WO2018088892A1

WO2018088892A1 - A device for collecting a polyp and a use of such device

Info

Publication number: WO2018088892A1
Application number: PCT/NL2016/050790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriaan Cornelis HOOGERHEIDE
Original assignee: Hoogerheide Adriaan Cornelis
Priority date: 2016-11-14
Filing date: 2016-11-14
Publication date: 2018-05-17

Abstract

The invention therefore relates to a device for collecting a polyp that has been removed from a body, comprising a housing with: - an inlet connector for coupling an endoscopic tube, - an outlet connector for connecting a suction tube, and - a collecting space at a position in a flow path between said inlet connector and said outlet connector for containing a polyp collector, said collecting space comprising a carrying surface for carrying said polyp collector, the device being characterized in that the carrying surface of the collecting space at least partially forms part of a movable slide, slidable between a first position wherein said polyp collector is positioned in said flow path and a second position wherein said carrying surface is removed from said polyp collector for enabling removal of the polyp collector from the collecting space. This device provides the advantageous effect that a collector comprising a polyp can be easily removed from the device so as to store same in a bottle or the like.

Description

A DEVICE FOR COLLECTING A POLYP AND A USE OF SUCH DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for collecting polyps comprising the features according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a use of the device.

It is known in the art to collect polyps in various ways. For example, JP2014030669A describes a device for separately collect- ing polyps, but each polyp has to be inserted manually in a col^¬ lecting pouch. JPH0654853A describes a filter for removing a plurality of polyps and a corresponding method. However, the polyps must be repacked for further investigation. Finally,

US2007/191731A1 relates to a filter for insertion in a suction line for polyps and a corresponding method. The filter must be manually removed from the line and manually emptied so as to be able to reuse the same filter over again.

Such known devices provide the disadvantage that a quick col^¬ lection of polyps after being removed from a body is not possible.

A disadvantage of these known devices therefore resides in the fact that they only allow a slow medical operation requiring much time and therefore high medical costs and a high burden on the patient.

The invention aims at providing an improved device of the kind mentioned in the preamble.

The invention especially aims at providing a device wherein the polyp collector, after a polyp has been collected therein, can be easily removed from the device.

The invention also aims at providing a device wherein a new polyp collector can be easily inserted into the collecting space without manual intervention of the new polyp collector.

The invention further aims at providing a device that allows a simple and automated insertion of a collector for polyps in a suction tube, for example a suction tube of an endoscope.

So as to obtain at least one of the above mentioned aims, the invention provides a device as mentioned in claim 1. This device has the advantage that each single polyp can be easily collected and stored separately, allowing a quick and uninterrupted biopsy.

It has also shown that the device according to the present invention allows accurate research on each polyp without risk of cross-contamination, since each polyp is collected in its own col- lector and storage bottle. Even when the polyp is damaged during the step of receiving same in the collector, there is no risk of cross contamination of any other polyp since every polyp is re^¬ moved from the device as soon it has entered its collector. Such synergistic effect is a surprising and advantageous effect.

The invention therefore relates to a device for collecting a polyp that has been removed from a body, comprising a housing with: - an inlet connector for coupling an endoscopic tube, - an outlet connector for connecting a suction tube, and - a collecting space at a position in a flow path between said inlet connector and said outlet connector for containing a polyp collector, said collecting space comprising a carrying surface for carrying said polyp collector, the device being characterized in that the carry^¬ ing surface of the collecting space at least partially forms part of a movable slide, slidable between a first position wherein said polyp collector is positioned in said flow path and a second posi^¬ tion wherein said carrying surface is removed from said polyp col^¬ lector for enabling removal of the polyp collector from the collecting space. This device provides the advantageous effect that a collector comprising a polyp can be easily removed from the device so as to store same in a bottle or the like. The bottle may con^¬ tain a preservative like formaldehyde.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the device according to the invention, the outlet connector for connecting a suction tube is connected to the movable slide, wherein in said first po- sition said outlet connector is positioned in fluid communication with said collecting space and in said second position said outlet connector is not in fluid communication with said collecting space. As a result, during use of the device when the movable slide is in the first position any body fluid and the polyp will be received securely in said collector after which the movable slide can be displaced to the second position so as to remove the collecting space from the suction tube and to remove the collector from the device.

It is especially preferred for the movable slide to comprise a connection member for a storage bottle, wherein in said second position said storage bottle is in fluid communication with said collecting space. For then the collector, together with the polyp collected therein, will be easily and automatically received in the bottle since the carrying surface, carrying the collector, has been removed therefrom.

A simple connection of the storage bottle to the device is obtained when the connection member for a storage bottle comprises a click connection, a bayonet connection or a screw connection.

After the storage bottle has received therein the collector with the polyp, it may be removed from the device. Then, the mova^¬ ble slide is returned to the first position so as to enable a new polyp collector to enter the collecting space. So as to easily add another polyp collector into the collecting space, the collecting space is preferably in communication with a storage container of polyp collectors.

