An endoscope tool coupling that facilitates the placement and positioning
of a surgical tool within an endoscope. The tool coupling may be
configured to accommodate differences in lengths between the surgical
tool and the endoscope, which may allow a user to precisely position and
maintain the distal end of a surgical tool in a desired location relative
to the distal end of the endoscope despite differences and variations in
lengths. The tool coupling may have an adjustable configuration to
accommodate variations in tool and/or endoscope lengths. The tool
coupling employ an arrangement that allows a user to easily increase or
decrease the length of the coupling, such as by using a telescoping
arrangement. A locking arrangement or mechanism may be provided to secure
the coupling in a selected configuration for maintaining the surgical
tool in a desired location relative to the endoscope. The tool coupling
may be configured to generate a preload on the surgical tool when the
tool is positioned in a desired location relative to the endoscope. The
tool coupling may be configured to allow for the withdrawal and
reintroduction of the same or a similar surgical tool without changing or
impacting the original length adjustment and/or preload for the
particular tool/endoscope arrangement. The tool coupling may be
configured as a separate device that can be attached to various
endoscopes, or the tool coupling may be an integrated component of the
endoscope.