An auxiliary device for gastroesophageal reflux examination

Abstract

The present application belongs to the technical field of gastroscopy, and particularly relates to an auxiliary device for gastroesophageal reflux examination, which comprises an expandable sleeve assembly and a gastroscope assembly. The diameter of the expandable sleeve assembly can be changed. When the diameter of the expandable sleeve assembly is at a minimum value, the diameter of the expandable sleeve assembly is smaller than that of the gastroscope assembly. When the diameter of the expandable sleeve assembly is at a maximum value, the gastroscope assembly can be slidably inserted into the inside of the expandable sleeve assembly. The present application adopts a double-layer sleeve insertion structure. First, the expandable sleeve assembly in a contracted state with a smaller diameter is inserted into the esophagus to reduce the discomfort of the patient. Then, the expandable sleeve assembly is unfolded from the folded and contracted state to a hollow tube structure with a larger diameter. Then, the gastroscope assembly is inserted into the inside of the expandable sleeve assembly to complete the insertion of the gastroscope.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of gastroscopy technology, specifically referring to an auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux. Background Technology

[0002] During the examination of gastroesophageal reflux, gastroscopy is often used to assist in observation. Currently, patients not only have psychological fear of gastroscopy, but also inevitably experience physical discomfort during the examination. To reduce this fear and discomfort, it is necessary to further reduce the diameter of the gastroscope.

[0003] However, the diameter of the endoscope tube can no longer be reduced, mainly due to the size limitation of the front-end camera. If the front-end camera cannot be reduced in size, it is not very meaningful to simply reduce the diameter of the rear-end tube. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the above issues and overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux disease. Research has shown that discomfort during endoscopy insertion into the esophagus is mainly caused by friction. Therefore, given the limited size of the camera, this invention adopts a novel approach, employing a double-layered cannula insertion structure. First, a smaller-diameter, contracted expansion and contraction cannula assembly is inserted into the esophagus to reduce patient discomfort. Then, the expansion and contraction cannula assembly unfolds from its folded, contracted state into a larger-diameter hollow tube structure. Finally, the endoscope assembly is inserted from inside the expansion and contraction cannula assembly, completing the endoscope insertion.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows: The present invention proposes an auxiliary device for gastroesophageal reflux examination, including an expandable and contractile cannula assembly and a gastroscope assembly. The diameter of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly can be varied. When the diameter of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly is at its minimum value, the diameter of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly is smaller than the diameter of the gastroscope assembly. When the diameter of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly is at its maximum value, the gastroscope assembly can be slidably inserted into the interior of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly.

[0006] Because the diameter of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly is smaller when contracted, the patient experiences less psychological fear and physical discomfort during insertion into the esophagus. After the expandable and contractible cannula assembly is inserted, the endoscope component slides within it, thus minimizing any negative impact on the patient.

[0007] Furthermore, the expansion sleeve assembly includes a flower-shaped bracket and a power supply wire. The flower-shaped bracket array is provided in several groups, and each group of flower-shaped brackets is connected to the other group by the power supply wire.

[0008] The flower-shaped bracket can maintain a stable spacing between each group of power supply wires, so that the expansion sleeve assembly will not be axially compressed when it is inserted into the human body.

[0009] Preferably, the flower-shaped bracket is made of shape memory alloy. When the temperature of the flower-shaped bracket rises, it can gradually unfold from a folded state, thereby transforming the expansion and contraction sleeve assembly into a hollow tube structure with a larger diameter.

[0010] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the flower-shaped bracket and the power supply wire are made of conductive materials. The power supply wire is connected to an external power source. By controlling the current in the power supply wire and the flower-shaped bracket, the temperature change of the flower-shaped bracket can be controlled.

[0011] A small current can be passed through the flower-shaped support by a power supply wire, thereby actively controlling the temperature rise and unfolding of the flower-shaped support.

[0012] Furthermore, the gastroscopy assembly consists of a lens section and a tubing section, wherein the diameter of the lens section is larger than the diameter of the tubing section.

[0013] Preferably, when the flower-shaped bracket is retracted, its diameter is smaller than the diameter of the lens portion; when the flower-shaped bracket is expanded, its diameter is larger than the diameter of the lens portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the expansion sleeve assembly also includes an outer bushing and an inner bushing, both of which are made of flexible material. The outer bushing covers the outside of the flower-shaped bracket and the power supply wire, and the inner bushing covers the inside of the flower-shaped bracket and the power supply wire.

[0015] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the outer bushing is made of heat-insulating material.

[0016] The temperature rise of the flower-shaped stent is not significant, and the outer liner can further isolate the temperature changes of the flower-shaped stent, avoiding any impact on the patient.

[0017] As a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner liner is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

[0018] The beneficial effects achieved by the present invention using the above structure are as follows:

[0019] (1) Because the diameter of the shrinkable cannula assembly is smaller after shrinking, the patient’s psychological fear and physical discomfort are weaker during the insertion into the esophagus. After the shrinkable cannula assembly is inserted, the negative impact on the patient is also smaller because the endoscope assembly slides in the shrinkable cannula assembly.

[0020] (2) The flower-shaped bracket can maintain a stable spacing between each group of power supply wires, so that the expansion sleeve assembly will not be axially compressed when it is inserted into the human body.

[0021] (3) A small current can be passed through the flower-shaped bracket by the power supply wire, thereby actively controlling the heating and unfolding of the flower-shaped bracket.

[0022] (4) The temperature rise of the flower-shaped stent is not large. The outer sleeve can further isolate the temperature change of the flower-shaped stent and avoid affecting the patient. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a front view of an auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux proposed in this invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a right view of an auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux proposed in this invention;

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A cross-sectional view along the cutting line AA;

[0027] Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the expansion and contraction sleeve assembly;

[0028] Figure 6 A 3D view of the flower-shaped support and power supply wires;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a plan view of the flower-shaped support when it is in a semi-folded state.

[0030] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the outer and inner bushings relative to the flower-shaped support.

[0031] Among them, 1. Expansion and contraction cannula assembly, 2. Gastroscope assembly, 11. Flower-shaped support, 12. Power supply wire, 13. Outer liner, 14. Inner liner, 21. Lens section, 22. Cable section.

[0032] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the invention to explain the invention and do not constitute a limitation thereof. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0035] like Figures 1-8 As shown, the present invention proposes an auxiliary device for gastroesophageal reflux examination, including a retractable cannula assembly 1 and a gastroscope assembly 2. The diameter of the retractable cannula assembly 1 can be varied. When the diameter of the retractable cannula assembly 1 is at its minimum value, the diameter of the retractable cannula assembly 1 is smaller than the diameter of the gastroscope assembly 2. When the diameter of the retractable cannula assembly 1 is at its maximum value, the gastroscope assembly 2 can be slidably inserted into the interior of the retractable cannula assembly 1.

[0036] Because the diameter of the expandable and contractile cannula assembly 1 is smaller after contraction, the patient's psychological fear and physical discomfort are weaker during insertion into the esophagus. After the expandable and contractile cannula assembly 1 is inserted, the negative impact on the patient is also smaller because the endoscope assembly 2 slides within the expandable and contractile cannula assembly 1.

[0037] The expansion sleeve assembly 1 includes a flower-shaped bracket 11 and a power supply wire 12. The flower-shaped bracket 11 is arranged in an array of several groups, and the flower-shaped brackets 11 in each group are connected by the power supply wire 12.

[0038] The flower-shaped bracket 11 can maintain a stable spacing between each group of power supply wires 12, so that the expansion sleeve assembly 1 will not be axially compressed when it is inserted into the human body.

[0039] The flower-shaped support 11 is made of shape memory alloy. When the temperature of the flower-shaped support 11 rises, it can gradually unfold from the folded state, thereby transforming the expansion and contraction sleeve assembly 1 into a hollow tube structure with a larger diameter.

[0040] Both the flower-shaped bracket 11 and the power supply wire 12 are made of conductive materials. The power supply wire 12 is connected to an external power source. By controlling the current in the power supply wire 12 and the flower-shaped bracket 11, the temperature change of the flower-shaped bracket 11 can be controlled.

[0041] A small current can be passed through the flower-shaped bracket 11 via the power supply wire 12, thereby actively controlling the heating and unfolding of the flower-shaped bracket 11.

[0042] The endoscope assembly 2 consists of a lens section 21 and a tubing section 22, with the diameter of the lens section 21 being larger than the diameter of the tubing section 22.

[0043] When the flower-shaped bracket 11 is retracted, its diameter is smaller than the diameter of the lens section 21; when the flower-shaped bracket 11 is expanded, its diameter is larger than the diameter of the lens section 21.

[0044] The expansion and contraction sleeve assembly 1 also includes an outer bushing 13 and an inner bushing 14. Both the outer bushing 13 and the inner bushing 14 are made of flexible material. The outer bushing 13 covers the outside of the flower-shaped bracket 11 and the power supply wire 12, and the inner bushing 14 covers the inside of the flower-shaped bracket 11 and the power supply wire 12.

