1. An endoscope for multiple use, said endoscope comprising
a working channel,
an optical fiber having a distal end,
a flexible sleeve, said flexible sleeve having an inner lumen for receiving said optical fiber and said flexible sleeve being axially movable relative to said working channel and relative to said optical fiber;
said endoscope being designed and arranged for allowing a reciprocating movement into
a first operational state wherein said distal end of said optical fiber is located inside said flexible sleeve and
a second operational state wherein said flexible sleeve is completely removed from said working channel.
2. The endoscope according to claim 1, said endoscope being designed and arranged for allowing a reciprocating movement into a third operational state wherein said flexible sleeve extends through said working channel but said distal end is located outside said sleeve.
3. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a slit extending in longitudinal direction.
4. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve comprises a slit extending in longitudinal direction.
5. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the length of said optical fiber is longer than the double of the length of the maximum of the length of said sleeve and the length of said working channel.
6. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the length of said optical fiber is longer than the double of the length of the maximum of the length of said sleeve and the length of said working channel.
7. The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.
8. The endoscope according to claim 3, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.
9. The endoscope according to claim 4, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.
10. The endoscope according to claim 5, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.
11. The endoscope according to claim 6, further comprising a fixing device located at a proximal end of said sleeve, said fixing device detachable coupling said flexible sleeve with said optical fiber in said first operational state.
12. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
13. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
14. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
15. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
16. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
17. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said flexible sleeve is made of PTFE.
18. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
19. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
20. The endoscope according to claim 3, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
21. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
22. The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
23. The endoscope according to claim 6, wherein said flexible sleeve has a slanted distal tip.
24. A method for using an endoscope including a working channel, an optical fiber having a distal end and a flexible sleeve in a body, said method comprising the steps of:
a) embedding the optical fiber in the flexible sleeve in a first operational state and locating the distal end of the optical fiber inside the flexible sleeve;
b) introducing the flexible sleeve with the optical fiber embedded therein into a working channel of the endoscope;
c) moving the flexible sleeve relative to the optical fiber and relative to the working channel into a second operational state, locating the whole flexible sleeve outside the working channel and giving access to a lumen built between a wall limiting the working channel and the fiber;
d) using the lumen for at least one purpose selected from the group consisting of a diagnostic purpose and a therapeutic purpose,
e) reintroducing the flexible sleeve into the working channel,
f) removing the flexible sleeve with the fiber located therein from the body.
25. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, wherein said step of using the lumen for at least one of a group of a diagnostic and a therapeutic purpose comprises introducing an instrument into said lumen.
26. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, wherein said step of using the lumen for at least one of a group of a diagnostic and a therapeutic purpose comprises using the lumen for delivery or collection of a fluid.
27. A method for use of an endoscope according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of
introducing the endoscope into a human body before performing said said steps of embedding and introducing and
removing the endoscope from said human body after performing said step of removing.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An electrical device for use in an automotive vehicle, the device comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first side and a second side; and
a plurality of electronic components mounted to the first side of the PCB, the components comprising a first component located at a first position on the first side of the PCB and a second component located at a second position on the first side of the PCB, the second component located at the second position capable of at least partially blocking airflow directed substantially across the first side of the PCB in at least one direction toward the first component;
wherein the PCB defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures formed in a region of the PCB comprising the first position such that airflow directed substantially across the second side of the PCB flows through the apertures, under the first component at the first position on the first side of the PCB, and on at least a portion of the first side of the PCB beyond the region of the PCB comprising the first position.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a housing configured to receive the PCB, the housing defining a vent configured to permit airflow to be directed across the second side of the PCB.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein the housing defines an additional vent configured to facilitate airflow on the first side of the PCB.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of apertures are located substantially adjacent the first component mounted to the first side of the PCB at the first position.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the first component comprises a transformer.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the second component comprises a capacitor.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the second component comprises a set of components.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein the second side of the PCB is devoid of electronic components mounted thereto to facilitate airflow across the second side of the PCB.
9. An electrical device for use in an automotive vehicle, the inverter comprising:
a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first side and a second side, the PCB adapted for a plurality of electronic components to be mounted to the first side thereof, the components comprising a first component to be located at a first position on the first side of the PCB and a second component to be located at a second position on the first side of the PCB, the second component to be located at the second position capable of at least partially blocking airflow directed substantially across the first side of the PCB in at least one direction toward the first component;
wherein the PCB defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures formed in a region of the PCB comprising the first position such that airflow directed substantially across the second side of the PCB flows through the apertures, under the first component at the first position on the first side of the PCB, and on at least a portion of the first side of the PCB beyond the region of the PCB comprising the first position.
10. The device of claim 9 further comprising a housing configured to receive the PCB, the housing defining a vent configured to permit airflow to be directed across the second side of the PCB.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the housing defines an additional vent configured to facilitate airflow on the first side of the PCB.
12. The device of claim 9 wherein the plurality of apertures are located substantially adjacent the first component to be mounted to the first side of the PCB at the first position.
13. The device of claim 9 wherein the first component comprises a transformer.
14. The device of claim 9 wherein the second component comprises a capacitor.
15. The device of claim 9 wherein the second component comprises a set of components.
16. The device of claim 9 wherein the second side of the PCB has a busbar mounted thereto, the busbar to be cooled by airflow across the second side of the PCB.
17. A method for cooling an electrical device for use in an automotive vehicle, the device comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first side and a second side, and a plurality of electronic components mounted to the first side of the PCB, the components comprising a first component located at a first position on the first side of the PCB and a second component located at a second position on the first side of the PCB, the second component located at the second position capable of at least partially blocking airflow directed substantially across the first side of the PCB in at least one direction toward the first component, wherein the PCB defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, the apertures formed in a region of the PCB comprising the first position, the method comprising:
directing airflow substantially across the second side of the PCB so that air flows through the apertures, under the first component at the first position on the first side of the PCB, and on at least a portion of the first side of the PCB beyond the region of the PCB comprising the first position.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the device further comprises a housing configured to receive the PCB, the housing defining a vent configured to permit airflow to be directed across the second side of the PCB.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the housing defines an additional vent configured to facilitate airflow on the first side of the PCB.
20. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of apertures are located substantially adjacent the first component mounted to the first side of the PCB at the first position.