SEMI DISPOSABLE ENDOSCOPE

• US 20100204546A1
• Filed: 05/11/2008
• Published: 08/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, LTD.
• Original Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, LTD.
• Inventors: Shoham, Moshe, Glozman, Daniel, Hassidov, Noam
• Granted Patent: US 8,398,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/114
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00121 Connectors, fasteners and adapters, e.g. on the endoscope handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable

Abstract

A disposable endoscope body having an enclosure in its distal end for a non-disposable element, such as a video camera head. Because of its complexity and sensitivity, the camera head is non-disposable and cannot be sterilized. The camera head is sealed in the endoscope body, such that it does not contaminate the patient during the procedure. Sealing is achieved using an end cap. After use, the camera is withdrawn from the proximal end of the endoscope, which, being near to or within the workstation, has not been inserted into the subject and should be free of patient contamination. Passage of the camera out through the proximal end therefore avoids contamination by the patient, such that it can be used again without need for sterilization. A dispensing kit is described, for supplying the sterile endoscope body and for installing and sealing the camera with a minimum of manual intervention.

Claims

1-53. -53. (canceled)

54. A device for insertion into a subject, comprising:

an elongate housing having a compartment at its distal end, said compartment having a sealable entrance aperture at its distal end and a first connector part disposed at its proximal end;

a connecting link attached to said first connector part and running proximally down said elongate housing;

an element adapted to be inserted into said compartment through said entrance aperture, said element having a second connector part which mates with said first connector part when said element is fully inserted into said compartment; and

a seal for sealing said compartment, such that after said element is inserted into said compartment, application of said seal provides isolation between said element and the environment outside said distal end of said device.

55. A device according to claim 54, wherein said connecting link is either one of an electric cable, a mechanical cord and a fluid conveying tube.

56. A device according to claim 54, wherein said connector parts are such that said element can be withdrawn proximally from said compartment by pulling on said connecting link.

57. A device according to claim 54, wherein said element is adapted for multiple use, and said elongate housing is adapted for a single-use.

58. A device according to claim 54, wherein said compartment, when sealed, isolates said element from the environment outside of said device.

59. A device according to claim 54, wherein said element can be used in a non-sterile condition in said device without generating contamination outside said device.

60. A device according to claim 54, wherein said elongate housing is constructed such that said element can be withdrawn proximally from said elongate housing without making contact with that part of the outer surface of said elongate housing which has been inserted into said subject.

61. A device according to claim 54, wherein said element comprises at least one of a camera head, a steering mechanism, an electronic, magnetic or ultrasound probe or sensor, and a spectral analyzer.

62. A device according to claim 54, further comprising at least one channel running through said elongate housing, said at least one channel being isolated from said compartment.

63. A method of using a device for insertion into a subject, comprising:

providing a device having a compartment with a sealable entrance aperture at its distal end and a first connector part at its proximal end;

inserting into said compartment, an element having a second connector part which mates with said first connector part when said element is fully inserted into said compartment;

sealing said entrance aperture;

performing a procedure on the subject; and

withdrawing said element from the proximal end of said device, such that said element does not contact those parts of the device that were in contact with tissues of the subject during said procedure.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein said lack of contact of said element with those parts of the device that were in contact with tissues of the subject enables said withdrawn element to be inserted into another such device, without the need for sterilizing.

65. A method according to claim 63, wherein said first connector part has a connecting link attached thereto, said link being threaded proximally down said device, such that said element may be withdrawn from the proximal end of said device by pulling on said connecting link.

66. A method according to claim 65, wherein said connecting link is any one of an electric cable, a cord, and a fluid conveying tube.

67. A method according to claim 65, wherein said element is adapted for multiple use, and said device is adapted for a single-use.

68. A device according to claim 63, wherein said element comprises at least one of a camera head, a steering mechanism, an electronic, magnetic or ultrasound probe or sensor, and a spectral analyzer.

69. A kit for dispensing a sterile device for insertion into a subject, comprising:

a sterile tray covered by a protective layer and containing said sterile device, said device comprising;

a sterile elongate housing having at its distal end, a compartment with a sealable entrance aperture; and

a sterile sealing cap for sealing said entrance aperture, said cap being mounted on a hinged carrier disposed in proximity to said entrance aperture,

wherein said elongate housing and said carrier are disposed such that after removal of that portion of said protective layer over said carrier, said sterile sealing cap can be applied to said entrance aperture by rotation of said carrier.

70. A kit according to claim 69, wherein, after removal of that portion of said protective layer over said carrier, said sealable entrance aperture of said compartment is uncovered to enable insertion of an element into said compartment.

71. A kit according to claim 70, wherein said sealable entrance aperture is the only part of said housing to be exposed after removal of that portion of said portion of said protective layer over said carrier.

72. A kit according to claim 69, wherein said kit is adapted to enable insertion and sealing of said element into said housing in such a manner that the only part of said housing which said element has contact with is said entrance aperture.

73. A kit according to claim 69, wherein after application, said sterile sealing cap isolates said element and said entrance aperture from the outside environment.

74. A kit according to claim 69, wherein, after removal of that portion of said protective layer from over said carrier, the remainder of said protective layer provides isolation from the outside environment of said device with said element sealed inside, until said device is removed for use.

75. A kit according to claim 69, wherein said housing further comprises a working channel adjacent said compartment, and wherein said sterile sealing cap is such that its application to said entrance aperture does not obstruct the entrance to said working channel.

76. A kit according to claim 70, wherein said element is adapted for multiple use, and said elongate housing is adapted for a single-use.

77. A kit according to claim 70, wherein said element comprises at least one of a camera head, a steering mechanism, an electronic, magnetic or ultrasound probe or sensor, and a spectral analyzer.