An outer sleeve, a system comprising the outer sleeve and a method of operating the system

Abstract

An overtube comprising: a connector body defining an internal lumen through which an insertion portion of an endoscope is insertable along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the internal lumen; and a connection mechanism comprising: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to define a stable, balanced first position radially distal to the longitudinal axis, and to move from the stable, balanced first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the first position by a radial force, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion portion to limit relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis by a driving force.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an outer sleeve that can be attached to and detached from the insertion portion of an insertion device, an insertion device having an outer sleeve attached thereto and detachable thereto, and a method for attaching the outer sleeve to the insertion device and removing the outer sleeve from the insertion device. Background Technology

[0002] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2017 / 0071447A1 (U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 362942, U.S. Patent No. US9895051B2) describes an insert portion attached to an insertion device such as an endoscope and an outer sheath detached therefrom. With the outer sheath attached to the insert portion, the outer sheath is driven to rotate relative to the insert portion. As the outer sheath rotates, the insert portion penetrates deeper into the cavity as its outer surface presses against the wall of the cavity into which the insert portion is inserted, causing the insert portion to penetrate the cavity more proximally.

[0003] The outer tube may include a pawl that can move from a first position radially away from the longitudinal axis of the outer tube to a second position closer to the longitudinal axis of the outer tube to engage a portion of the endoscope insertion portion disposed within the lumen of the outer tube.

[0004] During the attachment and disengagement of the outer sheath from the endoscope insertion section, the pawl remains in a first position radially away from the longitudinal axis of the outer sheath.

[0005] With the outer sleeve attached to the insert portion, the pawl is in a second position and engages with a circumferential groove on the outer surface of the insert portion. In the second position, the pawl restricts relative movement between the outer sleeve and the insert portion along the longitudinal axis.

[0006] However, during the attachment and disengagement of the outer cannula from the endoscope insertion portion, as the outer cannula moves relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, the pawl positioned in the first position can come into contact with the outer surface of the insertion portion. This contact between the pawl and the outer surface of the insertion portion can cause damage to the outer surface of the insertion portion. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an outer sleeve is provided that can be attached to an insertion portion of an endoscope. The outer sleeve includes: a connector body defining a lumen through which the insertion portion can be inserted along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the lumen; and a connection mechanism including: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to have a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and to move by a radial force from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion portion to restrict relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis by a driving force.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the invention, a system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion; and an outer sleeve attachable to the insertion portion of the endoscope, the outer sleeve including: a connector body defining a lumen through which the insertion portion is insertable along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the lumen; and a connection mechanism including: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to have a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and to move by a radial force from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion portion to restrict relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating an operating system includes: an endoscope including an insertion portion; and an outer sheath attachable to the insertion portion of the endoscope, the outer sheath including: a connector body defining a lumen through which the insertion portion is insertable along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening of the lumen; and a connection mechanism including: a connector movably attached to the connector body, wherein the connector is configured to have a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and to move by radial force from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, and wherein, in the second position, the connector is configured to engage the insertion portion. To restrict relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along a longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force, the method includes: inserting the insertion portion of an endoscope along the longitudinal axis through the cavity of the connector body; applying a radial force to the connector to move the connector from a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, to engage the insertion portion, thereby restricting relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis; and when the connector is in the second position by applying the radial force, applying a driving force to rotate the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 The diagram schematically illustrates an endoscope device according to an embodiment of the present invention, namely an endoscope and a rotating unit that can be attached thereto.

[0011] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A diagram showing the side surface opposite the operating section of the endoscope.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a drive unit disposed in the insertion portion of the endoscope body and configured to rotate the tube of the rotating unit.

[0013] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The sectional view taken by line BB.

[0014] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The sectional view taken by the CC line.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view showing the tube of the rotating unit.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a perspective view showing the proximal sleeve of the connector.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the proximal sleeve of the connector as viewed from the distal side.

[0018] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 The sectional view taken by line DD.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a perspective view showing the release button body of the connector.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the connector's release button body as viewed from the distal end.

[0021] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the connector's release button body as viewed from the proximal side.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a perspective view showing the locking collar of the rotating unit.

[0023] Figure 14 It is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment state between the insertion portion of the endoscope and the tube of the rotating unit.

[0024] Figure 15 This is a top view showing the release button body and locking collar in the unlocked position.

[0025] Figure 16 This is a top view showing the release button body and locking collar in the locked position.

[0026] Figure 17 It is along Figure 15 The sectional view taken by line EE in the middle.

[0027] Figure 18 It is along Figure 16 The sectional view is taken from line FF in the middle.

[0028] Figure 19 It is along the perpendicular to Figure 17 A cross-sectional view showing the direction of the section shown.

[0029] Figure 20 It is along the perpendicular to Figure 18 A cross-sectional view showing the direction of the section shown.

[0030] Figure 21 It is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment state between the insertion part of the endoscope and the tube of the rotating unit.

[0031] Figure 22 This is a top view showing another embodiment of the connector, and the locking collar is in both an unlocked (top) configuration and a locked (bottom) configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an endoscope device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The endoscope device 1 includes an endoscope system 10 and an outer cannula 100.

[0034] First, the endoscope system 10 will be described. The endoscope system 10 may include an endoscope 11, a controller (or control unit) 12, a light source (or light source unit) 13, an input device (or input unit) 14, and a display (or display unit) 15, which are examples of insertion devices.

[0035] The endoscope 11 may include an elongated insertion portion 16 and an operating portion 17 disposed on the proximal side of the insertion portion 16. The insertion portion 16 may have an elongated tubular member disposed on the distal side of the endoscope 11. The insertion portion 16 may include a distal rigid portion 18, a curved portion 19 disposed on the proximal side of the distal rigid portion 18, and a flexible tube portion 20 disposed on the proximal side of the curved portion 19. The distal rigid portion 18 may include an illumination optics system, an observation optics system, and an image sensor, etc., not shown. By operating the operating portion 17, the curved portion 19 can be controlled to bend in a desired direction. For example, the flexible tube portion 20 may be flexible to follow the curved shape of the body cavity into which the insertion portion 16 is inserted. A channel 21 may be defined to extend within the insertion portion 16 to accommodate the insertion of the drive shaft 51 of the drive mechanism 50 of the endoscope 11. The drive mechanism 50 will be described later.

