Multi-lumen core deflecting endoscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, and a shaft therebetween, said shaft comprising:
- structural core means of a substantially flexible and resilient material having a first longitudinal axis, said core means forming a flexible frame which can cooperate in conveying the distal region of the instrument towards the target area while also defining a conduit means therewith; and
deflection means disposed on said flexible core means, said deflection means being connected to said distal region at an offset from said first longitudinal axis whereby upon activation of said deflection means said distal region is deflected.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope having a control head, an objective head and a flexible shaft therebetween. The shaft has a flexible core with a conduit means therewith. A deflection means is provided with the shaft having a tension member and a distal end compression member for controllably returning the distal end to an undeflected position.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, and a shaft therebetween, said shaft comprising:
-
structural core means of a substantially flexible and resilient material having a first longitudinal axis, said core means forming a flexible frame which can cooperate in conveying the distal region of the instrument towards the target area while also defining a conduit means therewith; and deflection means disposed on said flexible core means, said deflection means being connected to said distal region at an offset from said first longitudinal axis whereby upon activation of said deflection means said distal region is deflected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. An instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape for accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, a shaft therebetween having a longitudinal axis and deflection means for deflecting said distal region, said deflection means comprising:
-
a deflection member disposed on a channel on said shaft, said deflection member having a distal portion connected to said distal region at a position offset from said longitudinal axis and a proximal portion operably connected to said proximal region; deflection member control means for deflecting said distal region from a home position to a deflected position; and deflection recovery means for at least partially automatically returning said distal region from said deflected position to said home position as said control means is inactivated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of manufacturing an instrument of a generally tubular flexible shape of accessing a target area, the instrument having a proximal region thereof, a distal region thereof, a shaft therebetween, and a deflection means, the method comprising the steps of:
-
mounting a deflection member on a channel means of a structural core of flexible material, said core having a first longitudinal axis, said deflection member being offset from said first longitudinal axis proximate said distal region; and mounting a deflection recovery means on said core, said deflection recovery means comprising a spring means connected to said distal region at an offset, proximate said distal region, from said first longitudinal axis whereby said distal region is deflectable and said deflection recovery means cooperates to return said distal region to an undeflected position.
-
Specification