WO2023041373A1 - Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés - Google Patents

Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023041373A1
WO2023041373A1 PCT/EP2022/074720 EP2022074720W WO2023041373A1 WO 2023041373 A1 WO2023041373 A1 WO 2023041373A1 EP 2022074720 W EP2022074720 W EP 2022074720W WO 2023041373 A1 WO2023041373 A1 WO 2023041373A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheath
living hinge
bendable member
spine
bendable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/074720
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Andrew Miller
Patrick WARD-BOOTH
Daniel Peterson Godfrey
Original Assignee
I.Q. Endoscopes Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by I.Q. Endoscopes Ltd filed Critical I.Q. Endoscopes Ltd
Publication of WO2023041373A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023041373A1/fr

Links

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
    • A61B1/005—Flexible endoscopes
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0055—Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
    • 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
    • A61B1/008—Articulations
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M25/00—Catheters; Hollow probes
    • A61M25/01—Introducing, guiding, advancing, emplacing or holding catheters
    • A61M25/0105—Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning
    • A61M25/0133—Tip steering devices
    • A61M25/0138—Tip steering devices having flexible regions as a result of weakened outer material, e.g. slots, slits, cuts, joints or coils
    • 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
    • A61B1/00112—Connection or coupling means
    • A61B1/00114—Electrical cables in or with an endoscope
    • 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
    • A61B1/00112—Connection or coupling means
    • A61B1/00119—Tubes or pipes in or with an endoscope
    • 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
    • A61B1/0051—Flexible endoscopes with controlled bending of insertion part
    • A61B1/0057—Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
    • 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
    • A61B1/01—Guiding arrangements therefore
    • 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
    • A61B1/012—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 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
    • 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
    • A61B1/04—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 combined with photographic or television appliances
    • A61B1/05—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 combined with photographic or television appliances characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
    • 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
    • A61B1/06—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 illuminating arrangements
    • A61B1/0661—Endoscope light sources
    • A61B1/0676—Endoscope light sources at distal tip of an endoscope

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to imaging endoscope systems, elements thereof, methods for the assembly of such systems and to methods of operating such systems.
  • an imaging endoscope has a flexible tube providing a light guide that guides illumination light from an external light source located proximally of the flexible tube to a distal tip of the flexible tube. The illumination light thereby illuminates the tissue to be examined.
  • the distal tip typically also includes an objective lens to gather light from the tissue being examined.
  • the flexible tube provides an imaging light guide to carry the light away from the distal tip and to a camera at the proximal end of the flexible tube.
  • the imaging light guide prefferably dispensed with and replaced with an imaging camera chip at the distal tip.
  • the signal from the imaging camera chip is conducted along electrical wires in the flexible tube. Based on either approach, an image is produced for display to the imaging endoscope operator.
  • the distal tip it is known, in addition to the imaging function described above, for imaging endoscopes to provide further functionality.
  • the distal tip it is known for the distal tip to be equipped with a port for dispensing air (or more generally, insufflation gas) to inflate the internal structure being examined, a port for dispensing irrigation liquid such as water or saline, and a port for a medical tool such as biopsy forceps.
  • the flexible tube typically provides suitable lumens dedicated to the provision of these services.
  • the insertion tube is flexible. This allows the insertion tube to be located along tortuous and often complex paths within the body.
  • the distal tip of the insertion tube with means for deflecting the distal tip, and therefore with means to steer the distal tip.
  • a typical approach to this is to provide control cables, extending along the flexible tube from a control handle at a proximal end of the flexible tube and anchored to the distal tip.
  • the control handle has control knobs to allow movement of the control wires and consequently steering of the distal tip.
  • US10052013B2 discloses an articulation joint for use in an endoscope.
  • the articulation joint body comprises a plurality of interconnecting segments. Each segment comprises a cylinder with an outer wall and a central lumen.
  • the outer wall includes a number of hinge elements therein and a series of slots therethrough.
  • a plurality of cable guide elements having a passage for control cables are inserted into the slots and two or more cables are threaded through the plurality of cable guide elements and tensioned to form the articulation joint body.
  • the articulation joint body is a tubular body comprising a cylinder with an outer wall and a central lumen.
  • the outer wall includes a number of hinge elements therein and a series of slots therethrough.
  • a plurality of annular rings are snap-fitted around the circumference of the tubular body at spaced intervals.
  • Each annular ring has an outer circumference with a first end and a second end and a space therebetween.
  • Also included in each annular ring is at least one pair of inwardly extending cable guide loops adapted to be inserted into the slots in the outer wall of the tubular body. Two or more cables are threaded through the plurality of cable guide loops and tensioned to form the articulation joint body.
  • EP2617350 B1 describes multiple different possible configurations of a bendable insertion section and steering section of an imaging endoscopy system.
  • the present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.
  • the present inventors have realised a number of innovations which can reduce the overall cost and complexity of manufacture of an insertion section of an imaging endoscopy system, whilst providing suitable or improved performance in comparison to conventional endoscopes.
  • the present invention provides a bendable member for an imaging endoscope, said bendable member having a longitudinal axial direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, wherein the bendable member comprises: a sheath portion comprising a series of sheath ring segments formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements; and a spine portion comprising a series of radially extending spacer segments formed integrally with spine living hinge elements, the spine portion being bendable by bending of the spine living hinge elements; wherein the spine portion and the sheath portion are coaxially arranged such that one or more longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion.
  • the spine portion and the sheath portion are coaxially arranged such that one or more longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion, allows for improved ease of manufacture of the bendable member in comparison to prior art systems.
  • the spine portion can be effectively used as a scaffold frame, onto which other components of the endoscope (control wires, electrical wires, fluid conduits etc.) can be disposed on or held by the spacer segments of the spine portion, with the sheath portion subsequently being arranged to cover the spine portion and the one or more other components of the endoscope.
  • the one or more other components are then held within the longitudinally extending conduits defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion. This is a much faster assembly method than conventional methods which require the careful threading of control wires, electrical wires, fluid conduits etc. along the length of a bendable member of convention endoscopes.
  • both the spine portion and the sheath portion are bendable by bending of living hinge elements, it is possible to provide a two-part component where the bending response of both the spine part and the sheath art is highly selectable (for example, to provide a similar bending response to an applied force, or to provide a different bending response to an applied force), in comparison to some known arrangements where the bendable member is constituted by an internal articulated jointed section comprising a series of ring links surrounded by an external sheath.
  • the bendable member can be selected at the point of manufacture by suitable selection of the location and form of the living hinge elements. Accordingly, a bendable member according to the present invention can allow for greater customisation of bending response in comparison to existing bendable members.
  • Each of the sheath portions and the spine portion is formed as a series of constructional elements (sheath ring segments for the sheath portion, or spacer segments for the sine portion) arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements.
  • living hinge element is used herein to define a flexible hinge integrally formed with, and preferably made from the same material as, the two segment pieces it connects.
  • the living hinge elements of the sheath portion and/or the spine portion may be formed by local material removal (e.g. cutting) of the sheath portion and/or spine portion.
  • the living hinge elements of the sheath portion and/or the spine portion may be formed during an integral moulding process.
  • each of the sheath portion and the spine portion may comprise more than 10 segments and respective living hinge elements, for example they may each comprise more than 15, more than 20, more than 25 or more than 30 segments and respective living hinge elements.
  • the number of segments and respective living hinge elements may be the same for the sheath portion as for the spine portion. In other arrangements, the number of segments and respective living hinge elements may differ between the sheath portion and the spine portion.
  • At least some of the spine living hinge elements and the sheath living hinge elements may be substantially aligned in one or both of the axial and/or the circumferential direction of the bendable member. That is, some or all of the series of spine living hinge elements and the series of sheath living hinge elements may be arranged at substantially the same positions along an axial length of the bendable member. Some or all of the series of spine living hinge elements and the series of sheath living hinge elements may be arranged at substantially the same positions about a circumferential direction of the bendable member.
  • Bending performance of the bendable member may be diminished if a large number of spine living hinge elements and the sheath living hinge elements are substantially misaligned.
  • the shape of the sheath portion is preferably selected to allow suitable bending function of the bendable member, whilst providing suitable protection and support for other components of an endoscope which may be incorporated in the bendable member when used in an endoscope.
  • the sheath ring segments may each comprise a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • a first sidewall surface of a first sheath ring segment may be arranged to face a second sidewall surface of an adjacent second sheath ring segment.
  • the sheath living hinge elements may be connected to the sheath ring segments at the first and second opposing sidewall surfaces of adjacent sheath ring segments.
  • the living hinge elements of the sheath portion may comprise one or more flexible web portions, the term ‘web portion’ being used herein to refer to a thin strip of material.
  • each living hinge element may comprise two or more flexible web portions. Where there are two or more flexible web portions, these may be substantially equiangularly spaced about the bendable member.
