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A medical endoscope and insertion portion for a medical endoscope having a fiber tube that encloses an image guide and is surrounded by optical fibers, the distal opening of said fiber tube being sealed by a window, which is heated by an electric resistance heater located close by, wherein the heate

A medical endoscope and insertion portion for a medical endoscope having a fiber tube that encloses an image guide and is surrounded by optical fibers, the distal opening of said fiber tube being sealed by a window, which is heated by an electric resistance heater located close by, wherein the heater is designed as heating foil arranged on the outer surface of the fiber tube.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A medical endoscope comprising: an outer tube;an image guide;a fiber tube that encloses the image guide;optical fibers disposed within the outer tube and outside of the fiber tube;a window disposed at a distal opening of the fiber tube; andan electric resistance heater for heating the window, whe

1. A medical endoscope comprising: an outer tube;an image guide;a fiber tube that encloses the image guide;optical fibers disposed within the outer tube and outside of the fiber tube;a window disposed at a distal opening of the fiber tube; andan electric resistance heater for heating the window, wherein the electric resistance heater is a heating foil arranged proximate to the window on an outer surface of the fiber tube. 2. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a distal edge of the heating foil is located offset from a front face of the endoscope. 3. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein a space between the front face of the endoscope and the distal edge of the heating foil is filled with a potting material. 4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the fiber tube is metallic. 5. The endoscope according to claim 4, wherein a distal portion of the fiber tube contacts the window so as to conduct heat from the heating foil to the window via the fiber tube. 6. An insertion portion for a medical endoscope, the insertion portion comprising: an outer tube;an image guide;a fiber tube that encloses the image guide;optical fibers disposed within the outer tube and outside of the fiber tube;a window disposed at a distal opening of the fiber tube; andan electric resistance heater for heating the window, wherein the electric resistance heater is a heating foil arranged proximate to the window on an outer surface of the fiber tube. 7. The insertion portion according to claim 6, wherein a distal edge of the heating foil is located offset from a front face of the endoscope. 8. The insertion portion according to claim 7, wherein a space between the front face of the endoscope and the distal edge of the heating foil is filled with a potting material. 9. The insertion portion according to claim 6, wherein the fiber tube is metallic. 10. The insertion portion according to claim 9, wherein a distal portion of the fiber tube contacts the window so as to conduct heat from the heating foil to the window via the fiber tube.