GB2538535A

GB2538535A - Endoscope valve

Info

Publication number: GB2538535A
Application number: GB1508648.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Afzal Mohammed; Bennison Martin
Original assignee: Keymed Medical and Industrial Equipment Ltd
Current assignee: Keymed Medical and Industrial Equipment Ltd
Priority date: 2015-05-20
Filing date: 2015-05-20
Publication date: 2016-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-20
Also published as: GB201508648D0; GB2538535B; WO2016185208A1

Abstract

A combination valve device 28 for an endoscope comprises at least two valves 30,30', each comprising a valve body 32 and a movable shaft 34. A common mounting 38 comprising a body provided with at least one aperture 42,44 for receiving the valves 30,30', and attachment means 40 for releasably attaching the device 28 to an endoscope control body 22 is also taught. In a preferable arrangement the common mounting 38 comprises two valve receiving apertures 42,44, each provided in enlarged end portions 43,45 of the mounting 38. An extendible and compressible connecting portion 46 may further be provided between the end portions 43,45 such that the distance between them may be varied. This facilitates insertion of the combination valve device 28 into the endoscope control body and accommodates any variation in the distance between the sockets on the control body which receive the valves 30,30'.

Description

Endoscope Valve The present invention relates to valves for use with endoscopes.

Endoscopes for medical use often include channels through which air, other gas such as CO2, water or other fluids can be supplied to the distal tip of the endoscope to clean the site in the body being viewed, and/or suction channels for removing excess fluid and patient debris or collecting biopsy samples. Channels may also be provided for supplying air or water to inflate a balloon for use with an ultrasound probe. At the proximal end, the endoscope is normally attached to a control body which connects the channels in the endoscope to fluid and/or suction sources. Valves are provided in the control body to control flow through the channels. The endoscope must be scrupulously cleaned between use on different patients and the valves are generally single use items which are used once and then disposed of to avoid the need to clean and sterilise them. Accordingly, there is a desire for simpler valve designs which are cost-effective and straightforward to manufacture and assemble.

The present invention provides a combination valve device for use with an endoscope, comprising at least two valves, each valve comprising a valve body and a shaft movably located within the valve body, and a common mounting comprising a body with at least one aperture for receiving the valves, and the common mounting further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the device to an endoscope control body.

Preferably, the common mounting comprises a flexible elastomeric material, or a combination of different materials.

In one embodiment, each valve comprises an actuation member attached to the shaft and which protrudes above the mounting for actuation by a user. In another embodiment the mounting extends over the valves and provides an actuation portion operatively connected to each valve shaft.

In either case, the mounting may sufficiently resilient such that when the actuation member or portion is depressed by a user, the mounting compresses to allow the valve shaft to depress and when the actuation member or portion is no longer depressed, the mounting automatically extends in order to raise the shaft to its original position.

A combination valve device as described above may comprise a suction valve and fluid supply valve.

The mounting may comprise an elongate body having end portions, each defining a respective aperture for receiving a valve, and a narrower connecting portion therebetween which is configured to be extendible and compressible to alter the distance between the end portions.

Preferably, at least part of the device is configured to break when the device is removed from an endoscope in order to prevent re-use of the device.

In some embodiments, the common mounting may be integrally formed with at least one of: a slot for receiving an accessory clip, a hook for receiving an accessory, and an openable and closable cap for attachment to another port on the endoscope.

In yet another embodiment, the device further comprises an openable and closable cap attached to the common mounting by an elongate connecting strip. The connecting strip may further comprise at least one transverse arm for gripping an endoscope control body in use. The connecting strip may also comprise undulations to receive a user's fingers in use.

The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-Figure 1 illustrates a prior art endoscope suction valve; Figure 2 illustrates a prior art endoscope fluid supply valve; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a combined valve device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a cross section of Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of a combined valve device in accordance with the present invention; and Figures 6-17 are schematic illustrations of various alternative embodiments of the common mounting of the combination valve device.

In the prior art as shown in Figure 1, a typical endoscope suction valve 10 includes a valve body 12, a movable shaft 14, an actuation member in the form of a cap 16, an outer boot 18 and a coil spring 20.