A simple and effective storage container of polyp collectors is embodied such that a new collector is contained slidably on a carrying surface, such that said surface terminates into the col^¬ lecting space. A simple and effective embodiment is comprised of a device wherein said storage container of polyp collectors compris^¬ es an elongated container embodied for holding a row of collec- tors, a proximal end of said container terminating into the col^¬ lecting space. Thus, it is ensured that a single collector is re^¬ ceived by said collecting space. Such storage container provides an advantageous and synergistic technical effect, since the stor^¬ age container can also be used as a handgrip for holding and han- dling the device according to the present invention.

Each collector may have its own unique serial number, so as to be easily capable of identifying the collectors after polyps have been collected therein. As a matter of fact, the device may have its own unique serial number and each collector may have the same serial number supplemented with an additional unique number or letter identifier.

The collectors may comprise a fluorescent material so as to be easily capable of identifying the presence of a collector in the collecting space of the device or in the storage container. For, use of the device is regularly performed in dimly lit places. Therefore, use of a fluorescent or like material is highly pre- ferred.

So as to ensure that fluids do not enter the storage contain^¬ er of polyp collectors, it is preferred that during use of the de^¬ vice according to the invention a distal end of said storage con^¬ tainer away from the proximal end is at a higher position than said proximal end.

However, alternatively, the storage container for polyp col^¬ lectors may be directed downwardly during use of the device, en^¬ suring that the new collectors are at a position away from the collecting space and therefore do not contact the immediate vicin- ity of the collecting space, reducing the risk of contamination of new collectors. As a matter of fact, it has shown that a shape of the storage container wherein a proximal end is directed upward and a further distal end is directed downwards provides optimal results. Other provisions may be incorporated in the device of the present invention so as to further eliminate the risk of contami^¬ nation, for example a movable gate at a position between the col^¬ lecting space and the storage container.

As mentioned above, it is preferable that a carrying surface of said storage container for carrying the polyp collectors merges into the carrying surface of the collecting space. Such enables a quick and uninterrupted flow of a new collector into the collect^¬ ing space.

An effective guidance of the polyp collectors in the storage container, ensuring an uninterrupted flow towards the collecting space, is obtained when the polyp collectors have a tubular shape. Such shape also ensures a simple reception into the storage bot^¬ tle.

So as to ensure that the polyp collector is exactly aligned with the input connector and the output connector, in the device according to the invention, the collecting space comprises guiding elements for positioning the polyp collector in line with the inlet connector. So as to allow a user to continuously perform an operation, the device according to the invention preferably comprises a stor^¬ age container with at least two polyp collectors, more preferably at least three collectors, for example at least four or even five collectors.

According to a further embodiment, the invention relates to a combination of a device according to the invention with a storage container with at least two collectors and at least one storage bottle .

According to a still further embodiment, the invention re^¬ lates to the use of a device according to any of the preceding claims, for collecting a polyp from a body.

According to an alternative embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for collecting a polyp that has been removed from a body, comprising a housing with:

- an inlet connector for coupling an endoscopic tube,

- an outlet connector for connecting a suction tube, and

- a collecting space at a position in a flow path between said inlet connector and said outlet connector for containing a polyp collector, said collecting space comprising a carrying surface for carrying said polyp collector, characterized in that said collecting space is in communication with a storage container of polyp collectors. In particular, said storage container may pref^¬ erably comprise an elongated container embodied for holding a row of collectors, a proximal end of said container terminating into the collecting space. Preferred embodiments with regard to the de^¬ vice according to the present invention as mentioned in the de^¬ scription above and in the claims are also preferred embodiments of this alternative embodiment. The use of such embodiment is part of this alternative embodiment of this invention as well.

Hereafter, the invention will be further described by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in:

Fig. 1 a sectional side view of a device according to the in^¬ vention,

Fig. 2 a collector for use in the device according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 a perspective top view of the device according to Fig.

1, Fig. 4 a perspective view of a movable slide for use in the device according to the invention,

Fig. 5 another perspective view of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 6 a perspective bottom view of a first step of the de^¬ vice according to the invention,

Fig. 7 a perspective view of a subsequent step of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 8 a perspective bottom view of the device according to Fig. 5 with a storage bottle,

Fig. 9 a perspective top view of the device according to Fig. 8 with a storage bottle, and

Fig. 10 a sectional side view of the collecting space of a device according to the invention.

The same and similar parts and features have been denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. However, for ease of understanding the figures, not all parts that are required for a practical embodiment have been shown in the figures.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a housing 2 with an inlet connector 3 for coupling an endoscopic tube (not shown) and an outlet connector 4 for connecting a suction tube (not shown) .

Aligned with the said connectors 3, 4 a collecting space 5 is provided. Said collecting space 5 comprises a polyp collector 6. Said polyp collector 6 has a substantial tubular shape as shown in more detail in Fig. 2. The polyp collector 6 has a bottom 7 with apertures 8. A vacuum source, connected to the outlet connector 4, ensures a constant suction source whereas the apertures 8 in the collector 6 ensure a substantially uninterrupted flow from inlet connector 3 through collector space 5 and polyp collector 6 to outlet connector 4.

