ENDOSCOPIC SHEATH ASSEMBLY

• US 20120143006A1
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: Avitsian, Rafi, Haight, Douglas W., Zura, Andrew M., Guthrie, Robert B., Callegari, James T., Collinson, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,814,781 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/121
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00066 Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles A61B1/0052 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00126 optical, e.g. for light supply cables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00135 Oversleeves mounted on the endoscope prior to insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00144 Hygienic packaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0661 Endoscope light sources
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/126 provided with means for cleaning in-use

Abstract

A sheath assembly for an endoscope includes an elongate tubular body and a plug. The endoscope has a handle portion and a scope portion extending therefrom to a tip. The body includes first and second wall sections and extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second distal openings located at distal and proximal ends thereof, respectively. The first wall section extends radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen. The scope portion is receivable in the scope lumen with the distal and proximal ends. The second wall section extends radially about a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally between second distal and proximal end openings. The first and second wall sections define an integral suction lumen in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure. The plug is mated with the distal end opening and includes a lens surface through which energy is transmissible.

Claims

1. A sheath assembly for an endoscope, the endoscope having a handle portion and an elongate scope portion extending from the handle portion to a tip, the sheath assembly comprising:

an elongate tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first distal end opening located at a distal end thereof and a first proximal end opening located at a proximal end thereof, the body comprising;

a first wall section extending radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen, the scope portion of the endoscope being receivable coaxially in the scope lumen with the distal end of the body being disposed adjacent the endoscope tip and the proximal end of the body being disposed adjacent the handle portion of the endoscope; and

a second wall section extending radially about at least a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally along the longitudinal axis between a second distal end opening adjacent the first distal end opening and a second proximal end opening adjacent the first proximal end opening, the first and the second wall sections defining an integral suction lumen therebetween connectable in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure; and

a plug mated with the distal end opening of the body for closing the scope lumen, the plug having a lens surface through which light or other energy is transmissible to or from the endoscope tip.

2. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises at least one rib member extending along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis, the at least one rib member extending radially within the suction lumen from a distal end integral with one of the first and the second wall sections to a proximal end disposed opposite the other one of the first and the second wall sections and being bearable thereon to support the suction lumen when the first source of negative pressure is applied.

3. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the at least one rib member is free from contact with one of the first and second wall sections.

4. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the lens surface of the plug is formed of a transparent plastic material.

5. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug has at least one suction opening therein disposed in registration with the second distal end opening of the body.

6. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second distal end openings are coterminous.

7. The sheath assembly of claim 1, wherein the second proximal end opening is formed as an aperture through the second wall section.

8. The sheath assembly of claim 1 further comprising a connector extending longitudinally between a forward end portion that coaxially surrounds the first and second proximal end openings and a rearward end portion configured to fit onto the handle portion of the endoscope.

9. The sheath assembly of claim 8, wherein the forward end portion of the connector includes an elongate suction port that opens into fluid communication with the suction lumen of the body.

10. The sheath assembly of claim 8, wherein the rearward end portion of the connector includes an elongate lumen port that opens into fluid communication with the scope lumen of the body, the lumen port being connectable in fluid communication with a second source of negative pressure for evacuating the scope lumen, the lumen port being collapsibly responsive to such evacuation as an indication of the fluid-tight integrity of the scope lumen when the sheath assembly is used in service.

11. The sheath assembly of claim 10, wherein the rearward end portion of the connector has at least one flap disposable on the handle portion of the endoscope, the flap being liftable manually from the handle portion to break the seal between the connector and the handle portion of the endoscope when the scope lumen is evacuated.

13. The sheath assembly of claim 1 further comprising:

a valve connected in fluid communication with the suction port; and

a clip for holding the valve, the clip being mountable to the handle portion of the endoscope.

12. A sheath assembly for an endoscope, the endoscope having a handle portion and an elongate scope portion extending from the handle portion to a tip, the sheath assembly comprising:

an elongate tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis between a first distal end opening located at a distal end thereof and a first proximal end opening located at a proximal end thereof, the body comprising;

a first wall section extending radially about the longitudinal axis to define a scope lumen, the scope portion of the endoscope being receivable coaxially in the scope lumen with the distal end of the body being disposed adjacent the endoscope tip and the proximal end of the body being disposed adjacent the handle portion of the endoscope; and

a second wall section extending radially about at least a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally along the longitudinal axis between a second distal end opening adjacent the first distal end opening and a second proximal end opening adjacent the first proximal end opening, the first and the second wall sections defining an integral suction lumen therebetween connectable in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure;

a plug mated with the distal end opening of the body for closing the scope lumen, the plug having a lens surface through which light or other energy is transmissible to or from the endoscope tip; and

a connector extending longitudinally between a forward end portion that coaxially surrounds the first and second proximal end openings and a rearward end portion configured to fit onto the handle portion of the endoscope.

14. A method for detecting a leak in a sheath assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a sheath assembly comprising an elongate tubular body and a plug, the elongate tubular body comprising first and second wall sections, the first wall section extending radially about a longitudinal axis of the body to define a scope lumen, the second wall section extending radially about at least a portion of the first wall section and longitudinally along the longitudinal axis between a second distal end opening adjacent the first distal end opening and a second proximal end opening adjacent the first proximal end opening, the first and the second wall sections defining an integral suction lumen therebetween connectable in fluid communication with a first source of negative pressure, the plug being mated with the distal end opening of the body, the plug having a lens surface through which light or other energy is transmissible to or from the scope tip;

immersing a portion of the body into a fluid-filled container; and

monitoring the container for the presence of at least one bubble emanating from the portion of the body;

wherein the presence of at least one bubble indicates a leak in the portion of the body.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of monitoring the container is performed after the sheath assembly is used in service.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of monitoring the container is performed before the sheath assembly is used in service.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the sheath assembly is pre-packaged in the container prior to use.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of pre-packaging the container includes disposing a fluid vessel within a splittable pouch.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of observing the vessel further includes infusing a fluid into the scope lumen.