In this example, the valve body 12 is generally cup-shaped with a central aperture through which the shaft 14 passes. The shaft 14 has a proximal end to which the cap 16 is attached. The distal end of the shaft extends into a socket on an endoscope control body 22 in use.

The outer boot 18 is a generally cylindrical member which surrounds the shaft 14 and the coil spring 20 and is used to removably attach the valve 10 to the control body 22.

Typically, this is by means of co-operating ridges and grooves on the boot 18 and the control body 22. The spring 20 biases the shaft 14 in a proximal direction, i.e., upwardly in the figure, to maintain the valve 10 shut. To open the valve 10, an operator pushes downwardly (distally) on the cap 16, thereby compressing the spring 20 and moving the shaft 14 downwardly (distally) into the control body 22. When the operator ceases to push on the cap 16, the spring 22 extends, moving the cap 16 and shaft 14 upwardly (proximally) to the starting position and closing the valve 10.

Figure 2 shows a typical prior art fluid supply valve 10' (although this is not shown at the same scale as the valve in Figure 1). This has the same general features as the suction valve 10 and therefore the same reference numerals are used. In particular, the fluid supply valve 10' also comprises a valve body 12, a movable shaft 14, an actuation member such as a cap 16, a boot 18 and a spring 20. In this case, the shaft 14 is longer than that of the suction valve 10.

In use, such prior art valves 10, 10' may be supplied in a separate packages. Each must be opened and each valve separately fitted in position on the endoscope control body 22. After use, each valve 10, 10' must be removed from the control body 22 separately and disposed of.

A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In this case, a combination valve device 28 is provided which includes at least two valves, in particular a suction valve 30 and a fluid supply valve 30'. Each valve 30, 30' also comprises a valve body 32 with a movable shaft 34, and a cap 36 located at the proximal end of the shaft 34, as in the prior art. However, both valves 30, 30' are fitted within a common mounting 38. At the distal end the mounting 38 is provided with attachment means 40, typically in the form of ridges and grooves for removably attaching the device 28, carrying both the valves 30, 30', to the endoscope control body in one operation.

The common mounting 38 comprises a body of material, which is preferably elastomeric. It has a generally elongate form and is provided with at least two apertures 42, 44 in which the valves 30, 30' are received. The internal surface of each aperture 42, 44 may be formed with a co-operating shape to fit around a respective valve body 32 in order to securely retain each valve 30, 30' within the mounting 38.

As seen in Figure 3, the apertures 42, 44 may be provided within enlarged end portions 43, 45 of the mounting 38, with a narrower connecting portion 46 between them. The connecting portion 46 preferably has some flexibility to facilitate insertion of the combination valve device 28 into the control body 22. This may help to accommodate any variation in the distance between the adjacent valves 30, 30' and the distance between the sockets on the control body 22 which receive them.

Flexibility of the connecting portion 46 may be provided in different ways. The connecting portion 46 may simply be formed of suitably resilient material or, as in Figure 6, it may have features such as creases or corrugations 50 which permit the distance between the enlarged end portions 43, 45 to be altered.

In Figure 7, the common mounting has a relatively thin wall and the connecting portion 46 includes a pair of opposed V-shaped indentations 52 midway between the enlarged end portions 43, 45, to create a very narrow waist, allowing flexibility.

The common mounting 38 may be shaped to improve the ergonomics of the device 28. For example, its exterior surface may have portions of enhanced grip. for example, provided by a surface texture or additional projections 53, making it easier for a user to grasp the device 28 for insertion and removal from the control body 22. An example of this is illustrated schematically in Figure 8.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the caps 36 of the valves 30, 30' may protrude above the mounting 38 for actuation by a user. However, in another embodiment shown in Figure 5, the mounting 38 extends over the proximal ends of the valves 30, 30' and has actuation areas 48 contacting or connected to the valve shafts 34. A user therefore presses directly on an actuation area 48 to operate each valve. In this case, at least the actuation areas 48 of the mounting 38 may be formed of more flexible material to ensure each valve can be operated independently and without affecting the other valve. The actuation areas 48 may also be shaped to fit a user's finger, e.g. with a concave or indented shape as illustrated. The actuation areas 48 may also be substantially curved on one side in order to accommodate the first joint of a user's finger. It will be appreciated that these forms of ergonomic shaping may also be applied to the separate valve caps 36 as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

With the device 28 of the present invention, both valves can be inserted into and removed from an endoscope control body in a single operation and both will be contained in a common blister pack before use. This helps to speed up the process of preparing the endoscope for use. The combination valve device 28 is cheaper to manufacture than separate valves and a user need only stock one product rather than two.

