Medical mirror accessory

Abstract

An attachment (10) for fitting on a shaft (70) of a medical mirror device includes a tubular body (12) having a proximal end (14) and a distal end (16) and an outer surface (18) and an inner surface (20). The tubular body (12) includes a cover (26) defining an inner surface and an outer surface, and a reinforcing member (28) located between the inner surface and the outer surface. The cover (26) is formed from a flexible first material and the reinforcement member (28) is formed from a harder second material. The tubular body is radially expandable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device for use with a medical scope, such as an endoscope. Background Art

[0002] US2019 / 0183328 describes a cover for a shaft of a medical endoscope device, particularly a cover for mounting on the distal tip of an endoscope. The cover is a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner circumferential surface, and an outer circumferential surface. A plurality of protruding elements are provided on the outer surface of the cover. These protruding elements extend radially outward from the cover during use and facilitate inspection of a body cavity or other medical procedure performed using the medical endoscope.

[0003] However, it can be difficult to fit this type of cover to the shaft because the cover may bend or become wrinkled or folded when inserted onto the shaft. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides an accessory for a shaft of a medical mirror device, the accessory comprising a tubular body configured to be applied to the distal end of the shaft of the medical mirror device, wherein the tubular body extends along a portion of the distal end of the shaft during use, the tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the tubular body comprising a covering defining the inner surface and the outer surface, and a reinforcing member located between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the covering is formed of a softer first material and the reinforcing member is formed of a harder second material, and the tubular body is capable of radial expansion.

[0005] This attachment provides greater rigidity, making it easier to fit the device onto the shaft. Because the attachment is radially expandable, it can expand slightly for assembly but then clamps tightly to the shaft surface. The inner and outer surfaces are made of softer materials to avoid damaging the shaft or body tissue. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present disclosure refers, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 shows exploded and assembled views of the accessories of the present disclosure;

[0008] Figure 2 Shown Figure 1 plan, side and bottom views of the accessories and perspective views from above and below;

[0009] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 plan, perspective and side views of the cover of the accessory and perspective views from above and below;

[0010] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 plan, side and bottom views of the reinforcement members of the attachments and perspective views from above and below;

[0011] Figures 5a to 5d side and perspective views showing alternative embodiments of reinforcement members;

[0012] Figure 6 end, side, plan, and perspective views of the protruding element are shown;

[0013] Figures 7a to 7c end and perspective views showing alternative embodiments of the protruding element;

[0014] Figure 8a and Figure 8b The accessories of the present disclosure are shown during use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the attachment 10 for the shaft of a medical endoscope device includes a tubular body 12 open at each end. The tubular body 12 has a proximal end 14, a distal end 16, an outer circumferential surface 18, and an inner circumferential surface 20. The tubular body 12 has a longitudinal axis 22.

[0016] A plurality of protruding elements 24 may be provided on the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 12. As further described below, Figure 1 In the example shown, two rows of eight protruding elements 24 are provided. The protruding elements 24 in each row are equally spaced around the circumference of the tubular body 12. However, there may be only one row or more than two rows. A different number of protruding elements 24 and different spacings are also possible.

[0017] Each protruding element 24 is movable relative to the tubular body 12 in use, as described below. In a normal rest position, each protruding element 24 projects outwardly from the tubular body 12 at an angle to the longitudinal axis 22, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown.

[0018] The tubular body 12 is a two-part composite structure comprising a cover 26 and a reinforcement member 28, which are located at Figure 1. The tubular body 12 can be formed as a two-component injection molded component, wherein the reinforcement member 28 is molded first and the cover 26 is overmolded around it so that the reinforcement member 28 is embedded within the cover 26. The cover 26 is formed of a first, softer material and the reinforcement member 28 is formed of a second, harder material, but both parts are elastically deformable and radially expandable so that the tubular body 12 as a whole is radially expandable. The cover 26 and the reinforcement member 28 can be formed of a polymer material. The softer cover material forms the inner surface 20 and the outer surface 18 of the tubular body 12. However, portions of the reinforcement member 28 can be exposed as described further below.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the cover 26 may comprise a double skin sleeve having an outer wall, an inner wall and an annular gap therebetween, and the reinforcing member 28 may be located within the gap. An opening may be provided in the cover 26 at the distal end to expose portions of the reinforcing element 28.

[0020] One embodiment of the reinforcement member 28 is Figure 4 This comprises a generally cylindrical member formed from a series of axially extending legs 30 joined together by circumferentially extending struts 32 positioned between pairs of adjacent legs 30 and arranged alternately at the proximal and distal ends. That is, as Figure 4 As shown in the side view in FIG. 1 , the first leg 30a can be connected to the first strut 32a at the proximal end (i.e., at the Figure 4 The second leg 30b may be joined to the second leg 30b by a second brace 32b at the distal end (i.e., at the lower end in the orientation shown). Figure 4 The third leg 30c is joined to the third leg 30c (at the upper end in the illustrated orientation), which can be joined to the fourth leg 30d via a third strut 32c at the proximal end, and so on. Thus, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the reinforcement member 28 is discontinuous, with openings spaced apart around the circumference. In this manner, some radial expansion of the reinforcement member 28 is possible by each pair of adjacent legs 30 diverging in a direction away from the strut 32 connecting them.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the struts 32 formed at the distal end of the reinforcement member 28 may be expanded or provided with radially outwardly extending protrusions 34. In the assembled accessory 10, these protrusions 34 remain exposed and are not embedded within the cover 26. Together, the exposed protrusions 34 form a relatively hard edge at the distal end 16 of the accessory 10.

[0022] The precise configuration of the reinforcing member 28 can be varied in a variety of ways to provide the reinforcing function while also allowing for some radial expansion. Figure 5aIn the illustrated embodiment, the legs 30 are not parallel to the longitudinal axis 22, but are inclined at an angle thereto.

[0023] In Figure 5b In the illustrated embodiment, the legs 30 are arranged in a zigzag pattern, with the legs 30 alternatingly inclined to form a series of interconnected V-shapes. In this case, the connecting ends of adjacent legs 30 simply merge together.

[0024] Instead of legs 30 that are normally axially aligned and joined at alternating proximal and distal ends, the reinforcing member 28 can be formed as a lattice structure. In Figure 5c In the illustrated embodiment, the diamond-shaped cells 38 are formed from a series of intersecting X-shaped legs 36. In Figure 5d In the illustrated embodiment, a lattice is provided having honeycomb or hexagonal cells 40. In Figure 5c and Figure 5d In the illustrated embodiment, at least one complete cell 38, 40 is provided around the central portion of the reinforcing member 28, while at the distal and proximal ends, the cells 38, 40 are incomplete.

[0025] In all cases, the structure of the reinforcing member 28 is such that in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the reinforcing member 28 is discontinuous to allow radial expansion.

[0026] The reinforcing member 28, which is formed from a relatively hard material, provides rigidity to the attachment 10, making it easier to fit the attachment 10 onto the shaft 70 of a medical scope device without buckling or wrinkling the attachment 10. The cover 26, which is formed from a relatively soft material, forms in the inner and outer surfaces 18, 20, which will not damage the surface of the shaft 70 or body tissue.

[0027] As mentioned above, the tubular body 12 includes a plurality of protruding arms 24 which, in use, help to flatten and stretch out wrinkles in tissue in order to facilitate examination and performance of medical procedures. In Figures 1 to 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the tubular body 12 includes two rows 42, 44 of protruding arms 24, with eight arms 24 in each row. The arms 24 are equally spaced around the circumference. A first row 42 of arms 24 is joined to the tubular body 12 proximate the distal end 16. A second row 44 is axially spaced from the first row 42 and is positioned generally in the central region of the tubular body 12.

[0028] The arms 24 in the first row 42 are shorter than the arms in the second row 44. However, the arms 24 in all rows can be the same length, or the length of the arms 24 in a row can vary. Fewer or more rows of arms 24 can be provided with fewer or more arms 24 in each row.

[0029] As Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown in the plan view in FIG, the arms 24 in the first row 42 are staggered relative to the arms 24 in the second row 44 so that they do not overlap each other. However, the arms 24 in all rows can also be in the same orientation so that they overlap each other. The arms 24 are formed from the same relatively soft material as the cover 26 and are therefore able to flex when the accessory 10 is in use, as described below.

[0030] like Figure 6 As best shown, each arm 24 includes a base 48 and a distal end 50. The base 48 is connected to the tubular body 12 by a connecting element 52 that is sufficiently flexible to allow the arm 24 to pivot relative to the tubular body 12 during use. The connecting element 52 for a shorter arm 24 can be smaller and weaker than the connecting element 52 for a longer arm 24.

[0031] like Figure 6 As shown, in side profile, the arm tapers from a base 48 (shown on the right-hand side in the figure) toward a tip 50 (shown on the left-hand side in the figure). In this orientation, the upper surface of the arm 24 that faces distally in use can be provided with one or more ribs 54 extending along the arm from the base 48 to the tip 50. In the example shown, a channel 56 is provided between two ribs 54. This reduces the surface area of ​​the uppermost (distal-facing) side of the arm 24 to reduce the area of ​​contact between the arm 24 and the wall of the colon during insertion of the medical endoscope device in order to reduce friction. For the same reason, the uppermost (distal-facing) surface should be smooth.

[0032] The lowermost or proximally facing sides of the arms 24 may be roughened to increase resistance to the colon wall to aid in gripping tissue to flatten or straighten folds of tissue during use.

[0033] The distal end 50 of each arm 24 can be expanded and curved. In a side view, it can be seen that the distal end 50 is curved downward, i.e., proximally, compared to the rest of the arm 24, and then slightly upward again to create a cup-like shape. In a plan view, it can be seen that the distal end 50 is widened relative to the rest of the arm 24.

[0034] The proximal-facing side of the lower portion of the tip 50 may be provided with features that further enhance grip on the colon wall. This may be achieved, for example, by a rough surface texture or by a Figure 7a An array of cavities 58 is formed in the surface shown, Figure 7b The surface shown forms an array of protrusions 60 or as Figure 7c As shown, a series of protruding ribs 62 are formed. As shown, the ribs 62 can also be formed along at least a portion of the arm 24 rather than just at the end 50. Similarly, the cavity 58 or protrusion 60 can also be formed along at least a portion of the arm 24 rather than just at the end 50.

[0035] In use, the accessory 10 is fitted over the distal end of a shaft 70 of a medical scope device, such as an endoscope. The shaft 70 of the medical scope device can then be inserted into a patient, such as into the colon. Typically, when examining the colon 72, the shaft 70 of the medical scope device is advanced relatively quickly to the furthest point that needs to be examined, and then gradually withdrawn slowly as most of the visual examination is made during withdrawal.

[0036] The arms 24 are flexible relative to the tubular body 12 so that they do not obstruct insertion and withdrawal of the shaft 70. In the extended configuration as shown in Fig. 1, the arms 24 are able to contact the walls of the colon 72. When the shaft 70 is being withdrawn and the arms 24 encounter a fold or narrower section, the arms 24 contact and gently grip the tissue. Initially, this can cause the arms 24 to be pushed inwards towards the tubular body 12, as shown in Fig. 2. As the shaft 70 continues to be withdrawn, the arms 24 tend to flex outwards again and act to gently open up and smooth out the folds in the colon to aid examination. At the end of the procedure, the shaft 70 is fully withdrawn from the patient. The cover 26 can then be removed from the shaft 70 to be discarded, or cleaned and reused. Figure 8a Figure 8b The arms 24 are flexible relative to the tubular body 12 so that they do not obstruct insertion and withdrawal of the shaft 70. In the extended configuration as shown in Fig. 1, the arms 24 are able to contact the walls of the colon 72. When the shaft 70 is being withdrawn and the arms 24 encounter a fold or narrower section, the arms 24 contact and gently grip the tissue. Initially, this can cause the arms 24 to be pushed inwards towards the tubular body 12, as shown in Fig. 2. As the shaft 70 continues to be withdrawn, the arms 24 tend to flex outwards again and act to gently open up and smooth out the folds in the colon to aid examination. At the end of the procedure, the shaft 70 is fully withdrawn from the patient. The cover 26 can then be removed from the shaft 70 to be discarded, or cleaned and reused.

[0037] The present disclosure therefore provides an improved accessory for a shaft of a medical scope device that is easier to fit onto the shaft, but which remains flexible in use to aid in performing examinations and medical procedures.​

Claims

1. An attachment for a shaft of a medical mirror device, the attachment comprising a tubular body configured to be applied to a distal end of the shaft of the medical mirror device, wherein the tubular body extends along a portion of the distal end of the shaft in use, the tubular body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface, the tubular body comprising a cover defining the inner surface and the outer surface, and a reinforcing member located between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the cover is formed of a softer first material and the reinforcing member is formed of a harder second material, and the tubular body is capable of radial expansion.

2. The accessory according to claim 1, wherein At least a portion of the reinforcement member is exposed and not located within the cover.

3. The accessory according to claim 2, wherein: A portion of the reinforcement member at the distal end is exposed to create a harder edge at the distal end of the tubular body.

4. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The reinforcing member includes a cylindrical member having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of openings formed such that the reinforcing member is discontinuous in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

5. The accessory according to claim 4, wherein The reinforcement member includes a plurality of legs extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein each leg is joined to an adjacent leg on one side by a connecting strut at the distal end and on the other side by a connecting strut at the proximal end.

6. The accessory according to claim 4, wherein: The reinforcement member includes a lattice formed of a plurality of interconnected elements defining a plurality of cells therebetween.

7. The accessory according to claim 6, wherein: The unit is at least one of a rhombus and a hexagon.

8. An accessory according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The tubular body also includes a plurality of arms extending radially outward.

9. The accessory according to claim 8, wherein Each arm is joined to the tubular body by a flexible connecting element.

10. An accessory according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising at least two axially spaced rows of arms.

11. The accessory according to claim 10, wherein The arms in one row have a different length than the arms in another row.

12. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein The distal-facing side of each arm has a smooth surface.

13. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein The distal-facing side of each arm is formed with a pair of ribs extending from the base to the free end and a channel between the pair of ribs.

14. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein At least a portion of the proximal-facing side of each arm is formed with a roughened surface.

15. The accessory according to claim 14, wherein At least a portion of the proximal-facing surface of each arm is formed with a plurality of protrusions or a plurality of cavities.

16. An accessory according to any one of claims 8 to 15, wherein The free end of each arm is formed with an expandable tip.

17. The accessory according to claim 16, wherein The expandable tip is curved.

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