[0045] The outer bushing 13 is made of heat-insulating material.

[0046] The temperature rise of the flower-shaped stent 11 is not significant. The outer sleeve 13 can further isolate the temperature changes of the flower-shaped stent 11, thus avoiding any impact on the patient.

[0047] The inner liner 14 is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

[0048] In practical use, the operator first needs to insert the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1 in the contracted state into the esophagus from the patient's mouth. The expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1 is in a contracted state at room temperature. At this time, the outer diameter of the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1 is small (significantly smaller than the diameter of the lens part 21). The insertion depth can be slightly shallower than the gastroscopy, only exceeding the depth that is likely to cause discomfort to the patient.

[0049] After the expansion sleeve assembly 1 is inserted, the external power supply device transmits a small current to the flower-shaped bracket 11 through the power supply wire 12. When the flower-shaped bracket 11 is powered on, the temperature of the flower-shaped bracket 11 will gradually rise due to the existence of internal resistance. Since the flower-shaped bracket 11 is made of shape memory alloy, its shape will change with the temperature, thus changing from a contracted and folded state to an expanded and unfolded state.

[0050] The outer sleeve 13 can further isolate the temperature changes of the flower-shaped stent 11, avoiding any impact on the patient;

[0051] The inner liner 14 reduces the sliding resistance of the endoscope assembly 2 within the expandable cannula assembly 1, thereby improving the accuracy of handheld operation.

[0052] After the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1 is deployed, the endoscope assembly 2 is inserted into the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1 to perform the gastroscopy. At this time, the endoscope assembly 2 does not directly rub against the esophagus, so the discomfort is also less.

[0053] As another new embodiment of the present invention: the initial temperature of the flower-shaped support 11 is lower than the human body temperature, so after it is inserted into the esophagus, it can also be warmed by the human body temperature, so that it can automatically complete the expansion without power or with a small amount of power.

[0054] After the endoscope assembly 2 is inserted into the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1, a water-cooling tube can be installed in the tubing section 22 to cool the flower-shaped support 11. The cooled flower-shaped support 11 has a tendency to shrink, but it cannot shrink due to the presence of the tubing section 22. When the endoscope assembly 2 is pulled out from the expansion and contraction cannula assembly 1, the flower-shaped support 11 will automatically shrink and be easy to remove.

[0055] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0056] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the present invention; the actual structure is not limited thereto. In conclusion, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar structures and embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux, characterized in that: It includes an expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1) and an endoscope assembly (2). The diameter of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1) can be varied. When the diameter of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1) is at its minimum value, the diameter of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1) is smaller than the diameter of the endoscope assembly (2). When the diameter of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1) is at its maximum value, the endoscope assembly (2) can be slidably inserted into the interior of the expandable and contractible cannula assembly (1). The expansion and contraction sleeve assembly (1) includes a flower-shaped bracket (11) and a power supply wire (12). The flower-shaped bracket (11) is arranged in several groups, and each group of flower-shaped brackets (11) is connected to each other by the power supply wire (12). The flower-shaped support (11) is made of shape memory alloy. When the temperature of the flower-shaped support (11) rises, it can gradually unfold from the folded state, thereby transforming the expansion and contraction sleeve assembly (1) into a hollow tube structure with a larger diameter. Both the flower-shaped bracket (11) and the power supply wire (12) are made of conductive materials. The power supply wire (12) is connected to an external power source. By controlling the current in the power supply wire (12) and the flower-shaped bracket (11), the temperature change of the flower-shaped bracket (11) can be controlled. The gastroscopy assembly (2) consists of a lens section (21) and a tubing section (22), wherein the diameter of the lens section (21) is larger than the diameter of the tubing section (22); When the flower-shaped bracket (11) is retracted, its diameter is smaller than that of the lens part (21); when the flower-shaped bracket (11) is expanded, its diameter is larger than that of the lens part (21). A water-cooling pipe is installed in the online pipe section (22) to cool down the flower-shaped support (11). After cooling, the flower-shaped support (11) tends to shrink.

2. The auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux disease according to claim 1, characterized in that: The expansion sleeve assembly (1) further includes an outer bushing (13) and an inner bushing (14), both of which are made of flexible material. The outer bushing (13) covers the outside of the flower-shaped bracket (11) and the power supply wire (12), and the inner bushing (14) covers the inside of the flower-shaped bracket (11) and the power supply wire (12).

3. The auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux disease according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer bushing (13) is made of heat-insulating material.

4. The auxiliary device for examining gastroesophageal reflux disease according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner liner (14) is made of a material with a low coefficient of friction.

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