Fluid distribution device for a multiple viewing elements endoscope

• US 9,993,142 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2014
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Salman, Golan, Aizenfeld, Amram, Wieth, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): Neal, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): FAIRCHILD, AARON BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US14/469,501
• Publication Number:
  US 20140364692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 600127, 600129, 600156-159
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00091 Nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00101 the distal tip features being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00103 designed for single use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00128 mechanical, e.g. for tubes or pipes
• 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 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation

Abstract

There is provided herein a tip section for an endoscope assembly that includes a fluid distribution device for circulating fluid for cleaning a body cavity. In an embodiment, the tip section includes a groove aligned with side jet channels, where multiple holes drilled above the groove, through the periphery of a tip cover covering the tip section, provide an exit for the fluid circulated by the side jet channels in all directions around the tip cover. In another embodiment, the tip section includes a removable attachment that covers jet channel openings. Multiple holes drilled through the cover provide a multiple jet exit for the fluid circulated by the jet channels in multiple directions around the tip cover.

Claims

1. An endoscope tip, comprising:

a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

a base comprising the proximal end, said base having a first channel extending from a face of the proximal end to a first opening positioned on a side of the base;

an optical assembly having at least one camera; and

a fluid distribution device, wherein said fluid distribution device is adapted to be positioned around an exterior surface of said base and be in fluid communication with said first opening, wherein the fluid distribution device comprises;

a channel extending radially outwardly from a radially inner surface of the fluid distribution device,

a plurality of openings on a radially outer surface of said fluid distribution device, said channel being adapted to receive fluid from the first opening and distribute the fluid to at least one of said plurality of openings,

a radially outer wall adapted to extend along the base in an axial direction of the base, the radially outer wall being spaced from the surface of said base by a gap, and the radially outer wall having the plurality of openings therein,

a pair of walls adapted to extend radially inwardly from opposite axial ends of the radially outer wall and toward the surface of said base, and adapted to engage the surface of the base, and

a pair of flanges adapted to extend along the base in the axial direction of the base, and engage with the surface of the base, each flange of the pair of flanges extending transversely from an end of a wall of the pair of walls.

2. The endoscope tip of claim 1 wherein the fluid distribution device comprises a ring having said radially outer wall, said pair of walls, and said pair of flanges.

3. The endoscope tip of claim 2 wherein the plurality of openings on the radially outer surface are equally spaced around said radially outer surface.

4. An endoscope tip, comprising:

a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end;

a base comprising the proximal end, said base having a first channel extending from a face of the proximal end to a first opening positioned on a first side of the base, and a second channel extending from the face of the proximal end to a second opening positioned on a second side of the base, wherein the first side of the base opposes the second side of the base;

an optical assembly having at least one camera; and

a detachable fluid distribution device, wherein said detachable fluid device is adapted to attach to, and detach from, said first opening or said second opening, and said detachable fluid device comprises;

a channel at an internal surface of the detachable fluid distribution device, and

a plurality of openings on a first external surface of said detachable fluid distribution device, said channel being adapted to receive fluid from at least one of the first opening and the second opening and distribute the fluid to at least one of said plurality of openings, and

at least one second external surface of said detachable fluid distribution device, wherein the first external surface and the at least one second external surface face radially outwardly, wherein the first external surface and the at least one second external surface are parallel to an external surface of the base, and wherein the first external surface and the at least one second external surface are spaced apart from the external surface of the base by different distances.

5. The endoscope tip of claim 4 wherein the detachable fluid distribution device is annular.

6. The endoscope tip of claim 5 wherein the plurality of openings on the external surface are equally spaced around said external surface.