The present invention relates to a device for applying an attachment to an endoscope.
Endoscopes are used in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) by surgeons to permit remote visualisation and navigation within a body cavity inside a patient. They act as the eyes of the surgeon whilst a surgical procedure, tissue manipulation or diagnostic investigation is undertaken. One type of endoscope is a laparoscope for abdominal MIS, which is used in speciality areas such as a laparoscopic general surgery including upper and lower gastrointestinal surgery, gynaecology, obesity surgery (bariatric surgery) and urology, as well as other surgical sectors utilising a rigid scope or semi rigid scope, such as thoracic and pulmonary, ENT, and neurological surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS), often referred to as “keyhole surgery”, as well as Minimum Access Surgery (MAS), is defined as a surgical method using small abdominal skin incisions (or no abdominal skin incisions, in which case a natural orifice is used in conjunction with an internal incision), as opposed to classic open surgical procedures that require large incisions. In MIS, a special access port called a cannula (which has a pre-determined internal diameter to allow instrument access and inter-change) is inserted into the skin incision. A miniature camera is introduced into the body through the cannula and transmits images to a video monitor, thereby allowing a physician to visualise, diagnose and, if necessary, treat a variety of conditions.
MIS is already an integrated part of daily surgical activity in surgical centres around the world. Many procedures are now performed by this “keyhole” approach using an appropriate endoscope, or by reduced open surgery (such as a mini-open or laparoscopically assisted procedures or hand assisted laparoscopic surgery or single incision laparoscopic surgery), where the skin incision is reduced compared with only a few years ago. The development of these MIS approaches is rapidly on-going and development of new techniques that will aid patients and society because of reduced complications, patient morbidity and hospital stay compared with the corresponding “old” methods will continue to drive the majority of procedures to MIS.
During a laparoscopic procedure, there are four main requirements for a surgeon or practitioner: continuous operative vision, maintained operative control, safety and time efficiency. The laparoscopic or endoscope lens in an MIS procedure is the surgeon's “eyes” and the optics regularly become soiled by peritoneum or other bodily fluid, blood, aerosol fat, tissue particulate, smoke, debris or condensation, all of which impair the surgeon's vision (via an external monitor/screen). These various soiling components are disturbed by various instruments introduced into the abdominal cavity via working ports, such as electro-cautery coagulation devices, laparoscopic scissors, ultrasonic coagulation cutting devices, suction-irritation devices and many others. Since these instruments are a crucial part of MIS and laparoscopic procedures, in general, they will remain as an adjunct to a source of lens contamination. As a result of this contamination, visualisation via the laparoscope optics is regularly diminished and impaired.
Prior art devices are known in which an attachment or sheath is applied to an endoscope to enable a channel to reach the distal end of the endoscope in order to provide access for instrumentation or to enable gas and/or liquid to flow across a lens surface at the distal end of the endoscope. These devices are generally applied manually, i.e. by hand, by a nurse in advance of the surgical procedure. There can be difficulties involved in applying the device to the endoscope, both in terms of ensuring that the device has been applied properly and is positioned correctly, as well as the risk of the device becoming damaged during the application process. These disadvantages often cause the devices to function inadequately and to be prone to breakage, thereby rendering them unsuitable for use in surgical procedures. In order for prior art devices to be of a sufficient strength to reduce the likelihood of breakage, the device has to be constructed out of thick material, which therefore increases the cross-sectional area taken up by the device and the endoscope, and therefore requires a larger cannula in order for the device to be used.
More recently, the present applicant has been making substantial progress in solving the above problems. Aspects of these developments have been detailed in two previously filed applications. International patent application publication No. WO 2011/004153 A1 discloses an accessory for partially enclosing a shaft of an endoscope. The accessory defines a first space for accommodating the shaft and a second space for defining a conduit along the shaft. In some embodiments, the conduit is for transporting fluid to and/or from the distal end of the endoscope. European Patent Application No. 10187123.4 discloses a flow guide for directing a fluid flow across an end surface of an endoscope in a controlled manner. In some embodiments, the flow guide is for guiding and directing a flow of gas to clear an end surface of the endoscope, in particular to clear a lens surface of the endoscope. Embodiments of the present invention provide applicator for an accessory and/or a flow guide as described in these applications, and the content of these two applications is incorporated by reference herein.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for applying an attachment to an endoscope. The device comprises an applicator supporting the attachment. An end of the attachment is accessible such that the endoscope is insertable into the attachment in a longitudinal direction. The attachment is removably secured to the applicator to enable the attachment to be withdrawn from the applicator together with the endoscope.
