Patent Application
20220151463
This invention generally relates to endoscopes, including endoscopes used in gastroenterological applications.
Endoscopes are used in a wide variety of medical procedures to visualize internal cavities or potential spaces within the human body during either diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
One factor affecting endoscope design and use is infectious disease transmission. Although infectious disease transmission has always been a risk with reusable endoscopes, this risk has increased with the advent of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Once transmission of these bacteria has occurred between patients, antibiotic resistance makes it difficult to treat these infections. Many of these bacteria, including staphylococcus, have the ability to form a protective outer barrier, frequently referred to as a bio-film, which protects the infectious bacteria from during cleaning procedures.
Another recent development that increases the risk of infectious disease transmission is an ever-increasing number of diagnostic procedures that require the use of smaller and more complicated instruments and longer working lumens and distal manipulators, e.g. elevators, associated with the endoscope distal articulating shaft. Together, the increasing prevalence of difficult to treat infectious diseases and more complex, difficult-to-clean endoscopes make the sterilization and re-use of endoscopes an increasingly risky activity.
Reducing or limiting the potential for infectious disease transmission is desirable. Accordingly, new endoscope designs are desired. Thus, there is a need for improvement in this field.
The present disclosure pertains generally to endoscopes. In certain aspects, the present disclosure pertains to endoscopes having a reusable hand-piece removably coupled to a single-use shaft assembly. The reusable hand-piece includes articulation controls, and the single-use shaft assembly includes an articulation wire articulating assembly that engages the articulation controls when the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly are coupled to one another (e.g., when the housing of the reusable hand-piece and a housing of the single-use shaft assembly are coupled together).
The reusable hand-piece may have an optical and/or electrical connector that engages to with a corresponding optical and/or electrical connector of the single-use shaft assembly when the reusable hand-piece is coupled to the single-use shaft assembly (e.g., when the housing of the reusable hand-piece and a housing of the single-use shaft assembly are coupled together). The optical and/or electrical connector of the reusable hand-piece may be part of an electronics module. The electronics module may include imaging controls.
The single-use shaft assembly can include an imaging device (e.g., image sensor such as CCD or CMOS sensor or a lens) and/or a light emitter (e.g., LED or a fiber optic cable). The imaging device and/or light emitter can be positioned at a distal end of the single-use shaft assembly. The optical and/or electrical connectors can provide communication between the electronics module of the reusable hand-piece and the imaging device and/or the light emitter of the single-use shaft assembly.
The light emitter may include an element that produces light (e.g., an LED) or may communicate light provided proximally of the articulating distal portion. For example, the light emitter may be a light pipe (e.g., fiber optic cable). The imaging device may include a sensor that converts light into electrical signals (e.g., a CCD or a CMOS sensor) or a lens arranged to pass light from the articulating distal portion towards the proximal portion of the shaft.
The reusable hand-piece can include controls for controlling fluid flow through the single-use shaft assembly. Those controls can communicate with valves in the single-use shaft assembly and/or with external support equipment (e.g., pumps and/or valves in support equipment).
The endoscope assembly can include a lock that retains the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly together in the assembled configuration. The lock can include a first portion on the reusable hand-piece and a second portion on the single-use shaft assembly, wherein the first and second portions of the lock cooperate to hold the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly together in the assembled configuration.
The lock is actuatable to engage and/or disengage from the single-use shaft assembly. The lock can include a latch having catch mounted on a pivoting and/or deflectable latch arm. The latch can be biased with a biasing member (e.g., spring) into a latching configuration that can hold the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly together. The lock may include one or more magnets that hold the reusable hand-piece to the single-use shaft assembly when in the assembly configuration. The lock can be arranged for actuation (e.g., to engage and/or disengage) without use of a hand tool (e.g., screwdriver). Preferably, the lock is actuatable with fingers. The lock can be defined by a portion of the housing of the reusable hand-piece and/or the single-use shaft assembly. For example, the housing may define a deflectable tab and/or a living hinge for the lock.
The lock can be arranged to indicate when the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly are locked to one another. For example, the lock can provide an audible “click” when the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly are locked to one another.
The single-use shaft assembly can include one or more ports communicating with fluid flow paths (e.g., lumens) of a shaft of the single-use shaft assembly. The fluid flow paths may extend along a length of the shaft to one or more openings in at the distal end of the shaft. The fluid flow paths may be arranged for irrigation, insufflation, aspiration, and/or for receipt of a surgical tool (e.g., forceps, a cutter, and/or a ligation device). The reusable hand-piece may be absent of fluid flow paths and/or fluid connectors in fluid communication with fluid flow paths of the shaft.
The articulation controls of the reusable hand-piece can include articulation knobs. The articulation knobs can be arranged to receive articulation input from the user (e.g., in the form of rotational movement). The articulation knobs can communication with cams and/or gears of the separable single-use shaft to actuate control wires of the single-use shaft assembly. The user controlled articulation knobs can include two knobs having and/or rigidly attached to concentric articulation shafts.
The concentric articulation shafts each have a pulley/pinion engaging portion. This portion may have a cross-sectional geometric shape capable of transmitting torque. Preferably the geometric shape has a geometry that interferes with a geometry of the pulley/pinion so rotation of the articulation shaft rotates the pulley/pinion. This geometric shape can include, but is not limited to, oval, spline, square, or star, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
Advantageously, the concentric articulation shaft configuration permits attachment of the single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece without the need to orient the articulation knobs or the distal articulating tip to obtain a neutral reference position. Regardless of the orientation of the single-use shaft assembly (coiled or straight) at the time of attachment, the articulation knobs can freely rotate while the distal shaft (insertion tube) is manipulated prior to use by the clinician—assuming no brake of the articulation knob and brake assembly is applied.
The single-use shaft assembly can include one or more pulley assemblies. The pulley assemblies include at least one pulley arranged to receive an end of an articulation shaft. Rotation of the articulation knob associated with the articulation shaft rotates the at least one pulley. Associated with the at least one pulley is an articulation wire or a pair of articulation wires (e.g., two separate wires or one continuous wire looped over the pulley and having wire segments extending from opposing sides of the pulley) configured to bend a distal shaft section of the single-use shaft assembly upon actuation. The articulation wires may be fixed (e.g., tied) to the pulley and/or extend around at least a portion of the pulley (e.g., loop around the pulley). Preferably, the one or more pulley assemblies include two pulleys (one for each articulation shaft) and articulation wires (at least one for each pulley). Preferably the articulation wires are configured to bend the distal shaft section in orthogonal planes.
The single-use shaft assembly can include one or more rack and pinion assemblies contained within a rigid housing. For example, the single-use shaft assembly may have a proximal rigid housing having a surface that supports and positions the rack and pinion assembly of the single-use shaft assembly to receive the pinion engaging portions of the articulation shafts.
Each pinion contained within the proximal rigid housing associated with the separable single-use shaft possess a circumferential series of teeth that engage a set of opposed racks. Each set of opposed racks is associated with a pair of opposing articulation wires. Each articulation wire can be rigidly fixed at one end to a rack and on the other end to the distal tip of the articulating section of the shaft. Rotation of the pinion, such as by means of a user input torque applied to the corresponding knob, results in a tensile force applied to the articulating distal section.
A preferred embodiment utilizes two pinions, each associated with a pair of racks and articulation wires. Each pair of racks and articulation wires provides means for articulating the distal shaft section in a single plane. Two pairs of articulation wires provide distal shaft articulation in two different plans that can be perpendicular to one another, with a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft portion passing through the intersection of the planes.
The preferred embodiment incorporates either a single or a pair of pulleys incorporating the geometric engagement shape of an articulation shaft and a pair of opposed steering wires for each pulley.
The mating features of the concentric articulation shafts associated with the reusable hand-piece and the mating features of the pulleys/pinions associated with the separable, single-use shaft assembly are suitable for transmitting force in the form of torque applied to the articulation knobs to tensile force in the articulation wire(s) and corresponding movement of the distal shaft articulating section. Preferably the mating features do not rely solely on friction between the articulation shaft and pulley/pinion. Preferably the mating features include a geometric interference between the articulation shaft and pulley/pinion.
A portion of the articulation shafts, such as the pulley/pinion engaging portions, may be tapered along a length of the articulation shafts. For example, the articulation shaft may have a portion taper from small to large in a direction towards the articulation knob. Advantageously, such an arrangement can aid in mating the articulation shafts with the pulleys/pinions of the single-use shaft assembly when the reusable hand-piece is coupled to the single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece can include one or more brakes that apply an adjustable level of rotational resistance to the articulation control (e.g., articulation control knobs). A separate brake mechanism can exist for each articulation control knob and its articulation wire or associated pair of articulation wires for applications where two plane articulation is desired. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) may be consolidated within the envelope defined by the knobs, thereby creating space within the reusable hand-piece housing for the single-use shaft assembly. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) may not utilize a fixed method for applying force against the friction surfaces and/or brake material, such as rotation of a threaded shaft. Preferably the brake mechanism(s) utilize(s) a spring element to apply force between the friction surfaces and/or brake material, negating the need to adjust or calibrate the braking force. Preferably the brake is disengaged by compressing the spring element to remove the force from the friction surfaces and/or brake material.
In arrangements disclosed herein, the articulation controls and an electronics module that can incorporate control switches and/or navigation switches are preferably mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece. The articulation wire actuating assembly and connector of the single-use shaft assembly are preferably mounted to the housing of the single-use shaft assembly. Accordingly, separation of the housing of the reusable hand-piece from the housing of the single-use shaft assembly can separate the articulation controls from the articulation wire actuating assembly and the electronics control switches and/or navigation switches from the connector of the single-use shaft assembly.
A preferred embodiment includes an electronics module that can include a plurality of switches mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece that is in electrical communication with the wire harness associated with the single-use shaft assembly via an electrical connector. The plurality of switches may further incorporate a unique resistance value associated with each switch and each switch connected in parallel to a pair of electrical conductors. This configuration can minimize the number of connectors required to communicate the specific switch or combination of switches that are depressed by the user. Additionally or alternatively, the electronics module of this embodiment may further incorporate a microprocessor to minimize the number of connectors required to communicate the specific switch or combination of switches that are depressed by the user.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece of the endoscope assembly can remain entirely outside of the body of a patient during an endoscopic procedure while the single-use shaft assembly has a portion positioned within the body of the patient during the endoscopic procedure. Accordingly, the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly can be separated from one another after the procedure and the single-use hand-piece discarded (or reprocessed). As there are no fluid lumens of the reusable hand-piece that must be cleaned and sterilized, the cleaning (aka “reprocessing”) effort between procedures using the reusable hand-piece is dramatically reduced. Additionally, as no portion of the reusable hand-piece, which is used for multiple patients, is inserted into the patient, the risk of infectious disease transmission can be dramatically reduced.
Single-use shaft assemblies can be arranged and/or provided in a variety of configurations to support upper and lower endoscopies. For example, single-use shaft assemblies may be arranged for colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, and/or duodenoscope procedures, just to name a few non-limiting examples. Additionally or alternatively, single-use shaft assemblies can be provided in various specialty configurations, e.g. pediatric insertion tube diameters. Advantageously, the ability to use the same reusable hand-piece for a variety of single-use shaft assemblies and/or procedures can substantially reduce capital investments by clinicians, clinician groups, and/or medical centers by eliminating the need to stock a plurality of dedicated scopes for each type of procedure, e.g. colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, duodenoscope, etc.
Methods of assembling an endoscope assembly, disassembling an endoscope assembly, and/or using an endoscope assembly are envisioned. Such methods can comprise connecting a housing of a reusable hand-piece to a housing of a single-use shaft assembly, wherein the reusable hand-piece has articulation controls and an electronics module and the single-use shaft assembly has an articulation wire actuating assembly and a connector; and wherein the connecting connects the articulation controls to the articulation wire actuating assembly and the electronics module to the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, methods can comprise separating the housing of the reusable hand-piece from the housing of the single-use shaft assembly to separate the articulation controls from the articulation wire actuating assembly and the electronics module from the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. The methods can include providing a portion, or all, of any endoscope assembly described herein.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can increase the quantity of endoscopy procedures that can be performed by a clinician and/or facility in a day by reducing and/or eliminating the time delays associated with existing reusable scopes that must undergo extensive reprocessing procedures (i.e., cleaning) between uses. By using a single-use shaft, it is no longer necessary for the clinician and/or facility to reprocess (i.e., clean) the shaft and lumens of the shaft. Now the clinician and/or facility may simply wipe down the reusable hand-piece and connect a new, sterilized, single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece to prepare the endoscope assembly for another procedure.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can allow a clinician to perform multiple and/or various procedures even without dedicated, reusable scopes and associated reprocessing equipment, supplies, and clean water. This can be particularly advantageous in battlefield settings or remote clinics with limited resources. In these cases, the reprocessing equipment, reprocessing supplies, trained reprocessing personnel, and reprocessing laboratory setting may not be available. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can be prepared for a new procedure by simply using a wipe and antiseptic solution to clean the exterior surfaces of the reusable hand-piece and connecting a new single-use shaft assembly.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece can provide user-familiar-features using higher precision reliable components associated with the articulation knobs and the clutch.
