Endoscopic instrument system having reduced backlash control wire action

• US 8,652,028 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Issued: 02/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W.
• Primary Examiner(s): KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN
• Application Number:
  US11/001,932
• Publication Number:
  US 20050107668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,365 Days
• Field of Search: 600/128, 600/130, 600153-159
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument has a control member, a portion of the member having an outer surface with a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The non-circular cross-sectional shape may be provided to the control member by providing peripheral projections or fins along the length of the portion or by providing the periphery of the portion with a polygonal shape. Where fins are used, the fins are preferably quite small and only have a minimal effect on the fluid flow cross-sectional area between the interior of the endoscope instrument shaft and the central control member. The resulting instrument has significantly reduced backlash in end effector assembly manipulation, while maintaining adequate fluid flow in the endoscope shaft. According to a second embodiment of the invention, a portion of the interior of the shaft of the endoscopic instrument has an interior surface having a non-circular cross-sectional shape by the inclusion of a plurality of radially spaced and inwardly directed ribs or by being polygonally shaped. The resulting endoscopic instrument likewise reduces the backlash experienced in operating the distal end effector assembly.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

an endoscope including an endoscope handle and a tubular member, the tubular member having a length, an inner surface, a first lumen defined along at least a portion of the length, and a second lumen defined along at least a portion of the length;

a shaft slidably disposed in the first lumen, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface;

wherein the shaft has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape;

a non-expandable sleeve disposed along and fixed to the outer surface of the shaft;

an optical scope disposed in second lumen;

wherein the sleeve has a transverse cross-sectional shape that is polygonal along a portion of its length;

wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter and the polygonal shape of the sleeve defines a maximum outer diameter of the sleeve that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubular member; and

an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the end effector including a biopsy tool.

2. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the end effector includes a biopsy forceps or a biopsy needle.

3. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

4. The medical device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

5. A medical device, comprising:

an endoscope including an endoscope handle and a tubular member, the tubular member having a length, an inner surface, a first lumen defined along at least a portion of the length, and a second lumen defined along at least a portion of the length;

a shaft slidably disposed in the first lumen, the shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface;

wherein the shaft has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape;

a sleeve attached to the outer surface of the shaft;

an optical scope disposed in second lumen;

wherein the sleeve has a transverse cross-sectional shape that is polygonal along a portion of its length;

wherein the polygonal shape of the sleeve defines a maximum outer diameter that is frictionally engaged with the tubular member so as to reduce backlash;

wherein the polygonal shape of the sleeve cooperates with the first lumen to define a plurality of spaces therebetween that permit fluid flow through the tubular member; and

an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the end effector including a biopsy tool.

6. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the end effector includes a biopsy forceps or a biopsy needle.

7. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a non-circular cross-sectional shape along a portion of its length.

8. The medical device of claim 5, wherein the inner surface of the tubular member has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape along its length.

9. A method for using a medical device, comprising the steps of:

providing an endoscope assembly, the endoscope assembly including;

an endoscope having a working channel extending therethrough and an optical channel extending therethrough, the endoscope having a length and an inner surface,

an endoscopic instrument slidably disposed in the working channel, the endoscopic instrument including a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, a length, and an outer surface,

wherein the shaft has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape;

a non-expandable sleeve fixed to the outer surface of the shaft;

an end effector disposed adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the end effector including a biopsy tool,

a handle disposed adjacent the proximal end of the shaft,

an optical scope disposed in optical channel;

wherein the sleeve has a transverse cross-sectional shape that is polygonal along a portion of its length, and

wherein the tubular member has an inner diameter and the polygonal shape of the sleeve defines a maximum outer diameter of the sleeve that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tubular member;

disposing the endoscope assembly adjacent a body orifice;

advancing the endoscopic instrument through the working channel so that the end effector is disposed within the body orifice; and

rotating the end effector with the handle.