Advantageously, the applicator enables the attachment to be applied to the endoscope more easily, and furthermore the likelihood of the attachment being damaged during the application process is significantly reduced. Rather than the manual application required for sheaths etc. in the prior art, application of the attachment to the endoscope is achievable by the user-friendly procedure of inserting the endoscope into the attachment and then subsequently withdrawing the endoscope from the applicator together with the attachment. This straightforward procedure may be easily carried out by anyone without training or specialist skill on the part of the user. The presence of the applicator also allows the attachment to be applied by the user without the user having to hold the attachment in his or her hand. A force applied by the user's hand to the attachment could be enough to damage the attachment, particularly if the attachment is made of a thin, delicate material. The applicator supports the attachment and therefore provides stability to it and hinders relative movement between the attachment and the applicator, thus making the insertion procedure easier and more reliable.
In some embodiments, the applicator provides a housing for the attachment and the attachment is supported in the housing and may be circumferentially surrounded by it. The location of the attachment within the housing protects the attachment from damage during transportation and storage of the device, as well as during application to the endoscope.
In some embodiments, the attachment comprises a stop having a surface for contacting the endoscope to define a predetermined maximum insertion distance of the endoscope into the attachment. The stop enables the exact placement of the attachment relative to the endoscope in the longitudinal direction. The stop makes the application of the attachment to the endoscope easier by ensuring that the user of the device will know that the attachment has been applied properly when the endoscope abuts the stop. This ensures that the device can be relied upon to reliably apply the attachment to the endoscope. In embodiments in which the attachment is used to provide a conduit for fluid to be applied to the distal end of the endoscope, it is important that the distal end of the endoscope is positioned correctly with respect to the attachment to enable fluid flow from the conduit to be directed optimally across the distal end of the endoscope.
In some embodiments, the surface is arranged to abut a portion of a distal end of the endoscope. This ensures that the longitudinal alignment of the attachment and the endoscope is defined directly at the distal end of the endoscope. This facilitates accurate alignment of the distal end of the endoscope, which in many cases, in particular for lens clearing, is the part of the endoscope at which alignment is most crucial.
In some embodiments, the applicator comprises a wall adjacent the stop for exerting a reaction force to a longitudinal force applied to the surface. The wall protects the stop from damage as the endoscope is inserted into the attachment. Without the presence of the wall, a sufficient force applied by the user inserting the endoscope in the longitudinal direction could cause the stop to buckle, and/or break off from the attachment, thereby damaging the attachment. The wall ensures that a force applied by the user to the stop via the endoscope does not have to be resisted entirely by the stop, as the wall is able to assist in providing a reaction force to counteract the force applied by the user, absorbing forces which would otherwise risk damaging the attachment.
In some embodiments, the attachment has a longitudinal portion extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment, and the applicator comprises a distal end support for supporting the distal end portion of the attachment, and a proximal end support for supporting the proximal end portion of the attachment. As the attachment is supported at each end, sterilisation is facilitated. Furthermore, when the attachment is not supported along its longitudinal portion, the longitudinal portion is free from obstruction and able to move, for example as the endoscope is inserted.
In some embodiments, the applicator is reconfigurable to support an attachment of a different length by altering the distance between the distal end support and the proximal end support. This enables the applicator to be used in applying attachments of different sizes to correspondingly sized endoscopes, providing economies of scale by enabling at least a portion of the applicator to be made in the same dimensions and to be manufactured in the same way (e.g. using the same mould or moulds), regardless of the size of the attachment that it is intended to be used with.
In some embodiments, the distal end support is defined by an insert in the applicator. The use of an insert to define the distal end support enables the applicator to be easily modified to be used with an attachment of a different size by moving and/or replacing the insert. In some embodiments, the wall adjacent the stop is defined by the insert. This enables the insert to perform the two functions of supporting the distal end of the attachment as well as protecting the stop from damage. In some embodiments, the longitudinal length of the insert determines the distance between the distal and support and the proximal end support. This enables easy positioning of the insert in the applicator, for example by placing the insert to abut the distal end of the applicator.
In some embodiments, the attachment has a longitudinal portion with a gap extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment, the gap being defined between two longitudinal edges of the attachment. The longitudinal portion is resiliently deformable from a rest configuration to allow insertion of the endoscope and to exert a gripping force on it. The gripping force exerted by the longitudinal portion of the attachment enables the attachment to be held firmly in place on the endoscope and therefore less liable to move relative to the endoscope both as the endoscope and attachment are withdrawn from the applicator and in subsequent use of the endoscope with the attachment. It therefore assists in enabling the attachment to move with the endoscope as the endoscope is withdrawn from the applicator. The gripping force ensures that the friction between the attachment and the endoscope is larger than the friction between the attachment and the applicator, thereby causing the attachment to move with the endoscope as the endoscope is withdrawn from the applicator. In embodiments in which the attachment is used to define a fluid conduit partially defined by the outer surface of the endoscope, the gripping force facilitates a seal between the attachment and the endoscope, which ensures that the fluid remains in the conduit and does not leak around the sides of the conduit between the endoscope and the attachment.
In some embodiments, the proximal end portion of the attachment defines a guiding surface for guiding the endoscope into the attachment. This facilitates ease of use.
In some embodiments, the applicator comprises an edge retainer for engaging the longitudinal edges. The edge retainer is arranged to limit torsion of the longitudinal portion of the attachment as the endoscope is inserted. The edge retainer is arranged in these embodiments to retain the edges by preventing or limiting their torsion or rotation about a longitudinal axis. The edge retainer thus protects the attachment from damage due to torsion while the endoscope is in the applicator, and while the endoscope is being inserted or withdrawn from the applicator.
In some embodiments, the attachment is arranged such that insertion of the endoscope into the attachment causes the edges to move to a position in which the longitudinal retainer is disposed relative to the edges to prevent or limit torsion or rotation of the attachment. The longitudinal portion of the attachment is resiliently deformable from a rest configuration to exert a gripping force on the endoscope, and the edge retainer is arranged to prevent or limit torsion or rotation of the attachment when the longitudinal portion is in its deformed position, i.e. when the endoscope is present. This allows the attachment to remain in its rest configuration while the device is stored before it is used to prevent pre-stressing. This ensures that the gripping force applied by the attachment to the endoscope is not reduced due to the attachment having experienced fatigue due to a long period of storage in a deformed configuration. The attachment is stored in its rest configuration and is only moved away from this configuration at the time when the endoscope is inserted. The edge retainer extends along the longitudinal portion to keep the edges in line when the endoscope is being inserted. This prevents the attachment from twisting as the endoscope is inserted, which could cause damage to the attachment. Specifically, in some embodiments, the edge retainer comprises a pair of rails.
The edge retainer may be holding the longitudinal edges further apart than in their rest configuration in some embodiments. In these embodiments, the edge retainer is used to hold the edges further apart than in their rest configuration to reduce the gripping force on the endoscope inside the attachment. The edge retainer is configured such that, while the endoscope is in the attachment inside the applicator, the edges are slightly further apart than they would have been if the edge retainer were not there. This reduces the gripping force applied by the attachment to the endoscope, thereby making it easier for the user to rotate the endoscope with respect to the attachment in order to align them correctly. The gripping force on the endoscope is nevertheless still strong enough to ensure that the attachment moves with the endoscope as the endoscope is withdrawn from the applicator. On withdrawal, the applicator deforms closer to its rest configuration, thereby increasing the gripping force on the endoscope.
In some embodiments, the applicator comprises a heating arrangement for heating the endoscope while the endoscope is in the applicator. It has been found that condensation is prone to appear on a lens of an endoscope during a period of time immediately after the endoscope is inserted into a patient for surgery. It can take up to several minutes for the condensation to clear. The condensation on the lens reduces the visibility through the lens. This can cause a time delay before the surgical procedure can begin, or increase the risk to the patient if the surgical procedure begins before the condensation has cleared.
One explanation of this condensation is that the condensation is caused by the rapid change in temperature and other environmental conditions experienced by the endoscope from room-temperature conditions (about 20° C.) before the endoscope is inserted into the patient to body-temperature conditions (about 37° C.) after the endoscope has been inserted into the patient.
