Endoscope overtube anti-kinking device

Abstract

An endoscope sheath anti-kinking device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of supports supporting an endoscope sheath of an endoscope, and a base supporting the plurality of supports, the plurality of supports including: an endoscope support slidably connected to the base and supporting an endoscope main body; a sheath support fixed to one side of the base for supporting a sheath connected to the endoscope main body; and at least one additional support disposed between the endoscope support and the sheath support in a manner sliding with respect to the base for supporting the sheath, a variation amount of a distance between each pair of the most adjacent supports of the plurality of supports being the same as a sliding action of the endoscope support.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The following embodiments relate to an endoscope sheath anti-bending device. Background Technology

[0002] For an endoscope to move as intended, it's crucial to prevent the endoscope's outer tube from bending. When the outer tube bends, the endoscope cannot move as expected. For example, if a bend occurs in the center of the outer tube as the user moves it forward, the tube will deform instead of moving forward. Currently, there is a need for technology that can effectively prevent the outer tube from bending.

[0003] The above background information is what the inventors have mastered or learned in the process of developing this invention, and should not be construed as necessarily being general known technology disclosed before applying for this invention. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical problems to be solved

[0005] One embodiment aims to provide an anti-bending device for an endoscope sheath.

[0006] Technical solutions to the problem

[0007] An endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to one embodiment includes a plurality of support members supporting the sheath of an endoscope, and a base supporting the plurality of support members. The plurality of support members include: an endoscope support member slidably connected to the base and supporting an endoscope body; a sheath support member fixed to one side of the base for supporting the sheath connected to the endoscope body; and at least one additional support member slidably disposed between the endoscope support member and the sheath support member relative to the base for supporting the sheath. As the endoscope support member slides, the spacing between each pair of adjacent support members among the plurality of support members changes by the same amount.

[0008] The endoscope sheath anti-bending device also includes metal wires, which are fixed to the plurality of supports in the order from the sheath support to the endoscope support, and the metal wires are arranged in a shape that bends multiple times from one end to the other.

[0009] The metal wire includes multiple elastic bodies, which cause the overall length of the metal wire to change according to the sliding distance of the endoscope support.

[0010] The elastomer provides elasticity along the direction away from the outer sleeve support of the endoscope support.

[0011] The endoscope sheath anti-bending device also includes multiple suspension parts that keep the wire in a bent shape.

[0012] At least a portion of the plurality of suspension components is a pulley.

[0013] The metal wire includes at least one elastomer disposed between each pair of the plurality of supports, wherein the at least one elastomer disposed between each pair of supports has the same overall elastic modulus.

[0014] The plurality of support members each include a fixing part fixed to the metal wire, the metal wire having a shape that bends an even number of times between the two closest pairs of fixing parts along the length of the metal wire.

[0015] The wire portion located between the pair of fixing parts is provided with at least one elastic body that allows the overall length of the wire to be variable.

[0016] The plurality of supports each include a support hole through which the outer sheath of the endoscope passes.

[0017] The endoscope body can be detached from the endoscope support.

[0018] An endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to one embodiment includes a plurality of support members supporting the sheath of an endoscope, and a base supporting the plurality of support members. The plurality of support members include: a first support member fixed to one side of the base for supporting the sheath connected to the endoscope body; an endoscope support member slidably connected to the base and supporting the endoscope body; a second support member slidably disposed between the first support member and the endoscope support member for supporting the sheath; and a third support member slidably disposed between the second support member and the endoscope support member for supporting the sheath, wherein the sliding displacement of the third support member is greater than the sliding displacement of the second support member based on the sliding action of the endoscope support member.

[0019] Invention Effects

[0020] An endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to one embodiment can effectively prevent the sheath from bending.

[0021] Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the endoscope sheath anti-bending device can make the length more compact, thereby ensuring sufficient travel length. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The accompanying drawings illustrate the operation of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to one embodiment, based on the change in the travel distance of the endoscope.

