Fluid seal for endoscope

• US 6,863,661 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2003
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Holmes, John, Richardson, Kevin, Carrillo, Oscar R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/447,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 604/167, 604/167.01, 604/167.02, 604/167.03, 604/167.04, 604/167.05, 604/167.06, 604/168.01, 604/500, 277/311, 277/907, 277/910, 277/908
• US Class Current: 604/167.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00137 End pieces at either end of the endoscope, e.g. caps, seals or forceps plugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3462 with means for changing the diameter or the orientation of the entrance port of the cannula, e.g. for use with different-sized instruments, reduction ports, adapter seals expandable cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3498 Valves therefor, e.g. flapper valves, slide valves haemostasis valves A61M39/06; check valves A61M39/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/3437 with means for removing or absorbing fluid, e.g. wicks or absorbent pads
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/04 having pierceable self-sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/48 Seals

Abstract

An endoscope seal that effectively inhibits the egress of fluids from the working channel of an endoscope when an elongate device having a non-circular shaft is disposed therein. The endoscope seal includes a body portion having a proximal end adapted for insertion of an elongate device such as a rapid exchange biliary catheter, a distal end adapted for connection to the proximal end of an endoscope, a lumen extending therethrough which is adapted to receive the elongate device and to provide access to the working channel of the endoscope, and a means for conforming to the non-circular shaft of the elongate device to inhibit the flow of fluid from the working channel of the endoscope. The conforming means may, for example, comprise one or more protrusions extending radially inward in the lumen of the body portion, a sealing material such as a surgical foam that is disposed in the lumen of the body portion, or a sealing mandrel. Whether a single protrusion, a plurality of protrusions, a sealing material or a sealing mandrel is utilized, the present invention provides endoscope seals that readily seal about elongate devices having either circular or non-circular profiles.

Claims

1. A catheter and endoscope assembly, comprising:

an endoscope having a lumen extending therethrough and a lumen opening;

an elongate catheter adapted to pass through the lumen opening and into the lumen, the catheter having a non-circular region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape; and

a seal member disposed at the lumen opening, the seal member being configured to sealingly engage the non-circular region when the catheter is disposed in the lumen.

2. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the non-circular region of the catheter is defined by an axial slot in the catheter.

3. The catheter of claim 2, wherein the seal member includes a wall and a plurality of protrusions extending radially inward from the wall, one or more of the protrusions being adapted to sealingly engage the axial slot.

4. The catheter of claim 1, wherein the non-circular region of the catheter is defined by a C-shaped channel in the catheter.

5. A medical assembly, comprising:

an endoscope having a proximal end;

a seal body having a lower cavity, a proximal port adjacent the lower cavity and attached to the proximal end of the endoscope, a middle cavity, an upper cavity, a distal port adjacent the upper cavity, and a central lumen extending therethrough;

an elongate catheter disposed in the central lumen and extending into the endoscope, the catheter having a region with a non-circular cross-sectional shape; and

one or more protrusions disposed in the middle cavity of the seal body, the protrusions being configured to sealingly engage the non-circular region of the catheter.