CA2103994A1 - Endoscope - Google Patents
EndoscopeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2103994A1 CA2103994A1 CA002103994A CA2103994A CA2103994A1 CA 2103994 A1 CA2103994 A1 CA 2103994A1 CA 002103994 A CA002103994 A CA 002103994A CA 2103994 A CA2103994 A CA 2103994A CA 2103994 A1 CA2103994 A1 CA 2103994A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- head
- endoscope
- link
- control unit
- threaded portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/31—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes, colonoscopes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B1/00—Instruments for performing medical examinations of the interior of cavities or tubes of the body by visual or photographical inspection, e.g. endoscopes; Illuminating arrangements therefor
- A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
- A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
- A61M25/0105—Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning
- A61M25/0113—Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Surgery (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Biophysics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
- Medical Informatics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Anesthesiology (AREA)
- Hematology (AREA)
- Endoscopes (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An endoscope is provided, wherein the head portion has an external threaded portion, with means to rotate the threaded porion relative to the head. The threads of the threaded portion, which are preferably fabricated from a resilient material to avoid tissue damage, are oriented outwardly from the head and are adapted to engage the interior of a body cavity, and in particular the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel, to draw the head therethrough. The threaded portion may comprise a sleeve that surrounds the head, driven by a variable speed, reversible gearmotor mounted within said head and electrically powered and controlled by the control unit.
A CCD video camera, a light source and suction and water/air irrigation channels may be provided within the head, with the controls and connections therefore connected to a control unit through a flexible link.
The link may include a casing comprising a strip of rigid material wound about the link in a spiral, adapted to provide resistance to torque applied by the head, while allowing lateral bending of the link.
An endoscope is provided, wherein the head portion has an external threaded portion, with means to rotate the threaded porion relative to the head. The threads of the threaded portion, which are preferably fabricated from a resilient material to avoid tissue damage, are oriented outwardly from the head and are adapted to engage the interior of a body cavity, and in particular the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel, to draw the head therethrough. The threaded portion may comprise a sleeve that surrounds the head, driven by a variable speed, reversible gearmotor mounted within said head and electrically powered and controlled by the control unit.
A CCD video camera, a light source and suction and water/air irrigation channels may be provided within the head, with the controls and connections therefore connected to a control unit through a flexible link.
The link may include a casing comprising a strip of rigid material wound about the link in a spiral, adapted to provide resistance to torque applied by the head, while allowing lateral bending of the link.
Description
23L~399~
al , ~, ENDOSCOPE
Field of the Invention , , The present invention relates to an endoscope for ~ , viewing the midgut region, adapted to be drawn through the midgut by means of a pulling action provided by the viewing head of the device.
.
~ 10 Backqround of the Invention .`." ' Endoscopes for the viewing of the interior of body ~`' cavities a].low a physician to gain access to and perorm a variety of lnvestlgative and treatment procedures. Existing endoscopes are able to reach only certain parts of the gastro-intestinal ("G-I") tract - the oesophagus, stomach, ~ .
duodenum and colon. The greater part of the bowel is out of reach of known endoscopes. The reason for this lies in the design of these endoscopes, which are advanced through the body cavity by a pushing motion. Such endoscopes have a steerable viewing head or tip, which typically houses a miniature video camera and a light source, and may as well include nozzles for irrigation and suction. The ! tip is positioned at the end of a relatively rigid elongate tube :
adapted to be threaded through a body cavity. The tube, which houses the cables and tubes required for the operation ..
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of the head, is adapted to offer resistance to bending to allow the device to be threaded through a body cavity, but ls pliable enough to follow the bends within the cavity.
~- Various means have been deve:Loped to steer the tip through the cavity, including various arrangernents of cords threaded along through one or more sides of the tube.
Pulling of the various cords steers the device in one direction or another as it is pushed through the cavity.
These known devices are limited in their ability to travel through a body cavity. Because the device is pushed rather than pulled through the cavity, as the length of the tube threaded through the cavity increases, it becomes ; increasingly difficult to negotiate a bend in the cavity without looping the endoscope.
15The relatively straight course of the human foregut, seen schematically in Figure l, makes it relatively easy to reach the third or fourth part of the duodenum. However, ~' when visualizing the colon, two 90 degree -turns have to be negotiated to reach the caecum, as shown schematically in . ~, q~20 Figure 2. The colonoscopist achieves this by a combination iof withdrawal and rotation of the endoscope, creating a ;
"concertina~ effect on the colon to shorten and straighten the colon in order that the endoscope may view the interior of the colon. In an appreciable number of colonoscopies, however, it is not possible to reach the caecum because of the relatively extreme angulation at the hepatic flexure of .
, :' '~. : '' ` " ' : 2~3~9~
, the colon.
The small bowel, or midgut, i5 even more difficult to view by conventlonal endoscopy. The small bowel is highly folded, since its length, about 6 m~ters, is much greater than the length of the abdominal wall to which it attaches, ` about 1.5 meters. This folding makes endoscopy of the small ~` bowel difficult, and it is seldom attempted. One solution for visualizing the small bowel has been to surgically open , the abdominal cavity in the operating room. The surgeon j .
0 threads the endoscope through the small bowel while a second operator performs the endoscopy. A proposed alternative has been to allow the natural motility of the bowel to carry an endoscope through the small bowel. This approach would be time consuming and would allow for only one "pass'l of the ~`, 15 device.
~` An endoscope may be provided that takes advantage of the ,l` sharp concentric folds within the mucosal lining of the small bowel. These folds, called valvulae conniventes, are unique to the small bowel and can provide a means whereby the head of an endoscope may draw itself through the small bowel by engaging the walls of the bowel, rather than being pushed ~, through the cavity as in a conventional endoscope. An " endoscope of this type, havlng a self-propelled head capable ~`, of drawing itself and a trailing link through a bodylcavity, is capable of reaching the midgut, or any other portion of the gastro-intestinal tract. Such a device may be provided .
:, .
al , ~, ENDOSCOPE
Field of the Invention , , The present invention relates to an endoscope for ~ , viewing the midgut region, adapted to be drawn through the midgut by means of a pulling action provided by the viewing head of the device.
.
~ 10 Backqround of the Invention .`." ' Endoscopes for the viewing of the interior of body ~`' cavities a].low a physician to gain access to and perorm a variety of lnvestlgative and treatment procedures. Existing endoscopes are able to reach only certain parts of the gastro-intestinal ("G-I") tract - the oesophagus, stomach, ~ .
duodenum and colon. The greater part of the bowel is out of reach of known endoscopes. The reason for this lies in the design of these endoscopes, which are advanced through the body cavity by a pushing motion. Such endoscopes have a steerable viewing head or tip, which typically houses a miniature video camera and a light source, and may as well include nozzles for irrigation and suction. The ! tip is positioned at the end of a relatively rigid elongate tube :
adapted to be threaded through a body cavity. The tube, which houses the cables and tubes required for the operation ..
... :
. :.
:
.: : :, ~ . '' ' , ' ~ ' 21039~
.~
of the head, is adapted to offer resistance to bending to allow the device to be threaded through a body cavity, but ls pliable enough to follow the bends within the cavity.
~- Various means have been deve:Loped to steer the tip through the cavity, including various arrangernents of cords threaded along through one or more sides of the tube.
Pulling of the various cords steers the device in one direction or another as it is pushed through the cavity.
These known devices are limited in their ability to travel through a body cavity. Because the device is pushed rather than pulled through the cavity, as the length of the tube threaded through the cavity increases, it becomes ; increasingly difficult to negotiate a bend in the cavity without looping the endoscope.
15The relatively straight course of the human foregut, seen schematically in Figure l, makes it relatively easy to reach the third or fourth part of the duodenum. However, ~' when visualizing the colon, two 90 degree -turns have to be negotiated to reach the caecum, as shown schematically in . ~, q~20 Figure 2. The colonoscopist achieves this by a combination iof withdrawal and rotation of the endoscope, creating a ;
"concertina~ effect on the colon to shorten and straighten the colon in order that the endoscope may view the interior of the colon. In an appreciable number of colonoscopies, however, it is not possible to reach the caecum because of the relatively extreme angulation at the hepatic flexure of .
, :' '~. : '' ` " ' : 2~3~9~
, the colon.
The small bowel, or midgut, i5 even more difficult to view by conventlonal endoscopy. The small bowel is highly folded, since its length, about 6 m~ters, is much greater than the length of the abdominal wall to which it attaches, ` about 1.5 meters. This folding makes endoscopy of the small ~` bowel difficult, and it is seldom attempted. One solution for visualizing the small bowel has been to surgically open , the abdominal cavity in the operating room. The surgeon j .
0 threads the endoscope through the small bowel while a second operator performs the endoscopy. A proposed alternative has been to allow the natural motility of the bowel to carry an endoscope through the small bowel. This approach would be time consuming and would allow for only one "pass'l of the ~`, 15 device.
~` An endoscope may be provided that takes advantage of the ,l` sharp concentric folds within the mucosal lining of the small bowel. These folds, called valvulae conniventes, are unique to the small bowel and can provide a means whereby the head of an endoscope may draw itself through the small bowel by engaging the walls of the bowel, rather than being pushed ~, through the cavity as in a conventional endoscope. An " endoscope of this type, havlng a self-propelled head capable ~`, of drawing itself and a trailing link through a bodylcavity, is capable of reaching the midgut, or any other portion of the gastro-intestinal tract. Such a device may be provided .
:, .
2~039~
with a miniature CCD (charge coupled device) video camera to provide visual in~ages, with the camera being linked to a control unit by a coaxial cable. Such cameras are in use ; with existing gastroscopes and colonoscopes. Alternatively, fiber-optic links typical of known endoscopes may be ` provided, with the camera and light source being located . within an external control unit.
The use of an endoscope capable of entering the midgut opens the possibility of performing both diagnostic and treatment procedures in this region. A range of treatments that are now possible only surgically, including the management of small bowel haemorrhages, decompression of bowel obstructions, and the dilation of strictures, may be performed with an endoscope capable of entering the midgut.
.
Ob~ects of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an . .
endoscope specially adapted for visualizing the small bowel.
A further object is to provide an endoscope wherein the viewing head is adapted to draw itself throu~h the small bowel by means of levering itself against the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel. A further ob;ect is to provide a method for visualizing the small bowel, making use ` 25 of the said endoscope.
.``'' ~'' 21039~
Brief Sw_lmary of -the Inven-tion The present invention is an endoscope, comprising a ~head, a control unit, and a flexible elongate link `!5 operatively connecting the control unit with the head. An -;external threaded portion is rotatably engaged to the head and means are provided to rotate the threaded portion relative to the head. The threads of the threaded portion, which are preferably fabricated from a resilient material to avoid tissue damage, are adapted to engage the interior of a body cavity, and in particular the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel, and draw the head therethrough. The threaded portion may comprise a sleeve that surrounds the head, dr~ven by a variable speed, reversible gearmotor mounted ~ithln said head and electrically powered and controlled by the control unit.
` A CCD video camera, a light source and suction and '';!., water/air irrigation channels may be provided within the head.
20The link may include a casing comprising a strip of rigid material wound about the link in a spiral, adapted to provide resistance to torque applied by the head, while allowing lateral bending of the link.
.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs ~` .
~ . .
:--~ 21 039~
igure l is a schematic view of a stomach and duodenum, :, with an en~oscope positioned therein;
Figure 2 is a schemati.c view of a colon, with an . endoscope positioned therein;
~ 5 Figure 3 is a perspective vlew of a section of a small : bowel; :.
~:.
`. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an endoscope according : to the present invention;
; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the head of an `. lO endoscope according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a link;
i Figure 7 is a sectional vlew along line a-a of Figure 5, -. showing the interior of the endoscope head; :
Figure 8 is a sectional view along llne b-b of Figure 5.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment ~;~ Various parts of the gastro-intestinal tract that may be `.~ 20 viewed by the present device are shown schematically in - Figures l and 2. AS seen in Figure 1, the device may be threaded into the stomach l and duodenum 2. In this respect, the device functions as a conventional endoscope, since these : cavities are relatively straight and require only relatively minor flexion of the endoscope. As seen in Figure 2, the endoscope must experiencs a more extreme flexure within the 2~399~
colon 3 in order to extend beyond the hepatic flexure 4.
l'he endoscope of the present inventlon comprises a control unit 5, linked by means of a flexible link 6 to a ~; head 7, as seen in Figure 4. The head, which is described , 5 in detail below, houses a CCD vldeo camera, a light source ; and suction and irrigation channels. The control unit 6 provides power sources to operate the head, suction and water , or air for use by the head and controls for operating the ~-; device. The control unit also includes a camera display ; 10 screen, and may as well include a recording device for recording the images received by the camera. The control unit 1 is similar to other endoscope control units, and will not be described ln detail.
The link 6 is provided with a flexible casing 8. The casing 8 ls comprised of a tightly wound rigid materlal, such as plastic or spring steel, which when wound is flexible laterally but resists compressive and torsionary forces.
As seen in Figure 6, the casing of the link 6 houses a ~; coaxial cable 9, electrical cables 10 and 12, a water/air channel 14 and a suction channel 16. These respective members line elements within the head to the control unit, as will be described below.
Turning to Figure 5, the head 7 is generally ;cylindrical, with a rounded snout 20. The sidewal~ of the head is surrounded by a sleeve 22 that is rotatable relative to the head. A threading 24 is extends partway up the sleeve 210399~
~` 22. The threading 24 iS fabricated of a pliable material such as a resilient and compressible plastic or polymer, and is adapted to grippingly engage the valvulae conniventes 28 .!~ that encircle the interior of the midgut 30, seen in Figure `~, 5 3. When the sleeve 22 iS rotated, the rotation of the ~ ~
threading 24 propels the head forward or rearwardly, ~ --depending on the direction of rotation, by engaging ~;
successive folds of the valvulae conniventes.
As seen in Figure 7, the housing of the head is comprised of a casing 32, to which the sleeve 22 is rotatably mounted by means of front and rear bearing sets 33, 34. The bearing sets rest on shoulders 36, 38 on the rear and front portions, respectively, of the head. The rear bearlng set 34 has a larger diameter than the front bearing set 33, in order ; 15 to facilitate assembly of the device. The snout 20 is mounted to the casing by means of screws 40. La~eral travel of the sleeve 22 is restricted by means of the rearward edge of the snout 20 and a shoulder 42 extendlng upwardly from the rear of the casing 32, the opposing side of which is engaged to the casing 8 of the link 6. The gap at the forward and rearward edges of the sleeve rub against the snout 20 and the ,': .
shoulder 42, to prevent the entry of fluid into the joint.
A low friction coating such as Teflon (tm.) may be provided to reduce friction at these junctions.
25The interior of the head 7, seen in Figures 7 and 8, houses a CCD camera 46, the lens 48 of which is directed ~
-~ ` .
'` . ~."
210399~
through a clear panel 50 within the snout 20. The CCD camera consists of a standard miniature video camera, and is linked to the control unlt by coaxlal cable 36, that extends through ~ the head and the link 6. A lamp 52 is positioned adjacent : 5 the camera 46, and shines through a lens s4 within the snout -20. The lamp 52 is a high intensity, low-heat generating lamp. The power supply for the lamp 52 is delivered by way of electrical cord 56, that extends through the link 6. A
lamp housing 58 shields the lamp from the interior of the head, and the reflective interior of the housing directs the lamp's light outwards. A variable speed reversible gearmotor 60 mounted inside the head rotates the sleeve 22. The power of the gearmotor 60 is transmitted by a rubber wheel 62, that engages a second rubber wheel 64 rotatably mounted to the casing 32. The second rubber wheel engages extends through a slot 66 within the casing 32 and engages the interior surface of the sleeve 22. The second wheel 64 transmits rotation of the wheel 62 to the sleeve 22. Power for the gearmotor is transmitted by way of a cable, not shown, t.hat ~i20 extends through the link 6 to the control unit 5. The control unit includes a voltage and phase regulator to :~control the speed and direction of the gearmotor 60.
~-An alternative, not shown, to the internally-housed gearmotor, is to house the motor within the control unlt.
The threaded sleeve would in this variation be driven by a flexible drive link that would extend through the link 6 into . ~ ~
~, :`
:. ' ' : ' : ' . `"i ' 21039~
the housing.
The interior of the head also houses suction and air/water irrigation tubes 70, 72, seen in Figure 8. The : tubes 70, 72 extend through the llnk 6 to the control unit 5, which provides suction, air or water flow as required by the operator. The tubes 70, 72 terminate at their forward end at ~ the snout 20. Channels 74, 76 extend -through the snout and ;' communicate with the tubes 70, 72 respectively.
~ In use, the operator controls the speed and direction of ,` 10 the rotation of the sleeve 22, which in turn controls the head's speed and direction of travel through the body cavity.
The device's ability to negotiate the many convolutions of the midgut renders it as well su:ltable for use in the stomach, duodenum colon and other components of the G-I
tract, since the link can be of any required length. This multiple use capability reduces the number and variety of endoscopes that a hospital must own to perform a full range of endoscopic procedures. ;
''` :': "
'` 20 The present invention has been described by way of a preferred embodiment. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that variations and departures may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, -as defined by the appended claims. -;
" 10
with a miniature CCD (charge coupled device) video camera to provide visual in~ages, with the camera being linked to a control unit by a coaxial cable. Such cameras are in use ; with existing gastroscopes and colonoscopes. Alternatively, fiber-optic links typical of known endoscopes may be ` provided, with the camera and light source being located . within an external control unit.
The use of an endoscope capable of entering the midgut opens the possibility of performing both diagnostic and treatment procedures in this region. A range of treatments that are now possible only surgically, including the management of small bowel haemorrhages, decompression of bowel obstructions, and the dilation of strictures, may be performed with an endoscope capable of entering the midgut.
.
Ob~ects of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an . .
endoscope specially adapted for visualizing the small bowel.
A further object is to provide an endoscope wherein the viewing head is adapted to draw itself throu~h the small bowel by means of levering itself against the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel. A further ob;ect is to provide a method for visualizing the small bowel, making use ` 25 of the said endoscope.
.``'' ~'' 21039~
Brief Sw_lmary of -the Inven-tion The present invention is an endoscope, comprising a ~head, a control unit, and a flexible elongate link `!5 operatively connecting the control unit with the head. An -;external threaded portion is rotatably engaged to the head and means are provided to rotate the threaded portion relative to the head. The threads of the threaded portion, which are preferably fabricated from a resilient material to avoid tissue damage, are adapted to engage the interior of a body cavity, and in particular the valvulae conniventes of the small bowel, and draw the head therethrough. The threaded portion may comprise a sleeve that surrounds the head, dr~ven by a variable speed, reversible gearmotor mounted ~ithln said head and electrically powered and controlled by the control unit.
` A CCD video camera, a light source and suction and '';!., water/air irrigation channels may be provided within the head.
20The link may include a casing comprising a strip of rigid material wound about the link in a spiral, adapted to provide resistance to torque applied by the head, while allowing lateral bending of the link.
.
Brief Description of the Drawinqs ~` .
~ . .
:--~ 21 039~
igure l is a schematic view of a stomach and duodenum, :, with an en~oscope positioned therein;
Figure 2 is a schemati.c view of a colon, with an . endoscope positioned therein;
~ 5 Figure 3 is a perspective vlew of a section of a small : bowel; :.
~:.
`. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an endoscope according : to the present invention;
; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the head of an `. lO endoscope according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a sectional view of a link;
i Figure 7 is a sectional vlew along line a-a of Figure 5, -. showing the interior of the endoscope head; :
Figure 8 is a sectional view along llne b-b of Figure 5.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment ~;~ Various parts of the gastro-intestinal tract that may be `.~ 20 viewed by the present device are shown schematically in - Figures l and 2. AS seen in Figure 1, the device may be threaded into the stomach l and duodenum 2. In this respect, the device functions as a conventional endoscope, since these : cavities are relatively straight and require only relatively minor flexion of the endoscope. As seen in Figure 2, the endoscope must experiencs a more extreme flexure within the 2~399~
colon 3 in order to extend beyond the hepatic flexure 4.
l'he endoscope of the present inventlon comprises a control unit 5, linked by means of a flexible link 6 to a ~; head 7, as seen in Figure 4. The head, which is described , 5 in detail below, houses a CCD vldeo camera, a light source ; and suction and irrigation channels. The control unit 6 provides power sources to operate the head, suction and water , or air for use by the head and controls for operating the ~-; device. The control unit also includes a camera display ; 10 screen, and may as well include a recording device for recording the images received by the camera. The control unit 1 is similar to other endoscope control units, and will not be described ln detail.
The link 6 is provided with a flexible casing 8. The casing 8 ls comprised of a tightly wound rigid materlal, such as plastic or spring steel, which when wound is flexible laterally but resists compressive and torsionary forces.
As seen in Figure 6, the casing of the link 6 houses a ~; coaxial cable 9, electrical cables 10 and 12, a water/air channel 14 and a suction channel 16. These respective members line elements within the head to the control unit, as will be described below.
Turning to Figure 5, the head 7 is generally ;cylindrical, with a rounded snout 20. The sidewal~ of the head is surrounded by a sleeve 22 that is rotatable relative to the head. A threading 24 is extends partway up the sleeve 210399~
~` 22. The threading 24 iS fabricated of a pliable material such as a resilient and compressible plastic or polymer, and is adapted to grippingly engage the valvulae conniventes 28 .!~ that encircle the interior of the midgut 30, seen in Figure `~, 5 3. When the sleeve 22 iS rotated, the rotation of the ~ ~
threading 24 propels the head forward or rearwardly, ~ --depending on the direction of rotation, by engaging ~;
successive folds of the valvulae conniventes.
As seen in Figure 7, the housing of the head is comprised of a casing 32, to which the sleeve 22 is rotatably mounted by means of front and rear bearing sets 33, 34. The bearing sets rest on shoulders 36, 38 on the rear and front portions, respectively, of the head. The rear bearlng set 34 has a larger diameter than the front bearing set 33, in order ; 15 to facilitate assembly of the device. The snout 20 is mounted to the casing by means of screws 40. La~eral travel of the sleeve 22 is restricted by means of the rearward edge of the snout 20 and a shoulder 42 extendlng upwardly from the rear of the casing 32, the opposing side of which is engaged to the casing 8 of the link 6. The gap at the forward and rearward edges of the sleeve rub against the snout 20 and the ,': .
shoulder 42, to prevent the entry of fluid into the joint.
A low friction coating such as Teflon (tm.) may be provided to reduce friction at these junctions.
25The interior of the head 7, seen in Figures 7 and 8, houses a CCD camera 46, the lens 48 of which is directed ~
-~ ` .
'` . ~."
210399~
through a clear panel 50 within the snout 20. The CCD camera consists of a standard miniature video camera, and is linked to the control unlt by coaxlal cable 36, that extends through ~ the head and the link 6. A lamp 52 is positioned adjacent : 5 the camera 46, and shines through a lens s4 within the snout -20. The lamp 52 is a high intensity, low-heat generating lamp. The power supply for the lamp 52 is delivered by way of electrical cord 56, that extends through the link 6. A
lamp housing 58 shields the lamp from the interior of the head, and the reflective interior of the housing directs the lamp's light outwards. A variable speed reversible gearmotor 60 mounted inside the head rotates the sleeve 22. The power of the gearmotor 60 is transmitted by a rubber wheel 62, that engages a second rubber wheel 64 rotatably mounted to the casing 32. The second rubber wheel engages extends through a slot 66 within the casing 32 and engages the interior surface of the sleeve 22. The second wheel 64 transmits rotation of the wheel 62 to the sleeve 22. Power for the gearmotor is transmitted by way of a cable, not shown, t.hat ~i20 extends through the link 6 to the control unit 5. The control unit includes a voltage and phase regulator to :~control the speed and direction of the gearmotor 60.
~-An alternative, not shown, to the internally-housed gearmotor, is to house the motor within the control unlt.
The threaded sleeve would in this variation be driven by a flexible drive link that would extend through the link 6 into . ~ ~
~, :`
:. ' ' : ' : ' . `"i ' 21039~
the housing.
The interior of the head also houses suction and air/water irrigation tubes 70, 72, seen in Figure 8. The : tubes 70, 72 extend through the llnk 6 to the control unit 5, which provides suction, air or water flow as required by the operator. The tubes 70, 72 terminate at their forward end at ~ the snout 20. Channels 74, 76 extend -through the snout and ;' communicate with the tubes 70, 72 respectively.
~ In use, the operator controls the speed and direction of ,` 10 the rotation of the sleeve 22, which in turn controls the head's speed and direction of travel through the body cavity.
