Coupling joints on tubular spiralling loops of a steerable arm for an endoscope instrument channel

Abstract

Abstract A coil of spiralling loops to form a steerable arm 301, having a male coupling joint on one side of each loop or rib 909, and a female coupling joint on the other side of the rib 909. The male coupling joint 1401 is a neckless small, rounded head and the female coupling joint 1403 a shallow cradle. There is no need for the female couple to claw onto the head of the make coupling joint as the male coupling joint does not have a neck. Figure 15 Abstract A coil of spiralling loops to form a steerable arm 301, having a male coupling joint on one side of each loop or rib 909, and a female coupling joint on the other side of the rib 909. The male coupling joint 1401 is a neckless small, rounded head and the female coupling joint 1403 a shallow cradle. There is no need for the female couple to claw onto the head of the make coupling joint as the male coupling joint does not have a neck. Figure 15 20 25 20 22 93 31 M ar 2 02 5 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 2 9 3 3 1 M a r 2 0 2 5 h a v e a n e c k . 707 1403 1401 909 Figure 15 14 / 27 20 25 20 22 93 31 M ar 2 02 5 1 4 0 1 F i g u r e 1 5 1 4 / 2 7 6 0 6 1 4 0 3 2 0 2 5 2 0 2 2 9 3 3 1 M a r 2 0 2 5

Description

2025202293   31 Mar 2025 10 nasal endoscopes 400 or transurethral resectoscopes. Where these devices do not have an inner channel for inserting the flexible surgical instrument 300, an additional sheath can be made which maybe slipped over the device to create a channel for the flexible surgical instrument 300. 15 20

Claims

1. A a steerable arm configured for the biopsy channel of an endoscope,comprisinga continuum structure of a resilient material in the form of a hollow tubular member,the tubular member comprising a tubular coil of spiralling loops having a column of coupling joints on opposite sides of the tubular coil;each coupling joint being between adjacent loops, a round neckless head for a male part on one of the adjacent loops and a cradle for a female part on the other of the adjacent loops;the tubular member having a curvature that changes when a loop on the distal end of the tubular coil is pulled on by a wire to close;the continuum structure providing a bias such that the curvature change reverses when the pull is released.

2. A continuum tubular member for a steerable arm configured to fit into a biopsy of an endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, the tubular coil being in two sections whereinthe curvature change of the each section is in a different plane.

3. A continuum tubular member for a steerable arm configured to fit into abiopsy of an endoscope, as claimed in claim 1 or 2, whereinthe tubular member is curved in a rest state, such that there is aconcave side and a convex side to the tubular member;the edges of the loops on the convex side are spaced apart;the edge of each of the loops on the concave side abutting theedge of each adjacent loop.

4. A continuum tubular member for a steerable arm configured to fit into a biopsy of an endoscope, as claimed in claim 3, wherein2025202293   31 Mar 2025the loops have different spiral pitches and / or spacing variations along different parts of the steerable arm, in order to provide the different parts with different flexibility.

5. A continuum tubular member for a steerable arm configured to fit into a biopsy of an endoscope, as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe steerable arm is placed at the distal end of a transmission tube;the transmission tube containing a channel in which the wire is threaded;the proximal end of the wires connected to knobs and / or levers for pulling on the wire; such thatthe curvature changes when the distal end of the tubular member is pulled on by the wire at the proximal end of the transmission tube.

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