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
  • A61B1/00142—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 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• • 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
  • A61B1/00147—Holding or positioning arrangements
  • A61B1/00156—Holding or positioning arrangements using self propulsion
• • 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
  • 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

Definitions

• Endoscopic apparatus provided with inflatable propelling sleeve
• the present invention relates generally to the field of endoscopy and specifically to endoscopes used for colonoscopic procedure during which a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum and colon for examining the colon interior for abnormalities. More particularly, the present invention refers to such an endoscope, which is provided with disposable sleeve covering the tube and which, upon inflation, assists advancement of the colonoscope within the colon.
• Voloshin discloses an endoscope, which comprises an endoscopic probe, a bending section for directing the probe within the colon (steering unit), an insertion tube and a flexible covering sleeve or a sheath, which is coupled proximally to the probe.
• the bending section of the endoscope is located behind the probe.
• the sleeve is attached to the endoscope in such a manner that its folded section is retained between a cap and an internal spindle, which are located between the insertion tube and the probe head. When inflated, the folded section unfolds over a flange of the internal spindle and an inner portion of the sleeve is pulled in a distal direction.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved endoscope employing an inflatable sleeve for its propulsion within the colon.
• the endoscope of the present invention is fully protected from contamination, since the inflatable, disposable sleeve covers the insertion tube, the bending section and the probe.
• the inflatable, disposable sleeve covers the insertion tube, the bending section and the probe.
• maneuverability of the bending section is not compromised.
• Fig.l depicts a general view of an endoscopic apparatus, preferably a colonoscopic apparatus of the present invention and its main components
• Figs.2a and 2b are longitudinal views and show schematically how the endoscope of the present invention advances within the colon by being propelled by the inflating sleeve.
• Fig.3 is a longitudinal view, partially broken away, and shows the anchoring and sealing arrangement for attaching the sleeve to the insertion tube.
• Fig.4 in an enlarged view, partially in section and partially broken away, and shows an embodiment of the anchoring and sealing arrangement.
• a colonoscopic apparatus 10 of the present invention is shown with its following main components.
• the apparatus comprises an endoscope having an insertion tube with its proximal section 12 connected to an operation handle 14 and with its distal section 16 inserted in and protruding from a disposable dispenser 18.
• a suitable dispenser and explanation of its functioning can be found in the above referred-to PCT/IL03/00661.
• the distal section of the endoscope is provided with a bending section for maneuvering the endoscope and with a probe, which terminates at its forwardmost end by an appropriate optical head enabling visualization of the colon's interior.
• a sleeve covers the protruding distal section of the endoscope.
• the distal part of the sleeve which is seen in fig.l, comprises a frontal non-inflatable portion 17 and a rear folded portion 15. It will be explained further in more details that the frontal portion covers the bending section of the endoscope and its optical head. The frontal portion of the sleeve does not inflate when the endoscope advances within the colon.
• the rear portion covers the insertion tube and unfolds when air or another fluid medium is supplied to the sleeve.
• the endoscope is propelled by the sleeve within the colon. Explanation of this phenomenon can be found in the above referred-to references.
• the endoscope of the present invention is of similar type in the sense that it employs the same propelling mechanism, which is based on inflation of a flexible sleeve coupled to the endoscope' s distal section.
• the endoscope of the invention is of the similar type also in the sense that it employs a disposable sleeve, which protects the endoscope from contamination. It should be emphasized, however, that the endoscope of the present invention is not limited merely to colonoscopy.
• the operation handle is connected by an appropriate umbilical duct 20 to a control unit 22, which is provided with a source of compressed air for inflating and venting the sleeve.
• control unit comprises appropriate solenoids for activating pinch valves for the air, water and suction tubes passing along the umbilical duct.
• a flask 24 filled with water, which can be supplied under pressure into the colon for irrigation.