Advantageously, incorporating the articulation handles and clutch into the reusable hand-piece reduces the components of the separable single-use shaft assembly thus resulting in a lower cost single-use portion of the endoscope.
The proximal rigid housing associated with the separable single-use shaft assembly can also include features for managing lumens for tool, irrigation, and aspiration. These features may either secure fabricated connectors or incorporate features for connecting to external devices and tubing. Advantageously, incorporating these lumen and connector features into the proximal rigid housing of the separable single-use shaft can reduce and/or prevent infectious disease transmission by segregating potential bodily fluid contact surfaces to the separable single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece can include a control module, switches, and electrical connector while the single-use shaft assembly can include an optical sensor, optical sensor module, and electrical connector. A set of conductors can transmit both optical and control data back to a console from the assembled endoscope.
Advantageously, the incorporation of an electronics module and switches facilitates transmission of control data while simplifying the components associated with the separable single-use shaft.
Advantageously, the transmission of image data and associated metadata from the assembled endoscope to the console facilitates patient and image data storage and sharing
The reusable hand-piece can include an electronics module (e.g., circuit board) arranged to control at least a portion of support equipment (e.g., one or more pumps and/or valves in support equipment). One or more switches of the re-usable hand-piece can be associated with the electronics module to control the support equipment. Advantageously, such an arrangement can eliminate the need for valves for the irrigation and aspiration lumens to be physically associated with the reusable hand-piece and/or the separable distal shaft assembly.
The arrangements disclosed herein can utilize low cost, miniature high-resolution cameras. Advantageously, the low cost of the components can allow for single-use endoscopes that satisfy cost, dimensional, and resolutions requirements set forth by health care providers and/or insurers.
The single-use shaft assemblies disclosed herein can be intended for one-time-use. Advantageously, a single-use medical device can reduce transmission of infectious diseases.
Applicant has also observed that expertise associated with the assessment of particular diseases and the performance of novel therapeutic procedures has become increasingly concentrated at clinical research institutions or larger healthcare facilities. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can facilitate the dissemination of patient and image data.
The present disclosure further pertains generally to endoscopes. In certain aspects the present disclosure pertains to single-use endoscopes and single-use cartridges attached hereto. The endoscope may include multiple fluid paths and one or more electrical conductors extending to the cartridge. The cartridge, in turn, may connect some or all of the fluid paths and/or one or more electrical conductors to the control console to allow the passage of fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) and/or power and/or data between the endoscope and the control console.
The endoscope may include a first fluid path, a second fluid path, a third fluid path and/or an electrical conductor. The first fluid path, second fluid path, and/or third fluid path may have portions defined by the cartridge. The cartridge can include a housing. The cartridge may further include a first electrical connector associated with the electrical conductor of the endoscope and a second electrical connector and configured to electrically connect the electrical conductor of the endoscope to an electrical conductor of a console.
At one fluid path of the cartridge (e.g., the first fluid path) can include a valve portion. The valve portion can align with a first actuator of the console, and the first actuator be actuatable to selectively close or open the valve portion of the fluid path.
The present disclosure further discloses cartridges having a housing having one or more inner surfaces defining one or more windows. Valve portions of one or more fluid paths may be positioned within the one or more windows. The one or more windows may be configured to receive one or more actuators from the console configured to close and/or open the one or more fluid paths.
The valve portions may include a flexible membrane positioned within a window defined by the housing. The flexible membrane may be tubing walls of a tube defining the one or more fluid paths.
The endoscopic system may utilize a control console to assist in operation of the endoscope. The console may include and/or be connected to a video monitor. The console may further include and/or be connected to a user interface for inputting commands The console can further include and/or be connected to a valve control assembly for receiving the cartridges. The valve control assembly can include a door to secure the cartridge. The door may include a latch that can be inserted into a keeper to provide the cartridge with compression. The compression helps to facilitate the interaction between the electrical connectors of the cartridge and the electrical connector of the console. The latch may be a lever latch.
The endoscope (e.g., the reusable hand-piece and/or the single-use portion) and cartridge can be sterilely sealed within medical packaging, such as a sterile medical tray. Preferably, the endoscope sealed within medical packaging is a single-use shaft assembly portion of an endoscopic system including a reusable hand-piece assembly and a single-use shaft assembly.
In addition to a single fluid path, the endoscopic system may include a second fluid path. The second fluid path may include second valve portion defined by the cartridge. The second valve portion may align with a second actuator of the console actuatable to selectively close and/or open the second valve portion of the second fluid path.
A fluid path of the cartridge (e.g., a third fluid path) may have a main portion and a branch portion. The main portion of the third fluid path of the cartridge can include a third valve portion. The third valve portion can align with a third actuator of the console actuatable to selectively close and/or open the third valve portion.
The branch portion of the fluid path of the cartridge may include a fourth valve portion. The fourth valve portion may align with a fourth actuator of the console actuatable to selectively close and/or open the fourth valve portion.
The endoscopic system may include a fluid path (e.g., a fourth fluid path) having a length extending between the endoscope and the console when the cartridge is connected to the console, the length being free of a valve.
The endoscope of the endoscopic system may include a reusable hand-piece assembly and a single-use shaft assembly, such as any of those disclosed herein. Preferably, the reusable hand-piece assembly may be selectively attachable to and detachable from the single-use shaft assembly. Preferably, the reusable hand-piece assembly supports an articulation control and when the reusable hand-piece assembly is attached to the single-use shaft assembly the articulation control engages a portion of the single-use shaft assembly for manipulation of a distal part of the single-use shaft assembly.
Preferably, at least one fluid path of the endoscope extends continuously from the endoscope to the cartridge to create a continuous fluid path and is free of a flow controlling valve. This continuous fluid path may have a length extending at least from the distal tip of the endoscope to the cartridge.
Fluid paths of the endoscope (e.g., the first fluid path, second fluid path, third fluid path, and/or fourth fluid path) may each be defined by a continuous flexible tubing.
A method of using the endoscopic system may include connecting the cartridge a console. Connecting the cartridge to the console can include connecting an electrical connector of the cartridge with the console to place an electrical conductor of the endoscope in electrical communication with an electrical conductor of the console to allow power and/or data to pass between the console and the endoscope. The connecting may also include positioning one or more valve portions of one or more fluid paths of the endoscope over one or more actuators of the console so the actuators may be selectively actuated to open and/or close the one or more fluid paths. Preferably, the connecting the electrical conductor and positioning the one or more valve portions occur simultaneously.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can reduce the number of separate connections made during setup by a user.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can reduce the number of leak points associated with endoscope lumens.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can reduce cost associated with the cleaning and reused of endoscope systems.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can reduce the risk of exposure to fluids that are a biohazard by replacing and/or eliminating multipart valves.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can allow the tracking and management of single-use endoscopes by the interaction of the console and the control module containing the unique identifier data.
In another example, a doorless cartridge and control valve assembly may be utilized. The control valve assembly may include a ledge surface and a latch. The cartridge may include a ledge surface and a latch receiving portion. In alternate examples, the control valve assembly may include the latch receiving portion and the cartridge may include the latch. When the cartridge is received by the control valve assembly the latch contacts the latch receiving portion to secure the cartridge to the control valve assembly. Separately the ledge surface of the cartridge and the ledge surface of the control valve assembly contact each other to secure and end of the cartridge to the control valve assembly.
The cartridge may further include an anvil similar to the anvil discussed in the control valve assembly with a door example above. The anvil is configured to provide counter force to the actuators when selectively closing fluid paths of the cartridge. In one example, the anvils may be located in the windows defined in the cartridge.
The endoscope assembly may further pertain to a system including a console with multiple control valve assemblies each configured to receive an independent cartridge. Each cartridge may be connected to an endoscope. Each endoscope may be a different type of endoscope. In some examples, a first endoscope is a duodenoscope and a second endoscope is a cholangiopancreatoscope. In some embodiments, the first endoscope may be the primary controller and the second endoscope may be the secondary. In this arrangement, the primary endoscope may control fluid and/or image functions of the secondary endoscope.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements can incorporate one or more medical devices on the console reducing time between procedures for the same patient.
Advantageously, disclosed arrangements allow the addition of multiple endoscopes without additional equipment, carts, or an overall extensive setup.
Advantageously, the use of two control cartridge assemblies on the same console provide the ability to control the fluid and image controls of secondary endoscopes with the primary scope in the operator's hands, reducing the number of endoscopists necessary to complete a procedure.
The endoscope assembly may further pertain to an endoscope including a hand-piece assembly, a shaft assembly and a latch configurable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. The hand-piece assembly having a housing. The shaft assembly having a housing. In the latched configuration the latch latches the housing of the hand-piece assembly to the housing of the shaft assembly. When configuring from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration, the latch applies a separating force to separate the housing of the hand-piece assembly and the housing of the shaft assembly. The hand-piece assembly may be a reusable hand-piece assembly and/or the shaft assembly may be a single-use shaft assembly.
The latch may include a lever and the lever pivots from a first position in the latched configuration to a second position in the unlatched configuration. The latch may include a latching surface and an unlatching surface. In the latched configuration the latching surface retains the housing of the hand piece in proximity to the housing of the shaft assembly. When configuring to the unlatched configuration from the latch configuration the unlatching surface applies the separating force to separate the housings. The latch may further include a seat portion. The latching portion and unlatching portion may be located on opposing sides of the seat portion. The latch may further include a latch pivot. The latching portion and the unlatching portion may be located on opposing sides of the latch pivot. The latch may be located on the reusable hand piece. The latch may be located on the single-use shaft assembly.
Another example of an endoscope may include a hand-piece assembly and a shaft assembly. The hand-piece assembly having a housing. The shaft assembly having a housing. The endoscope may further include a biasing member and a latch The latch may include a latch configurable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. The biasing member may apply a biasing force to bias the housings towards or away from one another. The latch may be configured to apply a force counter to the biasing force to force the housings away from or towards one another. For instance, the biasing member may be configured to bias the housings towards one another and the latch configured to force the housings away from one another when operated. In another instance, the biasing member may be configured to bias the housings away from one another and the latch configured to force the housings towards one another when operated and/or retain the housings together counter to the force of the biasing member. The biasing member may be a spring, a deflectable arm, a magnet, and/or a pressure chamber (e.g., pneumatic piston), just to name a few non-limiting examples.
Additionally disclosed is a latching mechanism for an endoscope having a reusable hand-piece assembly and a single-use shaft assembly including a latch and a latch receiving portion. The latch having a latching portion, an unlatching portion, and a latch handle. The latching mechanism is movable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. The latch handle is movable between a first position and a second position. In the latched configuration the latch receiving portion contacts the latching portion. In the unlatched configuration the latch receiving portion and the latching portion are not in contact. When configuring from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration, the unlatching portion may contact the receiving portion and apply a force separating the assemblies.
Additionally disclosed is a packaging system having at least a disposal bag and a container. The container may include a first portion including a recess for retaining a medical product, wherein the recess is configured to retain the medical product in a sterile environment. The container may further include a second portion configured to support the disposal bag. The second portion may be further configured to support a second bag. The container may further include a medical product box. The disposal bag and the container are both removably positioned within the medical product box prior to use of the medical product. The disposal bag may be configured to retain said medical product after said medical product has been used.
The container may further include a tray. The recess configured to retain the medical product may be defined within the tray. The tray may be fabricated from thermoformed plastic.
The container may further include a cover, and the cover may be configured and/or attachable to the tray to sterilely seal said recess. The container may be made from a recyclable material. The cover may be made from Tyvek®.
The packaging system may further include a label adhered to the cover. The label may include information pertaining to the medical product retained within the recess.
The disposal bag may be attached to the second portion of the container when the disposal bag and the container are positioned within the medical product box. The disposal bag may be detachable from the second portion of the container. The disposal bag may be adhered to the second portion. The second portion may be an exterior surface of the container. The second portion can be an interior surface of said container.
The second bag may be attached to the second portion of the container when the second bag and the container are positioned within the medical product box. The second bag may be detachable from the second portion of the container. The second bag may be adhered to the second portion.
After the medical product in its entirety or the single-use shaft assembly has been used and properly placed within the biohazard disposal bag, the biohazard disposal bag may be detached from the second portion of the packaging system and disposed of in the proper method for biohazardous waste.
After the reusable hand-piece has been placed in the second bag. The second bag may be detached from the second portion of the packaging system. The second bag with the reusable hand-piece inside may be safely transferred for reprocessing. In some examples, the medical professional or someone associated with the medical professional may ship the second bag including the reusable hand-piece back to the manufacturer for reprocessing/cleaning. Once the reprocessing operation is complete, the reusable hand-piece may be shipped back to the medical professional and/or the same practice. In other examples, the reusable hand-piece can be resold to a third party, depending on the agreement between the manufacturer and the original medical professional.
The packaging system may further include a medical product box. The disposal bag and the container are both removably positioned within the medical product box prior to use of the medical product. The second bag and the container are both removably positioned within the medical product box prior to use of the medical product.
The packaging system may further include a shipping box. Multiple medical product boxes may be packed within the shipping box.
The disposal bag may include a perimeter opening. An adhesive for adhering the disposal bag to the second portion of the container may be spaced along at least 20% of the perimeter opening.
The second bag may include a perimeter opening. An adhesive for adhering the second bag to the second portion of the container may be spaced along at least 20% of the perimeter opening.
The medical product may be an endoscope.
In other arrangements disclosed herein, the articulation controls and electronics module that incorporates control switches and navigation switches are mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece, and the articulation wire actuating assembly and connector of the single-use shaft assembly are mounted to the housing of the single-use shaft assembly. Accordingly, separation of the housing of the reusable hand-piece from the housing of the single-use shaft assembly separates the articulation controls from the articulation wire actuating assembly and the electronic control switches and navigation switches from the connector of the single-use shaft assembly.
The preferred embodiment may include an electronics module that includes a plurality of switches mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece that is in electrical communication with the wire harness associated with the single-use shaft assembly via an electrical connector. The plurality of switches mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece that is in electrical communication with the wire harness associated with the single-use shaft assembly via an electrical connector. The electronics module of this embodiment may further incorporate a microprocessor to minimize the number of connectors required to communicate the specific switch or combination of switches that are depressed by the user.
In another embodiment of the endoscope, the reusable hand-piece incorporates an electronics module, switches, and electrical connector while the single-use shaft assembly incorporates an optical sensor, optical sensor module, and electrical connector; wherein, a set of conductors transmits both optical and control data back to a console from the assembled endoscope.
Advantageously, the incorporation of an electronics module and switches facilitates transmission of control data while simplifying the components associated with the separable single-use shaft.
The reusable hand-piece can include a circuit board (electronics module) arranged to control at least a portion of support equipment (e.g., one or more pumps and/or valves in support equipment). One or more switches of the re-usable hand-piece can be associated with the electronics module to control the support equipment.
Advantageously, such an arrangement can eliminate the need for valves for the irrigation and aspiration lumens to be physically associated with the reusable hand-piece and/or the separable distal shaft assembly.
The switches associated with the reusable hand-piece circuit board (electronics module) can include two electrical switches actuated by discreet buttons for programmable functions at the top of the reusable hand-piece. At least one of the switches (e.g., the 2nd switch from the bottom) may activate a remote suction valve. At least one of the switches (e.g., a first switch associated with the bottom button) may initiate an insufflation function via remote valve operation. At least one of the switches (e.g., a second switch associated with the bottom button) initiates a camera flush function via remote valve operation. One or more of the switches can be actuated when an operator places a finger on an exterior molded gasket covering the button. One or more of the switches can be actuated when an operator fully depresses the button.
Advantageously, the use of remote valves associated with the single-use shaft cartridge eliminates the cleaning requirements and potential contamination associated with the mechanical valves associated with the state of the art for scopes.
Current state of the art endoscopes have a vent hole located on top of the valve button which, when covered by a user's finger, provides insufflation Advantageously, a capacitive switch can provide the same user experience associated with current state of the art endoscopes with both simply requiring a finger placed on the top of the button to initiate insufflation; however, the capacitive insufflation switch eliminates cleaning requirements and potential contamination associated with the mechanical valves associated with the state of the art scopes.
The endoscope assembly can include a coupler that holds the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly together in the assembled configuration. The coupler can include a first portion on the reusable hand-piece and a second portion on the single-use shaft assembly, wherein the first and second portions of the coupler cooperate to hold the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly together in the assembled configuration.
The articulation controls of the reusable hand-piece can include articulation knobs. The articulation knobs can be arranged to receive articulation input from the user (e.g., in the form of rotational movement). The articulation knobs can be in communication with pulleys/cams of the separable single-use shaft to actuate control wires of the single-use shaft assembly. The user controlled articulation knobs can include two knobs having and/or rigidly is attached to concentric drive shafts.
The concentric drive shafts each have a pulley/cam engaging portion. This portion may have a non-circular cross-sectional geometric shape to aid in transmitting torque. This geometric shape can include, but is not limited to, oval, spline, square, or star, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
Advantageously, the concentric shaft drive configuration disclosed herein permits attachment of the single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece without the need to orient the articulation knobs or the distal articulating tip to obtain a neutral reference position. Regardless of the orientation of the single-use shaft assembly (coiled or straight) at the time of attachment, the articulation knobs will freely rotate while the distal shaft (insertion tube) is manipulated prior to use by the clinician.
The single-use shaft assembly can include a one or more pulleys/cams contained within a rigid housing. For example, the single-use shaft assembly may have a proximal rigid housing having a surface that supports and positions the pulleys/cams of the single-use shaft assembly to receive the pulleys/cams engaging portions of the drive shafts.
Each pulley/cam contained within the proximal rigid housing associated with the separable single-use shaft may be connected to a pair of opposing articulation wires. Each articulation wire can be rigidly fixed to the pulley/cam and on the other end to the distal tip of the articulating section of the shaft. Rotation of the pulley/cam, such as by means of a user input torque applied to the corresponding knob, results in a tensile force applied to the articulating distal section.
A preferred embodiment utilizes two pulleys/cams, each associated with a pair of articulation wires. Each pair of articulation wires provides means for articulating the distal shaft section in a single plane. Two pairs of articulation wires provide distal shaft articulation in two different planes that are perpendicular to one another, with a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft portion passing through the intersection of the planes.
The mating features of the concentric drive shafts associated with the reusable hand-piece and the mating features of the pulleys/cams associated with the separable, single-use shaft assembly are suitable for transmitting force in the form of torque applied to the articulation knobs to tensile force in the articulation wire(s) and corresponding movement of the distal shaft articulating section.
A portion of the drive shafts, such as the pulley/cam engaging portions, may be tapered along a length of the drive shafts. For example, the drive shaft may have a portion taper from small to large in a direction towards the articulation knob. Advantageously, such an arrangement can aid in mating the drive shafts with the pinions of the single-use shaft assembly when the reusable hand-piece is coupled to the single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece can include a brake that applies an adjustable level of rotational resistance to the articulation control (e.g., articulation control knobs). A separate brake mechanism exists for each articulation control knob and its associated articulation wire(s) for applications where at least two plane articulation is required. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) have been consolidated within the envelope defined by the knobs, thereby creating space within the reusable hand-piece housing for the single-use shaft assembly. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) do not utilize a fixed method for applying force against the friction surfaces and/or brake material, such as rotation of a threaded shaft.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece of the endoscope assembly can remain entirely outside of the body of a patient during an endoscopic procedure while the single-use shaft assembly has a portion positioned within the body of the patient during the endoscopic procedure. Accordingly, the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly can be separated from one another after the procedure and the single-use hand-piece discarded (or reprocessed). As there are no fluid lumens of the reusable hand-piece that must be cleaned and sterilized, the cleaning (aka “reprocessing”) effort between procedures is dramatically reduced. Additionally, as no portion of the reusable hand-piece, which is used for multiple patients, is inserted into the patient, the risk of infectious disease transmission can be dramatically reduced.
Single-use shaft assemblies can be arranged and/or provided in a variety of configurations to support upper and lower endoscopies. For example, single-use shaft assemblies may be arranged for colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, and/or duodenoscope procedures, just to name a few non-limiting examples. Additionally or alternatively, single-use shaft assemblies can be provided in various specialty configurations, e.g. pediatric insertion tube diameters. Advantageously, the ability to use the same reusable hand-piece for a variety of single-use shaft assemblies and/or procedures can substantially reduce capital investments by clinicians, clinician groups, and/or medical centers by eliminating the need to stock a plurality of dedicated scopes for each type of procedure, e.g. colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, duodenoscope, etc.
Methods of assembling an endoscope assembly, disassembling an endoscope assembly, and/or using an endoscope assembly are envisioned. Such methods can comprise connecting a housing of a reusable hand-piece to a housing of a single-use shaft assembly, wherein said reusable hand-piece has articulation controls and an electronics module and said single-use shaft assembly has an articulation wire actuating assembly and a connector; and wherein said connecting connects the articulation controls to the articulation wire actuating assembly and the control module to the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, methods can comprise separating the housing of the reusable hand-piece from the housing of the single-use shaft assembly to separate the articulation controls from the articulation wire actuating assembly and the control module from the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. The methods can include providing a portion, or all, of any endoscope assembly described herein.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can increase the quantity of endoscopy procedures that can be performed by a clinician and/or facility in a day by reducing and/or eliminating the time delays associated with existing reusable scopes that must undergo extensive reprocessing procedures (i.e., cleaning) between use. By using a single-use shaft, it is no longer necessary for the clinician and/or facility to reprocess (i.e., clean) the shaft and lumens of the shaft. Now the clinician and/or facility may simply wipe down the reusable hand-piece and/or sterilize it as disclosed herein and connect a new, sterilized, single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece to prepare the endoscope assembly for another procedure.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can allow a clinician to perform multiple and/or various procedures even without dedicated, reusable scopes and associated reprocessing equipment, supplies, and clean water. This can be particularly advantageous in battlefield settings or remote clinics with limited resources. In these cases, the reprocessing equipment, reprocessing supplies, trained reprocessing personnel, and reprocessing laboratory setting may not be available. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can be prepared for a new procedure by simply using a wipe and antiseptic solution to clean the exterior surfaces of the reusable hand-piece and connecting a new single-use shaft assembly.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece can provide user-familiar-features using higher precision reliable components associated with the articulation knobs and the brake.
Advantageously, incorporating the articulation handles and clutch into the reusable hand-piece reduces the components of the separable single-use shaft assembly thus resulting in a lower cost single-use portion of the endoscope.
The single-use shaft assemblies disclosed herein can be intended for one-time-use. Advantageously, a single-use medical device can reduce transmission of infectious diseases.
Advantageously, the preferred embodiment illustrated incorporates a series of three or more torque transmission bosses with symmetric alignment ramps that facilitate alignment of the articulation shafts with the articulation pulleys when the single-use shaft assembly is attached to the reusable hand-piece. These symmetric alignment ramps may be generated by a helical sweeping cut or by a linear angle cut, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
Applicant has also observed that expertise associated with the assessment of particular diseases and the performance of novel therapeutic procedures has become increasingly concentrated at clinical research institutions or larger healthcare facilities. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can facilitate the dissemination of patient and image data.
Disposable flexible endoscope shafts of the present disclosure comprise a proximal portion having an insertion tube assembly and a distal portion having an articulating section assembly.
Insertion tube assemblies disclosed herein include an outer coil. Positioned within the outer coil are a plurality of compression coils. The compression coils may be arranged to increase the column strength of the outer coil along a longitudinal direction. The compression coils can be helically wound metal wires and/or spiral cut cannulas that provide for lateral flexibility. A articulation wires can be slidably positioned within lumens defined by the compression coils.
The insertion tube assembly can include a sleeve (e.g., braided sleeve) positioned around the outer coil. The sleeve preferably provides torsional strength to the insertion tube assembly. The braided sleeve can include a metal braid and/or plastic braids such as PET.
The insertion tube assembly may comprise an outer sheath positioned around the sleeve. The outer sheath may be applied as a reflowed tube or by an extruder. The outer sheath can bond to the sleeve and/or to the outer coil through apertures of the sleeve.
The articulating section assembly may comprise an articulating section having a plurality of hinges. Each hinge provides rotation around a pivot axis. The pivot axes of hinges can extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the articulating section. Additionally, the pivot axis of one or more of the hinges can be in a different plane than the pivot axis of one or more other hinges. For example, the pivot axes of hinges can be in alternatively located in planes perpendicular to one another when the articulating section is in a straight (e.g., unbent) configuration. Advantageously, such an arrangement can provide an articulating element capable of articulating the distal tip/camera in three dimensions.
One or more hinges of the articulating section can be living hinges. In some instances, the articulating section is a unitary articulating section form. The unitary articulating section can be formed from a single piece of material. The unitary articulating section structure can be fabricated using injection molding or additive material fabrication techniques. Alternatively, the unitary articulating section can be formed by extruding a cylinder and cutting the cylinder tube with a knife, laser, milling tool, water jet, or other material removal mechanism to form the living hinges. As will be appreciated, the bending and torque fidelity characteristics of the articulating section can be configured by configuring the angles of the cuts/recesses that define the hinges and/or the distance between adjacent hinges.
In another arrangement, the articulating section structure may comprise a plurality of discrete links that, when assembled, define a plurality of concentric tab and socket pivot joints that function as a hinge. As mentioned above, each hinge (e.g., tab and socket pivot joint) can provide for rotation around a pivot axis in a single plane. Moreover, the plurality of concentric tab and socket joints can be alternatingly located in two perpendicular planes when the central axis of all links are aligned so as to provide the articulating section with multiple degrees of freedom.
An outer sheath can be positioned around the articulating section to prevent contaminants from entering the one or more hinges and/or lumens defined by the articulating section. The articulating section can include a distal cap defining an air/water nozzle, an instrument tube outlet, a camera outlet, and/or an LED outlet.
The insertion tube assembly and articulating section can be bonded together (e.g., heat or friction welding, adhesive, etc) and/or attached together with mating features on the contacting surface (e.g., threads) or with a transition tube, as shown in an illustrated embodiment. The mid-plane of the transition tube can be located at the transition between the insertion tube assembly and the articulating section, and the transition tube can be bonded (e.g., swaged or adhered with adhesive) onto both the insertion tube assembly and the distal articulating section to form a secure attachment. The transition tube can be deformable to allow deflection of the flexible endoscope shaft at the transition.
The insertion tube assemblies disclosed herein can be manufactured using a continuous (e.g., reel-to-reel) manufacturing process. The braided sleeve can be applied around the outer coil during the continuous manufacturing process. Additionally, the outer sheath can be applied during the continuous manufacturing process. For example, the assembly of the outer coil and surrounding braided sleeve can pass through one or more extrusion heads during the continuous manufacturing process to apply the outer sheath to the portion of the insertion tube assembly. Such a process can create a smooth outer sheath that is integrally bonded to the outer coil and/or braided sleeve. The outer sheath may have a varying durometer along a length of the shaft.
After positioning of the outer sheath around the assembly, the shaft may be cut to the desired length and compression coils and/or articulation wires inserted into an interior of the outer coil.
Advantageously, providing continuous manufacturing of an insertion tube assembly can reduce the cost of manufacturing the endoscope shaft assembly and increase production speed. Accordingly, in certain aspects, the present disclosure provides a low-cost, flexible endoscope shaft and method of manufacturing same. As the insertion tube assembly can be manufactured continuously, desired lengths of insertion tube assembly, or a portion thereof, can be cut to length after the outer sheath extrusion process or cut from a finish goods reel. Advantageously, continuous techniques for fabricating the insertion tube (e.g., reel-to-reel techniques) avoid braiding and coating the insertion tube in discrete sections using labor intensive processes.
As will be appreciated, the insertion tube assemblies disclosed can provide containment of wiring, tubes, and actuation wires of the endoscope shaft while having torsional and compressive strength sufficient to advance the articulating section assembly through tortuous vessels of a patient.
Further disclosed are articulating joints that comprise an articulating section assembly, one or more breakaway struts, a proximal link containing compression coil cavities and fingers that engage the interior of an insertion tube, and a distal link with keyed features that engage a distal cap.
The articulating joint assemblies disclosed herein can comprise a central core with lumens for, but not limited to use for, instrument tubes, air tubes, water tubes, camera wire harness, LED wire harness, compression coils, steering wires, or any combination thereof. One or more of the lumens can be positioned entirely within the periphery of the central core and/or having a closed circumference.
The articulating joint assemblies can comprise a proximal link, a plurality of links, and a distal link. Through the length of the articulating joint are channels in each link for steering wires (e.g., articulation wires) to pass.
The proximal link can comprise compression coil cavities and fingers that engage the interior of an insertion tube for connection with a shaft. Additionally, the anterior end of the proximal link can comprise a means of interfacing with the posterior link in the plurality of links which allows for articulation between the links.
The articulating section assembly can comprise a series of one or more links of the same diameter having an anterior and posterior face. The posterior face interfaces with the anterior face of the preceding link. Each means of interfacing preferably allows the individual links in the articulating section assembly to articulate.
The articulating section assembly can comprise an articulating section having a plurality of hinges. Each hinge provides rotation around a pivot axis. The pivot axes of hinges can extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of the articulating section. Additionally, the pivot axis of one or more of the hinges can be in a different plane than the pivot axis of one or more other hinges. For example, the pivot axes of hinges can be in alternatively located in planes perpendicular to one another when the articulating section is in a straight (e.g., unbent) configuration. Advantageously, such an arrangement can provide an articulating element capable of articulating the distal tip/camera in three dimensions.
One or more hinges of the articulating section can be living hinges. In some instances, the articulating section is a unitary articulating section form. The unitary, articulating section can be formed from a single piece of material. The unitary articulating section structure can be fabricated using injection molding or additive material fabrication techniques. Alternatively, the unitary articulating section can be formed by extruding a cylinder and cutting the cylinder tube with a knife, laser, milling tool, water jet, or other material removal mechanism to form the living hinges. As will be appreciated, the bending and torque fidelity characteristics of the articulating section can be configured by configuring the angles of the cuts/recesses that define the hinges and/or the distance between adjacent hinges.
In another arrangement, the articulating section structure can comprise a plurality of discrete links that, when assembled, define a plurality of concentric tab and socket pivot joints that function as a hinge. As mentioned above, each hinge (e.g., tab and socket pivot join) can provide for rotation around a pivot axis in a single plane. Moreover, the plurality of concentric tab and socket joints can be alternatingly located in two or more planes (e.g., perpendicular planes) when the central axis of all links are aligned so as to provide the articulating section with multiple degrees of freedom.
The proximal link can comprise a posterior face with one or more recess for capturing the compression coils that engage the proximal link and resist the steering wire pull force, an anterior face with a means of interfacing the plurality of links, and a cylindrical shape.
The distal link can comprise an anterior face with keyed features that engage a distal cap, a posterior face with a means of interfacing the plurality of links, and a cylindrical shape. The posterior face can comprise a means of interfacing with the anterior face of the anterior link of the plurality of links and allows for articulation between the links.
The articulating join assembly can include one or more looped steering wires (e.g., a pair of looped steering wires) which negate the need for steering wire (e.g., articulation wire) termination in the distal link, where space is limited.
A single looped steering wire for single plane steering may have segments retained by features in the distal link 180 degrees apart, with the radial bend of the loop being retained by one or more feature in the distal cap thus maintaining an open lumen for passage of internal tubes and control wires. The looped steering wire may be secured to the distal link utilizing either adhesive and/or mechanical means.
Two looped steering wires for two plane steering may have each looped wire retained by features either 90 or 180 degrees apart, with the radial bend of each steering wire being retained by one or more features that maintain an open lumen for passage of internal tubes and control wires. The looped steering wires may be secured to the distal link utilizing either adhesive and/or mechanical means. When fully assembled, the pair of looped steering wires may provide four discrete wire terminations at the proximal end to apply a steering pull force on the distal link.
The plurality of links may be molded or fabricated utilizing an additive manufacturing process. Manufacturing processes may facilitate the addition of support struts that maintain spacing between and alignment of the links to facilitate insertion of steering wires into steering wire lumens and tubing and/or wiring within the central lumen. The struts may ensure the correct number and types of links are used when assembling the articulating section. When assembled, the struts may be broken away from the links at attachment points, thus allowing the plurality of links to articulate.
One or more breakaway struts may be positioned laterally along the length of the plurality of links, attaching to each link individually, facilitating the ease of alignment of control cables, tools, and internal tubes through the lumens of the articulating joint for use with the medical device.
One or more breakaway struts may be positioned laterally along the length of the proximal link, the plurality of links, and the distal links, attaching to each link by one or more connection points, facilitating the ease of alignment of control cables, tools, and internal tubes through the lumens of the articulating joint.
Any of the inventive aspects and embodiments discussed herein may be used independently or in combination with each other. Other aspects, objectives, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
The present disclosure provides an endoscope assembly comprising a reusable hand-piece and a single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece 200 is selectively attachable and detachable from the single-use shaft assembly 400 such that the reusable hand-piece may be used serially with a number of single-use shaft assemblies while the single-use shaft assembly can be discarded after a single use. The reusable hand-piece and/or single-use shaft assemblies may include a lock for selectively locking the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly to one another. A latch handle 3001 (e.g., a lever) for actuating the latching mechanism connecting the reusable hand-piece to the single-use shaft assembly may be positioned on the reusable hand-piece and/or the single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece can include a hand-piece housing 210 supporting an articulation knob and brake assembly 300; control switches 202 for operating light(s), such as light emitting diodes, and/or flush and/or aspiration fluid paths; one or more navigation switches 203 for controlling a console communicating with the endoscope assembly; and/or an electrical connector 204 for electrically coupling the reusable hand-piece to the single-use shaft assembly.
The single-use shaft assembly can include a insertion tube 401 for insertion within the body of a patient, a tubing and electrical connector 402 connected to a console, an access port 403 for selectively accessing a lumen of the single-use shaft assembly (e.g., for taking a sample such as a biopsy) and/or for delivering a fluid through a lumen of the single-use shaft assembly, and/or an electrical connector 404 for electrically coupling the single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece.
A tubing and/or electrical connector 402, sometimes referred to as an “umbilical”, extends from the endoscope assembly to a console suitable for use with the endoscope assembly. The tubing and/or electrical connector can extend from the single-use shaft assembly and/or from the reusable hand-piece.
A console (shown, for example, in
The single-use shaft assembly can include one or more pulley assemblies and/or rack and pinion assemblies, such as those shown in
Associated with the at least one pulley is an articulation wire or a pair of articulation wires 507 (e.g., two separate wires or one continuous wire looped over the pulley and having wire segments extending from opposing sides of the pulley) configured to bend a distal shaft section of the single-use shaft assembly upon actuation. The articulation wires may be fixed (e.g., tied or fixed by anchors 456) to the pulley and/or extend around at least a portion of the pulley (e.g., loop around the pulley). Preferably, the one or more pulley assemblies include two pulleys (one for each articulation shaft) and articulation wires (at least one for each pulley). Preferably the articulation wires are configured to bend the distal shaft section in orthogonal planes.
The one or more pulleys and associated one or more articulation wires may be contained within a pulley housing comprising a first housing portion 460 and a second housing portion 464. Such housing portions may cooperate to enclose the pulley and associated articulation wire(s). Preferably the housing portions resist the articulation wire(s) from separating from the pulley(s). The pulley housing can defines openings 470 for receiving articulation shafts and/or a brake shaft of the articulation control assembly.
Turning to
In addition to the articulation racks and articulation pinions described above, the rack assembly may include an articulation coil termination block 505 that receives one or more articulation coils 506 wrapping around respective articulation pull wires 507 connected to the articulation racks 502. The articulation pull wires can be attached to the articulation racks by articulation pull wire adhesive 508 and/or an articulation pull wire crimp tube 509. The rack assembly/assemblies may include a housing 501 arranged to retain the racks and pinion and limit the racks to translational movement.
When the reusable hand-piece is attached to the single-use shaft assembly, the articulation knob and brake assembly of the reusable hand-piece engages the rack assembly of the single-use shaft assembly such that rotation of one or more knobs of the articulation knob and brake assembly actuates one or more components to the rack assembly. For example, the articulation knob and brake assembly may engage pinions of the rack assembly such that rotation of one or more knobs of the articulation knob and brake assembly rotates one or more articulation pinions of the rack assembly to actuate one or more articulation racks and articulation wires of the single-use shaft assembly.