A storage container 9 for polyp collectors 6' is connected to the housing 2. The polyp collectors 6' are stored until they are ready for use to enter the collecting space 5. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the storage container is embodied to contain five spare collectors 6 ' .

The collector 6 is carried by a carrying surface 10, with the proviso that a substantially uninterrupted flow is ensured.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective top view of the device 1 wherein it is clear that the storage container 9 is enclosed by a housing 11. The housing 11 may be a unitary body with housing 2 or may be a separately manufactured piece of material. Preferably, the hous^¬ ing 2 and housing 9 are combined substantially completely liquid- tight. The housing 9 may be a transparent material so as to be able to visually control if a collector 6 is ready for use in the collecting space 5 or if a collector 6' is available for entering the collecting space 5.

In the embodiment of the device 1 as shown in the drawing, the outlet connector 4 is connected to a movable slide 12. In a first position, where a collector 6 is aligned with the inlet and outlet connectors and carried by a carrying surface 10, the main body 13 of the movable slide 12 is positioned near the collecting space 5. This first position is shown in Fig. 5 with the storage container 9 connected to the movable slide 12. Fig. 4 shows the movable slide 12 alone, disconnected from the storage container 9. After a polyp has entered the collector 6, the movable slide 12 may be displaced to a second position as shown in Fig. 6. The col^¬ lector 6 is not carried by the carrying surface 10, with the con^¬ sequence that the collector 6 can be removed from the collecting space 5, as shown in Fig. 7.

At a position in the collecting space 5, away from the stor- age container 9, guiding elements 16 are provided for exactly aligning the collector 6 with the inlet and outlet connectors.

It has shown that a precise airtight seal between the movable slide 12 and the housing 2 is not absolutely required, since the vacuum provides for an automatic sufficient closure of said mova- ble slide 12 against housing 2.

So as to store the collector 6 and the polyp contained there^¬ in, a storage bottle 14 is coupled to the movable slide 12, as shown in Fig. 8. In the second position of the movable slide 12, as shown in Fig. 8, the storage bottle 14 is aligned with the col- lector 6, such that in the second position, the collector will enter the storage bottle 14 by gravitational force. The storage bot^¬ tle may comprise a preservative like formaldehyde. A device 15 may be provided for coupling the bottle 14 at the movable slide 12. The device 15 may also be embodied for position^¬ ing the bottle 14 in alignment with the collector 6. Fig. 9 shows a perspective top view of the device 1 according to Fig. 8 with a storage bottle 14 in a first position, such that the collector is carried by the carrying surface 10.

Finally, Fig. 10 shows a sectional side view through the de^¬ vice 10 at the collecting space 5. The collector 6 is aligned with the inlet connector 3 and the outlet connector 4.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments as mentioned above and as shown in the drawings. The invention is limited by the claims only.

The invention also relates to all combinations of features described here independently of each other.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A device for collecting a polyp that has been removed from a body, comprising a housing with:

- an inlet connector for coupling an endoscopic tube,

- an outlet connector for connecting a suction tube, and

- a collecting space at a position in a flow path between said inlet connector and said outlet connector for containing a polyp collector, said collecting space comprising a carrying surface for carrying said polyp collector,

characterized in that the carrying surface of the collecting space at least partially forms part of a movable slide, slidable between a first position wherein said polyp collector is positioned in said flow path and a second position wherein said carrying surface is removed from said polyp collector for enabling removal of the polyp collector from the collecting space.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the outlet connector for connecting a suction tube is connected to the movable slide, wherein in said first position said outlet connector is positioned in fluid communication with said collecting space and in said sec- ond position said outlet connector is not in fluid communication with said collecting space.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said movable slide comprises a connection member for a storage bottle, wherein in said second position said storage bottle is in fluid communication with said collecting space.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said connection member for a storage bottle comprises a click connection, a bayonet con- nection or a screw connection.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said collecting space is in communication with a storage container of polyp collectors.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said storage container comprises an elongated container embodied for holding a row of collectors, a proximal end of said container terminating into the collecting space.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein during use a distal end of said storage container away from the proximal end is at a high^¬ er position than said proximal end.

8. A device according to claim 5, wherein a carrying surface of said storage container for carrying the polyp collectors merges into the carrying surface of the collecting space.

9. A device according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polyp collectors have a tubular shape.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the collecting space comprises guiding elements for positioning the polyp collector in line with the inlet connector.

11. A device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a storage container with at least two polyp collectors.

12. A combination of a device according to claim 11 and at least one storage bottle.

13. Use of a device according to any of the preceding claims, for collecting a polyp from a body.

14. A device for collecting a polyp that has been removed from a body, comprising a housing with:

- an inlet connector for coupling an endoscopic tube,

- an outlet connector for connecting a suction tube, and

- a collecting space at a position in a flow path between said in- let connector and said outlet connector for containing a polyp collector, said collecting space comprising a carrying surface for carrying said polyp collector, characterized in that said collect- ing space is in communication with a storage container of polyp collectors .

15. A device according to claim 14, comprising an elongated con- tainer embodied for holding a row of collectors, a proximal end of said container terminating into the collecting space.