Protective endoscope sheath and method of installing same

• US 4,646,722 A
• Filed: 12/10/1984
• Issued: 03/03/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Opielab Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Opielab Incorporated
• Inventors: Opie, Eric A., Silverstein, Fred E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/680,068
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4, 128/6, 128/7, 128/5, 128/3, 128/23
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00073 with externally grooved shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00142 with means for preventing contamination, e.g. by using a sanitary sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements

Abstract

An endoscope sheath having a flexible tube surrounding the elongated core of an endoscope. The flexible tube has a transparent window near its distal end positioned in front of the viewing window of the endoscope. Channels for taking biopsies, injecting air or injecting water to wash the window of the sheath may extend along the endoscope, either inside or outside the sheath. Where the channels are positioned inside the sheath, they may be inserted in a longitudinal groove formed in the endoscope core. The protective sheath may be used with either end-viewing endoscopes or side-viewing endoscopes. In the latter case, the channel for taking biopsies extends through an elongated elastomeric membrane so that a catheter through the biopsy channel may be moved longitudinally by manipulation of an elevator. The protective sheath may be installed by rolling the elastomeric tube into an annular configuration and then unrolling the tube over the core of the endoscope. Alternatively, the tube may be inflated in its unrolled configuration to expand the tube and allow it to be easily slipped onto the endoscope core. A variety of specialized endoscopes may be created by using protective sheaths having a variety of special purpose medical instruments mounted at the end of a biopsy channel and operated through the channel.

Claims

1. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexbile, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a channel extending from a channel port along the length of said tube, said channel port being positioned near the window of said sheath.

2. The endoscope sheath of claim 1 wherein the window of said sheath faces in an axial direction so that said sheath can be used with end-looking endoscopes having an axially facing window.

3. The endoscope sheath of claim 1 wherein the window of said sheath faces in a radial direction so that said sheath can be used with side-looking endoscopes having a radially facing window.

4. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround a side-looking elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a radially facing window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the radially facing viewing window of a side-looking endoscope, said endoscope sheath further including a channel extending from a channel port along the length of said tube, said channel port being positioned near the window of said sheath.

5. The endoscope sheath of claim 4 wherein the distal end of said tube terminates in a end cap having a sidewall extending toward the proximal end of said tube, said sidewall having mounted therein the viewing window of said sheath and an elastomeric member having an elongated configuration extending along the longitudinal axis of said tube, said channel port being formed in said elastomeric member so that a biopsy catheter may be inserted through said channel with the distal end of said catheter projecting from said channel port and being moved longitudinally in said end cap.

6. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a channel extending along the length of said sheath, said channel having open distal and proximal ends so that the interior of said channel is externally accessible but isolated from the interior of said sheath.

7. The endoscope sheath of claim 6 wherein said channel is positioned within the interior of said sheath with the distal end of said channel extending through the distal end of said sheath.

8. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including an inflation nozzle near the proximal end of said sheath, said nozzle communicating with the interior of said sheath to allow said sheath to be inflated to facilitate insertion of an endoscope into said sheath.

9. The endoscope sheath of claim 8, further including a sealing collar at the proximal end of said sheath, with said inflation nozzle being positioned between said sealing collar and the distal end of said sheath, said sealing collar being adapted to reduce the flow of gas from inside said sheath when an endoscope is being inserted into said sheath through said sealing collar and the gas is being forced into said inflation nozzle.

10. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a channel extending along the length of said sheath within its interior, said channel having open distal and proximal ends, with the distal end extending through the window at the distal end of said sheath so that the interior of channel is externally accessible.

11. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a channel extending along said sheath and a washing nozzle mounted in the distal end of said channel, said nozzle being aimed at the outer surface of the window at the distal end of said sheath.

12. The endoscope sheath of claim 11, further including a second channel extending along the length of said sheath, said second channel having open distal and proximal ends, with the distal end extending through the window at the distal end of said sheath so that the interior of said second channel is externally accessible.

13. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a relatively rigid, cylindrical support body in which said window is mounted, said support body being mounted at the distal end of said sheath so that said window is connected to said sheath through said support body.

14. The endoscope sheath of claim 13 wherein the plane of said window is perpendicular to the axis of said cylindrical support body and said cylindrical support body is coaxial with such sheath.

15. An endoscope sheath comprising a flexible, elongated, thin-walled tube adapted to fit over and tightly surround an elongated, flexible endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from said external environment, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end for receiving the distal end of an endoscope and a window near its distal end adapted to be positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath further including a channel extending along the length of said tube, said channel having an open proximal end and a distal end communicating with a specialized medical instrument whereby a variety of said endoscope sheaths may be used with a relatively expensive endoscope to create a variety of specialized endoscopes.

16. The endoscope sheath of claim 15 wherein said instrument is hydraulically actuated so that it may be operated by fluid pressure applied through said channel.

17. The endoscope sheath of claim 15 wherein said instrument is mechanically actuated so that it may be operated by a mechanical actuating member extending through said channel.

18. The endoscope sheath of claim 15 wherein said instrument is electrically operated so that it may be operated through wires extending through said channel.

19. The endoscope sheath of claim 15 wherein said instrument is an optical device that may be connected to an optical wave guide extending through said channel.

20. An endoscope having a removable protective sheath, comprising:

an elongate, flexible endoscope having a viewing window at its distal end and means for conveying an image viewed through said window to the proximal end of said endoscope; and

a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath fitting over and tightly surrounding said endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from the external environment, said sheath having a window near its distal end positioned over the viewing window of said endoscope and an opening at its proximal end from which the proximal end of said endoscope projects, said sheath further including a channel extending along the length of said sheath to the distal end thereof, said channel having open distal and proximal ends so that the interior of said channel is externally accessible and isolated from the interior of said sheath.

21. The endoscope of claim 20 wherein said channel is positioned within the interior of said sheath with the distal end of said channel extending through the distal end of said sheath.

22. An endoscope having a removable protective sheath, comprising:

an elongated, flexible endoscope having a viewing window at its distal end and means for conveying an image viewed through said window to the proximal end of said endoscope; and

a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath fitting over and tightly surrounding said endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from the external environment, said sheath having a window near its distal end positioned over the viewing window of said endoscope and an opening at its proximal end from which the proximal end of said endoscope projects, said sheath further including an inflation nozzle near the proximal end of said sheath, said nozzle communicating with the interior of said sheath to allow said sheath to be inflated to facilitate insertion of an endoscope into said sheath.

23. The endoscope of claim 22, further including a sealing collar at the proximal end of said sheath, with said inflation nozzle being positioned between said sealing collar and the distal end of said sheath, said sealing collar having a circular seal extending around said endoscope to reduce the flow of gas from inside said sheath when said endoscope is inserted into said sheath through said sealing collar and a gas is being forced into said inflation nozzle.

24. An endoscope having a removable protective sheath, comprising:

an elongated, flexible endoscope having a viewing window at its distal end and means for conveying an image viewed through said window to the proximal end of said endoscope; and

a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath fitting over and tightly surrounding said endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from the external environment, said sheath having a window near its distal end positioned over the viewing window of said endoscope and an opening at its proximal end from which the proximal end of said endoscope projects, said sheath further including a channel extending along said sheath and a washing nozzle mounted in the distal end of said channel, said nozzle being aimed at the outer surface of the window at the distal end of said sheath.

25. An endoscope having a removable protective sheath, comprising:

an elongated, flexible endoscope having a viewing window at its distal end and means for conveying an image viewed through said window to the proximal end of said endoscope; and

a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath fitting over and tightly surrounding said endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from the external environment, said sheath having a window near its distal end positioned over the viewing window of said endoscope and an opening at its proximal end from which the proximal end of said endoscope projects, said sheath further including a relatively rigid support body in which said window is mounted, said support body being mounted at the distal end of said sheath in coaxial relationship with said endoscope.

26. An endoscope having a removable protective sheath, comprising:

an elongated, flexible endoscope having a viewing window at its distal end and means for conveying an image viewed through said window to the proximal end of said endoscope, said endoscope further including endoscope controls and valves at its proximal end; and

a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath fitting over and tightly surrounding said endoscope to isolate at least a portion of said endoscope from the external environment, said sheath having a window near its distal end positioned over the viewing window of said endoscope and an opening at its proximal end from which the proximal end of said endoscope projects, said sheath further including an isolation bag sealingly engaging said endoscope sheath, said isolation bag surrounding said endoscope controls and valves to substantially isolate the proximal end of said endoscope from the external environment.

27. An endoscope comprising an elongated core having a viewing window at its distal end and an optical viewing system allowing objects positioned in front of said viewing window to be viewed from the proximal end of said endoscope, said core having formed therein an externally accessible, longitudinal groove whereby a protective sheath having an internal longitudinal channel may be placed over said endoscope.

28. The endoscope of claim 27 wherein said viewing window faces in a direction extending along the longitudinal axis of said endoscope to provide end-viewing capability.

29. The endoscope of claim 27 wherein said viewing window faces in a direction extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said endoscope to provide side-viewing capability.

30. A method of isolating a flexible endoscope from viruses, bacteria and the like in an external environment, said endoscope havingformed therein a longitudinal groove, said method comprising the step of placing a thin-walled, flexible, elongated sheath over said endoscope, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end through which the proximal end of said endoscope is adapted to extend and a window at its distal end positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, and a channel extending along the length of said sheath within its interior with its distal end extending through the distal end of said sheath, said sheath being installed on said endoscope by rolling up said sheath from its proximal end toward its distal end, placing the distal end of said sheath adjacent the distal end of said endoscope, placing the channel of said sheath in the groove of said endoscope, and then unrolling said sheath onto and along the length of said endoscope.

31. A method of isolating a flexible endoscope from viruses, bacteria and the like in an external environment, said method comprising the step of placing a thin-walled, flexible, resilient, elongated sheath over said endoscope, said sheath having an opening at its proximal end through which the proximal end of said endoscope extends and a window at its distal end positioned over the viewing window of an endoscope, said sheath being resilient and is installed on said endoscope by placing the distal end of said endoscope into the proximal end of said sheath, forcing a gas into the interior of said sheath to expand the walls of said sheath, then sliding said sheath onto said endoscope, and, when said sheath has been installed on said endoscope, terminating the flow of gas into the interior of said sheath to allow said sheath to contract onto the cylindrical wall of said endoscope.