Endoscopic instrument system having reduced backlash control wire action
First Claim
1. A medical device, comprising:
- a tubular member having a length, an inner surface, and a lumen defined along at least a portion of the length;
a shaft slidably disposed in the lumen, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface;
wherein at least one of the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its respective length; and
wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter and the shaft has an outer diameter and wherein the inner diameter and the outer diameter are substantially equal.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument has an interior surface having a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped. The resulting endoscopic instrument likewise reduces the backlash experienced in operating the distal end effector assembly.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A medical device, comprising:
-
a tubular member having a length, an inner surface, and a lumen defined along at least a portion of the length;
a shaft slidably disposed in the lumen, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface;
wherein at least one of the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its respective length; and
wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter and the shaft has an outer diameter and wherein the inner diameter and the outer diameter are substantially equal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A medical device, comprising:
-
a tubular member having a length, an inner surface, and a lumen defined along at least a portion of the length;
a shaft slidably disposed in the lumen, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface;
wherein at least one of the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its respective length; and
wherein at least a portion of the tubular member and the shaft are frictionally engaged so as to reduce backlash. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method for using a medical device, comprising the steps of:
-
providing an endoscope assembly, the endoscope assembly including;
an endoscope having a channel extending therethrough, the endoscope having a length and an inner surface, an endoscopic instrument slidably disposed in the channel, the endoscopic instrument including a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface, an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft, a handle disposed adjacent the proximal end of the shaft, wherein at least one of the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft is provided with a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its respective length, and wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter and the shaft has an outer diameter and wherein the inner diameter and the outer diameter are substantially equal;
p1 disposing the endoscope assembly adjacent a body orifice;
advancing the endoscopic instrument through the working channel so that the end effector is disposed within the body orifice; and
rotating the end effector with the handle.
-
Specification