[0036] The operating section 17 can be connected to the flexible tube section 20 via the stop 22. Illumination optical fibers and wires can be arranged from the interior of the insertion section 16 into the interior of the operating section 17. The illumination optical fiber has a distal end connected to the illumination optics system of the distal rigid section 18. The wire has a distal end connected to the image sensor of the distal rigid section 18. The illumination optical fiber and wire can be contained in a universal cable 23 extending from the proximal side of the operating section 17. A endoscopic connector 24 can be provided at the proximal end of the universal cable 23. The universal cable 23 is configured to connect to the controller 12 and the light source 13 via the endoscopic connector 24. A drive source attachment port 25 can be provided on the operating section 17, communicating with a channel 21 located inside the insertion section 16.

[0037] The controller 12 is electrically connected to the endoscope 11, the light source 13, the input device 14, and the display 15. The controller 12 controls the operation of the endoscope 11 and its connected peripheral devices (such as the light source 13 and the drive source 40 described later). The controller 12 may include an image processor (not shown). The light source 13 provides illumination light to an illumination optics system arranged in the distal rigid section 18 via an illumination fiber. The input device 14 may include devices such as a keyboard and mouse and receives user-input commands. The display 15 may include a liquid crystal display to display images acquired by the image sensor of the distal rigid section 18 and processed by the controller 12, as well as operational information.

[0038] Figure 2 It means Figure 1 A diagram showing the side surface opposite to the operating portion 17 of the endoscope 11. The operating portion 17 may include a treatment tool insertion port 26 communicating with a treatment tool channel (not shown) extending within the insertion portion 16. The treatment tool insertion port 26 may be connected to... Figure 1 The drive source attachment ports 25 shown are arranged side by side. Treatment tools such as ultrasound probes and biopsy forceps can be inserted into treatment tool insertion ports 26.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, a bending operation knob 27 may be provided on the side surface of the operating part 17 to receive an operation input that bends the bending portion 19 in a desired direction. Inside the operating part 17, the proximal end of a bending line (not shown) for bending the bending portion 19 may be connected to a shaft coupled to the bending operation knob 27. The distal end of the bending line may be connected to the distal end of the bending portion 19. When the user rotates the bending operation knob 27, the bending line coupled to it is pulled, thereby bending the bending portion 19.

[0040] The operating section 17 may be equipped with various types of switches 28, 29, 30, and 31, such as an air / water supply switch, a suction switch, an imaging switch, and another changeover switch, to switch predetermined functions. The operating section 17 may also be equipped with a rotary operation input switch 32 to output a signal to the controller 12 for rotating the outer sleeve 100 about the central axis A1 of the insertion section 16. For example, when the user presses the position indicated by reference numeral 32a to tilt the switch 32, the rotary operation input switch 32 outputs a signal to the controller 12 to rotate the outer sleeve 100 in a first direction (e.g., clockwise). When the user presses the position indicated by reference numeral 32b to tilt the switch 32, the rotary operation input switch 32 outputs a signal to the controller 12 to rotate the outer sleeve 100 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g., counterclockwise).

[0041] Next, refer to Figure 1A drive source 40 for rotating the drive sleeve 100 about the central axis A1 can be attached to a drive source attachment port 25. The drive source 40 may include a motor body 41 containing a rotating shaft and a motor cable 42 extending from the motor body 41. The outer circumference of the motor body 41 may be held on the drive source attachment port 25 by a retaining ring (not shown). The rotating shaft of the motor body 41 can be connected to the drive shaft 51 of the drive mechanism 50, which will be described later. The proximal end of the motor cable 42 is electrically connected to the controller 12.

[0042] Next, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The outer tube 100 will be described. The outer tube 100 may include a rotatable tube 101, which may include a generally cylindrical tube body 110 and a connector 120 disposed on the proximal side of the tube body 110. The rotatable tube 101 may be a disposal tube detachably attached to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16. The connector 120 is configured to attach the rotatable tube 101 to the insertion portion 16 on the proximal side of the rotatable tube 101.

[0043] The rotatable tube 101 can extend along the longitudinal axis A2 from the distal and proximal openings of the cavity 111 defined by the rotatable tube 101. When the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the insertion portion 16, the longitudinal axis A2 can be coaxial with the aforementioned rotation center axis A1. The insertion portion 16 can be inserted and retracted through the cavity 111 of the rotatable tube 101.

[0044] When the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the insertion portion 16 via the connector 120, the inner circumferential surface of the rotatable tube 101 defining the inner cavity 111 can have a shape that substantially matches the shape of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16.

[0045] The tube body 110 may be a flexible tube including a corrugated outer surface. The tube body 110 may be made of a resin material such as polyurethane. At least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tube body 110 may be provided with helical fins 112, arranged in a clockwise helical manner when viewed from the proximal end. The helical fins 112 may be fixed to the tube body 110 by bonding or welding, or formed integrally with the tube body 110, and may protrude radially from the outer circumferential surface of the tube body 110. The helical fins 112 may be solid or hollow, or may be filled with fluid. The helical fins 112 may be deformable such that when the helical fins 112 advance within a narrow cavity, the helical fins 112 have a reduced shape to easily pass through the narrow cavity, and when the helical fins 112 perform the desired rotational advance after passing through the narrow cavity, the helical fins 112 have an expanded shape. The spiral fins 112 can be formed from materials such as polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicone resin, tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), medical stainless steel, tantalum, titanium, or nickel-titanium alloy.

[0046] Next, the drive mechanism 50 of the endoscope 11, which rotates the outer sleeve 100, will be described. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing the drive mechanism 50 disposed in the insertion portion 16 of the endoscope 11. Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The view is a cross-sectional view taken from line BB. The drive mechanism 50 may include a drive shaft 51 and a gearbox 52. The gearbox 52 may include a rotary gear 53, an internal gear 54, and a drive roller 55.

[0047] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the proximal end of the drive shaft 51 is connected to the rotation axis of the motor body 41. The drive shaft 51 can be arranged in a channel 21 extending inside the insertion portion 16. The drive shaft 51 can have, for example, a multi-layered structure with cylindrical mesh-woven metal wires superimposed therein, or it can be formed by multiple layers of wires, with clockwise and counterclockwise wires superimposed therein, and has rotational following and flexibility to the motor body 41.

[0048] A rotating gear 53 of a gearbox 52 may be provided at the distal end of the drive shaft 51. When a rotational force about the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 51 is applied to the proximal end of the drive shaft 51, the drive shaft 51 can rotate the rotating gear 53. The external teeth 53a of the rotating gear 53 mesh with the internal teeth 54a of the internal gear 54 provided on the outer circumference of the insertion portion 16. The shaft 56 of the drive roller 55 is attached to the internal gear 54. Therefore, the driving force from the motor body 41 of the drive source 40 is transmitted from the drive shaft 51 to rotate the rotating gear 53, the internal gear 54, and the drive roller 55 of the drive gearbox 52.

[0049] The internal gear 54 and the drive roller 55 can be arranged to be displaced from each other in the longitudinal axial direction. With this structure, a space is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the internal gear 54, extending no more than the height of the drive roller 55. In this embodiment, a support portion 70 can be disposed in this space. The support portion 70 is disposed on the base member 57 and serves as an opening, which is slidably fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the proximal end of the internal gear 54. In other words, in the longitudinal axial direction of the endoscope 11, the support portion 70 is arranged to overlap the meshing portion between the outer teeth 53a of the rotating gear 53 and the inner teeth 54a of the internal gear 54.

[0050] The internal gear 54 and drive roller 55 can be covered by a cover 60 on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16. The cover 60 has radial protrusions 60a formed on its outer surface by covering the drive roller 55. The cover 60 can be a waterproof sheet component, providing a barrier or seal to protect the internal gear 54, drive roller 55, and other components of the endoscope 11 disposed therein. The cover 60 maintains the watertightness of the endoscope 11 (insertion portion 16) and prevents the penetration of water or other fluids. The cover 60 can be secured to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16 using a cover fixing material 61. The cover 60 can be attached to the cover fixing material 61 via a spool connection.

[0051] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view is taken from line CC. As described above, the outer circumferential surface of the drive roller 55 of the drive mechanism 50 can be covered by a cover 60 in the radial direction outside the insertion portion 16. In the radial direction outside the cover 60, the rollers 150 of the connector 120, described later, can be arranged one after another, with protrusions 60a inserted therebetween to abut against the outer circumferential surface of the cover 60. The rollers 150 can also abut against the inner circumferential surface of the connector body 140 of the connector 120 of the rotatable tube 101, described later, in the radial direction outside the insertion portion 16.

[0052] When the drive mechanism 50 is activated, the driving force from the drive source 40 is transmitted to the drive roller 55 via the drive shaft 51, the rotating gear 53 of the gearbox 52, and the internal gear 54. In this way, the drive roller 55 rotates about the rotation axis A1. The drive roller 55 and roller 150 rotate on the cover 60 to reduce friction caused by the cover 60. Because the cover 60 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16, the cover 60 does not rotate relative to the insertion portion 16. In contrast, the two rollers 150 hold the drive roller 55 between them, thereby transmitting the rotational motion of the internal gear 54 to the rotatable tube 101 outside the cover 60. Therefore, the driving force from the drive source 40 is transmitted from the drive mechanism 50 to the outer tube 100, and the outer tube 100 is driven to rotate about the rotation axis A1. For example, when examining the small or large intestine, the outer cannula 100 advances while pressing the folds of the small and large intestinal walls against the spiral fins 112 of the rotating tube body 110 proximally to assist in the insertion of the insertion portion 16.

[0053] As an alternative to roller 150, a cam (not shown) may be provided. When drive mechanism 50 is driven, driving force from drive source 40 is transmitted to drive roller 55 via drive shaft 51, rotating gear 53 of gearbox 52, and internal gear 54. In this way, drive roller 55 rotates about axis of rotation A1. Because cover 60 is fixed to the outer circumferential surface of insertion portion 16, cover does not rotate relative to insertion portion 16. In contrast, two cams hold drive roller 55 between the two cams, thereby driving roller 55 to transmit the rotational motion of internal gear 54 to rotatable tube 101 outside cover. Thus, driving force from drive source 40 is transmitted from drive mechanism 50 to outer tube 100, and outer tube 100 is driven to rotate about axis of rotation A1.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the inner circumferential surface of the rotatable tube 101 may be provided with a support surface 66, which is located on the proximal side outside the drive roller 55 that transmits the driving force, and engages with a support surface 68 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the base member 70. Support surfaces 66 and 68 are circumferential surfaces. The inner diameter of the support surface 66 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the support surface 68, such that as the rotatable tube 101 rotates relative to the insertion portion 16, the support surface 66 can slide relative to the support surface 68. Specifically, the support surfaces 66 and 68 serve as radial movement limiting mechanisms to restrict the movement of the rotatable tube 101 in the radial direction of the insertion portion 16.

[0055] Next, the connector 120 of the rotatable tube 101 of the outer tube 100 will be described, as follows: Figure 1 As shown. Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view showing the rotatable tube 101 of the outer sleeve 100. The connector 120 may include an annular proximal sleeve 130, a connector body 140, and the aforementioned roller 150 (or cam). The proximal sleeve 130 may engage with the proximal end of the connector body 140. The proximal sleeve 130 and the connector body 140 may rotatably retain the roller 150 (or cam). The connector body 140 may also engage with a locking collar 160, which, as described below, may slide in the longitudinal axis direction of the rotatable tube 101.

[0056] Figures 7 to 9 These are, respectively, a perspective view of the proximal sleeve 130, a front view viewed from the distal side, and a view along... Figure 8 The cross-sectional view is taken from line DD. The proximal sleeve 130 may include six cutouts 132 formed in the distal end of the cylindrical wall 131, and six roller retainers 133 arranged in the respective cutouts 132. The roller retainers 133 protrude radially from the inner circumferential surface of the proximal sleeve 130 to retain the rollers 150 substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insertion portion 16 when the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the insertion portion 16. One end of each of the six rollers 150 is held by a corresponding roller retainer 133 to be rotatable about an axis. Three engagement portions 131a are formed on the distal side of the cylindrical wall 131 of the proximal sleeve 130, each engagement portion having an uneven shape on its outer surface. These engagement portions 131a engage with corresponding engagement portions 141a formed on the inner circumference of the large-diameter portion 141 of the connector body 140, which will be described later. The large-diameter inner circumferential surface 130a on the inner circumference of the proximal sleeve 130, provided on the proximal side, has a corresponding support surface 66 (see above). Figure 3 The structure is such that it slides into the surface of the insertion portion 16 corresponding to the support surface 68.

