A scalable elastic support mechanism

Abstract

The application provides a telescopic elastic supporting mechanism for guiding an adjustable bending sheath, which comprises a plurality of supporting members arranged at intervals and a guide part. The supporting members are connected by elastic members, and the interval between the two supporting members connected by the elastic member is reduced after the elastic member is compressed. All the supporting members are provided with guide holes, and all the guide holes are located on the same straight line to form a channel for accommodating and guiding the adjustable bending sheath. The guide part is connected with all the supporting members respectively, and is used for limiting the axis of all the guide holes to always coincide with the straight line. Due to the arrangement of the guide part, the channel formed by the guide holes is always a straight channel, so that the adjustable bending sheath is always in a flat state after being inserted into the channel. Meanwhile, as the adjustable bending sheath gradually extends into the human body, the part left outside the human body becomes shorter, and the application can also shorten the overall length with the compression of the elastic member, so as to match the change of the length of the adjustable bending sheath outside the human body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of medical devices, and particularly relates to a retractable elastic support mechanism, which is installed on medical surgical instruments, etc., to support long tubes on bronchoscope insertion tubes or other instruments, so as to keep them straight during surgery. Background Technology

[0002] In medical surgeries, bronchoscopy is frequently used to insert its tube through the mouth into the body to perform the procedure. The bronchoscope tube is long, thin, and made of flexible material. To ensure smooth insertion into the mouth, the portion of the tube must remain straight before entering the oral cavity. During surgery, the surgeon usually needs to hold the tube in place to keep it straight. However, in some automated surgical procedures, without auxiliary devices to prevent the tube from bending, it may be difficult to insert the bronchoscope smoothly into the mouth.

[0003] Besides bronchoscopy, many other types of adjustable sheaths need to be inserted into the human body during medical procedures, and these sheaths must be kept straight before entering the body. In automated surgical settings, these medical devices also require auxiliary devices to maintain their straight position outside the body. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a retractable elastic support mechanism for keeping the adjustable curved sheath straight before it enters the human body.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is as follows:

[0006] A retractable elastic support mechanism for guiding an adjustable bendable sheath includes:

[0007] Multiple spaced-apart support members are connected by elastic members. When the elastic member is compressed, the distance between two support members connected to it decreases. All support members are provided with guide holes, and all guide holes are located on the same straight line to form a channel for accommodating and guiding the adjustable curved sheath.

[0008] The guide portion, which is connected to all of the support members, is used to ensure that the axis of all the guide holes always coincides with the straight line.

[0009] In one embodiment, one end of the retractable elastic support mechanism along the straight line is a fixed end, and the other end is a free end. The support member at the fixed end is provided with a mounting part for connecting with an external structure. In use, the front end of the adjustable curved sheath extends from the free end through the channel to the fixed end. The protruding part at the end of the adjustable curved sheath abuts against the support member at the free end and continues to move, compressing the elastic member.

[0010] In one embodiment, when the elastic element is compressed to its shortest state, the two corresponding support elements abut against each other at the guide hole.

[0011] In one embodiment, the elastic element is a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the two corresponding support elements.

[0012] In one embodiment, the guide portion includes a plurality of guide posts, each guide post being connected to two adjacent support members, and at least one guide post being provided between adjacent support members;

[0013] Of the two support members connected to the guide post, at least one of the guide posts passes through and is slidably connected to it, with the sliding direction being the straight line direction.

[0014] In one embodiment, the elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the guide post, with its two ends respectively abutting against the two corresponding support members.

[0015] In one embodiment, the support member includes at least two of a guide hole plate, a first plate, and a second plate; the support member at the free end includes at least the guide hole plate and the second plate, the support member at the fixed end includes at least the guide hole plate and the first plate, and the remaining support members include the guide hole plate, the first plate, and the second plate;

[0016] The guide hole is provided on the guide hole plate, and the first plate and the second plate are respectively connected to the guide hole plate;

[0017] The first plate and the second plate are used to connect the guide post. In two adjacent support members, the guide post is connected to the first plate in the support member facing the fixed end and the second plate in the support member facing the free end, respectively.