The valves 30, 30' may be held in the mounting 38 so that they are fixed against relative rotation within the apertures 42, 44. Alternatively, at least some rotation of one or both valves 30, 30' may be possible, to allow the valve to be properly positioned in relation to features within the socket on the endoscope control body 22. For example, one or both apertures 42, 44 may be formed with stops to allow a predetermined amount of rotation of the valve within it.

In Figure 4, it will be noted that each valve 30, 30' includes a coil spring 20 for returning the shaft 34 to its rest (closed) positions when no pressure is being exerted on the cap 36. However, in another embodiment a combined valve device can be provided which does not require coil springs in the two valves 30, 30'.

Instead, the common mounting 38 may be made of a material which is sufficiently rigid to maintain the shafts 34 in the normal rest position, in which the valves 30, 30' are closed, yet also has sufficient flexibility to allow the shafts 34 to be depressed when required in order to open the valves 30, 30'. Furthermore, the common mounting 38 also has sufficient resilience that when either the cap 36 or actuation area 48 is no longer depressed, the mounting 38 will extend again, returning to its starting position and thereby raising the shaft 34 to the starting position and closing the respective valve 30, 30'.

This type of common mounting 38 may have a generally concertina form, comprising a series of alternate convex ridges and concave grooves in order to permit the common mounting 38 to compress in a controlled fashion as the cap 36 or actuation area 48 is depressed.

The mounting 38 may be overmoulded onto the valve body 32 during manufacture.

Typically, the mounting 38 may be formed of a material such as thermoplastic elastomer, silicone or rubber which provides the necessary resilience and flexibility. The mounting 38 may be formed entirely of a single material. It may be formed with a stiffer portion at the distal end for secure attachment to the control body. In particular, at the distal end, the mounting 38 may be formed with thicker walls so that it is stiffer for secure attachment to the endoscope control body. Alternatively, the mounting 38 may be formed of a combination of materials, with a more flexible and resilient material used proximally and a stiffer material at the distal end.

In another embodiment, the springs 40 may be replaced by resilient sleeves 54, 56 as illustrated in Figure 9. These are located in the apertures 42, 44 of the common mounting 38 and act between the cap 36 or actuation area 48 of each valve and the respective valve body 32. Such sleeves 54, 56 may have alternate annular ridges and grooves to aid their compression and extension. The sleeve 56 intended for the suction valve 30 may have an array of perforations 58 to allow the passage of air into the valve 30 when closed, to allow air flow to a vacuum pump. These perforations 58 are squashed shut when the sleeve 56 is compressed, allowing suction from the distal end of the endoscope to the vacuum pump. The resilient sleeves 54, 56 may be joined by a connecting piece 60 as shown in Figure 10 for ease of manufacture.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate examples of alternative shapes for the common mounting 38 in which the connecting portion 46 is formed as a thin web extending either horizontally or vertically between the end portions 43, 45. It will be appreciated that numerous different forms for the common mounting 38 are possible.

The combination valve device 28 of the invention may be provided with features to ensure that it can only be used once and must then be disposed of and cannot be re-used.

For example, parts of the device 28 may be configured to break when the device 28 is removed from an endoscope control body.

In another embodiment shown in Figure 13, the upper surface of the common mounting 38 providing the actuation areas 48 to operate the valves is formed as a cover 62. This is connected to the main body of the common mounting 38 by pins 64 which break when the device 28 is removed from the endoscope control body. The cover 62 may pivot about the pins 64 so that it has a see-saw action when a user presses on one side or the other in order to operate a chosen valve.

Any of the embodiments of the common mounting 38 may be provided with auxiliary features for increased functionality. For example, as in Figure 14, the common mounting 38 may include a slot 66 for receiving a clip to which other accessories may be attached. In Figure 15, the common mounting 38 is integrally moulded with a hook 68 for such an accessory.

Figure 16 shows another device 28 in which the common mounting 38 is integrally formed with an openable and closeable cap 70 for fitting to the port of a biopsy channel located elsewhere on the endoscope control body 22. When the endoscope is being set up for use, the biopsy port cap 70 is removed from the common mounting 38 so that it can be fitted on to the biopsy port. However, this design provides a single moulded item which can be kept in a single sterile package ready for use, rather than needing to maintain an inventory of separate moulded devices in separate sterile packages, all of which must be available when the endoscope is to be used.

Another variation is shown in Figure 17 in which the device 28 comprises the common mounting 38 connected to a biopsy port cap 70 by an elongate strip 72. This connecting strip 72 is provided with one or more (in this example two) transverse arms 74 which are shaped to grip around the endoscope control body 22 to assist secure attachment of the device 28. In addition, the strip 72 may be provided with a series of undulations 76 shaped to receive a user's fingers for enhanced grip when holding the endoscope control body in use.

Claims

CLAIMS:- 1. A combination valve device for use with an endoscope, comprising at least two valves, each valve comprising a valve body and a shaft movably located within the valve body, and a common mounting comprising a body with at least one aperture for receiving the valves, and the common mounting further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the device to an endoscope control body.
2. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common mounting comprises a flexible elastomeric material.
3. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the common mounting is formed of a combination of different materials.
4. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each valve comprises an actuation member attached to the shaft and which protrudes above the mounting for actuation by a user.
5. A combination valve device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting extends over the valves and provides an actuation portion operatively connected to each valve shaft.
6. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the mounting is sufficiently resilient such that when the actuation member or portion is depressed by a user, the mounting compresses to allow the valve shaft to depress and when the actuation member or portion is no longer depressed, the mounting automatically extends in order to raise the shaft to its original position.
7. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a suction valve and fluid supply valve.
8. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting comprises an elongate body having end portions, each defining a respective -10 -aperture for receiving a valve, and a connecting portion therebetween which is configured to be extendible and compressible to alter the distance between the end portions 9. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the device is configured to break when the device is removed from an endoscope to prevent re-use of the device.10. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the common mounting is integrally formed with at least one of: a slot for receiving an accessory clip, a hook for receiving an accessory and an openable and closable cap for attachment to a port on the endoscope.11. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an openable and closable cap attached to the common mounting by an elongate connecting strip.12. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the connecting strip further comprises at least one transverse arm for gripping an endoscope control body in use.13. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the connecting strip further comprises undulations to receive a user's fingers in use.14. A combination valve device substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.CLAIMS:- 1. A combination valve device for use with an endoscope, comprising at least two valves, each valve comprising a valve body and a shaft movably located within the valve body, and a common mounting comprising a body for receiving the valves, and the common mounting further comprising attachment means for releasably attaching the device to an endoscope control body, wherein the mounting comprises an elongate body having end portions, each defining a respective aperture for receiving a valve, and a connecting portion therebetween which is configured to be extendible and compressible to alter the distance between the end portions.2. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the common mounting comprises a flexible elastomeric material.cr) 15 3. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the common mounting is formed of a combination of different materials.CD 4. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each valve CO comprises an actuation member attached to the shaft and which protrudes above the mounting for actuation by a user.5. A combination valve device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mounting extends over the valves and provides an actuation portion operatively connected to each valve shaft.6. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the mounting is sufficiently resilient such that when the actuation member or portion is depressed by a user, the mounting compresses to allow the valve shaft to depress and when the actuation member or portion is no longer depressed, the mounting automatically extends in order to raise the shaft to its original position.7. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a suction valve and fluid supply valve.8. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least part of the device is configured to break when the device is removed from an endoscope to prevent re-use of the device.
9. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the common mounting is integrally formed with at least one of: a slot for receiving an accessory clip, a hook for receiving an accessory and an openable and closable cap for attachment to a port on the endoscope.
10. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an openable and closable cap attached to the common mounting by an elongate connecting strip.
11. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the connecting strip further comprises at least one transverse arm for gripping an endoscope control body in use.O
12. A combination valve device as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the CO connecting strip further comprises undulations to receive a user's fingers in use.
13. A combination valve device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connecting portion comprises creases or corrugations to allow the connecting portion to be extendible and compressible.