# US 11,026,562 B2 · Endoscope > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,562 B2 - Document ID: US11026562B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/951,900 - Filed: 2018-04-12 - Published: 2018-10-18 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-13 - Assignees: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG - Applicants: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG - Inventors: Daniel Ulmschneider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026562B2 ## CPC - A61B 1/00071: {Insertion part of the endoscope body (A61B1/0055 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00013: {using optical means} - A61B 1/00124: {electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection} - A61B 1/00126: {optical, e.g. for light supply cables} - A61B 1/00165: {with light-conductive means, e.g. fibre optics (A61B1/07 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00167: {Details of optical fibre bundles, e.g. shape or fibre distribution} - A61B 1/04: combined with photographic or television appliances - A61B 5/036: {by means introduced into body tracts (A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence)} - G02B 23/2461: {Illumination} - A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion - A61B 1/126: {provided with means for cleaning in-use} - A61B 5/0084: {for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/6847: {mounted on an invasive device} - G02B 23/2476: {Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports} - H01R 13/5224: {for medical use} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An endoscope has an elongate shaft, with a housing that is arranged in the endoscope and has a fluid-tight embodiment and a sensor for capturing a physical measurement variable, the sensor being arranged in the shaft. The sensor is situated outside of the fluid-tight housing. A signal line extends from the sensor to a coupling point at the fluid-tight housing. The coupling point connects the signal line to an evaluation unit that is arranged in an interior of the housing for the purposes of evaluating the measurement signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endoscope comprising: an elongate shaft, a housing that is arranged in the endoscope and is fluid-tight, an image sensor that is arranged within the fluid-tight housing, pressure a sensor for capturing a physical measurement variable, said pressure sensor being arranged in the shaft, the pressure sensor being situated outside of the fluid-tight housing, and a signal line that extends from the pressure sensor to a coupling point at the fluid-tight housing, wherein the coupling point connects the signal line to an interior of the fluid-tight housing and the signal line is connected to an evaluation unit that is arranged in the interior. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The endoscope as darned in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a fiber-optic pressure sensor, wherein the signal line, at least in portions, is embodied as an optical fiber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal line, at least in portions, is embodied to transmit electrical signals. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the endoscope has a handle that is arranged at a proximal end of the shaft and the fluid-tight housing is arranged, at least in part, within the handle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The endoscope as claimed in claim 4, wherein the coupling point is arranged at the housing in a region of the handle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft has an outer wall and the signal line, at least in portions, extends between the outer wall and the fluid-tight housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft has an outer wall and fibers for transporting light are arranged between the outer wall and the fluid-tight housing, wherein the sensor and/or the signal line, at least in portions, is embedded between the fibers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for transmitting electrical or optical signals, the coupling point has a plug or a socket for connecting to the signal line. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling point is fluid-tight. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit evaluates the signals obtained by the pressure sensor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The endoscope as claimed in claim 10, wherein the endoscope has a line that is connected to the evaluation unit and that is suitable for guiding signals or data with the result of the evaluation from the evaluation unit to a monitor or a medical device that is arranged outside of the endoscope. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The endoscope as claimed in claim 11, wherein the endoscope has a transmitter that is connected to the evaluation unit and that is suitable for wirelessly transmitting signals or data with the result of the evaluation from the evaluation unit to a monitor or a medical device that is arranged outside of the endoscope. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The endoscope as claimed in claim 10, wherein the endoscope has a transmitter that is connected to the evaluation unit and that is suitable for wirelessly transmitting signals or data with the result of the evaluation from the evaluation unit to a monitor or a medical device that is arranged outside of the endoscope.