[0018] In one embodiment, in the same support member, the first plate and the guide hole plate have the same thickness and are located in the same plane, the second plate and the guide hole plate are parallel and are disposed on the side of the guide hole plate facing the free end, and the second plate and the guide hole plate are connected by a vertical plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, one end of the guide post is provided with a limiting member, and the other end is threaded through the first plate and the second plate in sequence, or threaded through the second plate and the first plate in sequence and then connected with a nut.

[0020] In one embodiment, both the first plate and the second plate are provided with through holes, which are matched with the guide post for the guide post to pass through;

[0021] A third plate parallel to the guide hole plate is provided between the first plate and the second plate, and the third plate is connected to the vertical plate; the third plate is provided with a through hole matching the guide post, and the guide post passes through the through hole.

[0022] Because the present invention adopts the above technical solution, it has the following advantages and positive effects compared with the prior art:

[0023] The retractable elastic support mechanism provided by this invention, due to the guide portion, ensures that the channel formed by the guide holes is always a straight channel. Therefore, the adjustable curved sheath will remain in a straight, or flat, state after insertion into the channel. Simultaneously, as the adjustable curved sheath gradually extends into the human body, the portion remaining outside the body shortens. The retractable elastic support mechanism provided by this invention can also shorten its overall length with the compression of the elastic element, thus adapting to changes in the length of the adjustable curved sheath outside the body without affecting the surgical procedure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the extended state structure of a retractable elastic support mechanism according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the compressed state structure of a retractable elastic support mechanism according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a bronchoscope.

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the extended state structure of a retractable elastic support mechanism of the present invention during use;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the compressed state structure of a retractable elastic support mechanism of the present invention during use.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a retractable elastic support mechanism according to the present invention.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 1: Support component; 101: Guide plate; 102: First plate; 103: Second plate; 104: Third plate; 2: Guide post; 201: Limiting component; 3: Spring; 4: Nut; 5: Mounting post; 6: Outer cover; 7: Bronchoscope; 701: Bronchoscope insertion tube; 702: Bronchoscope operating part; 8: External structure; 801: Groove; 9: Sterile sleeve; 10: Oral cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0033] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the specific implementation methods of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings and other implementation methods can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0034] To keep the drawings concise, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown schematically in each figure, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, in some figures, only one of components with the same structure or function is shown schematically, or only one is labeled. In this document, "one" can mean not only "only one" but also "more than one".

[0035] See Figures 1 to 6 This embodiment provides a retractable elastic support mechanism for guiding an adjustable curved sheath, comprising multiple spaced-apart support members 1 and guide portions. The support members 1 are connected by elastic members; when the elastic member is compressed, the distance between two connected support members 1 decreases. All support members 1 are provided with guide holes, and all guide holes are located on the same straight line, forming a channel for accommodating and guiding the adjustable curved sheath. The guide portions are connected to all support members 1 respectively, ensuring that the axes of all guide holes always coincide with a straight line.

[0036] Due to the guide section, the channel formed by the guide holes is always a straight channel. Therefore, the adjustable curved sheath will remain straight after insertion into the channel. Simultaneously, as the adjustable curved sheath gradually extends into the body, the portion remaining outside the body shortens. The retractable elastic support mechanism provided in this embodiment can also shorten its overall length as the elastic element is compressed, thus adapting to changes in the length of the adjustable curved sheath outside the body without affecting the surgical procedure.

[0037] The structure of this embodiment will now be described. For ease of explanation, the adjustable curved sheath will be described below using the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 as an example, but this does not mean that the retractable elastic support mechanism provided in this embodiment cannot be applied to other adjustable curved sheaths.

[0038] The retractable elastic support mechanism has a fixed end at one end and a free end at the other end along a straight line. The support member 1 at the fixed end is provided with a mounting part for connecting with the external structure 8. In use, the front end of the adjustable curved sheath (the end that first enters the human body) extends out of the fixed end through the channel from the free end and then enters the human body; while the protruding part (such as the bronchoscope operation part 702) on the end of the adjustable curved sheath (the other end opposite to the end that first enters the human body) abuts against the support member 1 at the free end and continues to move, compressing the elastic member, thereby shortening the overall length of the retractable elastic support mechanism.

[0039] Traditional support mechanisms cannot automatically extend or retract. During use, one end must be attached to the bronchoscope 7 (usually the bronchoscope operating section 702), and the movement of the bronchoscope 7 drives the support mechanism to extend or retract. The bronchoscope insertion tube 701 passes through the support mechanism, thus providing support for the bronchoscope insertion tube 701. This presents a problem—the installation of the support mechanism is complex and time-consuming, and there is a risk of the support mechanism becoming detached from the bronchoscope 7 during surgery. The retractable elastic support mechanism provided in this embodiment is not directly connected to the bronchoscope 7, and the end closest to the bronchoscope operating section 702—the free end—is in a free-extending state, thus eliminating the aforementioned problems.

[0040] The mounting part is connected to the external structure 8. This embodiment illustrates a specific connection method, but other embodiments may use other methods, such as magnetic adsorption or snap-fit ​​connections. No limitation is imposed on this. Figure 6 As shown, the mounting section includes a mounting post 5 and an outer cover 6. The mounting post 5 is connected to the support member 1 at the fixed end and is located on the side away from the free end. The mounting post 5 passes through the slot 801 on the outer structure 8 and is threadedly connected to the outer cover 6. After the outer cover 6 is tightened, the support member 1 at the fixed end is locked onto the outer structure 8, preventing rotation or loosening. More specifically, the mounting post 5 can be located at the guide hole, and corresponding through holes are provided on the mounting post 5 and the cover plate for the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 to pass through. This installation method does not affect the use of the sterile sleeve 9. In scenarios where the sterile sleeve 9 needs to be used, simply put the sterile sleeve 9 on the outer structure 8 first, and then use the above method to install the sterilized retractable elastic support mechanism onto the bracket through the sterile sleeve 9. In this way, the sterilized retractable elastic support mechanism can be isolated from the unsterilized bracket. The outer structure 8 can be part of another surgical instrument or an operating table, etc.

[0041] Of course, in addition to compressing the elastic element and adjusting the overall length of the telescopic elastic support mechanism by abutting the support member 1 at the free end of the adjustable curved sheath tube with the protruding part, the overall length of the telescopic elastic support mechanism can also be adjusted by external machinery.

[0042] The bronchoscope operating section 702 abuts against the support member 1 at the free end, and the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 is inserted through the guide hole. Therefore, the design ensures that when the elastic member is compressed to its shortest state, the corresponding two support members 1 abut against the guide hole. This design minimizes the overall length of the retractable elastic support mechanism when all elastic members are compressed to their shortest state, allowing the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 to extend into the body as far as possible and avoiding the inability to reach the lesion site.

[0043] Specifically, the elastic element can be a spring 3, with both ends of the spring 3 connected to the corresponding two support members 1; however, it is not limited to selecting other elastic elements in other embodiments, such as a pneumatic spring.

[0044] The guide section can have many different structures. In this embodiment, the guide section includes multiple guide posts 2, each guide post 2 being connected to two adjacent support members 1, and at least one guide post 2 being provided between adjacent support members 1. Of the two support members 1 connected to the guide post 2, at least one guide post 2 passes through and is slidably connected to it, with the sliding direction being linear. A spring 3 is sleeved on the guide post 2, with its two ends abutting against the corresponding two support members 1.

[0045] Regarding the guide portion, in other embodiments, the spring 3 may not be sleeved on the guide post 2, but may be set separately from the guide post 2; or the guide portion may be a column through which all the support members 1 are sequentially passed, etc.

[0046] The support member 1 includes at least two of the following: a guide plate 101, a first plate 102, and a second plate 103. Specifically, the support member 1 at the free end includes at least the guide plate 101 and the second plate 103, the support member 1 at the fixed end includes at least the guide plate 101 and the first plate 102, and the remaining support members 1 include the guide plate 101, the first plate 102, and the second plate 103. In this embodiment, the support member 1 at the free end does not have the first plate 102, and the support member 1 at the fixed end does not have the second plate 103, which has advantages such as reducing weight. The number of the remaining support members 1 is three in this embodiment, but it can be increased or decreased in other embodiments without limitation.

[0047] A guide hole is provided on the guide hole plate 101, and the first plate 102 and the second plate 103 are respectively connected to the guide hole plate 101. The first plate 102 and the second plate 103 are used to connect the guide post 2. In two adjacent support members 1, the guide post 2 is connected to the first plate 102 of the support member 1 facing the fixed end and the second plate 103 of the support member 1 facing the free end, respectively. Specifically, in the same support member 1, the first plate 102 and the guide hole plate 101 have the same thickness and are located in the same plane. The second plate 103 is parallel to the guide hole plate 101 and is located on the side of the guide hole plate 101 facing the free end. The second plate 103 and the guide hole plate 101 are connected by a vertical plate. In actual design, it should be noted that the design of the specific positions of the first plate 102, the second plate 103, etc., needs to consider that the guide post 2 and other structures will not interfere with each other during the movement of the telescopic elastic support mechanism.

[0048] Both the first plate 102 and the second plate 103 are provided with through holes, which are matched with the guide post 2 for the guide post 2 to pass through. One end of the guide post 2 is provided with a limiting member 201, and the other end passes through the through holes on the first plate 102 and the second plate 103 in sequence, or passes through the through holes on the second plate 103 and the first plate 102 in sequence and is then threaded with a nut 4, thereby realizing the connection between the guide post 2 and the first plate 102 and the second plate 103.

[0049] In practice, gaps may inevitably occur between the guide post 2 and the through hole, causing a deviation between the sliding direction of the guide post 2 and the support member 1 and the expected direction. Therefore, a third plate 104, parallel to the guide hole plate 101, is provided between the first plate 102 and the second plate 103, and the third plate 104 is connected to the vertical plate. The third plate 104 has a through hole that matches the guide post 2, through which the guide post 2 passes, thereby reducing the possibility of deviation between the sliding direction of the guide post 2 and the support member 1 and the expected direction, as well as the value of the deviation when deviation occurs. Alternatively, two or more guide posts 2 can be provided between two adjacent support members 1, thereby reducing the possibility of deviation between the sliding direction of the guide post 2 and the support member 1 and the value of the deviation when deviation occurs.

[0050] Specifically, support component 1 can be integrally formed.

[0051] Figure 1 The image shows a specific embodiment in its extended state, with two adjacent support members 1 pushed apart by springs 3. When the retractable elastic support mechanism is in its fully compressed state, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, all the support members 1 are tightly attached to the guide plate 101 in sequence.

[0052] When the bronchoscope operating section 702 is moved away from the retractable elastic support mechanism, the retractable elastic support mechanism is in an extended state, and the section of the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 passing through the retractable elastic support mechanism remains supported, that is, remains straight and does not bend (e.g.). Figure 4 (As shown). The length of the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 that can be supported is the length of the elastic support mechanism at this time.

[0053] As the bronchoscope operating section 702 moves toward the oral cavity 10 and encounters the support member 1 at its free end, the retractable elastic support mechanism begins to compress. As the bronchoscope operating section 702 moves to a position close to the oral cavity 10, all the support members 1 of the retractable elastic support mechanism abut against each other, and the retractable elastic support mechanism is compressed to its limit (e.g., Figure 5 (As shown). Because the guide posts 2 are staggered, the structures will not interfere with each other when the retractable elastic support mechanism is compressed.