[0057] Figure 10-12 These are, respectively, a perspective view of the connector body 140, a front view viewed from the distal end, and a rear view viewed from the proximal end.

[0058] The connector body 140 may include a large-diameter portion 141 on the proximal side, a medium-diameter portion 143 in the middle, and a small-diameter portion 147 on the distal side.

[0059] The outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 141 can be larger than the outer diameter of the medium-diameter portion 143. Furthermore, the outer diameter of the medium-diameter portion 143 can be larger than the outer diameter of the small-diameter portion 147.

[0060] The inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 141 can be larger than the inner diameters of the medium-diameter portion 143 and the small-diameter portion 147, and the inner diameters of the medium-diameter portion 143 and the small-diameter portion 147 can be substantially equal. Furthermore, the inner circumferential surfaces of the large-diameter portion 141, the medium-diameter portion 143, and the small-diameter portion 147 form part of the inner cavity 111 in the rotatable tube 101, and have a shape that allows the distal portion of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16 to be inserted into and pass through the inner cavity 111, and the proximal portion of the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16 to be arranged within the inner cavity 111.

[0061] The large-diameter portion 141 may be provided with six roller retaining portions 142 to retain the other ends of the six rollers 150. The roller retaining portions 142, together with the roller retaining portions 133 of the proximal sleeve 130, rotatably retain the respective rollers 150 in the axial direction. The large-diameter portion 141, together with the proximal sleeve 130 and the rollers 150, forms a rotary engagement mechanism 180 (e.g., Figure 6 (as shown), so that the rotatable tube 101 can be rotatably engaged to the insertion portion 16.

[0062] As described above, the rotary engagement mechanism 180 is configured to engage with the protrusion 60a formed on the cover 60 and receive a driving force from the drive mechanism 50. The rotary engagement mechanism 180 is disposed on the rotatable tube 101, receives a driving force from the drive mechanism 50, and rotates relative to the insertion portion 16 inserted through the inner cavity 111 of the tube body 110.

[0063] like Figure 13 and 17 As shown in Figure 21, the connector body 140 may be provided with one or more connectors 144 movably attached to a medium-diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140. Each of the one or more connectors 144 may be movably attached to the medium-diameter portion 143 to hold each of the one or more connectors 144 in a stable, balanced first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2 of the rotatable tube 101, and to be moved radially closer to the longitudinal axis A2 of the rotatable tube 101 than the stable, balanced first position by applying an external force thereon, to engage with a groove (concave portion) 59 arranged in the insertion portion 16, as described later, thereby forming a locking mechanism 170. The external force may include, for example, an external radial force toward the longitudinal axis A2.

[0064] In one configuration, the stable balance first position of each connector 144 can be set such that when the distal portion of the insertion portion 16 moves along the longitudinal axis A2 through the inner cavity 111 of the rotatable tube 101, the connectors 144 collectively provide sufficient clearance and do not contact the distal portion of the insertion portion 16, and when the rotary engagement mechanism 180 moves to a position engaging with the protrusion 60a formed on the cover 60 to receive the driving force from the drive mechanism 50, it does not contact the proximal portion of the insertion portion 16 located in the inner cavity 111.

[0065] In another configuration, the stable balance first position of each of one or more connectors 144 can be set at a substantially equal distance radially away from the longitudinal axis A2, such that when the distal portion of the insertion portion 16 moves along the longitudinal axis A2 through the inner cavity 111 of the rotatable tube 101, the one or more connectors 144 provide sufficient clearance and do not contact the distal portion of the insertion portion 16, and when the rotary engagement mechanism 180 moves to a position engaging with the protrusion 60a formed on the cover 60 to receive the driving force from the drive mechanism 50, it does not contact the proximal portion of the insertion portion 16 located within the inner cavity 111.

[0066] More specifically, each connector 144 may include a locking surface 144a. In a stable, balanced first position, such as... Figure 17 and 19 As shown, the locking surface 144a is arranged radially away from the longitudinal axis A2 by at least a predetermined distance to provide sufficient clearance, thereby allowing the distal portion of the insertion portion 16 to move along the longitudinal axis A2 through the cavity 111 without contacting the locking surface 144a.

[0067] In this embodiment, each of one or more connectors 144 can be biased to return to a stable equilibrium first position further away from the longitudinal axis A2 than the second position. Therefore, when the external force is removed, each of the one or more connectors 144 moves from its respective second position to the stable equilibrium first position to provide sufficient clearance for the distal portion of the insertion portion 16 to move along the longitudinal axis A2 through the inner cavity 111 of the rotatable tube 101 without contacting the distal portion of the insertion portion 16.

[0068] An example of a connector 144 that can be biased to return to a stable equilibrium first position will be described. Connector 144 may include a protrusion 144b that includes a locking surface 144a. Connector 144 may also include a hinge 144c configured to movably attach the protrusion 144b to a connector body 140. Hinge 144c is configured to bias the protrusion 144b to return to a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2. Furthermore, the protrusion 144b is configured to move by an external force to pivot along hinge 144c from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position to engage the locking surface 144a with a corresponding portion of the insertion portion 16, thereby restricting movement of the connector body 140 relative to the insertion portion 16 along the longitudinal axis A2 while allowing the connector body 140 to rotate relative to the insertion portion 16 about the longitudinal axis A2.

[0069] The protrusion 144b and hinge 144c can be formed from a single material as a movable hinge. Furthermore, the protrusion 144b, hinge 144c, and connector body 140 can all be formed from a single material as a movable hinge. The movable hinge can be formed as a flat hinge, wherein the protrusion 144b and connector body 140 are formed to be thicker and more rigid than hinge 144c. The protrusion 144b and hinge 144c can be formed by molding. Furthermore, hinge 144c can be formed, for example, by thinning or cutting, to be flexible and bias the protrusion 144b to return to a stable equilibrium first position. As long as hinge 144c is biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position, hinge 144c does not need to be thinner than protrusion 144b. Other embodiments of the movable hinge are also considered. For example, the protrusion 144b and hinge 144c can be formed as a double hinge, a butterfly hinge, or a bistable hinge.

[0070] In the above example where the connector 144 includes a protrusion 144b and a hinge 144c, the protrusion 144b may further include a locking surface 144a. In the stable equilibrium of the first and second positions, the locking surface 144a may be the radially closest surface of the connector 144 to the longitudinal axis A2. The locking surface 144a may be formed as a convex protrusion, such as... Figure 13 As shown. Alternatively, the locking surface 144a may define a concave groove 146, as... Figure 21 As shown. Furthermore, as... Figure 13 As shown, the insertion portion 16 may define one of the convex protrusions and concave grooves 59 of the locking surface 144a of the receiving protrusion 144b. Alternatively, as Figure 21 As shown, the insertion portion 16 can form a convex protrusion that is received by the concave groove of the locking surface 144a.

[0071] Based on the above-described convex protrusion and concave groove structure, the protrusion 144b can be moved by external force to pivot from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position along the hinge 144c, so as to engage one of the convex protrusion and concave groove forming the locking surface 144a with one of the concave groove and convex protrusion defined by the insertion portion, respectively, so as to engage the locking surface 144a with the insertion portion 16, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body 140 relative to the insertion portion 16 about the longitudinal axis A2.

[0072] exist Figure 13 and 17 In one configuration shown in -21, hinge 144c can be arranged closer to rotary engagement mechanism 180 than locking surface 144a along longitudinal axis A2. Figure 22 In the alternative configuration shown, the locking surface 144a may be arranged closer to the rotary engagement mechanism 180 than the hinge 144c along the longitudinal axis A2.

[0073] Other mechanisms by which one or more connectors 144 can be moved to a stable equilibrium first position and remain in stable equilibrium are also considered to be covered by this disclosure. For example, each of the one or more connectors may be cantilevered, having a stable equilibrium first position, and may be moved by external force to a second position to engage the insertion portion 16, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body 140 relative to the insertion portion 16 about the longitudinal axis A2.

[0074] The medium-diameter portion 143 may also be provided with a release button 145 that protrudes radially from its outer surface. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the release button 145 is cantilevered and supported by a medium-diameter portion 143. This configuration allows the release button 145 to move in a substantially radial direction when the user pushes the release button 145 from above or slides the locking collar 160 onto the release button 145. The release button 145 also forms a locking mechanism 170 by engaging with an opening 161 in the locking collar 160.

[0075] The small diameter portion 147 may include a joint portion 148 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the small diameter portion 147. The joint portion 148 may be attached to a corresponding joint portion 113 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the proximal end of the tube body 110.

[0076] Next, the attachment state between the insertion portion 16 of the endoscope 11 and the rotatable tube 101 of the outer tube 100 will be described, wherein the connector 144 is in the second position.

[0077] Figure 13This is a cross-sectional view showing the attachment state between the insertion portion 16 and the rotatable tube 101. In the insertion portion 16, an annular receiving member 58 may be provided on the distal side of the drive roller 55 to receive the connector 144 of the connector body 140 of the connector 120. The receiving member 58 may be part of the gearbox 52 and serves as a fixed portion that does not rotate relative to the insertion portion 16. The receiving member 58 may be arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16 and may include a distal side 58a with a larger radial height and a proximal side 58b with a smaller radial height than the distal side 58a. The distal side 58a may be provided with a groove 59 that is recessed in the radial direction and extends circumferentially along the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16. The distal side of the cover 60 is fixed to the proximal side 58b.

[0078] As described above, the rotatable tube 101 of the outer tube 100 may include one or more connectors 144 disposed in the medium diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140. Specifically, the connectors 144 may be arranged on the distal side, extending beyond the proximal sleeve 130, roller 150, and large diameter portion 141 of the connector body 140 in which the rotary engagement mechanism 180 is formed in the rotatable tube 101.

[0079] like Figure 17 and 19 As shown, when the rotary engagement mechanism 180 moves to a position engaging with the protrusion 60a formed on the cover 60 to receive driving force from the drive mechanism 50, each connector 144 can be moved to a second position by applying external force to engage a corresponding portion of the insertion portion 16 located within the inner cavity 111. In the second position, one or more connectors 144 engage a corresponding portion of the insertion portion 16 to restrict relative movement of the connector body 140 and the insertion portion 16 along the longitudinal axis A2, while allowing the connector body 140 to rotate relative to the insertion portion 16 about the longitudinal axis A2 by a driving force.

[0080] It should be noted that when the rotatable tube 101 is driven to rotate by the driving force from the drive mechanism 50, the engagement of each connector 144 with the corresponding portion of the insertion portion 16 may include continuous or intermittent contact between each connector 144 and the corresponding portion of the insertion portion 16, provided that such contact restricts the relative movement of the connector body 140 and the insertion portion 16 along the longitudinal axis A2, while allowing the connector body 140 to rotate relative to the insertion portion 16 along the longitudinal axis A2 by the driving force.

[0081] The locking surface 144a of the connector 144 can protrude from the inner surface of the intermediate diameter portion 143 in the inner diameter direction and can engage with the groove 59 formed in the receiving member 58. The locking surface 144a can engage with the groove 59 to restrict the movement of the rotatable tube 101 relative to the insertion portion 16 along the longitudinal axis direction of the rotatable tube 101 (or the insertion portion 16). Furthermore, when the locking surface 144a engages with the groove 59, as the rotatable tube 101 rotates, the locking surface 144a can move in the circumferential direction along the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16.

[0082] The inner circumferential surface of the rotatable tube 101 (the inner circumferential surface of the medium diameter portion 143) can be provided with support surfaces 62 on the distal and proximal sides of the locking surface 144a, and the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion 16 (the outer circumferential surface of the receiving member 58) can be provided with support surfaces 64 on the distal and proximal sides of the groove 59. The support surface 64 can be formed of a circular surface, and the support surface 62 can be an arcuate surface with a radius of curvature slightly larger than that of the support surface 64, allowing the support surface 62 to slide relative to the support surface 64. When the rotatable tube 101 is inserted into the insertion portion 16 and the locking surface 144A engages with the groove 59, the support surfaces 62 and 64 can be configured to face each other and be adjacent to each other. This structure restricts the movement of the rotatable tube 101 in the radial direction of the insertion portion 16. As the rotatable tube 101 rotates, the support surface 62 moves relative to the support surface 64.

[0083] In this embodiment, the groove 59 formed in the receiving member 58 in the insertion portion 16 engages with the locking surface 144a of the connector 144 in the medium-diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140 in the connector 120 at a position further distal in the longitudinal axial direction than the position where the cover 60 is provided. The groove 59 and locking surface 144a at the second position of the connector 144 may include a support mechanism 149 formed by the support surface 62 and the support surface 64. The support mechanism 149 may also be provided further distal than the position where the rotatable tube 101 receives the driving force from the drive mechanism 50 at the rotation engagement mechanism 180. When the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the insertion portion 16 and rotates about the longitudinal axis, the support mechanism 149 suppresses the eccentricity of the rotation center relative to the central axis A1 of the insertion portion 16.

[0084] Next, the locking collar 160 of the outer tube 100 will be described. Figure 14This is a perspective view showing the locking collar 160 of the outer sleeve 100. The locking collar 160 may be a hollow annular member and configured such that its dimensions are substantially adapted to the dimensions of the medium diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140. The locking collar 160 may be provided with an opening 161 to engage with a release button 145 of the connector body 140.

[0085] Next, the process of attaching the outer sleeve 100 to the endoscope 11 will be described.

[0086] The rotatable tube 101 of the outer tube 100 can be inserted from the distal side of the insertion portion 16 of the endoscope 11 into the insertion portion 16 and enter the proximal side of the rotatable tube 101.

[0087] In such Figure 15 , 17 In the unlocked position shown in Figure 19, connector 144 is in a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2. Specifically, in the absence of external force on protrusion 144b, hinge 144c biases protrusion 144b to a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2, thereby arranging locking surface 144a radially away from the longitudinal axis A2 by at least a predetermined distance, thus allowing at least the distal portion of insertion portion 16 to move along the longitudinal axis A2 without contacting locking surface 144a.

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown, the insertion portion 16 moves along the longitudinal axis A2 until the roller 150, which is fixed to the large-diameter portion 141 of the connector body 140, abuts against the protrusion 60a formed by the drive roller 55 abutting against the cover 60. Specifically, the roller 150 abuts against the drive roller 55 of the drive mechanism 50 arranged in the insertion portion 16 via the cover 60.

[0089] Figure 15 and Figure 16 These are top views of the connector body 140 and locking collar 160 in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively. Figure 17 and Figure 18 They are along Figure 14 The sectional view taken by the line EE and along Figure 15 The sectional view is taken by the line FF. Figure 19 and Figure 20 They are perpendicular to Figure 17 and Figure 18 A sectional view along the direction of the cross-section shown. Specifically, Figure 19 and Figure 20 Parallel to the central axis A1 and perpendicular to it are shown respectively. Figure 17 and Figure 18 The cross-section of the cross-section.

[0090] The locking collar 160 is slidably attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable tube 101, such that the release button 145 of the medium diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140 is aligned radially with the opening 161 of the locking collar 160.

[0091] exist Figure 15 , 17 In the unlocked position shown in Figure 19, the locking collar 160 is located further away from the medium diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140, for example, closer to the small diameter portion 147.

[0092] In addition, Figure 15 , 17 In the unlocked position shown in Figure 19, an external force can be applied to connector 144 to engage the locking surface 144a of connector 144 with the groove 59 defined on the insertion portion 16. Specifically, an external force is applied to the protrusion 144b biased by hinge 144c to return it to a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2, causing the protrusion 144b to move radially inward to a second position to engage the locking surface 144a of connector 144 with the groove 59 defined on the insertion portion 16.

[0093] With the locking surface 144a engaged with the groove 59, the locking collar 160 can then slide from the unlocked position toward the intermediate diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140 to the locked position. The opening 161 of the locking collar 160 can engage with the release button 145 provided on the intermediate diameter portion 143. Because the release button 145 is in a cantilevered manner, when the locking collar 160 moves onto the release button 145, the release button 145 slightly bends to be pushed radially downward from the intermediate diameter portion 143 and fits and secures into the opening 161. In the locked position, the locking surface 144a of the connector 144 is pressed by the locking collar 160 to move from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position, thereby engaging the locking surface 144a with the groove 59.

[0094] It is also conceivable that the protrusion 144b in the stable equilibrium first position may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis A2 to allow the locking collar 160 to slide from the unlocked position toward the medium diameter portion 143 of the connector body 140 to the locked position. As the locking collar 160 slides toward the locked position, it engages the protrusion 144b to apply force to move the protrusion 144b from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position, thereby engaging the locking surface 144a of the connector 144 with the groove 59 defined on the insertion portion 16.

[0095] exist Figure 22In the alternative configuration shown, it is not necessary to first apply external force to move connector 144 from the stable equilibrium first position to the second position, and then slide locking collar 160 from the unlocked position to the locked position to retain the external force, thereby holding connector 144 in the second position. Figure 22 As shown, when the locking collar 16 slides from the unlocked position to the locked position, the locking collar 160 first abuts against the portion of the protrusion 144b that is closer to the hinge 144c than the locking surface 144a. As the locking collar 160 moves further toward the locked position, it applies additional external force to cause the protrusion 144b to pivot along the hinge 144c, thereby moving the locking surface 144a from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position, so that the locking surface 144a engages with the insertion portion 16.

[0096] As a result of moving the locking surface 144A of the connector 144 from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position to engage the locking surface 144A with the insertion portion 16, movement of the rotatable tube 101 relative to the insertion portion 16 in the direction of the longitudinal axis A2 of the rotatable tube 101 (or the insertion portion 16) is prevented. Furthermore, because the support surfaces 66 and 68 are located on the proximal side of the drive roller 55, the support surfaces 66 and 68 further suppress the eccentricity of the rotation center that causes vibration when the rotatable tube 101 rotates about the longitudinal axis A2. Therefore, the locking mechanism 170 can limit axial movement through the engagement of the locking surface 144A and the groove 59, while allowing the connector body 140 to rotate by the driving force.

[0097] Next, the process of removing the outer tube 100 from the endoscope 11 will be described.

[0098] When the outer tube 100 is removed from the endoscope 11, the user pushes the release button 145. The release button 145 then moves radially inward and disengages from the opening 161 of the locking collar 160. Subsequently, by sliding the locking collar 160 toward the distal side, the locking collar 160 returns to the unlocked position, and the external force applied to the connector 144 is removed, allowing the connector 144 to be biased back to a stable equilibrium first position radially further away from the longitudinal axis A2 than the second position, thus disengaging the connector 144 of the rotatable tube 101 from the insertion portion 16. The rotatable tube 101 can then be moved distally relative to the insertion portion 16 to remove the rotatable tube 101 from the insertion portion 16.

[0099] When the rotatable tube 101 moves toward the distal end relative to the insertion portion 16, sufficient clearance is provided because the connector 144, in particular the locking surface 144a of the connector 144, is in a stable equilibrium first position, so that when the insertion portion 16 is removed from the rotatable tube 101, the connector 144 does not contact the outer surface of the insertion portion 16.

[0100] Compared to the outer tube described in the "Background Art" section, in this embodiment, the outer tube 100 has a connector 144 capable of maintaining a stable, balanced first position radially away from the longitudinal axis A2 of the rotatable tube 101. As described above, the stable, balanced first position of the connector 144 provides sufficient clearance to prevent contact between the insert portion 16 and the inner cavity 111 of the rotatable tube 101 when the insert portion 16 moves along the longitudinal axis A2, ensuring that the connector 144 does not contact or jam the outer surface of the insert portion 16 during attachment and disengagement of the outer tube 100 and the insert portion 16. Therefore, damage caused by contact between the connector 144 and the outer surface of the insert portion 16 can be avoided.

[0101] Furthermore, when the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the endoscope 11, for example, if the pawl located on the outer tube side engages with a flange located on a side closer to the endoscope than the endoscope side to secure the rotatable tube 101 to the insertion portion 16 in the radial direction, the pawl needs to move over the endoscope to be secured. Because the pawl protrudes inward in the radial direction of the rotatable tube 101, it can jam and damage the endoscope when it moves over the endoscope.

[0102] Conversely, in this embodiment, the connector 144 disposed on the tube body 110 is arranged further along the longitudinal axis than the protrusion 60a of the cover 60 covering the drive roller 55 of the drive mechanism 50 disposed on the endoscope side. Therefore, when the rotatable tube 101 is attached to the insertion portion 16, the connector 144 will not extend beyond the protrusion 60a of the cover 60. This structure prevents the connector 144 from jamming the cover 60 and damaging it during the attachment and removal of the rotatable tube 101.

[0103] The above description refers to the endoscope system 10 as an insertion device attached to the outer tube 100, but the insertion device is not limited to an endoscope. For example, the insertion device can be an insertion device with a rotatable tube that can be attached and detached relative to the insertion portion, such as an operating manipulator. Therefore, the insertion device can be a device that includes a rotating unit and an insertion device that is not limited to an endoscope and with which the rotating unit can be attached and detached.

[0104] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited in its broader aspects to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Consequently, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A sheath attachable to the insertion portion of an endoscope, the sheath comprising: The connector body defines an inner cavity, and the insertion portion can be inserted through the inner cavity along a longitudinal axis extending through the distal opening and the proximal opening. as well as The connecting mechanism includes: A connector including a locking surface and a hinge, the hinge being configured to movably attach the locking surface to a connector body. The connector is configured to have a stable, balanced first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, such that during insertion of the insertion portion through the inner cavity of the connector body, the locking surface does not contact the endoscope, and the locking surface is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from the stable, balanced first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable, balanced first position. In the second position, the locking surface is configured to engage the endoscope to restrict relative movement between the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis by a driving force. The hinge is configured to radially bias the locking surface to return to a stable equilibrium first position.

2. The outer tube according to claim 1, wherein The connector is configured to be biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position, which is radially further away from the longitudinal axis than the second position.

3. The outer sleeve according to claim 1, wherein The connector includes a locking surface, and The connector is configured to move from the stable equilibrium first position to the second position by radial force to engage the locking surface with the insertion portion, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

4. The outer sleeve according to claim 3, wherein The connector is configured to be biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, so as to arrange the locking surface radially away from the longitudinal axis by at least a predetermined distance, thereby allowing at least a portion of the insertion portion, including the distal end of the insertion portion, to move within the cavity along the longitudinal axis without contacting the locking surface.

5. The outer sleeve according to claim 3, wherein, The connector includes: The protrusion includes the locking surface; and A hinge configured to movably attach the protrusion to the connector body. The hinge is configured with a biased protrusion to return to the stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position, thereby engaging the locking surface with the insertion portion to restrict movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

6. The outer sleeve according to claim 5, wherein, The locking surface of the protrusion is formed by one of a convex protrusion and a concave groove. The insertion portion defines one of a concave groove of a convex protrusion on the locking surface of the protrusion and a convex protrusion received by the concave groove of the locking surface of the protrusion, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from the first stable equilibrium position to the second position, such that one of the convex protrusion and concave groove forming the locking surface engages with one of the concave groove and convex protrusion defined by the insertion portion, respectively, to engage the locking surface with the insertion portion, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

7. The outer tube according to claim 1, wherein, The endoscope includes a drive mechanism disposed to the insertion portion, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to provide a driving force. The outer sleeve includes a rotary engagement mechanism attached to the connector body. The rotary engagement mechanism is configured to receive a driving force from the endoscope's drive mechanism to rotate the connector body about a longitudinal axis relative to the insertion portion. In a configuration where the distal end of the insertion portion protrudes from the distal opening of the connector body's inner cavity and the connector is in the second position and engages with the insertion portion, the connector is arranged along the longitudinal axis closer to the distal opening of the connector body's inner cavity than the rotary engagement mechanism.

8. The outer tube according to claim 7, wherein, The connector includes a locking surface. The connector is configured to be biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, thereby arranging the locking surface radially away from the longitudinal axis by a predetermined distance. This allows at least a portion of the insertion portion, including the distal end of the insertion portion, to move within the cavity along the longitudinal axis without contacting the locking surface. In one configuration where the distal end of the insertion portion protrudes from the distal opening of the inner cavity of the connector body, the locking surface is arranged radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the outermost surface of the endoscope's drive mechanism.

9. The outer tube according to claim 1, wherein The connector includes: The protrusion includes a locking surface; and A hinge configured to movably attach the protrusion to the connector body. The hinge is configured with a biased protrusion to return to the stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position, thereby engaging the locking surface with the insertion portion to restrict movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

10. The outer tube according to claim 9, wherein The locking surface of the protrusion is formed by one of a convex protrusion and a concave groove. The insertion portion defines one of a concave groove of a convex protrusion on the locking surface of the protrusion and a convex protrusion received by the concave groove of the locking surface of the protrusion, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from the first stable equilibrium position to the second position, such that one of the convex protrusion and concave groove forming the locking surface engages with one of the concave groove and convex protrusion defined by the insertion portion, respectively, to engage the locking surface with the insertion portion, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

11. The outer tube according to claim 1, wherein The connecting mechanism includes: A locking collar, configured to move along the longitudinal axis from an unlocked position to a locked position to apply a radial force, thereby moving the connector from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position that is radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, to engage the insertion portion, thereby restricting relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body and the insertion portion to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force.

12. The outer sleeve according to claim 1, further comprising: Rotatable tube, including: A tube body, which is connected to the connector body, and configured to rotate with the connector along a longitudinal axis relative to the insertion portion by a driving force; and Spiral fins are attached to or integrally formed with the tube body on at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the tube body.

13. A system comprising: Endoscope, including the insertion part; as well as An outer tube that can be attached to the insertion portion of an endoscope, the outer tube comprising: A connector body defining an inner cavity, the insertion portion of which can be inserted through the inner cavity along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening; and The connecting mechanism includes: A connector including a locking surface and a hinge, the hinge being configured to movably attach the locking surface to a connector body. The connector is configured to have a stable, balanced first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, such that during insertion of the insertion portion through the inner cavity of the connector body, the locking surface does not contact the endoscope. Furthermore, the locking surface is configured to move radially by means of a hinge to pivot along the hinge from the stable, balanced first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable, balanced first position. In the second position, the locking surface is configured to engage the endoscope to restrict relative movement between the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force. The hinge is configured to radially bias the locking surface to return to a stable equilibrium first position.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein, The connector is configured to be biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position, which is radially further away from the longitudinal axis than the second position.

15. The system according to claim 13, in, The connector includes: The protrusion includes a locking surface; and A hinge configured to movably attach the protrusion to the connector body. The hinge is configured with a biased protrusion to return to the stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from a stable equilibrium first position to a second position, thereby engaging the locking surface with the insertion portion to restrict movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

16. The system according to claim 15, in, The locking surface of the protrusion is formed by one of a convex protrusion and a concave groove. The insertion portion defines one of a concave groove of a convex protrusion on the locking surface of the protrusion and a convex protrusion received by the concave groove of the locking surface of the protrusion, and The protrusion is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from the first stable equilibrium position to the second position, such that one of the convex protrusion and concave groove forming the locking surface engages with one of the concave groove and convex protrusion defined by the insertion portion, respectively, to engage the locking surface with the insertion portion, thereby restricting the movement of the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis.

17. The system according to claim 13, in, The connecting mechanism includes: A locking collar, configured to move along the longitudinal axis from an unlocked position to a locked position to apply a radial force, thereby moving the connector from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position that is radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, to engage the insertion portion, thereby restricting relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body and the insertion portion to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force.

18. A method for operating an operating system, the system comprising: Endoscope, including the insertion part; as well as An outer tube that can be attached to the insertion portion of an endoscope, the outer tube comprising: A connector body defining an inner cavity, the insertion portion of which can be inserted through the inner cavity along a longitudinal axis extending through a distal opening and a proximal opening; and The connecting mechanism includes: The connector includes a locking surface and a hinge, the hinge configuration movably attaching the locking surface to the connector body. The connector is configured to have a stable, balanced first position radially away from the longitudinal axis, such that during insertion of the insertion portion through the inner cavity of the connector body, the locking surface does not contact the endoscope, and the locking surface is configured to move by radial force to pivot along the hinge from the stable, balanced first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable, balanced first position. In the second position, the locking surface is configured to engage the endoscope to restrict relative movement between the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis, while allowing the connector body to rotate relative to the insertion portion about the longitudinal axis by a driving force. The hinge is configured to radially bias and lock the surface to return to a stable equilibrium first position. The method includes: Insert the endoscope's insertion portion along the longitudinal axis through the inner cavity of the connector body; A radial force is applied to the connector to move it from a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, thereby engaging the insertion portion and limiting the relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis; and When the connector is in the second position by applying a radial force, a driving force is applied to rotate the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The connector is configured to be biased to return to the stable equilibrium first position, which is radially further away from the longitudinal axis than the second position. The method includes: A radial force is applied to the connector against bias to move the connector from a stable equilibrium first position radially away from the longitudinal axis to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, to engage the insertion portion, thereby limiting the relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis; and Remove the radial force applied to the connector to allow the connector to be biased to return from the second position to a stable equilibrium first position that is radially further away from the longitudinal axis than the second position.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein The connecting mechanism includes: A locking collar, configured to move along the longitudinal axis from an unlocked position to a locked position, and This method includes: Moving the locking collar along the longitudinal axis from the unlocked position to the locked position applies a radial force, thereby moving the connector from the stable equilibrium first position to a second position radially closer to the longitudinal axis than the stable equilibrium first position, to engage the insertion portion, thereby restricting the relative movement of the connector body and the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis; and When the connector is in the second position by applying a radial force to move the locking collar to the locked position, a driving force is applied to rotate the connector body relative to the insertion portion along the longitudinal axis.

Images