# US 9,039,607 B2 · Shaft element for an endoscopic instrument

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- Number: US 9,039,607 B2
- Document ID: US9039607B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/209,096
- Filed: 2011-08-12
- Published: 2012-02-16
- Granted: 2015-05-26
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-13
- Assignees: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
- Applicants: Florian Buehs
- Inventors: Florian Buehs
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9039607B2

## CPC

- A61B 1/008: Articulations
- A61B 1/0057: {Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A shaft element for an endoscopic instrument includes a first, proximal shaft segment and a second, distal shaft segment, such that the second shaft segment is connected with the first shaft segment by three connecting elements, such that the connecting elements each include a first two-axis joint, such that the first joints form a triangle and such that the first connecting element is connected with the first shaft segment in such a way that it cannot slide with respect to the latter in a longitudinal direction, and a second and third connecting elements can each be slid with respect to the first shaft segment in a longitudinal direction independently of one another. The invention also relates to an endoscopic instrument, in particular an endoscope with such a shaft segment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A shaft element for a medical endoscopic instrument, the shaft element comprising:
a first, proximal shaft segment; and
a second, distal shaft segment, the second shaft segment being connected with the first shaft segment by three connecting elements;
the connecting elements each having a first two-axis joint, the first joints being positioned from each other on a proximal end plane of the second shaft segment in a triangular shape, the first joints forming vertices of the triangular shape, the triangular shape being an equilateral triangle;
wherein a first connecting element of the connecting elements is connected with the first shaft segment in such a way that the first connecting element is non-slidable
with respect to the first shaft segment in a longitudinal direction, and a second and third connecting elements are each slidable in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first shaft segment independently of one another;
wherein the second and third connecting elements are configured as at least partly rigid push rods.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1 , wherein the second and third connecting elements each comprise a second two-axis joint.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1, wherein the second and third connecting elements attach in a peripheral area of the first shaft segment.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element attaches in a peripheral area of the second shaft segment.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting element attaches centrally on the second shaft segment.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the two-axis joints are configured as spring joint, elastomer joint, solid-state joint, bellows joint or cardan joint.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The shaft element according to claim 1, wherein one or more actuators associated with the first shaft segment slide the second and third connecting elements.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An endoscopic instrument with a shaft and operating part, wherein the shaft includes a shaft element according to claim 1.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The endoscopic instrument according to claim 8, wherein the shaft includes a plurality of shaft elements arranged one after another.