[0054] A problem with conventional support mechanisms is that, in their fully compressed state, they have a significant thickness, resulting in a considerable distance between the bronchoscope operating section 702 and the oral cavity 10. This prevents the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 from being fully inserted into the body, potentially hindering its reach to the lesion. The retractable elastic support mechanism provided in this embodiment avoids this problem. Figure 5 As shown, in a fully compressed state, the bronchoscope operating part 702 can reach a position close to the oral cavity 10, and the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 can be almost completely inserted into the oral cavity 10, avoiding the problem that the bronchoscope 7 cannot reach the lesion deeply.

[0055] The retractable elastic support mechanism provided in this embodiment can be installed on medical surgical instruments to support the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 or other similar long tubes on instruments, keeping them straight during surgery. Compared with existing support mechanisms, this retractable elastic support mechanism is easy to install and does not affect the use of the sterile sleeve 9. It can not only automatically extend and retract, but also, in the fully compressed state, allows the bronchoscope operating part 702 to reach the oral cavity 10, and the bronchoscope insertion tube 701 can be almost completely inserted into the oral cavity 10.

[0056] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Even if various changes are made to the present invention, if these changes fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, they shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retractable elastic support mechanism for guiding an adjustable curved sheath, characterized in that, include: Multiple spaced-apart support members are connected by elastic members. When the elastic member is compressed, the distance between two support members connected to it decreases. All support members are provided with guide holes, and all guide holes are located on the same straight line to form a channel for accommodating and guiding the adjustable curved sheath. The guide portion, which is connected to all of the support members, is used to ensure that the axis of all the guide holes always coincides with the straight line; The guide portion includes multiple guide posts, each guide post being connected to two adjacent support members, and at least one guide post being provided between adjacent support members; among the two support members connected to the guide post, at least one guide post passes through and is slidably connected to it, with the sliding direction being the straight line direction.

2. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable elastic support mechanism has a fixed end at one end and a free end at the other end along the straight direction. The support member at the fixed end is provided with a mounting part for connecting with an external structure. In use, the front end of the adjustable curved sheath extends from the free end through the channel to the fixed end. The protruding part at the end of the adjustable curved sheath abuts against the support member at the free end and continues to move, compressing the elastic member.

3. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the elastic element is compressed to its shortest state, the two corresponding support elements abut against each other at the guide hole.

4. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring, and the two ends of the spring are respectively connected to the two corresponding support elements.

5. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the guide post, with its two ends respectively abutting against the two corresponding support members.

6. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retractable elastic support mechanism has a fixed end at one end and a free end at the other end along the straight line. The support member includes at least two of the following: a guide hole plate, a first plate, and a second plate; the support member at the free end includes at least the guide hole plate and the second plate, the support member at the fixed end includes at least the guide hole plate and the first plate, and the remaining support members include the guide hole plate, the first plate, and the second plate. The guide hole is provided on the guide hole plate, and the first plate and the second plate are respectively connected to the guide hole plate; The first plate and the second plate are used to connect the guide post. In two adjacent support members, the guide post is connected to the first plate in the support member facing the fixed end and the second plate in the support member facing the free end, respectively.

7. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the same support member, the first plate and the guide hole plate have the same thickness and are located in the same plane, the second plate and the guide hole plate are parallel and are located on the side of the guide hole plate facing the free end, and the second plate and the guide hole plate are connected by a vertical plate.

8. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that, One end of the guide post is provided with a limiting member, and the other end is threaded through the first plate and the second plate in sequence, or threaded through the second plate and the first plate in sequence and then connected with a nut.

9. The retractable elastic support mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, Both the first plate and the second plate are provided with through holes, which are matched with the guide posts for the guide posts to pass through; A third plate parallel to the guide hole plate is provided between the first plate and the second plate, and the third plate is connected to the vertical plate; the third plate is provided with a through hole matching the guide post, and the guide post passes through the through hole.

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