[0023] Figure 3 The accompanying drawing schematically illustrates an anti-bending device for an endoscope sheath according to one embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram of the maximum extension state of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a conceptual diagram of the maximum compression state of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 The accompanying drawing schematically illustrates an anti-bending device for an endoscope sheath according to one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When assigning reference numerals to the constituent elements in the various drawings, the same reference numerals will be used as much as possible, even if the same constituent element is shown in different drawings. In describing the embodiments, detailed descriptions of relevant well-known technologies will be omitted when it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the embodiments.

[0028] Furthermore, when describing the constituent elements of the embodiments, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from other constituent elements and are not used to limit the nature or order of the corresponding constituent elements. For example, a first constituent element may be referred to as a second constituent element, and similarly, a second constituent element may be referred to as a first constituent element. In addition, it should be understood that when the specification describes a constituent element as "connected," "joined," or "contacting" another constituent element, a third constituent element may be "connected," "joined," or "contacting" between the first and second constituent elements, although the first constituent element may be directly connected, joined, or contacting the second constituent element.

[0029] When a constituent element has a common function with a constituent element in one embodiment, the same name is used to describe that constituent element in other embodiments. Unless otherwise stated, the description of one embodiment is applicable to other embodiments, and detailed descriptions of repetitive content are omitted.

[0030] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The accompanying drawings illustrate the operation of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to one embodiment, based on the change in the travel distance of the endoscope.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The endoscope sheath anti-bending device 1 (hereinafter referred to as the "anti-bending device") prevents the sheath T from bending by supporting multiple points along its length. The sheath T extends forward from the endoscope body B, thereby guiding internal surgical instruments, cameras, and / or lighting, etc. The anti-bending device 1 assists the sheath T in sliding stably along its length without deformation. The sheath T can slide forward or backward as the endoscope body B moves. Multiple supports 11 prevent the sheath T from bending by supporting multiple spaced points along its length. Such an anti-bending device 1 is particularly needed for robotic endoscopic surgery.

[0032] The anti-bending device 1 may include a plurality of supports 11 for supporting the outer tube T of the endoscope; a base 12 for supporting the plurality of supports 11; and a metal wire having elastic bodies E1, E2, E3 disposed between adjacent supports 11.

[0033] Multiple supports 11 may include an endoscope support 111, an outer tube support 112, and at least one additional support 113, 114. The accompanying drawings show two additional supports 113, 114, but their number is not limited. The outer tube support 112, the first additional support 113, and the second additional support 114 may be referred to as the first support, the second support, and the third support, respectively.

[0034] The endoscope support 111 supports the endoscope body B, and compared to other supports, the endoscope support 111 supports the outer sleeve T portion closest to the endoscope body B. The endoscope support 111 can slide integrally with the endoscope body B along the base 12. The endoscope support 111 can be configured to slide along guides such as tracks disposed on the base 12. For example, the endoscope body B can be detached from the endoscope support 111.

[0035] The outer tube support 112 is positioned on the opposite side of the endoscope support 111, with reference to the additional supports 113 and 114. When compared with other supports, it can support the outer tube T portion furthest from the endoscope body B. The outer tube support 112 may have a shape that protrudes upward from the base 12. The outer tube support 112 can be kept fixed to the base 12.

[0036] At least one additional support member 113, 114 may be disposed between the endoscope support member 111 and the outer tube support member 112. At least one additional support member 113, 114 may slide relative to the base 12 and support the outer tube T. At least one additional support member 113, 114 may prevent the outer tube T from bending between the endoscope support member 111 and the outer tube support member 112.

[0037] Elastomers E1, E2, and E3 can be disposed between adjacent supports in a plurality of supports. For example, a first elastomer E1 can be disposed between the outer tube support 112 and the first additional support 113, a second elastomer E2 can be disposed between the first additional support 113 and the second additional support 114, and a third elastomer E3 can be disposed between the second additional support 114 and the endoscope support 111. Elastomers E1, E2, and E3 can compress and elongate based on the sliding distance of the endoscope support 111.

[0038] As shown in the figure, when an elastomer is placed between each pair of closest supports, the elastic coefficient of each elastomer can be the same. Based on this structure, the distance between adjacent pairs of supports can vary proportionally to the moving distance of the endoscope support 111. On the other hand, unlike that shown in the figure, multiple elastomers can be arranged in series or parallel between a pair of supports. In this case, the overall elastic coefficient (i.e., the sum of the elastic coefficients) of the multiple elastomers between each pair of supports can be the same.

[0039] For example, when the elastic coefficients of each elastomer E1, E2, and E3 are all the same, assuming the travel length of the endoscope body B is D, then the deformation of each elastomer E1, E2, and E3 is D / 3.

[0040] On the one hand, based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the structure shown, the distance between adjacent pairs of supports should be at least greater than the length of each elastomer E1, E2, E3. In other words, the overall length of the base 12 should be extended according to the lengths of elastomers E1, E2, E3. Furthermore, using shorter elastomers can mitigate this problem, but there are physical limitations. Also, the elastic limit is generally proportional to the initial length of the elastomer; therefore, to ensure sufficient travel distance, an elastomer with a sufficiently long initial length should be used. Considering all the above, when the endoscope body B requires a travel distance of approximately 0.75m, based on... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The structure of the base 12 requires a total length of at least 1.5m. As the base 12 becomes longer, the overall surgical device will require more space. The following will illustrate an effective solution to this problem through other embodiments.

[0041] Figure 3 The accompanying drawing schematically illustrates an anti-bending device for an endoscope sheath according to one embodiment. Figure 4 This is a conceptual diagram of the maximum extension state of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to an embodiment. Figure 5This is a conceptual diagram of the maximum compression state of an endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to an embodiment.

[0042] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The anti-bending device 2 may include an endoscope support 211, an outer tube support 212, additional supports 213 and 214, a rear wall 215, a base 22, a metal wire 23 with multiple elastic bodies E1, E2, and E3, multiple first suspension parts 241, and multiple second suspension parts 242. The first suspension parts 241 and the second suspension parts 242 are collectively referred to as suspension parts.

[0043] according to Figures 3 to 5 The anti-bending device 2 can provide a structure in which two adjacent supports in the multiple supports 211, 212, 213, 214 are tightly attached to each other, without being affected by the initial length of the elastomer. Thus, while ensuring the required stroke length, the length of the anti-bending device 2 can be made more compact.

[0044] The endoscope support 211 is slidably connected relative to the base 22. The endoscope support 211 can move integrally with the endoscope body (not shown) in a state of supporting the endoscope body. The endoscope support 211 can be detached from the endoscope body.

[0045] The outer tube support 212 can protrude upwards from the front of the base 22. The outer tube support 212 can be fixed to the base 22. The outer tube support 212 can be considered as part of the base 22.

[0046] Additional supports 213 and 214 can slide relative to the base 22 between the endoscope support 211 and the outer tube support 212.

[0047] Each of the plurality of supports 211, 212, 213, 214 may include a support hole h for supporting the outer sleeve T. The support hole h of each of the plurality of supports 211, 212, 213, 214 may have the same height relative to the base 22, thereby supporting the outer sleeve T at the same height. The outer sleeve (not shown) may pass through the support hole h.

[0048] As the endoscope support 211 slides, the distance between each pair of adjacent supports changes, and the amount of change is the same. For example, when the endoscope support 211 moves backward, not only the distance between the endoscope support 211 and the auxiliary support 214, but also the distance between the auxiliary support 213 and the auxiliary support 214, and the distance between the outer tube support 212 and the auxiliary support 213, can increase through a mechanism described later. Thus, the amount of change in the distance between each pair of adjacent supports is the same.

[0049] The rear wall 215 is a portion fixed to the base 22, which is separately positioned behind the endoscope support 211 and supports the second suspension portion 242, which will be described later. The rear wall 215 can also be understood as part of the base 22.

[0050] The base 22 can support multiple support components.

[0051] The metal wire 23 can be fixed to each of the plurality of supports in the order from the outer tube support 212 to the endoscope support 211. For example, the first point of the metal wire 23 can be fixed to the outer tube support 212, the second point to the first additional support 213, the third point to the second additional support 214, and the fourth point to the endoscope support 211. Each of the plurality of supports can have a fixing part f for fixing the metal wire 23.

[0052] The metal wire 23 can be configured to bend multiple times from one end to the other. For example, the metal wire 23 may bend twice between the first and second points, between the second and third points, and between the third and fourth points. Thus, the metal wire is bent a total of six times from the first point to the fourth point.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the metal wire has a shape that bends twice between the nearest pair of fixed parts, so that the nearest pair of support members can move in the same direction (upstream or downstream). On the other hand, unlike the figure, the metal wire does not necessarily have to bend twice between the nearest pair of fixed parts; it only needs to be bent an even number of times. In other words, an even number of suspension parts can be arranged between the nearest pair of fixed parts along the length of the metal wire.

[0054] The metal wire 23 may include multiple elastic bodies E1, E2, and E3, which can cause the overall length of the metal wire 23 to change according to the sliding distance of the endoscope support 211. For example, Figure 3 In the state of multiple elastomers E1, E2, and E3 being elongated, the length of the elongation of multiple elastomers E1, E2, and E3 can be gradually reduced during the movement of the endoscope support 211 toward the rear wall 215.

[0055] For example, each of the multiple elastomers E1, E2, and E3 can provide elastic force to the endoscope support 211 away from the outer tube support 212. When the multiple elastomers E1, E2, and E3 do not apply external force to the endoscope support 211, the endoscope support 211 will return to its default position (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0056] For example, the overall elastic coefficient of each of the multiple elastic bodies E1, E2, and E3 can be the same. As shown in the figure, when there is an elastic body between each pair of closest supports, the elastic coefficient of each elastic body is the same. Based on this structure, the distance between multiple supports can vary uniformly. On the other hand, unlike the figure, multiple elastic bodies can be arranged in series or parallel between each pair of supports. In this case, the overall elastic coefficient (i.e., the sum of elastic coefficients) of the multiple elastic bodies between each pair of supports can be the same.

[0057] As the endoscope support 211 slides, the distance change between the closest pairs of supports can be the same. In other words, based on the sliding motion of the endoscope support 211, the sliding displacement of the second additional support 214 can be greater than the sliding displacement of the first additional support 213.

[0058] Multiple first suspension portions 241 and multiple second suspension portions 242 can support the metal wire 23, thereby keeping the metal wire 23 in a bent shape. The metal wire 23 can be suspended once on each of the first and second suspension portions between two adjacent points from the first to the fourth point. For example, at least a portion of the multiple suspension portions can be a pulley that rotates relative to the base 22 at a specific position, thereby smoothly driving the metal wire 23.

[0059] For example, multiple first suspension portions 241 can be provided in the outer tube support member 212, and multiple second suspension portions 242 can be provided in the rear wall 215. For example, multiple first suspension portions 241a, 241b, and 241c that are spaced apart from each other can be arranged along the height direction of the outer tube support member 212, and multiple second suspension portions 242a, 242b, and 242c that are spaced apart from each other can be arranged along the height direction of the rear wall 215.

[0060] On the one hand, the position of each suspension part is not limited to Figure 3 Each suspension unit does not necessarily have to be located on the outer sleeve support 212 or the rear wall 215; those skilled in the art will understand that it can be as described later. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown in the conceptual diagram, the suspension part is positioned at a specific location relative to the base 22. Other embodiments utilizing the principles of this invention are included within the scope of the invention.

[0061] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 To explain the driving mechanism of the anti-bending device 2. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the middle, the fixing parts of the multiple support members 211, 212, 213, and 214 are displayed as points.

[0062] first, Figure 4The anti-bending device 2 is in the default position. When there is no external force acting on the endoscope support 211, the endoscope support 211 can maintain its position. Figure 4 The positions shown are as follows. In the default position, the distance between the endoscope support 211 and the second additional support 214, the distance between the two additional supports 213 and 214, and the distance between the outer tube support 212 and the first additional support 213 can all be uniformly L. The length of each of the multiple elastic bodies E1, E2, and E3 can be L_0. The wire 23 can be suspended in a manner that alternates between the multiple first suspension parts 241 and second suspension parts 242.

[0063] Then, Figure 5 It is the endoscope support component 211 from Figure 4 The endoscope support 211 moves forward. As the length of each elastic body E1, E2, and E3 increases to 1 - 0 + Δl, the distance between two adjacent supports among the multiple supports 211, 212, 213, and 214 can be reduced to L - Δl. At this time, the endoscope support 211 moves a distance of 3Δl, the additional support 214 moves a distance of 2Δl, and the additional support 213 moves a distance of Δl. As a result, the distance between adjacent pairs of supports changes uniformly, thus providing uniform support for the outer sheath T and effectively preventing bending of the outer sheath T.

