Tube gripper integral with controller for endoscope or borescope

• US 20030212308A1
• Filed: 05/13/2002
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waygate Technologies USA LP (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: Everest Vit
• Inventors: Bendall, Clark A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,830,545 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/131
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00052 positioned at proximal end of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction

Abstract

A probe controller is integral with a gripper for the probe'"'"'s insertion tube. The gripper is easily operated with one hand, permitting a user to hold, release, and insert the insertion tube with the same hand that operates the controls on the controller, thus freeing the user'"'"'s other hand to feed the insertion tube into the opening, perform other operations, or optionally to operate the controls.

Claims

1. A tube gripper for a probe, comprising:

a tube channel running lengthwise through said tube gripper for receiving an insertion tube of said probe;

control means, integral with said tube gripper, for controlling at least one function of said probe; and

gripping means for frictively connecting said tube gripper to said insertion tube.

2. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes a joystick and at least one button.

3. A tube gripper according to claim 2, further comprising means for connecting said control means to a probe base unit.

4. A tube gripper according to claim 3, wherein said means for connecting includes a cable.

5. A tube gripper according to claim 3, wherein said means for connecting includes means for wireless data transfer between said control means and said base unit.

6. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprises an opening in a middle portion of said tube gripper such that said tube channel is exposed such that at least one finger of a user frictively connects said tube gripper to said insertion tube.

7. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprises:

a mechanical gripping mechanism inside said tube gripper; and

one of a finger and thumb trigger mechanically linked to said gripping mechanism such that pressing said one of said finger and thumb trigger frictively connects said tube gripper to said insertion tube.

8. A tube gripper according to claim 7, wherein said mechanical gripping mechanism is disposed in a front portion of said tube gripper.

9. A tube gripper according to claim 7, wherein said mechanical gripping mechanism is disposed in a middle portion of said tube gripper.

10. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means comprises:

a mechanical gripping mechanism inside said tube gripper; and

one of a finger and thumb trigger mechanically linked to said gripping mechanism such that releasing said one of a finger and thumb trigger frictively connects said tube gripper to said insertion tube.

11. A tube gripper according to claim 10, wherein said mechanical gripping mechanism is disposed in a front portion of said tube gripper.

12. A tube gripper according to claim 10, wherein said mechanical gripping mechanism is disposed in a middle portion of said tube gripper.

13. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein a middle portion of said tube gripper is shaped to conform to a hand grip of a user.

14. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means includes a material affixed to an inside of said tube channel which has a lower sliding coefficient of friction than a static coefficient of friction.

15. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a video display detachably mounted on said tube gripper.

16. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said tube channel receives said insertion tube only through an end of said tube channel.

17. A tube gripper according to claim 1, wherein said tube channel receives said insertion tube through a lengthwise slit in said tube channel.

18. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a movable panel which permits said insertion tube to be placed in said tube channel at any point along said insertion tube.

19. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a displaceable barrier along an underside of said tube channel such that said insertion tube may be forced past a displaceable barrier into said tube channel at any point along said insertion tube.

20. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a video display connector on said tube gripper.

21. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a microphone within said tube gripper.

22. A tube gripper according to claim 1, further comprising a loudspeaker within said tube gripper.