1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a vacuum controller for use with an endoscope.
2. Discussion of Related Art
An endoscope is a medical instrument that can be inserted into the body cavity or organ of a patient for performing various surgical procedures. An endoscope may include an optics system to allow a user to view the body cavity or organ. A working or biopsy channel typically extends along the entire length of the endoscope to allow passage of various instruments, and/or tools into a patient.
An endoscope includes an elongated, flexible shaft within which extends the channels and instrumentation. A control handle is conventionally provided at the proximal end of the shaft for holding and manipulating the endoscope through the patient. One or more controls may be provided on the handle for operating various features of the endoscope. One or more ports are conventionally provided on the handle to provide access to the working or biopsy channel.
For some endoscopic surgical procedures, it may be desirable to draw a vacuum in or near the body cavity or organ of the patient. A fluid conduit may be coupled to a vacuum source to draw a vacuum through a channel of the endoscope or through an external tube.
In one illustrative embodiment, an endoscopic vacuum controller includes a housing having a vacuum inlet, a vacuum outlet configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a vacuum passage fluidly coupling the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum controller also includes an actuator supported by the housing and configured to interrupt a flow of fluid through the vacuum passage, and an indicator supported by the housing. The indicator is configured to provide an indication that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the vacuum inlet.
In another illustrative embodiment, an endoscopic vacuum controller includes a housing having a vacuum inlet, a vacuum outlet configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a vacuum passage fluidly coupling the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum controller also includes an actuator supported by the housing and configured to control the flow of fluid through the vacuum passage from the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet, and an indicator supported by the housing. The indicator is configured to provide an indication that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the vacuum inlet. The vacuum controller further includes a connector to detachably couple the housing to an endoscope shaft.
In a further illustrative embodiment, an endoscopic vacuum controller includes a housing having a vacuum inlet, a vacuum outlet configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a vacuum passage fluidly coupling the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The vacuum controller also includes actuation means supported by the housing for interrupting a flow of fluid through the vacuum passage, and indication means supported by the housing for indicating that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the vacuum inlet.
In yet another illustrative embodiment, a method of providing a vacuum in an endoscopic procedure is provided. The method includes an act of (a) detachably connecting an endoscopic vacuum controller to an endoscope shaft, where the vacuum controller includes a housing having a vacuum inlet, a vacuum outlet configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a vacuum passage fluidly coupling the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet. The method further includes acts of (b) actuating the vacuum controller to draw a vacuum through the vacuum passage from the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet, and (c) determining whether a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn within the housing with an indicator supported by the housing.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide certain advantages. Not all embodiments of the invention share the same advantages and those that do may not share them under all circumstances.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in the various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing.
Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention is directed to an endoscopic vacuum controller that facilitates drawing a vacuum during an endoscopic procedure. It should be appreciated that the vacuum controller may be configured in any of numerous ways, and that the present invention is not limited to the particular devices and techniques described below.
The vacuum controller may be configured to be coupled to a vacuum source and may control when a vacuum is drawn during an endoscopic procedure. It may be desirable to draw a vacuum during an endoscopic procedure for a variety of reasons. For example, when suturing tissue, a vacuum may be used to capture the tissue within a suction port of a tissue fastening device. Once the tissue is captured within the suction port, the tissue fastening device may be used to fasten the captured tissue with one or more sutures. In another endoscopic procedure, a vacuum may be drawn to assist in the removal of material from the surgical site. It should be appreciated that the vacuum controller of the present invention is not limited for use with a particular type of endoscopic procedure or device.
The vacuum controller may include a housing having an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet is configured to be coupled to a vacuum source. A vacuum passage may extend through the housing and fluidly couple the vacuum inlet to the vacuum outlet.
The vacuum controller may include an actuator configured to control the flow of fluid through the vacuum passage. As set forth in more detail below, in one embodiment, the actuator may be configured to allow and interrupt the flow of fluid through the passage. The actuator may include a switch that is actuatable between an open or on position to allow a vacuum to be drawn through the vacuum passage and a closed or off position to prevent a vacuum from being drawn through the vacuum passage.
The vacuum controller may include an indicator configured to provide an indication of the vacuum level being drawn through the vacuum passage. In one embodiment, the indicator may be configured to present a visual indication as to whether or not a particular vacuum level is being drawn at the controller inlet. In this respect, the vacuum controller may provide hospital or medical personnel with a ready indication as to when a predetermined vacuum level is reached for performing a surgical procedure. If the predetermined vacuum level has been reached, the user may proceed with the endoscopic procedure. If the predetermined vacuum level has not been reached, the user may wait to perform the procedure.
The amount of vacuum that may be drawn from a vacuum source may vary based on numerous factors. In a hospital setting, a vacuum source may be provided by a wall outlet. The indicator on the vacuum controller may alert the user that the current vacuum level in the vacuum passage is or is not sufficient for a particular endoscopic procedure.
When employed in an endoscopic suturing procedure, the level of vacuum may be indicative of the amount of tissue captured by the suturing device. When the amount of vacuum is below a predetermined vacuum level, it may indicate that the amount of tissue captured by the suturing device is insufficient for continuing with the procedure. The indicator may alert the hospital or medical personnel to delay performing the endoscopic suturing procedure until the predetermined vacuum level is reached.
The vacuum controller may include a connector to detachably couple the vacuum controller to an endoscope shaft. Such an arrangement may facilitate the operation of the vacuum controller and the manipulation of the endoscope by the surgeon or endoscopist. The connector may be configured to slidably couple the vacuum controller to the endoscope shaft to allow adjustment of the vacuum controller along the length of the endoscope shaft while the vacuum controller remains coupled to the endoscope shaft. This may permit the user to more readily adjust the position of the vacuum controller relative to the endoscope shaft during an endoscopic procedure. In one illustrative embodiment, the vacuum controller is clipped onto the exterior of the endoscope shaft. It should be appreciated, however, that the vacuum controller may not include a connector and may thus remain detached from the endoscope shaft.
Turning now to the drawings, it should be appreciated that the drawings illustrate various components and features which may be incorporated into one or more embodiments of the present invention. For simplification, several drawings may illustrate more than one optional feature or component. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the drawings. It should be recognized that the present invention encompasses one or more embodiments which may include only a portion of the components illustrated in any one figure, and/or may also encompass one or more embodiments combining components illustrated in multiple different drawings, and/or may also encompass one or more embodiments not explicitly disclosed in the drawings.
The housing 20 includes a passage 26 (see
In one embodiment, the actuator 40 is configured to interrupt a flow of fluid, such as air, through the vacuum passage 26. As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Although the above mentioned embodiments include a pivoting actuator 40, it should be appreciated that the invention is not so limited, as non-pivoting actuators are also contemplated. For example, in one embodiment, the actuator 40 may be supported by the housing 20 and may be configured to move linearly between an open position and a closed position to control the flow of fluid through the vacuum passage 26 from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24.
It should also be appreciated that, in one embodiment, the actuator 40 may be configured to control the flow of fluid through the passage 26 from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24 without interrupting the flow of fluid through the passage 26. For example, the actuator 40 may move between an open position and a partially open position. In the open position, the actuator may be configured to allow a vacuum to be drawn through the passage 26 and in the partially open position, the actuator 40 may be configured to reduce fluid flow through the passage 26.
In one illustrative embodiment, the vacuum controller 10 includes a lock configured to maintain the actuator 40 in the closed position. In this embodiment, the vacuum controller 10 may remain in a closed position, preventing a vacuum from being drawn through the vacuum passage 26, until the user actuates the actuator to its open position. In one embodiment, the user actuates the actuator to an open position to allow a vacuum to be drawn through the passage 26 by manually pressing down on the top surface 44 of the actuator remote from the protrusion 42.
In one embodiment, the vacuum controller 10 may include a lock configured to maintain the actuator in the open position. In this embodiment, the vacuum controller 10 may remain in an open position, allowing a vacuum to be drawn through the vacuum passage 26, until the user actuates the actuator to its closed position.
In one illustrative embodiment, the vacuum controller includes a locking detent positioned on at least one of the switch actuator 40 and the housing 20. In the embodiment illustrated in
As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the vacuum passage 26 includes a compressible tube 28 and the actuator 40 may be configured to compress the tube to block the passage 26 in the closed position. When compressed, the tube 28 may exert a force against the actuator 40 that biases the switch 40 toward its open position (see
It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the detent may be located on the housing 20 and the detent may be configured to engage with a portion of the actuator 40, as the invention is not so limited. Other types of locks apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art are also contemplated by the present invention to maintain the switch actuator in the open position and/or the closed position.
Another illustrative embodiment of an actuator 40 is shown in
In one embodiment, additional sealing members 106, such as o-rings, are provided to maintain a vacuum within the passage 26. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the actuator may be configured differently as the invention is not so limited.
As mentioned above, the vacuum controller 10 may include an indicator 60 supported by the housing 20 that is configured to provide an indication that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the vacuum inlet 22. The predetermined vacuum level may vary based upon the type of endoscopic procedure to be performed. In one embodiment, it may be desirable to achieve a high vacuum level, and approaching the highest vacuum (approximately 29 inHg) may be desirable.
In one embodiment, the predetermined vacuum level is approximately 18 inHg. In another embodiment, the predetermined vacuum level is approximately 20 inHg, and in another embodiment, the predetermined vacuum level is approximately 24 inHg. As discussed in greater detail below, the indicator 60 may be calibrated based upon the desired predetermined vacuum level.
As shown in
In one illustrative embodiment, a spring 62 biases the indicator 60 to the first position. In one illustrative embodiment, the spring 62 is a helical spring which extends into the vacuum passage 26 and is positioned below the indicator 60, such that the indicator 60 rests on the top of the spring 62. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, other types of springs may be employed.
As shown in
In one illustrative embodiment, the indicator is movably coupled to the housing by a diaphragm 64. One embodiment of a diaphragm is depicted in
The diaphragm 64 may be made of a flexible material such that the diaphragm 64 moves based upon the pressure within the passage 26. If the vacuum controller 10 is disconnected from a vacuum source and/or if the actuator 40 is positioned in a closed position to prevent a vacuum from being drawn through the vacuum passage 26, the pressure within the vacuum passage 26 will be substantially the same as the pressure outside of the housing 20, which may for example be approximately atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm 64 may be configured to be substantially planar in shape when the pressure within the vacuum passage 26 is substantially the same as the pressure outside of the housing 20. When the vacuum controller 10 is coupled to the vacuum source and when the actuator 40 is positioned to allow a vacuum to be drawn through the vacuum passage 26, the diaphragm is drawn inwardly towards the vacuum passage 26 due to the reduced pressure within the vacuum passage 26.
As mentioned above, the indicator 60 may be coupled to the inner diameter 68 of the diaphragm 64 such that the inward movement of the diaphragm 64 also moves the indicator 60 inwardly towards the vacuum passage 26. This movement of the indicator 60 relative to the housing 20 provides an indication of the reduced pressure within the passage 26. In one embodiment, when the vacuum level within the passage 26 reaches a predetermined vacuum level, the diaphragm 64 and indicator 60 move inwardly such that the top of the indicator 60 is flush with a surface 18 of the housing 20.
As shown in
The indicator 60, diaphragm 64 and/or spring 62 may be calibrated based upon the desired predetermined vacuum level at the vacuum inlet 22. In one embodiment the indicator 60, diaphragm 64 and spring 62 are calibrated such that the predetermined vacuum level is between approximately 17-19 inHg. In this respect, the size, shape and materials of the indicator 60, diaphragm 64 and spring 62 may be chosen based upon the level of vacuum needed for a particular endoscopic surgical procedure. For example, variables such as the spring constant of the spring 62, the size and/or diameter of the indicator 60 and the diaphragm material may all affect the movement of the indicator 60 when a vacuum is drawn through the passage 26. The greater the spring constant, the greater the vacuum will be required to move the indicator from the first position to the second position against the resistance of the spring 62. The more flexible the diaphragm 64 material, the less the vacuum will be required to move the indicator 60 from the first position to the second position. The greater the cross-section and/or diameter of the indicator 60, the greater the amount of vacuum will be required to move the indicator 60 from the first position to the second position. The greater the height of the indicator 60 the greater the amount of vacuum will be required to move the indicator inwardly such that the indicator is flush with a surface 18 of the housing 20.
It should be appreciated that a determination of the vacuum level at the inlet 22 may be substantially equal to the vacuum level at the desired vacuum location, such as near the distal end of an endoscope. Because there may be a distance separating the inlet 22 from the desired location for the vacuum, there may a time delay for the two locations to reach an equilibrium such that the vacuum level at the inlet 22 is substantially equal to the vacuum level at the desired location.
