Articulation joint

• US 8,622,894 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2011
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Banik, Michael S., Boulais, Dennis R., Couvillon, Lucien Alfred Jr., Chin, Albert C. C., Hunter, Ian W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US13/341,191
• Publication Number:
  US 20120165608A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 600/139, 600/141, 600/142, 600/146, 600/149
• US Class Current: 600/142
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00071 Insertion part of the endoscope body A61B1/0055 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00096 Optical elements
• 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 1/0057 Constructional details of force transmission elements, e.g. control wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• 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 1/0638 providing two or more wavelengths
• 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 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00309 Cut-outs or slits
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 : using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 : using white LEDs

Abstract

An endoscopic imaging system includes a reusable control cabinet having a number of actuators that control the orientation of a lightweight endoscope that is connectable thereto. The endoscope is used with a single patient and is then disposed. The endoscope includes an illumination mechanism, an image sensor and an elongate shaft having one or more lumens located therein. A polymeric articulation joint at the distal end of the endoscope allows the distal end to be oriented by the control cabinet. The endoscope is coated with a hydrophilic coating that reduces its coefficient of friction and because it is lightweight, requires less force to advance it to a desired location within a patient.

Claims

1. An articulation joint for use in a steerable medical device, comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each connector including;

a body portion defining a first lumen and having a planar end that is substantially planar in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the body portion;

an insert portion extending axially and radially away from the planar end of the body portion and defining a second lumen extending from the first lumen of the body portion;

a slot extending through a middle and sides of the insertion portion; and

a plurality of openings extending through the body portion and surrounding an outer surface of the first lumen;

wherein the insert portion of a connector is configured to be inserted into a first lumen of an adjacent connector to couple the connector to the adjacent connector.

2. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein the body portion completely surrounds the first lumen.

3. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein the first lumen opens into the second lumen.

4. The articulation joint of claim 3, wherein the first lumen includes a diameter larger than a diameter of the second lumen.

5. The articulation joint of claim 4, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first lumen is complementary with a cross-sectional shape of the insert portion.

6. The articulation joint of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of control members disposed in the plurality of openings of the plurality of connectors, wherein actuation of the plurality of control members is configured to articulate the articulation joint.

7. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein the insert portion includes a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body portion.

8. The articulation joint of claim 7, wherein, when the insert portion is inserted into the first lumen of the adjacent connector, the body portion surrounds the outer surface of the insert portion.

9. The articulation joint of claim 8, wherein the first lumens of adjacent connectors are in flow communication with each other.

10. The articulation joint of claim 1, wherein each opening extends axially through the body portion from a first end of the body portion to a second end of the body portion opposite the first end, and each opening does not extend through the insert portion.

11. An articulation joint for a medical device, comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each connector including;

a body portion defining a first lumen and having a planar end that is substantially planar in a transverse direction to a longitudinal axis of the body portion;

an insert portion extending axially and radially away from the planar end of the body portion and defining a second lumen extending from the first lumen of the body portion;

a slot extending through a middle and sides of the insertion portion; and

a plurality of openings axially extending through a wall of the body portion and positioned around the first lumen;

wherein the insert portion of a connector is configured to be inserted into a first lumen of an adjacent connector to couple the connector to the adjacent connector.

12. The articulation joint of claim 11, wherein the first lumen opens into the second lumen.

13. The articulation joint of claim 12, wherein the first lumen includes a diameter larger than a diameter of the insert portion.

14. The articulation joint of claim 13, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the first lumen is complementary with a cross-sectional shape of the insert portion.

15. An articulation joint of claim 11, wherein the body portion completely surrounds the first lumen;

wherein the first lumen opens into the second lumen, the first lumen includes a diameter larger than a diameter of the second lumen, a cross-sectional shape of the first lumen is complementary with a cross-sectional shape of the insert portion, and the insert portion includes a diameter smaller than a diameter of the body portion;

wherein each opening extends axially through the body portion from a first end of the body portion to a second end of the body portion;

wherein, when the insert portion is inserted into the first lumen of the adjacent connector, the body portion surrounds the outer surface of the insert portion; and

wherein the first lumens of adjacent connectors are in flow communication with each other.

16. The articulation joint of claim 15, wherein at least one opening of each connector extends through the body portion of the connector, and wherein the insert portion of the connector is configured to move relative to the first lumen of the adjacent connector.

17. The articulation joint of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of control members disposed in the plurality of openings of the plurality of connectors, wherein actuation of the plurality of control members is configured to articulate the articulation joint.