Tubed Manifold of a Multiple Viewing Elements Endoscope

• US 20160192822A1
• Filed: 01/05/2016
• Published: 07/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2015
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoChoice Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ofir, Yaniv
• Granted Patent: US 10,271,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00105 characterised by modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0011 Manufacturing of endoscope parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00193 adapted for stereoscopic vision
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/012 characterised by internal passages or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/051 Details of CCD assembly
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/24 Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports

Abstract

The specification describes a manifold for use in a tip section of a multi-viewing elements endoscope. The manifold has: a first section attached to an elongated second section, where the proximal section has a proximal socket and the distal section has a distal socket; a groove having a first portion along a first axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the manifold, and a second portion along a second axis tilted at an angle to the first axis; and a working channel tube wherein a distal segment of the tube extends along the first axis to lie within the first portion of the groove, and where a proximal segment of the tube extends along the second axis to lie within the second portion of the groove.

Claims

1. A manifold for use in a tip section of a multi-viewing elements endoscope, the manifold comprising:

a first section having a first width and a first length and comprising a proximal socket having an entry port and an exit port and a first fluidically isolated conduit there between;

an elongated second section attached to said proximal section and having a second width and a second length and comprising a distal socket having an entry port and an exit port and a second fluidically isolated conduit there between, wherein the second width is less than the first width and the second length is more than the first length;

a groove comprising a first portion extending from the entry port of the distal socket to the exit port of the proximal socket along a first axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the manifold, and a second portion extending from the entry port of the proximal socket to the exit port of the proximal socket along a second axis tilted at an angle to the first axis; and

a tube having a proximal end and a distal end and positioned in said groove, wherein said distal end is held within the second fluidically isolated conduit and said proximal end is held within the first fluidically isolated conduit, wherein a distal segment of the tube ending in the distal end extends along said first axis to lie within said first portion of the groove, and wherein a proximal segment of the tube ending in the proximal end extends along said second axis to lie in said second portion of the groove.

2. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the tube extends beyond the proximal socket.

3. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the tube is glued, laser-welded, or sewn to the proximal socket, and wherein the distal end of the tube is glued, laser-welded, or sewn to the distal socket.

4. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the proximal socket is partially open at an external surface of said manifold.

5. The manifold of claim 4, wherein a portion of the groove extending from the exit port of the proximal socket and an entry port of the distal socket is partially open along said external surface of said manifold.

6. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the distal and proximal segments are respectively first and second separate tube segments attached together at a predefined angle.

7. The manifold of claim 6, wherein the first and second separate tube segments are laser-welded, sewn or glued together at a predefined angle.

8. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the tube has a circular cross-section.

9. The manifold of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the tube ranges from 1 millimeter to 10.5 millimeters.

10. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the tube is made from one or more of a medical grade material, stainless steel, brass, and/or Teflon.

11. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the tube is autoclavable and reusable or disposable.

12. The manifold of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the tube is connected to a channel that runs from a handle through an elongated shaft and a bending section of the multi-viewing elements endoscope, and wherein said channel is defined by a third tube.

13. A multi-viewing elements endoscope comprising a manifold for use in a tip section of the endoscope, the manifold comprising:

a first section having a first width and a first length and comprising a proximal socket;

an elongated second section attached to said proximal section and having a second width and a second length and comprising a distal socket, wherein the second width is less than the first width and the second length is more than the first length;

a groove comprising a first portion extending from an exit port of the distal socket to an exit port of the proximal socket along a first axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the manifold, and a second portion extending from an entry port of the proximal socket to the exit port of the proximal socket along a second axis tilted at an angle to the first axis; and

a tube having a proximal end and a distal end and positioned in said groove, wherein said distal end is held within the distal socket and said proximal end extends out of the proximal socket, wherein a first segment of the tube ending in the distal end extends along said first axis to lie within said first portion of the groove, and wherein a second segment of the tube ending in the proximal end extends along said second axis to lie in said second portion of the groove.

14. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the first and second segments are respectively first and second separate tube segments attached together at a predefined angle.

15. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the tube has a circular cross-section.

16. The endoscope of claim 15, wherein a diameter of the tube ranges from 1 millimeter to 10.5 millimeters.

17. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the tube is made from a medical grade material.

18. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the tube is autoclavable and reusable or disposable

19. The endoscope of claim 13, wherein the proximal end of the tube is connected to a channel that runs from a handle through an elongated shaft and a bending section of the endoscope, and wherein said channel is defined by a third tube.

20. A method of using an endoscope having a fluid channeling component with a detachable working tube, wherein said fluid channeling component comprises a proximal socket, a groove, and a distal socket, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining said endoscope with said fluid channeling component;

inserting said detachable working tube through an endoscope working channel and through said proximal socket, groove, and distal socket of said fluid channeling component;

performing an endoscopic procedure which includes the insertion of one or more tools through said working tube;

removing said working tube through said distal socket, groove, and proximal socket of said fluid channeling component and through said endoscope working channel after said endoscopic procedure; and

,

cleaning or discarding said working tube.