WO2022198445A1

WO2022198445A1 - Endoscope

Info

Publication number: WO2022198445A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/082409
Authority: WO
Inventors: 姚宏文; 郭勇
Original assignee: 柯惠有限合伙公司; 姚宏文
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2021-03-23
Publication date: 2022-09-29

Abstract

Provided is an endoscope (1000). The endoscope (1000) comprises an imaging portion (100) at a distal side and an operating portion (200) at a proximal side; the imaging portion (100) is used for imaging within the body of a patient and comprises a camera (2); the operating portion (200) is operably attached to the imaging portion (100) such that the imaging portion (100) can rotate along with rotation of the operating portion (200); the operating portion (200) defines an internal space. A vacuum feedthrough element (10) is soldered to the operating portion (200) at the proximal end of the operating portion (200) to seal the internal space and provide an electrical connection or signal connection between the internal space and the outside.

Description

endoscope

technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of medical devices, particularly endoscopes, such as strabismus endoscopes such as 30 degree or 70 degree.

Background technique

Currently, endoscopy is more and more commonly used in the medical field. Endoscopy allows medical personnel to directly visually examine a patient's body in order to provide accurate diagnosis or treatment. For example, rigid endoscopy can be used for most common surgical procedures such as appendectomy, repair of acute perforation of gastric or duodenal ulcers, hernia repair, colectomy, splenectomy, adrenalectomy, ovarian cysts Removal, ectopic pregnancy, hysterectomy, etc.

The structure of the existing rigid endoscope, especially the 30-degree rigid endoscope, is very complicated. In order to isolate the internal electronic device from the outside, the prior art adopts such a rotating technology, which uses the attractive force of a magnet to drive the internal mechanism to rotate, the internal signal and the external signal are transmitted by the data line, and then use the adhesive ( glue) to seal. The disadvantage of this prior art is that most rigid endoscopes are autoclaved hundreds of times, and after hundreds of autoclaving, the magnets have the risk of magnetic degradation and cracking; ) for sealing, after hundreds of high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, the adhesive will age or even fail, and moisture may penetrate into the sealing area, resulting in an unreliable sealing effect.

Furthermore, when used in human body such as abdominal surgery, such as laparoscopy or surgery, the endoscope (ie, a strabismus endoscope) often needs to be turned or turned when the objective lens is tilted to enable side view. However, when the video camera is non-rotatably installed in the endoscope (video endoscope), the picture output by the camera to the external monitor is rotated together with the video endoscope, which is quite laborious for medical staff to observe of.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address one or more of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present disclosure provides an endoscope including an imaging portion at the distal side and an operating portion at the proximal side, the imaging portion a portion for imaging within a patient and including a camera, the operative portion operably attached to the imaging portion such that the imaging portion can be rotated as the operative portion is rotated, the operative portion defining an interior space , characterized in that a vacuum feedthrough is welded to the operating portion at the proximal end of the operating portion to seal the interior space and provide an electrical or signal connection between the interior space and the outside.

By using welded vacuum feedthroughs for sealing, the insulation and sealing properties are not affected even after hundreds of times of high temperature and high pressure elimination.

Preferably, the endoscope is located at the oblique objective lens at the far side of the camera and a rotation feedback mechanism is configured to sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the operating portion and to drive the camera to rotate The motor provides a signal to cause the motor to rotate the camera by the same rotation angle in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the operating portion.

Preferably, the rotation feedback mechanism includes a gyroscope, and the operating portion includes a handle housing and an inner tube located in the handle housing and rotatable together with the handle housing, the inner tube defining the inner space , the vacuum feedthrough is welded to the inner tube at its proximal end to seal the interior space, the gyroscope is secured to the inner tube within the interior space and is configured to sense The rotation direction and rotation angle of the handle housing.

Preferably, the operating portion includes a front handle housing and a rear handle housing that are rotatable relative to each other, an inner tube that is provided in the front handle housing and that is rotatable together with the front handle housing , the inner tube defines the inner space, the vacuum feedthrough is welded to the inner tube at the proximal end of the inner tube to seal the inner space, and the angle sensor is disposed within the rear handle housing And is configured to sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the front handle housing relative to the rear handle housing.

Preferably, the imaging section further comprises an outer tube, a rotating tube inside the outer tube, and a prism fixed to the outer tube and distal to the camera, the camera being fixed to the rotating tube, the outer tube The pipe can be rotated with the rotation of the operating portion, and the motor rotates the rotating pipe by the same rotation angle in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the operating portion according to the signal so as to be rotationally fixed to the Rotate the camera of the tube.

Preferably, the endoscope further includes an outer tube holder that holds the outer tube, the outer tube holder is fixed to the operating portion, and the outer tube holder and the held outer tube can follow the It rotates according to the rotation of the operating part.

Preferably, the motor is fixed to the inner tube via a fixing ring.

Preferably, the gyroscope is welded to the inner tube.

Preferably, the angle sensor includes a body fixed to the rear handle housing and a shaft fixed to the vacuum feedthrough when the front handle housing is rotated relative to the rear handle housing , the rotation is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the angle sensor via the inner tube and the vacuum feed-through, so that the rotating shaft rotates relative to the body.

Preferably, the endoscope further includes an outer tube holder that holds the outer tube, and the inner tube is fixed to the outer tube holder on a side opposite to the outer tube.

The rotation direction and rotation angle of the imaging part are sensed by means of a rotation feedback mechanism such as a gyroscope or an angle sensor, and the camera is driven to rotate by the same rotation angle in the opposite direction via the motor, so that the output of the camera can be kept on the external monitor. The picture is stable.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

1 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

2 is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion (imaging portion) of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1;

3 is a cross-sectional view of a proximal portion (handle portion/operating portion) of the endoscope shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a distal portion (imaging portion) of the endoscope shown in FIG. 4; and

6 is a cross-sectional view of a proximal portion (handle portion/operating portion) of the endoscope shown in FIG. 4;

Detailed ways

Embodiments according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, "near", "proximal", "proximal", "distant", "distal" and "distal" are relative to the operator (health care worker), and the proximity to the operator becomes "Near", far from the operator or close to the patient becomes "far".

first embodiment

A first embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1-3 . Endoscope 1000 includes a distal portion or imaging portion 100 and a proximal portion or handle portion 200, as shown in FIG. 1 . Imaging portion 100 may be inserted into a patient to image the patient. The length of the imaging portion 100 is omitted in FIG. 1 , and can be set according to actual needs. The handle portion 200 serves as an operating portion for the operator to hold and remotely operate the imaging portion, eg, extending or rotating the distal imaging portion 200, in order to provide an image or video of the desired site.

As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging section 100 on the distal side includes an outer tube 4, a rotating tube 3, a camera 2 attached to the rotating tube 3, and a prism 1 (as a tilted objective lens). Prism 1 is attached to outer tube 4 and is located in front of (distal side) camera 2 , eg near the distal end of outer tube 4 . An endoscope having the prism 1 also becomes a squint endoscope. Strabismus endoscopes provide better side views than direct-view endoscopes. The camera 2 provides an image or video of the observed part via the prism 1. The rotating tube 3 is configured to be rotatable relative to the outer tube 4, and when the rotating tube 3 is rotated relative to the outer tube 4, the camera 2 attached thereto is correspondingly rotated.

FIG. 3 shows the proximal portion or handle portion 200 . The handle portion 200 includes an outer tube holder 6 for holding (fixing) the outer tube 4 and attached to the handle housing 5 . The inner tube 7 is provided in the handle housing 5, one end (distal end) is fixed to the outer tube holder 6, and the other end (proximal end) is sealed. The inner tube 7 is made of metal, for example. Optionally, the inner tube 7 can also be attached (eg fixed) to the handle housing 5 .

In the prior art, adhesives and conventional sealing members are usually used for sealing, and wires or data wires for making electrical or signal connections extend into the inner tube 7 through the sealing members.

The sealing of the distal end of the inner tube 7 uses a vacuum feed-through 10 in this embodiment. In other words, the vacuum feedthrough 10 is welded to the inner tube 7 at or near the distal end of the inner tube 7 , thereby sealing the inner space of the inner tube 7 . Wires or data lines for electrical or signal connections pass through the metal electrodes, vacuum flanges, and insulating sleeves of the vacuum feedthrough 10 for the inner space (components in the inner space) of the inner tube 7 and the outside electrical and/or signal connections. The vacuum feed-through 10 has the characteristics of excellent insulation and stability, and when welded to the inner tube 7, it is resistant to high temperature and high pressure. Even if it is subjected to hundreds of times of high temperature and high pressure elimination treatment, the insulation and sealing properties will not be affected.

The motor 8 is attached to the inside of the inner tube 7 via a fixing ring 9 . The output shaft of the motor 8 is connected with the rotating tube 3 , so that the motor 8 can drive the rotating tube 3 to rotate and drive the camera 2 to rotate.

Optionally, the gyroscope 11 is fixed to the inner wall of the inner tube 7 . The gyroscope 11 can sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the inner tube 7 .

The operation of the endoscope 1000 according to the first embodiment is described below.

The operator holds the handle housing 5 of the handle portion 200 , extends the imaging portion 100 into the target portion in the patient's body, and the camera 2 provides an observation image or video via the prism 1 . When changing the observation position, the operator can rotate the handle housing 5, thereby driving the outer tube holder 6 and the retained outer tube 4 to rotate. The rotation of the outer tube 4 will drive the prism 1 to rotate, so that the camera can provide images or videos of different parts through the prism 1 .

In addition, when the operator rotates the handle housing 5, the inner tube 7 also rotates accordingly. The gyroscope 11 attached to the inner tube 7 can sense the rotation direction or rotation angle of the inner tube 7 (and the outer tube holder 6 , the outer tube 4 and the prism 1 ). According to the rotation direction and rotation angle sensed by the gyroscope 11, the motor 8 drives the rotation tube 3 and the camera 2 to rotate at the same angle in the opposite direction to the rotation direction, so that the camera 2 outputs the output signal on the external monitor. The orientation of the screen remains unchanged (ie, the observation field remains unchanged), which is beneficial to the observation and diagnosis of medical staff.

The endoscope according to the first embodiment is sealed with a vacuum feed-through, and the sealing performance can be kept stable for a longer period of time compared to the sealing with a conventional adhesive (glue) bonded with a conventional sealant.

The endoscope according to the first embodiment provides a gyroscope to sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the inner tube, and according to the sensed rotation direction and rotation angle, the motor drives the camera to rotate the same magnitude of rotation angle in the opposite direction, thereby The screen rotation caused by the rotation of the prism 1 can be compensated to keep the screen stable.

Second Embodiment

A first embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4-6 . Endoscope 1000a includes a distal portion or imaging portion 100a and a proximal portion or handle portion 200a, as shown in FIG. 4 . The imaging portion 100a may be inserted into a patient to image the patient's body. The length of the imaging portion 100a is omitted in FIG. 4, and can be set according to actual needs. The handle portion 200a serves as an operating portion for the operator to hold and remotely operate the imaging portion, eg, extending or rotating the distal imaging portion 200a, in order to provide an image or video of the desired site.

As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging section 100a on the distal side includes an outer tube 4a, a rotating tube 3a, a camera 2a attached to the rotating tube 3a, and a prism 1a (as a tilted objective lens). The prism 1a is attached to the outer tube 4a and is located in front (on the distal side) of the camera 2a, eg near the distal end of the outer tube 4a. The endoscope having the prism 1a also becomes a squint endoscope. Strabismus endoscopes provide better side views than direct-view endoscopes. The camera 2a provides an image or video of the observed part via the prism 1a. The rotary tube 3a is configured to be rotatable relative to the outer tube 4a, and when the rotary tube 3a is rotated relative to the outer tube 4a, the camera 2a attached thereto is correspondingly rotated.

Figure 6 shows a proximal portion or handle portion 200a. The handle portion 200a includes an outer tube holder 6a, a front handle housing 5a and a rear handle housing 5b. The outer tube holder 6a serves to hold (fix) the outer tube 4a and is attached to the front handle housing 5a. The inner tube 7a is provided in the handle housing 5a, one end (distal end) is fixed to the outer tube holder 6a, and the other end (proximal end) is sealed. The inner tube 7a is made of metal, for example. Optionally, the inner tube 7a can also be attached (eg fixed) to the handle housing 5a.

Optionally, similar to the first embodiment, the sealing of the distal end of the inner tube 7a in this embodiment employs a vacuum feedthrough 10a. In other words, the vacuum feedthrough 10a is welded to the inner tube 7a at or near the distal end of the inner tube 7a, thereby sealing the inner space of the inner tube 7a. Wires or data lines for making electrical or signal connections pass through the metal electrodes, vacuum flanges, and insulating sleeves of the vacuum feedthrough 10a for the inner space (components in the inner space) of the inner tube 7a and the outside electrical and/or signal connections. The vacuum feed-through 10a has the characteristics of excellent insulation and stability, and when welded to the inner tube 7, it is resistant to high temperature and high pressure. Even if it is subjected to hundreds of times of high temperature and high pressure elimination treatment, the insulation and sealing properties will not be affected.

The motor 8a is attached to the inside of the inner tube 7a via a fixing ring 9a. The output shaft of the motor 8a is connected to the rotary tube 3a, so that the motor 8a can drive the rotary tube 3a to rotate and drive the camera 2a to rotate.

Attached to the proximal end of the front handle housing 5a is the rear handle housing 5b, the two handle housings being rotatable relative to each other. An angle sensor 12a is provided outside the inner tube 7a and inside the rear handle case 5b. The angle sensor 12a includes a rotating shaft and a main body. The shaft of the angle sensor 12a is attached (eg fixed) to the vacuum feedthrough 10a and the body of the angle sensor 12a is attached to the rear handle housing 5b. The angle sensor 12a can sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the front handle housing 5a relative to the rear handle housing 5b.

The operation of the endoscope 1000a according to the second embodiment is described below.

The operator holds the handle housing (front handle housing 5a and/or rear handle housing 5b) of the handle portion 200a, extends the imaging portion 100 into the target portion in the patient, and the camera 2 provides an observation image or video via the prism 1 . When changing the observation position, the operator holds (fixes) the rear handle case 5b and rotates the front handle case 5a, thereby driving the outer tube holder 6a and the held outer tube 4a to rotate. The rotation of the outer tube 4a will drive the prism 1a to rotate, so that the camera can provide images or videos of different parts through the prism 1a.

In addition, when the operator holds the rear handle housing 5b and rotates the front handle housing 5a, the inner tube 7a and the vacuum feedthrough 10a also rotate accordingly. The rotation axis of the angle sensor 12a attached to the inner tube vacuum feedthrough 10a rotates relative to the main body of the angle sensor 12a attached to the rear handle housing 5b that is held (fixed) so that the inner tube 7 can be sensed (and the rotation direction or rotation angle of the outer tube holder 6, outer tube 4 and prism 1). According to the rotation direction and rotation angle sensed by the angle sensor 12a, the motor 8a drives the rotation tube 3a and the camera 2a to rotate at the same angle in the opposite direction to the rotation direction, so that the camera 2a outputs the output signal on the external monitor. The orientation of the screen remains unchanged, which is beneficial to the observation and diagnosis of medical staff.

The endoscope according to the second embodiment is sealed with a vacuum feed-through, and the sealing performance can be kept stable for a longer period of time compared to the sealing with a conventional adhesive (glue) bonded with a conventional sealant.

The endoscope according to the second embodiment provides an angle sensor to sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the inner tube, and according to the sensed rotation direction and rotation angle, the camera is driven by the motor to rotate the same magnitude of rotation angle in the opposite direction, thereby The screen rotation caused by the rotation of the prism 1 can be compensated to keep the screen stable.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed example embodiments. The scope of the appended claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to cover all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

An endoscope including an imaging portion at a distal side and an operating portion at a proximal side for imaging within a patient and including a camera, the operating portion operably attached Connecting to the imaging portion enables the imaging portion to rotate with rotation of the operating portion, the operating portion defining an interior space, characterized in that a vacuum feedthrough is welded to the proximal end of the operating portion. The operating portion seals the interior space and provides electrical or signal connections between the interior space and the outside.
The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the endoscope has a slanted objective lens distal to the camera and a rotation feedback mechanism configured to sense rotation of the operating portion direction and rotation angle and provide a signal to a motor capable of driving the camera to rotate so that the motor rotates the camera by the same rotation angle in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the operating portion.
The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the rotation feedback mechanism comprises a gyroscope, and the operation part comprises a handle housing and a handle housing which is located in the handle housing and can rotate together with the handle housing an inner tube defining the interior space to which the vacuum feedthrough is welded at its proximal end to seal the interior space where the gyroscope is located Internally secured to the inner tube and configured to sense a rotational direction and rotational angle of the handle housing.
2. The endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the operating portion includes a front handle housing and a rear handle housing that are rotatable relative to each other, are disposed in the front handle housing, and are rotatable with respect to each other. an inner tube that rotates with the front handle housing, the inner tube defining the interior space, the vacuum feedthrough welded to the inner tube at a proximal end of the inner tube to seal the interior space , an angle sensor is disposed in the rear handle housing and is configured to sense the rotation direction and rotation angle of the front handle housing relative to the rear handle housing.
4. The endoscope according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the imaging portion further comprises an outer tube, a rotating tube positioned within the outer tube, and a rotating tube fixed to the outer tube and positioned at the camera The prism on the far side, the camera is fixed to the rotating tube, the outer tube can be rotated with the rotation of the operating part, the motor is in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the operating part according to the signal The camera fixed to the rotating pipe is rotated by rotating the rotating pipe by the same rotation angle as above.
The endoscope according to claim 5, wherein the endoscope further comprises an outer tube holder that holds the outer tube, the outer tube holder is fixed to the operating portion, the outer tube The holder and the held outer tube can be rotated with the rotation of the operating portion.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein the motor is fixed to the inner tube via a fixing ring.
The endoscope of claim 3, wherein the gyroscope is welded to the inner tube.
The endoscope of claim 4, wherein the angle sensor comprises a body fixed to the rear handle housing and a shaft fixed to the vacuum feedthrough, when the front handle housing When the body rotates relative to the rear handle housing, the rotation is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the angle sensor via the inner tube and the vacuum feedthrough, so that the rotating shaft rotates relative to the body.
The endoscope according to any one of claims 3-4, wherein the endoscope further comprises an outer tube holder for holding the outer tube, the inner tube being opposite to the outer tube one side is fixed to the outer tube holder.