The device's ability to negotiate the many convolutions of the midgut renders it as well su:ltable for use in the stomach, duodenum colon and other components of the G-I
tract, since the link can be of any required length. This multiple use capability reduces the number and variety of endoscopes that a hospital must own to perform a full range of endoscopic procedures. ;
''` :': "
'` 20 The present invention has been described by way of a preferred embodiment. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that variations and departures may be made thereto, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, -as defined by the appended claims. -;
" 10
Claims (9)
1. An endoscope, comprising a head, a control unit, and a flexible elongate link to operatively connect said control unit with said head, said head having an external threaded portion rotatably engaged thereto and means to rotate said threaded portion relative to said head, the threads of said threaded portion being oriented outwardly from said head and adapted to engage the interior of a body cavity and draw the head therethrough.
2. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means to rotate the threaded portion comprises a variable speed, reversible gearmotor mounted within said head and powered and controlled by said control unit.
3. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said threaded portion is provided with threads fabricated from a resilient material.
4. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said threaded portion comprises a sleeve rotatably engaged to the exterior of said head, the exterior of said sleeve having threads extending outwardly therefrom.
5. An endoscope as claimed in claim 4 wherein said sleeve is rotatably driven by an electric gearmotor mounted within said head and communicating directly or indirectly with said sleeve.
6. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said head is provided with a CCD video camera positioned therein and adapted to view outwardly through a forward end of the head, said video camera being operatively connected via a coaxial cable within said link to the control unit.
7. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is further provided an air or water irrigation channel opening outwardly from said head and connected operatively via said link to the control unit.
8. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is further provided a suction channel opening outwardly from said head and connected operatively via said link to the control unit.
9. An endoscope as claimed in claim 1 wherein said link is provided with an external casing comprised of a rigid strip of material spirally wound about said link, said casing adapted to resist torsionary forces applied by said head, while permitting lateral bending of the link.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002103994A CA2103994A1 (en) | 1993-08-12 | 1993-08-12 | Endoscope |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002103994A CA2103994A1 (en) | 1993-08-12 | 1993-08-12 | Endoscope |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2103994A1 true CA2103994A1 (en) | 1995-02-13 |
Family
ID=4152146
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002103994A Abandoned CA2103994A1 (en) | 1993-08-12 | 1993-08-12 | Endoscope |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2103994A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2005089630A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 | 2005-09-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| WO2006093976A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-09-08 | Spirus Medical Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| WO2008144033A2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2008-11-27 | Spirus Medical, Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterizaton system |
| US7780650B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2010-08-24 | Spirus Medical, Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8235942B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2012-08-07 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8317678B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2012-11-27 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8343040B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2013-01-01 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8414477B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2013-04-09 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8435229B2 (en) | 2006-02-28 | 2013-05-07 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8574220B2 (en) | 2006-02-28 | 2013-11-05 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8777841B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2014-07-15 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
-
1993
- 1993-08-12 CA CA002103994A patent/CA2103994A1/en not_active Abandoned
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1726252A4 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2009-07-29 | Olympus Corp | Insertion device |
| EP1726253A1 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2006-11-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| WO2005089630A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 | 2005-09-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| EP1726252A1 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2006-11-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| EP1726251A1 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2006-11-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| WO2005089628A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 | 2005-09-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| EP1726253A4 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2009-07-29 | Olympus Corp | Insertion device |
| EP1726251A4 (en) * | 2004-03-18 | 2009-07-29 | Olympus Corp | Insertion device |
| WO2005089629A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 | 2005-09-29 | Olympus Corporation | Insertion device |
| WO2006093976A1 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2006-09-08 | Spirus Medical Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8377041B2 (en) | 2005-02-28 | 2013-02-19 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| EP1861133A1 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2007-12-05 | Spirus Medical Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| EP1861133A4 (en) * | 2005-02-28 | 2009-04-29 | Spirus Medical Inc | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8235942B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2012-08-07 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8317678B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2012-11-27 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8343040B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2013-01-01 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8366674B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2013-02-05 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US7780650B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2010-08-24 | Spirus Medical, Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8414477B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2013-04-09 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8747300B2 (en) | 2005-05-04 | 2014-06-10 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8435229B2 (en) | 2006-02-28 | 2013-05-07 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8574220B2 (en) | 2006-02-28 | 2013-11-05 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| WO2008144033A2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2008-11-27 | Spirus Medical, Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterizaton system |
| US8777841B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2014-07-15 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
| US8870755B2 (en) | 2007-05-18 | 2014-10-28 | Olympus Endo Technology America Inc. | Rotate-to-advance catheterization system |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |