Variable diameter flexible hysteroscope based on self-growth

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of uterine cervix, in particular to a variable-diameter soft hysteroscope based on a self-growth mode. In order to avoid the pain and even the scraping damage to the patient caused by the direct insertion of the existing hysteroscope into the human body and the friction with the inner wall of the cavity, the application replaces the expansion of the vagina and the expansion of the uterine cervix equipment with the inflation expansion of the variable-diameter hysteroscope main body film to support the natural cavity, and a channel is reserved for the main body tip to enter the uterine cavity, so that the problem of complicated diagnosis and treatment process caused by the traditional hysteroscopy diagnosis and treatment mode is solved, and the hysteroscopy diagnosis and treatment technology is promoted to be clinic.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hysteroscopy technology, and more specifically to a variable-diameter soft hysteroscope based on a self-growing mechanism. Background Technology

[0002] Gynecological reproductive tract inflammation has long been a significant disease affecting women's health, with a vast potential market. With the increasing number of cases of uterine cavity inflammation, there is an urgent need to develop outpatient uterine cavity diagnosis and treatment techniques that reduce patient waiting time and improve the utilization rate of medical resources. Traditional hysteroscopic devices, limited by their inherent rigid structure and hard materials, require surgical pretreatment, including pre-expansion of the vagina and cervix using mechanical dilators. The hysteroscope is then directly inserted into the patient's uterus by the doctor. During the diagnostic and treatment procedure, the rigid hysteroscope, which dominates the market, lacks independent freedom of movement; it can only be rotated, tilted, and swung by the doctor's rear end. This entire process causes significant pain for the patient and often requires hospitalization. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a variable-diameter soft hysteroscope based on a self-growing method, with the aim of enabling non-invasive and non-destructive diagnosis of intrauterine diseases using hysteroscopy, and promoting the outpatient treatment of intrauterine diseases.

[0004] The above objectives are achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope based on a self-growing method includes a hysteroscope body membrane, a main flexible tube disposed within the hysteroscope body membrane, the left side of the hysteroscope body membrane being fixedly connected to the left side of the main flexible tube, at least three flexible lines evenly distributed circumferentially within the main flexible tube, the left side of each flexible line being fixedly connected to the main flexible tube, and a driving device connected to the hysteroscope body membrane. The driving device is used to control the extension length of each flexible line, control the linear displacement of the main flexible tube and the flexible lines, and control the amount of gas within the hysteroscope body membrane.

[0006] The main body membrane of the hysteroscope is made of a biocompatible and flexible material that can be everted.

[0007] The main body membrane of the hysteroscope is a one-piece molded cylindrical structure with an enlarged section on the right side. The enlarged section on the right side of the main body membrane of the hysteroscope has a larger diameter and is a primary membrane, while the enlarged section on the left side of the main body membrane of the hysteroscope has a smaller diameter and is a secondary membrane.

[0008] The main body membrane of the hysteroscope has a rounded chamfer at the diameter expansion point to achieve a smooth transition.

[0009] The main hose is a one-piece molded flexible hose with a large length-to-diameter ratio and a multi-channel structure.

[0010] The main flexible tube has a first channel at its center. Multiple second channels are evenly distributed around the first channel on the main flexible tube. Each flexible wire of the main flexible tube is embedded in a second channel. A tip carrying device is fixed to the left end of the main flexible tube. When the hysteroscope body membrane is filled with gas, it forms an air sac that wraps around the main flexible tube and the tip carrying device. The tip carrying device has multiple holes. Different holes are used to tightly fit the camera, water inlet pipe, water outlet pipe, LED light source and / or medical device tubing. The medical device can extend the operator's hand through the first channel.

[0011] The drive unit includes a clamping ring and a linear module fixedly connected to the clamping ring. The clamping ring connects the hysteroscope body membrane to the linear module, enabling the outer shell of the linear module to communicate with the hysteroscope body membrane and form a cavity in parallel. Inside the cavity, there is a steering drive device that drives the linear module to move left and right, and an air pump fixedly connected to the right side of the linear module.

[0012] The steering drive unit includes a fixed frame that is driven onto the linear module, and a number of motors that are fixed to the fixed frame as many as the flexible wires. The motors are used to adjust the winding and unwinding of the flexible wires. The right side of the main flexible hose is fixed to the fixed frame.

[0013] The motor shaft of the motor extends from top to bottom out of the fixed frame, and each motor shaft is fixed with a motor shaft cap. Each flexible wire extends out of the right side of the main body hose and is fixed to a motor shaft cap. The main body hose passes through the fixed frame, and a clamping mechanism is fixed on the fixed frame. The main body hose is fixed to the clamping mechanism.

[0014] Each motor is paired with a sensor.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention, a variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope based on a self-growing mechanism, are as follows:

[0016] To avoid the pain and even tissue damage caused by the rigid direct insertion of existing hysteroscopes into the body and friction with the inner wall of the cavity, a variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope based on a self-growing method is developed. The variable-diameter hysteroscope body is inflated and expanded to replace the dilation and cervical dilation equipment to support the natural cavity, leaving a channel for the tip of the body to enter the uterine cavity. This solves the problem of cumbersome diagnosis and treatment procedures caused by the traditional hysteroscopic diagnosis and treatment mode, and promotes the outpatient application of hysteroscopic diagnosis and treatment technology. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the variable diameter soft hysteroscope based on the self-growth method of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the main body tip carrying device;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the growth process of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the location of the flexible line and the steering drive device.

[0022] In the figure: 1. Hysteroscope main body membrane; 2. Main body flexible tube; 21. Flexible wire; 3. Main body tip carrying device; 4. Rear end drive device; 41. Pressing ring; 42. Linear module; 43. Steering drive device; 44. Air pump; 45. Fixing frame; 46. Mounting mechanism; 47. Motor shaft cap. Detailed Implementation

[0023] A variable-diameter soft hysteroscope based on a self-growing mechanism, for example Figures 1 to 3 The hysteroscope body film 1 comprises an ultra-thin and flexible hysteroscope body membrane 1, preferably a biocompatible, everted soft material such as polyurethane or polyimide. The hysteroscope body membrane 1 is a one-piece molded cylindrical structure with an enlarged section on the right side, featuring a rounded chamfer at the enlargement point for a smooth transition. For ease of description, the enlarged section on the right side of the hysteroscope body membrane 1 has a larger diameter and is classified as a primary membrane. The left side of the hysteroscope body membrane 1 has a smaller diameter and is classified as a secondary membrane.

[0024] To further explain, a main flexible tube 2 is disposed within the main body membrane 1 of the hysteroscope, and the left portion of the inner wall of the primary membrane is fixedly connected to the left end of the outer wall of the main flexible tube 2. The main flexible tube 2 is a one-piece molded flexible tube with a multi-channel structure. Preferably, the length-to-diameter ratio of the main flexible tube 2 is greater than 100. A first channel is disposed at the center of the main flexible tube 2, and three second channels are evenly distributed around the circumference of the first channel on the main flexible tube 2. A flexible wire 21 is embedded in each second channel of the main flexible tube 2, and the left portion of the flexible wire 21 is fixedly connected to the main flexible tube 2.

[0025] To further explain, a tip carrying device 3 is fixed to the left end of the main flexible tube 2. The hysteroscope's main body membrane 1 is filled with gas, causing the secondary membrane to form an airbag-like protective envelope around the main flexible tube 2 and the tip carrying device 3, preventing scratching with surrounding biological tissue. The tip carrying device 3 has multiple holes of different sizes and shapes. Holes of different sizes and shapes can be tightly fitted to carry devices with different functions, such as cameras, inlet / outlet water pipes, LED light sources, and medical device tubing. Preferably, the device's tubing is divided into two groups: one group is the camera's signal line, and the other group is the LED's power line. These two groups of wires are wrapped together with an insulation layer to form a single wire, which runs within the first channel of the main flexible tube 2. The medical device can pass through the first channel of the main flexible tube 2 and extend its operating hand through the hole. The operating hand is used for surgical operations.

[0026] To further explain, in combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 It also includes a drive device 4, which comprises a clamping ring 41 fixedly connected to the right end of the primary membrane, and a linear module 42 fixedly connected to the clamping ring 41. The clamping ring 41 connects the hysteroscope body membrane 1 and the linear module 42 together, enabling the outer shell of the linear module 42 to communicate with the hysteroscope body membrane 1 and form a cavity in parallel. Inside the cavity, there is a steering drive device 43 that moves left and right by the linear module 42, and an air pump 44 fixedly connected to the right side of the linear module 42. During operation, the air pump 44 is turned on, and external gas is injected into the hysteroscope body membrane 1 from inside the cavity, increasing to a certain pressure to drive the hysteroscope body membrane 1 to grow outward.

[0027] The steering drive device 43 includes a fixed frame 45 connected to the linear module 42, allowing the fixed frame 45 to move left and right via the linear module 42. When the fixed frame 45 moves to the right, it can pull the hysteroscope main body membrane 1 inward, allowing the secondary membrane to be stored within the primary membrane. It also includes three independently controllable motors fixed to the fixed frame 45, each motor matched with a sensor. The motor shafts extend from top to bottom out of the fixed frame 45, and each motor shaft is fixed with a motor shaft cap 47. Three flexible wires 21 extend from the right side of the main body flexible tube 2 and are respectively wrapped and tightened around the three motor shaft caps 47. The main body flexible tube 2 passes through the fixed frame 45, and a clamping mechanism 46 is bolted to the fixed frame 45. The main body flexible tube 2 is clamped and fixed within the clamping mechanism 46.

[0028] As the motor rotates, the flexible wire 21 tightens, contracts, relaxes, and extends. The sensors inside the device can acquire the motor's rotation angle in real time, thereby calculating the wire length and ultimately determining the bending angle of the main flexible tube 2. Because the steering drive device 43 moves synchronously back and forth with the main flexible tube 2, the length of the flexible wire 21 does not change due to the growth movement of the hysteroscope's main body membrane 1. This ensures that the tightening and contraction of the flexible wire 21 directly controls the steering movement of the main flexible tube 2 and only affects its bending angle. The three circumferentially arranged flexible wires 21 can drive the main flexible tube 2 to bend in all directions, and the hysteroscope's main body membrane 1, wrapped around the outer layer of the tube, also wrinkles and bends accordingly, ultimately achieving arbitrary spatial angle steering of the variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope based on a self-growing method.

[0029] For example Figure 4This demonstrates the growth process of a variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope based on a self-growing method. During operation, the internal air pump 44 of the drive device 4 generates gas. Driven by this gas pressure, the primary and secondary membranes 1 sequentially grow outwards, simultaneously moving the main flexible tube 2 forward. The linear module 42 also moves forward in coordination. Throughout the growth process of the hysteroscope body, the main membrane 1, the main flexible tube 2, and the steering drive device 43 maintain synchronized movement. The main flexible tube 2 remains nested inside the main membrane 1 until the growth process is complete. This action facilitates the left side of the self-growing variable-diameter flexible hysteroscope entering the uterus, with the main tip carrying device 3 reaching the free end (left side) of the main flexible tube 2. The camera front end is unobstructed, providing a wide field of view.

Claims

1. A self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope, comprising a hysteroscope body film (1), a main body tube (2) arranged in the hysteroscope body film (1), a left part of the hysteroscope body film (1) being fixedly connected with a left part of the main body tube (2), at least three flexible wires (21) being circumferentially and uniformly arranged in the main body tube (2), a left part of each flexible wire (21) being fixedly connected on the main body tube (2), and further comprising a driving device (4) in communication with the hysteroscope body film (1), the driving device (4) being used to control the extension length of each flexible wire (21), to control the linear displacement of the main body tube (2) and the flexible wire (21), and to control the gas amount in the hysteroscope body film (1); a first hole is arranged in the center of the main body tube (2), and a plurality of second holes are circumferentially and uniformly arranged around the first hole on the main body tube (2), and each flexible wire (21) of the main body tube (2) is embedded in a second hole.

2. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the hysteroscope body film (1) is made of a flexible material which is biocompatible and can be everted.

3. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the hysteroscope body film (1) is an integrally formed cylindrical structure, and has a diameter expansion section on the right side, the diameter expansion section on the right side of the hysteroscope body film (1) has a larger diameter and is a first film, and the left side of the hysteroscope body film (1) has a smaller diameter and is a second film.

4. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 3, wherein the hysteroscope body film (1) has a circular arc chamfer at the diameter expansion section to achieve smooth transition.

5. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the main body tube (2) is a large length-diameter ratio flexible tube with a multi-hole structure which is integrally formed.

6. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein a tip carrying device (3) is fixedly connected to the left end of the main body tube (2), and the hysteroscope body film (1) is filled with gas to form a gas bag wrapped around the main body tube (2) and the tip carrying device (3), a plurality of holes are formed on the tip carrying device (3), different holes are used to tightly fit a camera, a water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe, an LED light source or / and a medical instrument pipe, and a medical instrument can be used to operate the hand through the first hole.

7. The self-growth based variable diameter soft hysteroscope according to claim 1, wherein the driving device (4) comprises a compression ring (41) and a linear module (42) fixedly connected with the compression ring (41), the compression ring (41) connects the hysteroscope body film (1) and the linear module (42) together, the outer shell of the linear module (42) and the hysteroscope body film (1) are in communication and form a cavity, a steering driving device (43) driven by the linear module (42) to move left and right is arranged in the cavity, and a gas pump (44) is fixedly connected to the right part of the linear module (42). ​ 8. The variable diameter soft hysteroscope based on self-growth mode according to claim 7, wherein the steering driving device (43) comprises a fixed frame (45) connected to the linear module (42) and a same number of motors as the flexible wires (21) fixed to the fixed frame (45), the motors being used to adjust the winding and releasing of the flexible wires (21), and the right part of the main tube (2) being fixed to the fixed frame (45).

9. The variable diameter soft hysteroscope based on self-growth mode according to claim 8, wherein the motor shafts of the motors extend out of the fixed frame (45) from top to bottom, and each motor shaft is fixed with a motor shaft cap (47), each flexible wire (21) extends out of the right part of the main tube (2) and is fixed to a motor shaft cap (47), the main tube (2) passes through the fixed frame (45), the fixed frame (45) is fixed with a clamping mechanism (46), and the main tube (2) is fixed to the clamping mechanism (46).

10. The variable diameter soft hysteroscope based on self-growth mode according to claim 8, wherein each motor is matched with a sensor.

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