Endoscope system and medical treatment method

• US 6,827,683 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2002
• Issued: 12/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Original Assignee: Olympus Corporation
• Inventors: Otawara, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): FLANAGAN, BEVERLY MEINDL
• Application Number:
  US10/269,421
• Publication Number:
  US 20030073955A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 600/123, 600/153, 600/104, 600/106, 600/107, 600/114, 606/106, 606/205, 606/206
• US Class Current: 600/123
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00098 Deflecting means for inserted tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles

Abstract

An endoscope system comprises: an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion; a first fixing member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, capable of selecting between a fixed state for fixing the distal end portion of a linear member inserted into the lumen and a released state thereof in the distal end portion of the insertion portion; a second fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, capable of selectively fixing the proximal end portion of the linear member inserted into the lumen in the proximal end of the insertion portion; and a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, and removably inserted into the lumen, wherein a slit is formed from the proximal end of the tubular member towards the distal end thereof.

Claims

1. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion;

a first fixing member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, capable of selecting between a fixed state for fixing a distal end portion of a linear member inserted into the lumen and a released state thereof in the distal end of the insertion portion;

a second fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, capable of selectively fixing a proximal end portion of the linear member inserted into the lumen in the proximal end of the insertion portion; and

a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, and removably inserted into the lumen, wherein a slit is formed from the proximal end of the tubular member towards the distal end thereof.

2. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fixing member comprises:

a guide member that is provided to the distal end of the endoscope main body insertion portion, is capable of guiding the distal end of the tubular member inserted into the lumen and protruding from the distal end opening and selectively changing the protruding direction of the distal end with respect to the insertion portion, the guide member having a guide surface for guiding the tubular member provided to the guide member; and

a support portion provided in the vicinity of the distal end opening located opposite the guide surface in the fixing position of the guide member.

3. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first fixing member is provided in the vicinity of the distal end opening of the lumen.

4. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the guide surface is formed with a groove in which the linear member is engaged.

5. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 2, wherein a notifying mechanism is provided to the endoscope main body for notifying the operator that the first fixing member has reached a fixed state from a released state.

6. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the distal end of the insertion portion is provided with a guide member for guiding the distal end portion protruding from the distal end opening of the tubular member inserted into the lumen, and selectively changing the protruding direction with respect to the insertion portion.

7. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first fixing member comprises a loop-shaped snare for fixing the distal end portion of the linear member protruding from the distal end opening of the linear member.

8. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first fixing member comprises a hook for fixing the distal end portion of the linear member protruding from the distal end opening of the linear member.

9. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first fixing member comprises a linear member fixing member that is provided to the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and is capable of selectively traveling to a fixing position in which the linear member is fixed, and to a releasing position for releasing the fixing of the linear member.

10. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the groove is constituted by two mutually opposing wall surfaces with which the outer surface of the linear member makes contact when the linear member is fixed.

11. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the width of the groove formed in the guide surface is greater than the outside diameter of the linear member, and less than the outside diameter of the tubular member.

12. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the guide member is capable of traveling selectively between the guide position for changing the protruding direction of the tubular member and the fixing position for fixing the linear member;

and

a notifying mechanism is provided to the endoscope main body for notifying the operator that the guide member has traveled to the fixing position.

13. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the width in the axial direction of the slit formed in the tubular member is less than the outside diameter of the linear member.

14. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the center of the groove in the axial direction of the insertion portion is substantially the same as the center of the guide surface in the axial direction of the insertion portion.

15. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion with a lumen formed therein, the lumen having a distal end opening at a distal end of the insertion portion and a proximal end opening in a proximal end of the insertion portion;

a guidewire removably inserted into the lumen;

a first fixing member that is provided in the vicinity of the distal end opening of the lumen in the distal end of the insertion portion, and is capable of selectively fixing the guidewire inserted into the lumen in the vicinity of the distal end opening;

a second fixing member that is provided in the vicinity of the proximal end opening of the lumen in the proximal end of the insertion portion, and is capable of selectively fixing the guidewire inserted into the lumen in the vicinity of the proximal end opening; and

a treatment instrument releasably inserted into the lumen, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, the treatment instrument being provided with a slit extending from the proximal end to a middle portion thereof, the slit being formed along an axial direction of the treatment instrument.

16. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first fixing member comprises:

a treatment instrument elevator having a first elevation range for elevating the treatment instrument inserted into the lumen, and a second elevation range for fixing the guidewire, the treatment instrument elevator being provided with a guide surface for guiding the treatment instrument; and

a support portion provided in the vicinity of the distal end opening located opposite the guide surface in the second elevation range of the treatment instrument elevator.

17. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the treatment instrument elevator is provided with a guide portion that guides the treatment instrument, and a groove for engaging the guidewire is formed on the guide portion.

18. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 17, wherein a notifying mechanism is provided to the endoscope main body for notifying the operator that the treatment instrument elevator is in the second elevation range.

19. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the center of the groove in the axial direction of the insertion portion is substantially the same as the center of the guide surface in the axial direction of the insertion portion.

20. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion;

a treatment instrument releasably inserted into the lumen, having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, and being provided with a slit formed from the proximal end towards the terminal end thereof;

a first fixing member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion and being designed for fixing the distal end of a guidewire inserted into the lumen, the first fixing member being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and comprising a treatment instrument elevator having a guide portion for guiding a treatment instrument inserted into the lumen, and a support portion provided, at the vicinity of the distal end opening of the lumen, in a location opposite the guide portion when the treatment instrument elevator is elevated; and

a second fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, and being capable of selectively fixing the proximal end of the guidewire inserted into the lumen.

21. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion;

a treatment instrument releasably inserted into the lumen, the treatment instrument having proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, and being provided with a slit formed from the proximal end towards the terminal end thereof;

a first fixing member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion and designed for fixing the distal end of a guidewire inserted into the lumen, the first fixing member being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and comprising a treatment instrument elevator having a guide portion for guiding a treatment instrument inserted into the lumen, and a support portion provided, at the vicinity of the distal end opening of the lumen, in a location opposite the guide portion when the treatment instrument elevator is elevated, the treatment instrument elevator having a first elevation range and a second elevation range, and the guidewire being fixed in the second elevation range; and

a second fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, the second fixing member being capable of selectively fixing the proximal end of the linear member inserted into the lumen.

22. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 21, further comprising notifying mechanism provided to the endoscope main body for notifying the operator that the treatment instrument elevator is in the second elevation range.

23. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion in which a lumen is formed, the insertion portion having a proximal end and a distal end, a distal end opening of the lumen being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a proximal end opening of the lumen being provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion;

an urging member provided to the distal end of the insertion portion, capable of travel between an urging position for urging a distal end of a linear member inserted into the lumen in the vicinity of a lumen opening, and a releasing position for releasing the urging of the linear member, a relative displacement of the linear member with respect to the insertion portion being restricted in the urging position of the urging member;

a distal end fixing member provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion, and being capable of selectively fixing a proximal end of the linear member inserted into the lumen; and

a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, being removably inserted into the lumen, a slit being formed from the proximal end of the tubular member towards the distal end thereof.

24. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the urging member comprises:

a guide member provided to the distal end of the endoscope main body insertion portion, and being capable of guiding the distal end of the tubular member inserted into the lumen and protruding from the distal end opening, the guide member selectively changing the protruding direction of the distal end with respect to the insertion portion, and being provided with a guide surface for guiding the tubular member.

25. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the urging member is provided in the vicinity of the distal end opening of the lumen.

26. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 25, wherein a groove for engaging the linear member is provided in the guide surface.

27. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the endoscope main body is provided with a notifying mechanism for notifying the operator that the urging member is in the urging position for urging the linear member in the vicinity of the edge of the lumen.

28. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the urging member comprises a loop-shaped snare for fixing the distal end portion protruding from the distal end opening of the linear member inserted into the lumen.

29. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the urging member comprises a hook for fixing the distal end portion protruding from the distal end opening of the linear member inserted into the lumen.

30. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the urging member comprises a linear member urging member capable of selectively traveling between an urging position for urging the linear member against the inner circumferential surface of the lumen, and an urging releasing position for releasing the urging of the linear member, the linear member urging member being provided to the distal end of the insertion portion.

31. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the groove formed in the guide surface is provided with a tapered surface.

32. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the width of the groove formed in the guide surface is greater than the outside diameter of the linear member, and less than the outside diameter of the tubular member.

33. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 32, wherein

the guide member is capable of selectively traveling between a guide position for guidance of the tubular member, and a fixing position for fixing the linear member;

and

the endoscope main body is provided with a notifying mechanism for notifying the operator that the guide member has traveled to the fixing position.

34. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 33, wherein the width of the slit formed in the tubular member in the axial direction thereof is less than the outside diameter of the linear member.

35. The endoscope system as claimed in claim 34, wherein the center of the groove in the axial direction of the insertion portion is substantially the same as the center of the guide surface in the axial direction of the insertion portion.

36. A medical treatment method comprising:

inserting a first treatment instrument into a lumen of an endoscope insertion portion and placing a distal end of a first treatment instrument in a body cavity;

placing a guidewire in the lumen of the first treatment instrument;

pulling a proximal end of the guidewire diametrically from the lumen of the first treatment instrument after a distal end of the guidewire inserted into the first treatment instrument is placed in the body cavity;

fixing a portion of the proximal end of the guidewire pulled from the first treatment instrument at a proximal end of the lumen of the endoscope insertion;

pulling the first treatment instrument towards a proximal end of the insertion portion;

fixing the distal end of the guidewire at a distal end of the endoscope insertion portion after a distal end of the first treatment instrument is positioned within the insertion portion of the endoscope;

releasing the fixing of the guidewire in the proximal end of the endoscope insertion portion; and

pulling the first treatment instrument from a proximal end opening of the endoscope insertion portion.

37. The treatment method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the distal end portion of the guidewire is fixed by using a treatment instrument elevator.

38. The treatment method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the treatment instrument elevator has a first elevation range and a second elevation range, and the guidewire is fixed in the second elevation range.

39. The medical treatment method as claimed in claim 36, further comprising:

inserting the guidewire into the lumen provided to the second treatment instrument, and inserting the second treatment instrument into the lumen of the endoscope insertion portion;

pulling the proximal end portion of the guidewire inserted in the lumen of the second treatment instrument diametrically from the lumen of the second treatment instrument;

fixing the proximal end portion of the guidewire in the proximal end of the endoscope;

inserting the second treatment instrument; and

releasing the fixing in the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion, and further inserting the second treatment instrument.

40. An endoscope system comprising:

an endoscope main body having an insertion portion, which has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween;

a first fixing means provided to the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope for fixing a linear member inserted into the lumen in the distal end;

a second fixing means provided to the proximal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope for fixing a linear member inserted into the lumen in the proximal end; and

a tubular member that has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen running therebetween, is removably inserted into the lumen, and is provided with a slit formed from the proximal end of the tubular member towards the distal end thereof.