are designed here as diffusing lenses. To avoid stray light in the

Camera area 19, opaque small metal rings 15a, 16a are provided which surround the diffusion lenses 15, 16.

The cap 10 has a through hole 18 that overlaps with the guide channel 4 or its outlet opening 4a on the head piece 3 of the endoscope. A connecting piece 21 is formed on the through hole 18, which in turn can be inserted into the through hole 4. A line piece 32, not shown here, can be plugged onto this connecting piece 21. This line piece 32 is also passed through the through hole 4 and is guided up to the exit at the proximal end of the associated guide channel 4. This enables a sterile lining of the guide channel 4 of the endoscope and accordingly also a sterile supply of water and / or air and / or another medium.

The cover cap 10 according to the invention also has a second through hole 17, on which a tube piece 20 is formed or attached, which in turn can be inserted into the biopsy channel 7a of the head piece 3 of the endoscope.

The state when the cap 10 is attached to the head piece 3 of an endoscope is shown again in FIG. 2. To better illustrate the internal training of the Head end 1 of the endoscope 1, the protective tube 2 of the endoscope surrounding the optics and the various working channels is omitted.

The top view of a cover cap 10 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3 clearly shows the various light supply areas with scattering lenses 6a and 6b as well as the optical area 19 and the two through holes 17 and 18 and their arrangement with respect to one another.

According to the sectional illustration along the line IV-IV, there is a state with a push-on nozzle 20 passed through the through hole 17 on one

Insemination tube 26 shown. The sterile plug-on nozzle 20 is plugged onto the insemination tube 26 here. For this purpose, an insemination tube 26 with sperm 40 known per se is cut open at one end and the plug-on nozzle 20 is plugged onto the cut open end. The plug-on nozzle 20 has a collar 23 and an insertion part 24. The insertion part 24 is inserted in the insemination tube 26 and rests with the collar 23 on the end face of the open end of the tube 26. The plug-on nozzle 20 itself has a rounded head end 21 and a through-channel 23 through which the sperm 40 located in the tube 26 can be guided to the outside. In the state shown in FIG. 4, the insemination tube 26 is inserted in the guide channel 7a. The exact process that takes place for insemination with the covering cap 10 according to the invention and the further components is explained with reference to FIGS. 7a-7c described in detail later.

The sectional view in FIG. 5 again clearly shows the formation of an optical area of the cover cap 10. Here, the cap end face 11 comprises a scattering lens 16 which is injected into the cap end face 11 together with a metal ring 16a. This scattering lens 16 comes in exact overlap with the light supply 6 and 6a of the head end 3 of the endoscope. Thus, in a simple and very effective manner, the light supplied via the light guide 6 is far from The exit end is scattered into a lumen so that a lumen to be examined is very well illuminated in one body. To avoid reflections in the further optics area 19, ie where the camera or image guide is placed, the opaque ring 16 a is provided, which is made of metal, for example. Stray light blocking can also be achieved in other ways, for example by embedding opaque pigments or the like. It is also conceivable to provide different plastic materials in the manufacture of the cover cap 10, so that the optics area 19 of the cap face 11 is separated from the transparent light transmission areas 6a and 6b.

6 shows the design of the cap end face 11 in the region of the first guide channel 4a. Here is a small, firmly built into the cap face 11 air / water supply nozzle 30, which ensures that air and water can be sprayed onto the cap face via a line 32, for example to be able to wash away tissue residues, blood or the like and thus also the To be able to rinse optical area 19 freely. Furthermore, it is also possible to suck off tissue water or the like through this guide channel 4a. In order to expand a lumen, only air can be introduced into a lumen. The line 32 is pushed onto the attachment fitting 21 of the nozzle 30 and extends to an outlet end of the channel 4a on a handling part 9 of the endoscope, as will be explained later with reference to FIG. 9. Like the cap 11, the line piece 32 is sterile, and it is thus ensured that air / water or the like can also be guided sterile into a lumen in a non-sterile guide channel 4a of the endoscope.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an endoscope with a flexible insertion tube 2, at the head end 1 of which a chip camera is installed in the associated head piece 3. The insertion tube 2 here comprises a first guide channel 4a and a biopsy channel 5a. But there can also be others Guide channels for other media may be provided. The insertion tube 2 ends in an operating part 9, which, in addition to the usual operating parts for controlling the head piece 3, has an air / water valve 74 into which the guide channel 4a ends. As shown schematically, air and water sources can be connected to the air / water valve 74. In the illustrated

In the embodiment, the line hose 32 pushed into the guide channel 4a is pushed in so far that it emerges from the directional valve 74 and can be connected there to a sterile container. If it is not necessary to supply a medium via the inserted line 32, it can be closed using a cover cap 75.

The following procedure is now carried out for the complete sterilization of an endoscope tube 2 of an endoscope. A sterile cover cap 10 according to the invention is provided with a sterile line piece 32 by the line piece 32 being pushed onto the connection piece 21 of the cover cap 10 according to the invention. The free end of the line piece 32 is then inserted into the first guide channel 4a on the head piece 3 of the endoscope, that is to say according to FIG. 1 into the opening 4 of the head end 3. The line 32 is continued until the free end of the line 32 comes out of a branch piece in the operating part 9 of the endoscope with (preferably removed) air / water valve 74. There, the line is then cut to such an extent that a sterile valve can be placed on this line and then supplied via a bottle of water or air connected to line 32 via the now sterile-lined guide channel 4a in the tube 2 of the endoscope.

An insemination tube 26 is now cut open at one end and provided with a sterile plug-on nozzle 20, as shown in FIG. 4. An appropriately prepared insemination tube 26 is then inserted into the biopsy channel 7a at the head end 1 of the endoscope. Then the cover cap 10 is placed on the head piece 3 and pressed in until the pin 8 in the Engage recesses 14 in the cap 10. A tube piece 90 with a shirred, sterilized sleeve 80a is now taken and slightly twisted at the head end 80 of the sleeve, so that a cone piece 60 can be guided over the sleeve 80. The open envelope tube end 80 with the conical part 60 placed over it is now plugged onto the cover cap 10 according to the invention. By moving the cone part 60 in the direction of the endoscope tube 2, the sleeve tube 80 is clamped between the cover cap 10 and the cone part 60.

It should be noted here that both the envelope tube 80, 80a and the cone part 60 are sterile. The endoscope tube 2 with the cover cap 10 and the conical part 60 thereon is now inserted into the tube 90 until the entire endoscope tube 2 is enveloped by the sleeve tube 80, as shown in FIG. 7b. By inserting the tube 2 into the tube 90, the gathered sleeve 80a is gradually put over the insertion tube 2 and pulled off the tube 90. The entire tube 2 is then sterile-clad on the outside by means of the sleeve tube 80.

For insemination, the correspondingly prepared endoscope insertion tube 2 is now inserted into the vulva of the animal to be inseminated like a mare. During this

The operator can use the endoscope to introduce water or air at any time to have a clear view of his work area.

As soon as the head of the endoscope has reached the desired position in the mare's vulva and the operator has a clear field of vision, he can do that

Complete the insemination process or air and / or water or others beforehand

Feed media or perform suction to have a free working area.

This is done via the first guide channel 4a with the line located therein

32nd For insemination, an operator can now connect a manipulation part 72, 73 to the biopsy channel at the outlet end 71 in the usual way. The manipulation part 72, 73 comprises a stylet 50 and a tube part 51 guiding the stylet. With the tube part 51, the insemination tube 26 is pressed in the direction of the outlet end until the nozzle 20 abuts the stop 25a of the tube 25 of the cap 10. The operator can control the emergence of the nozzle 20 from the end face of the cover cap 10 at any time via the optics. In the usual way, he can then place the outlet end 20 in an optimal manner over the desired location in the mare's vulva, so that the sperm hits the desired location in a targeted manner. If the nozzle 20 is placed in an optimal manner, the manipulation part 73 is pushed further so that the stylet 50 shifts a cotton plug 41 in the insemination tube 26 forward to the outlet end and the sperm 40 is thereby pressed out of the nozzle 20.

Due to the inventive design of the cap with the line 32 and the outer casing 80 of the insertion tube 2, an extremely inexpensive and simple sterile, artificial insemination can be carried out. Of course, it is also possible in this way to introduce or carry out other liquids or media into a lumen of a body. According to the invention, it is also possible in a simple manner to sterilize an endoscope known per se or the introductory part thereof, in order to be able to examine lumens of a body, including a human being, under sterile conditions.

Claims

1. Sterilization retrofit kit for endoscopes, which have at least one guide channel (4, 7) ending at a distal head end (1) of the endoscope, comprising at least the following sterile components: a covering element (10) serving to envelop the distal head end (1) of an endoscope which has a cover surface (11) and at least one transparent light transmission region (15, 16, 19) in the cover surface (11), which has a light exit region (6a, 6b) and an optical region (5) at the head end (1) of the endoscope in Overlap, and in the cover surface (11) has at least one through hole (18) which is formed with a hollow connector (21), a line piece (32) which can be connected to the connector (21) and has a length which corresponds at least to the length from the distal head end (1) of the endoscope to a proximal exit point (71) of the guide channel (4) of the endoscope.

2. Sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein the line piece (32) with the connector (21) is fixedly connected.

3. Sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein the line piece (32) and the connecting piece (21) is formed in one piece.

4. Sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 1, wherein the connecting piece (21) is integrally formed on the cover face.

5. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the transparent light transmission region (15, 16) in the cover face (11), the overlaps with the light exit area (6a, 6b) at the head end (3) of the endoscope, is designed as a diffusing lens (16)

6. Sterilization retrofit kit according to Claim 5, in which the scattering lens (16) in the cover end face (11) is surrounded with an opaque material (16a) in order to avoid the incidence of scattered light into the optical region (19).

7. A sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 6, wherein the opaque material surrounding the diffusing lens (16) is an opaque ring (16a).

8. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover element (10) has a second through hole (17) which overlaps with the outlet opening (7) of a second guide channel (7a), in particular a biopsy channel of the endoscope, whereby on the An outlet nozzle is formed on the second end hole (17) of the side of the cover face (11) facing away from the head end (1).

9. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of claims 1-7, wherein the cover element (10) has a second through hole (17) which overlaps with the outlet opening (7) of a second guide channel (17), in particular a biopsy channel of the endoscope, wherein On the side facing the head end (1) of the endoscope there is a pipe section (25) which can be inserted into the second guide channel (7a), and the sterilization retrofit kit comprises a plug-on nozzle (20) which can be plugged onto a insemination tube (26) and through the second through hole (17) can be inserted into the second guide channel (7a).

10. Sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 9, wherein the plug-on nozzle (20) has a stop (23) which strikes a counterpart (25 a) on the cover element (10) and thus the outlet height of the plug-on nozzle (20) from the cover face (11 ) limited.

11. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the line piece (32) can be connected to a container for a sterile medium such as air or water.

12. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover element (10) consists of an elastic material, so that it (10) can be plugged onto the head end (3) of the endoscope.

13. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of claims 1-11, in which the cover element (10) has at least one receiving part (13, 14) which latches with a corresponding counterpart (8) at the head end (3) of the endoscope.

14. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of claims 1-11, wherein the receiving part is a narrowing slot (13) with a recess (14) for a pin (8) at the head end (3) of the endoscope.

15. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of claims 1-11, wherein the receiving part is an internal thread for an external thread at the head end (3) of the endoscope.

16. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover end face (11) has an adjoining cap edge (12) which is designed to at least partially enclose the outer circumference of the head end (3) of the endoscope.

17. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which a sterile attachment part (60) is provided, by means of which one end of a sterile outer tube (80) can be fixed on the cover element (10).

18. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the outer contour (12) of the cover element (10) and the inner contour of the attachment part (60) are conical.

19. Sterilization retrofit kit according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment nozzle (20) which can be attached to an insemination tube (26).

20. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a hollow body (90) with a sterile sheathed tube (80a) gathered on the outside.

21. Sterilization retrofit kit according to one of the preceding claims, in which the cover element is a cover cap (10) which is designed to encompass at least part of the outer circumference of the head end (3) of an endoscope.

22. A method for preparing an endoscope for sterile delivery or removal of a medium into or from an animal or human body by means of the endoscope, which has at least one guide channel (4) ending at a distal head end (3) of the endoscope, through which a medium passes can be conducted from a proximal end to the distal head end (3) or vice versa, with the following method steps: a sterile line (32), which is connected to a sterile cover element (10), is inserted into the distal outlet opening (4) of the guide channel (4a) inserted at the head end (3) of the endoscope until the line (32) emerges from a proximal end of the guide channel (4a), the sterile cover element (10) with the line (32) inserted into the guide channel (4a) is opened placed on the distal head end (3) of the endoscope and fixed thereon, the line (32) is connected at its free outlet end to a device for supplying and / or aspirating a medium.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising attaching a sterile envelope tube (80) to the cover element (10) and at least slipping it over the portion of a tube (2) of the endoscope that is to be inserted into the animal or human body.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the sterile envelope tube (80) is pushed onto a hollow body (90) and a free end of the envelope tube (80) is clamped onto the cover element (10) and then the tube (2) with the the cover element (3) clamped cladding tube (80) is inserted into the hollow body (90) so that the envelope tube (80) is slipped over the tube (2).

25. The method according to any one of claims 22-24, wherein a container (26) with a medium (40) to be introduced into a lumen of a body is inserted into a second guide channel (7a) before the cover element (10) on the distal head end (3) the endoscope is attached.

26. The method of spoke 25, in which the medium (40) located in the container (26) is injected into the lumen by manipulation via a proximal end of the second guide channel (7a).

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein a manipulation tool (50, 51) is inserted at the proximal end into the second guide channel (7a) and this exerts a pressure on the medium located in the container (26).

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the manipulation tool (50, 51) acts on a sealing part (41) in the container (26) in such a way that it is displaced in the container (26) and the medium (40 ) is pressed out of the container at an open end (20) opposite the sealing part (41).

29. The method according to any one of claims 22-28, wherein the medium is sperm (40).

30. The method according to any one of claims 22-29, wherein the container is a tube (26) which is closed at one end with a displaceable stopper (41) and has a nozzle (20) at the opposite end.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the tube (26) is cut open at the end opposite the plug (41), then a nozzle is plugged onto it and then the tube is inserted into the second guide channel (7a).