Snake device for endoscope and endoscope

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of endoscope, and specifically discloses a snake bone device for endoscope and the endoscope, which comprises a front joint and a rear joint, a rotating joint group is arranged between the front joint and the rear joint, the rotating joint group is composed of a plurality of rotating joints one and a plurality of rotating joints two which are alternately hinged, four traction steel wires in rectangular distribution are arranged between the rear joint, the rotating joint group and the front joint, through the coupling effect of memory spring and temperature, the snake bone device realizes dynamic adjustment of the tension of the traction steel wire, in the initial stage of use, 40 degrees Celsius disinfectant water is used to soak to trigger the deformation of the memory spring, so as to provide tension for the traction steel wire; with the increase of the use frequency, the steel wire is elongated, the temperature of the disinfectant water can be increased to make the memory spring produce greater deformation, and the relaxation of the steel wire is accurately compensated, and the self-adaptive adjustment mechanism ensures that the snake bone device always maintains stable bending performance in the whole life cycle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of endoscopy technology, and more specifically, to a snake bone device for endoscopy and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] The endoscopic snake skeleton is mainly used to enable flexible turning and precise positioning of the endoscopic lens. It is composed of multiple small segments connected by precision machinery, and the whole is in the form of a tubular or chain-like structure. It has the flexibility of a snake's body, hence the name "snake skeleton".

[0003] The snake-bone device controls the bending of the traction wire to enable observation and manipulation of the human body. However, with repeated stress during long-term use, the traction wire will gradually stretch, resulting in an increase in the overall length of the traction wire. This can lead to insufficient bending of the snake-bone device when the traction wire is pulled, affecting the performance and operational accuracy of the endoscope.

[0004] Current technologies for addressing the ductility issue of traction wires largely focus on selecting steel wires made of better materials. However, even with high-strength and high-toughness materials, it is difficult to completely prevent the wires from becoming longer due to long-term use and complex working environments. Furthermore, relying solely on material improvements is not only costly but may also face bottlenecks in improving material performance, failing to fundamentally solve the problem of wire performance degradation under complex working conditions.

[0005] Furthermore, the endoscope insertion section typically employs an integrated design to ensure a tight seal. While this design effectively improves sealing performance, it complicates the maintenance of the traction wire. When the traction wire stretches and elongates due to repeated stress and environmental factors during long-term use, causing a decrease in the bending performance of the serpentine device, the closed and difficult-to-disassemble structure of the insertion section makes it difficult to replace or adjust the traction wire specifically. Consequently, the entire insertion section must be replaced, increasing maintenance costs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides a snake bone device for endoscopy and an endoscope to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0007] This invention provides a snake-bone device for endoscopy and an endoscope, including an anterior joint and a posterior joint. A rotating joint assembly is provided between the anterior and posterior joints. The rotating joint assembly is composed of several rotating joint 1s and several rotating joint 2s that are alternately hinged. Four rectangularly distributed traction steel wires are threaded between the posterior joint, the rotating joint assembly and the anterior joint. Several self-compensating parts are provided in the anterior joint for disengaging from or contacting the corresponding traction steel wires as the temperature changes.

[0008] Furthermore, the number of self-compensating parts corresponds to the number of traction steel wires. The self-compensating part includes an isolation cover fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint. The isolation cover has a through hole that runs from front to back. The traction steel wire passes through the through hole on the corresponding isolation cover from back to front.

[0009] Furthermore, the inner wall of the front joint is fixedly equipped with two parallel pulleys inside the isolation cover, and the traction steel wire abuts against the two fixed pulleys after passing through the wire hole.

[0010] Furthermore, the inner wall of the front joint is provided with an elastic component inside the isolation cover. The elastic component includes a mounting plate fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint and a memory spring fixedly installed on the side of the mounting plate near the fixed pulley. The other end of the memory spring is fixedly installed with a movable pulley.

[0011] Furthermore, the memory spring is made of shape memory alloy.

[0012] Furthermore, a limiting rod that slides through the mounting plate is fixedly installed on the side of the movable pulley near the mounting plate.

[0013] Furthermore, the rear joint, rotating joint one, and rotating joint two are each provided with two symmetrical wire grooves, the traction wire is inserted into the wire groove, and the front end of the traction wire is fixedly connected to the front joint.

[0014] Furthermore, adjacent rotary joint one and rotary joint two are rotatably connected by rivets.

[0015] Furthermore, the shape memory alloy is a nickel-titanium alloy with an austenite initiation temperature (As) of 35 degrees Celsius, an austenite termination temperature (Af) of 40 degrees Celsius, and a martensite initiation temperature (Ms) of 25 degrees Celsius.

[0016] The present invention also provides an endoscope including the snake bone device described above.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0018] 1. Through the coupling effect of memory spring and temperature, the snake-bone device achieves dynamic adjustment of the tension of the traction wire. In the initial stage of use, immersion in 40-degree Celsius disinfectant water triggers the deformation of the memory spring, providing tension for the traction wire. As the wire stretches with increased use, the memory spring can be further deformed by increasing the temperature of the disinfectant water, precisely compensating for the slack in the wire. This adaptive adjustment mechanism ensures that the snake-bone device maintains stable bending performance throughout its entire life cycle. Operators can more accurately control the rotation and angle of the endoscope during operation, significantly improving the accuracy of observation and operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the rotating joint assembly of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the front joint, rear joint, rotation joint one, and rotation joint two of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural cross-sectional view of the anterior joint, posterior joint, and rotational joint assembly of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the isolation cover, threading hole, fixed pulley and elastic component of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is the present invention. Figure 4 A magnified view of part A in the middle.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Front joint; 2. Rear joint; 3. Rotary joint assembly; 31. Rotary joint one; 32. Rotary joint two; 4. Rivet; 5. Wire groove; 6. Traction wire; 7. Self-compensating part; 71. Isolation cover; 72. Threading hole; 73. Fixed pulley; 74. Elastic component; 741. Mounting plate; 742. Memory spring; 743. Movable pulley; 744. Limiting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The subject matter described herein will now be discussed with reference to exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are discussed to enable those skilled in the art to better understand and implement the subject matter described herein. Changes may be made to the function and arrangement of the elements discussed without departing from the scope of this specification. Various processes or components may be omitted, substituted, or added as needed in the examples. Furthermore, features described in some examples may be combined in other examples.

[0026] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In this embodiment, an endoscope snake bone device and endoscope are proposed, including an anterior joint 1 and a posterior joint 2. A rotating joint group 3 is provided between the anterior joint 1 and the posterior joint 2. The rotating joint group 3 is composed of several rotating joints 1 31 and several rotating joints 2 32 that are alternately hinged. Adjacent rotating joints 1 31 and rotating joints 2 32 are rotatably connected by rivets 4. Four rectangularly distributed traction steel wires 6 are passed through the posterior joint 2, the rotating joint group 3 and the anterior joint 1. Several self-compensating parts 7 are provided in the anterior joint 1 for disengaging from or abutting the corresponding traction steel wires 6 as the temperature changes.

[0027] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5The rear joint 2, the first rotating joint 31 and the second rotating joint 32 are each provided with two symmetrical wire grooves 5. The traction wire 6 is inserted into the wire groove 5 and the front end of the traction wire 6 is fixedly connected to the front joint 1.

[0028] It should be noted that the rear end of the traction wire 6 is connected to the endoscope operating part, and the wire groove 5 plays a role in positioning and guiding the traction wire 6.

[0029] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The number of self-compensating parts 7 corresponds to the number of traction steel wires 6. The self-compensating part 7 includes an isolation cover 71 fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint 1. The isolation cover 71 has a through hole 72 that runs from front to back. The traction steel wire 6 passes through the through hole 72 on the corresponding isolation cover 71 from back to front.

[0030] See Figure 3 and Figure 4 The inner wall of the front joint 1 is fixedly installed with two parallel fixed pulleys 73 inside the isolation cover 71. The traction steel wire 6 abuts against the two fixed pulleys 73 after passing through the wire hole 72.

[0031] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The inner wall of the front joint 1 is provided with an elastic component 74 inside the isolation cover 71. The elastic component 74 includes a mounting plate 741 fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint 1 and a memory spring 742 fixedly installed on the side of the mounting plate 741 near the fixed pulley 73. The other end of the memory spring 742 is fixedly installed with a movable pulley 743.

[0032] It should be noted that the isolation cover 71 serves to protect the traction steel wire 6 and the elastic component 74. At the same time, the isolation cover 71 adopts a double-layer vacuum insulation structure (outer layer of medical-grade stainless steel, inner layer of polytetrafluoroethylene, and a vacuum layer in the middle) to keep the inside of the isolation cover 71 warm.

[0033] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The memory spring 742 is made of shape memory alloy, preferably nickel-titanium alloy, with an austenite initiation temperature (As) of 35 degrees Celsius, an austenite termination temperature (Af) of 40 degrees Celsius, and a martensite initiation temperature (Ms) of 25 degrees Celsius.

[0034] Temperature-material property relationship table for memory spring 742:

[0035]

[0036] See Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 The movable pulley 743 is fixedly installed with a limiting rod 744 that slides through the mounting plate 741 on the side near the mounting plate 741.

[0037] See Figure 1 In this embodiment, an endoscope is also proposed, including the snake-bone device described above, as well as an insertion part, an operating part, an eyepiece, an angle adjustment and locking knob, a clamping mouth, and other components. The snake-bone device is set in the insertion part and connected to the operating part through a traction wire 6. The operating part can pull or release different traction wires 6 to adjust the curvature of the snake-bone device.

[0038] It should be noted that the aforementioned insertion part, operation part, eyepiece, angle adjustment and locking knob, and clamping mouth are all common knowledge to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail in this application.

[0039] The operating principle of this invention is described as follows: The insertion part of the endoscope is placed in an external intelligent temperature-controlled disinfection water tank, and the initial temperature of the disinfectant water in the tank is set to 40 degrees Celsius. At this time, because the isolation cover 71 adopts a double-layer vacuum heat insulation structure (outer layer of medical-grade stainless steel, inner layer of polytetrafluoroethylene, and middle vacuum layer), the heat of the disinfectant water is mainly conducted through thermal radiation and slowly penetrates into the interior of the isolation cover 71.

[0040] As the soaking time increases (3-5 minutes), when the temperature of the memory spring 742 reaches its austenite initiation temperature (As=35 degrees Celsius), a phase transformation begins, gradually changing from martensite to austenite. During this process, the memory spring 742 exhibits hyperelasticity, with its elastic modulus and stiffness increasing with temperature. The memory spring 742 releases elastic potential energy, pushing the arc plate towards the traction wire 6, tightening the traction wire 6, and providing tension for the subsequent operation unit to control the snake-bone device to bend.

[0041] It should be noted that the operating unit has a built-in miniature temperature sensor that monitors the temperature inside the isolation enclosure 71 in real time. The display screen shows the current disinfectant temperature, the status of the memory spring 742, and the compensation amount of the traction steel wire 6. If the temperature does not meet the standard or the compensation amount is abnormal, the system will issue an alarm, prompting continued soaking.

[0042] After soaking and disinfection and tensioning of the traction wire 6, the operator holds the endoscope and slowly inserts the insertion part into the human body. Because the traction wire 6 is tensioned by the memory spring 742, the snake-bone device has a certain rigidity while maintaining a certain degree of flexibility, conforming to the physiological curvature of the human body. During insertion, the operator observes the image from the camera at the front of the endoscope to ensure the insertion path is correct.

[0043] It should be noted that the surface temperature of the insertion part gradually decreases after soaking and before insertion into the human body, so it will not cause discomfort to the human body. After the insertion part enters the human body, the isolation cover 71 with a double-layer vacuum heat insulation structure can maintain the temperature of the memory spring 742 at 40 degrees Celsius, so that the memory spring 742 is not affected by the human body temperature and maintains the deformation state at 40 degrees Celsius, continuously providing stable tension for the traction wire 6. The operator controls the operating part of the endoscope to pull or release different traction wires 6, controlling the snake device to bend flexibly in multiple directions for observation of the human body.

[0044] When the tip of the endoscope reaches the designated position, the operator controls the endoscope's operating part to pull or release different traction wires 6, adjusts the curvature of the snake-bone device, and observes the inside of the human body.

[0045] As the snake-bone device is used repeatedly, operators may find that the traction wire 6 gradually stretches, causing insufficient bending. In this case, before the next use, the temperature of the disinfectant solution can be appropriately increased from the initial setting (e.g., from 40 degrees Celsius to 41-43 degrees Celsius) for soaking. When the temperature of the memory spring 742 is higher than the austenite termination temperature (Af=40 degrees Celsius), it is completely in the austenitic phase, exhibiting superelastic stability and enhanced strength. According to the characteristic curve of the memory alloy, within this temperature range, the memory spring 742 undergoes greater deformation, further pushing the movable pulley 743. Through the force-saving and force-direction-changing effect of the movable pulley 743, the traction wire 6 is tightened, increasing the wire tension and compensating for the wire stretching, ensuring that the snake-bone device restores its bending accuracy.

[0046] Before the next use, the temperature of the disinfectant water can be appropriately increased from the initial setting (for example, from 40 degrees Celsius to 41-43 degrees Celsius) for soaking. The memory spring 742 is sensitive to temperature, causing it to deform more, which pushes the arc plate to further tighten the traction steel wire 6, increasing the steel wire tension, compensating for the steel wire extension, and ensuring that the snake bone device restores its bending accuracy.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An endoscopic snake-bone device for use with an endoscope, comprising: A front joint (1) and a rear joint (2) are provided, and a rotating joint group (3) is provided between the front joint (1) and the rear joint (2). The rotating joint group (3) is composed of several rotating joints one (31) and several rotating joints two (32) alternately hinged. The feature is that four rectangularly distributed traction steel wires (6) are passed through the rear joint (2), the rotating joint group (3) and the front joint (1). Several self-compensating parts (7) are provided in the front joint (1) for disengaging from or abutting the corresponding traction steel wires (6) as the temperature changes. The number of self-compensating parts (7) corresponds to the number of traction wires (6). The self-compensating part (7) includes an isolation cover (71) fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint (1). The isolation cover (71) has a through hole (72) that runs from front to back. The traction wire (6) passes through the through hole (72) on the corresponding isolation cover (71) from back to front. The inner wall of the front joint (1) has two parallel fixed pulleys (73) fixedly installed inside the isolation cover (71). After passing through the through hole (72), the traction wire (6) abuts against the two fixed pulleys (73). The inner wall of the front joint (1) is provided with an elastic component (74) located inside the isolation cover (71). The elastic component (74) includes a mounting plate (741) fixedly installed on the inner wall of the front joint (1) and a memory spring (742) fixedly installed on the side of the mounting plate (741) near the fixed pulley (73). The other end of the memory spring (742) is fixedly installed with a movable pulley (743). The memory spring (742) is made of shape memory alloy. The shape memory alloy is a nickel-titanium alloy with an austenite initiation temperature (As) of 35 degrees Celsius, an austenite termination temperature (Af) of 40 degrees Celsius, and a martensite initiation temperature (Ms) of 25 degrees Celsius.

2. The endoscopic snake bone device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable pulley (743) is fixedly installed with a limiting rod (744) that slides through the mounting plate (741) on the side near the mounting plate (741).

3. The endoscopic snake bone device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The rear joint (2), rotating joint one (31) and rotating joint two (32) are each provided with two symmetrical wire grooves (5). The traction wire (6) is inserted into the wire groove (5) and the front end of the traction wire (6) is fixedly connected to the front joint (1).

4. The endoscopic snake bone device according to claim 3, characterized in that, Adjacent rotating joints 1 (31) and 2 (32) are rotatably connected by rivets (4).

5. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes the snake-bone device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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