KR20190029337A - The catheter with cleaning function and the method of operating that - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a catheter with a cleaning function and an operation method thereof. According to the present invention, the catheter with a cleaning function and the operation method thereof may secure a clear view by cleaning foreign matters when the view is blocked due to the foreign matters of an endoscope and may clean the foreign matters if the foreign matters block an entrance of a working channel. In addition, by widening light irradiation angles of a plurality of light guides, the view blocked by wrinkle or the like may be minimized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a catheter having a cleaning function and a method of operating the catheter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a catheter having a cleaning function, and more particularly, to a catheter having a cleaning function capable of cleaning an endoscope provided in the catheter.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] Endoscopes are being used in various fields as they are gradually lightened, cured and improved in operability. Particularly, catheters used in the human body have been actively used in recent minimally invasive surgical methods.

Such an endoscope is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 1,681,451. However, in the prior art, when the endoscope is used in the body using the catheter, there arises a problem that it is difficult to secure a view when the body fluid or the foreign substance sticks to the surface of the endoscope.

Korean Registered Patent No. 1,681,451 (Registered on November 24, 2014)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a catheter that solves the problem of difficulty in securing a field of view due to foreign substances in a conventional endoscope.

As means for solving the above problems,

The catheter having the cleaning function and the method of operating the catheter according to the present invention can be cleaned when the endoscope is blocked by the foreign substance of the endoscope to secure the field of view and can be cleaned when the foreign substance is clogged at the working channel entrance.

In addition, the light irradiation angle of the plurality of light guides is widened, and the field of view blocked by wrinkles or the like can be minimized.

1 is a top view of a catheter according to the present invention.
2 is an enlarged view of the end of Fig.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the end of Fig.
4 is an enlarged view of the end portion of Fig.
Figure 5 is a front view of the end of Figure 1;
6 is a view showing a cleaning nozzle.
7 is a modification of the cleaning nozzle.
Fig. 8 is a view showing the irradiation angle and the visual field blocking area.
9 is a view showing the concept of light irradiation in the present invention.
10 is a flowchart of an operation method of an endoscope provided with a cleaning function.

Hereinafter, a catheter having a cleaning function and a method of operating the catheter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the embodiments, the names of the respective components may be referred to as other names in the art. However, if there is a functional similarity and an equivalence thereof, the modified structure can be regarded as an equivalent structure. In addition, reference numerals added to respective components are described for convenience of explanation. However, the contents of the drawings in the drawings in which these symbols are described do not limit the respective components to the ranges within the drawings. Likewise, even if the embodiment in which the structure on the drawing is partially modified is employed, it can be regarded as an equivalent structure if there is functional similarity and uniformity. Further, in view of the level of ordinary skill in the art, if it is recognized as a component to be included, a description thereof will be omitted.

I. Configuration of Catheter (1)

1 is a plan view of a catheter 1 according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the catheter 1 according to the present invention may include an insertion portion 10 and an operation portion 20.

The insertion portion 10 is formed to extend into the body cavity and the manipulation portion 20 can be gripped to manipulate the insertion portion 10. One end of the operation portion 20 may be formed with a connection port 22 connected to the outside. The connection port 22 may be configured to be electrically connected to the working channel 300, the fluid tube, and the endoscope 100. On the other hand, a part of the insertion portion 10 may be provided with a direction adjusting means so as to be bent by an external operation. One example of the direction adjusting means may be a direction adjusting wire connected to the operation lever 21 of the operation unit 20 and the operation lever 21. [ The direction adjusting wire is configured such that one end of the direction adjusting wire is fixed to a part of the inserting portion 10 and the inserting portion 10 is curved when pulled through the operating lever 21. [

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the end of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the end of Fig.

The insertion unit 10 may include an endoscope 100, a light guide, a working channel 300, and a fluid channel 410.

The endoscope 100 may be configured to include a lens kit and a CMOS 120. [ The rental kit 110 is configured to have a plurality of lenses so as to have a proper focal distance. Light received from the rental kit 110 can be irradiated to the CMOS 120 and converted to an electrical signal. However, the endoscope 100 including the CMOS 120 is exemplified, but the endoscope 100 using the optical fiber can be applied.

The illumination unit 200 irradiates light in the body cavity with appropriate brightness so as to acquire an image in the body cavity in the endoscope 100. The illumination unit 200 may include a plurality of LEDs, and may be formed of a plurality of optical fibers.

The working channel 300 is configured such that an external tool can be inserted inward. The working channel 300 may be formed to extend in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion 10 and be connected to the input port through the operation portion 20. [

The fluid channel (410) is configured to inject body fluid from the outside to the end of the endoscope (100). The fluid channel 410 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction inside the insertion portion 10 and can be connected to a fluid port whose one end is one of the connection ports 22 of the operation portion 20. [ A cleaning nozzle 400 may be provided on the insertion portion 10 side of the fluid channel 410. The cleaning nozzle 400 is configured to dispense the fluid introduced into the fluid channel 410 to the end of the catheter 1. Where the fluid can be liquid or air.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the cleaning nozzle 400, the lens kit, and the working channel 300 may be arranged in a straight line from the upper side with respect to the drawing. A pair of illumination units 200 may be provided on the right and left sides of the rental kit 110.

The diameter of the catheter 1 according to the present invention may be composed of a thin endoscope 100 of 10 mm or less. Here, the working channel 300 may be configured to have an inner diameter of 4 mm or less, and the lens of the endoscope 100 may be configured to have a size of 2 mm or less.

When looking at the end of the catheter 1, since the outer diameter of the catheter 1 is as thin as 10 mm or less, the component is compactly provided on the cross section. Here, the endoscope 100 is continuously used in diagnosis and treatment when it is inserted into the body cavity, and is provided on the center side of the endoscope so as to secure an image in a wider range. When the endoscope 100 enters the channel-shaped body cavity, it is preferable that the endoscope 100 is located at the center side in order to irradiate the outer direction surrounded by 360 degrees. At this time, since the outer diameter of the catheter 1 is limited, the working channel 300 is disposed at a portion excluding the endoscope 100. At this time, the working channel 300 occupies the largest inner diameter, and the endoscope 100 is positioned slightly above the center for securing the placement space. The illumination unit 200 is disposed on both sides of the endoscope 100. The cleaning nozzle 400 is disposed in the remaining space after the endoscope 100 and the working channel 300 are disposed. The cleaning nozzle 400 is disposed in parallel with the endoscope 100 and the working channel 300. The cleaning nozzle 400 is disposed such that the nozzles are directed downward so that the fluid can be simultaneously jetted onto the surface of the lens kit of the endoscope 100 and the inlet side of the working channel 300. The cleaning nozzle 400 may be configured in a somewhat elongated shape in the longitudinal direction to efficiently utilize the space in the narrow space on the end face. Therefore, a space is provided in which the illumination units 200 can be arranged side by side around the lens. With this configuration, light can be irradiated at a position adjacent to the lens.

II. Cleaning of the lens and working channel 300

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the end of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a front view of the end of Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a view showing the cleaning nozzle 400, .

The cleaning nozzle 400 is provided to remove a body fluid or a foreign substance on the outer surface of the body cavity to obscure the view of the endoscope 100 or obstruct the entrance of the working channel 300. The inlet of the working channel 300 may be blocked by a foreign substance when performing a suction or the like to the working channel 300. The fluid may be injected in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction so as to break or remove the foreign substance. At this time, the cleaning nozzle 400 is provided with a guiding part 420 having an arc shape in cross section so that the flow direction inside the insertion part 10 and the flow direction at the outlet 430 can be changed to close to 90 degrees .

As shown in the figure, the cleaning nozzle 400 may have an outflow opening 430 formed in a downward direction, and may have a fluid injection direction? That is slightly inclined toward the operation unit 20 with respect to a vertical axis. The cleaning nozzle 400 may be formed by protruding a predetermined distance from the end of the insertion portion 10 so that the injected fluid can be sprayed to the entire end of the lens and the working channel 300.

Referring to FIG. 5, a section of the insertion portion 10 is shown in which wash water is radially sprayed. Since the area in which the cleaning nozzles 400 can be arranged on the end face is narrow, the cleaning nozzle 400 can be radially sprayed and efficiently cleaned. Since the cross sectional area of the endoscope 100 is smaller than the cross sectional area of the working channel 300, the spray angle on the plane of the washing nozzle 400 may be configured to coincide with two external tangents of the endoscope 100 and the working channel 300 have.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a view of a cleaning nozzle 400 coupled to a fluid channel 410. And the fluid introduced through the fluid channel 410 formed through the insertion portion 10 is injected through the cleaning nozzle 400. [ At this time, in the fluid channel 410, the flow path having a circular cross section can be deformed into a rectangular nozzle in the cleaning nozzle 400. The fluid channel 410 and the outlet 430 may be formed to have a flow path cross-sectional area gradually increasing in length. At this time, the inner wall angle of the inner channel of the cleaning nozzle 400 may be configured to coincide with two outer tangents of the endoscope 100 and the working channel 300 described above.

The cleaning nozzle 400 may be constructed so that the flow passage area A2 of the outlet 430 is narrower than the flow passage sectional area A1 of the fluid channel 410 so as to increase the injection speed at the outlet 430. [ Accordingly, the fluid passing through the outlet 430 can be injected at a high speed to enhance the cleaning force.

Referring to FIG. 7, a modification of the cleaning nozzle 400 is shown. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the cleaning nozzle 400 may have a rectangular prism shape and may be spaced a predetermined distance from the end of the catheter 1 in order to increase the cleaning efficiency. In this case, the fluid can be injected into the lens and working channel 300 at a slightly higher angle. Also, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the cleaning nozzle 400 may include a plurality of circular outlets 430. 7 (c), the cleaning nozzle 400 may be configured in the form of a curved arc with a predetermined curvature. When configured in this manner, the space can be efficiently used when disposed adjacent to the endoscope 100.

III. Direction of irradiation light

Fig. 8 is a view showing the irradiation angle and the visual field blocking area. Looking at the light propagation path at the center of the irradiation light, the two propagation paths C1 and C2 proceed parallel to each other. In the case of such a structure, in the case of a tissue (t) having a large number of wrinkles and irregular protrusions such as a large intestine, particularly in the large intestine, many portions where the irradiation light is blocked are generated.

The structure such as the large intestine forms a wrinkle protruding from the outer wall to the central portion. When the wrinkle is irradiated from one side, the back of the wrinkle is not irradiated. Even if the endoscope 100 enters the field of view, There is a case in which it can not be confirmed because it is not investigated. This may occur when the angle of the irradiation light to the side surface is not sufficient. However, when the left illumination unit 200 faces the left side and the right illumination unit 200 faces the right side, it is difficult to secure a sufficient amount of light at the central portion.

9 is a view showing the concept of light irradiation in the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the illuminating unit 200 disposed on the left side illuminates the right side and the illuminated illuminating unit 200 illuminated on the right side illuminates the left side, that is, the optical path traveling on the central axis of each illumination unit 200 intersects It is possible to minimize the radiation of the irradiation light due to the wrinkles on the side surface because the irradiation angle is close to 90 degrees on both side walls.

III. How to operate

The catheter 1 having a cleaning function and the method of operating the catheter 1 may be configured to include a step of detecting a foreign substance, a step S100 of spraying the washing water, an environment determination step S200, and an air injection step S300.

In the step of detecting the foreign substance (S100), the endoscope 100 can advance into the body cavity while acquiring an image from entry, and can be performed from the beginning. At this time, when the predetermined area of the acquired image is dark or the same portion displayed on the screen is maintained even when the endoscope 100 is moved, it can be determined that the foreign substance is attached to the lens. The processor that has acquired the image signal analyzes the output signal to determine whether the current state of the endoscope 100 is obstructed by foreign matter. Also, it is possible to determine whether or not a foreign object is applied to the illumination unit 200 by comparing the amount of light in the image signal obtained in operation with the image signal obtained based on the amount of light emitted from the illumination unit 200.

The wash water injection step S200 is a step of injecting wash water into the lens and working channel 300 of the endoscope 100 at the same time when it is determined that a foreign substance is present in the foreign substance sensing step S100. At this time, the cleaning nozzle 400 partially exposed at the end of the endoscope 100 can be used, and the cleaning water discharged from the fluid outlet 430, which is long in the longitudinal direction, can be disposed in the compact cross- 300).

In addition, when the illumination unit 200 is judged to be contaminated, cleaning water may be sprayed to the irradiation unit.

The environment determination step S300 is a step of determining whether the environment currently under operation is underwater or air. After the washing water is sprayed, in the case of an underwater environment, the performance of the endoscope 100 can be exerted without removing the washing water. Accordingly, in the case of the underwater state, if there is no separate termination signal, the foreign substance detection step S100 may be performed again. However, in the case of the environment in the air, since the sprayed washing water may obstruct the view of the endoscope 100, it is necessary to spray the air to remove the washing water on the surface of the lens, so that the air injection step S400 is performed. The environment determining step S300 may determine whether the user inputs an environment to be underwater or air and senses characteristics distinguished from water and air such as the degree of float movement, ultrasound signals, electromagnetic signals, and sound in the image signal .

The air injection step S400 corresponds to the step of spraying the compressed air on the cross section of the lens so as to remove the washing water on the surface of the lens, as described above. The air injection step S400 may be performed by supplying compressed air to the cleaning nozzle for spraying the washing water. That is, even if a separate air channel is not provided, washing water and air can be sprayed through one channel and a nozzle.

However, the washing water injection step (S200) and the air injection step (S400) may be configured to be set to preset values and to be finished after a predetermined time elapses. Further, the cleaning may be configured to be performed in accordance with the operation input of the user.

Although not shown, although not shown in the drawings, when the user operates the catheter 1 while viewing the image, if washing is desired, the washing water injection or the air injection may be performed through a separate manual input.

The catheter having the cleaning function and the method of operating the catheter according to the present invention can be cleaned when the endoscope is blocked by the foreign substance of the endoscope to secure the field of view and can be cleaned when the foreign substance is clogged at the working channel entrance.

In addition, the light irradiation angle of the plurality of light guides is widened, and the field of view blocked by wrinkles or the like can be minimized.

1: catheter
10:
20:
21: Operation lever
22: Connection port
100: Endoscope
110: lens kit
120: CMOS
200:
300: Working channel
400: Cleaning nozzle
410: fluid channel
420: guide portion
430: Outlet
t: Large barrier
S100: Step of detecting foreign matter
S200: Step of spraying wash water
S300: Environmental judgment step
S400: air injection step

Claims (15)

An operating portion;
An insertion portion extending from one side of the operation portion;
A working channel formed along an extended direction of the insertion portion;
An endoscope provided inside the insertion portion along the insertion portion; And
And a cleaning nozzle configured to inject fluid at an end of the insertion section. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cleaning nozzle is configured to inject the fluid into an area of the end of the insertion section including the end of the endoscope. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the cleaning nozzle is adapted to inject the fluid toward the inlet of the working channel so as to remove foreign matter blocking the inlet of the working channel when the working channel is adsorbed by the working channel of the end of the insertion section. . 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the cleaning nozzle comprises an outlet formed at a position spaced from the end of the insert by a predetermined distance so as to face the end of the insert. 3. The method of claim 2,
The cleaning nozzle
Wherein the end portion of the endoscope and the inlet of the working channel are disposed in parallel with the end of the endoscope and the inlet of the working channel so as to simultaneously clean the end of the endoscope and the inlet of the working channel. 3. The method of claim 2,
The cleaning nozzle
Wherein the fluid is injected in a fan shape. 3. The method of claim 2,
The insertion portion
Further comprising a fluid channel that is a path of fluid movement from the operating portion to the cleaning nozzle. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the endoscope is of CMOS or optical fiber type. The method according to claim 1,
The insertion portion is configured to be at least partially bendable,
Wherein the operation portion includes an operation lever,
Further comprising a direction adjusting wire connected between one side of the insertion portion and the operation lever so as to bend the insertion portion according to an operation of the operation lever. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the insertion portion further comprises an illumination portion configured to irradiate light from the end of the insertion portion. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the illumination units are disposed on both sides of the lens of the endoscope,
Wherein an irradiation angle of the illumination unit is determined so that light paths traveling from the center of each illumination unit cross each other. Obtaining an image from a catheter inserted in the body;
Detecting foreign matter adhered to or absorbed by the end of the catheter; And
And injecting washing water to an end of the catheter when foreign matter is detected. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the step of injecting the washing water injects the washing water toward the lens and the working channel of the catheter. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the sensing of the foreign object is performed simultaneously with the insertion of the catheter. 14. The method of claim 13,
Further comprising an environment judging step of judging whether the environment of the end of the endoscope is underwater or air after the washing water is sprayed,
Further comprising an air injecting step of injecting air to remove washing water adhering to the lens when the environment of the end of the endoscope is in the air.

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