Endoscope articulation system to reduce effort during articulation of an endoscope
First Claim
1. An endoscope, comprising:
- a handle;
an insertion tube having a proximal section attached to said handle and having a distal section opposite said proximal section, said distal section being articulatable relative to said proximal section;
a control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube, said control cable being axially movable relative to said insertion tube, said distal section of said insertion tube being articulated upon axial movement of said control cable;
a control member attached to said handle and positioned for movement by a user relative to said handle; and
at mechanical advantage coupler connected to said control member and to said control cable, said mechanical advantage coupler including a lever and a connecting cable, a first portion of said lever being connected to said handle and a second portion of said lever being connected to said control cable, and said connecting cable having a first end connected to said lever and a second end connected to said control member, said mechanical advantage coupler providing a mechanical advantage between said movement of said control member and axial movement of said control cable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscope having an articulation system that provides a mechanical advantage and facilitates articulation of the distal section of the endoscope insertion tube. The endoscope includes a handle held by a user during an endoscopic procedure and an insertion tube attached at its proximal section to the handle. A plurality of control cables extending the length of the insertion tube are securely attached to the insertion tube'"'"'s distal section and are axially movable to articulate the distal section. Control wheels are rotatably attached to the handle and positioned to be manipulated by the user during the endoscopic procedure. The articulation system is connected at one end to the control cables and at the other end to the control wheels. The articulation system transmits movement of the control wheels to the control cables. The articulation system is partially linearly movable between the control wheels and the control cables upon movement of at least one control wheel so as to provide a mechanical advantage in converting force from the control wheel to the control cable. The articulation system is configured with approximately a two-to-one mechanical advantage, such that a force exerted on the control wheel is approximately one-half of the force that is transmitted to the control cable to move the control cable axially, thereby articulating the insertion tube'"'"'s distal section.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An endoscope, comprising:
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a handle; an insertion tube having a proximal section attached to said handle and having a distal section opposite said proximal section, said distal section being articulatable relative to said proximal section; a control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube, said control cable being axially movable relative to said insertion tube, said distal section of said insertion tube being articulated upon axial movement of said control cable; a control member attached to said handle and positioned for movement by a user relative to said handle; and at mechanical advantage coupler connected to said control member and to said control cable, said mechanical advantage coupler including a lever and a connecting cable, a first portion of said lever being connected to said handle and a second portion of said lever being connected to said control cable, and said connecting cable having a first end connected to said lever and a second end connected to said control member, said mechanical advantage coupler providing a mechanical advantage between said movement of said control member and axial movement of said control cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An endoscope assembly usable for an endoscopic procedure, comprising:
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a handle having a housing defining an interior chamber with proximal and distal ends; an insertion tube having proximal and distal sections, said proximal section attached to said housing at said distal end of said interior chamber and said distal section being opposite said proximal section and articulatable relative to said proximal section; a control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube for articulating said distal section in a plane of movement, said control cable extending proximally from said distal section toward said housing and terminating at a proximal end within said interior chamber; a control member rotatably attached to said handle housing, said control member including a control wheel connected to a shaft and a drum connected to the shaft, said drum positioned within said interior chamber and said control wheel being exterior of said interior chamber and positioned to be rotated by a user holding onto said handle during the endoscopic procedure and exerting a first force on said control wheel, such that rotation of said control wheel relative to said housing causes said drum to rotate; and a connecting means securely connected to said proximal end of said control cable and to said drum, said connecting means including a connecting cable connected to said drum and a lever pivotally mounted at a pivot point to said housing, said control cable being attached to a first portion of said lever at a first distance from said pivot point, said first portion of said lever being movable relative to said control member, said connecting cable having a first end connected to a second portion of said lever a second distance from said pivot point, said second distance being different than said first distance, said connecting means transmitting movement of said control wheel and said drum to said control cable, and said connecting means converting said first force causing said rotational movement of said drum to a second force that causes axial movement of said control cable and articulating movement of said distal end and providing a mechanical advantage between first and second forces. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification