Endoscope with an improved working channel
First Claim
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1. Medical apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope, comprising an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject, and containing a working channel, which conveys a liquid from the proximal end to a target region in the body cavity adjacent to the distal end;
a fluid sensor, contained in the distal end of the endoscope, which measures a rate of flow of the liquid in the working channel; and
a control unit which is configured to regulate the flow of the liquid in the working channel responsively to the measured rate of flow;
wherein the working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope that is narrowed, a converging segment proximal to the narrowed segment, and a diverging segment distal to the narrowed segment, thus defining a Venturi tube;
wherein the diameter of the converging segment narrows from about 2.5 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment to about the same diameter as the narrowed segment;
wherein the diameter of the diverging segment expands from about the same diameter as the narrowed segment to about 3 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment; and
the liquid exits the working channel in a divergent cone to irrigate the entire target region such that it clears blood and/or debris.
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Abstract
A medical device includes an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject. An optical assembly is contained in the distal end and configured to form an image of a target region in the body cavity. A working channel passes through the insertion tube and is configured to convey a fluid from the proximal to the distal end. The working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end that is narrowed so as to cause the fluid to exit the working channel into the target region in a diverging cone.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. Medical apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope, comprising an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject, and containing a working channel, which conveys a liquid from the proximal end to a target region in the body cavity adjacent to the distal end;
a fluid sensor, contained in the distal end of the endoscope, which measures a rate of flow of the liquid in the working channel; and
a control unit which is configured to regulate the flow of the liquid in the working channel responsively to the measured rate of flow;
wherein the working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope that is narrowed, a converging segment proximal to the narrowed segment, and a diverging segment distal to the narrowed segment, thus defining a Venturi tube;
wherein the diameter of the converging segment narrows from about 2.5 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment to about the same diameter as the narrowed segment;
wherein the diameter of the diverging segment expands from about the same diameter as the narrowed segment to about 3 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment; and
the liquid exits the working channel in a divergent cone to irrigate the entire target region such that it clears blood and/or debris. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- an endoscope, comprising an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject, and containing a working channel, which conveys a liquid from the proximal end to a target region in the body cavity adjacent to the distal end;
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4. A method for medical treatment, comprising:
providing an endoscope having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity of a subject and containing a working channel for conveying a liquid from a proximal end of the endoscope to a target region in the body cavity adjacent to the distal end;
measuring a rate of flow of the liquid in the working channel, wherein measuring the rate of the flow comprises receiving a reading from a fluid sensor contained in the distal end of the endoscope; and
regulating the flow of the liquid in the working channel responsively to the measured rate of flow;
wherein the working channel has a segment adjacent to the distal end of the endoscope that is narrowed, a converging segment proximal to the narrowed segment and a diverging segment distal to the narrowed segment thus defining a Venturi tube;
wherein the diameter of the converging segment narrows from about 2.5 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment to about the same diameter as the narrowed segment;
wherein the diameter of the diverging segment expands from about the same diameter as the narrowed segment to about 3 times greater than the diameter of the narrowed segment; and
the liquid exits the working channel in a divergent cone to irrigate the entire target region such that it clears blood and/or debris.- View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. Medical apparatus, comprising:
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an endoscope, comprising an insertion tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, which is configured for insertion into a body cavity of a subject, and containing a working channel, which conveys a liquid from the proximal end to a target region in the body cavity adjacent to the distal end;
a fluid sensor, which measures a rate of flow of the liquid in the working channel; and
a control unit, which is configured to regulate the flow of the liquid in the working channel responsively to the measured rate of flow;wherein the fluid sensor is contained in the distal end of the endoscope; the working channel ends in a nozzle at the distal end; the nozzle includes a narrowed segment adjacent to the distal end; the liquid exits the working channel in a divergent cone to irrigate the entire region such that it clears blood and/or debris; and the insertion tube has a diameter about equal to or about less than 3 mm. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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Specification