FR3066899A1 - METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ENDOSCOPE PROTECTIVE BIT AND PROTECTIVE BIT FOR THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an endoscope protection tip (14) comprising the following steps: - providing a tubular sheath (40) extending substantially along a main axis (30), said sheath being composed of flexible wires (42) defining elastically deformable meshes (44); - cutting a segment (41) of tubular sheath, said segment extending between a first (50) and a second (52) ends; folding the segment so as to have a first portion (54) of said segment around a second portion (56) of said segment, the first portion being adjacent to the first end (50) of the segment and the second portion being axially adjacent to the first portion, a length (64) of the first portion being less than a length (66) of the second portion.

Description

Method for manufacturing an endoscope protection tip and associated protection tip

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an endoscope protection tip. The invention is particularly applicable to the protection of a distal part of an endoscope, in particular for transport or storage.

In known manner, the distal part of an endoscope contains an optical device, comprising one or more short focal lenses, or even an imaging device. Such devices are particularly sensitive to shocks, especially during transport.

It is therefore known to provide the distal parts of endoscopes with a protection capable of absorbing shocks. An endoscope protection tip is for example described in the document JP2006304813.

The object of the present invention is to propose an endoscope protection tip which is easy to manufacture, from an easily accessible material.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a manufacturing process of the aforementioned type, comprising the following steps: supply of a tubular sheath extending substantially along a main axis, said sheath being composed of flexible wires defining elastically deformable meshes ; cutting a tubular sheath segment, said segment extending between first and second ends; folding the segment so as to arrange a first portion of said segment around a second portion of said segment, the first portion being adjacent to the first end of the segment and the second portion being axially adjacent to the first portion, a length of the first portion being less than a length of the second portion.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- The manufacturing method further comprises a step of folding the segment so as to have a third portion of said segment inside the second portion of said segment, the third portion being adjacent to the second end of the segment and the second portion being axially adjacent to the third portion, a length of the third portion being less than the length of the second portion;

- The manufacturing method further comprises at least one additional step of folding the segment, so that the first and / or the second end of said segment is housed between two sheath layers;

- The wires of the tubular sheath are formed of a polymeric material, preferably of a polyethylene;

- The manufacturing process includes beforehand a step of manufacturing the tubular sheath in a single piece, preferably by extrusion of the polymeric material.

The invention further relates to an endoscope protection tip, resulting from a method as described above, said tip comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end being formed from a junction between the first and second portions of the tubular sheath segment.

Thus, the tip is easily removable or reassembled towards the handle, which leaves it available to the operator as soon as the intervention is finished. The end of the endoscope is protected at all times.

According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the end piece comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the proximal end is formed of a junction between the second and third portions of the tubular sheath segment;

- Each mesh of the tubular sheath has substantially the shape of a rhombus, a first diagonal of which is substantially parallel to the main axis of said tubular sheath.

Thus, the tip is ventilated, unlike a foam tip. Aeration of clean, dry air limits or inhibits bacterial or microbial growth on the endoscope, unlike a foam that maintains humidity.

The invention further relates to an endoscope protection assembly comprising: an endoscope comprising a distal part of substantially cylindrical shape, said distal part comprising an observation window flush with a front face of said distal part; and a protective tip as described above, the distal part of the endoscope being inserted in the protective tip, so that the front face is surrounded radially by both the second portion and the first portion of the tubular sheath segment.

According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, at the front face of the distal part of the endoscope, a radial space is provided between the first and second portions of the tubular sheath segment.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an endoscope protection assembly as described above, from a nozzle as described above, the method comprising the following steps: the end proximal of the protective tip is presented facing the distal part of the endoscope, the first diagonal (46) of each mesh of the tubular sheath having an initial dimension; then the distal part of the endoscope is inserted into the protective tip from the proximal end of said tip; said protective tip being configured so that, after the insertion step, the first diagonal of at least part of the meshes of the tubular sheath has a final dimension, less than the initial dimension.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a partial side view of an endoscope protection assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, in assembled configuration, said assembly comprising an endoscope and a protective tip;

- Figure 2 is a partial side view of the assembly of Figure 1, the tip being shown schematically in section; and

- Figure 3 is a side view of a manufacturing element of the nozzle of Figures 1 and 2.

Figures 1 and 2 show an endoscope protection assembly 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The assembly 10 includes in particular an endoscope 12 and a protective tip 14.

Figures 1 and 2 respectively represent the endoscope 12 and the protective tip 14 in an assembled configuration and in a separate configuration.

The endoscope 12 is in particular similar to the endoscopes described in the document JP2006304813. In particular, the endoscope 12 comprises a distal part 16 of substantially cylindrical shape, extending along a first axis 18. Said distal end comprises a front face 20, substantially planar and perpendicular to the first axis 18. The front face 20 presents by example a substantially circular shape, of diameter 21. As an indication, said diameter 21 is between 5 mm and 20 mm approximately.

The distal part 16 of the endoscope 12 comprises at least one observation window 22 and at least one lighting window 24. Said observation 22 and lighting 24 windows are flush with the front face 20 of said distal part 16.

The endoscope 12 further comprises an optical device 26, comprising at least one optical lens. The optical device 26 is housed in the distal part 16, facing the observation window 22. Preferably, the endoscope 12 also includes a first optical fiber 28, adjacent to the optical device 26.

The endoscope 12 further comprises a second optical fiber 29, one end of which is housed in the distal part 16, facing the lighting window 24.

The protective tip 14 extends substantially along a second axis 30, between a proximal end 32 and a distal end 34. The protective tip 14 has a substantially tubular shape, with a wall 36 delimiting an internal chamber 38 open to the two axial ends.

The wall 36 of the protective end piece 14 is formed from a tubular sheath 40, a segment 41 of which is shown in FIG. 3. Said tubular sheath is composed of flexible wires 42 defining meshes 44 which are elastically deformable. Preferably, the wires 42 of the tubular sheath 40 are formed from a polymeric material, preferably from a polyethylene, more preferably from a low density polyethylene.

Preferably, the wires 42 of the tubular sheath 40 are fixed relative to each other. More preferably, the tubular sheath 40 is made in one piece, by extrusion of the polymer material. Such a tubular sheath is commercially available.

In a variant, the threads 42 are woven and can slide slightly relative to each other.

In Figure 3, the tubular sheath 40 is shown in a substantially straight configuration. It then extends along the second axis 30.

The tubular sheath 40 has internal radial dimensions suitable for insertion on the distal part 16 of the endoscope. More particularly, the radial dimensions of the tubular sheath 40 correspond to an extrusion tool having a diameter 43 less than or equal to the diameter 21 of the front face 20 of the endoscope. Preferably, the diameter 43 of the extrusion tool is between 70% and 100%, more preferably between 80% and 95%, of the diameter 21 of the front face 20.

Each mesh 44 of the tubular sheath has substantially the shape of a rhombus, a first diagonal 46 of which is substantially parallel to the second axis 30. In an idle configuration of the tubular sheath 40, that is to say without application of mechanical stress on said sheath, the first diagonal 46 is the longest diagonal of the rhombus.

Due to the flexibility of the wires 42, a stretching force perpendicular to the second axis 30 leads the meshes 44 to deform elastically, so as to decrease a length of the first diagonal 46 relative to the initial length 48.

A method of manufacturing the protective tip 14 will now be described. The tubular sheath 40, which conventionally has a length of several meters, is firstly cut transversely, so as to form the segment 41. Said segment has an appropriate length along the second axis 30, between a first 50 and a second 52 ends. Such an appropriate length is, for example, between approximately 5 cm and 40 cm.

The segment 41 is formed of a first 54, a second 56 and a third 58 portions, axially adjacent. The first 54 and third 58 portions are respectively adjacent to the first 50 and to the second 52 ends of the segment 41.

The second portion 56 is connected to the first 54 and third 58 portions, respectively by a first 60 and by a second 62 junctions.

The first 54, second 56 and third 58 portions respectively have a first 64, a second 66 and a third 68 lengths along the second axis

30. The second length 66 is greater than the first 64 and the third 68 lengths. Preferably, the first length 64 is greater than the third length 68.

Preferably, the method for manufacturing the protective tip 14 then comprises a step of cleaning the segment 41 of tubular sheath 40, in order to make it suitable for being brought into contact with medical equipment.

Said method for manufacturing the protective end piece 14 then comprises a step of folding outwards the first portion 54, so as to arrange said first portion 54 around the second portion 56. Preferably, said manufacturing method comprises furthermore, a step of inward folding of the third portion 58, so as to arrange the second portion 56 around said third portion 58.

The tip 14 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is thus formed. The first 60 and second 62 junctions of the segment 41 are then disposed respectively at the distal end 34 and at the proximal end 32 of said end piece 14. The first 50 and second 52 ends of the segment 41 are disposed respectively outside and at the interior of the wall 36 of said tip.

During the folding stages, the meshes 44 stretch elastically and then approach their initial configuration, exerting a radial stress which then maintains the tubular sheath 40 in its new folded configuration.

Due to the resilience of the material of the tubular sheath 40, the folds are not marked at the first 60 and second 62 junctions. Consequently, adjacent to the distal end 34 of the end piece 14, a first radial space 70 is formed between the first 54 and second 56 portions. Likewise, adjacent to the proximal end 32 of the endpiece 14, a second radial space 72 is formed between the second 56 and third 58 portions.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the protective tip, the third portion 58 is not folded back inside the second portion 56 and the proximal end 32 of the tip is formed by the second end 52 of segment 41.

In the embodiments described above, the folds formed do not have more than two sheath thicknesses. In a variant not shown, the proximal end and / or the distal end of the endpiece is / are formed of more than two sheath layers resulting from several successive folds.

In particular, according to an advantageous variant (not shown), the third portion 58 of the segment 41 is folded at least twice, so that the second end 52 is housed between two sheath layers 40. In general, it is advantageous to produce a folding which avoids bringing the endoscope into contact with the ends 50, 52 of the segment 41. Depending on the density of the polymer, these ends may indeed be slightly abrasive.