  • a living hinge element is constituted by a pair of flexible web portions, these may be disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart about the sheath portion. For example, they may be oppositely disposed on an outer circumference of the sheath portion.
  • Each selected living hinge element of the sheath portion may be circumferentially angularly offset with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element of the sheath portion.
  • Each selected living hinge element of the sheath portion may be oriented at 90 ° with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element when viewed in cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member, i.e. may be angularly offset by 90 ° with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element.
  • all references herein to components being oriented at X ° with respect to another component or feature when viewed in cross-sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member shall be understood as defining an angular offset of X ° about the longitudinal axis of the relevant features.
  • each sheath living hinge element comprises a pair of flexible web portions extending from one sidewall surface and extending parallel to the axial direction of the sheath portion, wherein the flexible web portions are disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart on the sidewall surface.
  • the flexible web portions extend across a gap between axially adjacent sheath ring segments to attach to the axially adjacent sheath ring segment at a sidewall surface.
  • the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions) of each selected sheath ring segment is circumferentially angularly offset with respect to the living hinge element (i.e.
  • the pair of flexible web portions of an immediately axially adjacent sheath ring segment by 90 °, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bendable member.
  • the effect of this is that the sheath ring segments of each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments can move relative to each other by bending of the pair of flexible web portions, allowing bending in one of two mutually perpendicular planes for each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments.
  • This arrangement can provide for a suitable controllable yet flexible bending response of the sheath portion and the spine portion.
  • the size of the sheath ring segments is not particularly limited and may be selected as appropriate for the specific application intended.
  • the sheath portion may have an outer diameter of from 3mm to 15 mm.
  • the sheath portion may have an outer diameter of 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, 9 mm or more or 10 mm or more.
  • the sheath portion may have an outer diameter of 15 mm or less, 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 or less or 10 mm or less.
  • the sheath portion may have an inner diameter of from 1mm to 13 mm.
  • the sheath portion may have an inner diameter of 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, 6 mm or more, 7 mm or more, 8 mm or more, or 10 mm or more.
  • the sheath portion may have an inner diameter of 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 mm or less, 10 or less or 9 mm or less.
  • the sheath portion may have an inner diameter of about 6.5mm, and an outer diameter of about 9.0 mm. This size may be particularly suitable for application of the bendable member as a component in a gastroscope, e.g. a transoral or transnasal gastroscope.
  • Each selected ring segment may be substantially identical to one or more other ring segments, such as to an adjacent ring segment, other than for its orientation.
  • each selected ring segment may be oriented at 90 ° with an adjacent ring segment when viewed in a crosssection perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member.
  • the sheath portion may comprise two terminal ring segments one on either end of the bendable member.
  • a distal terminal ring segment may be provided at a distal end of the bendable member, said distal terminal ring segment being configured for connection to the distal tip assembly on an endoscope.
  • a proximal terminal ring segment may be provided at a proximal end of the bendable member, said proximal terminal ring segment being configured for connection to an adjacent portion of the insertion section.
  • One or more of the terminal ring segments may be different in size or shape to the remaining ring segments of the sheath portion (also referred to as ‘intermediate ring segments’).
  • One or more of the sheath ring segments may comprise a chamfered wall portion.
  • chamfered wall portion is used herein to refer to a transitional wall portion or edge between two surfaces.
  • Said chamfered wall portion may be formed between the radially outer surface and a sidewall surface of the sheath ring segment.
  • Said chamfered wall portion may be formed adjacent a living hinge element.
  • one or more of the sheath ring segments, or all of the sheath ring segments may comprise a plurality of chamfered wall portions. Said chamfered wall portions may be equiangularly spaced about the circumference of the respective sheath ring segment.
  • one or more of the sheath ring segments, or all of the sheath ring segments may comprise a two pairs of chamfered wall portions.
  • a first pair of chamfered wall portions may be formed between the radially outer surface and the first sidewall surface of the sheath ring segment, and oppositely disposed about a circumference of the sheath ring segment.
  • a second pair of chamfered wall portions may be formed between the radially outer surface and the second sidewall surface of the sheath ring segment, and oppositely disposed about a circumference of the sheath ring segment.
  • the first and second pairs of chamfered wall portions may be oriented at 90 ° with respect to one another when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member. Provision of such arrangements can allow for the sheath portion to achieve smaller bending radii than when one or more such chamfered wall portions are not provided, as impingement of adjacent sheath ring portions on one another during bending can be reduced or avoided.
  • the chamfered wall portion may comprise a planar chamfer (i.e. the chamfered wall portion may lie in a single plane).
  • the chamfered wall portion may comprise a curved (non- planar) chamfer.
  • the chamfered wall portion may be formed at an angle of greater than 0 ° and less than 90 °, between two faces of the sheath ring segment. In preferred arrangements, the chamfer may be formed at an angle of at 10 ° or more, 20 ° or more, 30 ° or more, or 40 ° or more between two faces of the sheath ring segment. The chamfered wall portion may be formed at an angle of 80 ° or less, 70 ° or less, 60 ° or less, or 50 ° or less between two faces of the sheath ring segment. In preferred arrangement, the chamfered wall portion may be formed at an angle of about 45 ° between two faces of the sheath ring segment.
  • this angle may be measured between a plane tangential to the radially outer surface of the sheath ring segment, and a plane in which the chamfered wall portion lies.
  • the axial length of the chamfered wall portion may be 10% or more of the axial length of a single sheath ring segment.
  • the axial length of the chamfered wall portion may be 20% or more, 30% or more, or 40% or more of the axial length of a sheath ring segment. It may be preferred for the axial length of the chamfered wall portion to be no more than 50% of the axial length of the chamfered wall portion, as such arrangements may compromise the mechanical strength of the ring segment.
  • the axial length of the chamfered wall portion may be measured as the length component of the chamfered wall portion measured in an axial direction in a plane tangential to the radially outer surface of the sheath ring segment.
  • each of the chamfered wall portions may extend angularly around the sheath ring segment for 10 ° or more, for example 20 ° or more, 30 ° or more, 40 ° or more, 50 ° or more, 60 ° or more, 70 ° or more, 80 ° or more, or 90 ° or more.
  • the angular extend of the chamfered wall portion is in a range of from 30 ° to 120 °.
  • the angular extent of the chamfered wall portion may be less than 180 °, for example 170 ° or less, 160 ° or less, 150 ° or less, 140 ° or less, 130 ° or less, or 120 ° or less.
  • the chamfered wall portion may not extend around the entire sheath ring segment: the sheath ring segment may comprise one or more substantially non-chamfered edge portions adjacent the chamfered wall portions.
  • each sheath ring segment comprises two pairs of oppositely disposed chamfered wall portions oriented at 90 ° with respect to one another when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member, wherein each chamfered wall portion extends angularly for more than 90 ° around the circumference of the sheath ring segment, such that at least part of the first pair of chamfered wall portions and the second pair of chamfered wall portions overlap in a circumferential direction about the circumference of the sheath ring segment (albeit on opposite sides of the sheath ring segment).
  • This arrangement has been found to be particularly advantageous as it can allow enhanced flexibility of the bending member during bending.
  • the larger gaps between sheath ring segments provided by the larger chamfers can allow the outer casing to deflect into the chamfered areas without restricting the tight curl of the whole assembly.
  • a further independent aspect of the present disclosure is a bendable member for an imaging endoscope, said bendable member having a longitudinal axial direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, wherein the bendable member comprises: a sheath portion comprising a series of sheath ring segments formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements; wherein some or all or said sheath ring segments comprise at least one chamfered wall portion.
  • the material composition of the sheath portion is not particularly limited and may be selected based on manufacturing considerations or the intended use and function of the bendable member.
  • the sheath portion is formed from one or more polymeric materials, for example a material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides (e.g. nylons), acetyls and elastomers. Nylon may be particularly preferred. Polymeric materials are generally cheap, are relatively facile to shape and/or mould during manufacture, and can offer good bending flexibility.
  • the method of manufacture of the sheath portion is not particularly limited and may be selected based on manufacturing considerations or the intended use and function of the bendable member.
  • the sheath portion is formed by injection moulding.
  • the sheath portion is formed by extrusion of a substantially cylindrical member, followed by local material removal to form the living hinge elements and/or shape the sheath ring segments. Further optional features of the spine portion will now be described.
  • the spacer segments may each comprise a body having a central aperture.
  • the central aperture may be substantially cylindrical.
  • Each respective central aperture of the series of radially extending spacer segments may be substantially aligned to thereby define a spine portion central lumen.
  • the central aperture of the spacer segment body may be configured to receive one or more components of an endoscope, for example it may be configured to receive one or more of e.g. a vacuum tube, a fluid conduit, or a sensor cable.
  • the size of central aperture is not particularly limited and may be selected as appropriate for the specific application intended. In some cases the central aperture may have a diameter of from 0.5 mm to 5 mm, more preferably from 1mm to 4mm.