With exemplary reference now to
When the reusable hand-piece is coupled to the single-use shaft assembly, actuation of the up-down articulation brake lever 305 engages the up-down articulation brake 330 that resists rotation of the up-down articulation knob relative to a portion of the endoscope assembly, such as the housing 210 of the reusable hand-piece. Actuation of the left-right articulation brake knob 319 engages the left-right articulation brake 340 that resists rotation of the left-right articulation knob relative to a portion of endoscope assembly, such as a housing 440 of the single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly may be configured to mate with one another. For example, the reusable hand-piece assembly may define a recess 220 arranged to receive a portion of the single-use shaft assembly, or vice versa. In many embodiments, the recess of the reusable hand-piece assembly arranged to receive a portion of the single-use shaft assembly will be on a side of the reusable hand-piece assembly opposing the side having the knobs of the articulation knob and brake assembly. One of the reusable hand-piece assembly or the single-use shaft assembly may surround at least a portion of the other, partially and/or completely, on two or more opposing sides.
A portion of the single-use shaft assembly may be receivable in the reusable hand-piece, or vice versa, along a direction parallel-to or transverse to a longitudinal axis of the reusable hand-piece or single-use shaft assembly. For example, the reusable hand-piece may receive the single-use shaft assembly along a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis 250 of the reusable hand-piece. In many instances, when joining the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly to one another, the single-use shaft assembly will move, relative to the reusable hand-piece, along a direction parallel to a rotation axis 350 of the articulation knob and brake assembly.
When the reusable hand-piece assembly is attached to the single-use shaft assembly, the articulation knob and brake assembly cooperates with the single-use shaft assembly to articulate a distal segment of the single-use shaft assembly and/or resist rotation of one or more articulation knobs relative to the endoscope assembly. For example, as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein, one or more articulation shafts 302, 303 and/or brake shafts 301 of the articulation knob and brake assembly may engage the rack assembly and/or housing of the single-use shaft assembly. As illustrated in
As shown in
Turning back now to
Connected to the articulation brake inner housing 307 is the up-down articulation brake lever 305. Extending through the up-down articulation brake lever 305 is an up-down articulation hub 304 and an up-down articulation shaft 303. The up-down articulation hub 304, which is positioned within the articulation brake inner housing 307, supports the articulation brake position detent 308 and the up-down articulation brake caliper 310. Rotation of the up-down articulation hub 304 is fixed relative to the housing 210 of the reusable hand-piece 200 which, in turn, fixes rotation of the articulation brake position detent 308 and the up-down articulation brake caliper 310 relative to the housing of the reusable hand-piece as well.
Upon rotation of the up-down articulation brake lever 305 relative to the up-down articulation hub 304, the articulation brake inner housing 307 rotates relative to the articulation brake position detent 308 and the up-down articulation brake caliper 310. Upon rotation in a first direction, pins (318) extending from the up-down articulation brake inner housing 307 towards the up-down articulation brake caliper 310 engage angled surfaces 360 of the up-down articulation brake caliper to axially move the articulation brake caliper 310 towards the articulation brake spring 309 to compress the articulation brake spring 309. Upon rotation in a second direction, the pins (move angled surface 360 to allow the articulation brake spring 309 to force the up-down articulation brake caliper 310 towards the articulation brake friction disc 311 and the up-down articulation brake outer housing 312 to compresses the articulation brake friction disc 311 between the up-down articulation brake caliper 310 and the up-down articulation brake outer housing 312. This contact between the stationary (relative to the reusable hand-piece) up-down articulation brake caliper 310, the articulation brake friction disc 311, and the up-down articulation brake outer housing 312 results in resistance of the up-down articulation knob 313, which is supported by the up-down articulation brake outer housing 312, rotating relative to the reusable hand-piece 200.
As rotation of the up-down articulation brake position detent 308 is fixed relative to the housing of the reusable hand-piece via the up-down articulation brake hub 304, rotation of the articulation brake inner housing 307 relative to the housing also rotates the articulation brake inner housing 307 relative to the up-down articulation brake position detent 308. The up-down articulation brake position detent 308 may be arranged to retain the up-down articulation brake inner housing 307 in one or more positions. For example, the detent may retain the up-down articulation brake inner housing in a first position in which braking resistance is applied via up-down articulation brake friction disc interaction between the up-down articulation brake caliper and the up-down articulation brake outer housing and/or in a second position one in which braking resistance is not applied. The brake inner housing and/or detent may be arranged for retaining the up-down articulation brake inner housing in any of a plurality of positions to provide an adjustable level of rotational resistance to the articulation control (e.g., articulation control knobs).
Extending through the center of the up-down articulation brake hub is an up-down articulation shaft 303. The up-down articulation shaft 303 has a first end 370 rotationally fixed relative to the up-down articulation brake outer housing. A second end 372 of the up-down articulation shaft 303 communicates with the rack assembly of the single-use shaft assembly. For example, the second end of the up-down articulation shaft may be attached to the up-down articulation pulley/pinion such that rotation of the up-down articulation shaft rotates the up-down articulation pulley/pinion. In this way, rotation of the up-down articulation knob rotates the up-down articulation brake outer housing which rotates the up-down articulation shaft which rotates the up-down articulation pulley/pinion which actuates the up-down articulation wire(s).
Regarding left-right articulation, the structure and operation of the left-right articulation knob and brake assembly is the same as the up-down articulation knob and brake assembly with the exception that rotation of the left-right articulation brake hub 317 is fixed relative to the housing 440 of the single-use shaft assembly and that such rotation is fixed via a left-right articulation brake shaft 301 extending through the left-right articulation shaft 302. Similar to the up-down articulation knob and brake assembly, the left-right articulation knob 314 is supported by a left-right articulation brake outer housing 315 which contains an articulation brake friction disc 311, a left-right articulation brake caliper 316, an articulation brake spring 309, an articulation brake position detent 308 and an articulation brake inner housing 307.
Extending through the left-right articulation brake knob 314 and the left right articulation brake outer housing 315 is the left-right articulation shaft 302. The left-right articulation shaft 302 has a first end 380 rotationally fixed relative to the left-right to articulation brake outer housing 315 and a second end 382 engaging the pulley/pinion assembly of the single-use shaft assembly (e.g., the second end rotationally fixed to the left-right articulation pinion of the rack assembly) such that rotation of the left-right articulation brake knob rotates the left-right articulation brake outer housing which rotates the left-right articulation brake shaft which in turn rotates the left-right articulation pulley/pinion which in is turn translates the left-right articulation wire(s).
The left-right articulation brake shaft 301, which extends through the left-right articulation shaft 302, has a first end 390 rotationally fixed to left-right articulation brake hub and a second end 392 rotationally fixed relative to the housing of the single-use shaft assembly when the reusable hand-piece assembly is attached to the single-use shaft assembly. Similar to the operation of the up-down articulation knob and brake assembly, rotation of the articulation brake inner housing relative to the left-right articulation brake caliper moves the left-right articulation brake caliper towards or away from the left-right articulation brake outer housing and the brake friction disc positioned therebetween. The left-right articulation brake knob 319 is rotationally fixed to the left-right articulation brake inner housing 307 such that rotation of the left-right articulation brake knob rotates the left-right articulation brake inner housing relative to the left-right articulation brake hub 317, the left-right articulation brake caliper 316, and the left-right articulation brake position detent 308. Accordingly upon engagement of the left-right articulation brake, the left-right articulation brake caliper and brake friction disc resist rotation of the left-right articulation brake outer housing and left-right articulation knob relative to the left-right articulation brake shaft and the single-use shaft assembly.
The second end of the left-right articulation brake shaft may be arranged to slidably engage with the housing of the single-use shaft assembly and rotationally fix the left-right articulation brake shaft relative thereto. Positioned circumferentially around the left-right articulation brake shaft is the left-right articulation shaft with its second end arranged to engage the left-right articulation pulley/pinion cooperating with the left-right articulation wire(s). And, positioned circumferentially around the left-right articulation shaft is the up-down articulation shaft having its second end arranged to engage the up-down articulation pulley/pinion associated with the up-down articulation wire(s).
As shown in
With reference now to
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The up-down articulation brake inner housing may have detent recesses or protrusions to engage one or more protrusions or recesses of the up-down articulation brake position detent. Such an arrangement may provide securement of the up-down articulation brake lever in one or more positions and/or provide a tactile and/or audible indication of the up-down articulation brake entering and/or leaving the one or more configurations or positions.
The left-right articulation knob and brake assembly work in a similar fashion to the up-down articulation knob and brake assembly with the exception of the left-right articulation brake hub being rotatably secured relative to the housing of the endoscope assembly by a left-right articulation brake shaft extending centrally through the left-right articulation shaft and the up-down articulation shaft.
With reference to
Turning now to
Turning to the single-use shaft assembly, the single-use shaft assembly includes a corresponding electrical connector 404 configured to electrically connect the single-use shaft assembly with the reusable hand-piece when the two are attached. The electrical connector of the single-use shaft assembly can communicate with an optical sensor module 408, an optical sensor 409, and/or an LED 410 via conductors 411 of the single-use shaft assembly. The single-use shaft assembly may include conductors extending to the console (e.g., through the umbilical 402), such as to transmit images and/or control data to the console.
Turning now to
The present disclosure further provides a system comprising an endoscope assembly, a cartridge 1200 and a console 1000. The Figure A series for
The cartridge 1200 may be connected to support equipment. The support equipment may include an irrigation pump, an insufflator, and/or a vacuum pump (e.g., stand-alone or central). The cartridge may be positioned between the endoscope and the support equipment.
Turning to
The console 1000 may include a control valve assembly 1100 for receiving and actuating upon a cartridge. The console 1000 may provide electrical power, fluids and/or fluid pressure, vacuum pressure, and/or send and/or receive electrical signals with the endoscope assembly. The console 1000 may include a monitor (not shown) for visualizing signals received from the endoscope assembly such as a video feed from a camera at the distal end of the single-use shaft assembly.
With reference to
The control valve assembly door 1110 may include a first surface 1112, a second surface 1114 and a side surface 1116. The first surface of the door can include a set of anvils 1118 for providing counter force to the actuators 1130 when selectively closing fluid paths of the cartridge 1200. In one embodiment, the first surface 1112 of the door includes four anvils 1118.
The door 1110 may include a latch 1120 capable of engaging a keeper 1124 of the control valve assembly. The latch may be a lever latch. When a cartridge 1200 is retained in position on the control valve assembly 1100 with the door 1110 and the latch 1120 is securing the door 1110 in a closed position, the door 1110 may provide compressive force on the cartridge. Advantageously, such compressive force may ensure electric spring fingers of an electric connector of the cartridge and/or electrical spring fingers of an electric connector 1144 of the control valve assembly engage with electrical contacts of the other to provide electrical communication between an electrical conductor of the endoscope and/or cartridge and electrical conductor of the console.
The door 1110 can be attached to the first surface of the support structure using a mechanical bearing 1128, such as a hinge capable of rotating the door between an open and closed configuration.
The actuator 1130 may be a linear actuator or rotational actuator. The actuator may be a solenoid. Although as few as one actuator is appreciated by the applicant, in preferred embodiments the control valve assembly includes four actuators. The actuators are arranged to actuate valve portions of fluid paths in the cartridge to selectively open and/or close the fluid paths.
The valve portions of the fluid paths may comprise any acceptable valve. For example, the valve portion may comprise a petcock. The valve portion may also comprise a portion of tubing arranged for compression (e.g., a pinch valve) between the anvil on the first surface of the door and the actuator (e.g., solenoid) of the control valve assembly. The valve portions may serve as a valve for any number of fluid functions of the endoscope, such as a suction valve associated with actuator 1132, a camera flush valve associated with actuator 1134, an insufflation valve associated with actuator 1136, and/or an insufflation vent valve associated with actuator 1138.
The actuators 1130 of the control valve assembly include electrical connectors 1140 to be received by the console and electrically connect the actuators to the console 1000. When connected to the console 1000, the console 1000 can provide electrical power and user inputted commands to the actuator 1130 to open and/or close the fluid pathways of the cartridge 1200.
The first surface 1152 of the support structure 1150 includes the keeper 1124 described above for receiving the latch 1120 and securing a cartridge 1200 to the control valve assembly 1100 with the door 1110. The latch assembly may be used to ensure that the cartridge is inserted in the correct configuration.
The cartridge 1200 may include an identifier readable and/or writable by the control valve assembly. The identifier may include information regarding the type of cartridge and/or usage information (e.g., whether the cartridge has been used before). Preferably, the control valve assembly is configured to read and process the identifier of the cartridge (e.g., to determine the type of cartridge and/or whether the cartridge has been used previously). The identifier may be readable and/or writable through an/the electrical connector of the cartridge and/or through other means (e.g., RFID, optics, and/or mechanical contact).