Other types of indicators are also contemplated by the present invention. For example, the present invention may include other types of visual indicators, as well as audio indicators. It should be appreciated that the indicator may be made in a variety of ways, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
In one illustrative embodiment, the vacuum controller 10 includes a connector configured to detachably couple the housing 20 to an endoscope shaft. As shown in
In one illustrative embodiment, the recess 32 is substantially C-shaped. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the recess 32 may be shaped differently, and may for example be rectangular or irregularly shaped as the invention is not so limited. The recess 32 may be configured to be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the endoscope shaft to provide an interference fit between the recess 32 and the endoscope shaft 99. In this regard, the endoscope shaft 99 may include a compressible outer covering which may be pinched by the arms and positioned within the recess 30.
During an endoscopic procedure, it may be desirable for a user to adjust the position of the vacuum controller relative to the endoscope shaft. In one embodiment, the connector is configured to slidably couple the housing to an endoscope shaft 99 to allow adjustment of the housing 20 along the length of the shaft while the housing remains coupled to the endoscope shaft. In the illustrative embodiment, the arms 30 are configured to be slidably couple the controller to the endoscope shaft 99 that is positioned within the recess 32.
As shown in
Aspects of the present invention are also directed to methods of providing a vacuum in an endoscopic procedure. An endoscopic vacuum controller 10 may be detachably connected to an endoscope shaft 99, where the vacuum controller includes an inlet 22, an outlet 24 and a passage 26 fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet. The vacuum controller may be actuated to draw a vacuum through the passage from the inlet 22 to the outlet 24. A determination of whether a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the inlet may be made with an indicator 60 supported by the housing 20. In one embodiment, the vacuum controller may be slid along at least a portion of the length of the endoscope shaft 99 to allow adjustment of the vacuum controller along the length of the shaft.
The types of materials used to manufacture the vacuum controller 10 of the present invention may vary as the invention is not limited in this respect. In one embodiment, the top and bottom outer shell 80, 82 may be made of a polycarbonate plastic and may be configured to ergonomically fit within a user's hand. In one embodiment, the inner housing 84 may be made of a clear polycarbonate so that the compressible tube 28 forming a portion of the vacuum passage 26 may be bonded to the inner housing 84. In one embodiment, the compressible tube 28 is made of a silicone and the tube 28 and the inner housing 84 may be bonded together with a UV curable adhesive. In one embodiment, the tube 28 is formed of a material that is resistant to creeping over time. This may be desirable if the vacuum controller is maintained in the closed position where the protrusion 42 on the actuator 40 may be pressing down on the compressible tube to pinch the vacuum passage 26 closed. The tube 28 may be made of a flexible material that is able to withstand the vacuum levels within the passage 26 without collapsing.
In one embodiment, the indicator 60 is made of an injection molded plastic. The top surface of the indicator 60 may have the same color as the top outer shell 80 and the sides of the indicator may have a different or contrasting color to allow a user to more readily visually determine when the indicator 60 is flush with the top surface 18 of the housing 80 to indicate that a predetermined vacuum level is being drawn at the inlet 22.
In the first position, the indicator 60 may extend out from the top surface 18 of the housing 20 approximately 0.1 inch. In one embodiment, an interference fit may be used between the indicator 60 and the inner diameter 68 of the diaphragm 64. In one embodiment, the outer diameter of the indicator 60 is slightly greater than the inner diameter 68 of the diaphragm 68, and the difference between the two diameters may, for example, be approximately 0.025 inches.
In one embodiment, the diaphragm 64 may be made from a flexible material, such as a silicone, and may have a durometer of approximately 20 A. In one embodiment, the outer diameter 66 of the diaphragm 64 is approximately 0.75 inches and the thickness of the diaphragm is approximately 0.020 inches.
In one embodiment, the spring 62 that biases the indicator 60 to the first position relative to the housing 20 may be a helical spring with a spring rate of approximately 2 lbs/inch. The spring may be fabricated of stainless steel wire having a diameter of approximately 0.016 inches.
As shown in
It should be understood that the foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention are intended merely to be illustrative thereof and that other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents of the invention are within the scope of the invention recited in the claims appended hereto.
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