Endoscope articulation system to reduce effort during articulation of an endoscope

• US 5,626,553 A
• Filed: 04/29/1996
• Issued: 05/06/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Vision-Sciences Incorporated (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Vision-Sciences Incorporated (2941881 Canada, Inc.)
• Inventors: Frassica, James J., Ailinger, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RISLEY, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/639,981
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 74/500.5, 74/501.5 R, 74/501.6, 600/139, 600/146-151, 604/280
• US Class Current: 600/146
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0136 Handles therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20402 Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]

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.

Claims

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.

2. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said handle includes a housing that defines an interior chamber, and said mechanical advantage coupler is positioned within said interior chamber between said control member and said control cable.

3. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said lever is pivotally mounted at a pivot point to said handle, said control cable being attached to said second portion of said lever at a first distance from said pivot point, said connecting cable being connected to said lever a second distance from said pivot point, said second distance being different than said first distance.

4. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said axial movement of said control cable articulates said distal section of said insertion tube in a first plane of movement, and further comprising:

a second control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube, said second control cable being axially movable relative to said insertion tube to cause said distal section of said insertion tube to articulate in a second plane of movement that is different than said first plane of movement;

a second control member attached to said handle and positioned for movement by a user relative to said handle; and

a second mechanical advantage coupler connected to said second control member and attached to said second control cable, said second mechanical advantage coupler providing a mechanical advantage between movement of said second control member and movement of said second control cable.

5. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said handle includes a housing that defines an interior chamber, and said lever and connecting cable are positioned within said interior chamber between said control member and said control cable.

6. The endoscope of claim 1 wherein said axial movement of said control cable articulates said distal section of said insertion tube in a first plane of movement and said control member has first and second portions, said first portion being connected to said first connecting cable, and said second portion being movable relative to said handle, and the endoscope further comprising:

a second control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube, said second control cable being axially movable relative to said insertion tube to cause said distal section of said insertion tube to articulate in a second plane of movement that is different than said first plane; and

a second mechanical advantage coupler connected to said second control cable and connected to said second portion of said control member, said second mechanical advantage coupler transmitting movement of said second portion of said control member to said second control cable to cause axial movement of said second control cable and articulation of said distal section, said second mechanical advantage coupler having a component that is movable relative to said control member and relative to said second control cable, said second mechanical advantage coupler providing mechanical advantage in transmitting said movement of said second portion of said control member to said second control cable for articulation of said distal section in said second plane of movement.

7. An endoscope assembly usable for an endoscopic procedure, comprising:

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.

8. The endoscope assembly of claim 7 wherein said axial movement of said control cable articulates said distal section of said insertion tube in a first plane of movement, said control member including a second control wheel connected to a second shaft and a second drum connected to said second shaft, said second control wheel and said second drum being rotatable relative to said handle independent of said first control wheel and said first drum, said second control wheel being rotatable upon a third force being exerted thereon, and the endoscope assembly further comprising:

a second control cable attached to said distal section of said insertion tube for articulating said distal section in a second plane of movement that is different than said first plane, said second control cable extending proximally from said distal end toward said housing and terminating at a proximal end within said interior chamber; and

a second connecting means securely connected to said proximal end of said second control cable and to said second drum, said second connecting means being positioned within said interior chamber and having a component that is movable between said second drum and said second control cable, said second connecting means transmitting movement of said second control wheel and said second drum to said second control cable, and said second connecting means converting said third force causing said rotational movement of said second drum to a fourth force that causes axial movement of said second control cable and articulating movement of said distal section in said second plane of movement and providing mechanical advantage between said third and fourth forces.