This application relates to an endoscopic medical device and more particularly to a collection vessel for use with a port of an endoscope during endoscopic medical procedures.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) enables a physician to diagnose problems in the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas. ERCP can be used to diagnose and treat conditions of the bile ducts, including gallstones, inflammatory strictures (scars), leaks (from trauma and surgery), and cancer. ERCP combines the use of x rays and an endoscope. Through the optical features of the endoscope, the physician can see the inside of the stomach and duodenum, and inject dyes into the ducts in the biliary tree and pancreas so they can be seen on x rays.
The endoscope is generally inserted through the mouth, down the esophagus, into the stomach and through the pylorus into the duodenum, the first portion of the small intestines. The ampulla of Vater is located in the duodenum and is the opening of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. The region can be directly visualized with the endoscopic camera while various procedures are performed. A plastic catheter or cannula is inserted through a valve attached to the instrument port, or biopsy port, at the proximal end of the endoscope. The catheter travels through the valve and instrument channel of endoscope, out the distal end of the endoscope, and through the ampulla.
Further, a channel, e.g., a U-shaped open channel or closed channel, of the catheter may contain a guide wire that is passed into the bile duct. The guide wire may be used to guide other instruments down the instrument channel of the endoscope, through the ampulla, and into the bile duct. For example, if the exam shows a gall stone or narrowing of the ducts, the physician can insert instruments into the scope and down the guide wire to remove or relieve the obstruction. Also, tissue samples (biopsy) can be taken for further testing. In order for the guide wire to be used with other instruments, the catheter must be removed, or peeled, from the guide wire and taken out of the instrument channel of the endoscope. Further, the guide wire generally needs to be held, locked, or otherwise controlled at the proximal end of the endoscope during removal of the catheter and/or insertion of other instruments. The anchored guide wire acts as a foundation for the repetitive attachment and removal of instruments to the guide wire during various endoscopic procedures.
The manipulation of the catheter, guide wire, or other instruments creates a lateral force on the opening in the valve attached to the instrument port of the endoscope, especially when the catheter is being removed from the guide wire. As such, fluid trapped inside the instrument channel of the endoscope may escape through the opening. Because the guide wire holds the bile duct open, capillary action will allow bile to move up the wire and instrument channel of the endoscope and escape, or seep, through the opening in the valve. The amount of escaped fluid will depend on various factors, including for example the length of the procedure, or the type of procedure.
It should be noted that fluid may escape from the instrument channel of the endoscope during other endoscopic procedures besides ERCP and whether or not a guide wire is used during the procedure, for example, colonic screening or EGD.
In an illustrated embodiment of the invention, a collection device is disclosed. The collection device is for use with a port of an endoscope during endoscopic medical procedures.
A collection device for use with an endoscope is disclosed. In one embodiment, the collection device includes a body that defines a vessel for collecting fluid that may escape through the port and/or valve of the endoscope. The body includes a bottom and a side wall. The bottom and the side wall form a portion of a cradle surrounding the port of the endoscope. The bottom includes a portion configured to mate with an outer surface of the endoscope adjacent the port. The side wall is configured to partially wrap around the port of the endoscope. Further, the body of the collection device may be shaped to cover at least the neck portion of the port and may include an aperture. The aperture allows access to the port and facilitates attachment of the valve to the port. Absorbent material may be used within and/or without the collection vessel to absorb the fluid. The collection device may also include a wire anchor for attaching a guide wire. The collection vessel may also include an opening to accommodate a currently available locking device.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The Detailed Description of the Invention merely describes preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Indeed, the claims as described by the specification are broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used have their full ordinary meaning.
A collection device for use with a port of an endoscope during endoscopic medical procedures is disclosed. For exemplary purposes only, the invention will be discussed in regard to a collection device designed for use with the instrument port, or biopsy port, of an endoscope. It should be apparent to others with ordinary skill in the art that the discussion and Figures included in this application are by way of example only, and that the invention can be utilized with other ports and other endoscopic devices having a wide variety of structures, shapes, or purposes.
