Multi-fluid delivery system

• US 20060276689A1
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Searle, Gary, Litscher, Eric, Rioux, Eric, McCall, Charles, Stephen, Arthur, Macari, Danny, Heller, Gerald
• Granted Patent: US 7,597,662 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/156
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation

Abstract

A proximal connector of an endoscope shaft can be manually attached to and detached from a console, such that the connector and endoscope shaft can be provided as a single use device. An interface between the proximal connector and console can include a sliding plate moveable to operably make and break at least some of the connections between the console and endoscope shaft. A fluid reservoir may be separately connected to the proximal connector and hang from a mount on the interface.

Claims

1. An interface between an endoscope shaft proximal end connector and a console, the console and proximal end connector having a first set of separate mating connectors that mate for control of the endoscope, said interface comprising:

a member mounted on the console adjacent to the mating connector of the console, the member being moveable relative to the console between a first receiving position and a second operating position, the member being adapted to receive the proximal end connector of the endoscope shaft when in the first position, the mating connectors of the console and proximal end connector being in non-mating relationship when the plate member is in the first position after receiving the proximal end connector and being in mating relationship when the member is moved to the second position.

2. The interface defined in claim 1, in which the endoscope proximal end connector and member are constructed and arranged for manual attachment of the proximal end connector to the member when the member is in the first position, and at least one detent for normally retaining the proximal end connector attached to the member.

3. The interface defined in claim 2, in which the detent applies a first force resisting separation of the proximal end connector and the member when in the first position and a second force, stronger than the first force, when in the second position.

4. The interface defined in claim 2, in which the detent includes a spring loaded projection on one of the member and the proximal end connector and a corresponding recess or socket on the other for receiving the projection and resisting separation of the two based on the force of the spring.

5. The interface defined in claim 4, in which the member and proximal end connector are constructed and arranged relatively such that the force retaining the proximal end connector attached to the member is greater when the member is in the second position than when the member is in the first position.

6. The interface defined in claim 1, in which the member is slidable linearly relative to the console between the first and second positions.

7. The interface defined in claim 1, in which the mating connectors on the proximal end connector include a plurality of valves moveable between open and closed positions to regulate flow of fluid therethrough, the mating connectors on the console including a plurality of actuators for moving the valves, the valves and actuators having respective portions that interfit when the proximal end connector is attached to the member and the member is in the second position, but which respective portions do not operably interfit when the member is in the first position.

8. The interface defined in claim 7, including a fluid reservoir manually attachable to and detachable from the proximal connector, the proximal connector having a manifold for supplying liquid from the reservoir to one or more of the valves.

9. The interface defined in claim 1, in which the console and proximal end connector include a second set of separate mating connectors that mate for control of the endoscope, the mating connectors of the second set being operably connected when the proximal end connector is received in the member and the member is in the first position as well as when the member is in the second position.

10. The interface defined in claim 9, in which the second set of connectors are electrical connectors.

11. An interface between an endoscope shaft proximal end connector and a console, the console and proximal end connector having a set of mating connectors that mate for control of the endoscope, said interface comprising:

a member mounted on the console adjacent to the mating connector of the console, the member being moveable relative to the console between a first receiving position and a second operating position, the member being constructed and arranged to manually attach to and detach from the proximal end connector of the endoscope shaft when in the first position and operably connect and disconnect the mating connectors, respectively, and the member and proximal end connector being constructed and arranged relatively so as to lock together by movement of the member from the first position to the second position.

12. The interface defined in claim 11, in which the mating connectors include electrical connectors.

13. The interface defined in claim 12, in which the endoscope proximal end connector and member are constructed and arranged for manual attachment of the proximal end connector to the member when the member is in the first position, and at least one detent for normally retaining the proximal end connector attached to the member.

14. The interface defined in claim 13, in which the detent applies a first force resisting separation of the proximal end connector and the member when in the first position and a second force, stronger than the first force, when in the second position.

15. The interface defined in claim 14, in which the detent includes a spring loaded projection on one of the member and the proximal end connector and a corresponding socket on the other for receiving the projection and reisting separation of the two based on the force of the spring.

16. The interface defined in claim 15, in which the member and proximal end connector are constructed and arranged relatively such that the force retaining the proximal end connector attached to the member is greater when the member is in the second position than when the member is in the first position.

17. The interface defined in claim 11, in which the member is slidable linearly relative to the console between the first and second positions.

18. The interface defined in claim 11, including a fluid reservoir manually attachable to and detachable from the proximal connector, the proximal connector having a manifold for supplying liquid from the reservoir to one or more of the valves.

19. An interface between an endoscope shaft proximal end connector and a console, the proximal end connector including a plurality of valves moveable between open and closed positions to regulate flow of fluid therethrough, the console having a plurality of actuators for moving the valves:

a member mounted on the console adjacent to the actuators, the member being adapted to receive the proximal end connector of the endoscope shaft so that the valves and actuators have respective portions that operably interfit when the proximal end connector is received by the member.

20. The interface defined in claim 19, including a liquid reservoir manually attachable to and detachable from the proximal connector for supplying liquid to the valves.

21. The interface defined in claim 20, including a detent for normally retaining the liquid reservoir attached to the proximal connector but manually releasable therefrom.

22. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope shaft having;

a distal portion including a distal illuminating and imaging end; and

a proximal portion having a proximate connection end;

a hand controller between the shaft distal and proximal portions, the shaft and hand controller having a plurality of lumens therethrough for supplying/aspirating fluid from a body; and

a console having one or more mating connectors and an interface enabling manual connection of the proximate connection end to and manual disconnection of the proximate connection end from the console mating connectors.

23. The endoscope system defined in claim 22, including a fluid reservoir manually connectable to and disconnectable from the proximate connection end independent of the connection of the proximate connection end to the console.

24. The endoscope system defined in claim 23, in which the reservoir has a cap and the console has a mount adapted to receive the cap and hang the reservoir adjacent to the proximate connection end.

25. The endoscope system defined in claim 22, in which the console mating connectors include electrical connectors.

26. The endoscope system of claim 25, in which the proximal connection end includes electrical connectors that mate with the console electrical connectors.

27. The endoscope system of claim 22, in which the console mating connectors include valve actuators.

28. The endoscope system of claim 27, in which the proximal end connection end includes valves that mate with the console valve actuators.

29. An endoscope system comprising a single use endoscope shaft with a proximal connection end that is operably connectable and disconnectable from a reusable console to provide fluidic and electrical control of the endoscope shaft from the console during use and removal and disposal of the endoscope shaft after use.