[0064] Figure 6 The accompanying drawing schematically illustrates an anti-bending device for an endoscope sheath according to one embodiment. Figure 6 It is displayed according to and Figure 3 The accompanying drawings show the states of the metal wire 33 connected by different paths in the embodiments, but the operating characteristics are the same.

[0065] Reference Figure 6 The anti-bending device 3 may include an endoscope support 311, an outer tube support 312, additional supports 313 and 314, a base 32, a metal wire 33, multiple first suspension parts 341, and multiple second suspension parts 342. The metal wire 33 can be arranged according to... Figure 3 The metal wire 23 shown is fastened to multiple suspension parts in opposite directions. For example, the metal wire 33 of the anti-bending device 3 can be suspended first at the second suspension part 342 and then at the first suspension part 341, with the direction from the first point to the second point as a reference.

[0066] While this disclosure includes specific examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made in these examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples described herein are for descriptive purposes only and not for limitation. The description of features or aspects in each example should be considered applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may also be obtained if the illustrated technology is performed in a different order, and / or if the constituent elements in the illustrated system, architecture, apparatus, or circuit are combined or combined in different forms, or replaced or substituted by other constituent elements or equivalents.

Claims

1. An anti-bending device for an endoscope outer tube, comprising a plurality of support members for supporting the outer tube of an endoscope, and a base for supporting the plurality of support members, characterized in that, The plurality of support members include: An endoscope support, which is slidably connected to the base and supports the endoscope body; Outer tube support, which is fixed to one side of the base, is used to support the outer tube connected to the endoscope body; At least one additional support member, slidably disposed between the endoscope support member and the outer tube support member relative to the base, for supporting the outer tube; and Metal wires are fixed to the plurality of supports in sequence from the outer tube support to the endoscope support. As the endoscope support slides, the spacing between the closest pairs of supports changes by the same amount. The endoscope sheath anti-bending device also includes multiple suspension parts, and the metal wire is alternately bent on the multiple suspension parts, so that the metal wire is arranged in a shape that bends multiple times from one end to the other.

2. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal wire includes multiple elastic bodies, which cause the overall length of the metal wire to change according to the sliding distance of the endoscope support.

3. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The elastomer provides elasticity along the direction away from the outer sleeve support of the endoscope support.

4. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a portion of the plurality of suspension components is a pulley.

5. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The metal wire includes at least one elastomer, which is disposed between each of the most adjacent pairs of supports among the plurality of supports. The overall elastic coefficient of at least one elastic body disposed between each pair of supports is the same.

6. The endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of support members each include a fixing part fixed to the metal wire. The metal wire has a shape that bends an even number of times between the two closest pairs of fixed portions along its length.

7. The endoscope sheath anti-bending device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The wire portion located between the pair of fixing parts is provided with at least one elastic body that allows the overall length of the wire to be variable.

8. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of supports each include a support hole through which the outer sheath of the endoscope passes.

9. The endoscope outer tube anti-bending device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The endoscope body can be detached from the endoscope support.

10. An anti-bending device for an endoscope outer tube, comprising a plurality of support members for supporting the outer tube of an endoscope, and a base supporting the plurality of support members, characterized in that, The plurality of support members include: The first support member, which is fixed to one side of the base, is used to support the outer tube connected to the endoscope body; An endoscope support is slidably connected to the base and supports the endoscope body; The second support member is slidably disposed between the first support member and the endoscope support member relative to the base, and is used to support the outer tube; A third support member, which is slidably disposed between the second support member and the endoscope support member relative to the base, is used to support the outer sleeve; and Metal wires are fixed to the plurality of supports in sequence from the first support to the endoscope support. Specifically, based on the sliding motion of the endoscope support, the sliding displacement of the third support is greater than that of the second support. The endoscope sheath anti-bending device also includes multiple suspension parts, and the metal wire is alternately bent on the multiple suspension parts, so that the metal wire is arranged in a shape that bends multiple times from one end to the other.

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