Multi-jet controller for an endoscope
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling a flow direction of fluid from a fluid source external to an endoscope into a plurality of fluid channels positioned within a distal end of the endoscope, comprising:
- a tube comprising a first combination of fluid channels and a second combination of fluid channels;
a pump connected to the tube, wherein the pump is adapted to direct fluid from the fluid source to at least one of the first combination of fluid channels and the second combination of fluid channels in said tube;
a controller to activate the pump, wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the first combination of fluid channels upon a first activation of the controller and wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the second combination of fluid channels upon a second activation of the controller;
wherein the first combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to and an endoscope comprising a first opening positioned at a distal front face of the endoscope and a second opening positioned at the distal end of the endoscope, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the second opening is angled relative to a central longitudinal axis of the endoscope the first opening; and
wherein the second combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to the second opening.
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Abstract
The present specification describes a control mechanism to control fluid flow through one or more fluid channels that supply fluid to the distal tip of an endoscope. A pump is provided with an endoscope to control the flow of fluid from an external source to a combination of fluid channels within the endoscope, which supply fluid to front and side jets of a multi-jet endoscope assembly. The pump is preferably dual-direction pump that enables control of fluid to either the front jet or to the front and side jets of the endoscope.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling a flow direction of fluid from a fluid source external to an endoscope into a plurality of fluid channels positioned within a distal end of the endoscope, comprising:
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a tube comprising a first combination of fluid channels and a second combination of fluid channels; a pump connected to the tube, wherein the pump is adapted to direct fluid from the fluid source to at least one of the first combination of fluid channels and the second combination of fluid channels in said tube; a controller to activate the pump, wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the first combination of fluid channels upon a first activation of the controller and wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the second combination of fluid channels upon a second activation of the controller; wherein the first combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to and an endoscope comprising a first opening positioned at a distal front face of the endoscope and a second opening positioned at the distal end of the endoscope, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the second opening is angled relative to a central longitudinal axis of the endoscope the first opening; and wherein the second combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to the second opening. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for controlling a flow direction of fluid from a fluid source external to an endoscope into a plurality of fluid channels positioned within a distal end of the endoscope, comprising:
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a tube comprising a first combination of fluid channels and a second combination of fluid channels; a pump connected to the tube, wherein the pump is adapted to direct fluid from the fluid source to at least one of the first combination of fluid channels and the second combination of fluid channels in said tube; and a controller to activate the pump, wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the first combination of fluid channels upon a first activation of the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the pump to direct fluid to the second combination of fluid channels upon a second activation of the controller; wherein the first combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to a first opening positioned at a distal front face of the endoscope, wherein the first combination of fluid channels comprises; a first fluid channel extending from the fluid source to a first channel end; a second fluid channel extending from the first channel end through a first port of the pump and a second port of the pump to a second channel end, wherein the second fluid channel is fluidically connected to the first fluid channel, and a third fluid channel extending from the second channel end to a third channel end, wherein the third channel end is configured to couple with a fourth channel of the endoscope, wherein the fourth channel extends from the third channel end to a distal portion of the endoscope, and wherein the fourth channel is fluidically coupled to the first opening; wherein the second combination of fluid channels is configured to supply fluid to a second opening positioned at the distal end of the endoscope, wherein a central longitudinal axis of the second opening is angled relative to a central longitudinal axis of the endoscope, wherein the second combination of fluid channels comprises; a fifth fluid channel extending from the fluid source to the second channel end, wherein the fifth fluid channel is fluidically coupled to the second fluid channel, the second fluid channel, and a sixth fluid channel extending from the first channel end to a fourth channel end, wherein the fourth channel end is configured to couple with a seventh fluid channel of the endoscope, wherein the seventh fluid channel extends from the fourth channel end to a distal portion of the endoscope, and wherein the seventh channel is fluidically coupled to the second opening; wherein the pump is configured to direct fluid in a first direction through the first combination of fluid channels upon the first activation of the controller, wherein the pump is configured to direct fluid in a second direction through the second combination of fluid channels upon the second activation of the controller, and wherein the first direction is different from the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification