A front end head, an insertion portion, and an endoscope

Abstract

The present invention provides a front end tip, an insertion part and an endoscope, relating to the technical field of endoscopes. The present invention includes a base, the proximal end of the base is used to connect to the distal end of the insertion part, and the distal end of the base is a spherical structure to guide the insertion part into the target position; wherein, the base is light-transmissive at least in the area corresponding to the image acquisition module of the insertion part, and the base is made of biodegradable material. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages of solving the problem of smoothness of the insertion part of the endoscope when entering the body cavity and reducing the risk of tissue scratches, while not affecting the installation of the instrument tube and the good observation effect of the lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and in particular to a front end tip, an insertion portion and an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] Endoscopes are widely used for examinations and procedures in the digestive tract, respiratory tract, and genitourinary system. Different endoscope types are used for different applications, such as gastroscopes and colonoscopes for digestive tract examinations, bronchoscopes for respiratory tract examinations, and cystoscopes for genitourinary examinations. The front end of an endoscope includes an insertion section, and the distal end is equipped with a lens that captures real-time images of the cavity and transmits them to a display device for observation and operation by medical personnel.

[0003] Currently, the front end of an endoscope is generally cylindrical, allowing for smooth insertion into body cavities for examination or treatment. However, this structure is prone to direct contact with the inner wall of the body cavity during advancement, especially in curved or narrow passages. This can cause tissue scratches or even damage, impacting patient safety and comfort.

[0004] Of course, to reduce damage to tissues, some endoscopes use an integrated round head design to make the front end smoother. However, this design still has certain limitations during use. For example, although the round head structure reduces the risk of scratches, it will affect the installation of the instrument tube. Moreover, where the instrument tube passes through the outer wall of the round head structure, the edge of the outer wall generally forms a structure similar to a blade edge, which can easily cause damage to the passing tissue or catheter. In addition, the round head structure limits the installation position of the lens, which may affect the imaging angle of view, thereby reducing the observation effect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the problem of smoothness when the insertion part of the endoscope enters the body cavity and reduce the risk of tissue scratching, while not affecting the installation of the instrument tube and the good observation effect of the lens, the present application provides a front end tip, an insertion part and an endoscope.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a front-end terminal, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A front-end end cap is applied to an endoscope, wherein the endoscope comprises an insertion portion, the front-end end cap comprises a base, the proximal end of the base cap is used to connect to the distal end of the insertion portion, and the distal end of the base cap has a spherical structure to guide the insertion portion into a target position; wherein,

[0008] The base body is light-transmissive at least in a region corresponding to the image acquisition module of the insertion portion, and the base body is made of a biodegradable material.

[0009] Preferably, a connecting portion is provided at the proximal end of the base body, and the connecting portion and the instrument tube are plugged into each other.

[0010] Preferably, the connecting portion is a tubular structure, the proximal end of the connecting portion is provided with a support portion, the tail end of the support portion has a tapered deformation portion, and the support portion is configured with a first state and a second state; wherein,

[0011] When the supporting portion is in the first state, the supporting portion is supported on the inner wall of the connecting portion;

[0012] When the supporting portion is in the second state, the tapered portion of the deforming portion is flipped to the reverse state by an external force, and the supporting portion is separated from the inner wall of the connecting portion.

[0013] Preferably, the peripheral wall of the connecting portion is provided with at least one inner groove to reduce at least a portion of the thickness of the peripheral wall of the connecting portion.

[0014] Preferably, the base includes a fitting portion and a guiding portion, a hollow chamber is formed between the fitting portion and the guiding portion, the fitting portion is used to fit to the distal end of the insertion portion, and an opening facing the image acquisition module is provided on the fitting portion.

[0015] Preferably, the outer wall of the substrate is covered with an outer skin layer, the outer skin layer is made of a biodegradable material, and the degradation rate of the outer skin layer is lower than that of the substrate.

[0016] Preferably, a circumferential skirt extends from the proximal end of the outer skin layer, and the skirt is sleeved and fitted onto the outer wall of the distal end of the insertion portion;

[0017] And / or, a weakening layer is provided at the opening position of the fitting portion, the weakening layer is used to be fitted to the image acquisition module, and the weakening layer is made of a biodegradable material.

[0018] Preferably, the guide portion is provided with a deformable rib, and when the deformable rib is in an initial state, both ends of the deformable rib will automatically expand, thereby collapsing the guide portion;

[0019] And / or, the inner groove is located on the inner wall of the connecting portion;

[0020] And / or, an indicator mark is provided on the outer side of the base.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application provides an inserting portion, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0022] An insertion portion includes the front end head described in the above solution.

[0023] In a third aspect, the present application provides an endoscope, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0024] An endoscope comprises the insertion portion described in the above solution.

[0025] The present invention has the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0026] (1) The front-end end provided in this application optimizes the smoothness of insertion through a spherical structure, so that the endoscope can smoothly transition when entering the body cavity, reduce direct contact with the body cavity wall, reduce the risk of tissue scratches, and improve patient comfort. At the same time, the matrix is light-transmissive in the area corresponding to the image acquisition module, ensuring that the image acquisition module can normally obtain clear images and avoid affecting the observation effect due to structural obstruction. In addition, the matrix is made of biodegradable material, which will not affect the normal use of the instrument tube after gradual degradation in the body, ensuring the continuity and stability of the surgical process. The matrix material usually has a certain degree of flexibility, so that it will not form a rigid contact with the body cavity during insertion, further reducing the risk of tissue damage, improving patient safety and the applicability of the endoscope.

[0027] (2) The present application uses a conical structure of the deformable portion, which can be flipped to a reverse state under negative pressure or external force, so that the support portion is separated from the inner wall of the connecting portion, thereby reducing the supporting force of the connecting portion on the instrument tube. In this way, it can be separated from the base under the action of a relatively small external force, avoiding the need to apply a large impact force to separate due to the connection being too stable, thereby preventing the base from impacting the inner wall of the body cavity at high speed, thereby reducing damage to the patient's tissue. In addition, the tubular connecting portion ensures stable plug-in cooperation with the instrument tube, improving the reliability of the connection, and the dual-state design of the support portion (the first state is supported on the inner wall of the connecting portion, and the second state is separated from the inner wall of the connecting portion) makes disassembly more controllable, improving the safety of the structure and the convenience of use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram intended to show the overall structure of an endoscope.

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram intended to show the overall structure of the lens mount and base.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a half-section view intended to show the lens mount and base.

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram intended to show the state of the negative pressure suction support part and the deformation part after deformation.

[0033] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram intended to show the structure of the inner groove located on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting part.

[0034] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram to show the structure of the deformed rib.

[0035] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram to show the state after the deformed ribs drive the matrix to become deflated.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing how the skirt is raised to fit snugly on the lens mount.

[0037] The following are marked in the figure:

[0038] 1. Base; 11. Fitting portion; 110. Opening; 111. Weak layer; 112. Hollow chamber; 12. Guide portion; 121. Deformed rib; 13. Outer layer; 131. Skirt; 3. Connecting portion; 30. Inner groove; 31. Support portion; 311. Deformed portion; 4. Indicator; 5. Handle; 51. Insertion portion; 511. Instrument tube; 52. Lens mount; 521. Image acquisition module;

[0039] P, deformation direction of the deformed rib; S, negative pressure suction direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] 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.

[0041] The terms "first," "second," and the like in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein, and that the objects distinguished by "first," "second," and the like are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects; for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, the term "and / or" in the specification and claims refers to at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the objects connected are in an "or" relationship.

[0042] In each embodiment of the present application, "proximal end" and "distal end" refer to the position of each component relative to the user in the use environment, wherein the end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end" and the end farther from the user is designated as the "distal end".

[0043] An endoscope typically consists of an elongated tubular insertion portion 51 and a manipulable operating handle 5. The insertion portion 51 is used to penetrate deep into a patient's body cavity for examination or treatment, while the operating handle 5 is used to control the movement of the insertion portion 51. By adjusting control elements such as a lever or dial on the handle 5, the operator can precisely adjust the bending angle and direction of the front end of the insertion portion 51, allowing it to smoothly adapt to the complex shape of the body cavity and achieve flexible operation. In the actual use of endoscopes, medical personnel often need to insert them into a patient's body cavity to examine or treat the digestive tract, respiratory tract, or genitourinary system.

[0044] However, clinical practice has revealed that the existing front-end structure of the endoscope insertion portion 51 still has certain limitations. While the traditional cylindrical front end facilitates advancement, it is prone to significant contact friction with the inner wall of the cavity when entering curved or narrow passages, potentially causing tissue scratches or even damage, thus affecting patient comfort and safety.

[0045] To mitigate this adverse effect, some designs employ an integrated rounded tip structure, making the front end smoother and reducing the risk of scratches. However, in actual use, this structure still presents the following problems: First, while the rounded tip structure reduces friction, it restricts the installation of the instrument tube 511, making it difficult to properly pass through, thereby affecting the precision of surgical instrument operation; second, when the instrument tube 511 passes through the outer wall of the rounded tip, the outer wall edge easily forms a structure similar to a blade edge, which may cause additional damage to tissue or catheter.

[0046] The following combination Figures 1 to 8 A front end tip, an insertion portion, and an endoscope provided in an embodiment of the present application are described in detail through specific embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0047] This front-end tip is used at the distal end of the insertion section 51 of an endoscope. The insertion section 51 comprises a lens mount 52, an active bending section, a passive bending section, and other components. An instrument tube 511 is installed within the insertion section to ensure smooth insertion of the endoscope into body cavities and the completion of related procedures during examinations and treatments. The base 1 is mounted distal to the lens mount 52, optimizing the front-end structure and minimizing tissue damage.

[0048] The lens mount 52, located at the front end of the insertion portion 51, primarily secures the image acquisition module 521, including the lens and light source assembly, and is connected to the base 1. The lens mount 52 is typically made of high-strength materials, such as medical stainless steel, titanium alloy, or high-temperature-resistant engineering plastics (such as PEEK), to ensure structural stability and corrosion resistance. The design of the lens mount 52 ensures a smooth transition with the base 1, avoiding sharp edges and corners to minimize irritation to body cavity tissue during insertion.

[0049] The active bending section, located behind the lens mount 52, consists of multiple movable units. Its bending direction is controlled by a cable mechanism, allowing the operator to precisely adjust the angle of the insertion portion 51 to accommodate different body cavity access requirements. This section can be made of nickel-titanium alloy or highly flexible stainless steel to provide appropriate support and elasticity. A low-friction coating can also be applied to the outer layer to reduce insertion force and friction on surrounding tissue.

[0050] The passive bending section provides a flexible cushion, allowing the insertion portion 51 to conform to the body cavity and avoid excessive pressure on tissue. This section is typically constructed of a highly elastic material such as silicone-coated wire mesh or polyurethane to ensure sufficient flexibility while maintaining adequate support. This prevents the insertion portion 51 from excessively bending during advancement, which could compromise operational stability.

[0051] The instrument tube 511 extends along the interior of the insertion portion 51 and is used to transport various surgical instruments, such as biopsy forceps, hemostatic clips, or catheters.

[0052] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the front end includes a base 1, which is mounted at the distal end of the lens mount 52. Its distal end is spherical, guiding the insertion portion 51 smoothly into the target position while reducing tissue friction and scratches during insertion. The base 1 is light-transmissive, at least in the area corresponding to the image acquisition module 521, to ensure effective illumination and an unobstructed field of view for the lens.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the base 1 is generally bullet-shaped, with a smooth transition at the front end to reduce resistance during insertion, making it easier for the insertion portion 51 to enter the body cavity. This shape helps reduce friction and irritation on body cavity tissue, thereby reducing patient discomfort and improving insertion smoothness.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the entire substrate 1 is made of a transparent material. This assumes that the transparent material is also biodegradable to ensure it degrades in the biological environment after use, preventing long-term residue. Furthermore, to ensure the stability and durability of the substrate 1 during insertion into a body cavity, it must possess a certain mechanical strength to prevent breakage or deformation due to stress, which could affect its performance.

[0055] Optionally, biodegradable transparent materials suitable for substrate 1 may include polylactic acid (PLA)-based transparent composite materials, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or modified chitosan. These materials not only offer good transparency but also gradually degrade under physiological conditions, meeting the biosafety requirements of medical devices. Furthermore, to enhance the mechanical properties of substrate 1, nanocellulose may be incorporated into the material or a multilayer composite structure may be employed to improve its impact and tear resistance while maintaining good optical transmittance. Depending on the specific application requirements, substrate 1 may be designed as a fully transparent structure, or a light-transmitting window may be provided only in the image acquisition area to enhance overall structural strength while maintaining optical performance.

[0056] Preferably, the biodegradable transparent material used for substrate 1 should degrade within one hour to one day to ensure rapid degradation after the medical procedure, without causing long-term damage to the body cavity, while maintaining sufficient strength during the procedure. Suitable materials include polyglycolic acid (PGA), modified chitosan, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or its modified copolymers.

[0057] It should be noted that the materials contained in the front end are all degradable materials.

[0058] according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, to facilitate connection of the base 1, a connecting portion 3 is integrally formed at the proximal end of the base 1, and the connecting portion 3 is plugged into and mated with the instrument tube 511. The connecting portion 3 is a tubular structure, and a support portion 31 is provided at its proximal end. The tail end of the support portion 31 is configured with a tapered deforming portion 311. The support portion 31 has a first state and a second state, wherein:

[0059] In the first state, the support portion 31 is coaxially supported on the inner wall of the connecting portion 3 , ensuring that the base body 1 is firmly fixed in the instrument tube 511 .

[0060] In the second state, under the action of external force, the tapered portion of the deformed portion 311 flips to the reverse state, and the support portion 31 is separated from the inner wall of the connecting portion 3. At this time, the base 1 can be separated from the front end of the insertion portion 51.

[0061] As an optional embodiment, the connecting portion 3 is a solid columnar structure.

[0062] Preferably, since the instrument tube 511 can be sucked under negative pressure, the detachment operation of the substrate 1 can be achieved by the negative pressure. Figure 4As shown, when negative pressure is applied, the conical structure of the deforming portion 311 flips. After flipping back, the support portion 31 separates from the inner wall of the connecting portion 3, thereby reducing the fixing force between the base 1 and the instrument tube 511 and facilitating the removal of the base 1. Because the negative pressure can be precisely controlled, the need for applying a large impact force is avoided, ensuring that no unnecessary damage is caused to the body cavity or surrounding tissues when the base 1 is removed. Otherwise, the negative pressure is directly used to recoil the connecting portion 3 and the base 1 outward, and the negative pressure impact force is difficult to control, which can easily cause damage to the inner wall of the body cavity.

[0063] This design allows the base 1 at the front end of the endoscope to be quickly detached when needed, thereby reducing the impact force on the inner wall of the body cavity and optimizing patient safety and comfort. In addition, the use of negative pressure as a control method also reduces dependence on external mechanical operations, making operation simpler and more precise, and ensuring the stability and reliability of the endoscope equipment.

[0064] The conical structure of the deforming portion 311 effectively absorbs negative pressure and allows the support portion 31 to separate from the connecting portion 3. This tapered design not only optimizes the connection between the instrument tube 511 and the connecting portion 3, but also makes the deformation process under negative pressure more stable and efficient. When external negative pressure is applied to the conical deforming portion 311, the conical shape effectively guides the suction generated by the negative pressure, causing the deforming portion 311 to flip in the opposite direction. This process allows the support portion 31 to separate from the inner wall of the connecting portion 3, thereby enabling the subsequent rapid separation of the base 1.

[0065] In other different implementations, the detachment operation of the base body 1 can also be achieved by other means, such as using a pull wire, a push rod, or a mechanism such as an instrument push.

[0066] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, at least one inner groove 30 is provided along the circumferential direction on the outer or inner wall of the connecting portion 3 to reduce at least part of the thickness of the circumferential wall of the connecting portion 3. Specifically, the cross-sectional shape of the inner groove 30 is arc-shaped and gradually deepens along the side away from the base 1. This makes it easier for the connecting portion 3 to be inserted into the instrument tube 511. At the same time, after the supporting portion 31 is separated from the inner wall of the connecting portion 3, the supporting force of the connecting portion 3 on the instrument tube 511 is reduced.

[0067] In other embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the inner groove 30 can be square, trapezoidal, or other shapes suitable for optimizing force. For example, a square cross-sectional structure can provide a more uniform thickness reduction effect, allowing the connecting portion 3 to maintain a certain structural strength under force, while a trapezoidal cross-sectional structure can provide better deformation adaptability near the distal end, helping to reduce frictional resistance during insertion.

[0068] Furthermore, to further enhance the compliance of the connecting portion 3 during insertion into the instrument tube 511, the inner wall of the connecting portion 3 can also adopt a gradient thickness design, whereby the thickness is maintained at a greater level at the end closest to the base 1 to provide stable support, while the thickness gradually decreases at the end further away from the base 1 to reduce insertion force and improve separation smoothness. This design can avoid insertion difficulties caused by excessive rigidity while ensuring that the base 1 can be smoothly separated from the insertion portion 51 when negative pressure or mechanical tension is applied.

[0069] In another embodiment, the outer wall surface of the connecting portion 3 may be provided with micro-bumps or annular grooves to increase the friction between the connecting portion 3 and the instrument tube 511, thereby ensuring the stability of the base 1 before it is detached. At the same time, the force required for detachment is reduced by reducing the supporting contact area during detachment. The application of this structure can effectively improve the fixation reliability of the base 1 and the controllability of detachment, making it more suitable for different types of endoscope operating environments.

[0070] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the base 1 includes a fitting portion 11 and a guide portion 12. A hollow chamber 112 is formed between the fitting portion 11 and the guide portion 12. The hollow chamber 112 reduces the weight of the base 1 and facilitates light transmission, allowing the image acquisition module 521 to capture image information. The fitting portion 11 is configured to fit onto the distal end of the insertion portion 51. Once fitted to the distal end of the lens mount 52, the fitting portion 11 enhances connectivity and prevents radial movement of the base 1. The fitting portion 11 is provided with an opening 110 facing the image acquisition module 521 to ensure that light can fully penetrate the base 1 and enter the image acquisition module 521, thereby improving imaging quality.

[0071] In an optimized embodiment, the interior shape of the hollow chamber 112 can be spherical, ellipsoidal, or other curved structures to further reduce the weight of the base 1 while preventing the chamber structure from weakening the base 1. Furthermore, to enhance the securing effect of the fitting portion 11, the fitting portion 11 can employ an elastic structure. For example, a flexible flange can be provided around the periphery of the fitting portion 11 to provide a certain elastic pressure when fitting against the distal end of the lens mount 52, ensuring a secure connection and reducing the risk of loosening under external forces.

[0072] In another embodiment, the inner wall of the fitting portion 11 can be provided with microscopic friction textures or micro bumps to increase friction with the distal end of the lens mount 52 and improve fixation stability. The surface roughness of these structures can be machined with micron-level precision to optimize structural connection performance without affecting optical imaging effects.

[0073] In another embodiment, in order to adapt to different types of endoscopes, the material of the fitting portion 11 can be a flexible polymer or a material with shape memory properties, so that it can automatically adjust its shape when connected to the lens holder 52 to provide better fit.

[0074] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, the outer wall of the base body 1 is covered with an outer skin layer 13, which is made of a biodegradable material and has a lower degradation rate than the base body 1. Due to the lower degradation rate of the outer skin layer 13, the outer skin layer 13 can protect the base body 1 during the insertion of the insertion portion 51 into the body cavity, preventing the base body 1 from prematurely dissolving during insertion and affecting its structural stability. It also reduces friction during insertion and improves insertion smoothness.

[0075] When substrate 1 is detached from lens mount 52, the contact portion 11 of substrate 1 is exposed. At this point, substrate 1 degrades rapidly in the body cavity, allowing it to dissolve and be excreted from the body in a relatively short period of time. Based on this characteristic, substrate 1 can be made of a biodegradable material with high support strength, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), or their copolymers. This ensures sufficient mechanical strength during use, making it less susceptible to deformation or breakage during insertion. This also facilitates material selection and optimized design.

[0076] After the substrate 1 degrades, both the inner and outer surfaces of the outer layer 13 are exposed to the body cavity solution, thereby accelerating the degradation process and ultimately causing it to completely dissolve. Preferably, the outer layer 13 can be made of a biomaterial with adjustable degradation rate, such as a modified polylactic acid with hydrolysis-retarding properties on the surface, or a natural polymer coating that reduces degradation rate by increasing the degree of cross-linking.

[0077] In further optimized embodiments, the thickness of the outer layer 13 can be adjusted based on the expected duration of use, for example, to between 10 and 50 microns, ensuring that it effectively protects the substrate 1 during insertion but rapidly degrades after the substrate 1 is removed. Furthermore, the outer layer 13 may contain a hydrophilic additive, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or hyaluronic acid, to maintain a certain degree of lubricity during the initial degradation phase, reducing tissue friction and improving patient comfort.

[0078] Reference Figure 3 As shown, a circumferential skirt 131 extends from the proximal end of the outer skin 13, and the skirt 131 is sleeved and fits on the outer wall of the distal end of the insertion portion 51. The skirt 131 can not only provide radial support for the base 1, thereby effectively preventing the base 1 from loosening or falling off during the insertion process, but also provide a certain buffering effect when the insertion portion 51 is pushed forward, reducing the friction between the base 1 and the body cavity tissue, and improving the smoothness and safety of the insertion.

[0079] Of course, the material of the outer layer 13 can be the same as that of the skirt 131 to facilitate manufacturing, improve production efficiency, and ensure material compatibility. Preferably, both the outer layer 13 and the skirt 131 are made of a biodegradable material with good elasticity, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic acid (PLA), or hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel, to ensure good mechanical strength during insertion and to gradually degrade in the body cavity environment to prevent foreign matter from remaining.

[0080] As an optional embodiment, a weakening layer 111 is integrally formed at the opening 110 of the fitting portion 11. This weakening layer 111 is designed to adhere to the front surface of the image capture module 521, preventing fogging of the lens surface due to temperature or humidity fluctuations while maintaining high light transmittance to prevent image quality from being affected. The design of weakening layer 111 ensures that it provides necessary protection during insertion, but it quickly dissolves after being removed from the lens mount 52, allowing body cavity fluids to enter the hollow chamber 112, accelerating the degradation of the substrate 1 and ensuring that the substrate 1 dissolves within the preset time.

[0081] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the guide portion 12 is integrally formed with a deformable rib 121. In the initial state, the two ends of the deformable rib 121 will be stretched outward, thereby shrinking the guide portion 12 to maintain a certain shape. The deformation direction P of the deformable rib is as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown. When the base 1 is separated from the front end of the lens holder 52, the deformable ribs 121 are stretched and deformed at both ends due to their own elastic force, reducing the volume of the guide portion 12, thereby reducing the space occupied by the base 1 in the body cavity and ensuring the normal operation of the image acquisition module 521. In specific embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the deformable ribs 121 can be designed to be wedge-shaped, arc-shaped, or trapezoidal.

[0082] Furthermore, the deformable ribs 121 can be arranged along the plane of the diameter, flattening the substrate 1 in its collapsed direction. In a preferred embodiment, the deformable ribs 121 are positioned parallel to and directly below the image acquisition module 521, with only one rib provided to avoid obstructing the image acquisition module's field of view. Furthermore, to further minimize obstruction, the cross-section of the deformable ribs 121 can be streamlined.

[0083] As an optional embodiment, an indicator mark 4 is provided on the outer side of the base 1. The indicator mark 4 can be made of a dot-shaped or strip-shaped colored material. The colored material is preferably embedded in the base 1, and a biodegradable material needs to be selected, so that the opening 110 of the positioning part 11 is facing the image acquisition module 521.

[0084] In addition, in some application scenarios, the indicator mark 4 can also adopt a micro-protrusion structure, that is, by locally increasing the thickness of the surface of the base 1 to form a touchable mark, so that the operator can judge the installation direction of the base 1 by touch without visual confirmation, thereby improving the convenience of installation.

[0085] The present invention provides an insertion portion 51 including a lens mount 52 , wherein a base 1 is mounted at the distal end of the lens mount 52 , so that the insertion portion 51 has good adaptability during insertion into a body cavity and improves operational stability.

[0086] The present invention provides an endoscope comprising a handle 5 and an insertion portion 51 of the aforementioned embodiment. The handle 5 is internally provided with a control mechanism that allows the bending angle of the insertion portion 51 to be adjusted via a lever, knob, or joystick, thereby achieving precise guidance control. A lens mount 52 at the distal end of the insertion portion 51 cooperates with the base 1 to facilitate smoother insertion and avoid damage to the patient's body cavity. Furthermore, the lens mount 52 can be integrated with a high-resolution camera assembly and lighting device, ensuring that the operator can obtain clear images of the interior of the body cavity, thereby improving the accuracy and safety of diagnosis and treatment.

[0087] It should be noted that the endoscope referred to in the embodiments of the present application may be a bronchoscope, a pyeloscope, an esophagoscope, a gastroscope, a colonoscope, an otoscope, a rhinoscope, a stomatoscope, a laryngoscope, a colposcope, a laparoscope, an arthroscope, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not impose any specific restrictions on the type of endoscope.

[0088] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the statement "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0089] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with this technical field can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A front end tip, applied to an endoscope, the endoscope comprising an insertion portion (51), characterized in that: The front end head comprises a base (1), the proximal end of the base (1) is used to connect to the distal end of the insertion part (51), and the distal end of the base (1) is a spherical structure to guide the insertion part (51) into the target position; wherein, The base (1) has light transmittance at least in a region corresponding to the image acquisition module (521) of the insertion portion (51), and the base (1) is made of a biodegradable material; A connecting portion (3) is provided at the proximal end of the base body (1), and the connecting portion (3) and the instrument tube (511) are plugged into and fitted with each other; The connecting portion (3) is a tubular structure, a supporting portion (31) is provided at the proximal end of the connecting portion (3), a tapered deforming portion (311) is provided at the tail end of the supporting portion (31), and the supporting portion (31) is configured with a first state and a second state; wherein, When the support portion (31) is in the first state, the support portion (31) is supported on the inner wall of the connecting portion (3); When the support portion (31) is in the second state, the conical portion of the deformation portion (311) is flipped to the reverse state by an external force, and the support portion (31) is separated from the inner wall of the connection portion (3).

2. A front end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one inner groove (30) is provided on the peripheral wall of the connecting portion (3) to reduce at least a portion of the thickness of the peripheral wall of the connecting portion (3).

3. A front end cap according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base (1) comprises a fitting portion (11) and a guiding portion (12), wherein a hollow chamber (112) is formed between the fitting portion (11) and the guiding portion (12), and the fitting portion (11) is used to fit to the distal end of the insertion portion (51). The fitting portion (11) is provided with an opening (110) facing the image acquisition module (521).

4. A front end cap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer wall of the substrate (1) is covered with an outer skin layer (13), the outer skin layer (13) is made of a biodegradable material, and the degradation rate of the outer skin layer (13) is lower than the degradation rate of the substrate (1).

5. A front end cap according to claim 4, characterized in that: A circumferential skirt (131) extends from the proximal end of the outer skin layer (13), and the skirt (131) is sleeved and fitted onto the outer wall of the distal end of the insertion portion (51); And / or, a weak layer (111) is provided at the opening (110) of the fitting portion (11), the weak layer (111) being used to fit onto the image acquisition module (521), and the weak layer (111) is made of a biodegradable material.

6. A front end cap according to claim 3, characterized in that: The guide portion (12) is provided with a deformation rib (121), and when the deformation rib (121) is in an initial state, both ends of the deformation rib (121) will automatically expand, thereby collapsing the guide portion (12); And / or, the inner groove (30) is located on the inner wall of the connecting portion (3); And / or, an indicator mark (4) is provided on the outer side of the base body (1).

7. An insertion portion, characterized in that: Comprising the front end head as described in any one of claims 1-6.

8. An endoscope, characterized in that: Comprising an insert (51) as claimed in claim 7.

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