It has been found that pre-heating the endoscope to human body temperature prior to inserting the endoscope into the patient substantially eliminates the appearance of any condensation on the lens after entry into the patient. It has further been found that the device as described above can be utilised in heating the endoscope, thereby solving the problem of how to prevent condensation on the lens at the beginning of surgery, while also providing the same advantages as those described above in addition to this. In these embodiments, there is therefore no requirement for additional equipment to be used in heating the endoscope.
A further aspect of the invention provides an applicator for applying an attachment to an endoscope. The attachment has a longitudinal portion extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a distal end support for supporting the distal end portion of the attachment, and a proximal end support for supporting the proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator is reconfigurable to support an attachment of a different length by altering the distance between the distal end support and the proximal end support.
A further aspect of the invention relates to an applicator for applying an attachment to an endoscope. The attachment has a longitudinal portion extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a distal end support for supporting the distal end portion of the attachment, and a proximal end support for supporting the proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a retainer extending longitudinally between the distal end support for limiting torsion of the longitudinal portion of the attachment.
A further aspect of the invention relates to an applicator for applying an attachment to an endoscope. The attachment has a longitudinal portion extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a distal end support for supporting the distal end portion of the attachment, and a proximal end support for supporting the proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a heating arrangement for heating the endoscope while the endoscope is in the applicator. The arrangement may be as described above.
A further aspect of the invention relates to an endoscope heater comprising a heating element and a holder for holding an endoscope with the heating element longitudinally along the endoscope. The endoscope heater may be configured as the device or applicator described above, or otherwise. For example the holder may be the applicator described above, with the heater (e.g. in the form of a heating element) embedded in it. In other embodiments, the holder may be the attachment described above. In this case, the heater/heating element, e.g. a resistive wire, may be embedded in the attachment. In this last case, the heater is conveniently withdrawn from the applicator together with the endoscope so that the endoscope can be heated in situ during an operation.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of loading an attachment for an endoscope into an applicator. The attachment has a longitudinal portion extending between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion of the attachment. The applicator comprises a distal end support for supporting the distal end portion of the attachment, and a proximal end support for supporting the proximal end portion of the attachment. The method comprises inserting the attachment into the applicator; arranging the distal end portion of the attachment to be supported by the distal end support of the applicator; and arranging the proximal end portion of the attachment to be supported by the proximal end support of the applicator.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of applying an attachment to an endoscope. The attachment is initially supported within an applicator, and an end of the attachment is accessible at an end of the applicator. The method comprises inserting an endoscope into the attachment while the attachment remains supported within the applicator to apply the attachment to the endoscope; and withdrawing the endoscope from the applicator, wherein the applied attachment moves with the endoscope.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of rotationally aligning the attachment and the endoscope while the attachment remains supported within the applicator. This enables alignment of the endoscope and the attachment to be achieved when the attachment is still being protected by the applicator, rather than afterwards, when the attachment is more prone to being damaged.
Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to
The proximal end of the attachment 2 is exposed to enable the endoscope 4 to be inserted into it. The distal end of the endoscope 4 is introduced to the proximal end of the attachment 2, and the endoscope 4 is slid into the attachment 2 while the attachment 2 remains within the applicator 6.
With reference to
In use during surgery, the distal end portion 20 of the attachment 2 with the endoscope 4 is inserted through a cannula as described above. The proximal end portion 24 of the attachment 2 remains outside the patient.
At the distal end portion 20 of the attachment 2 (as shown in more detail in
The distal end portion 20 of the attachment 2 comprises two stops 30. Each stop 30 has a surface arranged to abut a part of the distal end surface of the endoscope 4 when the endoscope 4 has been fully inserted into the attachment 2. The stops 30 are located so as not to significantly restrict the field of vision through the lens 8.
With reference to
With reference to
The distal end support 36 comprises a ledge 42 on the insert 38 that is in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction, and is also parallel to the plane defined by the two edges 26 of the attachment 2. When the applicator 6 is oriented with the longitudinal axis being horizontal and the inlet pointing upwards, a longitudinal surface of each of the two stops 30 rests on the ledge 42.
A wall 44 adjacent the ledge 42 has a surface that extends from a distal end of the ledge 42, the surface being substantially perpendicular to the ledge 42. The wall 44 is arranged to abut distal end surfaces 45 (see
The ledge 42 does not extend far enough in the proximal longitudinal direction to contact the endoscope 4, which ensures that the endoscope 4 is able to be inserted up to the stops 30 without the ledge 42 interfering such that the stops 30 define a well-defined insertion depth.
With reference to
The longitudinal portion 22 of the attachment 2 is between two internal side walls 46 of the applicator 6 and is between an upper wall 48 and a lower wall 50 (from which the retaining rails 34 extend). The walls surround the longitudinal portion 22 circumferentially and extend along its entire length. The upper wall 48 comprises a pair of stabilising rails (not shown), which are parallel to and opposite the retaining rails 34 (although not necessarily the same distance apart). The stabilising rails assist the proximal end support 32 and distal end support 36 in stabilising the attachment 2, particularly as the endoscope 4 is inserted. The stabilising rails contact the attachment 2 at all times.
As the longitudinal portion 22 is made of a resilient material, it has a rest configuration in which the edges 26 are a certain distance apart and define a gap of a certain size between them. The cross-sectional area defined within the longitudinal portion 22 in its rest configuration is such that the endoscope 4 cannot be accommodated in the longitudinal portion 22 without the longitudinal portion 22 being deformed away from its rest configuration. As the longitudinal portion 22 will tend to return to its rest configuration, it will therefore exert a gripping force on the endoscope 4. There is sufficient space inside the applicator 6 for the longitudinal portion 22 to deform as required to accommodate the endoscope 4.
Each of the retaining rails 34 comprises a riding surface 52 and a retaining surface 54. Each riding surface 52 is on the inside of the retaining rail 34 (i.e. it faces the other retaining rail) and each retaining surface 54 is on the outside of the retaining rail. Each riding surface 52 is inclined at an angle of about 38° with respect to a plane defined by the retaining rails 34 and is arranged such that the respective edge 26 will ride up it as the endoscope 4 is inserted and the edges 26 are forced apart. Each retaining surface 54 is inclined at an angle of about 38° with respect to the plane defined by the retaining rails 34 and is arranged such that the respective edge 26 will adjacent it (for example in contact with minimal or no gripping force, or with a small gap between them) once the edge 26 has ridden over a peak between the riding surface 52 and the retaining surface 54.
In its rest configuration, the longitudinal portion 22 is configured as shown in
In some alternative embodiments, the edges 26 will grip the holding surfaces 54. The retaining rails 34 are configured to hold the edges 26 of the longitudinal portion 22 of the attachment 2 apart at a distance larger than in the rest configuration. Although the edges 26 grip the holding surfaces 54, a gripping force is also applied to the endoscope 4, although not as strong a force as is applied once the endoscope 4 and attachment 2 have been removed from the applicator 6. This makes it easier for the user to rotate the endoscope 4 with respect to the attachment 2 to align them as described with respect to
With reference to
The attachment 2 is made of Polyamide 11 (PA 11) (Nylon 11) and the applicator 6 is made of Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
It is to be understood that the above description of specific embodiments of the invention is given by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Many modifications of the described embodiments, some of which are now described, are envisaged and intended to be covered by the appended claims.
In some embodiments, the attachment 2, applicator 6 and insert 38 are made of any medical grade Class IV to VI polymeric material, e.g. Radel A; Polyethersulfone; Radel R; Polyphenylsulfone and related/modified polymers; Polyetheretherketone (PEEK); Polyether Ketone Ketone (PEKK); Polyphenylene; Valox (TM) resins, for example based on Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT); Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET); Polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT); Lexan Polycarbonates; Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS); Polypropylene; Polyimides; and Polyacrylates and/or blends of these polymers. Each part can be made of a different one of these materials or the same material can be used for all parts. The attachment 2, the applicator 6 and the insert 38 are manufactured using injection moulding techniques and then assembled after moulding.
In some embodiments, now described with reference to
In some alternative embodiments, the heating arrangement comprises an LED or a hot water conduit instead of the resistive element 64. In some embodiments, the heating arrangement (for example an LED) is located at the distal end of the applicator 6. In yet some further embodiments, the heating arrangement comprises its own source of energy that can be activated to heat the endoscope at the appropriate time, for example by a chemical reaction, e.g. triggered by insertion of the endoscope. In some embodiments, heating is triggered by the insertion of the endoscope 3 into the applicator 6, for example by triggering a switch disposed in the applicator 6 such that it is actuated by insertion of the endoscope 2, or by completing an electrical circuit with a conductive portion of the endoscope.
In some embodiments, the resistive element 64 (or another type of heating element, such as those described above) is embedded in the material forming the applicator 6 to provide an embedded heating element. In some embodiments where the applicator 6 is manufactured by moulding, for example, this is done by placing a resistive element such as a conductive mesh in the mould, for example an injection mould, used to mould the applicator 6 (or a part of the applicator 6). The embedded heating element is disposed between the rails 34 in some embodiments. Specifically, the embedded heating element may be placed in the applicator material between the rails 34. In some embodiments, a heating element can be embedded in other locations, additionally or alternatively, for example in the material forming an outer wall of the applicator.
In some embodiments, rather than to provide the heating element in the applicator 6, it is provided in the attachment 2, for example by embedding a resistive wire or other heating element in the material of the attachment 2 as described above for the applicator 6. The heating element may be embedded over substantially all of the circumferential and/or longitudinal extend of the attachment 2, or only a portion thereof. The heating element/resistive wire is connected to a connector at the proximal end of the attachment 2 for connection to a power source and/or control unit for heating the heating element/resistive wire. An embedded heater is described in WO2004/107815, incorporated herein by reference.
In some embodiments, there is no insert, but the distal end support and the wall are instead defined by the main body of the applicator. In yet other embodiments, the applicator is configurable by placing the insert in different fixing locations to vary the longitudinal distance between the proximal end support and the distal end support, rather than inter-changing differently sized inserts.
In some embodiments, the applicator does not or not fully circumferentially surround the attachment, although it still locates the distal end portion and the proximal end portion of the attachment relative to one another. In some embodiments, the applicator does not have any retaining rails along the lower wall and there may be no lower wall at all. Some embodiments omit the stabilising retaining rails along the upper wall. As long as the distal end support and the proximal end support are located relative to each other, any one or more of the walls can be omitted.
In some embodiments, the longitudinal portion of the attachment is configured to fully surround the endoscope, rather than leaving a gap along its longitudinal length. The attachment is still able to move with the endoscope as the endoscope is withdrawn from the applicator due to a larger frictional force between the attachment and the endoscope than the frictional force between the attachment and the applicator. In some embodiments, the edges along the longitudinal portion of the attachment are arranged to grip the retaining surfaces on the retaining rails before the endoscope is inserted, such that the endoscope can be inserted with reduced movement of the longitudinal portion of the attachment being required.
In some embodiments the conduit along the longitudinal portion is for access for instrumentation rather than for acting as a fluid conduit. The inlet of the embodiment described above is therefore replaced by an appropriate feature for the instrumentation conduit. In some embodiments, more than one conduit is provided, for example one fluid conduit and one instrumentation conduit. In some embodiments, the attachment does not extend along substantially the entire longitudinal length of the shaft of the endoscope, but only extends far enough such that in use it is not inserted in its entirety through the cannula, so as to provide, in use, access to the conduit from outside the body to transport fluid (or e.g. an instrument) to the distal end of the endoscope inside the body.
In some embodiments, there is only one stop on the attachment, rather than two. In some embodiments, the stop (or stops) is defined at a different location on the attachment than for the embodiment described above and is arranged to abut a different part of the endoscope, for example part of the proximal end portion of the endoscope.
In some embodiments, instead of the clip described above, another fastener is provided that applies a force which pulls the endoscope and the attachment together, which helps to ensure that the endoscope remains fully inserted into the attachment. In at least these embodiments, it is not necessary for the frictional force between the attachment and the endoscope to be larger than the frictional force between the attachment and the applicator when the endoscope is withdrawn from the applicator.
A wide range of materials and manufacturing techniques can be employed in addition to or instead of the ones described above. In particular the applicator is opaque or translucent, rather than transparent, in some embodiments.
Finally, while the above description has been made in terms of a laparoscope, the attachment and applicator are equally applicable to other kinds of endoscopes. In particular, in some embodiments, the endoscope is a flexible or semi-rigid endoscope and the attachment is similarly flexible.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1105401.2 | Mar 2011 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/GB2012/000299 | 3/30/2012 | WO | 00 | 11/22/2013 |