A retraction mechanism and an endoscope

Abstract

The present invention provides a retracting and extending mechanism and an endoscope, relating to the technical field of medical devices. The present invention includes a housing detachably disposed on the handle, the housing being provided with an outlet; a camera module including a cable and a shooting member disposed at the distal end of the cable; and a retracting and extending member disposed in the housing for driving the camera module in and out of the outlet so that the shooting member can be switched between a storage state and a shooting state. When the shooting member is in the storage state, the shooting member is stored in the housing; when the shooting member is in the shooting state, the shooting member extends out of the housing and is used to be fixed to the distal end of the instrument tube. Compared with the prior art, the present application not only reduces the equipment maintenance and disinfection costs, but also reduces the consumption of disposable instruments, resulting in a decrease in the overall expenditure of medical institutions, while reducing the medical expenses of patients and improving the utilization rate of medical resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and particularly to a retraction and deployment mechanism and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] An endoscope is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the field of modern medicine, especially playing an important role in clinical operations such as gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, etc. Since the endoscope needs to directly contact the patient's digestive tract, respiratory tract and other parts during use, there is a high risk of cross-infection. Therefore, after each use, it must go through a strict cleaning and disinfection process to ensure patient safety. Usually, the disinfection process of the endoscope includes multiple steps such as mechanical cleaning, chemical disinfection, drying and sterilization, involving special disinfection equipment and consumables, which are not only costly but also time-consuming, affecting the diagnosis and treatment efficiency of medical institutions. Especially in the case of a large number of patients, the disinfection and reprocessing costs of traditional endoscopes have become an important burden in the operation of medical institutions.

[0003] To solve the problems of high disinfection cost, complex process and difficult infection control of traditional endoscopes, disposable endoscopes have emerged. The disposable endoscope can be directly discarded after use, avoiding the high cost and complex operation brought by repeated disinfection, improving medical efficiency and reducing the infection risk, and is particularly prominent in departments with strict requirements for infection control such as emergency and intensive care. However, although the disposable endoscope reduces the disinfection cost, its production cost is still high, mainly affected by materials, manufacturing processes and imaging systems, resulting in a still large overall expenditure for medical institutions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a retraction and deployment mechanism and an endoscope.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a retraction and deployment mechanism, adopting the following technical solution: 1]

[0006] 2]A retraction and deployment mechanism, applied to an endoscope, the endoscope includes a handle and an instrument tube, and the retraction and deployment mechanism includes:

[0007] A housing, detachably disposed on the handle, and the housing is provided with an outlet;

[0008] A camera module, the camera module includes a cable and a shooting member disposed at the distal end of the cable; and

[0009] A retraction and deployment member, disposed in the housing, for driving the camera module to enter and exit the outlet, so that the shooting member switches between a storage state and a shooting state;

[0010] Wherein, when the photographing member is in the storage state, the photographing member is stored in the housing; when the photographing member is in the photographing state, the photographing member extends out of the housing and is used to be fixed to the distal end of the instrument tube.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present application provides an endoscope, adopting the following technical solution:

[0012] An endoscope includes the retraction and extension mechanism described in the above technical solution, and further includes a handle and an instrument tube. A fixing member for fixing the photographing member is provided at the distal end of the instrument tube.

[0013] The present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0014] In the present application, by providing a camera module and a retraction and extension member in the housing, the camera module can be switched between the storage state and the photographing state. When using the endoscope, the retraction and extension member drives the camera module to extend out of the housing through the outlet of the housing and is fixed to the distal end of the instrument tube, thereby realizing the visualization of the insertion process of the instrument tube, guiding the operator to accurately position, and improving the accuracy of inspection and operation. After use, the retraction and extension member can retract the camera module into the interior of the housing. Since no other channels are provided inside the camera module, its contamination is limited to the outer surface. Therefore, only the outer surface of the camera module needs to be disinfected to meet the requirement of repeated use, thereby reducing the disinfection difficulty. Compared with the traditional overall disinfection method, the present application not only reduces the equipment maintenance and disinfection costs, but also reduces the consumption of disposable instruments, resulting in a decrease in the overall expenditure of medical institutions, while reducing the medical expenses of patients and improving the utilization rate of medical resources. Description of the Drawings

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 2 is a first partial structural diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 3 is a second partial structural diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 5is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle part A;

[0022] Figure 7 It is an exploded schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of an endoscope;

[0024] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram of the partial structure of the endoscope;

[0025] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of the middle part B;

[0026] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of an endoscope;

[0027] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the distal end of the instrument tube;

[0028] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure at the distal end of the instrument tube with part of the membrane sleeve removed;

[0029] Figure 14 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the shrapnel.

[0030] The following are marked in the figure:

[0031] 10. Endoscope; 11. Handle; 12. Instrument tube; 12a. Shrapnel; 12b. Membrane sleeve; 100. Shell; 110. Outlet; 120. Accommodating chamber; 130. Guide structure; 140. Connecting line; 150. Limiting groove; 200. Camera module; 210. Cable; 220. Camera element; 221. Air guide groove; 300. Retractable element; 310. Movable element; 311. Rotating wheel; 400. Disconnection assembly; 410. Plug; 411. First magnet; 412. Abutting protrusion; 420. Socket; 421. Second magnet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the technical solutions of the present invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other implementations obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first", "second", etc. are usually of the same type, and the number of objects is not limited. For example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "and / or" in the description and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / ", generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0034] In the embodiments of this application, "proximal" and "distal" refer to the relative distances of each component from the user in the usage environment. Among them, the end closer to the user is designated as "proximal", and the end farther from the user is designated as "distal".

[0035] Endoscopes are one of the widely used diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the field of modern medicine, especially in the fields of gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, cystoscopy, etc., and play an irreplaceable role. However, since endoscopes need to directly contact the digestive tract, respiratory tract and other parts during use, there is a high risk of cross-infection. Therefore, after each use, they must go through strict cleaning and disinfection processes to ensure patient safety. The traditional endoscope disinfection process usually includes multiple steps such as mechanical cleaning, chemical disinfection, and drying and sterilization. It is not only complex in operation, but also has high requirements for equipment and personnel. The whole process requires a large amount of time, disinfectants and professional disinfection equipment, which makes medical institutions bear high disinfection and maintenance costs in daily operations. Especially in the case of high-frequency use, this problem is more prominent.

[0036] In order to reduce the disinfection cost and the difficulty of infection control of traditional endoscopes, disposable endoscopes have gradually been applied. Disposable endoscopes can be directly discarded after use, avoiding the cumbersome disinfection process, improving medical efficiency, and effectively reducing the risk of infection, especially suitable for scenarios with strict infection control requirements such as emergency and intensive care. However, the inventor found that the cost of the camera module of disposable endoscopes is relatively high. Its manufacturing involves high-precision optical sensors, image processing chips and other components, and the cost accounts for a large proportion in the whole machine. According to the requirements of single use, the camera module is discarded after each inspection, resulting in the high-cost core components being discarded after only one use, which not only increases the cost burden of medical institutions, but also causes a large amount of resource waste.

[0037] In addition, a camera module usually contains various rare materials, such as high-precision glass lenses, precious metal electrodes, and special semiconductor chips. These materials may cause environmental pollution during the waste treatment process. Especially when disposable endoscopes are used on a large scale, the pressure of medical waste treatment increases significantly. On the other hand, due to the tight supply chain of key materials such as high-end semiconductors and precision optical components globally, the large amount of waste of camera modules also exacerbates the consumption of medical resources and is not conducive to the sustainable development of the industry. Therefore, how to reduce the use cost of the camera module and improve its reuse rate while ensuring infection control has become an urgent problem to be solved in the current medical device industry.

[0038] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a retracting and releasing mechanism. By setting a retracting and releasing member to store and release the camera module, the camera module can be stored inside the instrument tube before surgery, released to the distal end of the instrument tube when needed, realizing visual operation during surgery, and the camera module can be separately recycled after surgery. Since there are no other channels inside the camera module, the pollution range is mainly limited to the outer surface. Therefore, only disinfecting the outer surface of the camera module can meet the requirements of repeated use, thus simplifying the disinfection process and reducing the disinfection difficulty.

[0039] Compared with the traditional method of disinfecting the entire endoscope, the retracting and releasing mechanism of this application not only reduces the costs required for equipment maintenance and disinfection, but also reduces the dependence on disposable instruments, enabling medical institutions to manage medical resources more effectively and reducing the generation of medical waste. In addition, since the camera module can be recycled and reused, it avoids the waste of expensive optical components and precision electronic components, thus reducing the overall medical cost, enabling patients to obtain high-quality diagnosis and treatment services at a lower cost, and also contributing to the sustainable development of the medical industry.

[0040] The following combines the attached Figures 1 to 14 , and through specific embodiments and their application scenarios, a retracting and releasing mechanism and an endoscope provided by this application are described in detail.

[0041] The first aspect of this embodiment describes a retracting and releasing mechanism in detail.

[0042] Refer to Figure 9 , Figure 11, an embodiment of the present application discloses a retraction and extension mechanism, which is applied to an endoscope 10. The endoscope 10 includes a handle 11 and an instrument tube 12. The instrument tube 12 is used to provide channels for operating instruments and irrigation fluid. The handle 11 is for a doctor to hold and operate. During actual use, an operator holds the handle 11 and inserts the distal end of the instrument tube 12 into the body, so that the instrument tube 12 forms an operation channel for external instruments to enter the body to perform corresponding operations. At the same time, the irrigation fluid can also be delivered to the target site through the instrument tube 12 to assist in cleaning or optimizing the field of view, and improve the accuracy and safety of the operation.

[0043] Exemplarily, the retraction and extension mechanism can adopt a detachable design, enabling it to be recycled or disinfected independently of the handle 11. For example, the retraction and extension mechanism can be detachably connected to the handle 11 through a snap structure, so that it can be quickly disassembled for cleaning or replacement after the operation. In addition, the retraction and extension mechanism can also be fixed to the handle 11 through a magnetic adsorption structure, facilitating installation and disassembly while ensuring stability. This design not only improves the flexibility of use of the retraction and extension mechanism, but also reduces the maintenance and replacement costs of the overall endoscope 10, thereby optimizing the utilization efficiency of medical resources.

[0044] Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , the retraction and extension mechanism includes a housing 100, an imaging module 200, and a retraction and extension member 300. The housing 100 serves as the installation base for the imaging module 200 and the retraction and extension member 300, providing support and protection for each component, enabling them to be stably installed and realizing the retraction and extension function. The imaging module 200 can be retracted or released through the retraction and extension member 300 to adapt to different usage requirements.

[0045] Among them, the housing 100 can be made of plastic or metal materials to achieve characteristics such as light weight and corrosion resistance while ensuring structural stability. Preferably, the housing 100 can be made of the same or similar materials as the handle 11 to enhance the overall coordination after installation, improve the holding feel, and reduce the seams between different materials, thereby reducing the difficulty of cleaning and maintenance during use to a certain extent. In addition, the shape of the housing 100 can be optimized according to the shape of the handle 11, so that it can fit well with the handle 11 after installation, reduce additional protrusions, and improve the comfort and stability of the operation.

[0046] Refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3, in some solutions, an outlet 110 for the entry and exit of the imaging module 200 is provided on the housing 100. During use, the imaging module 200 can enter or exit the housing 100 through the outlet 110 under the drive of the retractable member 300 to meet different usage requirements. For example, when it is necessary to use the imaging module 200 for imaging, the imaging module 200 can extend from the inside of the housing 100 to the distal end of the instrument tube 12, thereby providing clear image support. After use, the imaging module 200 can be retracted into the housing 100 through the outlet 110 to reduce the exposed area and lower the contamination risk.

[0047] To optimize the retraction and extension effect of the imaging module 200, a guiding structure, such as a flexible flap or a guiding chute, can be provided at the edge of the outlet 110, so that the imaging module 200 maintains a stable trajectory during entry and exit, avoiding shaking or deviation. In addition, the size of the outlet 110 can be designed to match the specifications of the imaging module 200 to ensure that the imaging module 200 can pass through smoothly, and at the same time form a certain sealing effect after retraction to reduce the entry of external pollutants.

[0048] In some designs, the outlet 110 can also be equipped with a sealing member, such as an elastic sealing ring or a dust-proof film, to cover the outlet 110 in the non-use state, thereby further reducing the impact of the external environment on the internal structure of the housing 100. This sealing structure can automatically open when the imaging module 200 extends and automatically close when the imaging module 200 is retracted, thus achieving a balance between convenience and protection effect.

[0049] The imaging module 200 includes a cable 210 and a shooting member 220. The cable 210 is used to provide electrical energy for the shooting member 220 and to transmit the collected image signals to the backend host for processing and display. In a specific application, the shooting member 220 includes a camera and a light source. The camera is responsible for capturing and collecting image data, while the light source provides illumination for the shooting area to improve the imaging quality and make the collected images clearer.

[0050] To improve the stability of image acquisition, the camera can adopt a high-resolution sensor to obtain more detailed image information. At the same time, the light source can adopt an LED array or fiber optic illumination to provide uniform lighting conditions and reduce the interference of shadows and noise. In addition, the illuminance of the light source can be adjusted according to actual needs, such as by adjusting the supply voltage or using a controllable light source structure, to adapt to different usage environments.

[0051] To optimize the service life and reliability of the cable 210, a flexible protective layer can be coated on the outside of the cable 210 to improve its tensile resistance and anti-twisting ability, and to avoid damage during multiple winding and unwinding processes. At the same time, the material of the cable 210 can be selected as a highly flexible wire to adapt to frequent bending operations and ensure the stability of signal transmission. In some designs, the cable 210 can also be provided with an additional shielding layer to reduce the impact of external electromagnetic interference on the quality of the image signal, thereby improving the clarity and stability of imaging.

[0052] In some solutions, the winding and unwinding member 300 is used to drive the imaging module 200 to enter and exit the outlet 110, so that the shooting member 220 can be switched between the storage state and the shooting state. Among them, when the shooting member 220 is in the storage state, the shooting member 220 is stored in the housing 100; when the shooting member 220 is in the shooting state, the shooting member 220 extends out of the housing 100 and is used to be fixed at the distal end of the instrument tube 12, so that it can collect in-vivo image information.

[0053] To ensure the stability of the shooting member 220 in the shooting state, various fixing methods can be adopted, such as snap connection, bonding or other detachable connection structures. For example, the snap connection method can be realized through an elastic snap structure for quick installation and disassembly, while the bonding method can adopt a medical-grade biocompatible adhesive to ensure the fixing reliability and be removable when needed. In addition, the magnetic adsorption structure is also one of the optional solutions, and the shooting member 220 is stably connected through the adsorption of the magnet and is easy to be quickly separated during recovery.

[0054] During use, since the shooting member 220 is fixed at the distal end of the instrument tube 12, it can penetrate into the body to the target area along with the instrument tube 12, providing real-time image support for doctors and assisting in operations. After the inspection or treatment is completed, the shooting member 220 can be disassembled from the distal end of the instrument tube 12 and stored together with the cable 210 inside the housing 100, and then recovered and disinfected. Since the contamination of the imaging module 200 is mainly concentrated on the outer surface, only the outer surface needs to be disinfected after recovery to meet the requirements of repeated use, thereby reducing the disinfection difficulty, reducing the medical cost, and improving the resource utilization rate.

[0055] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 3 、 Figure 4 , the housing 100 is provided with a receiving cavity 120 for accommodating the imaging module 200. The winding and unwinding member 300 is rotatably arranged along the first axis in the receiving cavity 120. The winding and unwinding member 300 is rotatably arranged in the housing 100, and when the winding and unwinding member 300 rotates, at least part of the imaging module 200 can be wound around the winding and unwinding member 300 to realize the storage and release of the imaging module 200.

[0056] Specifically, the cable reel 300 can adopt a rotating shaft structure, and a cable guiding structure 130 is provided on its outer peripheral surface to guide the cable 210 of the camera module 200 to wind orderly during the retracting and extending process, avoiding knotting or excessive bending of the cable 210. The rotation of the cable reel 300 can be controlled by a spring return mechanism, a friction adjustment mechanism or a driving component to ensure that the camera module 200 has an appropriate damping effect when releasing or storing, preventing damage caused by too fast release or affecting the smoothness of retracting and extending due to excessive resistance.

[0057] During use, the cable reel 300 can drive the camera module 200 to gradually release, so that the shooting part 220 extends out of the accommodation cavity 120 through the outlet 110 and is fixed to the distal end of the instrument tube 12 to achieve image acquisition. When the use is completed, the cable reel 300 rotates to wind the cable 210 of the camera module 200 back into the accommodation cavity 120, so that the shooting part 220 is re-stored inside the housing 100, facilitating recycling and disinfection. This can not only improve the convenience of use of the retracting and extending mechanism, but also effectively protect the camera module 200 and the cable 210, extend the service life, and reduce the medical cost at the same time. In this embodiment, the first axis is the rotation axis of the cable reel 300.

[0058] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 , the housing 100 is provided with a guiding structure 130 surrounding the cable reel 300, and the guiding structure 130 is used to guide the camera module 200 in and out of the outlet 110. The guiding structure 130 can constrain the movement trajectory of the cable 210 during the release or storage of the camera module 200, so that it unfolds or winds along a predetermined path, improving the stability and reliability of retracting and extending.

[0059] In practical applications, the guiding structure 130 can adopt the form of an annular baffle and is arranged around the cable reel 300. For example, the annular baffle can partially surround the outer periphery of the cable reel 300, so that the cable 210 remains in contact with the outer surface of the cable reel 300 when released and is led out along a set trajectory, thereby preventing the cable 210 from spreading disorderly in all directions during the release process, constraining the cable 210 during the release process, and avoiding affecting the advancement of the camera module 200 due to looseness.

[0060] By setting the guiding structure 130, not only can it ensure that the cable 210 of the camera module 200 is released along the set path, enabling the shooting part 220 to be smoothly pushed out of the outlet 110, but also it can effectively prevent the cable 210 from affecting the retracting and extending efficiency due to excessive bending or winding, thereby improving the stability and durability of the overall system.

[0061] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 1 、 Figure 4, the housing 100 is provided with a connecting wire 140 for connecting with a cable 210; a disconnection component 400 is arranged between the cable 210 and the connecting wire 140, and the disconnection component 400 is used to disconnect or connect the connecting wire 140 and the cable 210. During the storage process of the camera module 200, the cable 210 will be stored in the housing 100 and wound around the winding and unwinding member 300, causing connection problems between the connecting wire 140 and the cable 210. By providing the disconnection component 400, when it is necessary to release or store the camera module 200, the connection between the connecting wire 140 and the cable 210 can be disconnected, thereby avoiding the influence of the winding of the cable 210 on the storage effect during the winding and unwinding process.

[0062] When the camera module 200 is completely released and fixed at the distal end of the instrument tube 12, the cable 210 and the connecting wire 140 can be reconnected through the disconnection component 400 to ensure that the image can be smoothly transmitted to the host device for processing. This design makes the storage and release of the cable 210 more convenient during the winding and unwinding process, avoiding transmission interruption or operation difficulties caused by the winding of the cable 210.

[0063] According to an optional embodiment, the disconnection component 400 includes a plug 410 and a socket 420. The plug 410 is connected to one of the connecting wire 140 and the cable 210, and the socket 420 is connected to the other; in the shooting state of the shooting member 220, the plug 410 is cooperatively connected with the socket 420 to ensure that the image can be transmitted from the camera module 200 to the host device through the cable 210.

[0064] During the implementation process, when the camera module 200 is in the storage state, the plug 410 and the socket 420 are disconnected through the disconnection component 400 to avoid unnecessary winding or interference between the cable 210 and the connecting wire 140. At this time, the cable 210 and the connecting wire 140 are in a disconnected state, facilitating the storage of the camera module 200 in the housing 100. When the camera module 200 is released and enters the shooting state, the plug 410 is automatically or manually cooperatively connected with the socket 420 to re - establish the transmission channel between the cable 210 and the connecting wire 140, thereby ensuring that the image information can be smoothly transmitted to the host device for subsequent processing and display.

[0065] This design of the plug 410 and the socket 420 has good simplicity and reliability, avoiding other complex connection methods, and at the same time ensuring that the image transmission link is stable and reliable during the use of the camera module 200.

[0066] According to an optional embodiment, refer to Figure 4 、 Figure 5, a movable member 310 is slidably disposed along the first axis direction on the housing 100. At least a part of the movable member 310 is located outside the housing 100. One of the plug 410 and the socket 420 is disposed on the movable member 310, and the other is disposed on the housing 100. In the first axis direction, the plug 410 and the socket 420 are disposed opposite to each other so that the plug 410 and / or the socket 420 can cooperate with each other when moving in the first axis direction. By providing the movable member 310, an operator can conveniently manually control the connection relationship between the plug 410 and the socket 420. Since at least a part of the movable member 310 is located outside the housing 100, the operator can directly touch and operate the movable member 310, which can improve the convenience and efficiency of the operation. Especially during the retraction and extension process of the imaging module 200, the operator can slide the movable member 310 to quickly connect and disconnect the plug 410 and the socket 420, thus avoiding complex operation steps and improving the smoothness of the operation.

[0067] In addition, the design of the movable member 310 can ensure the stable cooperation between the plug 410 and the socket 420, and avoid the situation of poor contact or loose connection during use. This structure not only optimizes the use experience of the imaging module 200, but also improves the reliability of the imaging module 200 in different working states.

[0068] In this embodiment, one end of the cable 210 is connected to the shooting member 220, and the other end passes through the retraction and extension member 300 and is finally connected to the socket 420. Since the movement of the movable member 310 will cause the socket 420 to displace relative to the retraction and extension member 300, a part of the cable 210 is reserved between the retraction and extension member 300 and the socket 420 to adapt to the movement of the movable member 310 and ensure that the cable 210 will not be broken or damaged due to pulling during the movement.

[0069] For example, a flexible storage structure, such as an elastic bending area or a coiling mechanism, is provided in the reserved area of the cable 210, so that the cable 210 can naturally stretch and contract with the movement of the movable member 310, thereby reducing the risk of the cable 210 being stressed. In addition, in order to improve the durability of the cable 210 under complex movement conditions, a highly flexible material can be selected and a wear-resistant coating can be added on the surface of the cable 210 to reduce the wear during long-term use.

[0070] In summary, this solution reasonably reserves the length of the cable 210, enables it to adapt to the movement of the socket 420 relative to the retraction and extension member 300, and avoids damage to the cable 210 caused by pulling or affecting its service life, thereby improving the reliability and durability of the entire endoscope 10 system.

[0071] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 5 , Figure 6, the movable member 310 is coaxially connected to the retractable member 300. The movable member 310 and the retractable member 300 are slidably engaged in the first axis direction. The retractable member 300 and the movable member 310 are limitedly engaged in the rotation direction of the retractable member 300, so that the movable member 310 can drive the retractable member 300 to rotate. Through the movable member 310, not only can the retractable member 300 be driven to rotate to realize the accommodation and release of the camera module 200, but also the mating relationship between the plug 410 and the socket 420 can be controlled by driving the sliding of the movable member 310 in the first axis direction.

[0072] Specifically, during use, when the operator rotates the movable member 310, the movable member 310 can drive the retractable member 300 to gradually release the camera module 200. When the shooting member 220 is in the shooting state, the camera module 200 can provide clear image data for the endoscope 10. After the camera module 200 is completely released, the operator can slide the movable member 310 along the first axis direction, so that the plug 410 and the socket 420 are matingly connected to realize the image transmission function of the camera module 200.

[0073] This design structure realizes precise control between the retractable member 300 and the camera module 200. It can not only effectively accommodate and release the camera module 200, but also simplify the connection process between the plug 410 and the socket 420. By rotating the movable member 310 to control the rotation of the retractable member 300, the stable release and fixation of the camera module 200 can be ensured; and by sliding the movable member 310, the mating of the plug 410 and the socket 420 can be carried out quickly and conveniently, improving the simplicity and efficiency of the overall operation. In addition, the cooperation between the movable member 310 and the retractable member 300 also ensures the stability and reliability of each component during operation, thereby improving the use effect and operation safety of the endoscope 10.

[0074] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 5 , Figure 6 , the plug 410 or the socket 420 is movably connected to the housing 100. The plug 410 is provided with a first magnet 411, and the socket 420 is provided with a second magnet 421 that cooperates with the first magnet 411. The first magnet 411 and the second magnet 421 are used to position each other when the plug 410 and the socket 420 are close to each other. Since the magnets can be attracted to each other, the first magnet 411 and the second magnet 421 can be made to face each other, thereby effectively aligning the plug 410 and the socket 420.

[0075] This design utilizes the attractive force of magnets to automatically align the plug 410 and the socket 420 when they are close to each other, thus ensuring the smooth connection between the plug 410 and the socket 420. This magnetic positioning structure enables the plug 410 and the socket 420 to be accurately docked during operation by the operator, avoiding the situation where the plug 410 and the socket 420 cannot be effectively connected through the movable member 310 due to their offset. Through this mechanism, the connection process between the plug 410 and the socket 420 is more convenient and precise, reducing the operation difficulty and improving the reliability and usage efficiency of the overall system.

[0076] This design provides greater flexibility and simplicity in actual operation, especially during the quick connection and disconnection of the plug 410 and the socket 420. The magnetic guidance enables the plug 410 and the socket 420 to be naturally aligned when they come into contact, thus reducing the error or failure risk caused by improper manual operation.

[0077] For example, during the process of releasing the imaging module 200, due to possible errors or bending of the instrument tube 12, the cable 210 may not be fully released while the shooting member 220 has reached the distal end of the instrument tube 12. At this time, the plug 410 and the socket 420 may not be fully aligned. When the plug 410 and the socket 420 are driven to approach by the movable member 310, without magnetic positioning, the plug 410 and the socket 420 cannot be effectively docked. Through the mutual attraction of the first magnet 411 and the second magnet 421, the positions of the plug 410 and the socket 420 can be actively adjusted to ensure their precise docking, thus avoiding the deviation or misalignment problem when the plug 410 and the socket 420 are connected.

[0078] Exemplarily, the number of the first magnets 411 can be set to two, and the number of the second magnets 421 matches that of the first magnets 411. To ensure the correct docking of the plug 410 and the socket 420 during use, the polarities of two adjacent first magnets 411 facing the second magnet 421 should be opposite. Such a design can avoid the situation of reverse insertion of the plug 410 and the socket 420, improve the reliability of the system, and simplify the operation steps of the user, making the plug 410 and the socket 420 more stable and convenient in actual use.

[0079] In some solutions, referring to Figure 5 、 Figure 6, the plug 410 is movably connected to the housing 100, and the socket 420 is connected to the movable member 310. Exemplarily, the plug 410 is connected to the housing 100 through the cable 210, enabling it to move relative to the housing 100 within a certain range. Since the cable 210 usually has a certain flexibility, when the plug 410 approaches the socket 420, the attraction between the first magnet 411 and the second magnet 421 can prompt the plug 410 to automatically adjust its position, aligning the plug 410 and the socket 420 for a smooth docking.

[0080] Furthermore, by controlling the length of the cable 210 between the plug 410 and the housing 100, the movement range of the plug 410 can be limited, allowing it to maintain an appropriate degree of freedom during the docking process while avoiding jamming caused by excessive deviation or uneven stress. For example, the length of the cable 210 can be designed to only allow the plug 410 to adjust its position within a limited range, thus enabling both the precise mating of the plug 410 and the socket 420 during the docking process and preventing connection failure due to excessive movement.

[0081] In addition, in some solutions, as Figure 6 shown, a limiting groove 150 is provided on the housing 100, and an abutting protrusion 412 that cooperates with the limiting groove 150 is provided on the plug 410. The function of this structure is that during the docking process of the plug 410 and the socket 420, the abutting protrusion 412 can slide along the limiting groove 150 in the first axis direction, and after the plug 410 moves to an appropriate position, the abutting protrusion 412 abuts against the inner wall of the limiting groove 150 to limit the further movement of the plug 410 in the first axis direction.

[0082] During the docking process, the socket 420 moves towards the plug 410 under the drive of the movable member 310. First, the action of the first magnet 411 and the second magnet 421 causes the plug 410 to adjust its position within a certain range to ensure the alignment of the plug 410 and the socket 420. As the socket 420 continues to approach the plug 410, due to a certain docking resistance between the plug 410 and the socket 420, the socket 420 will further push the plug 410 to move along the first axis direction until the abutting protrusion 412 contacts the inner wall of the limiting groove 150. At this time, the plug 410 is fixed in an appropriate position, and the socket 420 successfully completes the docking.

[0083] When it is necessary to separate the plug 410 from the socket 420, the movable member 310 drives the socket 420 away from the plug 410. At the same time, under the cooperative action of the limiting groove 150 and the abutting protrusion 412, the plug 410 can be separated from the socket 420 along a defined trajectory, avoiding unstable separation caused by the loosening or uneven stress of the plug 410.

[0084] In summary, by setting the limiting structure and reasonably controlling the movement range of the plug 410, this solution can effectively improve the docking accuracy between the plug 410 and the socket 420, reduce the error during docking, and at the same time reduce problems such as jamming and misalignment, improving the reliability and usability of the device.

[0085] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 3 , Figure 5 , a rotating wheel 311 is provided on the part of the movable member 310 located outside the housing 100. The provision of the rotating wheel 311 enables the operator to more conveniently manually rotate the movable member 310. Through the rotating wheel 311, the operator can easily control the process of receiving and releasing the imaging module 200. The rotating wheel 311 provides an additional mechanical leverage effect, making the operation smoother and more efficient when precise adjustment of the position of the movable member 310 is required. At the same time, the design of the rotating wheel 311 facilitates operation in a narrow space, enhancing the comfort and convenience during use.

[0086] According to an optional embodiment, in the cable 210 and the imaging member 220, at least the outer surface of the imaging member 220 is coated with a protective film to seal at least the imaging member 220. By providing the protective film, it is possible to effectively isolate the outer surface of the imaging member 220 from contact with the external environment, thereby reducing the risk of contamination of the imaging member 220. After use, a new protective film can be simply replaced, thus saving the time and cost of disinfection, and avoiding cumbersome cleaning of the imaging member 220, reducing the maintenance cost. Preferably, the protective film not only coats the outside of the imaging member 220, but also can wrap the cable 210 and the imaging member 220 together, thereby providing comprehensive protection and ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the cable 210 and the imaging member 220 during use.

[0087] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 2 , Figure 3 , an air guide groove 221 is provided on the outer wall of the imaging member 220. The air guide groove 221 extends along the front-to-back direction of the imaging member 220 and penetrates the front and rear end faces of the imaging member 220. During use, a membrane sleeve 12b is provided outside the instrument tube 12. The membrane sleeve 12b has an installation channel extending along the length direction of the instrument tube 12. The released imaging module 200 will be inserted into the membrane sleeve 12b. By providing the air guide groove 221, it is possible to effectively guide the air flow when the imaging module 200 is inserted into the membrane sleeve 12b, preventing air from being blocked between the imaging member 220 and the end of the membrane sleeve 12b, thereby reducing the resistance to inserting the imaging module 200 and reducing the difficulty during the insertion process.

[0088] This design ensures that during use, the camera module 200 can be smoothly inserted into the membrane sleeve 12b without operational difficulties or displacement of the camera module 200 caused by air blockage. The provision of the air guide groove 221 not only improves the convenience of operation but also helps maintain the stability of the camera module 200, thereby ensuring the shooting quality and operational efficiency.

[0089] Exemplarily, the membrane sleeve 12b is a heat-sealable film sleeved outside the camera module 200. This heat-sealable film can shrink after being heated and completely wrap the camera module 200 to isolate it from the outside world, thereby improving the hygiene and convenience of use. Through the shrinkage characteristic of the heat-sealable film, the membrane sleeve 12b can closely fit the camera module 200, reducing imaging interference caused by wrinkles or slack. Preferably, the material of the sleeve film is a transparent material to ensure that light can pass through smoothly, thus avoiding affecting image acquisition. At the same time, the transparent material can reduce the adverse effects of light refraction or scattering, improve the clarity of imaging, and ensure the observation effect in clinical use.

[0090] The second aspect of this embodiment details an endoscope 10.

[0091] Refer to Figure 7 、 Figure 8 An endoscope 10 includes the retraction and release mechanism in the above embodiment, and further includes a handle 11 and an insertion portion. The insertion portion includes an instrument tube 12, and a fixing member for fixing the shooting member 220 is provided at the distal end of the instrument tube 12. The fixing member is used to stably fix the shooting member 220 at the distal end of the instrument tube 12 when the shooting member 220 is in the shooting state, so as to ensure the stability and clarity of the image during the shooting process. The fixing member can adopt an integrally formed structure to reduce the assembly steps and improve the overall strength and stability; or it can adopt a detachable design to facilitate the replacement or adjustment of the fixing method of the shooting member 220 under different usage requirements.

[0092] During use, the retraction and release mechanism releases the camera module 200, and the shooting member 220 is stabilized at the distal end of the instrument tube 12 through the fixing member, so that the shooting member 220 and the instrument tube 12 can be inserted into the body together. At the same time, after use, the shooting member 220 can be detached from the fixing member and recovered into the housing 100 through the retraction and release mechanism for disinfection or replacement, thereby improving the reuse efficiency and safety of the endoscope 10.

[0093] In some solutions, refer to Figure 8 、 Figure 9 A traction wheel is provided on the handle 11, and the distal end of the instrument tube 12 can be controlled to bend through the traction wheel.

[0094] According to an optional embodiment, refer to Figure 10 、 Figure 11, the instrument tube 12 is provided with a membrane sleeve 12b, and the membrane sleeve 12b is provided with an installation channel extending along the length direction of the instrument tube 12; the membrane sleeve 12b is used to communicate with the outlet 110, and the membrane sleeve 12b is at least a transparent structure near the distal end of the instrument tube 12; the fixing member is arranged on the membrane sleeve 12b. Exemplarily, the membrane sleeve 12b is used to communicate with the outlet 110 and is at least a transparent structure near the distal end of the instrument tube 12 to ensure the image acquisition quality of the shooting member 220 and enable light to pass through smoothly to provide a clear field of view.

[0095] Exemplarily, a through hole is arranged on the membrane sleeve 12b near the proximal side of the instrument tube 12, and this through hole can be docked with the position of the outlet 110, so that the camera module 200 can smoothly enter the through hole through the outlet 110 when released and further enter the interior of the membrane sleeve 12b along the channel. In order to optimize the entry process of the camera module 200, the diameter of the membrane sleeve 12b is larger than the size of the cable 210 or the shooting member 220 to provide sufficient space, making it easier for the camera module 200 to enter the membrane sleeve 12b, reducing jamming or frictional resistance, and improving the release efficiency.

[0096] Since the membrane sleeve 12b is made of a relatively soft material, during the process of inserting the instrument tube 12 into the body, the membrane sleeve 12b can naturally conform to the outer wall of the instrument tube 12, so that the overall size of the insertion part of the endoscope 10 will not increase too much. This can not only ensure the normal insertion of the instrument tube 12, but also reduce the additional expansion pressure on the patient's tissue, improving the comfort and safety of use. In addition, the transparent structure of the membrane sleeve 12b can also reduce the imaging interference caused by light reflection or refraction to a certain extent, thereby optimizing the image quality.

[0097] In summary, by setting the membrane sleeve 12b and arranging a through hole on its proximal side, the camera module 200 can smoothly enter the interior of the membrane sleeve 12b. At the same time, by utilizing the flexible material characteristics of the membrane sleeve 12b, it conforms to the instrument tube 12 during the insertion process, thereby optimizing the overall size of the endoscope 10, which helps to improve the operability and imaging quality of the instrument.

[0098] In some solutions, in order to improve the convenience of docking the through hole with the outlet 110, a first quick connector is arranged at the position of the through hole, and a second quick connector cooperating with the first quick connector is arranged at the position of the outlet 110. Through this structural design, the through hole and the outlet 110 can be quickly and stably connected, ensuring that the camera module 200 smoothly enters the interior of the membrane sleeve 12b when released, and reducing the complexity of the connection operation.

[0099] Exemplarily, the first quick connector can adopt a snap type, a threaded type or a magnetic attraction type structure to meet different usage requirements. Among them, the snap type quick connector can be quickly fixed by pressing or rotating, the threaded type quick connector provides more reliable sealing performance through screwing, while the magnetic attraction type quick connector uses magnetic force to achieve quick docking and allows a small angle adjustment to a certain extent to improve the smoothness of docking.

[0100] During use, when it is necessary to release the camera module 200, the second quick connector can cooperate with the first quick connector to form a stable communication channel between the through port and the outlet 110, ensuring that the camera module 200 smoothly enters the inside of the membrane sleeve 12b. In addition, when it is necessary to replace the membrane sleeve 12b or perform cleaning and maintenance, the first quick connector and the second quick connector can be quickly disassembled, improving the convenience of operation and reducing the impact on the overall structure of the device.

[0101] Through the above design, this solution can effectively optimize the release process of the camera module 200, reduce the abnormal release of the imaging module caused by unstable channel connection, and at the same time facilitate maintenance and replacement, improving the overall usage experience of the endoscope 10.

[0102] Exemplarily, referring to Figure 12 、 Figure 13 , the fixing member is located inside the membrane sleeve 12b and is arranged at a position of the membrane sleeve 12b close to the distal end of the instrument tube 12. Through this design, after the camera module 200 is released, the distal end of the shooting member 220 can be fixed at the distal end of the instrument tube 12, keeping it in a relatively stable state with the insertion part, so as to facilitate the camera module 200 and the insertion part to enter the body together, improving the stability and controllability of operation.

[0103] During use, the fixing member can adopt various structural forms, such as a ring-shaped clamping structure, a limiting support structure or an elastic snap structure, to meet different usage requirements. Among them, the ring-shaped clamping structure can wrap the shooting member 220 with an elastic material to achieve flexible fixation; the limiting support structure restricts the radial or axial displacement of the shooting member 220 through multiple limiting protrusions to ensure its stability; the elastic snap structure provides higher convenience during installation and disassembly through snap fit.

[0104] In addition, the material of the fixing member can be selected from medical-grade silicone, elastic plastic or metal brackets to meet the hygiene and safety requirements of the endoscope 10 during use in the body while ensuring the fixing effect. For example, the silicone material can provide good flexibility and buffering effect, reducing friction and irritation to tissues; the metal bracket can provide strong support force and is suitable for higher-precision fixing requirements.

[0105] According to an optional embodiment, referring to Figure 13 、Figure 14 The fixing member includes a spring clip 12a, which is fixed to the instrument tube 12. The spring clip 12a has a first state and a second state. Under the action of an external force, the spring clip 12a can elastically deform from the first state to the second state. In the first state, the spring clip 12a can fix the camera 220; in the second state, the spring clip 12a can release the camera 220.

[0106] Illustratively, the spring piece 12a is an annular spring piece 12a. When the spring piece 12a is in the first state, the internal space thereof is smaller than the size of the camera 220, allowing the camera 220 to be held in place with a certain clamping force. When the spring piece 12a is in the second state, the internal space thereof is increased, allowing the camera 220 to pass freely, thereby enabling the camera 220 to be released or installed.

[0107] The spring clip 12a can be made of a resilient metal (such as stainless steel or nickel-titanium alloy) or a highly elastic plastic (such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK)) to ensure good resilience and durability, ensuring stable clamping performance even after repeated use. Furthermore, to enhance friction and improve structural reliability, the surface of the spring clip 12a can be textured with an anti-slip texture or coated with a friction-enhancing material to reduce unintended loosening due to vibration or impact, thereby further stabilizing the camera element 220 after it is secured.

[0108] During use, the camera module 200 is easily released and secured. The camera element 220 moves distally within the film sleeve 12b until it reaches the location of the spring clip 12a. At this point, the operator can manually grasp the spring clip 12a, causing it to deform from its first position to its second position, thereby expanding the internal space and allowing the camera element 220 to pass smoothly through it. Once the camera element 220 continues to move to the distal end of the film sleeve 12b and abuts the distal end surface of the film sleeve 12b, the spring clip 12a is released. The spring clip 12a, acting as a rebound force, returns to its first position, clamping the camera element 220 securely, thereby ensuring stable retention of the camera element 220 at the distal end of the insertion portion.

[0109] This solution allows for quick installation and release of the camera element 220 without adding any additional complex structure. The adaptive clamping design of the annular spring 12a not only enhances securement but also accommodates camera elements 220 of varying sizes, making this securement solution more versatile and operable. Furthermore, combined with the flexible nature of the membrane sleeve 12b, this solution also mitigates the oscillation of the camera element 220 during intracorporeal movement, further enhancing the stability and imaging quality of the endoscope 10 system.

[0110] As described above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retractable mechanism, applied to an endoscope (10), the endoscope (10) comprising a handle (11) and an instrument tube (12), characterized in that: The retractable mechanism comprises: A housing (100) is detachably mounted on the handle (11), and the housing (100) is provided with an outlet (110); A camera module (200), the camera module (200) comprising a cable (210) and a shooting element (220) disposed at a distal end of the cable (210); and A retractable member (300) is provided on the housing (100) and is used to drive the camera module (200) to enter and exit the outlet (110), so as to switch the shooting member (220) between a retracted state and a shooting state; Wherein, when the shooting member (220) is in the stored state, the shooting member (220) is stored in the housing (100); when the shooting member (220) is in the shooting state, the shooting member (220) extends out of the housing (100) and is used to be fixed to the distal end of the instrument tube (12); The housing (100) is provided with a movable member (310) that slides along the first axis direction, and at least a portion of the movable member (310) is located outside the housing (100); the movable member (310) is coaxially connected to the retractable member (300), and the movable member (310) and the retractable member (300) are slidably matched in the first axis direction, and the retractable member (300) and the movable member (310) are matched in the upper limit position in the rotation direction of the retractable member (300), so that the movable member (310) can drive the retractable member (300) to rotate; The housing (100) is provided with a connecting line (140), and the connecting line (140) is used to connect to the cable (210); a disconnecting assembly (400) is provided between the cable (210) and the connecting line (140), and the disconnecting assembly (400) is used to disconnect or connect the connecting line (140) to the cable (210); The disconnect assembly (400) comprises a plug (410) and a socket (420); one of the plug (410) and the socket (420) is arranged on the movable part (310), and the other is arranged on the housing (100).

2. A retractable mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing (100) is provided with a housing cavity (120) for accommodating the camera module (200); the retractable member (300) is rotatably arranged in the housing cavity (120) along a first axis; the retractable member (300) is rotatably arranged in the housing (100); and when the retractable member (300) rotates, it can drive at least a portion of the camera module (200) to be wound around the retractable member (300).

3. A retractable mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The housing (100) is provided with a guide structure (130) surrounding the retractable member (300), and the guide structure (130) is used to guide the camera module (200) to enter and exit the outlet (110).

4. A retractable mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The plug (410) is connected to one of the connecting line (140) and the cable (210), and the socket (420) is connected to the other; when the shooting element (220) is in a shooting state, the plug (410) is connected in cooperation with the socket (420).

5. A retractable mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the direction of the first axis, the plug (410) and the socket (420) are arranged opposite each other, so that the plug (410) and / or the socket (420) can cooperate with each other when moving in the direction of the first axis.

6. A retractable mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The plug (410) or the socket (420) is movably connected to the housing (100); the plug (410) is provided with a first magnet (411); the socket (420) is provided with a second magnet (421) that matches the first magnet (411); the first magnet (411) and the second magnet (421) are used to position the plug (410) and the socket (420) relative to each other when they are close to each other; And / or, a portion of the movable part (310) located outside the housing (100) is provided with a rotating wheel (311).

7. The retractable mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: Among the cable (210) and the photographing member (220), at least the exterior of the photographing member (220) is coated with a protective film to seal at least the photographing member (220); And / or, an air guide groove (221) is provided on an outer wall of the shooting member (220), and the air guide groove (221) extends from the front end to the rear end of the shooting member (220) and passes through the front end and rear end surfaces of the shooting member (220).

8. An endoscope (10), characterized in that The device comprises the retractable mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and further comprises a handle (11) and an instrument tube (12), wherein a fixing member for fixing the shooting member (220) is provided at the distal end of the instrument tube (12).

9. An endoscope (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The instrument tube (12) is provided with a membrane sleeve (12b), and the membrane sleeve (12b) is provided with an installation channel extending along the length direction of the instrument tube (12); the membrane sleeve (12b) is used to communicate with the outlet (110), and the membrane sleeve (12b) is a transparent structure at least at a position close to the far end of the instrument tube (12); the fixing member is provided on the membrane sleeve (12b).

10. An endoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that: The fixing member comprises a spring piece (12a), the spring piece (12a) being fixed to the instrument tube (12), the spring piece (12a) having a first state and a second state, and the spring piece (12a) being capable of elastically deforming from the first state to the second state under the action of an external force; Wherein, when the spring piece (12a) is in the first state, it can fix the shooting component (220); when the spring piece (12a) is in the second state, it can release the shooting component (220).

Images