Fluid manifold for endoscope system

• US 8,535,219 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• 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: Smith, David, Clark, Richard Joseph, Banik, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nia, Alireza
• Application Number:
  US12/751,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20100256448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,266 Days
• Field of Search: 600/153, 600155-157
• US Class Current: 600/156
• 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 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0016 using motor drive units
• 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 1/015 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 1/0653 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 1/128 provided with means for regulating temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8376 Combined

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 endoscope having a distal end, comprising:

an illumination source positioned at the distal end of the endoscope;

an irrigation lumen at the distal end for irrigating a lumen of a patient;

an imaging lens for capturing images within the patient;

a working channel terminating at the distal end;

a first fluid supply lumen disposed along the endoscope;

a second fluid supply lumen disposed along the endoscope; and

a third fluid supply lumen disposed along the endoscope, wherein the first fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to the illumination source from a source of fluid completely external the first fluid supply lumen, the second fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to the irrigation lumen, and the third fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to the imaging lens, wherein the first fluid supply lumen delivers fluid to a heat exchanger coupled to the illumination source at the distal end.

2. The endoscope of claim 1, further comprising a fourth fluid supply lumen in fluid communication with the working channel and configured to deliver fluid through the working channel.

3. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the second fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid through the irrigation lumen.

4. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the third fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid across the imaging lens.

5. The endoscope of claim 4, wherein the third fluid supply lumen includes a flush port configured to direct fluid across a distal face of the imaging lens.

6. The endoscope of claim 2, wherein the fourth fluid supply lumen is in communication with a vacuum source to provide suction through the working channel.

7. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, and third fluid supply lumens is controlled by a valve to selectively control the delivery of fluid to the illumination source, the irrigation lumen, and the imaging lens.

11. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the first fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to only the illumination source, the second fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to only the irrigation lumen, and the third fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to only the imaging lens.

12. The endoscope of claim 1, wherein the first fluid supply lumen is configured to deliver fluid to the illumination source internal the endoscope.

8. An endoscope having a distal face, comprising:

an illumination source internal the endoscope and positioned at an illumination source port disposed on the distal face;

an imaging lens for capturing images within the patient and terminating at an imaging lens port disposed on the distal face;

an imaging lens wash port disposed on the distal face and adjacent the imaging lens port;

a working channel terminating at the distal face; and

a plurality of fluid supply lumens disposed along the endoscope, each in separate fluid communication with one of the illumination source, the imaging lens wash port, and the working channel, wherein the fluid supply lumen in communication with the illumination source is configured to deliver fluid only internal the endoscope to a heat exchanger adjacent to the illumination source at the distal end face.

9. The endoscope of claim 8, wherein the imaging lens wash port directs fluid from one of the plurality of fluid supply lumens and across the imaging lens, the imaging lens wash port including a flush cap configured to deflect fluid exiting the imaging lens wash port to a front face of the image lens port.

10. The endoscope of claim 9, wherein the fluid supply lumen in fluid communication with the working channel is configured to deliver fluid through the working channel.

13. An endoscope having a distal end, comprising:

an illumination source positioned at the distal end of the endoscope;

an irrigation lumen at the distal end for irrigating a lumen of a patient;

an imaging lens for capturing images within the patient;

a working channel terminating at the distal end;

a plurality of fluid supply lumens disposed along the endoscope, each configured to deliver fluid to one of the illumination source, the irrigation lumen, and the imaging lens, wherein a first supply lumen of the plurality of supply lumens is configured to deliver fluid from a fluid source to the illumination source and only internal the endoscope, wherein the first supply lumen delivers fluid to a heat exchanger coupled to the illumination source at the distal end; and

a fluid return lumen disposed along the endoscope and configured to return fluid delivered by the first supply lumen from only internal the endoscope to the fluid source.

14. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the fluid return lumen is configured to return fluid from the heat exchanger to the fluid source.

15. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the heat exchanger is disposed internal the endoscope.

16. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the fluid return lumen is configured to return fluid from adjacent the illumination source.

17. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein fluid is continuously delivered to the illumination source and returned to the fluid source.