Endoscope, for example a colonoscope, and a cleaning method for use therewith

• US 20050261553A1
• Filed: 04/27/2005
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Annette D.A. Fritscher-Ravens, Charles A. Mosse, Christopher P. Swain
• Original Assignee: Annette D.A. Fritscher-Ravens, Charles A. Mosse, Christopher P. Swain
• Inventors: Fritscher-Ravens, Annette D.A., Swain, Christopher P., Mosse, Charles A.
• Application Number:
  US11/115,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20050261553A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/157
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00154 using guiding arrangements for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 1/777 Determination of loss or gain of body fluids due to suction-irrigation, e.g. during surgery

Abstract

An apparatus and method for cleaning a body cavity, such as a portion of the GI tract, are disclosed. The apparatus can include a colonoscope having viewing optics and a liquid conduit with at least one outlet. The outlet can be positioned to direct a liquid to clean the colon or other cavity in the region being viewed.

Claims

1. An endoscope comprising:

a main body having a distal end for insertion into a cavity in a human or animal body, and a proximal end;

viewing optics having a viewing port at or adjacent the distal end of the main body, whereby to view a region distal of the viewing port; and

a liquid conduit having a distal end portion with at least one outlet at or adjacent the distal end of the main body, and a proximal end portion arranged, in use, to receive a supply of liquid, said at least one outlet being arranged, in use, to direct said liquid to clean the cavity in the region being viewed.

2. An endoscope according to claim 1, wherein at least one outlet is located distally of the the viewing port.

3. An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein at least one outlet is arranged to direct liquid at least partially towards the proximal end of the said main body.

4. An endoscope according to claim 1 , wherein the conduit comprises an elongate tube and a tip member located at the distal end of the elongate tube and arranged to rotate with respect to the elongate tube, the or each said outlet being provided in the tip member.

5. An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein the liquid conduit is disposed exterior of the main body.

6. An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein the liquid conduit passes through a channel formed within the main body.

7. An endoscope according to claim 1 wherein the liquid conduit is movable longitudinally with respect to the main body. END5343USNP

8. An endoscope according to claim 1 in combination with a supply of liquid.

9. A combination according to claim 8 wherein the liquid supply is arranged to provide a constant volumetric flow rate.

10. A combination according to claim 8 wherein the liquid supply is a pulsed supply.

11. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for monitoring the liquid supply.

12. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for monitoring liquid leaving the cavity.

13. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for comparing liquid supplied with liquid leaving the cavity.

14. A combination according to claim 8, further comprising means for collecting slurry produced by the cleaning operation.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein the slurry collecting means comprises an aspiration tube which has at least one aspiration port and is arranged to extend into the cavity.

16. A combination according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of aspiration ports are provided, disposed lengthwise of the aspiration tube, and means are provided for covering any such port which is located at a given time outside the cavity.

17. A method for cleaning a portion of a body cavity in a patient, the method comprising:

positioning a viewing port within the cavity;

positioning a fluid conduit having at least one outlet viewable by the viewing port;

directing liquid from the outlet to clean the cavity; and

collecting at least some of the liquid used in cleaning.

18. The method of claim 17 comprising providing a substantially constant flow rate of liquid.

19. The method of claim 17 comprising providing a pulsed flow of liquid.

20. The method of claim 17 comprising monitoring the amount of liquid directed from the outlet.

21. The method of claim 17 comprising monitoring liquid leaving the cavity.

22. The method of claim 17 comprising the step of comparing the amount of liquid supplied to the cavity with the amount of liquid leaving the cavity.

23. The method of claim 17 comprising forming a slurry comprising material disposed within the cavity.

24. A method for cleaning a portion of a body cavity in a patient, the method comprising:

positioning a viewing port within the cavity;

positioning a fluid conduit having at least one outlet viewable by the viewing port;

directing liquid from the outlet; and

forming a slurry comprising material disposed within the cavity.