The exemplary collection device includes a body portion that defines a vessel for collecting fluid that may escape through the instrument port or valve of the endoscope. The body portion includes a curved wall that defines at least one concave side wall of the vessel. Further, the body portion includes a bottom that defines the bottom of the vessel. At least a portion of the bottom is curved such that the collection device may at least partially wrap around the main body of the endoscope. Extending from the bottom of the body portion is a protrusion or neck shaped to at least partially cover the neck of the instrument port of the endoscope. The neck of the body portion includes an aperture at the top to allow access to the instrument port and attachment of a valve.
In some embodiments, the body portion of the collection device includes at least one back wall connecting at least a portion of the bottom to at least a portion of the side wall. The body portion of the collection vessel may also include an opening to accommodate a currently available locking device. The body portion of the collection device is generally made from a single piece of molded plastic. However, the body portion may be made by any suitable method or from any suitable material known in the art, such as for example, a flexible elastomer molded component or a bag (such as a polyethylene bag) that can be mounted under the instrument port to collect fluids. The bag or flexible elastomer may contain a rigid deck that can assist in mounting to the deck below the instrument port. Further, the body portion of the collection device may be made from more than one piece of material. The vessel of the collection device may be sized to accommodate, or hold, various amounts of fluid, such as for example, 10-100 cc of fluid.
As stated, at least a portion of the bottom of the body portion is curved such that the collection device may at least partially wrap around the main body of the endoscope. As such, the collection device may press fit or snap onto the main body of the endoscope. The neck of the body portion covering the neck of the instrument port inhibits the collection device from rotating relative to the endoscope. Further, the top of the neck of the body portion is pinched between the valve attached to the instrument port and the neck of the instrument port, prohibiting the collection device from coming off the endoscope. In some embodiments, material, such as rubber or elastomer, may be attached to the outside surface of the curved bottom such that the collection device grips the endoscope. In other embodiments, a strap may be used to hold the collection device in place on the endoscope. Further, the collection device may be sized to accommodate various brands, types, and sizes of endoscopes and instrument ports.
Absorbent material, such as for example, cloth, foam, or a sponge-like material, may be used in the vessel to absorb the fluid that may escape through the instrument port or valve of the endoscope. For example, the absorbent material may be shaped to occupy at least a portion of the volume of the vessel bounded by the bottom, neck, and side wall of the body portion. In addition, absorbent material may be disposed on the outside of the body portion of the collection device to absorb fluids and to dry the physician's hands. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is attached to the body portion of the collection device, for example with an adhesive.
Further, the collection device may include features to hold the absorbent material in place. These features may be attached to or integrally formed with the body portion of the collection device. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, ridges on the side wall, bottom, and neck of the body portion engage or pinch the absorbent material and hold it in place within the vessel. In other embodiments, a clamping component is attached via a hinge, such as for example, a living hinge or pin, to the body portion of the collection device. The clamping component may include a spike, pin, or bar that holds the absorbent material in place within the vessel of the collection device. In these embodiments, the clamping component may be rotated to pinch the absorbent material against at least one of the side wall, bottom, or neck of the body portion. The clamping component may also be locked, such as for example, with a snap fit, to prohibit the absorbent material from coming out of the vessel.
The collection device may also include a wire lock for anchoring the guide wire. The guide wire is generally wrapped around tabs, prongs, flanges, or cleats on the wire lock and/or threaded through holes in the wire lock to prohibit the end of the wire from moving. In some embodiments, the wire lock is a separate component that can be removably attached to the body portion of the collection device, before or after the biopsy valve has been attached to the instrument port. For example, a portion of the wire lock may be formed to attach to, such as with a snap fit, a corresponding structure or opening in the body portion. In other embodiments, the wire lock is integrally formed with the body portion, for example extending from the side wall of the body portion. In still other embodiments, the wire lock is movably attached to the collection device. For example, the wire lock may be rotated relative to the collection device and locked into place.
The collection device may also include a drain, or suction port, for removal of the fluid from the vessel. For example, in one embodiment, the collection device includes a tube, or hose, extending from an aperture in the side wall or bottom of the body portion. Fluid from the vessel travels through the aperture and out the tube. The tube may have a plug or valve in the end to control the drainage of the fluid. Further, the collection device may include a suction port for suctioning the fluid from the vessel, utilizing the suction controls of the endoscope or by a separate suction source with independent on/off control.
Further, the valve attached to the instrument port of the endoscope may be connected, either by a fixed or removable connection, to a line, or tube, extending into the vessel of the collection device. The line may be anchored to the body portion of the collection device, such as for example, friction fit within a ring integrally molded with the body portion of the vessel. When suction is applied to the control head of the endoscope (i.e., scope suction), accumulated fluid in the collection device may be drawn up through the line, through the instrument port, and out the control head of the endoscope. Further, a one-way valve, such as a check or flapper valve, may be placed in the line, such as for example, at the connection of the line and the valve. The one-way valve would open during scope suction to allow the fluid to be suctioned out of the vessel of the collection device and out the control head of the endoscope. When the suction is turned off or has ceased, the one-way valve would close to prohibit any accumulated fluid in the device from traveling through the line and into the instrument port and channel of the endoscope. The one-way valve would also prevent any irrigation fluid introduced through the top of the biopsy valve, or at the proximal end of the endoscope, from traveling down the tube and into the vessel of the collection device.
The collection device may also include anchors to assist with holding the collection device in place on the main body of the endoscope. The anchors may be integrally formed with the collection device. For example, two anchors may extend from the side wall of the collection device. A strap may attach to the first anchor, wrap around the main body portion of the endoscope, and attach to the second anchor, thus holding the collection device in place on the endoscope.
Referring now to the drawings,
The body portion of the collection device includes: a curved wall that defines at least one concave side wall 22 of the vessel; a bottom 30 that defines the bottom of the vessel; and a protrusion or neck 18 extending from the bottom 30 shaped to at least partially cover the neck of the instrument port. The body portion is made from a single piece of molded plastic. However, the body portion may be made by any suitable method or from any suitable material known in the art, such as for example, a flexible elastomer molded component. Further, the body portion may be made from more than one piece of material.
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Each planar portion 34 of the bottom 30 extends between the curved portion 32 and at least a portion of the side wall 22 on each side of the collection device 10. Thus, the planar portions 34 permit at least a portion of the side wall 22 to be spaced from the body of the endoscope. This spacing provides room for the operator to access the instrument port of the endoscope. Further, when the collection device 10 is positioned for use (as shown in
The side wall 22 of the body portion is configured to wrap at least partially around the instrument port of the endoscope. The side wall 22 and the bottom 30 are designed such that the vessel of the collection device 10 creates a cradle surrounding the instrument port when the endoscope is used at angles conventionally used in endoscopic procedures (e.g.,
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Absorbent material, such as for example, cloth, foam, or a sponge-like material, may be used inside or outside the vessel to absorb the fluid that may escape through the instrument port or valve of the endoscope. For example, the absorbent material may be shaped to occupy at least a portion of the volume of the vessel bounded by the bottom 30, neck 18, and side wall 22 of the body portion. In addition, the absorbent material may be attached to the outside of the side wall 22 of the body portion. In some embodiments, the absorbent material is attached to the body portion of the collection device, for example, with an adhesive. The absorbent material may be attached to one or more of the bottom 30, neck 18, and side wall 22 of the body portion, and the shape and depth of the absorbent material may vary.
The body portion of the collection device includes: a curved wall that defines at least one concave side wall 1022 of the vessel; a bottom 1030 that defines the bottom of the vessel; and a protrusion or neck 1018 extending from the bottom 1030 shaped to at least partially cover the neck of the instrument port. The bottom 1030 includes a curved portion 1032 and two substantially planar portions 1034. The side wall 1022 of the body portion is configured to wrap at least partially around the instrument port of the endoscope. The side wall 1022 and the bottom 1030 are designed such that the vessel of the collection device 1000 creates a cradle surrounding the instrument port when the endoscope is used at angles conventionally used in endoscopic procedures. Further, the neck 1018 of the body portion extends from the curved portion 1032 of the bottom 1030.
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While several embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described in considerable detail, the present invention is not to be considered limited to the precise construction disclosed. Various adaptations, modifications and uses of the invention may occur to those skilled in the arts to which the invention relates. It is the intention to cover all such adaptations, modifications and uses falling within the scope or spirit of the claims filed herewith.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/053,981, entitled “ENDOSCOPE COLLECTION VESSEL” and filed May 16, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, to the extent that they are not conflicting with the present application.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61053981 | May 2008 | US |