External endoscopic accessory control system

• US 7,717,846 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2007
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Membrino, Timothy R., Mears, Eric, Logan, Joseph, Copeland, David J., Zirps, Christopher T., Yardan, Stephen J., Silva, Sean J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dvorak; Linda C
• Assistant Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/787,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 600/101, 600/104, 600/107, 600/131, 600/153
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00133 Drive units for endoscopic tools inserted through or with the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0014 Fastening element for attaching accessories to the outside of an endoscope, e.g. clips, clamps or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12018 Elastic band ligators

Abstract

The present invention provides an endoscopic accessory control system that resides externally of the endoscope. The system comprises the endoscopic accessory with a working end to be placed at the distal end of the endoscope, a control sheath extending proximally external to the endoscope and a control handle joined to the proximal end of the control sheath. The control handle is slidably mounted to the exterior surface of the endoscope shaft and is configured to permit grasping of both the shaft and the handle. With the control handle and endoscope shaft grasped with one hand, the other hand of the user is left free to manipulate the endoscope distal tip controls. Additionally, the external arrangement of the control sheath leaves the working channel of the endoscope free for use of accessories or operations.

Claims

1. An endoscopic accessory and control system therefor comprising:

an endoscopic accessory having an operating device mountable to the distal portion of an endoscope;

a control handle configured to be removably mounted to the shaft of an endoscope;

the control handle having a proximal end and a distal end;

a control element extending from the control handle to the operating device, the control handle including at least one operator control associated with the control element by which the control element may be operated to control operation of the operating device;

the control handle being slidable relative to the control element while remaining operatively connected to the control element;

the control handle being constructed to enable the user to simultaneously grip and manipulate both the endoscope shaft and the control handle with a single hand;

one end of the control element extending from the proximal end of the handle and defining a proximally extending loop, the other end of the control element extending from the loop through a guideway in the handle and out of the distal end of the handle, the handle being slidable along the distally extending portion of the control member when the handle and accessory are mounted on the endoscope.

2. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control element extends externally of the endoscope shaft when the operating device and control handle are mounted to the endoscope.

3. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control handle is configured to be mounted laterally onto the endoscope shaft.

4. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 3 wherein the control handle is configured to have a plurality of downwardly extending and curved forks that define a circumferential pathway through which an endoscope shaft may be slidably passed.

5. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control handle is configured to enable a user to grasp directly with one hand both the handle and a portion of an endoscope shaft to which the control handle is mounted.

6. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control element includes a sheath and at least two control members extending through the sheath for operating at least two functions of the endoscopic accessory operating device.

7. An endoscopic accessory and control system as defined in claim 1 further comprising, in combination, an endoscope having the operating device mounted on its distal end and the control handle mounted to the shaft of the endoscope, the control element extending externally of the endoscope.