The first surface 1152 of the support structure 1150 may include the electrical connector 1144 for forming electrical connections to the electrical connector of the cartridge. The electrical connection between the control valve assembly of the console and the cartridge may allow the console to receive images and control data (valve/actuator and/or image data) passed from the endoscope through the cartridge to the console. The electrical connection may allow the console to supply power to the light-emitting diode (LED) of the endoscope assembly.
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The cartridge 1200 has a housing 1210. The housing 1210 can include a first side 1212 and a second side 1214, as well as a top side 1216 and bottom side 1218. The housing 1210 further comprises a first fluid side 1220 and a second fluid side 1224 allowing for fluid to travel in and out of the cartridge housing. The housing 1210 may define one or more fluid pathways, fluid connector, and/or electrical connectors. For example, cartridge housing can include electrical connector 1244 in electrical communication with an electrical conductor of the endoscope and optionally an optical sensor module 1246 that contains optical sensor calibration data or a unique identifier for the endoscope. The housing 1210 may also include a removal tab 1260 for easy removal of the cartridge 1200 from the control valve assembly 1110 after a single use.
The housing may include a first fluid path 1232, a second fluid path 1234, a third fluid path 1236 and a fourth fluid path 1238. The fourth fluid path 1238 can comprise a main portion 1238a extending from the first fluid side 1220 to the second fluid side 1224 of the cartridge housing 1210 and a branch portion 1238b for venting out of the bottom side 1218 of the cartridge. A fluid path's cross-section may be larger than the other fluid path cross-sections. The fluid paths can generally form a U-shape in the cartridge housing. The first, second, third, and fourth fluid paths preferably are not be in fluid communication with each other within the cartridge.
The housing may define windows 1270a-d. In one embodiment, the housing includes four windows. The windows may be defined by inner surfaces of the housing. The inner surface may create a generally circular opening in the housing. The circumference of one window may be larger than the other windows to receive a larger fluid path cross section.
The windows 1270a-d can be configured to receive an actuator from the console into a chamber 1272 defined by the inner surface. As described above, the actuator may pass through the window and/or contact an anvil on the door of the control valve assembly of the console to create a pinch valve with the door. When the cartridge is positioned on the control valve assembly and the door is closed, the windows align with the anvils on the door and the actuators of the control valve assembly. The windows may be arranged to define a geometric shape. For instance, as illustrated, the windows may define a diamond.
The fluid paths of the housing are preferably defined by a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane can be flexible medical tubing, thermoplastic sheets, etc. The material of the housing is preferably more rigid than the tubing material. In an even more preferred embodiment, the flexible tubing is made of polyvinyl chloride.
The first fluid path 1232 can be a suction path, the second fluid path 1234 can be an irrigation path (optionally operated by a foot switch), the third fluid path 1236 can be a camera flush path, and/or the fourth fluid path 1238 can be an insufflation path. The insufflation path can include a main portion 1238a extending from the first fluid side to the second fluid side of the housing. It may further include a branch portion 1238b for venting gases out of the patient.
Fluid paths of the cartridge may include at least one valve portion 1276. However, the second fluid path may not include a valve portion. The fourth fluid path may include two valve portions 1276c, 1276d. As described above, the fluid path may be defined by a flexible membrane (e.g., tubing). The valve portion may comprise the flexible membrane described above.
The first fluid path 1232 may include a first valve portion 1276a that extends through a first window 1270a defined by the housing 1210. The first valve portion aligns with a first actuator of the console. The first actuator is actuatable to selectively close and/or open the first valve portion of the first fluid path by extending into the first window.
The second fluid path 1234 may be free of a valve portion. Preferably, the fluid path free of a valve is the irrigation pathway. The irrigation pathway may include a pump optionally operated by a foot switch.
The third fluid path 1236 may include a valve portion 1276b that extends through a window 1270b defined by the housing 1210. The valve portion aligns with an actuator of the console. The actuator is actuatable to selectively close and/or open the valve portion of the third fluid path by passing through the window.
The fourth fluid path 1238 may include a main portion 1238a and a branch portion 1238b as described above. The main portion of the fourth fluid path of the cartridge may include a valve portion 1276c that extends through a window 1270c defined by the housing. The valve portion aligns with an actuator of the console. The actuator is actuatable to selectively close and/or open the valve portion of the main portion of the fourth fluid path by passing through the window.
The branch portion of the fourth fluid path of the cartridge may include a valve portion 1276d that extends through a window 1270d defined by the housing. The valve portion aligns with an actuator of the console. The actuator is actuatable to selectively close and/or open the valve portion of the branch portion of the fourth fluid path by passing through the window.
As described above, one or more actuators may be solenoids configured to extend into the windows of the cartridge housing and/or contact the anvils on the door of the control valve assembly creating a pinch valve when closed.
The housing 1210 may further include an electrical connector 1244 for connecting to the electrical connector 1144 of the control valve assembly 1100. The electrical connector of the cartridge may be spring finger electrical contacts configured to contact a corresponding number of flat pad electrical contacts on the control valve assembly of the console or vice versa. The electrical connector of the cartridge housing may pass images and control data provided by the endoscope to the console. The electrical connector of the housing may pass power from the console to the LED used by the endoscope in the patient's body.
Data and/or power electrical conductors may extend from the cartridge to the endoscope through the umbilical.
The cartridge may include connectors 1280 on the first fluid side 1220 and/or the second fluid side 1224 for any and/or all of the fluid pathways defined in the cartridge housing. The connectors can extend beyond the cartridge (e.g., free ends of the continuous tubing extending beyond the cartridge with a fitting (e.g., a luer fitting) and/or be a portion of the cartridge.
The cartridge may optionally incorporate an optical sensor module 1246 that incorporates camera calibration data and a unique optical sensor module identifier for the single-use endoscope and cartridge. The unique optical sensor module identifier allows the console to recognize when the same single-use endoscope and single-use cartridge have been used, thus, eliminating the potentially dangerous use of an unsterilized endoscope. The unique identifier may further identify what type of endoscope is being connected to the console. The unique identifier may be incorporated into a printed circuitry board.
Turning to
The insertion tube 401 may include an optical sensor module for providing readable information by the console and/or project an image on a monitor such as a video feed from the end of the insertion tube. This video feed can be infrared, thermal or visible light. The insertion tube 401 may include an LED wire for providing power to an LED at the end of the insertion tube.
The insertion tube may include fluid paths discussed herein defined by tubes, such as a suction tube 1232, tissue irrigation tube 1234, camera flush tube 1236, and/or insufflation tube 1238. The irrigation tube allows the user to clear the visual field of any debris during use of the instrument. Often, this involves the removal of excess blood so the place of interest may be visualized. The suction tubing allows for the aspiration of particulate matter or various secretions from inside the patient's body. The camera flush tube 1236 and insufflation tube 1238 may be combined by a Y fitting. Various combinations of the tubing are envisioned by the applicant to minimize the number of tubes required in the insertion tube.
The second fluid side of the cartridge may be connected to support equipment. The support equipment may include an irrigation pump, an insufflator, and/or a vacuum pump (stand-alone or central). The cartridge may provide for fluid communication between the endoscope and the support equipment.
The single-use shaft assembly can include an insertion tube, an umbilical 402 connected to the cartridge and therefore the console, an access port for selectively accessing a lumen of the single-use shaft assembly (e.g., for taking a sample such as a biopsy) and/or for delivering a fluid through a lumen of the single-use shaft assembly, and/or an electrical connector for electrically coupling the single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece.
The umbilical can extend from the cartridge to the single-use shaft assembly of the endoscope. Extending within the umbilical to the distal tip of the insertion tube are several fluid paths and/or electrical wires. The fluid paths may include paths for suction 1232, tissue irrigation 1234, camera flush 1236, and/or insufflation 1238. The fluid pathways can be free of valves from the distal tip of the endoscope to the end of the umbilical. The fluid pathways may include valves only within the boundary of the cartridge.
Preferably, one or more fluid paths are defined by monolithic tubing extending from the single use shaft assembly to the cartridge. More preferably, the monolithic tubing extends through the cartridge and out of the second fluid side of the cartridge.
The camera flush fluid pathway and insufflation fluid pathway may be combined by a T-fitting in the single-use shaft assembly into a combined camera flush and insufflation fluid pathway 1240. This allows the pressure from insufflation to be used to push water from a water source through the camera flush fluid pathway and out the distal end to clean the camera lens of debris collected during a procedure.
The umbilical may further include an image data conductor 1300, control data conductor 1304, and/or an LED power conductor 1308. The image data conductor and/or LED power conductor may extend through the single-use shaft assembly to the distal tip of the insertion tube. The image data conductor may allow the transmission of the image data taken from the camera back to the console. The LED power conductor may provide power from the console to the LED at the distal tip of the insertion tube, thus providing illumination for the procedure. The control data conductor allows the communication of control data from the controls of the reusable handpiece to the cartridge which, in turn, allows communication to the console.
Turning to
The cartridge 2200 and control valve assembly 2100 illustrated in the ‘B’ series of
A doorless cartridge 2200 and control valve assembly 2100 is illustrated in the ‘B’ series of
The cartridge may include an anvil 2118 similar to the anvil discussed in the control valve assembly with a door example above. The anvil 2218 is configured to provide counter force to the actuators when selectively closing fluid paths of the cartridge. Preferably, the anvils 2218 are be located in windows defined in the cartridge.
As illustrated, each cartridge may be connected to a separate set of support equipment and an independent medical device, such as an endoscope. Non-limiting examples of the types of endoscopes that may be used include, gastroscopes, colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopes, duodenoscopes and cholangiopancreatoscopes. Depending on the procedure being performed, the endoscopes may be the same type of endoscope or two or more different types of endoscopes, such as a duodenoscope and a cholangiopancreatoscope used during an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure. During use, the first endoscope and the second endoscope may be secured together by a strap, zip tie, etc. The handle of the first endoscope may be configured to mate with a handle of the second endoscope. A shaft of the second endoscope may inserted and extended through the length of a shaft of the first endoscope, such as a cholangiopancreatoscope inserted within a shaft of a duodenoscope. This advantageously allows a single user to control one or more endoscopes at a time during a procedure.
The duodenoscope may be known as the first endoscope or mother scope. The smaller cholangiopancreatoscope may be known as the second endoscope or daughter scope. During operation, the larger mother scope may be inserted through the patient's mouth and directed to the duodenum. The daughter endoscope is then able to operate with the patient's bile duct. The daughter endoscope may have its own fluid flow paths, LED and/or camera.
The first control valve assembly and the second control valve assembly are configured to operate independently and/or in a main/secondary communication configuration. The first or mother endoscope may be the main controller and the second or daughter endoscope may be the secondary controller. In this arrangement, the controls of the main endoscope may control the fluid functions (e.g., image controls and/or LED) of one or more secondary endoscopes. The main endoscopes may control the function of the fluid paths of the secondary endoscopes by providing an electrical signal to the second control valve assembly to selectively actuate an actuator as described herein (e.g., through one or more cartridges connected to the console). The first endoscope may further control a function of the second endoscope (e.g., operation of the LED and/or camera) by providing an electrical signal from the first endoscope to alter a condition of the second control valve assembly (e.g., alter an electrical signal provided by the second control valve assembly to the cartridge of the second endoscope). For instance, the control valve assembly may provide an electrical signal to the LED and/or the camera of the second endoscope based on the signal received from the first endoscope. This arrangement further allows for multiple endoscopes to be setup and utilized in a procedure at once, eliminating or reducing extensive setup time typically used to change one endoscope out for another endoscope and/or eliminating or reducing the need for additional equipment, such as multiple control consoles.
The control valve assemblies, endoscopes, cartridges, consoles, fluid paths, electrical conductors, functions, and operations described and illustrated herein apply equally to the embodiments of the ‘A’ series of
Due to varying image sensors and the necessary fluid controls required by different types of endoscopes, the number and/or type of fluid paths and electrical conductors used in each cartridge may vary. Accommodations may be made for image sensor variability by the video processing unit that can be adapted to the specific type of optical sensor incorporated into the connected endoscope. The optical sensor type may be associated with a unique identifier communicated to the console through the cartridge by, for example, port control protocol or an electrical signal associated with the endoscope. In the case of fluid pathway control, the unique identifier may cause the console to turn off the functionality of certain actuators on the control valve assemblies. Further, depending on the type of endoscope connected, one or more fluid pathways can be eliminated from the cartridge entirely.
The console is illustrated with a touchscreen user interface. The user interface may be any suitable input/output device.
Turning to
The current example of the endoscope assembly may be any of the examples including a reusable hand-piece assembly and a single-use shaft assembly discussed herein. Additionally, the endoscope assembly may be any endoscope including two or more separable pieces. As discussed in various places herein, the reusable hand-piece assembly and the single-use shaft assembly include a hand-piece housing and a single-use shaft assembly housing, respectively.
The coupler may be a latch 3000, such as a cam-style draw latch. The latch may be selectively configurable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration. In the latched configuration, the latch latches the housing of the hand-piece assembly to the housing of the shaft assembly. When configuring from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration, the latch may apply a separating force to separate the housing of the hand-piece assembly and the housing of the shaft assembly.
The hand-piece assembly may be a reusable hand-piece assembly and the shaft assembly may be a single-use shaft assembly.
The latch may include a lever 3001. The lever may be pivotable between a first position in the latched configuration (demonstrated in
The latch may further include a latching surface 3004 and an unlatching surface 3008. In the latched configuration the latching surface retains the housing of the hand piece in proximity to the housing of the shaft assembly. When configuring to the unlatched configuration from the latched configuration the unlatching surface applies the separating force to separate the housings.
The at least two piece endoscope assembly may include a biasing member 3030 and a latch configurable between a latched configuration and an unlatched configuration, such as any latch disclosed herein. The biasing member applies a biasing force to bias the hand-piece assembly housing and the shaft assembly housing towards or away from one another. The latch may be configured to apply a force counter to the direction of force of the biasing member, and greater in magnitude than the force of the biasing member, to force the housings away from or towards one another. For example, the biasing member may be configured to bias the housings towards one another, and the latch may be configured to force the housings away from one another. In an alternative example, the biasing member may be configured to bias the housings away from one another, and the latch may be configured to force the housings toward one another. The biasing member may be a spring, a magnet and/or a pressure chamber, just to name a few non-limiting examples. The pressure chamber can be a piston cylinder (e.g., pneumatic), a compressible bladder, and/or a suction cup.
In greater detail, the latch may include a latch portion 3002 and a latch receiving portion 3020 (i.e., the first portion and the second portion). The housing of the reusable hand-piece assembly and/or the housing of the single-use shaft assembly may define the latch and latch receiving portion. For example, the latch may be part of the housing of the reusable hand-piece assembly while the latch receiving portion is part of the housing of the single-use shaft assembly. As another example, the latch may be part of the housing of the single-use shaft assembly while the receiving portion is part of the housing of the reusable hand-piece assembly.
The latch portion may include the latching surface, the unlatching surface and the lever. While in the latched configuration, the latching surface contacts the latch receiving portion to draw the single-use shaft assembly and the reusable hand-piece assembly together. While in the unlatched configuration, the latch receiving portion and the latching surface are not in contact.
The unlatching surface, advantageously, can aid in separating the single-use shaft assembly and reusable hand-piece assembly. While moving from the latched to the unlatched configuration, the unlatching surface contacts the latch receiving portion and applies a force to separate the reusable hand-piece assembly and the single-use shaft assembly.
The lever may control the movement of the latching surface and the unlatching surface. The lever may be freely movable between a first position in the latched configuration and a second position in the unlatched configuration. The lever may be pivotable around a latch pivot 3010 from the latched configuration to the unlatched configuration and/or vice versa. The latching surface and the unlatching surface may be located on opposing sides of the latch pivot. While in this structural configuration, during actuation, the latching surface and unlatching surface rotate around the latch pivot in opposing directions.
The latch portion may further include a seat portion 3014. The latching surface may be a curved surface sloping on one side into the u-shaped seat. The opposite leg of the u-shaped seat slopes upward transitioning to the unlatching surface. In this configuration, the latching surface and unlatching surface may be located on opposing sides of the seat portion.
When configuring the reusable hand-piece to the single-use shaft in the latched configuration, the lever may be pivoted around the latch pivot from a vertical unlatched first position angled away from the housing to the latched second position flush with the housing/handle. In these examples, the ability to grip the lever with the lever in the latched configuration indicates that the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly are coupled to one another. The latch can be arranged to indicate when the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft are correctly couple to one another. In one example, the latch can provide an audible “click” when the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly are correctly coupled to one another.
When the lever is manipulated into the latched position the latching surface is rotated toward and received by the latch receiving portion to connect the housing of the single-use shaft assembly to the housing of the reusable hand-piece assembly. While the latching surface is engaged with the latch receiving portion, the latching surface helps draw the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft together. The latching surface is inserted into and through the latch receiving portion and rotated upward so that the latch receiving portion sits within the seat portion. At the same time, the unlocking surface may rotate away from the opposing housing piece, enabling the connection of the two housings.
To configure the reusable hand-piece and the single-use shaft assembly in the unlatched configuration, a user may pivot the lever away from the surface of the housing of the endoscope into the second unlatched configuration. Pivoting the lever vertically away from the housing may rotate the latching surface back through and out of the latch receiving portion. Simultaneously, the unlatching surface may counter-rotate in relation to the latching portion contacting the opposing housing piece. When pivoting the lever into the disconnected position, the unlatching surface assists in separating the housing of the reusable hand-piece assembly and the housing of the single-use shaft assembly. The unlatching surface is rotated to push away the opposing housing piece.
As described above, the latch can be biased with a biasing member, such as a spring, into the latching configuration that can hold the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft together. The latching mechanism may further include one or more magnets that assist in holding and/or separating the reusable hand-piece to/from the single-use shaft assembly.
In the embodiment shown in
The second portion 4008 of the container 4005 may be positioned on the exterior of the first portion 4006 or may be contained within the first portion 4006. For example, the second portion 4008 may be an area within the first portion 4006 accessible after the cover 4018 is removed. As another example, the second portion 4008 may be located on an exterior surface of the first portion 4006 or tray 4010 (e.g., outside of the recess 4014). In the embodiment shown in
In other embodiments, the biohazard disposal bag 4030 may include means for securing biohazard disposal bag 4030 to a surface in a medical examination room and/or operating suite, such as a cart, fixture, table, bed, and/or wall, just to name a few non-limiting examples. Such means may include adhesive, adhesive tape, hook and loop fastener, magnets, hooks, clamps, and clips. Such means may also include an aperture arranged to receive a protrusion (e.g., a hook) extending from the surface and/or vice versa. The means for securing the bag to a surface may be the same or different from the means for removably attaching the biohazard disposal bag to the second portion 4008 (e.g., the exterior of the tray 4010).
As shown in the cross-sectional view illustrated in
As shown in
One or more medical product boxes 4070 may be positioned within a shipping box 4080 (e.g., a corrugated shipping box)(see
As shown in
In certain embodiments, one biohazard disposal bag 4030 may be used to dispose of the single-use shaft assembly. A second bag 4032 may be used to retain the reusable hand-piece.
After the medical product in its entirety or the single-use shaft assembly has been used and properly placed within the biohazard disposal bag 4030, the biohazard disposal bag 4030 may be detached from the second portion 4008 of the packaging system 4000 and disposed of in the proper method for biohazardous waste.
After the reusable hand-piece has been placed in the second bag 4032. The bag 4032 may be detached from the second portion 4008 of the packaging system 4000. The bag 4032 with the reusable hand-piece inside may be safely transferred for reprocessing. In some examples, the medical professional or someone associated with the medical professional may ship the bag 4032 including the reusable hand-piece back to the manufacturer for reprocessing/cleaning. Once the reprocessing operation is complete, the reusable hand-piece may be shipped back to the medical professional and/or the same practice. In other examples, the reusable hand-piece can be resold to a third party, depending on the agreement between the manufacturer and the original medical professional.
As long as the used medical product is properly placed within the biohazard disposal bag 4030 and does not come into contact with the packaging system 4000, the packaging system 4000 should not be contaminated and can be recycled after being separated from the biohazard disposal bag 4030 (see
Referring to
Some embodiments may include an electronics module that includes a plurality of switches mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece that is in electrical communication with the wire harness associated with the single-use shaft assembly via an electrical connector. The plurality of switches mounted to the housing of the reusable hand-piece that is in electrical communication with the wire harness associated with the single-use shaft assembly via an electrical connector. The electronics module of this embodiment may further incorporate a microprocessor to minimize the number of connectors required to communicate the specific switch or combination of switches that are depressed by the user.
In another embodiment of the endoscope, the reusable hand-piece incorporates an electronics module, switches, and electrical connector while the single-use shaft assembly incorporates an optical sensor, optical sensor module, and electrical connector; wherein, a set of conductors transmits both optical and control data back to a console from the assembled endoscope.
Advantageously, the incorporation of an electronics module and switches facilitates transmission of control data while simplifying the components associated with the separable single-use shaft.
The reusable hand-piece can include a circuit board (electronics module) arranged to control at least a portion of support equipment (e.g., one or more pumps and/or valves in support equipment). One or more switches of the re-usable hand-piece can be associated with the electronics module to control the support equipment.
Advantageously, such an arrangement can eliminate the need for valves for the irrigation and aspiration lumens to be physically associated with the reusable hand-piece and/or the separable distal shaft assembly.
The switches associated with the reusable hand-piece control board/circuit board 1206 (electronics module) incorporates two electrical switches actuated by discreet buttons 16204, 16205 for programmable functions at the top of the reusable hand-piece. The 2nd switch from the bottom is actuated by a discreet button 16203 for activation of a remote suction valve 16101. The bottom button 16201 incorporates two electrical switches. The first switch 16202 associated with the bottom button is a capacitive switch that initiates the insufflation function via remote valve 16102 operation when the operator places a finger on the exterior molded gasket covering the button. Vent hole 16103 allows for insufflation gas to pass out of the endoscope assembly. The second switch associated with the bottom button is a discreet switch mounted on a control board that actuates that initiates the camera flush function via remote valve operation when the operator fully depresses the bottom button.
Advantageously, the use of remote valves associated with the single-use shaft cartridge eliminates the cleaning requirements and potential contamination associated with the mechanical valves associated with the state of the art for reusable scopes.
Advantageously, the capacitive switch associated with the bottom button provides the same user experience associated with the current state of the art reusable endoscopes with both simply requiring a finger placed on the top of the button to initiate insufflation with the current state of the art reusable endoscope simply having a vent hole located on top of the valve button. However, the capacitive insufflation switch eliminates the cleaning requirements and potential contamination associated with the mechanical valves associated with the state of the art for reusable scopes.
Referring to
The articulation controls of the reusable hand-piece can include an articulation knob and brake assembly 17300. The articulation knob and brake assembly of the reusable hand-piece can include an up-down articulation knob 17301, a left-right articulation knob 17302, an up-down articulation brake lever 17303 and a left-right articulation brake knob 17304. When the reusable hand-piece assembly is attached to the single-use shaft assembly, the articulation knob and brake assembly cooperates with the single-use shaft assembly to articulate a distal segment of the single-use shaft assembly and/or resist rotation of one or more articulation knobs relative to the endoscope assembly. For example, as discussed in more detail elsewhere herein, an up-down articulation shaft 17306 and a left-right articulation shaft 17307 and/or left-right articulation brake shaft 17305 of the articulation knob and brake assembly may engage the pulley assembly 17500 and/or housing of the single-use shaft assembly. The articulation knobs can be arranged to receive articulation input from the user (e.g., in the form of rotational movement). The articulation knobs can communication with pulley assembly 17500 of the separable single-use shaft to actuate control wires of the single-use shaft assembly. The user controlled articulation knobs can include two knobs having and/or rigidly attached to concentric drive shafts.
In another example, the first articulation control knob may control the left/right motion of the endoscope and the first articulation brake incorporates a left/right articulation to brake shaft concentrically located within the first articulation shaft that provides a fixed reference relative to the single-use shaft housing by engaging a socket 17403 of the single-use shaft housing. The first articulation shaft is concentrically aligned to the socket with a series of torque transmission bosses alternatingly engaged between the second shaft and the second pulley.
The concentric drive shafts each have a pulley engaging portion. This portion may have a non-circular cross-sectional geometric shape such that it is capable of transmitting torque. This geometric shape can include, but is not limited to, oval, spline, square, or star, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
Advantageously, the concentric shaft drive configuration permits attachment of the single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece without the need to orient the articulation knobs or the distal articulating tip to obtain a neutral reference position. Regardless of the orientation of the single-use shaft assembly (coiled or straight) at the time of attachment, the articulation knobs will freely rotate while the distal shaft 17401 (insertion tube) is manipulated prior to use by the clinician.
The single-use shaft assembly can include a one or more pulleys contained within a rigid housing 17501. For example, the single-use shaft assembly may have a proximal rigid housing having a surface that supports and positions the pulleys of the single-use shaft assembly to receive the pulleys engaging portions of the drive shafts.
Each pulley contained within the proximal rigid housing associated with the separable single-use shaft possess a pair of opposing articulation wires 17504. Each articulation wire can be rigidly fixed to the pulley/cam and on the other end to the distal tip of the articulating section of the shaft. Rotation of the pulley/cam, such as by means of a user input torque applied to the corresponding knob, results in a tensile force applied to the articulating distal section.
A preferred embodiment utilizes two pulleys 17502 and 17503, each associated with a pair of articulation wires. Each pair of articulation wires provides means for articulating the distal shaft section in a single plane, for example up-down and left-right. Two pairs of articulation wires provide distal shaft articulation in two different plans that are perpendicular to one another, with a longitudinal axis of the proximal shaft portion passing through the intersection of the planes. The articulation pull wires can be attached to the pulleys by articulation pull wire adhesive and/or an articulation pull wire crimp tube 17505.
The mating features of the concentric drive shafts associated with the reusable hand-piece and the mating features of the pulleys associated with the separable, single-use shaft assembly are suitable for transmitting force in the form of torque applied to the articulation knobs to tensile force in the articulation wire(s) and corresponding movement of the distal shaft articulating section.
A portion of the drive shafts, such as the pulley engaging portions, may be tapered along a length of the drive shafts. For example, the drive shaft may have a portion taper from small to large in a direction towards the articulation knob. Advantageously, such an arrangement can aid in mating the drive shafts with the pinions of the single-use shaft assembly when the reusable hand-piece is coupled to the single-use shaft assembly.
The reusable hand-piece can include a brake that applies an adjustable level of rotational resistance to the articulation control (e.g., articulation control knobs). A separate brake mechanism exists for each articulation control knob and its associated pair of articulation wires for applications where two plane articulation is required. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) have been consolidated within the envelope defined by the knobs, thereby creating space within the reusable hand-piece housing for the single-use shaft assembly. Furthermore, the brake mechanism(s) do not utilize a fixed method for applying force against the friction surfaces and/or brake material, such as rotation of a threaded shaft.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece of the endoscope assembly can remain entirely outside of the body of a patient during an endoscopic procedure while the single-use shaft assembly has a portion positioned within the body of the patient during the endoscopic procedure. Accordingly, the reusable hand-piece and single-use shaft assembly can be separated from one another after the procedure and the single-use hand-piece discarded (or reprocessed). As there are no fluid lumens of the reusable hand-piece that must be cleaned and sterilized, the cleaning (aka “reprocessing”) effort between procedures is dramatically reduced. Additionally, as no portion of the reusable hand-piece, which is used for multiple patients, is inserted into the patient, the risk of infectious disease transmission can be dramatically reduced.
Single-use shaft assemblies can be arranged and/or provided in a variety of configurations to support upper and lower endoscopies. For example, single-use shaft assemblies may be arranged for colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, and/or duodenoscope procedures, just to name a few non-limiting examples. Additionally or alternatively, single-use shaft assemblies can be provided in various specialty configurations, e.g. pediatric insertion tube diameters. Advantageously, the ability to use the same reusable hand-piece for a variety of single-use shaft assemblies and/or procedures can substantially reduce capital investments by clinicians, clinician groups, and/or medical centers by eliminating the need to stock a plurality of dedicated scopes for each type of procedure, e.g. colonoscope, gastroscope, sigmoidoscope, duodenoscope, etc.
Methods of assembling an endoscope assembly, disassembling an endoscope assembly, and/or using an endoscope assembly are envisioned. Such methods can comprise connecting a housing of a reusable hand-piece to a housing of a single-use shaft assembly, wherein said reusable hand-piece has articulation controls and an electronics module and said single-use shaft assembly has an articulation wire actuating assembly and a connector; and wherein said connecting connects the articulation controls to the articulation wire actuating assembly and the control module to the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, methods can comprise separating the housing of the reusable hand-piece from the housing of the single-use shaft assembly so as to separate the articulation controls from the articulation wire actuating assembly and the control module from the connector of the single-use shaft assembly. The methods can include providing a portion, or all, of any endoscope assembly described herein.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can increase the quantity of endoscopy procedures that can be performed by a clinician and/or facility in a day by reducing and/or eliminating the time delays associated with existing reusable scopes that must undergo extensive reprocessing procedures (i.e., cleaning) between use. By using a single-use shaft, it is no longer necessary for the clinician and/or facility to reprocess (i.e., clean) the shaft and lumens of the shaft. Now the clinician and/or facility may simply wipe down the reusable hand-piece and connect a new, sterilized, single-use shaft assembly to the reusable hand-piece to prepare the endoscope assembly for another procedure.
Advantageously, the systems, assemblies, devices, and methods disclosed herein can allow a clinician to perform multiple and/or various procedures even without dedicated, reusable scopes and associated reprocessing equipment, supplies, and clean water. This can be particularly advantageous in battlefield settings or remote clinics with limited resources. In these cases, the reprocessing equipment, reprocessing supplies, trained reprocessing personnel, and reprocessing laboratory setting may not be available. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can be prepared for a new procedure by simply using a wipe and antiseptic solution to clean the exterior surfaces of the reusable hand-piece and connecting a new single-use shaft assembly.
Advantageously, the reusable hand-piece can provide user-familiar-features using higher precision reliable components associated with the articulation knobs and the brake.
Advantageously, incorporating the articulation handles and clutch into the reusable hand-piece reduces the components of the separable single-use shaft assembly thus resulting in a lower cost single-use portion of the endoscope.
The single-use shaft assemblies disclosed herein can be intended for one-time-use. Advantageously, a single-use medical device can reduce transmission of infectious diseases.
Advantageously, the preferred embodiment illustrated incorporates a series of three or more torque transmission bosses 17309 and 17506 with symmetric alignment ramps 17308 and 17507 that facilitate alignment of the articulation shafts with the articulation pulleys with the single-use shaft assembly is attached to the reusable hand-piece. These symmetric alignment ramps may be generated by a helical sweeping cut or by a linear angle cut.
Applicant has also observed that expertise associated with the assessment of particular diseases and the performance of novel therapeutic procedures has become increasingly concentrated at clinical research institutions or larger healthcare facilities. Advantageously, the endoscopes disclosed herein can facilitate the dissemination of patient and image data.
Turning now to
A braided sleeve 2070 surrounds the outer coil 2060 and is positioned between the outer coil and an outer sheath 2090. The outer sheath 2090 can be applied over the braided sleeve 2070 and outer coil 2060 as a reflowed tube (e.g., thermal lamination) or by extrusion.
Cap 20120 defines an air/water nozzle 20280, an instrument tube outlet 20290, a camera outlet 20300, and a light emitter outlet 20310. Cap 20120 includes a cap alignment tab 20124 arranged to engage a cap alignment notch of an articulating section (e.g., unitary articulating section 20110).
The lumen 20210 located within the unitary articulating section 20110 can receive an air/water tube, an instrument tube, and/or wiring 20210. A cap alignment notch 20390 is located at the distal end of the unitary articulating section 20110 and arranged to receive the cap alignment tab 20124.
The proximal articulating link 20350 includes pivot tabs 20370 located in a first (e.g., vertical) plane. The intermediate articulating link 20340 comprises articulation pull wire lumens 20330, pivot tabs 20370 located in a first plane, and pivot sockets 20380 located in a second plane. The distal articulating link 20360 includes a cap alignment notch 20390 to control alignment of the camera 20240 relative to each of the four articulation pull wires 20140 and two pivot sockets 20380 located in the first or second plane. When assembled, the pivot tabs 20370 are received within and pivotable relative to the pivot sockets 20380.
Turning now to
In stage 20506, the braided sleeve can be applied around the outer coil. This can also occur during a continuous manufacturing process.
In stage 20508, the outer sheath can be applied. This, again, can occur during a continuous manufacturing process. For example, the outer coil and braided sleeve assembly can pass through one or more extrusion heads that extrude the outer sheath around the assembly. Such a process can create a smooth outer sheath that is integrally bonded to the outer coil and/or braided sleeve. The outer sheath may have a varying durometer along its length such that some areas (e.g., lengths) of the outer sheath have a greater durometer than other areas. This may be accomplished by extruding resins of different durometers (e.g., different resins) through separate extrusion heads of the one or more extrusion heads or by extruding resins of different durometers through at least one extrusion head of the one or more extrusion heads.In stage 20510, the desired length of insertion tube assembly, or a portion thereof, can be cut to length. This can occur immediately after the outer sheath extrusion process or, for example, from a reel of finished goods. After cutting the assembly to length, articulation wires and/or compression coils may be inserted into the lumen of the outer coil. The process concludes in stage 20512.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this continuous technique for fabricating the insertion tube avoids labor and time intensive batch processes currently used to form discrete sections of endoscope shafts. Applicant believes this can reduce the costs of manufacturing endoscope shaft assemblies and/or increase production speed.
While one manufacturing arrangement has been illustrated and described, the present disclosure is not limited to such. For example, reel 20616 may be omitted and the outer coil and braided sleeve assembly 20614 may extend directly from fixture 20610 to the extrusion mold 20624.
Additionally, one or more breakaway struts 5150 and 5151 may be attached to a proximal link 5130 or 5131 , a distal link 5110 or 5111, or both by one or more individual connection tabs 5140 or 5141 for the alignment of a proximal link 5130 and a distal link 5110 with the individual articulating links 5120 or 5121.
The proximal link 5130 may comprise one or more insertion tube engagement fingers 5160. The distal link 5110 may comprise one or more distal link keyed features 5170 for specific connection with an interfacing distal cap.
One or more breakaway struts 5150 and 5151 align the articulation joint assembly 5100 and 5101 to insert wires through articulation steering cable channels.
A utility lumen 5330 traverses through the proximal articulating link 5130. The utility lumen 5330 provides space for instrument tubes, air tubes, water tubes, camera wire harness, LED wire harness, compression coils, medical tools, or any combination thereof.
Additionally, an embodiment may include a proximal articulating link 5130 comprising pivot sockets at the distal face rather than pivot tabs 5320.
A utility lumen 5330 traverses through the distal articulating link 5110. The utility lumen 5330 provides space for instrument tubes, air tubes, water tubes, camera wire harness, LED wire harness, compression coils, medical tools, or any combination thereof.
Additionally, an embodiment may include a distal articulating link 5110 comprising pivot tabs at the proximal face rather than pivot sockets 5420.
With respect to the specification and claims, it should be noted that the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, and the like include plural referents unless expressly discussed otherwise. As an illustration, references to “a device” or “the device” include one or more of such devices and equivalents thereof. It also should be noted that directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, “right”, and the like, are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
The following numbered clauses set out specific embodiments that may be useful in understanding the present invention:
the console.
The language used in the claims and the written description is to only have its plain and ordinary meaning, except for terms explicitly defined below. Such plain and ordinary is meaning is defined here as inclusive of all consistent dictionary definitions from the most recently published (on the filing date of this document) general purpose Merriam-Webster dictionary.
As used in the claims and the specification, the following terms have the following defined meanings:
“Actuators” as used herein include linear actuators and rotary actuators. A solenoid is one example of an actuator.
“Distal” generally refers to the opposite end of proximal (“patient end/treating end”).
“Electrical connector” generally refers to an electromechanical device used to join electrical terminations and create an electrical circuit. Electrical connectors may have a gender—i.e., the male component, called a plug, which connects to the female component, or socket. The connection may be removable.
“Electrical signal” generally refers to a voltage or current which conveys information. It may also include passing electric power from one component to another.
“Proximal” generally refers to an end or direction associated with a physician, other treating personnel during a device operation, or otherwise connected to an insertion tube.
The term “pulley” as used herein can include cams.
The term “valve” as used herein may include mechanical devices by which the flow of liquid, gas, or loose material in bulk may be started, stopped, or regulated by a movable part that opens, shuts, or partially obstructs one or more ports or passageways, such as butterfly valves, needle valves, ball valves, or pinch valves, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/883,080 filed Aug. 5, 2019, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/958,948 filed Jan. 9, 2020, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/958,744 filed Jan. 9, 2020, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,370 filed Jan. 10, 2020, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,387 filed Jan. 10, 2020, U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,198 filed Jan. 10, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/959,346 filed Jan. 10, 2020, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62883080 | Aug 2019 | US | |
| 62958948 | Jan 2020 | US | |
| 62959198 | Jan 2020 | US | |
| 62959346 | Jan 2020 | US | |
| 62959370 | Jan 2020 | US | |
| 62959387 | Jan 2020 | US | |
| 62958744 | Jan 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2020/045004 | Aug 2020 | US |
| Child | 17650008 | US |
