Articulation joint for a medical device

• US 8,475,366 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Boulais, Dennis R., Macnamara, Francis T., Kirouac, Andrew Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/546,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20100048999A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: 600141-142
• US Class Current: 600/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00011 characterised by signal transmission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00045 Display arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00059 provided with identification means for the endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00112 Connection or coupling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00186 with imaging filters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0055 Constructional details of insertion parts, e.g. vertebral elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0653 with wavelength conversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0676 at distal tip of an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0684 using light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/12 with cooling or rinsing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 : for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes

Abstract

A video endoscope system includes a reusable control cabinet and an endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope may be used with a single patient and then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor, and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. An articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the actuators in the control cabinet or actuators in a control handle of the endoscope. Fluidics, electrical, navigation, image, display and data entry controls are integrated into the system along with other accessories.

Claims

1. An articulation joint for a medical device, comprising:

a plurality of links, each link having a pair of tabs that extend outwards from a first rim of the link, and a pair of arcuate recesses located at a second rim of the link;

wherein the pair of tabs is adapted to fit into a corresponding pair of arcuate recesses located on an adjacent link;

wherein each tab includes a flange portion having a size larger than the corresponding arcuate recess, the flange portion being defined on an inner surface of the tab; and

wherein each link includes a control element lumen integrally formed on an inner surface of the flange.

2. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein each tab of the pair of tabs has a size selected to fit in a corresponding arcuate recess.

3. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein the control element lumen is aligned with the pair of tabs.

4. An articulation joint for a medical device, comprising:

a plurality of links, each link including a pair of arcuate tabs extending from a front surface of the link and a pair of arcuate recesses defined on a rear surface of the link;

wherein the pair of arcuate tabs of one of the plurality of links is secured to a corresponding pair of arcuate recesses of another of the plurality of links;

wherein each of the pair of arcuate tabs includes a flange portion of a size larger than the corresponding arcuate recess, the flange portion being defined on an inner surface of the tab;

wherein the pair of arcuate tabs is configured to rotate relative to the pair of arcuate recesses; and

wherein each link includes at least one control element lumen, wherein all of the control element lumens of a first link of the plurality of links are not aligned with any of the control element lumens of a second link adjacent to the first link.

5. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein the pair of arcuate tabs is secured to the corresponding pair of arcuate recesses by a press fit.

6. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein the pair of arcuate tabs is orthogonally arranged relative to the pair of arcuate recesses.

7. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein each link further includes an inner surface, and the at least one control element lumen is defined on the inner surface.

8. The articulation joint of claim 7, wherein the at least one control element lumen is integrally formed with the inner surface.

9. The articulation joint of claim 8, wherein the at least one control element lumen is aligned with one of the pair of arcuate tabs.

10. The articulation joint of claim 7, wherein the at least one control element lumen includes two control element lumens defined by opposing inner surfaces of the link.

11. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein the pair of arcuate tabs secured to the corresponding pair of arcuate recesses forms a flush interface on an outer surface of the articulation joint.

12. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein each link defines a central lumen.

13. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein each arcuate tab rotates within a corresponding arcuate recess.

14. The articulation joint of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of control elements, wherein a single control element extends through a control element lumen of every other link of the articulation joint and does not extend through a control element lumen of the links between every other link.

15. The articulation joint of claim 4, further comprising a plurality of control elements, wherein, in each link, at least one control element extends through a control element lumen, and another at least one control element does not extend through a control element lumen.

16. An articulation joint for a medical device, comprising:

a plurality of links, each link including a plurality of tabs and a plurality of recesses, wherein the plurality of tabs of one of the plurality of links fit into a corresponding plurality of recesses of another of the plurality of links;

wherein each link includes only two control element lumens, each control element lumen adapted for receiving a control element, each control element lumen being aligned with each of the plurality of tabs and formed on an inner surface of each link; and

wherein each of the plurality of tabs includes a flange portion of a size larger than the corresponding recess, the flange portion being defined on an inner surface of the tab.

17. The articulation joint of claim 16, wherein each control element lumen is integrally formed with the inner surface of each link.

18. The articulation joint of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tabs is configured to rotate relative to the corresponding plurality of recesses.

19. The articulation joint of claim 16, wherein each control element lumen extends from a front surface of the link and along the inner surface of the link with each of the plurality of tabs.