DE2062178A1 - Process for the production of endoscope optics suitable for hot steam sterilization - Google Patents

Description

PATENTA ₁ -JWAUTb:

DR. HUGO WILCKEN DIPL.-ING. THOMAS WILCKEN "" · 6 · December 1970

D-24 LÜBECK. WIDE STREET 52-54 Dr ο W. / Β ο

Applicant:

Richard Wolf GmbH, 7134 Khittlingen, Pforzheimer Str. ZZ

Process for the production of endoscope optics suitable for hot steam sterilization

The invention relates to a method for producing endoscope optics suitable for hot steam sterilization, Consists of optical, spaced-apart lenses, an eyepiece and an objective in front of a soldered or cemented one Window in an optical system tube and on an endoscope optics, which are manufactured in particular according to this method is.

In order to clear germs in clinics or practice rooms, medical instruments are now almost generally used in dry superheated steam sterilized at temperatures of about 135 °. This type of sterilization can also be used for endoscope shafts and endoscopic instruments are used, but with endoscope optics of the type mentioned leads to difficulties at sealing points or » Soldering points, so that you can sterilize these endoscope optics had to fall back on the usual boiling or germ-freeing with alcohol or the like »

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209827/0282

* Ufa. * (0451) 7 58 88, private. Dr. H- V. 'Weilrt, CU rilfc \ £ ϊ> ** "Α5 # Λ> Th. Wllcken, Lübeck (0451) 2 51 5? Bank, Commenbank AG, FiI. LOb.dc, Account No. 39 0187 Pojtjcheck: Hamburg 1381 19

In order to now generally also use superheated steam sterilization for endoscope optics, that is, to be able to carry out a single type of sterilization in clinics etc. has already been proposed (OS 15 16 431), to evacuate the system pipe and then to seal it airtight so that there is no residual moisture in the system pipe which precipitate as condensates on the lenses after sterilization and make them cloudy.

It has been found, however, that this evacuation of the system pipe in particular causes the soldering points or cemented points to be removed of the viewing window in front of the lens due to the high pressure difference between External pressure and the inside of the system pipe loosen or become porous, with which the intended effect is lost.

The object of the invention is therefore the hot steam sterilization without destroying or damaging soldered joints or cemented joints, especially on the viewing window can.

'This is achieved according to the invention in that at the beginning mentioned method the system pipe first in known

jWise evacuated and that then a filling with noble gas or

! inert gas and then an airtight seal takes place. In order to an endoscope optic is created with a system tube, which is filled with noble gas or inert gas, the pressure of which corresponds to the external air pressure corresponds to or is slightly higher. By the method according to the invention and the system pipe according to the invention

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209827/0282

■ becomes any major pressure difference between external pressure and internal pressure of the system pipe when using superheated steam sterilization switched off, and there can be no porosities or leaks, especially at the soldered points or cemented points result of the viewing window, which generally consists of window glass in the usual way and has a metallic frame, which is soldered to the metallic system pipe. The metal frame should, if possible, consist of a material the coefficient of expansion of which is very close to that of the glass, with the degree of framing also being made of a galvanized metal can. The invention also makes it possible to use the viewing window airtight through a putty, with the However, binders must be able to withstand the low pressure differences and temperatures that occur without cracking »

Any pressure differences are particularly important during hot steam sterilization then limited to a minimum if the internal pressure of the noble gas or inert gas in the system pipe is slightly higher is than the external pressure.

Argon is particularly suitable as a noble gas for filling the system pipe, since argon has a harmless critical pressure and the weight of argon is greater than that of air.

209827/0282

Claims (1)

DR. HUGO WILCKEN · DIPL-ING. THOMAS WILCKEN December 16, 1970 D - 24 LÜBECK. WIDE STREET 52-54 Dr. W. / Β Applicant: ' Richard Wolf GmbH, 7134 Knittlingen, Pforzheimer Str. 22 Claims 1. A method for producing an endoscope optics suitable for hot steam sterilization, consisting of optical lenses arranged at a distance, an eyepiece and an objective in front of a soldered or cemented window in an optical system tube, characterized in that the system tube is first evacuated in a known manner and that then a filling with noble gas or inert gas and then an airtight seal takes place. 2. Method nach.Anspruch 1, characterized in that the The system pipe is filled with noble gas or inert gas under pressure in such a way that the internal pressure corresponds to the external air pressure corresponds to or is slightly higher. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that argon is used as the noble gas. / 4 ./Endoscope optics, consisting of a system tube with in ihir spaced lenses, an eyepiece and an objective 209827/0282 -2- BATH ORIGINAL in front of a soldered or cemented window of the system pipe, produced in particular according to the method of one of claims 1 Ms 3, characterized in that the airtight closed System pipe is filled with a noble gas or inert gas, the pressure of which corresponds to the external air pressure or something is higher. 5. Endoscope optics according to Ansproch 4, characterized in that the system pipe is filled with argon. 209857/028 2 '