In addition, a toe formed by several layers of sheath provides better protection against impact.

In the case of several successive folds, the length of the segment 41 is adapted as a function of the number of said folds.

After the folding steps, each protective tip 14 is preferably individually wrapped and labeled, for example in a plastic bag, in order to be marketed. Before packaging, it is possible to carry out a cleaning step, for example with alcohol, or even sterilization of the end piece 14.

A manufacturing process for manufacturing the protection assembly 10 will now be described. First, a protective tip 10 as described above is unpacked and presented facing the distal part 16 of the endoscope 12, as shown in FIG. 2. More precisely, the first 18 and second 30 axes are combined and the proximal end 32 of the protective tip is oriented towards the distal part 16.

Said distal part 16 is then moved along the second axis 30 and inserted into the internal chamber 38 of the protective tip 14, from the proximal end 32 of said tip.

The second end 52 of the segment 41 being oriented towards the distal end 34, the wires 42 forming said second end 52 are not likely to strike or scratch the observation windows 22 and the lighting windows 24 during said insertion. Likewise, said windows are protected from the first end 50 of segment 41, arranged outside the end piece.

Preferably, the axial movement of the distal part 16 relative to the endpiece 14 is stopped when the front face 20 is at the level of the first radial space 70.

The assembly 10 is then in the assembled configuration shown in FIG. 1. The front face 20 is then surrounded radially by the second portion 56 and by the first portion 54 of the segment 41 of tubular sheath, said portions 54, 56 being separated by the first radial space 70.

The distal part 16 being slightly wider than the end piece 14, part of the meshes 44 are deformed relative to the dissociated configuration. More precisely, the first diagonal 46 of said meshes has a dimension less than the initial dimension 48. This deformation induces an elastic force which keeps the end piece 14 in place on the distal part 16 of the endoscope 12.

In the event of impacts near said distal part 16, the front face 20 and the adjacent optical device 26 are protected by the first radial space 70 and by the elasticity of the first external portion 54 of the segment 41.

When using the endoscope 12, the endpiece 14 can easily be dissociated from the distal part 16, then possibly replaced after use of the endoscope.

Claims (10)

1.-Process for manufacturing an endoscope protection end piece (14), comprising the following steps: - Providing a tubular sheath (40) extending substantially along a main axis (30), said sheath being composed of flexible son (42) defining meshes (44) elastically deformable; - cutting a segment (41) of tubular sheath, said segment extending between a first (50) and a second (52) ends; folding the segment so as to arrange a first portion (54) of said segment around a second portion (56) of said segment, the first portion being adjacent to the first end (50) of the segment and the second portion being axially adjacent to the first portion, a length (64) of the first portion being less than a length (66) of the second portion. 2. - The manufacturing method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of folding the segment (41) so as to have a third portion (58) of said segment inside the second portion (56) of said segment, the third portion being adjacent to the second end (52) of the segment and the second portion being axially adjacent to the third portion, a length (68) of the third portion being less than the length (66) of the second portion. 3. - The manufacturing method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the son (42) of the tubular sheath are formed of a polymeric material, preferably a polyethylene. 4. - The manufacturing method according to claim 3, comprising beforehand a step of manufacturing the tubular sheath (40) in a single piece, preferably by extrusion of the polymer material. 5. - end-piece (14) for endoscope protection, resulting from a method according to one of the preceding claims, said end-piece comprising a proximal end (32) and a distal end (34), said distal end being formed of a junction (60) between the first (54) and second (56) portions of the tubular sheath segment. 6. - endoscope protection tip according to claim 5 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the proximal end (32) is formed by a junction (62) between the second (56) and third (58) portions of the tubular sheath segment. 7. - Endoscope protection tip according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which each mesh (44) of the tubular sheath has substantially the shape of a rhombus, a first diagonal (46) of which is substantially parallel to the main axis (30) of said tubular sheath. 8. - Endoscope protection assembly (10), said assembly comprising: - An endoscope (12) comprising a distal part (16) of substantially cylindrical shape, said distal part comprising an observation window (22) flush with a front face (20) of said distal part; and - a protective tip (14) according to one of claims 5 to 7, the distal part of the endoscope being inserted in the protective tip, so that the front face (20) is surrounded radially both by the second portion (56) and by the first portion (54) of the tubular sheath segment. 9. - Endoscope protection assembly according to claim 8, in which, at the front face (20) of the distal part of the endoscope, a radial space (70) is provided between the first (54) and second (56) portions of the tubular sheath segment. 10. - Method of manufacturing an endoscope protection assembly (10) according to one of claims 8 or 9, from a protective tip according to claim 7, the method comprising the following steps: - The proximal end (32) of the protective tip is presented facing the distal part (16) of the endoscope, the first diagonal (46) of each mesh of the tubular sheath having an initial dimension (48); then - the distal part of the endoscope is inserted into the protective tip from the proximal end of said tip; said protective tip being configured so that, after the insertion step, the first diagonal (46) of at least part of the meshes of the tubular sheath has a final dimension, less than the initial dimension.