• various devices which are necessary for proper functioning of the endoscope.
• These devices are known in the art.
• vertebrae and strings which can be manipulated by the handle, and a working channel, or so-called multilumen, with passages for supplying water for irrigation or a vacuum for suction.
• the multilumen is provided also with a passage for introducing surgical instruments into the colon as might be required during the endoscopic procedure.
• the multilumen extends through the endoscope and through the handle to a connector means 26, which connects it to the control unit and to the flask.
• fig.2a there is shown the distal section of the endoscope being inserted into a body passage of a patient, e.g. the colon.
• the disposable dispenser 18 and the proximal section 12 of the endoscope remain outside of the body passage.
• a dedicated garment 30 can support the rearmost part of the distal section, for example as explained in International patent application PCT/IL2004/000372. By virtue of this provision more convenient operation of the endoscope is possible.
• distal section 16 of the endoscope extends along the colon 32.
• the distal section comprises a probe section 34 provided with a camera head 36 fitted with illumination means and viewing optics as required for visualization of the colon's interior (not shown).
• the distal section also comprises a bending section 38, which is situated behind the probe section.
• the distal section includes the forwardmost region of an insertion tube 40.
• a flexible sleeve 42 surrounds entire the length of the distal section.
• the sleeve is manufactured of a flexible biocompatible plastic material, such as polyamide having a thickness of preferably about 20 microns. It is seen that the frontal non- inflatable portion 17 of the sleeve covers both the bending section and the probe, while the rear folded portion 15 of the sleeve covers merely the forwardmost region of the insertion tube.
• the folded portion of the sleeve is arranged as a concertina and, when pressure is supplied to the sleeve, the folded portion begins to unfold and reduce its length on account of the unfolded inflated region, which is designated by reference numeral 44.
• fig.2b is shown how the endoscope advances within the body passage by being propelled when the sleeve inflates. It is seen that inflated region increases its length, as designated by reference numeral 46.
• fig.3 it shows the enlarged portion of the distal section 16, which is shown schematically in a situation when the pressure is supplied to the sleeve and it begins to unfold and inflate.
• the inflated portion 44 of the sleeve surrounds the forwardmost region of the insertion tube 40.
• Various devices of the endoscope which are necessary for its operation and functioning, are shown. Among those devices are e.g. vertebrae 48 of the bending section 32.
• the vertebrae are connected to cables 50 fitted with pull strings 52 for operating the vertebrae.
• a camera head 36 connected to an electric cable 54 for energizing the camera head, a guiding channel 56 with a working channel 58 insertable within the guiding channel, a tube 60 for supplying air as required for inflating the sleeve.
• cap 62 terminates by a cap 62, to which the sleeve is sealingly attached for example by a spring seal 64. It is not shown specifically but should be understood that cap 62 is provided with a transparent window through which illuminating light can propagate so as the viewing optics of the camera head may observe the interior of the body passage.
• An external skirt member 66 is provided, which surrounds an internal bushing member 68, put on the insertion tube.
• the folded portion of the sleeve is retained within an annular space provided between the external skirt member and the internal bushing member.
• the rear portion of the skirt member terminates by an annular shoulder 70, which causes the folded portion of the sleeve to unfold over the shoulder as soon as pressure is supplied to the sleeve through the air supply tube.
• the internal bushing and the skirt are configured as thin walled cylindrical bodies manufactured from plastic material, so as to impart flexibility to their walls and at the same time to retain their thickness at a minimum, which is required for retaining the sleeve and preventing its entanglement during unfolding.
• wall thickness of the skirt member and the bushing member is of about several tenths of a micron.
• the retaining ring tightly seats on an intermediate ring 76.
• the retaining ring is coupled with possibility for detachment by a snap connection to the intermediate ring 76 put on the insertion tube behind the bending section.
• the intermediate ring On the outward periphery of the intermediate ring are made at least two elongated grooves 78, extending transversally.
• the grooves are intended for snapping engagement with corresponding tongues 80 protruding from the inwardly facing periphery of the retaining ring and protruding towards the grooves.
• the endoscope is evacuated from the body passage and is disconnected from the sleeve. This can be easily done if an operator manually twists the insertion tube together with the intermediate ring.
• transversal elongated grooves 78 By virtue of the transversal elongated grooves 78, relative rotational motion is allowed between the tongues and the grooves until the tongues escape from the grooves and are not any more in the snapping engagement and the insertion tube can be detached from the sleeve.
• the intermediate ring is fitted with an inlet 82, which is deployed between the elongated grooves so as to be in flow communication with the air-supply tube 60.
• the outwardly facing surface of retaining ring 74 is provided with an annular depression adapted for deployment of the O-ring 72.
• the skirt member is in sealing engagement with the retaining ring. Since the O-ring presses flexible sleeve 42 to the annular depression of the retaining ring, the space between the skirt member and the bushing member is sealed and therefore there is no propagation of air towards the forward portion 17 of the sleeve and it cannot inflate.
• Retaining ring 74 is fitted also with an annular groove 84, which accommodates therein a sealing ring 86, put over the intermediate ring 76.
• These elements include he frontal non-inflatable portion 17 of the sleeve, the probe section 32, the bending section 38, the insertion tube 40, the intermediate ring 76 with air inlet 82, the skirt member 66, the folded portion 15 of the sleeve, and the inflated portion 44 of the sleeve.
• It also comprises internal bushing member 68, however, in contrast to the previous embodiment, this bushing member is provided with a broadening tongue portion 88, which surrounds the intermediate ring 76.
• the tongue portion is fitted with tongues 90, which are adapted to be in snapping engagement with corresponding transversal grooves made on the outside periphery of the intermediate ring.
• the bushing member is provided with a forward annular shoulder 92, which is fitted with small protrusions 94 for engagement with a tail portion 96 of a retaining ring 98.
• This retaining ring similarly to the retaining ring of the previous embodiment is in sealing arrangement with the outside periphery of the intermediate ring. However in contrast with the previous embodiment the retaining ring is not provided with tongues for engagement with the intermediate ring.
• the outwardly facing periphery of the retaining ring is configured with a sloping section 100 and with a cylindrical section 102.
• the tail portion and the annular shoulder are configured and dimensioned in such a manner that an annular space 104 is provided therebetween.
• a sealing ring 106 is provided, which accommodates within this annular space and seals the unfolded portion of the sleeve from air, which could enter between the bushing member and the retaining ring.
• a holding ring 108 is provided, which tightly fits the outside periphery of the shoulder 92 and presses it to the tail portion 98, thus securing the whole assembly together.
• the sleeve passes from the folded portion 15 to the non-inflatable portion 17 between the outwardly facing periphery of the shoulder 92 and the inwardly facing periphery of the holding ring 108.
• the most forward extremity of the shoulder is fitted with an annular undercut 110 for accommodating thereinto a sealing ring (not shown) to seal the non-inflatable portion of the sleeve from air, which could enter between the shoulder and the holding ring.
• a sealing ring (not shown) to seal the non-inflatable portion of the sleeve from air, which could enter between the shoulder and the holding ring.
• the air inlet 82 is located between the grooves of the intermediate ring. It should be appreciated, however, that the inlet could be located in any other place, provided that its location prevents the air from approaching the forward portion of the sleeve.

Landscapes

• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Endoscopes (AREA)
• Instruments For Viewing The Inside Of Hollow Bodies (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=34968396

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (16)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2005
  • 2005-04-21 WO PCT/IL2005/000425 patent/WO2005110204A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2005-04-21 CA CA002566404A patent/CA2566404A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-21 JP JP2007512712A patent/JP2007536977A/ja active Pending
  • 2005-04-21 CN CNB2005800149462A patent/CN100500080C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2005-04-21 BR BRPI0511083-1A patent/BRPI0511083A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2005-04-21 EP EP05733883A patent/EP1755439A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-04-21 AU AU2005244405A patent/AU2005244405A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-04-21 RU RU2006137469/14A patent/RU2006137469A/ru not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events