Articulation Section

• US 20080132761A1
• Filed: 09/22/2005
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medigus Limited
• Original Assignee: Medigus Limited
• Inventors: Sonnenscheim, Elazar, Sonnenschein, Minelu, Govrin, Amir
• Granted Patent: US 7,874,980 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/142
• 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 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00

Abstract

The invention is an articulation section for an endoscope (10). The articulation section (50) is characterized in that each one of its vertebrae (52) is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled. This arrangement allows the replacement of individual ones of the vertebrae and/or the replacement of individual ones of the wires, cables, fibers, and tubes that pass through the vertebrae section without having to disassemble and reassemble the entire articulation section.

Claims

1. An articulation section for an endoscope comprised of:

a plurality of vertebrae linked together in a chain-like fashion, wherein neighboring vertebrae are linked together such that they can be pivoted relative to each other;

one or more channels passing through the interior of all of the vertebrae of said articulation section, wherein wires, cables, fibers, and tubes pass from the proximal end of said endoscope to its distal end through said one or more channels;

characterized in that each one of said vertebrae is comprised of several pieces that can be easily assembled or disassembled, thereby allowing the replacement of individual ones of said vertebrae and/or individual ones of said wires, cables, fibers, and tubes without having to disassemble and reassemble the entire articulation section.

2. An articulation section according to claim 1, wherein a separate channel exists for each wire, cable, fiber, and tube that passes from the proximal end of the endoscope to its distal end.

3. An articulation section according to claim 1, wherein the pieces comprise:

a core;

a plate;

a right guide;

a left guide;

an upper shell; and

a lower shell.

4. An articulation section according to claim 3, wherein the core comprises a bend stopper and a release stopper.

5. An articulation section according to claim 4, wherein the bend and release stoppers are flexible, allowing said articulation section to be over-bent/straightened.

6. An articulation section according to claim 1, wherein two adjacent vertebrae are linked by slipping an arrangement of coaxial cylinders created on the core of one vertebra inside an arrangement of coaxial bores created on the core of the adjacent vertebra;

wherein said cylinders and bores are centered essentially on the longitudinal axis of said cores and comprise a first pivot arrangement about which said vertebra can pivot relative to each other.

7. An articulation section according to claim 6, further comprising a pivot point created on the proximal end of the core of a vertebra, at the edge of said core on the side of the bending cable, and a pivot seat created on the core of the adjacent vertebra;

said pivot point and matching pivot seat comprising a second pivot arrangement.

8. An articulation section according to claim 7, wherein the core comprises a stopper and a recess, wherein, when the articulation section is assembled, the stopper of the core of one vertebra moves freely in the recess of the core of the adjacent vertebra.

9. An articulation section according to claim 8, wherein the stopper is flexible, allowing said articulation section to be over-bent/straightened.

10. An articulation section according to claim 7, wherein, when the bend cable is pulled causing said articulation section to bend, the adjacent vertebrae pivot about the first pivot arrangement until a predetermined bending angle is reached after which, upon further pulling of said bend cable, said adjacent vertebrae pivot about the second pivot arrangement.

11. An articulation section according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined bending angle is less than one degree from the designed maximum bending angle of said articulation section.

12. An articulation section according to claim 1, comprising an external cable, which passes through the insertion tube of the endoscope and the first few vertebrae of the articulation section, exits said articulation section through a hole in the shell of one of the vertebra, passes along the outside of the remainder of the vertebrae of said articulation section, and is attached to the outer surface of the distal tip.

13. An articulation section according to claim 1, wherein said articulation section is covered with a polymer or rubber sheath.

14. An articulation section according to claim 13, wherein the polymer or rubber sheath is adapted for use with an external cable.

15. An articulation section according to claim 3, wherein some or all of the parts are made from metal or plastic by injection molding, sinterizing, casting, forging, or stamping.

16. An articulation section according to claim 15, wherein said articulation section can be discarded after a single use.

17. A procedure for assembling the articulation section of claim 1 comprising the following steps:

(a) linking the vertebrae together;

(b) linking the proximal and distal vertebrae to the matching portions of the endoscope;

(c) inserting the coil pipe and/or the screw cable in its channel in the bore;

(d) attaching the plates to the cores with screws or other suitable fasteners;

(e) inserting the bend and the release cables in their respective channels;

(f) optionally, adjusting and checking the operation of said bend, release, and screw cables;

(g) attaching the right guides and left guides;

(h) inserting the remaining cables, fibers, tubes, and wires in their respective channels in said guides;

(i) optionally, adjusting and checking the operation of all the systems;

(j) attaching the lower shell and the upper shell using screws;

(k) sliding a sheath over the articulation section.