  • the central aperture may have a diameter of 1 mm or more, 2 mm or more, or 3mm or more.
  • the central aperture may have a diameter of 5 mm or less, or 4 mm or less.
  • the central aperture may have a diameter of about 3.5 mm.
  • the spacer segments may comprise a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • a first sidewall surface of a first spacer segment may be arranged to face a second sidewall surface of an adjacent second spacer segment.
  • the spine living hinge elements may be connected to the spacer segments at the first and second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • the living hinge elements of the spine portion may comprise one or more flexible web portions, the term ‘web portion’ being used herein to refer to a thin strip of material.
  • each living hinge element may comprise two or more flexible web portions. Where there are two or more flexible web portions, these may be substantially equiangularly spaced about the bendable member.
  • a living hinge element is constituted by a pair of flexible web portions, these may be disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart about the spine portion.
  • Each selected living hinge element of the spine portion may be circumferentially angularly offset with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element of the spine portion.
  • Each selected living hinge element of the spine portion may be oriented at 90 ° with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element of the spine portion when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member.
  • each spine living hinge element comprises a pair of flexible web portions extending from one sidewall surface and extending parallel to the axial direction of the spine portion, wherein the flexible web portions are disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart on the sidewall surface.
  • the flexible web portions extend across a gap between axially adjacent spacer segments to attach to the axially adjacent spacer segments at a sidewall surface.
  • the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions) of each selected spacer segment is circumferentially angularly offset with respect to the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions) of an immediately axially adjacent spacer segment by 90 °, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bendable member.
  • each pair of adjacent spacer segments can move relative to each other by bending of the pair of flexible web portions, allowing bending in one of two mutually perpendicular planes for each pair of adjacent spacer segments.
  • This arrangement can provide for a suitable controllable yet flexible bending response of the spine portion.
  • the size of the spacer segments is not particularly limited and may be selected as appropriate for the specific application intended. However, for preferred applications, the spacer segments may have an outer diameter as measured across the widest point of the segment of from 2mm to 10 mm, more preferably about 4-8 mm, more preferably about 5-6 mm. For example, the spacer segments may have an outer diameter as measured across the widest point of the segment of 2 mm or more, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, 5 mm or more, or 6 mm or more.
  • the sheath portion may have an outer diameter of 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 or less or 6 mm or less. This size may be particularly suitable for application of the bendable member as a component in a gastroscope, e.g. a transoral or transnasal gastroscope.
  • Each selected spacer segment may be substantially identical to one or more other spacer segments, or to an adjacent spacer segment, other than for its orientation.
  • each selected spacer segment may be oriented at 90 ° with an adjacent spacer segment when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member.
  • the spine portion may comprise two terminal spacer segments, one on either end of the bendable member: a distal terminal spacer segment disposed at a distal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to a distal tip assembly on an endoscope, and a proximal terminal spacer segment disposed at a proximal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to an adjacent portion of the insertion section.
  • One or more of the terminal spacer segments may be different in size or shape to the remaining spacer segments of the spine portion (also referred to as ‘intermediate spacer segments’).
  • the one or more longitudinally extending conduits defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion may be defined between the radially outer surface of the spacer segment body and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion.
  • the spacer segment body comprises one or more spacer arms which extend in a substantially radial direction and are configured to space at least a part of the radially outer surface of the spacer segment body and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion to thereby provide the one or more longitudinally extending conduits as a space adjacent said arm(s).
  • the spacer segment body may comprise two or more spacer arms, three or more spacer arms, or four or more spacer arms. Where there are multiple spacer arms, the spacer arms may be equiangularly spaced about the circumference of the spacer segment body.
  • Such conduits may be configured to receive one or more components of an endoscope, for example a sensor wire, or a fluid conduit.
  • the circumferential distance between spacer arms may be from about 1 mm to about 5 mm, depending on the size of the spacer segment, and the number of spacer arms. In some arrangements, the circumferential distance between spacer arms may be about 2-3 mm.
  • the spacer segment body comprises one or more grooves or slots formed in the radially outer surface of the body, such that one or more longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the groove or slot of the spacer segment body and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion.
  • Such conduits may be configured to receive one or more steering wires of an endoscope. In this way, such conduits can act as steering wire guides.
  • These grooves may have a width of from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm, more preferably from about 1 mm to about 2 mm.
  • the spacer segments comprise a plurality of spacer arms (for example four spacer arms), wherein at least one of said spacer arms comprises one or more slots formed at a radially outer extent of the arm.
  • each arm may comprise one or more slots formed at a radially outer extent of the arm.
  • the number of longitudinally extending conduits defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion is not particularly limited. There may be provided at least three longitudinally extending conduits extending along the bendable member between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion. There may be provided at least four, five, six, seven, eight or nine longitudinally extending conduits extending along the bendable member between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion.
  • the of longitudinally extending conduits may be provided substantially equiangularly spaced about the bendable member when viewed in cross section.
  • the longitudinally extending conduits may extend substantially along an entire length of the bendable member.
  • some or all of the spacer segments may comprise one or more projections formed on at least one of the first or the second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • each spacer segment comprises at least one projection on both its respective first and second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • the one or more projections may project in a longitudinal direction from the first and/or second opposing sidewall surface. Where more than one projection is provided on a single sidewall surface, the projections may be substantially equiangularly spaced. Providing such projections on the sidewall surfaces of the spacer segments reduces the open spacing between adjacent spacer segments.
  • the projections may take any suitable form, and the shape of the projections is not particularly limited.
  • the projections may be cylindrical, cuboid, approximately cuboid (for example, curved cuboid).
  • the projections may extend, for example, for 0.3 mm or more, 0.4 mm or more, 0.5 mm or more, 0.6 mm or more, 0,7 mm or more, 0.8 mm or more, 0.9 mm or more, 1mm or more, 2 mm, 3 mm or more, 4 mm or more, or 5 mm or more into the open spacing between adjacent spacer segments.
  • the extent of the projection in absolute terms may be selected based on the size of the bendable member (and accordingly the size of the opening between adjacent spacer segments).
  • the projection(s) may be arranged to occlude at 1 % or more, 5% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20 % or more, 30 % or more, or more of an area of an opening between adjacent spacer segments. They may be arranged to occlude no more than about 50%, or no more than about 40% of said area, to avoid the projection(s) impinging on one another, or on other parts of the spacer segment during bending of the bendable member.
  • a further independent aspect of the present disclosure is a bendable member for an imaging endoscope, said bendable member having a longitudinal axial direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, wherein the bendable member comprises: a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, each constructional element comprising at least a radially outer surface and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces, wherein some or all of the constructional elements comprise one or more projections formed on at least one of the first or the second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • the material composition of the spine portion is not particularly limited and may be selected based on manufacturing considerations or the intended use and function of the bendable member.
  • the spine portion is formed from one or more polymeric materials, for example a material selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyamides (e.g. nylons), acetyls and elastomers.
  • Nylon may be particularly preferred.
  • Polymeric materials are generally cheap, are relatively facile to shape and/or mould during manufacture, and can offer good bending flexibility.
  • the method of manufacture of the spine portion is not particularly limited and may be selected based on manufacturing considerations or the intended use and function of the bendable member.
  • the spine portion is formed by injection moulding.
  • the spine portion is formed by extrusion of a substantially cylindrical member, followed by local material removal to form the living hinge elements and/or shape the spine portion spacer segments.
  • the spine portion and the sheath portion may be formed from the same material, or they may be formed from different materials.
  • the materials of the spine portion and the sheath portion may be selected as materials with different bending modulus (for example as measured according to a flexural test such as the ASTM D790).
  • the bending response of the bendable member can be suitably adjusted.
  • the spine portion may be formed from a comparatively more rigid material than the sheath portion. This can allow for the bending response of the bendable member to be mainly controlled by the bending response of the spine portion.
  • the sheath portion and the spine portion may be configured to interact to reduce or prevent relative rotational movement of the sheath portion and spine portion. In particular it may be desirable to prevent such moment when the sheath portion and the spine portion are assembled as part of a bendable member forming part of an endoscope.
  • the sheath portion and the spine portion may have one or more cooperating parts which engage with one another to prevent such relative movement.
  • a terminal constructional element (i.e. ring segment or spacer segment) of the sheath portion or the spine portion comprises a flange portion configured to interlock with a corresponding recess formed on a terminal constructional element of the other of the sheath portion or spine portion.
  • the bendable member may comprise an outer casing.
  • the outer casing may comprise a tube arranged to surround the sheath portion of the bendable member. Provision of an outer casing or sheath can reduce risk of inadvertent damage to the articulated member during use.
  • the outer casing is formed from a flexible and/or elastomeric material. This can allow for relatively unimpeded bending of the articulated member, as the outer casing can stretch and/or fold as appropriate during bending.
  • Some preferred materials include silicones and/or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
  • TPE thermoplastic elastomers
  • the bendable member is for an imaging endoscope.
  • bendable members according to the present invention may find application as a component of an insertion section of the endoscope, and/or as a component of a steering section of the endoscope.
  • the present invention provides an imaging endoscope, or an imaging endoscopy system, comprising: a hand controller; an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, wherein a distal tip assembly is located at the distal end of the insertion section and a steering section is located adjacent and proximal to the distal tip, said steering section being bendable for steering by operation of the hand controller; wherein at least a part of the insertion section comprises a bendable member having an longitudinal axial direction, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, wherein the bendable member comprises: a sheath portion comprising a series of sheath ring segments formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements; and a spine portion comprising a series of radially extending spacer segments formed integrally with spine living hinge elements, the spine portion being bendable by
  • the part of the insertion section comprising the bendable member may include the steering section, Alternatively or additionally, the part of the insertion section comprising the bendable member may include a part of the insertion section intermediate the proximal end of the insertion section and the steering section (this part also referred to herein as a ‘insertion section main body’).
  • the insertion section may include a single bendable member, or it may include two or more bendable members.
  • the insertion section may comprise a single bendable member or two or more bendable members constituting a part of the steering section.
  • the insertion section may comprise a single bendable member or two or more bendable members constituting a part of the insertion section main body.
  • the insertion section may comprise a bendable member which extends along substantially the entire length of the insertion section, between the proximal end of the insertion section and the distal tip assembly.
  • the insertion section may comprise a first bendable member constituting part of the steering section, and a second bendable member constituting a part of the insertion section main body.
  • the part of the insertion section intermediate the proximal end and the steering section would include an outer part formed of one or two helically wound flat springs which are essentially tubular, which are overbraided with a braided fibre layer and then covered by an outer smooth sleeve extruded over the braid.
  • Arrangements according to the present invention in which this helical spring arrangement is replaced with a bendable member as described above can provide reduced manufacturing complexity in comparison to these known arrangements.
  • the hand controller may be configured to be releasably connectable to a base unit by means of an umbilical section.
  • the base unit may provide electrical power, irrigation liquid and insufflation gas to the insertion section, via the umbilical section and hand controller.
  • the distal tip assembly may include a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest.
  • the light source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED).
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the distal tip assembly may further include an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. There may be provided at least one electrical conductor along the insertion section for providing electrical power to the imaging chip. There may be provided at least one electrical conductor for conducting electrical signals from the imaging chip to the proximal end of the insertion section. In this manner, it is possible to implement an imaging endoscope system in which there is no need for the insertion section to transmit light, whether as illumination or optical images.
  • the distal tip may include a distal tip housing comprising light-transmissive portion.
  • the distal tip housing may be integrally formed from a polymeric material.
  • the distal tip housing may have a collar portion extending proximally of a distal end face.
  • the collar portion may be adapted to fit over a distal end of the steering section. This is considered to be a convenient implementation.
  • the distal tip housing may have a cleaning nozzle arranged at the distal end face, to direct irrigation liquid to clean a lens of the imaging chip.
  • the insertion section may comprise at least one steering wire, fixed at or near the distal end of the insertion section, and extending along the length of the insertion section for connection to the hand controller, whereby the steering section of the insertion section is bendable for steering by application of tension to the at least one steering wire by operation of the hand controller.
  • the steering wires may have sheaths each defining an axis of constrained movement for each respective steering wire.
  • the steering wires are provided as Bowden cables.
  • the steering wires extend through the steering section to the distal tip and the sheaths of the steering wires do not extend through the steering section. In this way, application of tension to the one or more steering wires can cause bending primarily in the steering section of the insertion section, without substantially influencing the curvature of the remaining portion of the insertion section intermediate the hand controller and the steering section.
  • the steering wire(s) are at least partly located in the one or more longitudinally extending conduits defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion of the bendable member. In this way, unwanted movement of the steering wires within the insertion section can be reduced or prevent, with the longitudinally extended conduits acting as steering wire guides.
  • the number of longitudinally extending conduits defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion of the bendable member is not particularly limited.
  • at least one longitudinally extending conduit may be designated for use to conduct a flow of irrigation liquid to the distal tip, for example by being configured to receive an irrigation liquid tube.
  • At least one longitudinally extending conduit may be designated for use to conduct a flow of insufflation gas to the distal tip, for example by being configured to receive an insufflation gas tube.
  • At least one longitudinally extending conduit may be designated for use to provide suction at the distal tip.
  • At least one longitudinally extending conduit may be designated for use to conduct a surgical instrument to the distal tip.
  • one or more of these endoscope functions may be provided through a central lumen of the spine portion of the bendable member.
  • the imaging endoscopy system 100 may be provided in kit form, including a single base unit 2, and a plurality of sealed containers which together contain a plurality of hand controllers 6, in sterile condition, a plurality of umbilical sections 4, in sterile condition, and a plurality of insertion sections 10, in sterile condition.
  • the hand controller 6 and the umbilical section 4 and the insertion section 10 may be formed integrally in the sense that they are assembled together in the factory.
  • the base unit 2 When provided as a kit, for assembly of the imaging endoscopy system and readying of this for use in an endoscopic procedure, the base unit 2 is located in a suitable location for an endoscopic procedure, an operator (an endoscopist, or an assistant) opens at least one of the sealed containers, and extracts the hand controller 6, in sterile condition, the umbilical section 4, in sterile condition, and the insertion section 10, in sterile condition.
  • the sterile umbilical section 4 is then connected to the base unit 2 via connector 8 to provide an imaging endoscopy system 100 ready for use.
  • the present invention provides a method of assembly of an imaging endoscope including steps of: providing a spine portion of a bendable member, the spine portion comprising a series of radially extending spacer segments formed integrally with spine living hinge elements, the spine portion being bendable by bending of the spine living hinge elements; arranging one or more endoscope components on said spine portion; providing a sheath portion of a bendable member comprising a series of sheath ring segments formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements; and coaxially arranging the spine portion and sheath portion of the bendable member such that one or more longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of
  • the above steps may be performed in the order stated above. That is, in some embodiments, the step of arranging the one or more endoscope components on said spine portion is performed before the step of coaxially arranging the spine portion and sheath portion of the bendable member.
  • the one or more endoscope components may be selected from one or more of a steering wire, an electrical wire or sensor cable, a fluid conduit, a vacuum tube, or any other endoscope component configured to extend along the length of the insertion section of the tube.
  • Methods of assembly of an endoscope according to the present invention may be faster than conventional methods of assembly of conventional endoscopes, in which one or more components of the endoscope are required to be threaded along the length of an insertion/steering section of the endoscope.
  • the present invention provides a bendable member for an imaging endoscope, said bendable member comprising a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, wherein, when the bendable member is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements.
  • living hinge element is used herein to define a flexible hinge integrally formed with, and preferably made from the same material as, the two constructional elements it connects.
  • the living hinge elements may be formed by local material removal (e.g. cutting) of the bendable member. Alternatively, the living hinge elements may be formed during an integral moulding process.
  • the form of the constructional elements is not particularly limited and may be selected based on the intended application of the bendable member.
  • the constructional elements may comprise a body having at least a radially outer surface, and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces. A first sidewall surface of a first constructional element may be arranged to face a second sidewall surface of an adjacent constructional element.
  • the living hinge elements may be connected to the constructional elements at the first and second opposing sidewall surfaces.
  • the constructional element may comprise a central aperture. Where they comprise a central aperture, the central aperture may define a radially inner surface of the constructional element.
  • the constructional elements may comprise ring segments.
  • the bendable member may be a sheath portion as discussed above in relation to Innovation A.
  • the constructional elements may comprise segments having one or more arms which extend in a substantially radial direction.
  • the bendable member may be a spine portion as discussed above in relation to Innovation A.
  • Each constructional element of the series of constructional elements may be substantially identical.
  • the size or shape of the constructional elements may vary within the series of constructional elements. That is, a first constructional element of the series of constructional elements may have a different size or shape to a second constructional element of the series of constructional elements.
  • the bending stiffness of the living hinge elements may also be referred to as flexural rigidity, which is defined in the art as the force couple required to bend a fixed non-rigid structure by one unit of curvature.
  • flexural rigidity which is defined in the art as the force couple required to bend a fixed non-rigid structure by one unit of curvature.
  • the bending moment applied to each living hinge element may therefore vary along the length of the steering section.
  • the bending response of the living hinge elements bendable member can be tailored along the length of the bendable member. This may allow for the bendable member to be bent with e.g. a more uniform radius of curvature, by suitable selection of the bending stiffness of two or more living hinge elements along the length of the bonding control device of the steering section.
  • the bending stiffness of some or all of the living hinge elements is selected to provide a predetermined mechanical response profile along the length of the bendable member.
  • the mechanical response profile may include e.g. the bending resistance of the bendable member along the length of the bendable member, or the torsional stiffness of the bendable member along the length of the bendable member.
  • a first set of living hinge elements may have a first predetermined bending stiffness
  • a second set of living hinge elements may have a second predetermined bending stiffness, wherein the first and second predetermined bending stiffnesses are different.
  • the bending stiffness of each of the living hinge elements along the length of the bendable member may differ.
  • the bending stiffness of each living hinge element along the length of the bendable member may be selected to provide a continuous spectrum of bending stiffnesses along said length: for example, an arrangement in which the bending stiffness continuously increases along the length, or continuously decreases along the length.
  • each living hinge element may comprise two or more flexible web portions. Where there are two or more flexible web portions, these may be substantially equiangularly spaced about the bendable member.
  • a living hinge element is constituted by a pair of flexible web portions, these may be disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart about the bendable member.
  • Each selected living hinge element may be circumferentially angularly offset with respect to an immediately axially adjacent living hinge element of the bendable member.
  • Each selected living hinge element may be oriented at 90 ° with respect to an immediately adjacent living hinge element when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member.
  • each living hinge element comprises a pair of flexible web portions extending from one sidewall surface of a first constructional element and extending parallel to the axial direction of the bendable member, wherein the flexible web portions are disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart on the sidewall surface of the constructional element.
  • the flexible web portions extend across a gap between axially adjacent constructional elements to attach to the axially adjacent constructional element at a sidewall surface.
  • the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions) of each selected constructional element is circumferentially angularly offset with respect to the living hinge element (i.e.
  • each pair of adjacent constructional elements can move relative to each other by bending of the pair of flexible web portions, allowing bending in one of two mutually perpendicular planes for each pair of adjacent constructional elements.
  • This arrangement can provide for a suitable controllable yet flexible bending response of the bendable member.
  • the relative bending stiffness of the living hinge elements may be varied by varying at least one dimension of the living hinge elements.
  • the first living hinge element may have at least one dimension which is different to a corresponding dimension of the second living hinge element.
  • the length, width and/or thickness of the first living hinge element may be different to a corresponding length, width and/or thickness of the second living hinge element.
  • the living hinge elements comprise a pair of flexible web portions, each web portion having a length measured in an axial direction of the bendable member, a width measured in a circumferential direction of the bendable member, and a thickness measured in a radial direction of the bendable member, one or more of the following (i), (ii), or (iii) may apply:
  • the length of the flexible webs of the first living hinge element may be different to the length of the flexible webs of the second living hinge element.
  • the width of the flexible webs of the first living hinge element may be different to the width of the flexible webs of the second living hinge element.
  • the thickness of the flexible webs of the first living hinge element may be different to the width of the flexible webs of the second living hinge element.
  • the pitch between adjacent living hinge elements may be substantially uniform along the length of the bendable member.
  • the pitch may be measured as the distance between centres of adjacent living hinge elements.
  • the pitch between adjacent living hinge elements may be from 1 mm to 20 mm, more preferably from 2 mm to 10 mm. For example it may be about 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm or 20 mm.
  • a pitch of about 5 mm may be particularly preferred.
  • the bendable member consists of a single, integrally moulded part.
  • the bendable member may comprise first and second coaxially arranged parts, each of the coaxially arranged parts of the bendable member being formed from a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, and wherein, for at least one of the coaxially arranged parts, or for both of the coaxially arranged parts, when the bendable member is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements of said part has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements of said part.
  • the bendable member comprises first and second coaxially arranged parts, wherein: the first part comprises a sheath portion comprising a series of sheath ring segments formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements; and the second part comprises a spine portion comprising a series of radially extending spacer segments formed integrally with spine living hinge elements, the spine portion being bendable by bending of the spine living hinge elements; wherein one or both of (i) and (ii) applies:
  • a first sheath living hinge element has a different bending stiffness to a second sheath living hinge element
  • a first spine living hinge element has a different bending stiffness to a second spine living hinge element.
  • the spine portion and the sheath portion are coaxially arranged such that one or more longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion.
  • the bendable member may comprise an outer casing.
  • the outer casing may comprise a tube arranged to surround the sheath portion of the bendable member. Provision of an outer casing or sheath can reduce risk of inadvertent damage to the articulated member during use.
  • the outer casing is formed from a flexible and/or elastomeric material. This can allow for relatively unimpeded bending of the articulated member, as the outer casing can stretch and/or fold as appropriate during bending.
  • Some preferred materials include silicones and/or thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
  • the bendable member may alternatively be referred to herein as a ‘bending control device’, and vice versa.
  • the bendable member/bending control device forms a part of a steering section of an endoscope, in particular, an imaging endoscope.
  • the present invention provides an imaging endoscope, or an imaging endoscopy system, comprising: a hand controller; an insertion section having a proximal end connected to the hand controller and a distal end for insertion into a subject, wherein a distal tip assembly is located at the distal end of the insertion section and a steering section is located adjacent and proximal to the distal tip, said steering section being bendable for steering by operation of the hand controller; wherein at least a part of the insertion section comprises a bendable member comprising a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the steering section and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements, wherein, when the steering section is straight, a first living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements.
  • the part of the insertion section comprising the bendable member may include the steering section, Alternatively or additionally, the part of the insertion section comprising the bendable member may include a part of the insertion section intermediate the proximal end of the insertion section and the steering section (this part also referred to herein as a ‘insertion section main body’).
  • the insertion section may include a single bendable member, or it may include two or more bendable members.
  • the insertion section may comprise a single bendable member or two or more bendable members constituting a part of the steering section, said bendable members being arranged longitudinally in series, or concentrically.
  • the insertion section may comprise a single bendable member or two or more bendable members constituting a part of the insertion section main body, said bendable members being arranged longitudinally in series, or concentrically.
  • the insertion section may comprise a bendable member which extends along substantially the entire length of the insertion section, between the proximal end of the insertion section and the distal tip assembly.
  • the insertion section may comprise a first bendable member constituting part of the steering section, and a second bendable member constituting a part of the insertion section main body.
  • the part of the insertion section intermediate the proximal end and the steering section would include an outer part formed of one or two helically wound flat springs which are essentially tubular, which are over-braided with a braided fibre layer and then covered by an outer smooth sleeve extruded over the braid.
  • Arrangements according to the present invention in which this helical spring arrangement is replaced with a bendable member as described above can provide reduced manufacturing complexity in comparison to these known arrangements.
  • the end of the insertion section main body proximal the hand controller may have a higher bending stiffness (i.e. a higher resistance to bending) than a portion of the insertion section main body distal to the hand controller.
  • a higher bending stiffness i.e. a higher resistance to bending
  • Such an arrangement may also increase the torsional stiffness of the insertion section main body, thereby allowing an operator to more easily transmit torque from the hand controller to the insertion section main body.
  • the hand controller may be configured to be releasably connectable to a base unit by means of an umbilical section.
  • the base unit may provide electrical power, irrigation liquid and insufflation gas to the insertion section, via the umbilical section and hand controller.
  • the distal tip assembly may include a light source for illumination of a region of tissue of interest.
  • the light source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED).
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the distal tip assembly may further include an imaging chip for imaging the region of tissue of interest. There may be provided at least one electrical conductor along the insertion section for providing electrical power to the imaging chip. There may be provided at least one electrical conductor for conducting electrical signals from the imaging chip to the proximal end of the insertion section. In this manner, it is possible to implement an imaging endoscope system in which there is no need for the insertion section to transmit light, whether as illumination or optical images.
  • the distal tip may include a distal tip housing comprising light-transmissive portion.
  • the distal tip housing may be integrally formed from a polymeric material.
  • the distal tip housing may have a collar portion extending proximally of a distal end face.
  • the collar portion may be adapted to fit over a distal end of the steering section. This is considered to be a convenient implementation.
  • the distal tip housing may have a cleaning nozzle arranged at the distal end face, to direct irrigation liquid to clean a lens of the imaging chip.
  • the insertion section may comprise at least one steering wire, fixed at or near the distal end of the insertion section, and extending along the length of the insertion section for connection to the hand controller, whereby the steering section of the insertion section is bendable for steering by application of tension to the at least one steering wire by operation of the hand controller.
  • the steering wires may have sheaths each defining an axis of constrained movement for each respective steering wire.
  • the steering wires are provided as Bowden cables.
  • the steering wires extend through the steering section to the distal tip and the sheaths of the steering wires do not extend through the steering section. In this way, application of tension to the one or more steering wires can cause bending primarily in the steering section of the insertion section, without substantially influencing the curvature of the remaining portion of the insertion section intermediate the hand controller and the steering section.
  • the steering wire(s) are at least partly located in one or more longitudinally extending conduits defined within the bendable member - for example, in arrangement where the bendable member comprises first and second coaxially arranged parts, the steering wire(s) may be located in conduits defined between said parts. In this way, unwanted movement of the steering wires within the insertion section can be reduced or prevent, with the longitudinally extended conduits acting as steering wire guides.
  • the invention includes the combination of the developments, aspects of developments, and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an imaging endoscopy system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a perspective line drawing of part of an endoscope insertion section incorporating a bendable member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 shows the same part of an endoscope insertion section as Fig. 2, with an outer casing component removed.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective line drawing of a sheath portion of a bendable member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 5 shows a close-up view of a part of the same sheath portion as Fig. 4.
  • Figure 6 shows a perspective line drawing of a spine portion of a bendable member according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 7 shows a close-up view of a part of the same spine portion as Fig. 6.
  • Figure 8 shows a view from a cross-section of the same spine portion as Fig. 6, the cross section being taken perpendicular to the axial direction of the spine portion.
  • Figure 9 shows a view from a cross-section of the same part of an endoscope insertion section as Fig. 2, the cross section being taken perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion section.
  • Figure 10 shows a perspective line drawing of part of an endoscope insertion section incorporating a bendable member according to a further embodiment of the present invention, with an outer casing component removed.
  • Figure 11 shows a close-up view of a part of the sheath portion of the further embodiment shown in Fig. 10
  • Figure 12 shows a perspective line drawing of a spine portion of a bendable member of the further embodiment shown in Fig. 10
  • Figure 13 shows a close-up view of a part of the same spine portion as Fig. 12.
  • the present inventors have realised a number of innovations which can reduce the overall cost and complexity of manufacture of an insertion section of an imaging endoscopy system, whilst providing suitable or improved performance in comparison to conventional endoscopes.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an imaging endoscopy system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system includes a base unit 2 that is intended to be re-usable.
  • Umbilical section 4 releasably connects the base unit 2 and hand controller 6 via a connector 8.
  • Insertion section 10 has a proximal end 12 connected to the hand controller 6 and a distal end 14 for insertion into a subject.
  • the distal end 14 has a steering section 16 and a distal tip assembly 18, which will be described in greater detail later.
  • the base unit 2 is operable to provide electrical power, irrigation liquid, insufflation gas and suction via the umbilical section 4 and hand controller 6 to the insertion section 10 in a manner well known in the in art.
  • the delivery of insufflation gas, irrigation liquid and suction are controlled using mechanical valves 20 in the hand controller 6. These valves are referred to as “trumpet” type valves in view of their similarity in appearance and operation to valve keys on a trumpet.
  • the insufflation gas, irrigation liquid and suction are supplied from a base unit at respective suitable fixed pressures.
  • the timing of delivery and the rate of delivery to the distal end of the endoscope is then controlled by the user operating the mechanical valves at the hand controller.
  • the valves operate in an analogue manner (allowing different flow rates of insufflation gas and irrigation liquid, for example, based on how far they are pressed by the user).
  • the hand controller 6 includes a steering control mechanism including first and second steering wire controls 22a, 22b, for controlling bending of the steering section 16.
  • the first and second steering wire controls 22a, 22b are, in this arrangement, provided as first and second rotatable control wheels.
  • the first and second steering wire controls 22a, 22b are operable by a user to apply tension to four steering wires (not shown in Fig. 1, but see e.g. Fig. 7 and Fig.
  • the steering wires69 a, b, c, d are provided as part of a Bowden cable, i.e. each wire is surrounded by a sheath defining an axis of constrained movement for each respective steering wire.
  • the steering wires extend along the length of the insertion section 10, through the steering section 16 to the distal tip assembly 18.
  • the sheaths of the steering wires do not extend through the steering section 16. In this way, application of tension to the steering wires can cause bending primarily in the steering section of the insertion section, without substantially influencing the curvature of the remaining portion of the insertion section intermediate the hand controller and the steering section.
  • the hand controller further comprises a tool insertion port 24 adapted to receive one or more surgical instruments, such as biopsy forceps.
  • Figs. 2-9 relate to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Figs. 10-13 relate to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective line drawing of the distal end of the insertion section incorporating a bendable member according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 shows the same part of an endoscope insertion section with an outer casing component removed.
  • the distal end of the insertion section includes the steering section 16 and the distal tip assembly 18.
  • An outer casing component 26 is provided to encase the distal end of the insertion section.
  • the distal tip assembly 18 includes a light source (not shown) provided within a lighting and imaging housing portion 26 on the distal end face 28 of the distal tip assembly, for illumination of a region of tissue of interest. Typically this light source is an LED. At least one electrical conductor (not shown) is provided along the insertion section 10 for providing electrical power to the light source.
  • the distal tip assembly 18 further includes an imaging chip (not shown) provided within a lighting and imaging housing portion 26 for imaging the region of tissue of interest.
  • the imaging chip is provided in the form of a camera, with an objective lens located to collect and direct light onto the imaging chip.
  • An electrical conductor (not shown) is provided for conducting electrical signals from the imaging chip to the proximal end 12 of the insertion section 10.
  • the distal tip assembly 18 has a cleaning nozzle 30 arranged at the distal end face 28, to direct irrigation liquid to clean the lighting and imaging housing portion 26 during use.
  • the steering section 16 includes a bendable member comprising first and second coaxially arranged parts, each of the coaxially arranged parts being formed from a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements.
  • the first part comprises a sheath portion 32 comprising a series of constructional elements which are sheath ring segments 34 formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements 36, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements.
  • the sheath portion is discussed in greater detail in relation to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5.
  • the second part (partly visible in Fig. 3) comprises a spine portion 38 comprising a series of constructional elements which are radially extending spacer segments 40 formed integrally with spine living hinge elements 42, the spine portion being bendable by bending of the spine living hinge elements.
  • the spine portion is discussed in greater detail in relation to Fig. 6, Fig, 7 and Fig. 8.
  • Fig. 4 shows a perspective line drawing of a bendable member sheath portion.
  • Fig. 5 shows a close-up view of a part of the same sheath portion.
  • the sheath portion is an integrally moulded polymeric component.
  • the sheath portion 32 comprising a series of sheath ring segments 34 formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements 36.
  • the sheath portion further comprises two terminal ring segments 35a, 35b, one on either end of the bendable member: a distal terminal ring segment 35a disposed at a distal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to a distal tip assembly on an endoscope, and a proximal terminal ring segment 35b disposed at a proximal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to an adjacent portion of the insertion section.
  • the sheath ring segments 32 each comprise a radially outer surface 44, a radially inner surface 46, and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces 48a, 48b.
  • Each of the intermediate sheath ring segments i.e. ring segments other than the terminal ring segments 35a, 35b) are substantially identical to an adjacent ring segment other than for its orientation: each of these selected ring segments is oriented at 90 ° with an adjacent ring segment when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member.
  • a first sidewall surface of a first sheath ring segment is arranged to face a second sidewall surface of an adjacent second sheath ring segment, and the sheath living hinge elements 36 are connected to the sheath ring segments at the first and second opposing sidewall surfaces of adjacent sheath ring segments.
  • Each sheath living hinge element comprises a pair of flexible web portions 37a, 37b extending from one sidewall surface (e.g. sidewall surface 48b) and extending parallel to the axial direction of the sheath portion.
  • the flexible web portions are disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart on the sidewall surface.
  • the flexible web portions extend across a gap between axially adjacent sheath ring segments to attach to the axially adjacent sheath ring segment at a sidewall surface (e.g. sidewall surface 48a).
  • the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions 37a, 37b) of each selected sheath ring segment is circumferentially angularly offset with respect to the living hinge element (i.e.
  • the pair of flexible web portions 37a, 37b) of an immediately axially adjacent sheath ring segment by 90 °, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bendable member.
  • the effect of this is that the sheath ring segments of each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments can move relative to each other by bending of the pair of flexible web portions, allowing bending in one of two mutually perpendicular planes for each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments.
  • This arrangement can provide for a suitable controllable yet flexible bending response of the sheath portion.
  • the width of the flexible web portions 37a, b varies along the length of the sheath portion (width of the webs being measured in a circumferential direction): flexible web portions 37a’ (shown in Fig. 4) and 37b’ (not shown, but oppositely disposed to flexible web portion 37a’) have a smaller width than flexible web portions 37a” (shown in Fig. 4) and 37b” (not shown, but oppositely disposed to flexible web portion 37a”).
  • This difference in width results in a variation of bending stiffness between the living hinge element constituted by flexible web portions 37a’ and 37b’, and the living hinge element constituted by flexible web portions 37a” and 37b”.
  • This can allow for the bending response of the bendable member to be tailored along the length of the bendable member, which may allow for the steering section to be bent with e.g. a more uniform radius of curvature.
  • the pitch between adjacent living hinge elements is substantially uniform along the length of the sheath portion (pitch being measured as the distance between centres of axially adjacent living hinge elements).
  • the pitch between axially adjacent living hinge elements in this embodiment is about 5 mm.
  • Each of the sheath ring segments comprises a plurality of chamfered wall portions 50 a, b, c, d.
  • the chamfered wall portions are each formed adjacent a living hinge element and are equiangularly spaced about the circumference of the respective sheath ring segment.
  • a first pair of chamfered wall portions 50 a, b, is formed between the radially outer surface 44 and the first sidewall surface 48a of the sheath ring segment, and oppositely disposed about a circumference of the sheath ring segment.
  • a second pair of chamfered wall portions 50 c, d is formed between the radially outer surface 44 and the second sidewall surface 48b of the sheath ring segment, and oppositely disposed about a circumference of the sheath ring segment.
  • the first and second pairs of chamfered wall portions are oriented at 90 ° with respect to one another when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the bendable member. Provision of such arrangements can allow for the sheath portion to achieve smaller bending radii than when one or more such chamfered wall portions are not provided, as impingement of adjacent sheath ring portions on one another during bending can be reduced or avoided.
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective line drawing of a bendable member spine portion.
  • Fig. 7 shows a close-up view of a part of the same spine portion.
  • Fig. 8 shows a view from a cross-section of the same spine portion as Fig. 6, the cross section being taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axial direction of the spine portion.
  • the spine portion is an integrally moulded polymeric component.
  • the spine portion 38 comprises a series of radially extending spacer segments 40 formed integrally with spine living hinge elements 42.
  • the spine portion further comprises two terminal spacer segments 41a, 41b, one on either end of the bendable member: a distal terminal spacer segment 41a disposed at a distal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to a distal tip assembly on an endoscope, and a proximal terminal spacer segment 41b disposed at a proximal end of the bendable member and configured for connection to an adjacent portion of the insertion section.
  • the distal terminal spacer segment 41a comprises two flange portions 45a, b which are configured to interlock with corresponding recesses 39a, 39b formed in a terminal ring segment 35a of the sheath portion 32 to prevent relative rotational movement of the spine portion and the sheath portion.
  • the proximal terminal spacer segment 41b includes recesses 47 configured to receive one or more steering wire sheaths (not shown).
  • the steering wires can extend through the steering section to the distal tip and the sheaths of the steering wires do not extend through the steering section.
  • Application of tension to the steering wires can therefore cause bending primarily along the length of the steering section, without substantially influencing the curvature of the remaining portion of the insertion section intermediate the hand controller and the steering section.
  • the spacer segments each comprise a body 52 having a central aperture 54.
  • the central aperture is substantially cylindrical.
  • Each respective central aperture of the series of radially extending spacer segments is substantially aligned to thereby define a spine portion central lumen in which one or more endoscope elements (vacuum tube etc.) can be received when the spine portion is assembled as part of an endoscope.
  • the spacer segments each comprise a radially outer surface 56, a radially inner surface 58, and first and second opposing sidewall surfaces 60a, 60b.
  • a first sidewall surface of a first spacer segment is arranged to face a second sidewall surface of an axially adjacent second spacer segment.
  • the spine living hinge elements are connected to the spacer segments at the first and second opposing sidewall surfaces and extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spine portion.
  • Each intermediate spacer segment comprises four spacer arms 62 a, b, c, d which extend in a substantially radial direction. These arms are equiangularly spaced about the circumference of the spacer segment body.
  • the arms are configured to space at least a part of the radially outer surface of the spacer segment body and the radially inner surface of the sheath to thereby provide one or more longitudinally extending conduits (e.g. conduits 66a, b, c, d as shown in Fig. 9) in the space between adjacent pairs of arms.
  • each longitudinally extending conduits would be provided between the four arms, when the spine portion is coaxially arranged with a sheath.
  • the size of space between adjacent pairs of arms is selected to allow for one or more components of an endoscope, for example a sensor wire, or a fluid conduit, to be arranged in said space.
  • Each of the four spacer arms 62 a, b, c, d comprises a single slot 64 a, b, c, d formed at a radially outer extent of the arm. These slots are suitably sized to each receive a steering wire 69 a, b, c, d, and to thereby act as a guide for said wire.
  • Each spine living hinge element 42 comprises a pair of flexible web portions 43a, 43b extending from one sidewall surface (e.g. sidewall surface 60b) and extending parallel to the axial direction of the spine portion.
  • the flexible web portions are disposed to be circumferentially about 180° apart on the sidewall surface.
  • the flexible web portions extend across a gap between axially adjacent spacer segments to attach to the axially adjacent spacer segment at a sidewall surface (e.g. sidewall surface 60a).
  • the living hinge element (i.e. the pair of flexible web portions 43a, 43b) of each selected spacer segment is circumferentially angularly offset with respect to the living hinge element (i.e.
  • the pair of flexible web portions 43a, 43b) of an immediately axially adjacent spacer segment by 90 °, when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bendable member.
  • the effect of this is that the sheath ring segments of each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments can move relative to each other by bending of the pair of flexible web portions, allowing bending in one of two mutually perpendicular planes for each pair of adjacent sheath ring segments.
  • This arrangement can provide for a suitable controllable yet flexible bending response of the spine portion.
  • a first spine living hinge element of the plurality of spine living hinge elements has a different bending stiffness to a second living hinge element of the plurality of living hinge elements. This is provided for by varying the width of the flexible web portions constituting the living hinge elements along the length of the spine portion, in a similar manner as described above in relation to the sheath portion.
  • the pitch between adjacent living hinge elements is substantially uniform along the length of the spine portion (pitch being measured as the distance between centres of adjacent living hinge elements).
  • the pitch between adjacent living hinge elements is about 5 mm.
  • Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of the same part of an endoscope insertion section as shown in Fig. 2, the cross section being taken perpendicular to the axial direction of the insertion section.
  • the spine portion and sheath portion are coaxially arranged to thereby define multiple longitudinally extending conduits 66 a, b, c, d and 68 a, b, c, d between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion. More specifically, these conduits are defined between the radially outer surface of the spacer segment body and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion. All conduits are equiangularly spaced about the bendable member.
  • a first set of conduits 66 a, b, c, d is defined between each adjacent pairs of spacer arms 62 a, b, c, d of the spine portion 38 and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion 32.
  • Each of these conduits may be designated for use in provided one or more functions of an endoscope, for example designated for use to conduct a flow of irrigation liquid to the distal tip, to conduct a flow of insufflation gas to the distal tip, or to conduct one or more electrical conductors to provide power to the distal tip.
  • a second set of conduits 68 a, b, c, d is defined by the slots 64 a, b, c, d formed at a radially outer extent of the spacer arms 62 a, b, c, d and the radially inner surface of the sheath portion 32.
  • Each of these conduits is configured to receive a steering wire 69 a, b, c, d such that the conduits can each act as a steering wire guide.
  • the flexible webs 43 a, b constituting the spine living hinge elements and the flexible webs 37 a, b constituting the sheath living hinge elements are substantially circumferentially and axially aligned, thereby allowing for bending of the bendable member to be facilitated.
  • the bendable member is assembled by providing the spine portion 38, optionally arranging one or more endoscope components on and/or in said spine portion, providing the sheath portion 32, and coaxially arranging the spine portion 38 and sheath portion 32 such that the longitudinally extending conduits are defined between the spacer segments of the spine portion and the sheath ring segments of the sheath portion (e.g. by rotationally aligning the spine portion and the sheath portion to a predetermined relative rotational arrangement).
  • One or more further endoscope assembly steps may then be performed in a known manner.
  • the bendable member may be supplied as a standalone unit to third parties for subsequent incorporation in e.g. an endoscope.
  • Fig. 10 shows a perspective line drawing of part of an endoscope insertion section incorporating a bendable member according to this second embodiment.
  • the insertion section includes a steering section 16 and a distal tip assembly 18. Also visible is a part of the insertion section intermediate the proximal end of the insertion section (the end connected to the hand controller, not shown) and the steering section - referred to herein as an insertion section main body 17.
  • both the steering section 16 and the insertion section main body 17 respectively comprise different bendable members comprising a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements.
  • the insertion section main body 17 comprises multiple bendable members (specifically three) connected in series along the length of the insertion section main body.
  • Each of these bendable members is a moulded polymeric component comprising a series of constructional elements which are ring segments 134 formed integrally with living hinge elements 136, each of the bendable members being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements.
  • the end of the insertion section main body proximal the hand controller is configured to have a higher bending stiffness (i.e. a higher resistance to bending) than a portion of the insertion section main body distal to the hand controller.
  • first set of living hinge elements having a first thickness at the end of the insertion section main body proximal the hand controller, and a second set of living hinge elements having a second thickness in the portion of the insertion section distal to the hand controller, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
  • each of the pairs of flexible web portions 137a’, 137b’, 137c’ (the first set proximal the hand controller) is larger than the radial thickness of each the pairs of flexible web portions 137a”, 137b”, 137c” (the second set distal to the hand controller).
