Endoscopic instrument system having reduced backlash control wire action

• US 20050107668A1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,652,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

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.

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.

2. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

4. The medical device of claim 3, wherein the outer surface of the shaft has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

5. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

7. The medical device of claim 1, wherein both the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft have a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion their respective lengths.

8. The medical device of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve disposed on the shaft.

9. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the sleeve includes one or more fins.

10. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the sleeve includes one or more ridges.

11. The medical device of claim 8, wherein the sleeve includes one or more lands.

12. The medical device of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the sheath has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

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.

14. The medical device of claim 13, further comprising an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft.

15. The medical device of claim 13, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

16. The medical device of claim 15, wherein the outer surface of the shaft has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

17. The medical device of claim 13, wherein the outer surface of the shaft has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

18. The medical device of claim 17, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

19. The medical device of claim 13, wherein both the inner surface of the tubular member and the outer surface of the shaft have a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion their respective lengths.

20. The medical device of claim 13, further comprising a sleeve disposed on the shaft.

21. The medical device of claim 20, wherein the sleeve includes one or more fins.

22. The medical device of claim 20, wherein the sleeve includes one or more ridges.

23. The medical device of claim 20, wherein the sleeve includes one or more lands.

24. The medical device of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the sheath has a polygonal cross-sectional shape.

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.