  • This difference in thickness results in a variation of bending stiffness between the living hinge elements comprising flexible web portions 137a’, 137b’, 137c’ and the living hinge element comprising flexible web portions 137a”, 137b”, 137c” and accordingly results in an increase in torsional stiffness of the insertion section main body proximal to the hand controller as compared with the torsional stiffness of the insertion section main body distal to the hand controller, thereby allowing an operator to more easily transmit torque from the hand controller to the insertion section main body.
  • the bendable members forming part of the insertion section main body are substantially cylindrical, and do not include a spine portion of the type used in the steering section.
  • Other endoscope components vacuum tube, steering wires etc.
  • the steering section 16 includes a bendable member comprising first and second coaxially arranged parts, each of the coaxially arranged parts being formed from a series of constructional elements arranged longitudinally in series along the bendable member and formed integrally with a plurality of living hinge elements that permit bending between adjacent constructional elements.
  • the first part comprises a sheath portion 32 comprising a series of constructional elements which are sheath ring segments 34 formed integrally with sheath living hinge elements 36, the sheath portion being bendable by bending of the sheath living hinge elements.
  • Fig. 11 shows a close-up view of a part of the sheath portion.
  • the sheath portion is an integrally moulded polymeric component.
  • each of the sheath ring segments comprises a plurality of chamfered wall portions - three of these are indicated by reference figures 70a, b, c in Fig. 11.
  • a first pair of chamfered wall portions 70 a, b is formed between a radially outer surface 72 and a first sidewall surface 74a of the sheath ring segment, and oppositely disposed about a circumference of the sheath ring segment.
  • a second pair of chamfered wall portions (the pair comprising portion 70c, as well as a further portion not visible in Fig.
  • first and second pairs of chamfered wall portions are oriented at 90 ° with respect to one another when viewed in a cross-section perpendicular to the axial direction of the bendable member.
  • Each of these chamfered wall portions extends angularly for more than 90 ° around the circumference of the sheath ring segment - for example, for a circumferential length that is greater than 0.25 times the circumferential length of a sheath ring segment. In this way, parts of the first pair of chamfered wall portions and the second pair of chamfered wall portions overlap in a circumferential direction about the circumference of the sheath ring segment (albeit on opposite sides of the sheath ring segment).
  • the second part (partly visible in Fig. 10, and shown in detail in Fig. 12 and 13) comprises a spine portion 38 comprising a series of constructional elements which are radially extending spacer segments 40 formed integrally with spine living hinge elements 42, the spine portion being bendable by bending of the spine living hinge elements.
  • Fig. 13 shows a close-up view of a part of the spine portion.
  • the spine portion is an integrally moulded polymeric component.
  • each spacer segment comprises two pairs of projections disposed on its sidewall surfaces: a first pair of projections 76 a, b formed on a first sidewall surface, and a second pair of projections disposed on a second sidewall surface (projection 76c visible, the second of this pair of projection not visible in Fig. 13).
  • projections reduce the open spacing between adjacent spacer segments. This can help to reduce the risk of any components or tools located within the central aperture of the spacer segment from getting caught in the gaps between spacer segments, thus improving both safety and ease of use of e.g. an endoscope incorporating the bendable member.
  • the spacer arms are configured to have a more ‘rounded’ profile than those of the first embodiment, by provision of chamfers 78 formed between a radially outer surface of the spacer segment at the tip of each arm, and the first and second sidewall surfaces of the spacer segment.
  • the spacer arms are chamfered. This arrangement can allow the spine portion to achieve a smaller/tighter bending radius than when one or more such chamfers are not provided, as impingement of spacer arms on adjacent spacer segments during bending can be reduced or avoided.
  • spine portion is generally similar as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the spine portion and the sheath portion interact in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment, as shown and discussed in relation to Fig. 9.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

Divers modes de réalisation concernent un élément pliable pour un endoscope d'imagerie, un endoscope d'imagerie incorporant ledit élément pliable et un procédé d'assemblage d'un endoscope d'imagerie. L'élément pliable a une direction axiale longitudinale, une direction circonférentielle et une direction radiale et comprend une partie gaine et une partie colonne vertébrale. La partie gaine comprend une série de segments annulaires de gaine formés d'un seul tenant avec des éléments de charnière mobile de gaine, la partie gaine étant pliable par pliage des éléments de charnière mobile de gaine. La partie colonne vertébrale comprend une série de segments d'espacement s'étendant radialement formés d'un seul tenant avec les éléments de charnière mobile de colonne vertébrale, la partie colonne vertébrale étant pliable par pliage des éléments de charnière mobile de colonne vertébrale. La partie colonne vertébrale et la partie gaine sont disposées coaxialement de sorte qu'un ou plusieurs conduits s'étendant longitudinalement soient délimités entre les segments d'espacement de la partie colonne vertébrale et les segments annulaires de gaine de la partie gaine.
PCT/EP2022/074720 2021-09-14 2022-09-06 Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés WO2023041373A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2113106.5 2021-09-14
GB2113106.5A GB2610645B (en) 2021-09-14 2021-09-14 Endoscopy system & elements thereof

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023041373A1 true WO2023041373A1 (fr) 2023-03-23

Family

ID=78149398

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2022/074720 WO2023041373A1 (fr) 2021-09-14 2022-09-06 Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2610645B (fr)
WO (1) WO2023041373A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1386632A1 (fr) * 2002-07-31 2004-02-04 Cryocor, Inc. Segment d'articulation renforcé par un fil
EP2617350B1 (fr) 2003-04-01 2014-12-24 Boston Scientific Limited Joint d'articulation
EP2596742B1 (fr) * 2004-06-07 2015-09-16 Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. Mécanisme d'articulation avec des liaisons articulées souples
US10052013B2 (en) 2005-08-30 2018-08-21 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device comprising segments
WO2020080938A2 (fr) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-23 Fortimedix Assets Ii B.V. Instrument orientable comprenant un élément tubulaire
GB2569013B (en) 2017-10-06 2020-09-09 Iqendoscopes Ltd Imaging endoscope system and associated methods
US20210236106A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2021-08-05 C.R. Bard, Inc. Articulating surgical instruments

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1386632A1 (fr) * 2002-07-31 2004-02-04 Cryocor, Inc. Segment d'articulation renforcé par un fil
EP2617350B1 (fr) 2003-04-01 2014-12-24 Boston Scientific Limited Joint d'articulation
EP2596742B1 (fr) * 2004-06-07 2015-09-16 Novare Surgical Systems, Inc. Mécanisme d'articulation avec des liaisons articulées souples
US10052013B2 (en) 2005-08-30 2018-08-21 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Medical device comprising segments
US20210236106A1 (en) * 2013-03-14 2021-08-05 C.R. Bard, Inc. Articulating surgical instruments
GB2569013B (en) 2017-10-06 2020-09-09 Iqendoscopes Ltd Imaging endoscope system and associated methods
WO2020080938A2 (fr) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-23 Fortimedix Assets Ii B.V. Instrument orientable comprenant un élément tubulaire

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2610645A (en) 2023-03-15
GB2610645B (en) 2023-11-29
GB202113106D0 (en) 2021-10-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2023041376A1 (fr) Système d'endoscopie et éléments de celui-ci
US10052013B2 (en) Medical device comprising segments
US9345390B2 (en) Endoscope flexible tube and endoscope device
US20210137354A1 (en) Endoscope deflection using a distal folding mechanism
US7413543B2 (en) Endoscope with actively cooled illumination sources
US6458076B1 (en) Multi-lumen medical device
US8821384B2 (en) Attachment unit, endoscopic insertion section and endoscope
US8845522B2 (en) Medical instrument with a deflectable distal portion
AU2014206453B2 (en) Integrated steering device
US20070225565A1 (en) Insertion portion of an endoscope
US20080300462A1 (en) Active controlled bending in medical devices
JP6772363B2 (ja) 操縦可能多腔カテーテルシャフト
US20230165444A1 (en) Endoscope with enhanced steering wire arrangement
CN115515468A (zh) 内窥镜弯曲区段
WO2023041373A1 (fr) Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés
JP7361260B2 (ja) 操作可能なカテーテルシステムの関節シャフト、カテーテル、および作製方法
US20230371795A1 (en) Side viewing endoscopic endcap
WO2023041377A1 (fr) Système d'endoscopie et éléments associés
EP4233679A1 (fr) Endoscope comprenant une section de flexion ayant des lumens de fil de guidage déplacés
EP4282317A1 (fr) Endoscope comprenant une section de flexion ayant des segments individuels
WO2023150497A1 (fr) Systèmes et dispositifs médicaux, et méthodes associées

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 22776899

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE